The wolf-masked man leads Arthur to a simple room. The room only has a desk with a computer screen on top of it.
A humanoid figure is covered in a dark background with lines that construct a human figure. Arthur can only see a vaguely human shape so he cannot tell the person' age or gender on the screen.
"Please excuse me with such an appearance. It is one of our standard protocols," said the shadowy figure. The figure speaks with a voice formed by machines that sound as if both a man and a woman speak the same words simultaneously.
"I see, please forgive my lack of formality if I display any uncomfortable behavior."
"Acceptable mindset. Now, I have received your application and responses. While we have concerns regarding your origin, your results as an emergency commander impressed us. As a figure of the exam, I have questions for you."
Arthur stands straight since this is essentially a job interview, a highly professional one at that.
"Why did you want to become an emergency commander? Even though the fleet was certainly in an emergency circumstance, you had the option to evacuate to safety. On a battlefield, anything can happen, including the loss of your life."
"I was rescued by the Royal Navy. If they did not find me, I would probably still be living in the jungle and eating fish without salt. At first, I thought doing some basic tasks like cleaning and carrying supplies like most Manjuus would suffice. However, when I saw Commander Joseph's harsh attitudes and actions toward Kansens, I swore myself to act in greater duties and responsibilities to repay the favor I owe to them. After all, they all seemed endlessly contributing to the Royal Navy so they deserve respect and gratitude, not hatred."
Arthur's answer let the figure stay silent for a few seconds.
"Did you know, Mr. Mandelson, the requirements of becoming an official commander?"
Arthur thinks for a short moment. With such a commanding position, the examinee's education, extracurricular activities, and achievement are only a minimum requirement.
"Graduating from an acknowledged and prestigious academy with several recommendations from the experts?" answered Arthur.
"Most people answered that, which is true to a certain degree. However, those achievements are far from the decisive factor. It is much simpler," said the figure.
"I am afraid I do not know the answer."
"We figured. In fact, if you do, then we might have to reconsider your application."
Knowing the answer backfires the interview? What answers would cause such a consequence?
"All you need to do, Mr. Mandelson, is to hate Kansens," said the figure.
Hate? Like feeling disgusted or angry toward Kansens?
"I beg your pardon?"
"Anger, hatred, fear, any clear signs of negative attitude toward Kansens is the decisive factor to become an official commander. Many examinees demonstrated their aggressions by punching Kasens or playing with them like certain special toys. This factor not only applies to the Royal Navy but the entire Azur Lane."
Arthur is speechless. He does not know what to say.
"Here is a scenario," said the figure. "A well-educated and experienced navy officer who treats Kansens with kindness and compassion and a complete amateur who just graduated from a college but hates Kansens deep down to his bones, which one do you think will become a commander if they both apply at the same time?"
No… impossible… Arthur thoughts. He fears he may know the answer based on their conversation so far.
"Definitely… not the former one, I suppose," answers Arthur with a discouraged voice.
"Indeed, Azur Lane values the negative emotions toward Kansens more than anything else."
Really? Do they value emotions more than competence and achievements?
"I… but they are our only method against Siren and they have been fighting to their deaths to protect us. They deserve our thanks and our respect. They deserve more recognition," replied Arthur with a determined opinion.
"You are absolutely correct," replied the figure. A clear contradiction he just stated.
"Uh… my apologies for my lack of interpretation."
"You are not the only one who holds such an opinion, for it was the reason that certain individuals established an organization named the Council."
It seems this organization, the Council, does not like the discrimination as well.
"Azur Lane won't be happy if they hear about this," said Arthur.
"Certainly, which is why Mr. Mandelson, the Council does not exist. Thus, you will not be nominated as the official commander, as the voting members of Azur Lane would not allow it."
Shocking news indeed for Arthur. After his efforts and even being called to meet with this figure who seems like a leader, all of them meant for nothing?
