I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun-Chapter 778: Christmas (6) (Last)

"Ugh, my body... I shouldn’t have slept so close. What the hell, how are you supposed to sleep with your tail wrapped around me like that?!"

"Ugh..."

"Wow, it’s not even normal to leave marks from a position like this, but the scales on my body are so clearly imprinted. Can I touch them?"

"Don’t touch me without permission, you damn seal!"

It was December 26th, the day after Christmas, at Central Park HQ.

Yesterday, there was no wind, just snow, so the weather had been relatively mild. However, right after Christmas ended, the weather turned cold as hell, dropping to -10°C.

Maybe it was because of that, or because I had indulged in high-proof alcohol the senior officers kept offering during the party last night, but it wasn’t until later that I realized the effect my new drinking habit had on me.

...The problem was that, like an anaconda, it involved me hugging the person I shared the bed with.

"I think I felt like I was under a hundred kilograms of pressure..."

"If this was with a regular person, you’d be dead, you know. You really shouldn’t share a bed with this guy anymore."

"Ughh...sorry..."

"Geez, seriously. You little brat."

I’m sorry... It was an accident because I didn’t know myself.

Thankfully, it was Logan, who’s famous for being sturdy, who was the one affected, so I guess I should be relieved. Though there was no injury, my body was sore enough.

Meanwhile, Laurentina was laughing her head off, showing me a photo she took of the early morning when I was hugging Logan tightly while he was bound with my tail. Why on earth was she taking those pictures?

The photo showed me wrapped around Logan, my legs over his stomach, and my arm on his chest... basically, I was causing him all sorts of trouble.

"Ahhh! That hurts!"

"You brought this on yourself, huh?"

"I’m sorryyyy...."

"...Sigh, you’re adorable. Really. I just can’t ignore you."

I was saved by how cute I was.

Though, I’m not saying that to flatter myself. Even if my body’s changed a lot from before, it still feels a bit... awkward to say that I’m cute. But when I’m objectively experiencing it like this, I guess it does feel that way.

Anyway, the short Christmas season finally ended. That doesn’t mean I immediately went back to work... Central Park HQ still had a festive atmosphere.

It felt like the holidays back in Korea, where you get about a week off, maybe more if you include substitute holidays and such. And the holiday atmosphere only added to it.

However, despite that, the current concerns of the HQ were a little different.

"By the way, reports are coming in that the bodies of the enemy combatants we’ve been fighting lately are showing... a 'diverse' range of ethnicities."

"...Ethnicities?"

"Yes, they’re not confirmed yet, but apparently, they’re not the usual ones you’d find in America. Notably..."

"Those with turbans on their heads, or those who get along with them, or maybe those eating tacos. It’s a classic method. By now, they’ve probably sent military uniforms to prisoners in Russia or China too."

"...I get that they need manpower, but this is pretty low."

"These are the same people who came up with the insane plan to drop troops on American soil and actually carried it out. If they’d won, it’d be one thing, but they’ve been getting beaten badly, so there’s no way they have any troops left. This was bound to happen."

Russia and China were rushing to replenish their forces from all sides.

The weather and temperatures weren’t exactly great, and the idea of sending people who had never been to the U.S. – people who spoke a completely different language and came from entirely different ethnicities – to a place like America was a huge hurdle. But...

If you asked a few million people, at least one or two battalions would probably be filled, and even more would join if anti-American sentiment was stirred and promises of wealth were made.

Eventually, several divisions could easily be gathered.

Analysts were predicting this, and while some argued that it was too hopeful of a scenario for the enemy, whether hopeful or desperate, the direction remained the same.

The scattered command centers also prioritized preparing responses based on the worst-case scenario, focusing on building the necessary logistics to back up their plans.

Lapland explained this further.

"So... what will happen, I wonder. At this point, the concept of 'exchange rates' shouldn’t even be valid. Especially in situations like this, where there’s no other front than urban warfare, right?"

"We’re speculating that they’ll use combat drones to achieve overwhelming exchange rates."

"That’s the best option. We’ll all be busy with unmanned drone operations training today, tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that."

"Some people think it’ll be a bit easier if the Dagger team helps out... But, since the Icarus Gear drone operations rely on brainwaves, there’s not much we can do about it."

"That’s right."

What can I say, listening to all this really made me feel like I was back in reality.

But truthfully, even in this situation, I should be grateful. If it had been a normal situation, I’d probably be working hard at Killhouse by now. So, just getting a briefing is already a good deal.

And frankly, I’m not fully recovered from my fatigue. While some corrective actions are possible through debriefing, revisiting everything in the training ground... I’ve had too much going on to do that.

But people always find alternatives.

"Lapland."

"Yeah?"

"Do you have some free time this afternoon?"

"Well... I’ve clocked in, but if it’s a request from the Dagger team, I could step out of the TOC for a bit... what’s up?"

"Even though I haven’t had time to do it, I think it’s finally time to review CQB, a fantastic subject that can help you protect yourself and others. Don’t you think?"

"Hold on, let me go ask for overtime at the TOC—cough!"

"Ah."

If the Dagger team can’t train, maybe we can put someone else in the training room.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

Sadly, Lapland was already deeply involved with the Dagger team, so there was no chance of him escaping. In no time, his shirt collar was grabbed, and he was pushed into a chair with a cough.

There are too many tactical-spirits here who want to nurture their juniors.

If that’s the case, I might as well help out.

"Lapland, it’s okay."

"...Wait, are you trying to ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) help me?"

"No. I just wanted to tell you that if you keep at it, you’ll adapt."

"You brat..."

