May, in the year 100017, brought with it the first spring of the year. What made this spring particularly odd was that the past few months had been preceded by a rather temperate season that couldn’t be described as winter whatsoever, but at least the trees were flowering now.

Of course, to Aziz, this spring could very well be the last one before the Demon God destroyed the world. For this very reason, he had badgered Marie to bring the whole division out for a spring retreat at World’s End, under the guise of reconnoitring the region where the greatest war in a hundred thousand years would happen in eight months.

“Still,” said Marie, who was stamping on the documents to make his proposal a reality, “what happened to you protesting my abuse of power?”

“Huh? When was that?” Aziz asked. “I don’t remember.”

“Back when we were at the East, when I didn’t fill up the relevant forms for a battalion-level vacation.” Marie tapped her fingers.

“Aren’t you filling it up right now?” Aziz asked. “I don’t see the problem here.”

Marie sighed. “Your reason’s a bad one. Tell me, how does scouting the region have anything to do with the little towns and villages of Liamar’s Divine Kingdom? And how is it related to the Hall of Guardians?”

“Don’t sweat the small bits,” Aziz replied. “We’ll be headed to World’s End anyway. It’s just that we’re doing it a bit earlier. And besides, do you know that coming early to World’s End earns you some Guardian Points? We could get something good simply by getting there early.”

“True, but—”

“In fact,” Aziz interrupted, “I believe that we should take advantage of this. Pinnacle Kolya wants more people to get there earlier, so that they can get a sense of the environment there.”

“I’ve already sent a memo upstairs.” Marie jabbed a thumb upwards. “I’m not sure if they’re going to act on it, however.”

“Well, that’s none of my business.” Aziz beamed. “Well, hurry up and approve those papers!”

“If the higher-ups ever find out…”

“Aren’t you the highest authority in the air force?” Aziz replied. “No one can censure you save for Minister Eventide, and even then, he won’t have much to stand on. At most, he’ll censure me. Maybe demote me or something, at which point I’ll be free of paperwork.”

“You don’t hide your desires much, do you?” Marie rolled her eyes. “Alright, I’m done with the documents.”

“Good, let’s go now.”

“On a Saturday? Even the worst of schools don’t operate today. What happened to the protocol-abiding, troop-loving Aziz that I knew? Shouldn’t there be a week or so to prepare for a trip like this?”

“No, we’re just the advance party,” said Aziz. “Military operation, remember? Even if it’s a simple observation, we also need an advance party to go ahead. And according to Advanced Tactics, the best candidates are—”

“Yeah, I know.” Marie got up from her desk, and started to stretch. “Let me get my personal assistant to take over the paperwork first. Aziz, you assemble the vice-commanders of the battalions and inform the First Aerial to prepare for a large-scale recon operation.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Saluting with a huge grin on his face, Aziz scampered out of the room. It was a good thing that the Republic’s air force was brand new, since there weren’t much in the way of traditions to follow. Passing down some instructions, Aziz went to his room, checked his equipment and items, and then pulled on his combat gear.

He had to look the part, at least. Even if the result was a tour of the myriad restaurants that had popped up like mushrooms in World’s End. Anything short of this would lead to some trouble for Marie; despite his eternal complaints about having too much work to do thanks to her, Aziz didn’t want to get her into trouble.

As such, their first destination would indeed be the Hall of Guardians at the Heaven-cleaving Fortress. A scouting exercise at division strength wouldn’t take too long; in fact, it was something a battalion could do within a week, but Aziz had no intention of returning to this camp that quickly.

No. Their exercise would include impromptu creation of an inner defence line. Aziz didn’t know what the higher-ups were thinking, since the Five Lands, or rather, this War Council that had taken form in the past month, had thought that staking it all on their first defence line was a good idea.

Despite that, he didn’t think it was a good idea. Therefore, this…vacation would include the creation of multiple defence lines closer to the rear. War Minister Eventide had given them some subtle hints regarding his approval, back when Marie brought their worries up.

It wouldn’t take too long for the experienced First Aerial Division. They would spend a week scouting the localities, two months to create a serviceable defence line, and then engage in some more combat exercises at the Great Divide.

Only then would they return. This long exercise would take up to six months, a spiel of activities designed to keep restless men and women from thinking too much about the great war to come. More and more reports about nervous soldiers seeking counselling had popped up in the last month, and it was with them in mind that Aziz had decided to bend the rules a bit.

Marie, of course, knew about his intentions in the first place.

Otherwise, she would have given him one heck of a scolding, but from the looks of things, she definitely had read the reports about nervous soldiers too.

Buckling three Straight Shots to his belt, Aziz did a few light hops. Checking his appearance in the mirror, he strode out of his room. By now, the advance party should have gathered…although they probably didn’t know that they were going to visit all the restaurants in World’s End too.

It was, all things considered, a different kind of scouting. Jingling three months’ worth of pay — which were actually in gold coins — he sauntered off to the parade square.

Whether the others would complain or even try to beat him up when they realised what his true scouting objective was…would depend on how much money they brought with them on this exercise.

Grinning inwardly, Aziz rubbed his hands and made his way over to the parade square, where the latest victims of his elaborate prank would soon be assembling.