After the whole scuffle, both factions retreat to their own territories. Some of the META ships leave the scene first before the blizzard gradually vanishes. Renown META and Repulse META escort Hunter META, but it's no easy task considering a revived and furious META nearly shattered both of her hands. In just one accident, the hunter got toyed like prey.
"I can finally feel my arms again"
Sitting on top of stacked crates, Hunter META sighs in relief as she moves each of her ten fingers. The ice keeping it stiff earlier doesn't even melt but slowly dissipates into a visible cold vapor.
"I thought they would fall off and we would have to install some robot arms on you"
Repulse META grins mischievously grin and almost looks like she's about to laugh because Hunter META still carefully stretches her arms and squeezes her hands.
"Whatever happened to those two? Scharnhorst and Gneisenau" Repulse META snaps her fingers upon remembering
"They left when they realized the blizzard is weakening. I think they realized Tirpitz calmed down" Renown META calmly answers
"You know, I thought I could have fought an undead battleship, but Victorious made us go away" Repulse META drops her shoulders
"She wouldn't even care about us once Victorious showed up"
"Renown is right. You two would be just like distracting flies"
Victorious META returns to her allies and joins in the conversation without anyone noticing her arrival. She casually walks from behind them and goes past them, fortunately leaving the battlefield unscathed.
"How did it go?" Hunter META squeezes her freshly recovered hands
"While I couldn't pacify her hatred, it seems she doesn't wish to harm the Victorious here" Victorious META sighs in dismay
"Now that's a surprise" Hunter META raises both eyebrows
"Perhaps she saw how her past self is different from her. My past self would never abandon her Tirpitz, but I never expected for her to calm down that easily"
Victorious META gazes up, recalling how Tirpitz META's blind rage begins to soften when the normal Victorious stands in her way. She knows her past self did tremble, but even she refused to succumb to the possibility of getting killed.
"Did she have a heart to heart talk with the normal Tirpitz?" Repulse META scratches her head
"Perhaps. If she rejected her past self, then she wouldn't have gone back to sleep"
Victorious META furrows her eyebrows, somewhat frustrated at herself for being uncertain. The immediately ending took her by surprise when Tirpitz META only vented out how she would never forgive her.
"She wanted believe it would be different this time, so I suppose the Tirpitz here showed she's a different person than her" Victorious META comes to that conclusion
"We already changed the event because Bismarck revived her instead"
"...That doesn't change the fact it was I who convinced her to do it"
"What's the next step?"
"While the META one was forced back, the restraints have been damaged. There's no choice but to go to Iron Blood so Neumark can repair it" Victorious META confidently guesses
The other three META ships simultaneously turn to look at each other, sharing a puzzled and nervous look. Victorious META has been actively observing the friend she once betrayed, and she doesn't show any signs of fatigue even after a year.
"This is something Tirpitz can't refuse. Do you think their Victorious would come with her?" Repulse META raises her hand
"From what I've seen, Victorious wouldn't leave Tirpitz alone. Now that she knows a META version of her exists, she would keep a close eye to prevent her Tirpitz from undergoing a complete metamorphosis"
"She didn't become one after sending me flying like trash?" Hunter META rubs her cheek punched earlier
"Even in our timeline, Tirpitz's metamorphosis is...imperfect. It's why she wouldn't stay dead"
Victorious META is more concerned at the tragic fate of her former friend than how her fellow META nearly turned into an ice sculpture had the two battlecruisers didn't arrive in time.
"Will it be alright for the two sisters to meet again? Bismarck would use this as an excuse to have Tirpitz return to Iron Blood. She'd insist to the commander that it's safer for her to be there because she got seriously hurt twice" Renown META reminds her
"Right now, Bismarck will just stall. More importantly, she'd try to convince the Victorious here as she's the only Tirpitz actually listens to" Victorious META dismisses the idea
"I see. That's why you look confident that their Tirpitz wouldn't stay in Iron Blood" Hunter META lowers her scarf, making her mouth visible
"..."
There's no response from Victorious META as her mind spaces out in a deep thought. She blocks out anything outside her senses and focuses on gathering her thoughts.
"I know that look. You're planning to make your move" Renown META narrows her eyes
"I'm still worried about Tirpitz. When she's in a fight, she will throw away her life just to defeat whoever is in front of her. I thought she would at least have more self preservation with her emotions gone"
Rather than the dormant META, Victorious META complains about the regular one who disregarded her own life to protect her Victorious. She worries, but she couldn't casually approach either her or her counterpart as a META.
