There was a small camp around the entrance, and a number of people were looking at us.

In a minute, I saw duke Valencio, pushing through the crowd of soldiers.

“Thank God, you all returned!” (V)

“How are the rescued?”

“They all are now safe, thank you.” The man clenched my arms, once again reminding me that I am a useless squeak.

“Oh, sorry! I must have been to emotional.” He stepped back.

“I hope it was worth the blood.”

“It must be…” (V)

“Speaking of which, why do I see a camp here?”

“We will have to guard the passage to avoid the enemy moving through it.” (V)

“Ha-ha-ha~! No need.” I pointed into the sky.

NEOOOOOW

Two dots separated from the MiG and fell into the forest.

BOOM

“With this the passage should no longer be a problem. Perhaps forever.”

“Regrettable but understandable.” Valencio nodded in confirmation.

---

The very moment we returned to the tank, I climbed inside the tent. I fell into the sleeping bag and immediately fell asleep.

“Good to see you in the war room.” (E)

“Whatever you think, it isn’t my problem.”

“My-my, fine. Congratulations on success. I have my own gifts for you.” (E)

“Spit it out.”

“Are you talking to somebody?” Stella walked out to the table.

“Yes, to a very malevolent person.”

“I’m hurt! Ah, right, you can now request help from callsigns ‘Cake’, ‘Thor’, and ‘Flapper’.” (E)

“Whoever is this creative, they have my disgust.”

“Can you stop beating me where it hurts…?” (E)

“No can do. If that is it, I want to rest.”

“Rest well, Captain. You will need a very good rest to calm down.” (E)

“That was weirdly nice of you.”

I played with Stella until the morning. It may be a bit awkward but I may’ve even enjoyed it.

---

When I woke up, I felt chilly.

I lifted my body off the cloth and…

“You mother*er…”

I was not in my undershirt, I was in a girly night dress.

“What are you grumbling about right from the start…?” Jester lifted up his head.

“It… i-it is s-such a p-pity I am blind when I wake up…?” (J)

“You can take the book and start reading it. It also goes for the senior lieutenant who pretended to be asleep right after a certain somebody woke up.”

“Have mercy…” (O)

“No mercy. It’s 6:50.”

“You’re demon…” (J)

“Silence, you lazy bastards.” I started taking off this frilly abomination.

‘I remember somebody being angry that we saw her but right now she is undressing here.’ (J)

“You have 10 minutes to finish dressing and warming up. Clock’s ticking.”

“You are tyrant!!!” Two slimes started hurrying while I slowly finished putting on my uniform.

---

I crawled out of the tent and sat at the edge of the engine cover.

The guys were running, and I was waking up.

I turned on the portable stove and put the teapot on fire. While the water was boiled, I brushed my teeth.

“So, we are done.” (O)

“Great. You see the state of preparations.”

“The state is ‘glass with a teabag’.” (J)

“What are you going to do with the dress?” Old man pointed at the black abomination.

“What…? I think I’ll burn it.”

“A MOMENT!!!” The radio exploded with Ether’s shouting.

“I don’t care.”

“Ha… Of course you don’t care… I have new information for you.” (E)

“What is it?”

“You are authorized to request another GRU insurgence. I mean, at any given time. Right now, or a month later, or at any date. They are on stand by.” (E)

“Uhu.” I turned off radio.

“So, what is our plan?” (J)

“I will drink tea and head to the allied command. It is the time to put my plan into action and prepare for the assault. You will prepare the tank. The regulations are postponed but not cancelled. I want to see the full list of ammunition, oils, and supplies required, by the time I return. Any questions?”

“I have one. How soon will we attack?” (O)

“Not earlier than tomorrow. Quite possible at least after 3 days of preparations.”

I poured the boiling water into the glass and after the tea was done, I…

“S*, NAH*, P* E*!!!” [An untranslatable nonsense phrase, don’t mind it.]

“Vot chto bivaet kogda p’esh kipyatok…” [And that's what happends when you drink the boiling water.] Said Old man with a tone of a father teaching his silly child.

“Idi nah*, ue*!!!” [Go pick some flowers.]

“Chill, your tongue must be unused to the hot water.” (O)

“Thank you, what would I be doing without your advice?”

I waited for the tea to cool down, and finally emptied the damned glass.