After talking with Belka, Illusionary Feather turned off the communicator and walked out of the hall with Blazing Heart, ignoring the wisps of black gas rising. Humanity’s greatest strength is adapting to environments; its greatest flaw is forgetting. Right now, Illusionary Feather embodied both perfectly.
When they returned to the spaceship, none of the girls had left. Illusionary Feather didn’t know they’d just held a meeting, but seeing them standing in a pattern, he guessed a lot. He figured they’d grouped up for upcoming tasks. Their reason for staying? Probably to see what assignment he’d get next.
Belka watched him return. With a somewhat serious expression, she walked over, stood on tiptoes before him, and delivered a sharp hand chop. Illusionary Feather could’ve easily dodged or caught it, but he didn’t flinch. The chop landed with full force.
Afterward, Belka’s smile returned. “Little Brother Feather, if you leave the ship without permission again, the punishment will be harsher, okay?”
Illusionary Feather finally realized. “Oh~ So we’re not here for sightseeing, but for a mission!”
His words left all the girls speechless. After a moment, Avira spoke. “Since everyone’s here and tasks are assigned, Illusionary Feather, come help set up the wilderness camping tents.”
As a wrongdoer, Illusionary Feather had no right to object. With the girls agreeing, he could only become free labor for tent duty.
Soon after Avira spoke, Belka clenched her right fist and tapped it on her left palm, wearing a “So that’s how it works” expression. Seeing this, Illusionary Feather resigned himself to being free labor.
Sure enough, Misa was next to speak. Excitedly, she pounced on Avira, hugging and spinning her. “Avira-chan, this idea is brilliant! So wise! Long live Avira-chan!” Even cold-faced Avira couldn’t handle the bear hug, shooting a pleading look at Belka.
Misa was like a floodgate opening. Once she spoke, the girls chimed in.
“If Illusionary Feather-kun helps, that’d be great.”
“Guys really are better for tent setup.”
“I have Black Rock helping, but it’s annoying knowing Illusionary Feather’s lazing on the ship.”
“Exactly. Illusionary Feather should help. Otherwise, I might order Scarlet to blow up the ship when I see him slacking.”
Several girls shared opinions. Though some remarks were harsh, they all wanted his help. The outcome was sealed.
Belka instructed everyone to rest today. Tomorrow morning, Illusionary Feather would help set up tents, then they’d start forest searches in pairs.
Later, in the kitchen, Avira cooked while Illusionary Feather assisted. Unnoticed, Koya slipped to the seat opposite Blazing Heart beside him. She sat seriously, reading an ancient, thick book—apparently on Dragon Clan Magic Engineer history.
Blazing Heart had been hostile toward Koya initially, but over time, it faded. As long as Koya stayed quiet, she ignored her.
After dinner, with no meeting, everyone went to bed early. Since Illusionary Feather still couldn’t sleep with Blazing Heart, he lay alone on the deck, gazing at the stars.
The next day, someone woke him on the deck. Opening his eyes, he accidentally spotted a piece of pink fabric—likely due to the other’s carelessness. Suppressing a nosebleed, he shut his eyes, calculated quickly, stood, and moved ten meters away.
He opened his eyes again. It was Kerdelin. Realizing the usually serious Kerdelin wore pink, his nosebleed gushed uncontrollably. “Kerdelin, sorry, I need to wash my face first,” he blurted, then dashed to his room like the wind.
Watching him leave, Kerdelin blushed. —He actually saw it! So embarrassing! Remembering his eerie purple eyes, she touched her flushed face and retreated to her room.
In the kitchen later, both acted composed. Illusionary Feather was genuinely calm; Kerdelin remained flustered.
After breakfast, Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart headed out with the girls. Before leaving, they drew lots. Unexpectedly, the first group to help was Kerdelin and Avira’s. Illusionary Feather stood like a prize—no matter who drew first, he’d be given away, plus the super-cute doll Blazing Heart. Some girls grew nervous during the draw.
Avira’s group covered the ship’s west and south. Misa and Misha handled south; Sophia and Lily took east and north.
The four advanced until noon before camping. While moving, Kerdelin was fine, but stopping made her absent-minded. She kept glancing at Illusionary Feather.
Illusionary Feather acted normally, starting the tent setup. This made Kerdelin sulk silently.
Perceptive Avira walked over. “Kerdelin, you’re paying special attention to Illusionary Feather today.” She hit the nail on the head.
Kerdelin jumped like a startled kitten.
“What happened?” Avira asked with sisterly concern.
“Uh, nothing. Just lost in thought when called,” Kerdelin replied guiltily. Truthfully, she’d been dazed staring at him, snapped out by Avira’s words.
Just then, Illusionary Feather nearly finished the tent frame. Next was securing it. As he headed for the tent pegs nearby, Blazing Heart ran over, grabbed a peg, and dashed toward him. Midway, she tripped and almost fell. Illusionary Feather caught her instantly, patting her head. “Blazing Heart, do you want to help Master?”
She nodded obediently. The scene between them was unbreakable.
Kerdelin and Avira watched silently, mesmerized by the painting-like moment. They saw Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart finish securing the tent, unable to snap out of it.
Only when he approached with Blazing Heart did they wake up. “Classmate Kerdelin, Senior Avira, the tent’s done. Check the quality? If not, we’ll leave,” Illusionary Feather said to their dazed faces.
They snapped to, shooing him away guiltily. After he vanished, they sighed in relief. If he’d known they were mesmerized by him and Blazing Heart, who knows what’d happen!
Illusionary Feather and Blazing Heart headed to Misa and Misha’s spot. In ten minutes, they arrived. A cleared area awaited. Illusionary Feather slowed from a run to a walk.
Up close, only Misha and his Mech Black Rock worked. Misa, the senior, watched idly.
As Illusionary Feather approached, Misa spotted him first. She jumped up, ran over, and cheered, “Rescue soldier junior Illusionary Feather has arrived! Yay!”
Illusionary Feather was utterly speechless.
Misa circled him and Blazing Heart, then pulled them to the tent pile. She saluted. “The next vital task is yours, rescue soldier junior!” Illusionary Feather stayed silent. Thankfully, finished Misha explained, “Senior Misa’s roleplaying a new military recruit in wilderness survival. HQ sent a rescue soldier to teach her since her skills suck. He’ll leave after, and she’ll fend for herself.”
Misa nodded happily. Illusionary Feather sighed, starting the tent. Misa peppered him with questions.
“Rescue soldier junior, why do it this way?”
“...”
“Rescue soldier junior, why isn’t this flat?”
“....”
“Rescue soldier junior, when will we meet again?”
“...”
He answered all with silence.
As he left, bouncy Misa kicked a half-exposed tent peg. Off-balance, she lunged at him. Illusionary Feather caught her swiftly. Two soft mounds pressed his chest. Misa, unusually, flushed bright red, yelped “Eep!”, and hid in the tent.
Everyone froze. So Misa could blush too!
Illusionary Feather didn’t dwell on it. After greeting Misha and tent-bound Misa, he left quickly with Blazing Heart. Almost noon—he needed to finish tasks for lunch.
At Sophia and Lily’s spot, they’d already started the tent. Diligent, they only needed help securing it. After chatting briefly, Illusionary Feather left.
Back at the ship, the real mission began.
