Combat suits, machine guns, and standard equipment.
Backpacks stuffed with military rations and snacks for our ruins investigation.
We took a military vehicle as far as we could and brought along several units of security humanoid heavy machinery.
After parking the trailer used to transport the heavy machinery, we began the investigation.
"Why are you guys in such full gear, ssu?"
Tatiana offered a very reasonable critique.
Each of us was lugging over thirty kilograms of gear.
Incidentally, Wifey—who had about the same level of physical strength as Tatiana—was staying behind.
"Don't you get it? If we go just to play, we have to use paid leave. But if we apply to the military for a ruins investigation mission, we get hazard pay added to our salary."
Writing the reports would be a nightmare, though.
But these were Officer Academy students. Each of them was a squad leader.
I hoped they would do their best with the paperwork.
"Ahahaha! You're thinking of devious things, aren't you! That kind of thing is impossible for me, ssu."
"Hm? What are you talking about?"
"I mean, difficult things like management are beyond me..."
"Tatiana. You're entering the Officer Academy next year."
"Hwaaaaaaaaaaaaa?"
Tatiana staggered.
Her pack was likely too heavy for her.
"Here, let me take that."
I moved Tatiana's gear into my own backpack.
I left her with only the bare minimum, like her water bottle and some food, for her to carry.
It was a little heavy.
"Ussu. Thanks. So, why am I entering the Officer Academy anyway, ssu?"
"You're a precious rare ability user. There's no way the military would just use you up on the front lines."
"My academic ability is totally lacking, ssu!"
"Give up and study. Kevin said he'd tutor you."
"I—I can't let Big Sister lose face! I've gotta work hard..."
I pushed the agonizing Tatiana toward Kevin, who was walking behind us, and took the lead.
Since everyone was getting bored of lounging at the beach, they were all in favor of a field trip.
Even if the gear was heavy.
"Let's sing!"
"Yeah!!"
Despite the weight on our backs, everyone was energetic.
In no time at all, we arrived at the ruins.
Planet Kamishiro Main House was almost entirely undeveloped.
Back when House Sato ruled it, the planet had served as nothing more than the site of their private residence.
As a result, no ruins investigation had ever been conducted.
Since I had become the Grand Duke, I intended to develop the planet aggressively.
Supposedly, the ruins belonged to the Galactic Republic.
But we didn't learn anything about that in history class...
It seemed research on the site was nonexistent; no records remained.
I found the entrance.
I called them "ruins," but it wasn't some stone dungeon.
It was a proper underground base.
The exterior was overgrown with vines... kudzu, actually.
I searched for the entrance while clearing away the kudzu with a machete.
"I found a door!"
We located the entrance immediately.
The base was sealed by a hydraulic door.
It was locked with an electronic lock.
"Fairy, if you please."
"Okay!"
I had Fairy unlock it, and we prepared to head inside.
But before that...
"Kevin, get the drones in."
"Roger."
After all, this facility might have been left abandoned for centuries.
Low oxygen would be lethal.
There was also a possibility that House Sato had entered frequently.
In that case, there might be Zork inside... though I didn't sense any bloodlust, so I figured it would be fine.
I sent the drones through the opened door to scout.
According to the drone's sensors, the oxygen levels were normal.
Perhaps the air vents were still functioning?
In any case, we wouldn't die instantly.
The cameras didn't pick up any biological signatures either.
"Infiltrating."
I said the word and stepped inside.
Everyone held their guns ready as we followed.
It was easy to forget because they were a bunch of pervert pilots... but they were all elite soldiers.
They had survived countless life-and-death situations.
High-ranking officials had practically begged Ren on their hands and knees not to enter shooting competitions.
"I'll use the drones to map the area and perform reconnaissance."
Kevin released a swarm of small drones.
This was a luxury that could only be afforded on the ground when supplies were plentiful.
I mean, it wasn't prohibited, but if we weren't in a position to be resupplied, we'd usually decide to hold off on such resource-heavy tactics.
"I found something in the back. Projecting it on the display."
A live feed appeared.
It showed a tall, cylindrical device.
Inside was the form of something humanoid.
Long-haired... a woman... and she was naked!!!
Suddenly, my vision went black.
Melissa, Ren, Claire, and Tatiana had all rushed to cover my eyes.
"Why are you hiding it?"
"...Because it's annoying."
Claire-san... could you please stop using such overwhelming persuasiveness?
Incidentally, I was covering Tatiana's eyes.
It was purely to vent my frustration.
"Hey, Captain Leo! I can't see the boobs! Move your hand!!"
"Nuhahaha! This is for your own moral education!!!"
"You're so annoying!!!"
She smacked me repeatedly, but it didn't hurt or itch at all.
"...Are they a pair of close siblings?"
"Even Melissa is calling us out."
Well, since I wasn't allowed to see the video, I had to listen to their report.
According to the girls, "A woman was floating inside the device. It was scary. Pien."
Meanwhile, when I asked the boys, they said, "The boobs were huge."
Splitting the difference, I asked Kevin.
"It's a woman. She seems to be in some kind of incubation device. I scanned her, but I couldn't tell if she was alive."
"Good job! I'll give Kevin some snacks!"
I handed him potato chips and juice.
Tatiana reached out her hand with sparkling eyes, so I placed some candy and ramune on her palm.
"Nn!"
She seemed to be demanding more.
Reluctantly, I gave her a character-themed chocolate lollipop.
"Thanks."
Tatiana liked things kids ate.
I made a note of that in my mental record.
"Oh, Tatiana, you got candy from your big brother? That's nice."
"I got it!"
The boys were acting like doting older cousins.
I felt like they were spoiling her quite a bit... but oh well.
Kevin put his snacks into his backpack without eating them.
"Shall we go see for ourselves?"
The interior was convoluted, like a small dungeon.
Terminals were placed in various rooms.
Furthermore, there were several other devices.
"It looks like a biochemical lab," Fairy muttered.
"Fairy, do you know what they were researching?"
"I'll enter the terminal... some kind of experiment... human experimentation? ...Let's burn it down."
It seemed I had stepped on Fairy's landmine.
"Wait, we haven't finished the investigation yet."
"Eeeh, well then, please finish it quickly!"
"Before that, communication. Let Wifey, Piggett, and the brothers-in-law know: 'Found traces of experiments. Not sure if it will lead to combat.'"
"Oka—y."
We advanced toward the naked beauty.
By the way... just how big was 'huge'?"}