Chapter 82: The Return

“A field trip isn’t over until you make it back, you know.”

“…A field trip?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I had declared that the counteroffensive would begin—

But before that, we faced the far more immediate and exhausting task of simply getting home alive.

The aircraft were gone.

Now, the magic aerial soldiers carried the pilots who had once flown them, each one bearing the weight of another person as they moved through the sky.

Flying while carrying an extra body drastically reduced their speed.

Naturally, combat under such conditions was out of the question.

If we were spotted by enemy magic aerial soldiers now—if it came to a fight—defeat would be inevitable.

“Any sign of the enemy?”

“No… not yet.”

Still, we had already struck hard—many of their magic aerial soldiers had been shot down, and their central command had been annihilated.

It was unlikely they would launch another attack so soon.

“If we do encounter combat…”

“I’ll handle it. If it becomes impossible, scatter. Trust that at least some of you will survive.”

“…Understood.”

At my words, the magic aerial soldiers nodded solemnly, the weight of the situation settling over them.

“…We’ve crossed it.”

After some time, moving forward under a steady tension that none dared to release, we finally passed beyond enemy lines and returned to our own territory.

At this point, even if we were attacked, we could descend and call for reinforcements. We would manage.

“…Phew.”

Around me, I could feel it—the invisible thread of tension snapping, replaced by quiet waves of relief.

“Don’t let your guard down. There’s still a chance of attack. Stay alert.”

“““Yes, sir!”””

After cautioning them, I turned my gaze downward, observing the state of the Lunoa Kingdom’s forces below.

“…Going well.”

Shells rained down relentlessly onto the Friez Kingdom’s trenches, tearing apart their defensive lines. Through the gaps blasted open by artillery, Lunoa’s soldiers surged forward like a breaking tide.

“The trump card is working too… We’re fine.”

The front line that had once been pushed back was now being steadily reclaimed.

The Kingdom of Lunoa was pushing forward once more.

“Brigadier General Willard—!!!”

As we advanced over our own territory and returned toward headquarters, a loud voice called up from below.

Looking down, I saw General Newsbeck waving vigorously, her voice carrying even through the open air.

“What is the General doing…?”

It was hardly the dignified image one would expect of someone of her rank.

“We’ve returned.”

“Brigadier General Willard! You made it back!”

As I descended from the sky and touched down, General Newsbeck rushed toward me at full speed.

Without slowing, she moved as if to throw her arms around me in an embrace—

I sidestepped neatly.

“Hey! Why are you dodging!?”

She protested loudly, her voice tinged with clear dissatisfaction.

Honestly, the idea that I wouldn’t dodge was the stranger assumption.

“…Of course I’d dodge.”

“I would like you to accept my embrace…”

“…Have you been drinking?”

While her words could be questionable at times, I had always thought her actions were generally sound.

“…A little. Waiting is harder than I thought. I was worried—truly worried.”

“My apologies for causing concern.”

“Exactly! Which is why—come here for a reunion hug!”

“I’ll pass.”

“Haau!?”

“…Sigh.”

And so, I could only watch with a weary sigh as General Newsbeck collapsed dramatically to the ground, utterly defeated.