We got the engines back online.
The technology in this area involved so many black boxes that even the Maintenance Squad couldn't make heads or tails of it anymore.
For now, repairs mostly consisted of swapping out damaged components for new ones produced by the Shaping Printer.
We replaced the sections that had been mangled during the emergency stop.
Given the scale of the enemy's attack, the damage to the fleet was miraculously light.
Zero fatalities despite an explosion of that magnitude. (Though the Warp did result in a high number of hospitalizations.)
Thomas's group and the Lords' forces were also managing with just basic repairs.
None of us had lost our resolve.
As for me, a high-ranking officer in name only, I was on duty today as an electrical engineer.
My work mainly involved repairing the interior electrical systems.
To be fair, there were plenty of engineers for major projects like internal cabling.
Because we had experience in places where manpower was scarce, we were capable of doing extravehicular work, but they wouldn't let us near it.
They had specialists for that, after all.
My mission was to replace water heaters and lighting—tasks even a student could handle.
"I'm here for the water heater replacement!"
I carried out my duties in the Dining Hall, dressed in my work clothes.
"Wait... isn't that the Major?"
"Major Kamishiro is replacing the water heater."
The crew whispered among themselves from a distance.
The Officer Academy Bunch and the Imperial Guards knew I occasionally worked as an engineer, but for the others...
"Huh? Big Brother Leo. What are you doing?"
Tatiana showed up.
"Weren't you in the hospital until yesterday?"
"I've forgotten things from that far back."
"Hey, Big Sister Claire! Big Brother Leo is working in the Dining Hall!"
"You snitched instantly?!"
In response to the report, Claire and One-oh-one arrived immediately.
I was promptly arrested.
"You were told to stay on bed rest, weren't you?"
I was forced into a seiza on the floor for a lecture.
"No, it’s just that if I’m not working, I get anxious... about the future..."
"Leo, you're His Excellency the Grand Duke and the Imperial Groom!"
"Well... I thought if I lost my position, I might get divorced."
"If that happens, I'll support you! You can just work at my family's supermarket!"
"Claire-shann..."
"Give me a break. There's no way the military would let go of a guy like the Captain; he's practically a final weapon,"
Tatiana looked completely exasperated.
One-oh-one didn't really understand what was happening, but she was smiling.
You really are an angel...
"Claire, did you say the Captain is working?"
Melissa arrived as well.
"Lord Groom. You are on absolute rest!"
Ren joined them.
Ah... Melissa had a look that said, "...Good grief, here he goes again," but Ren was genuinely furious.
Ren rarely lost her cool, but she was absolutely angry now!
I could feel it!
"Lord Groom... do you understand the meaning of absolute rest?"
"Ah, yes. I'm sorry."
If it were Claire, she'd probably forgive me with a "Geez, you dummy~" followed by an Iron Claw, but making Ren angry was no joke.
I had no evidence for it, but I felt it in my bones.
That was why I spoke up.
"Um... for now, I just need to connect the hose... can I finish this up-nya?"
Secret Art: The 'Mask Everything with Work' Technique!!!
I connected the hose, ran the test, and finished the job.
Next, I'd move on to replacing the lights—
"Lord Groom, what are you doing?"
"N-No, I'm just replacing the lights..."
"Is that a job for someone who just got out of the hospital?"
Ren smiled brightly.
"I was mistaken-gozaru..."
I couldn't trick her.
I was caught by the group and forced into my room.
Apparently, someone else was going to take over the light replacement.
I... am so sad...
I get anxious if I'm not working...
"What shall we play with?!"
One-oh-one asked energetically.
Yes, let's play!
One-oh-one was the Zork Princess, but her steward wasn't around this time.
Claire and Tatiana were here, though.
I'd never seen anyone be mean to her.
Yes, stay just as you are.
Our communication environment was perfect.
We had launched a Communication Satellite before anything else.
Internet access was available too.
Just as I was about to play, the Fairy suddenly appeared in a massive close-up.
"Leo-kun! Games are forbidden!"
"Gwaaaah! Why?!"
"Regarding the cause of your Subspace Sickness, it seems to be because your brain perceived a four-dimensional space that it wasn't capable of processing until now."
"Eh? It felt like a bit more than just 'sickness,' though."
My brain had been screaming, "Fueeeh, I'm gonna dieee!!"
"That's because it was your first time perceiving it! Moreover, Leo-kun, you were at the epicenter of that phenomenon! An unbelievable amount of information flooded into your brain! Normally, that would kill a person!"
"...Wait, kill me?"
"It would. Your heart actually stopped, after all."
Oof.
I was more seriously injured than I thought.
"I thought my heart stopped from ESP overuse!"
"You deviated too far from the human realm! As proof, there were very few casualties over at Veronica-chan's place because she's used to being swung around by you every day, but Thomas-kun's place is full of people who were sent to the hospital!"
"Ehh..."
"Therefore, no using your brain! Please stay in bed. ...And don't you dare do any work!"
"Oka—y. One-oh-one, she says games are forbidden."
"Understood! Tatiana, let's play!"
"Yeah, yeah, Big Brother. I'm borrowing your game console."
"Go ahead~"
Ren and Claire prepared some tea.
Melissa was playing with One-oh-one, Tatiana, and the Fairy.
"Hey, guys, what should we do now? Should I go make something in the Dining Hall?"
If I wasn't working, the anxiety would—
Then Ren gave a pleasant smile.
It was a little terrifying.
"It is absolute rest time♪"
I was in a bind... there was nothing to do.
I had no choice but to sulk in bed.
With my fiancées around me, there was no way I was going to get sleepy.
Yes, this Maro desires a lap pillow!
While I was thinking about such nonsense... I'm way too bored!
I—I must work! I have to work!
"Leo-kun has turned into a total military drudge!"
Shut up, Fairy!
Who's a military drudge?!
"Lord Groom, I'm home... oh, is everyone here? What is the matter?"
"Ah, Veronica-chan! Stop Leo! No matter what we do, he keeps trying to find work!"
Claire pleaded with her.
Then Wifey gave a wicked grin.
Ah, she was up to something.
"Major Leo Kamishiro!"
"Yess!"
"It is a superior officer's order! Sleep!"
"Sir, yes sir!"
Fast asleep...
Before I drifted off, I thought I heard her say, "This is how one handles the Lord Groom," but I decided to let it slide.