"You're right about suicidal. That dead battleship would bury everyone alive even if it kills her" Hunter META massages her neck
"That's why I worry so much. This isn't the last time she will get hurt..." Victorious bites her lower lip
Even if the Tirpitz she knows still despises her for a supposed "betrayal", Victorious META remains worried for both the present and future versions of her friend. She could dismiss the hatred but never see her in harm's way.
Mediterranean base...
A day after the bizarre mission, Tirpitz regains full consciousness but her strength has yet to recover. She unknowingly overused her freezing ability as the recoil proves it's more harm than good. To her and everyone, it's an unknown core from an unknown deceased META when in reality, it's the fragmented piece of her META version.
"...This is - I passed out again..."
Tirpitz on the side of the bed, shaking her head while her left covers half of her face. She furrows her eyebrows at the second time she knocked herself unconscious due to her reckless behavior.
"You almost froze yourself, you...you icy blockhead!"
Victorious, sitting by Tirpitz's right side, tightly grabs her cape with both of her hands and furiously shakes the battleship who has yet to fully recover. Tirpitz may be fully conscious now, but her body is still numb that she might now be in combat for a few days until a week.
"Stop trying to eat shells and bombs to your face just because you survived repeated bombings!" Victorious continues to scold her
"That's because I saw you got shot the chest. I thought it did you in because you didn't stand back up..."
Tirpitz remembers her last memory before waking up the infirmary. She stretches out her right hand and her fingertips gently touch the area where she recalls Victorious got shot.
"..."
A gunshot wouldn't instantly heal or even disappear within a day. More importantly, Victorious acts as if she hasn't been shot at all. This unusual turn of events had Tirpitz reflexively moves her fingers up and down as if she's looking for any signs of the wound.
"I don't why I couldn't act after seeing you collapse and faint. My mind went blank like I faced something beyond what I could understand" Tirpitz couldn't fully describe it
"That's just who you are. You tried to save me but I didn't want you to be the suicidal idiot...that you are" Victorious squeezes Tirpitz's hand with both of her own hands
Even after Tirpitz recovered half of her strength, her cold temperature passed through her gloves. It's not dangerous enough to freeze her skin or stop blood flow, but it's the same temperature as a solid block of ice.
"This just shows that my old Tirpy is still there. You still care about me even if you can't smile or laugh again" Victorious shows a gentle smile and loving stare
"..." Tirpitz couldn't respond
Tirpitz is more focused on how Victorious' gentle squeeze is that of a reassuring one, completely ignoring that she lacks the warmth to feel her own or have other feel it. What her mind is more focused on is staring at Victorious' touch bearing the chill she emits and even rubbing her gloved hands.
"It's because you got angry for my sake that you got possessed by your dead future version who happens to hate my sad future version" Victorious whispers under her breath
"What?"
"I mean you should stop being so suicidal just because you're fighting. Try to have a bit of self preservation too because your life matters. More importantly, I'd cry and be angry if you die protecting me. I'd drag you from the afterlife if you try to cross there!" Victorious quickly changes her mood
"You really don't want me to die..." Tirpitz slowly pulls her hand away from Victorious
"Of course. All I want is for you to be alive because I wouldn't like it if either of us are gone"
"I just can't take it. When I saw you suffering from your own power just to protect me, I know I would forever blame myself if you die. That's why I don't want you to die horribly"
"Sooner or later we'll meet are end. Kansens can't live forever" Tirpitz lowers her head
"Just stop being so suicidal. It hurts me to see that you see yourself as expendable. You mean a lot to me even if you're a popsicle with no self-preservation"
"I'm fine so long as you can live the life you wanted, so I didn't think twice when I tried to protect you. Before I lost my emotions, I always had a sense of security and comfort with you. That's why I told myself I don't want to lose this kind of person in my life"
"Tirpitz..." Victorious momentarily lifts her head
"...because I might not meet this kind of person again in my life"
Tirpitz couldn't even glance at Victorious when she confesses the thoughts of her formal emotional self. She possessed stubbornness and pride of her own, so she always ends up keeping her honesty to herself.
"You're the only person who tried to remind me of the warmth being with someone. I suppose that left such an impression that I grew curious about you" Tirpitz continues with her confession
"Hehehe~ I knew you couldn't resist me" Victorious tightly wraps her hands around Tirpitz
"So long as I don't experience betrayal from you, I won't leave your side just as you promised you won't leave mine"
"Stop thinking about that. No way in a thousand years I'd destroy your trust!" Victorious pouts
"Huh? You're right. I wonder why I suddenly...question your friendship?"
