Gilford visibly relaxed, but soon noticed another problem.
"Your Highness, are you in the Guren's cockpit right now? Is that Regent there too?!"
"Yes. He and Kallen Kouzuki rescued me. For now, I can only use their communications system."
"Then please allow me to dispatch escort units to meet you immediately. An imperial princess cannot remain in a foreign military unit for long, especially that Regent's..."
"Gilford, I know what you're trying to say."
Cornelia rubbed her brow.
"He is indeed shameless, but I am not currently under any physical threat."
Dalton finally joined the line, his tone even more cautious than Gilford's.
"Your Highness, please be sure not to sign any documents he produces on the spot, especially anything concerning identity, protection, or personnel transfers."
"Dalton!"
"Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness, but the Suzaku Kururugi incident was not long ago."
Gilford immediately voiced his agreement.
"That is precisely what I meant! Your Highness, that man certainly deserves thanks for rescuing you, but if he intends to use this to demand other conditions, the Empire absolutely cannot accept them."
Cornelia's expression grew even uglier.
"Do you think I don't know that?!"
At the other end of the connection, Gilford seemed about to say more, but Dalton gave a quiet cough.
"Your Highness, now that you have resumed command, I have a few questions regarding the Joint Fire Plan previously submitted by Great Han. In particular, may the Empire's current armored forces directly accept support from Great Han's artillery?"
Cornelia finally finished adjusting the terminal and began reconnecting to battlefield command.
"Since our common defense agreement has taken effect, follow its provisions. Imperial forces will remain under imperial officers' command, but both sides' fire support and transport arrangements must be coordinated centrally. Dalton, send me the positions of our remaining armored