The two young staff officers spoke very softly, but the corridor was already utterly quiet.
Standing around the corner, Kallen glanced at the training plan in her hand, then slowly took two steps back. Her heels barely made a sound against the floor, yet both men reacted as though someone had seized them by the throat.
Kallen stopped in front of them.
"Go on."
"General Kouzuki..."
"Weren't you talking quite nicely just now? What am I to the Regent?"
The slightly older officer went pale and forced himself to answer. "These are only rumors circulating in the army. I meant no offense."
"Then who told you this rumor?"
"It's... it's already very difficult to trace."
"Do you two believe it, then?"
Neither answered. Kallen gave a cold laugh.
"If you won't say, that means you do."
"I merely thought that handing three hundred and sixty new Gao Hai units to a newly formed force all at once really does make people-"
"Make people think what?"
"That the Regent holds you in exceptional regard, General!"
"Of course he does!!"
Kallen answered too quickly. Both men froze, and she herself paused for an instant. Irritation rose on her face, as though she was angry with herself for following their line of argument.
"I'm talking about my military abilities!"
"Yes."
"I can pilot the Guren Shen Hu, and I can command the Red Lotus Separate Division. So what if the Regent approved it personally? If he dares give them to me, I dare use them. If he gives me three hundred and sixty units, I'll take three hundred and sixty units into battle against Britannia!!!"
The two officers hurriedly nodded. Seeing how they no longer dared speak only kept the anger in Kallen's chest from fully subsiding.
"And another thing, I'm not his