Tirpitz herself isn't certain to why it crosses her mind. She just expressed why she trusted Victorious only to actually mix "doubt" at the end. Someone like shouldn't be capable of either worry or doubt, but her heart is still yet to recover unlike her body.
That's precisely why...
A voice rings in her head instead. The appearance is abstract, but she recalls a stretching land of snow and facing someone close to a kansen.
(Did I just hear my own voice?)
Tirpitz lifts her head without alerting Victorious of what suddenly flashed before her mind. It may be similar to her own voice, but it echoed and has a calm yet frustrated tone. To be specific, it's from someone who remained cold and solemn despite capable of emotions.
"By the way, did you experience something...unusual while I passed out? You were miraculously unharmed and you've been anxious around me" Tirpitz looks at her right in the eyes
(She noticed that? I can't tell her an angry ghost version of her possessed her and tried to kill a sad version of me!)
Cold sweat rolls down Victorious' cheeks when she freshly recalls how the blizzard is caused when Tirpitz became someone else. There, she encountered a META sharing the same identity as her but is the target of the "ghost's" grudge and resentment.
"...I just got scared when you got hurt...because of me. Sometimes I wonder if what I'm doing is more harm than good..." Victorious reluctantly answers
"I don't want to do something selfish believing it's for your sake because you'd hate me..."
"So you did see something..." Tirpitz notices the fear in Victorious' eyes
"I had a nightmare...where you hated me so bad you wouldn't forgive me. That hate was unbearable that no apology would suffice" Victorious tightly wraps her arms on Tirpitz's shoulder
"That's just a nightmare. This is reality, so you shouldn't fear what's a product of your own worries" Tirpitz comforts her
"You're right..."
Victorious doesn't want to speak more of it and pretends to agree with Tirpitz's assurance. It's reality after all, but fortunately enough, Tirpitz has no recollection of being possessed by a deceased version of her. She could only worry it would happen again because of her and it might not as peacefully as the last time.
Four hours later...
Tirpitz has regained more of her strength in mere hours, but she's still forced to rest in the infirmary. Her body is still too weak for heavy movements. In fact, Tirpitz could still feel the soreness all over her body and her hands are still shaking from the recoil of her own ability.
"Hmm?"
While Tirpitz spends her afternoon observing her current physical condition by moving her arms up and down, she hears footsteps by the door.
"Good day!"
After at least knocking three times, King George V opens the door. She peeks her head inside and cheerfully greets the resting Tirpitz. Upon seeing the only patient to be awake and full of energy already, she quickly goes inside and closes the door behind her.
"I see you're in good condition now. Victorious was deathly worried that she didn't leave your side" King George V scans Tirpitz
"..." Tirpitz averts her gaze
"Although I wasn't present, I've heard everything from Howe. It seems you protected Victorious but hurt yourself in the process" King George V proudly smiles
"That's..." Tirpitz doesn't have much to say
"You fearlessly defended your friend and didn't even hesitate in doing so. I like that kind of courage!"
King George V speaks of Tirpitz proudly as a gallant knight like her admires courage and "acts of good deed". As for Tirpitz, she just stares, unsure to how the knight could just barge in and praise her. Tirpitz herself doesn't care much for honor and glory, just peacefully living her life.
"You came here for another reason" Tirpitz observes the knight's expression
"Hmm, you're correct. I was trying to set the mood as they say" King George V clears her throat
To Tirpitz, the knight before her is suddenly cheerful and energetic the second she enters the infirmary room. It's not that she's aware, she guesses and awaits for King George V herself to confirm it.
"I just received an order from the commander" King George V's mood return to her calm and collected self
"The commander, huh" Tirpitz frowns a bit
"By Bismarck's...suggestion you are to return to Iron Blood as your restraints need to be replaced and a check up on your condition"
"..." Tirpitz could only lower her head in silence
"Although I would say you would return there, the commander understands there's still tension between you and Bismarck. That's why he only allowed it until your condition is completely under control again"
"It's been a year since I was in my homeland, but I have no nostalgia for it" Tirpitz still doesn't find it as good news
"Just bitterness, huh" King George V sighs in dismay
"My old self felt I've been betrayed and disrespected by Bismarck and the rest of Iron Blood"
Tirpitz walks a few steps towards King George V, frankly stating how she viewed her own faction.
