Iron Blood or "old home" as Tirpitz perceives it now. It's the nation tied to her existence, but she strays away from its ideals after seeing more of the outside world. This is seen as an "outside influence", but Bismarck surprisingly shows no disapproval of it. A year has passed, and a lot has changed, namely on Tirpitz's side. After all that time, Tirpitz inevitably finds herself back at her fatherland whether she likes it or not.
"Nothing has changed since then..."
Tirpitz gazes at the sky first before turning her attention to the base she once called her home. The north is where she's familiar the most, but she sometimes returns to the mainland when Bismarck isn't making her "guard" a distant fjord.
"I feel nervous all of a sudden. It's like I'm not supposed to be here" Victorious tugs Tirpitz's cape
"To be precise, I'd say not everyone welcomes you here" King George V steps forward
"I kind of expected that..." Victorious awkwardly smiles
"Don't worry much about it. While some Iron Blood ships see you as a nuisance to Tirpitz, Bismarck is more... open-minded" King George V pats her in the back
"They won't do anything to you so long as you don't go far from my side"
Tirpitz shifts her gaze at Victorious who's still clutching her cape that it's getting wrinkled. At least, she could safely assure Victorious that she's protected so long as she's nearby. Even if Tirpitz doesn't mention it, it should be natural to remember that no one would even harm Victorious because the Royal navy and Iron Blood are both under the Azur Lane faction.
"Look at it this way, they don't want to risk getting Tirpitz's attention" Prince of Wales does her best to comfort Victorious
"I don't want to treat Tirpitz like an attack dog or as a shield" Victorious lets go of Tirpitz
"There's no problem with that. I won't allow threats near you"
Tirpitz gently puts her hand on top of Victorious' head as the only way she could think of comforting the anxious aircraft carrier. There are two Royal knights with them as extra precaution, but Victorious swallows her breath to ease her trembling.
"Please don't turn anyone into a popsicle. Last time you went berserk, they nearly had to amputate someone's leg off" King George V stands in front of Tirpitz
"That's their fault" Tirpitz only tilts her head
"Isn't that a bit cold-hearted towards your fellow Iron Blood ships" Prince of Wales crosses her arms
"..." Tirpitz immediately turns to stare at her
"Eh?"
Tirpitz doesn't even say anything, so Prince of Wales is somewhat nervous and puzzled as to why Tirpitz eyes her as a predator staring down at her prey. There's no emotion to distinguish it, just Tirpitz's usual stoic expression, but Prince of Wales' instincts screams of danger.
"Anyhow, you and Victorious must separate for now. The arrangement is for Bismarck and Victorious to have a private meeting while Tirpitz has her checkup done by Neumark" King George V clears her throat
"I know it's arranged, but do I have to be really alone in a room with Bismarck?" Victorious profusely sweats
"Wales is going to accompany you...by standing outside the room" King George V cheerfully pats Victorious' shoulders
"That's not comforting at all!" Victorious nearly screams
"We won't even stay long here. I prefer to leave as soon as I get what I need"
Tirpitz stares at what's in front of her instead. Right before the four of them is the "main building" of the base, where most offices are located including Bismarck's private office. Only a year has passed, so Tirpitz's memory of the last time she stepped on her homeland is as fresh as it is unpleasant.
"Do you think Bismarck will find a loophole to make her stay?" Prince of Wales whispers to King George V
"I don't think Bismarck is in a hurry. My concern is whether they'll use Victorious as a leverage" King George V whispers back
"I'm worried that they might hurt Victorious in any way" Prince of Wales faintly groans
"Trust me, Iron Blood isn't that reckless. Tirpitz's condition is volatile and the last time she got provoked, she nearly turned this base into a frozen wasteland"
"That's not really reassuring since it sounds like they see Tirpitz as a threat that needs to be controlled..." Prince of Wales couldn't hold her displeasure
"No, it's a matter of misunderstanding. They don't understand that it's Victorious keeping Tirpitz in line"
The four of them start to walk with the two knights continuing their private conversation while carefully eyeing the two. Right now, everything is under control as Victorious takes Tirpitz's cap as her own. Tirpitz halfheartedly tries to retake her cap, but Victorious pressed both hands on top of her head and pouts. This causes Tirpitz to give up on her cap and ignore one of her excitable whims again.
