“Achoo!”

“Seriously, Yuu, think about the season. You’ve already pushed yourself too hard.”

Wrapped in a blanket, warming my cold hands with a cup of hot coffee, I was getting a scolding from Kotomi.

This is the command center on the bridge of the battleship.

I was rescued, showered off the salty seawater, and finally feeling human again.

By the way, Hayami-san was immediately taken to the medical room.

“But this is quite a large fleet mobilization. I didn’t expect Kotomi to be on board.”

“Commander Azana pulled some strings. He really can get the military to bend over backward. He also suggested I watch the naval battle.”

Kotomi, still looking uncomfortable in her uniform, sat uneasily next to the captain’s seat.

“Commander Azana was a former admiral, after all.”

“I’ve only ever caused trouble in the cyber world from the rear, but this is a real battlefield…”

Kotomi looked slightly pale as she watched the fleet continuously firing from the bridge.

“That said, this isn’t a typical naval battle, it’s a one-sided annihilation. This is all thanks to Dr. Kirigaya and you, Kotomi. The Navy is grateful.”

Apparently, the enemy fleet has been completely defeated in electronic warfare by the formidable team of Dr. Kirigaya and Kotomi. They can’t use computer-controlled equipment or satellite communications and are navigating using old-fashioned radar and stars.

With such equipment, the enemy fleet is being blown away, along with their home port.

“Is that so…”

“We’re all doing our best in different roles. There’s no need to feel guilty.”

“Yeah…”

Those on the front lines enable the final capture of strongholds, and large-scale attacks by Soul Armor users minimize troop losses.

Ideally, we respect each other, but at least we shouldn’t feel guilt or inferiority.

After all, we work for about the same pay as regular soldiers.

I hope the regular soldiers understand that.

“Still, we’re really deep into enemy territory this time.”

“I asked Commander Azana why, and he said, ‘They’re being rightly punished for threatening world order.'”

“What’s world order?”

“I asked too, but he evaded the question.”

I heard that a large-scale invasion is being carried out by the northern federation, and the neighboring country is already on its last legs.

Why such a large-scale offensive this time, even coordinating with surrounding countries?

Honestly, I think we’ve gone too far.

“Well, at least we made it back alive. Will we reach the port by tomorrow morning?”

“Just in time for school on Monday.”

“Oh, can’t we take tomorrow off, Kotomi?”

“No way. I left the student council work with President Nase, so I have to go. There’s a referral due tomorrow, remember?”

“Ugh…”

As the surrounding ships kept firing, only our ship was heading home.

Normally, solo navigation would be reckless, but we had already taken full control of the territorial waters.

◇◇◇◆◇◇◇

In the marshal’s office at the Ichigaya Joint Staff Headquarters.

The marshal, who should be the master of the room, was trembling in a corner.

“Now, explain yourself, Kirigaya.”

“You look scarier than usual, Lord Azana. Did I do something wrong again?”

Commander Azana, sitting grandly on the reception sofa, stared sharply at the nonchalant Dr. Kirigaya.

“Don’t play dumb. This is about the incident with Kamiya being isolated in enemy territory. It was your information, wasn’t it?”

“I deeply apologize for providing inaccurate information. I’ll apologize to Kamiya and Hayami when they return. If that’s not enough, I’ll accept any punishment, even demotion or dismissal from my current position as head of the Soul Armor Research Institute.”

Dr. Kirigaya preemptively apologized and easily mentioned her own fate.

“What we, Azana and I, are asking is not about such trivial matters. We want to know why you deliberately fell into the enemy’s trap.”

Marin, the Fifth Special Forces Seat, sitting next to Commander Azana, joined the interrogation.

“It wasn’t deliberate. It was my mistake. I’m already in my thirties. My body can’t keep up with the recent mission schedule.”

“”…””

Dr. Kirigaya remained carefree, but the marshal’s office was filled with a heavy atmosphere.

“So, what’s the verdict? Am I fired from the Special Forces?”

Breaking the silence, Dr. Kirigaya asked Commander Azana.

“Personally, I’d love to, but we can’t manage electronic warfare without you. With all the countries focusing on electronic warfare against you and Hinoura-san, we can’t afford to lose you.”

Commander Azana spat out the words with a face showing his anguish.

“Haha! That’s great. If I were kicked out of the Special Forces, I’d have to say goodbye to Natori-san. So, is this conversation over?”

Dr. Kirigaya laughed and turned to leave the marshal’s office when Marlene spoke.

“This time, considering it served as a good pretext for joint sanctions against the neighboring country and Lieutenant Hayami’s ability awakened, we’ll overlook it. But…”

Marin intentionally paused.

“Next time, I’ll grab the pig’s tail.”

She declared, glaring disdainfully at Dr. Kirigaya.

“If you try to grab a pig’s tail, you might get kicked and break a bone. Watch out for unexpected retaliation.”

Without looking back, Dr. Kirigaya waved her hand and left the marshal’s office.