"I was bound to die and I was willing to accept that...only for me to wake up on the living again. In return, I turned out like this - worse than the lone queen of the north I used to be" Tirpitz lifts her hand to show the damaged restraint on her wrist
"..." King George V just listens
"Despite the distrust over deciding someone's fate and turning me into this, I can't say this is my worst fate"
"Oh?" King George and raises an eyebrow
"It's because I'm alive that I could still be here talking with that persistent aircraft carrier. Had I died, she would have cursed me at my grave and possibly blame herself..."
Tirpitz shakes her head remembering the anxiety and annoyance visible on Victorious' face when Tirpitz questions her diverted fate.
"That aside, I'm still undecided on my current life. While I lived, it took the emotions that drives me to live. A kansen with no emotion is no human but an empty shell" Tirpitz speaks out her inner thoughts
"I can understand where you're coming from" King George V doesn't judge her for it
"This is difficult to live with. I have to be careful around everyone and I long for the days where I could smile"
Tirpitz's fingertips gently touch the edge of her lips as she couldn't even force herself to smile. There's an emptiness gnawing inside her and that causes her to view the world as mostly bleak and without motivation.
"Tirpitz, do you truly want your emotions back?"
King George V's gaze is fixated on Tirpitz's stoic and unfazed expression. To be specific, she focuses on Tirpitz's still gaze that's seemingly less uninterested compared before.
"Your mind went clear, right? There's nothing to cloud your judgement or weigh down on you anymore" King George V begins questioning her
"Do you believe it's what I think?" Tirpitz raises an eyebrow
"I believe you keep more truth than you let on" King George V's fine becomes more serious
"I'm not forcing you to confess anything, but it still depends if it involves others or not"
While King George V doesn't view Tirpitz as a threat or enemy even with her suspicions, she's wary enough that her hand reflexively reaches for the hilt of her sheathed saber. Tirpitz sneaks a glance at her sudden action but doesn't view someone like King George V as a threat.
"You're right to say I'm not telling everything. It's not because of a motivation, but for the sole reason I'm not obliged to confess anything" Tirpitz responds without breaking eye contact
"That's true. There's no reason to tell everything unless the situation calls for it" King George V relaxes her hand
The knight loosens her brewing tension as her hand hangs by her side. It's just by words, but King George V has enough faith in Tirpitz's response. To suspect her out of instinct would lead to paranoia and possibly reckless consequences which is unacceptable for a dedicated knight.
"You're a gentle person, Tirpitz. It's just that you're rather wary of everyone after the whole quarrel with Bismarck" King George V wryly laughs
"You're still sending me there though" Tirpitz shakes her head
"Not alone, of course. Victorious insisted on coming along with you, so I agreed with the condition that Wales and I will serve as escorts"
"In case another fight between Bismarck and I break out. You do know your steel would shatter before it could touch me" Tirpitz looks at the sheathed saber
"Like I said, you're a gentle person. You don't want to turn kansens into a ice sculpture"
"Victorious is meant as some sort of meat shield, isn't she? So long as you keep her with me, I wouldn't act even if I want to attack my own sister"
"Unfortunately, you guessed what Friedrich der Grosse said. They will allow Victorious in Iron Blood to keep you behave. They don't like her because they believe that a Royal navy aircraft turned you into a tamed pup"
King George V's tone is briefly loosely irritated that she seemingly broke off from her usual knightly persona.
"Well, you still ought to be cautious" King George V clears her throat
"Why is that?"
"You're slowly learning to keep your coldness under control, but do not let your guard down. The best way to control someone is to make them believe they're in control "
"..." Tirpitz isn't bothered by the warning
"You may be following your own whims, but who's to say there's no one whispering all sorts of motivations to you"
"I'll take note of that..."
The advice is too sudden, but Tirpitz senses no bluff or misdirection from King George V. She's a bit wary herself because of Victorious acting anxious, but she doesn't want to believe her friend is keeping secrets from her. At least, she would tolerate the knights regularly observing her movements even if they can't always conceal how they're anxious at the possibility of Tirpitz turning against them.
Iron Blood headquarters...
The report of Tirpitz suffering more serious injuries last time quickly reached Bismarck a day after it occurred. Her body dropped to freezing temperature but fortunately not cold enough to affect her surroundings. Unlike her usual mood, Bismarck's expression grows dim, uncertain if she's either upset or worried.