Then, let’s call Captain Fawkes, shall we?

"What the hell are you talking about!?"

It’s all tricky.

Well, since Lapland is already stuck in this situation, that’s one thing... but if the 107th Military Police Company learns advanced CQB, it’s probably not going to be a bad thing. If there’s time later, I might just have to take that up.

...Actually, now is exactly that time. And "later" seems like the most meaningless word right now. Maybe the most fitting thing to say is "when I make up my mind."

I had that thought. And I guess everyone else did too.

"Junior."

"Shall we contact them now?"

"Hold on, hold on! I haven’t even said yes yet!"

"Really? Well, I guess it can wait."

"...You're giving up too easily."

"Well, we can’t drag someone who doesn’t want to come."

At that moment, Lapland, shocked at how easily we were giving up, looked on as three mutants gathered around him.

"But will there even be a 'next' for our little wolf? Can we really say that there won’t be any attacks in Central Park while we’re off to Washington D.C.?"

"Assuming the Dagger team returns safely is a bit premature. If someone gets seriously injured, Lapland will be the first to fill in... "

"Well, if you want to rest a bit, I guess I can’t help that."

"..."

Of course, as I said earlier, this wasn’t giving up, it was a threat. It didn’t take long for Lapland to give in.

It seems that the last thing we need to do before heading to the capital is make everyone CQB experts.

"...Ah, I remember this. Back then, I was just a kid carrying ammo, but now I’m teaching the Military Police Company...”

“...Hehe.”

"The last year was tough. Sadly, I lost some of my soldiers, but thanks to operators like you, we didn't face even greater losses."

"Once everything in Manhattan is over, the Military Police Company won’t have to go to dangerous places anymore. We'll make sure of it..."

"Don’t try to take everything on yourself. In these circumstances, someone is bound to fall."

"...Right."

The sound of rapid footsteps echoed.

December 31st, in the Central Park HQ’s underground simulation training room. The sound of simulation rounds firing echoed endlessly in the spacious underground room, which was as large as several soccer fields combined.

I had just come back from a cycle and was diligently reviewing the training I had just completed. Sitting next to me, Captain Fawkes was... well, honestly, it’s probably better that this person doesn't end up fighting at the front lines. There’ve been more instances of that happening recently, though.

"Technically speaking, this is the second time I’ve seen you fight properly... There’s been so much going on that it’s hard to count everything."

"The first time was at Grand Central Station. It’s almost been a year since that incident. Only about two months left, huh..."

"Has it really been that long?"

Indeed.

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The Christmas that seemed like it would never end was already a week ago. The improvised CQB (Close-Quarter Battle) class that started on a whim spread to all the U.S. military forces stationed at HQ in no time.

Except for the days off, all the days now pass so quickly. It feels like every day is over in the blink of an eye, just like when we go on missions. When we return from one, two weeks, or even a month feels like it’s gone in the blink of an eye.

If we go to Washington D.C. this time, I’m guessing... January will probably just disappear. After that, I’m not sure where we’ll go next. Maybe Florida again. We’ve been there once before, but it was around September, so maybe I’d like to go there during the summer this time.

Although it's not vacation time, I think that would provide some mental relief.

While I was thinking such pointless thoughts, a sudden idea struck me, and the words slipped out of my mouth reflexively.

"...By the way, Captain. How are things going with Lapland?"

"Ugh, cough...!"

"Eh, Captain?"

"Who the hell suddenly asks a question like that!?"

"Ah, but..."

Bam!

I immediately received a "lesson."

In an instant, Captain Fawkes' face turned bright red. It was the first time I’d seen such a reaction. It started to feel a bit fun, but as always, silence is golden. Of course, judging by my reaction, I guess he knew exactly what I was thinking, and I received a cold glare.

However, it wasn’t like he completely hated it, and after this brief pushback, I noticed something.

"...This necklace, did you get it as a gift? It’s really pretty. I think I can guess who gave it to you."

"..."

"If you want, I can find a sturdier chain and change it for you."

"...That would be nice."

A necklace with a wolf-shaped gemstone.

I suddenly became curious where this came from, but, well, it’s not like anyone would be buying it at full price for at least the next few decades. Maybe even longer.

Before we deploy to the capital, I promised to find it and deliver it. While doing that, I asked Captain Fawkes a question.

"By the way, Captain, what did you get as a gift?"

"Curious, huh?"

"Yeah."

"I’m not telling you. It’d be boring if I just told you."

"Ehh..."

It’s unfair. He teases me like this.

I tried checking the recorded video on the spot, trying to see if there was something different in it, but sadly, Captain Fawkes immediately stopped me. More unfairness.

Now that Lapland is in the simulation room, maybe later I can ask... but I feel like he won’t tell me. So, I’ll have to use the observation skills I’ve honed over time to figure it out.

Anyway, I decided...

"I guess I’ll have to find a snake-shaped accessory to gift as well, as a year-end gift."

"Hey, no polygamy."

"Eh, I wasn’t going for that... wait a second. Captain, are you suggesting...? No way! Really!?"

"Hey, hey! It’s not like that! Not yet! Eugene!"

Could it be that Lapland and Captain Fawkes are...?

Before I could finish that thought, my body was already moving naturally, and Captain Fawkes’ yelling voice behind me started to fade away like Doppler effect.

In no time, my speeding body left behind, and I heard the words continuing.

"Seriouslyyyy!"

My voice echoed down the hallway. Of course, within a few minutes, my little romance scenario in my head was corrected, and I got a scolding for it.

Heh heh.

And that’s where the scene ends. Let me know if you need further details!