"It is too early to jump to a conclusion, Mr. Mandelson. Remember, we, on paper, do not exist. Being nominated by someone who never exists does not make any sense right?"
"I…I see," Arthur still feels confused, all he can understand is that things will take a complicated turn.
Why did Queen Elizabeth make arrangements to let him take the exam at such a shady organization?
"Look forward to our surprise for you. Rest assured, with someone like you, we cannot ask for any sweeter deal."
"May I ask a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Why the hatred? Did Kansens do something catastrophic in the past?" Asked Arthur.
"No, it is not about what they did. It is about what they CAN do," said the figure. "As you know, Mr. Mandelson, each Kansen is a manifestation from an existing warship through wisdom cubes. Their existence replaced hundreds of thousands of navy crews. They have stronger strength, tougher bodies, higher intelligence, and even seemingly eternal youth. They hold superior abilities to humans in almost every aspect. Some fear they will eventually replace all humans at some point."
"Thus," said the figure, "this device is built."
Arthur saw this device before.
"The device of the Navy Executive Order, NEO as we called it. Insurance to keep the Kansens from an uprising. It is useless toward humans and Manjuus, but the wearer can issue any order to any Kansen. This ring is the symbol of a commander of the Royal Navy."
"Please forgive my rudeness," said Arthur. "Such absolute power will inevitably corrupt the holder's mind."
"Which is why we have been selecting promising personnel from this exam. We need someone who understands the nature of such power and can exercise some tolerance toward it."
"I see," replied Arthur.
"Now then, Mr. Mandelson or I should call you commander as your codename from now on, we expect great things from you. Remember, we never spoke, we never met, and we do not know each other."
The screen turns off immediately.
"Mr. Mandelson, here is our business card. Should you require any assistance, call this number to make your request," said the wolf-masked man.
"Thank you, may I request your assistance now?"
"Go ahead."
"As you know, I am not a citizen of this country and I have never traveled to this country before. If someone like me obtains any officer-related position, the Royal Navy's reputation may be questioned. Therefore I would like to request the following," said Arthur.
Legal and valid home address, bank account, government ID card, and other legal documents to construct a background so others will not likely question Arthur's origin.
These requests essentially suggest Arthur requires a thoroughly fabricated background. Not a clean approach but a necessary one for a stranger to remain in the Royal Navy.
"Hmm… understood, we will do everything we can."
After escorting Arthur to the transporting vehicle the leading man rides the elevator to the top floor, where the executive members reside in their room.
A figure who wears a Lion-shaped mask and a gold-colored coat sit on a luxury sofa.
"How did you feel, acting like a man? I hope your friend's lessons proved their value" asked the figure.
The leading man did not speak.
"No worries, I am not in the place to judge you or anything. So, how was Mr. Mandelson? Was he the person your kind believed?"
"He seems promising, but we require more observation," said the leading man (who only acts like one).
"Right, I look forward to his results."
The leading man bowed to the figure and left the room.
In the man's bedroom, he pressed the button on his chest.
Suddenly the clothing blows a large amount of air and starts shrinking. The clothes have shirked fitting the man, or rather, a woman since now the clothes have enclosed with a female body shape.
The clothing of this military base includes an air charger and a discharger. This design enables the wearer to camouflage one's height and body type by filling the air with the size.
She takes off her helmet. If Arthur or any Kansen of the Royal Navy is here, they would be speechless about seeing this woman.
She looks exactly like Hood. However, her hair is mixed with gold and white color and her left eye is yellow while her right eye is blue. Her face seems as if a mixture between a Siren and a Kansen.
P.S. I had to rewrite my entire draft regarding this second part of the nomination exam several times. I originally only wrote the conversation between the shadowy figure and Arthur as the entire scene of the second part of the exam. Yes, the entire scenes and interactions between Arthur and Neptune were NOT in my first draft. However, I realized that for an exam of a highly professional job, the conversation was almost entirely telling, now showing. I think I dug a really deep hole to pull myself up.