"A blizzard which resulted in Tirpitz hurting herself...again" Bismarck massages both sides of her head
"According to Howe's report, Tirpitz nearly froze her insides because she tried to protect Victorious. That girl is nothing but trouble" Graf Zeppelin scoffs
"My child prioritized that little aircraft carrier over her own life. Although Victorious appears to be a hindrance, she'd been keeping Tirpitz under control" Friedrich der Grosse shrugs her shoulders
"That only means a mere Royal navy ship rendered Tirpitz mellow and docile. If this continues, Tirpitz would never return to Iron Blood" Graf Zeppelin nearly slams Bismarck's desk while arguing with Friedrich der Grosse
"Tirpitz is not someone to submit like a mere pet"
Bismarck interrupts the two without hesitation with a calm voice restraining her own annoyance. It doesn't suit her to find two close comrades arguing right in front of her and in her own office at the top of that.
"Graf Zeppelin, are you saying my sister is weak-willed that she would blindly obey a Royal navy ship?" Bismarck leans on her chair and rests her head on her arm
"...That's not what I meant" Graf Zeppelin softens her voice
"Then what are you so worried about?" Bismarck lets out a deep sigh
"Little Tirpitz is highly attached to that happy-go-lucky aircraft carrier. From our last conversation, Tirpitz wouldn't hesitate to bare her fangs at us if we try to harm Victorious" Friedrich der Grosse answers instead
"Exactly. Tirpitz would prioritize someone else over her duty and pride as a member of Iron Blood" Graf Zeppelin waves her left her in the air
"..."
Bismarck couldn't reject or even deny the idea. In her silence, she could only think of the latest report regarding Tirpitz. Everyone in that mission only has minor damages while Tirpitz ignored her own condition just to protect someone else.
"We're the hunters, so Tirpitz isn't supposed to act like someone's...pet" Graf Zeppelin throws both arms in the air
"Graf Zeppelin, you're saying I lost control over my own sister. Is that it?"
Bismarck presses both of her hands on top and pushes herself up from her seat. She's not upset at her subordinate's words and the growing tense atmosphere trapped inside isn't intentional either. It's only due to Bismarck lacking enough control when it either personally concerns her or someone close to her.
"As you said, no one else controls Tirpitz. So why should I keep my own sister on a leash? Doing so would only cause her to rebel against me" Bismarck removes her cap
"That's not..." Graf Zeppelin instinctively averts Bismarck's intense gaze
"My child, do you still distrust Victorious? Although she appears to be taking advantage of Tirpitz, perhaps we lack the impression of her. Why don't we observe what kind of friend she is once Tirpitz temporarily returns for repairs" Friedrich der Grosse suggests to ease everyone's nerves
"That's what I intend to do. If Victorious has no hidden motives, I won't try to ask her to convince Tirpitz. Trickery and manipulations go against our ideals"
Sighing in exhaustion, Bismarck couldn't directly state she has a level of trust in Victorious and wouldn't resort to petty tactics just to force Tirpitz to return. Those words aren't unusual as Bismarck is known to follow her own principles and ideals even if another method would be more convenient and quicker.
"Once Tirpitz arrives here, we can use that time to have an update on her condition"
"It's only been a year, but it felt like it's been a long time. Are you worried Tirpitz might have changed?" Graf Zeppelin raises an eyebrow
"Isn't that what we're hoping for?" Bismarck returns with a question of her own
"It depends on what kind of change. Ever since that fragmented core is fused with her, it felt like Tirpitz is someone else...sometimes" Graf Zeppelin is reluctant on her own observation
"Hmm, that's not wrong. Before little Tirpitz was incarcerated, some conversations made it look like I was speaking with someone angry and unattached" Friedrich der Grosse agrees with Graf Zeppelin
"Whatever the case, we can discuss it further once Tirpitz and I have a proper conversation this time" Bismarck sits back down
"If she doesn't try to kill you...and possibly the rest of us" Friedrich der Grosse mischievously smiles
"..."
Bismarck only looks to the side, silently recalling the unforgettable moment Tirpitz froze her surroundings and lashed out without hesitation. It may have ended without losing even a finger from the extreme temperature, but Bismarck always keeps the memory fresh after a year has passed.
One hour later...
This time, the visitors in Bismarck's office are Prinz Eugen and Deutschland. It's a rare sight since the two are very rarely paired together, namely Prinz Eugen sometimes in the company of Admiral Hipper. The pair sit across each other as their incompatible personalities keep themselves distant.
"It looks like you have something to say, Deutschland?" Bismarck slightly tilts her head
"I just can't stomach the thought of that Royal navy girl coming here. She made Tirpitz harmless" Deutschland couldn't keep her frustrations
"You're exaggerating. Tirpitz is still far from harmless" Prinz Eugen is quick to respond first
"Huh?! Isn't that always the case? As long as the empty-headed carrier is present, Tirpitz forgets she's supposed to be one of us!'
