Aric's voice came through the speaker.
Felix watched Aric nod slightly before asking, "Has the Chairman made any further communications?"
"No," Aric shook his head, his reply echoing through the speaker.
Upon hearing this, Felix reached out and terminated the communication.
As the screen went dark, Felix turned his head to gaze at Lacus's sleeping face, gently pinching her pale cheek with his fingers.
After this gesture, Felix withdrew his hand.
He calmly remained seated, waiting for Lacus to wake up.
Meanwhile, at Ptolemy Military Base
The Earth Alliance Forces, having arrived from the vicinity of Boaz Fortress, were stationed above the military base.
Inside the base
Azrael sat in Richard's office, his expression neither pleased nor displeased, and asked calmly, "Richard, did you report something to your superiors?"
Listening to Azrael's question, Richard maintained a calm demeanor and replied evenly, "Councilman, I was merely requesting reinforcements from my superiors as a standard procedure."
Looking at Richard, Azrael's voice carried a hint of irritation. "Do you realize that your request has disrupted my plans?"
Richard met Azrael's gaze and replied without emotion, "My apologies."
Observing Richard's detached demeanor, Azrael lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest. After a moment of silence, Azrael stood up.
Seeing that Azrael was about to leave, Richard offered a faint smile and said, "Councilman, take care!"
Azrael glanced back at Richard with a trace of displeasure before turning away and striding out of the office.
Watching Azrael depart, Richard's composed expression faded, and he let out a soft sigh. "Sigh..."
After this sigh, Richard set the matter aside and focused on other tasks.
Outside the office
Azrael had only taken a few steps when he encountered Badgiruel approaching.
Seeing Badgiruel, Azrael smirked mockingly.
Badgiruel, noticing the scornful smile on Azrael's face, clenched her fists tightly at her sides.
Catching sight of Badgiruel's clenched fists, Azrael's face twisted into a cold sneer, and he spoke with disdain, "What, are you no longer in pain?"
In response, Badgiruel snorted coldly and continued walking forward. "Hmph!"
Watching Badgiruel's suppressed anger, Azrael's mocking, contemptuous smile widened.
After a moment of amusement, Azrael proceeded on his way.
Inside Richard's office
"Badgiruel, do you need something?" Richard asked, setting aside his work temporarily to look at her.
Badgiruel raised her head to meet Richard's gaze, saluted, and stated, "Commander, I request to continue serving as the captain of the Dominion."
Upon hearing this, Richard frowned and sighed. "Sigh..."
His eyes fixed on Badgiruel, Richard began to speak again.
"Badgiruel, this matter isn't something I can decide alone."
Richard spoke helplessly before turning the question back to Badgiruel.
"Isn't your current assignment satisfactory?"
Upon hearing this, Badgiruel responded crisply.
"Commander, I wish to be assigned to a frontline combat position rather than my current post."
After listening, Richard stood up and approached Badgiruel, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Badgiruel, right now we have more personnel than available ships. Every position aboard our battleships is already filled—I have no vacant posts to assign you."
Hearing this, Badgiruel clenched her fists tightly.
In that moment, she suddenly felt her considerable talents had nowhere to be applied.
Frustration and resentment welled up incessantly in Badgiruel's heart.
"Please be patient a while longer. When we receive new battleship reinforcements, I'll have additional positions to assign you."
With dimmed spirits, Badgiruel replied in a dejected voice.
"I understand."
Lifting her head to look at Richard, Badgiruel saluted before turning to leave.
Watching Badgiruel depart, Richard returned to his seat and resumed handling the matters he'd set aside earlier.
In Felix's room
"Little sleepyhead! Sleeping so soundly"
Seeing Lacus still hadn't woken up, Felix smiled softly and murmured to himself. Having said this, he gently lifted Lacus's head with his hand.
Supporting Lacus, Felix stood up and bent down to scoop her up in a princess carry.
Carrying Lacus toward the bed, he laid her down upon reaching it, then sat on the edge quietly watching her sleeping face.
"Haro! Haro!"
Two Haro calls sounded at that moment.
Felix turned to look at the bouncing Pink Haro in the room, which floated toward him.
Watching the approaching Pink Haro, Felix reached out and caught it.
"Haro! Haro!"
The Haro calls sounded again from Pink Haro's speaker.
Felix looked at it and made a shushing gesture.
"Your master is sleeping—you shouldn't make any more noise now."
Speaking softly, Felix watched as Pink Haro fell completely silent. Seeing it quiet down, he placed Pink Haro beside Lacus.
After doing this, Felix remained seated there, watching over Lacus as she rested.
Thus another hour or more passed.
While Felix was reading, Lacus's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
"How long have I been asleep?"
Hearing her voice, Felix set his book aside and looked down at the now awake Lacus, replying.
"You've been asleep for two or three hours."
"Have I really slept that long?"
Completely unaware, Lacus expressed mild surprise.
After speaking, Lacus sat up in bed.
As she sat up, she wondered to herself.
'Why did I suddenly become so tired?'
The thought abruptly echoed in Felix's mind. Looking at Lacus, he asked.
"Lacus, what did you just say?"
"I didn't say anything!"
Looking up at Felix, Lacus shook her head and replied. After hearing this, Felix felt something was strange.
'Did I mishear?'
As he muttered to himself, such a voice entered Lacus's mind. Seeing Felix, who hadn't spoken, Lacus subconsciously asked aloud.
"Felix, did you just say something?"
Hearing the question, Felix also shook his head in denial.
"I didn't say anything just now!"
After denying it, Felix looked at Lacus and asked.
"Did you hear my voice just now?"
"Yes."