As the Eagle Falcon returned to the Zeus, the Alpha team members had scarcely disembarked when a squad of military discipline inspectors surrounded Filia.
"By the commander's command, for defying orders, Athena, you are sentenced to seven days of confinement. Do you have any objections?"
The inspectors spoke coldly. Filia turned to glance at the helpless Brook, realizing that her captain could not save her. The earlier bravado had vanished; there was no denying she had indeed disobeyed orders and had even insulted Luciano.
"I have no objections."
With a nonchalant remark, Filia followed the inspectors.
Meanwhile, those Alpha team members who owed their lives to her could do nothing but stand back and watch her taken away.
"Athena's got it all, except for that temper," ToTo remarked, shaking his head.
"Let's return to the team; once she's released, we'll celebrate our victory." Despite only being seven days, Brook felt a pang of sympathy for his soldier. However, there was little he could do—initially meant to be three days, who would have thought she would insult the commander?
After a sigh, Brook mused that perhaps it was for the best; confinement might temper her fiery attitude.
What no one anticipated was that after Filia was locked in the confinement room, the footage of the battle was spreading like wildfire aboard the Zeus.
Especially the segment where she single-handedly defeated a high-level beast tribe shaman, which was promptly incorporated into instructional videos by various unit instructors.
The myth that only high-level sorcerers could defeat elite shamans was shattered by her prowess.
Naturally, the audio of her cursing the commander became a hot topic among the soldiers' conversations.
While the majority felt Athena was wronged and deserved her confinement, Filia had been comfortably sleeping at home for several days.
The confinement room lacked surveillance, and meals were automatically dispensed, so she simply retrieved her food daily.
Reclining in the large bathtub, Filia savored red wine while watching a romantic film.
At that moment, her stellar communications wristband chimed—a holographic video call from Luciano.
Filia ground her teeth, reluctant to answer, still angry about her confinement.
But then she considered that he likely didn't know she was Athena! Realizing she was being unreasonable, she finally pressed to connect.
At this time, Luciano was resting in the war conference room, the evening approaching. He assumed his beloved wife must have awakened and sent a holographic call since it had been several days since they last saw each other.
Although others were present in the room, speaking to his wife was nothing to hide.
To Luciano's surprise, when the call connected, Filia appeared reclining in the bathtub, her hair loosely pinned atop her head, revealing her delicate shoulder.
"Honey? Missing me?"
With that single phrase, the conference room fell silent, all eyes turning toward the commander.
Luciano hastily closed the video, his ears visibly reddening.
"I need to step out for a moment."
Amid the lingering awkwardness, Luciano straightened his back, slowly exiting the conference room.
The others inside could hardly stifle their laughter as they watched the commanding officer's retreating figure.
Who would have thought that the typically icy commander could exhibit such warmth with his wife?
As for Filia, who had abruptly been cut off from the call, she remained unaware of what had transpired, believing Luciano had ended the call due to some urgent matter.
Pouting, Filia rose from the bathtub.
Once clean and dressed in her sleepwear, her stellar communications wristband chimed again—still Luciano.
Lying on her bed, she answered the call once more.
This time, Luciano had returned to his office.
Noticing his slightly troubled expression, Filia quickly inquired,
"What's wrong, darling? Why did you hang up earlier?"
"Nothing. Did you finish your bath?" Luciano, still rattled, had seen nothing before.
"Yes, are you not busy? How come you have time for me?" Filia adjusted her position, lying on her side, her bare face appearing exceptionally lovely.
"Um..." Luciano wanted to ask if she had been well, if she was bored, or if she missed him, but struggled to find the words.
"I've been quite busy lately; the situation on the front lines is quite tense. However, we've made some progress, reclaiming three of the lost fringe stars. Yet, the beastmen have launched a full-scale attack, which puts immense pressure on the front lines. But I don't believe the conflict will last long; neither side can afford it."
"Oh, well, there's not much I can do to help you. You need to take care of yourself."
"I will."
At this point, a serene silence enveloped them.
Through the holographic video, they exchanged gazes, neither willing to speak.
After a considerable time, Luciano finally organized his thoughts, but just as he was about to speak, there was a knock at the office door. David signaled that the meeting was resuming.
"I have to attend the meeting now; I'll call you when I have a chance."
"Okay," Filia nodded.
"Right, you can hang up now."
"Okay, goodbye." Filia waved at Luciano through the video before disconnecting.
As the image of his wife faded from view, a sense of frustration welled within Luciano.
After finally finding a moment to converse with her, he had turned it into a work report. He had once considered marriage a mere task to be accomplished; however, having experienced it, he now desired more.
With a deep sigh, Luciano donned his cap, collected his expression, and returned to his work.
Filia remained in her position, motionless for a time.
Her husband rarely called, and when he did, all he spoke of was battle tactics. When would he talk to her like a typical man, charming her instead?
Moreover, if he ever discovered she was Athena, what would he do? Would he be angry, would he explode in fury?
With these lingering doubts, Filia closed her eyes.
It was best to sleep; a restful slumber could ease a multitude of concerns—this truth stood the test of time.
The seven days of confinement finally came to an end.
As Filia stepped out of the confinement room, she was greeted by her squadmates waiting at the door.
"Athena, Athena, congratulations on your release!" ToTo, nearly healed, carried a bag filled with Filia's favorite flavor of blood plasma.
"Athena, thank you for saving us. If it weren't for you, we might not have made it back." Sam remarked with deep gratitude.
"And so, we unanimously nominate you as the new captain of our squad."
"Salute to Captain Athena!"