Training pushed forward even as our internal affairs remained a disorganized mess.
Simultaneously, we were activating the devices on the planet Tatiana had recently brought under control.
I’d expected some minor harassment, but General Rao hadn't deployed a single unit.
Hmm?
Maybe he wasn't actually parasitized after all.
I couldn't be sure.
He seemed to have some kind of ulterior motive.
According to Shiyun, General Rao’s family had produced high-ranking officers for the Forbidden Army for generations.
There were several such noble houses, but since pedigree didn't guarantee competence, only the truly capable were appointed as generals.
In their world, social standing took priority.
It was reminiscent of the Galactic Empire’s darker days when the Duke Association had been throwing its weight around.
Currently, being part of Wifey’s faction meant being favored—or at least shown a degree of consideration.
Word was that the resignations over civil matters had caused quite a stir in aristocratic circles.
Actually, if it ever came to a full-blown conflict with Latarnia, those actions would be a capital offense.
Regarding the late-night attempt on Eddie, we’d filed a formal protest and applied pressure, but the whole thing was essentially a joke.
Precisely because they knew we weren't truly angry, the Latarnians had brought up the soldiers' romantic entanglements as a counter.
In response, we made a verbal commitment: "We won't allow anyone to run away after promising marriage."
And so, the Galactic Empire presented a proper solution to the Marriage Problem of the Count's Son.
As a result, Latarnia's credibility remained intact.
We were blunt with them: "At the end of the day, this can only be settled with money."
If they fell into Latarnia's Smiling Dark Loan Hell, that was their own business.
You can't save people who take life lightly from ruining themselves.
I’m getting sidetracked. Back to General Rao.
General Rao was an excellent commander.
The basics of tactics involve monitoring the situation while harassing the opponent with small-scale skirmishes.
You gather intelligence, and when the opportunity arises, you advance in force.
In other words, the fact that he avoided small-scale combat and kept his army in reserve was what bothered me.
It’s always unnerving when someone takes actions you can't fathom.
If you overthink it, you can be led into a trap and end up in a pinch.
"Ah! Jeez! Isn't there anyone who's actually good at this kind of board state?!"
"That would be the Lord Groom. I do not feel as though I could ever best the Lord Groom in psychological warfare," Wifey answered, looking up from the TL works she was reading in bed.
Isn't that a bit harsh?
"But listen—I don't understand General Rao's movements!"
"It is a country with different religions, customs, and strategies. There must be something we simply cannot comprehend."
It really boiled down to that, but still...
"More importantly, how is Shiyun's training progressing?"
"She's reached the point where I could award her a Junior Badge."
That was the one earned based on flight hours.
In the simulator, those hours accrued at half-speed.
Having that badge added to your hourly wage, which was a nice perk.
In the first place, I only got my pilot certification to increase my own pay.
"There is no need to make her an Ace Pilot. It is enough if she can board a craft and issue commands."
"Or so you'd think."
But it wasn't quite that simple.
"...How ominous. What do you mean?"
"The thing is, she seemed to get the hang of it around yesterday, and she's suddenly improved by leaps and bounds. One-oh-one and Tatiana, too."
"...Ho."
"They're not quite ready to challenge that simulator yet, but they're approaching Suematsu-san's level of skill."
However, if they actually fought Suematsu-san, they would definitely lose.
Suematsu-san understood that he lacked innate piloting sense, so he built his tactics around what he could do to compensate.
That’s why he occupied the role of a Missile and Mine Scatterer with Dual-shield Equipment. He was so competent that we’d be lost without him.
When you think of him as a specialist who handles all combat support, you realize how formidable he is.
That man may be a resident of a gag world, but he's insanely smart.
Unfortunately, that type isn't appreciated in the Central Army...
That's why you must never, ever underestimate Suematsu.
I was glad he was the Knight Commander for Eddie's group.
If he were an enemy... I felt like I'd lose without ever knowing why.
Scary! Suematsu-san was genuinely terrifying!!!
"Ho, that is impressive... Do you intend to put them on the front lines?"
"Actually, I'd rather raise each of them to be a commander. I can only teach at the squad leader level, after all. I wonder if there's anyone more suited to being a Tactical Officer?"
Most of what we knew was self-taught.
We were learning from graduate students, but even they had zero experience as tactical officers.
I wanted them to be taught by someone with real field experience.
Training the next generation was an impossible game for us.
"I understand. I shall place a request with the government."
The next day, I headed to practice early in the morning.
Tatiana was already in the simulator.
"Oh, look at you, working hard!"
Tatiana jumped, looking like she'd been caught doing something shameful.
I wasn't going to tease her.
"Big Brother Leo, keep it a secret that I was practicing."
"Why?"
"It’s just... embarrassing."
"Fine, then I'll praise you instead."
I ruffled her hair playfully.
"So annoying!!!"
"Don't get mad, I'm trying to be nice~"
Just then, the alarm on Tatiana's terminal went off.
"Oops, it's time for my shift. I gotta wake up Shiyun and One-oh-one."
It was time for Catering Duty.
At the behest of Kevin and Nina-san, the three of them were also being taught how to cook.
The policy was to have them experience every facet of domestic life.
"Right, see you later. Next up is ship handling and strategy."
The stuff I was bad at.
I was a good pilot, but I was weak when it came to battleship tactics.
Man, those were difficult!
Seriously!
I could say that for sure because I’d acted as captain during our practical training.
Wifey was a genius, so she could maneuver and attack with perfect timing, but I couldn't pull that off.
To the core, I was a fighter pilot.
As such, I had an officer from the Thomas Fleet handle the initial instruction.
"I'd prefer if it was you, Big Brother."
"I can't teach that stuff. Go on, go get those two. I'm heading to the Dining Hall."
"Fiiiine."
When I reached the Dining Hall, Eddie was there.
He was acting all lovey-dovey with Minerva-chan.
My, my! How passionate!
Isono and Nakajima also seemed to be hitting it off.
I suddenly felt an urge to meddle for no reason.
While I was lost in those wicked thoughts, Melissa beckoned me over.
Claire and the others were there too.
That's fine! I'll go flirt too!
With that thought, I approached, only to find them deep in a tactical simulation.
"Leo, do you understand this problem?"
It was a historical tactical problem.
I’ll have you know, I was the Officer Academy Valedictorian!
Witness my prowess!!!
"Uh, let's see... move this here... and do this... Ah, total wipeout."
Just as I feared... I really was a meathead after all...
"Right? I don't get it either. Even when I follow the example, I still get wiped out."
"Isn't that a bug? Fairy-san!"
"It's not a bug. It's just that the explanation is wrong."
The Fairy looked thoroughly annoyed.
"Did something happen?"
"It's the Duke Association Legacy."
"The what?"
"This is what happens when the Duke Association leaves work to incompetent people! They didn't understand it themselves, so they just lied in the explanation!"
"Who was in charge?"
"They died during the attack on the Imperial Capital, so they can't be held accountable. That's why we're having people try to see if anyone can solve it!"
"What about you, Fairy-san?"
"I can't touch it because the data I have is unreliable."
Ugh...
So there were problems like that, too..."}