Chapter 38: Unexpected Visitors
Arthur makes some essential care of his appearance for his work and then goes to the office.
He has been reading reports regarding the operation.
Neptune still did not make any contact. At this point, he considers his plan has failed and switches to plan B.
As he is considering sending a rescue team to find Neptune, Warspite knocks on the door.
"Commander, the fleets that were sent to support Eagle Union have arrived back. Also, the police department requests one of us to visit them. They found some people who may have connections to the Royal Navy."
Great, with Hood's fleets back, he can finally reorganize his plan for the Royal Navy.
However, why does the police department request a member of the Royal Navy? Did one of the officers commit a crime?
"They reported that some civilians found some unconscious people who may have connections to the Royal Navy," said Warspite.
Arthur considers the actions he needs to take, "I see. You and her majesty go greet Hood's fleets, I leave the preparations and the greeting to your decisions. I will stay here since many tasks still need to be done."
"Understood," said Warspite.
At the port of Felixstowe, Belfast, Sheffield, and the rest of the royal maids who were dispatched with Hood's fleets left early to help prepare a tea party.
Queen Elizabeth and Warspite greet the fleets.
"You all must be tired. I have ordered chef Manjuus to prepare the finest tea and snacks for you."
"Thank you for your kindness, your majesty," said Hood.
Hood finds Arthur not present, "Your majesty, where is our commander?"
"He wanted to welcome you in person as well, but the Royal Navy has many urgent tasks. Not to mention we are currently in an operation," said Queen Elizabeth.
Hood thinks for a moment, "I have seen the message and heard the radio broadcast. It was truly surprising that our Commander took such bold tactics."
Hearing about the operation, Queen Elizabeth remembers the scene where she emotionally confronted Arthur.
Now is not the time for behaving like a child, she thought. She mentally shakes away her unpleasantness.
"Ahem, let us move to a more comfortable location for conversations," said Queen Elizabeth.
The fleets of the Royal Navy moved to their dorms.
Arthur received the pictures of Neptune and the members of Iris Libre. All of them were laying on hospital beds with their eyes closed.
The messenger Manjuu who went to the police department as a form of replying to the call took those pictures.
Some civilians found Neptune's group members lying on the floor of a shore. They seem to have been drifting by the ocean currents and then arrived at this location.
Besides the pictures, the messenger Manjuu wrote the following notes:
According to the doctor who examined the conditions of Neptune's group, all of them had their pulse remained active.
Arthur feels a little bit of ease since their luck and the ocean seem to favor them by "sending" them back.
He has many strategy points to reflect on since the enemies seemingly predicted his plan and prepared countermeasures.
"Bring the girls to their dorms. I will have royal maids and Manjuus nurse them," said Arthur to the hospital staff. He then goes back to his office.
"Right now, Hood and her fleet should be resting or drinking tea," he mumbled to himself.
As he is about to plan future operations, a messenger Manjuus quickly rushes to deliver a critical message to him.
A call from an anonymous group that uses one of the Navy-exclusive channels requests Arthur's response.
Arthur responds to the messenger Manjuu, "Fine, connect them to this line."
"Greetings, commander. A group named "Sacred Tree" will visit the Royal Navy within a month. The Parliament agreed to assign you to handle the visitors. Your job is to utilize your best professional observation to decide whether you help them or not. An official order will be delivered to you soon. Should you have any questions, seek advice from Kansens."
"Yes sir," said Arthur.
Whoever this group is, they must be important.
Arthur continues to handle the tasks of the day and then goes back to his apartment in the evening.
On a battleship that moves toward the Royal Navy. A Kansen with short black hair looks to the sky on the bridge.
Another Kansen with long blue hair comes toward the one with black hair, "Mikasa-sama, are you sure the Royal Navy will agree to our request?"
"I am afraid I do not know the answer. We have become enemies, after all, so they have no reason to help us. However, Shinano said otherwise."
"What did she say?"
"A commander who kindly treats his allies and ruthlessly eliminates his enemies. We must not make him an enemy of the Sakura Empire before they coordinate strikes with the Eagle Union."
"But we declared war against Azur Lane…"
"You know the decision was not a unanimous one but sadly the opinion against declaring war was minority ones."
"Mikasa-sama…"
Ibuki cannot imagine how much pain Mikasa must have been through, seeing the once great Sakura Empire embracing such divided opinions.
"We cannot allow those foul stones to corrupt our precious members anymore," said Mikasa.
Thinking about the stones Mikasa just mentioned gives Ibuki dreadful chills, "those stones, "Akuma-no-ishi," where did Ironblood obtain them? From Sirens?"
"Probably, although Sirens did not seem to utilize its mind-controlling power. They probably don't need it anyway. I heard Ironblood has several refineries that produce and improve those stones."
Mikasa turns around and heads into the battleship, Izmuo's interior. Ibuki quickly follows her.
"Take some rest and repairs, you still have not fully recovered from the prolonged battles right?"
"Yes, that is true, but compared to your heroic bravery, my injuries mean nothing."
Mikasa has several first aid bandages that stick to her cheeks, nose, and forehead. Under her outfit, scars and wounds marked many locations of her body.
"Protecting you and the rest of the Sakura Empire has been my job and I take pride in it."
Ibuki remains silent.
Mikasa sees through Ibuki's mind with her troubled expression, "Haha, do you hardly find it worth protecting?"
Ibuki slightly panics, "What? No, I never have such thoughts."
"It's ok, you manifested after Akagi allowed those stones to plague our naval force. If Nagato did not foresee such tragedy, you and Izumo would be part of their puppets by now."
Ibuki bows to Mikasa, "My words cannot fully express my gratitude, but thank you and Nagato-sama."
"I will head to my room now. We have plenty to do tomorrow."
The winds of the ocean blow strongly to the battleship.