Deutschland loses her temper and stands up to retaliate without thinking. She has her own frustrations believing it concerns the pride of someone from Iron Blood.
"For all we know, that Victorious is the one telling Tirpitz not to come back-" Deutschland grits her teeth
"Calm yourself, Deutschland" Bismarck cuts in
"..."
In a mere second, Deutschland shuts her mouth close even if Bismarck didn't even raise her voice. In fact, Bismarck remains composed as she's not even upset at Deutschland shouting and arguing with a fellow Iron Blood heavy cruiser.
"I just can't accept how one of us refuses to stay in our fatherland. We, Iron Blood, are proud of our nation and ideals" Deutschland takes a deep breath and relaxes her voice
"Even though I am a bit frustrated, I don't see Victorious as a hindrance. It's because of her that Tirpitz remains stable" Bismarck speaks out
"Still, you're not happy that Tirpitz is fighting to protect someone" Prinz Eugen giggles
"It's like Tirpitz doesn't give a damn about being an Iron Blood ship anymore" Deutschland sits back down with her arms crossed
"This shouldn't be a huge issue to begin with. Many of you are far too concerned with this"
Bismarck furrows her eyebrows and shakes her head as her display of displeasure. As a leader, she's mostly composed and doesn't throw a fit of rage. Her unhappiness and anger is a consistent one so it doesn't end up with her blindly speaking and acting.
"It is a big deal because she's your younger sister. Those old geezers expect you to keep Tirpitz under control" Prinz Eugen doesn't hesitate to speak up
"Those same old men who cower and stand arrogant?" Bismarck rests her back
"Yes, those kind of old geezers" Prinz Eugen scoffs
"They view Tirpitz as a weapon after the whole procedure. I don't agree with their view of treating Tirpitz like a gun they could just point and order around"
"Why not just cut off their heads? Our nation has no need for cowards"
Deutschland runs her thumb across her throat, grinning at the idea of "culling" those who she views unnecessary. Her eyes even sparkle with gladness as if she has been waiting for it to happen.
"It's a matter of order. If the chain of command is cut off, there will be chaos among our ranks" Bismarck reminds her of the special reason
"As much as I hate it, I have to agree with that reason. We live in an era where a nation could only survive if there's a straight structure of command" Prinz Eugen exhales deeply
"Still, it's only right if Tirpitz returns as a member of Iron Blood"
"...Aren't you being too soft on your sister?" Deutschland reluctantly tells her
"I'm not being soft. It's a matter of knowing how to act enough to keep them aligned with you"
"That didn't really end well a year ago, right? Not only she tried to cut you down, some of us nearly lost our limbs from the frostbite"
Prinz Eugen finds is appropriate to remind Bismarck of the reality even if she's a subordinate speaking to the fleet leader.
"That won't happen again" Bismarck quickly assures her
"And if it does?" Deutschland cuts in
"...Then I must do what's necessary"
"You can't put her down because I feel like that would only make things worse. There's no guarantee you can kill someone who died once" Prinz Eugen wags her index finger
"..."
On the other side, Deutschland slides a bit from her seat as if she wishes to escape the office. She observed Bismarck's expression growing dim as she's upset but still tolerating Prinz Eugen.
"No, you're confident right now. The reason why you don't hate Victorious is because she's useful when dealing with Tirpitz, right?" Prinz Eugen chuckles
"I won't use petty tricks. Our methods contradict, Eugen" Bismarck sternly reminds her
"That's a shame. It would have been faster if we just tricked Victorious into agreeing with us" Prinz Eugen shakes her head in dismay
"You two should focus on the unknown META aircraft carrier detected by U-556 leaving the area where the blizzard appeared" Bismarck chamges the topic
"I have a feeling our elusive stalker will show herself soon. She's following Tirpitz and spying, right?" Prinz Eugen chuckles
"Let's just catch the bastard once they come close" Deutschland cracks her knuckles
"When it comes to anyone who isn't a kansen, I don't care what method you use. If she's connected to what happened to Tirpitz a year ago, then I will personally cut her down"
Bismarck not only promises herself but makes it apparent to the two of them. Once she lays down her own word, the two simultaneously look at each other knowing Bismarck would always see through to it. It's not just out of keeping her honor, but the sharpness and clarity in Bismarck's eyes makes it plainly obvious that she holds a grudge.