"Bismarck may not be the underhanded type, but I don't think they'd just let someone like Tirpitz wander on her own" Prince of Wales expressed more of her concern
"Not letting her leave on her own is why she left in the first place. The fact Bismarck herself threw her in jail for a whole year sealed her decision" King George V shakes her head
"Good grief. Those two sisters are a handful. One is the complicated leader of a cautious nation while the other is a volatile blizzard"
"Hmm. Let's just hope Tirpitz over there doesn't get pissed off enough to repeat what she did a year ago" King George V cheerfully laughs
"L-let's just keep Victorious close to her" Prince of Wales stares at the two
"It's not the most honest method, but it keeps the possibility of a conflict away"
Fortunately for now, Tirpitz remains behaved while Victorious keeps tugging her sleeve and pointing at all sorts of directions. Her lively and optimistic attitude at least keeps Tirpitz focused on her enough to forget her bitterness for Iron Blood a bit.
One hour later...
Tirpitz rolls up her sleeve, revealing the pair of restraints with visible cracks. Cold air faintly evaporates from those cracks as if the chill it absorbed is at the risk of going wild. It causes the cracks to faintly glow a mesmerizing Sapphire blue light, but ice sticks to Tirpitz's wrists to make the side effects of the damage more visible.
"I didn't want to come back here to meet any of you, but I don't want my condition to harm anybody" Tirpitz partially raises her arms
"It's understandable you want to leave the second you're done here, but Bismarck found a way to make you return albeit temporarily" Neumark doesn't care much
"Don't worry. Bismarck just wants to know if Victorious have been a good influence since the others think you're acting like a pet or being manipulated"
"She would never do that" Tirpitz briefly releases cold air
"I know, but they're making it a big deal because you're Bismarck's younger sister. You're not the type to particularly care about status or position after all"
Neumark inspects the more durable and adjusted replacements for Tirpitz's damaged restraints. They're almost identical to the current one except for the more polished and smooth appearance.
"Hmm, you must have emitted coldness past negative one hundred Celsius" Neumark gently lifts both of Tirpitz's hands
"That's impossible. My kansen body would break past that" Tirpitz shakes her head
"It's not impossible since an unknown META released temperature further than negative two hundred. I would have studied her, but she was killed in action" Neumark lowers Tirpitz's right hand
"The core used on me was from that deceased META, right?"
"It's only a piece. From my theory, it was deliberately shattered in pieces, and one was mysteriously missed by the culprit"
"..." Tirpitz quietly observes Neumark
The Iron Blood repair ship carefully adjusts the damaged restraint to slowly loosens its lock on Tirpitz's wrist. When the metallic restraint clicks open, the room's temperature drastically decreases when a glass of water's surface begins to freeze.
"Are you sure this is safe for you?" Tirpitz notices the change in her surroundings
"My uniform and gloves are specially insulated. It's easy to make adjustments since I've been repairing you since your time in the northern fjords" Neumark doesn't hesitate to remove the restraint on the left arm first
"..." Tirpitz observes her again
"Don't you hate me for agreeing with Bismarck? I suggested that the operation be done to save your life and perform the procedure"
When Neumark does the same on Tirpitz's right hand and the surroundings grow colder again, Neumark reluctantly asks after a year of distance and awkwardness.
"You're a repair ship and it's your job to mend our wounds. It's part of your job after retiring from commerce raiding" Tirpitz looks at her straight in the eyes
"I wish you reserved that forgiveness to Bismarck..." Neumark sighs in dismay
"What I couldn't accept is Bismarck believing I should keep on living to continue fighting. To her, there was nothing wrong with losing my emotions and warmth. She never observed how miserable I felt back then..."
There's no other Iron Blood ship other than them, so Tirpitz finds it safe enough to express her inner thoughts. It's been a year since the incident and the moment she spent in the Mediterranean is enough to teach her more about not keeping secrets and trust.
"I was in complete despair knowing I would slowly lose my emotions. How could I not hate her when she couldn't even show any remorse...for stripping me of my emotions"
Tirpitz may speak calmly right now, but Neumark can guess Tirpitz would be completely furious and frustrated if the chill in her body didn't numb her heart. There's a bit of nervousness, slightly fearing Tirpitz loses her control over her condition.
"Did Bismarck hesitate when she knew that it would take something from?" Tirpitz stares at Neumark again
"Bismarck knew very well that you might not live a normal life...but it pained her seeing you're slowly dying. It's either let you die or give a second chance in living, and Bismarck couldn't afford to lose her only sister..." Neumark tries to soften Tirpitz
"When I survived and turned against her, Bismarck couldn't face the consequences of her actions. Instead, she imprisoned me and couldn't even apologize"
"Bismarck chose it because she couldn't bring herself to execute you. She lost her younger sister once; she would never lose you again"
Neumark slightly raises her voice after she finishes locking the new restraints on Tirpitz's left hand. The room's coldness lessens by half, but it's still cold enough to keep liquids still.
"I know I could not go through the operation, but I saw Bismarck's worry. She wants you to live, but she knows you would pay the price for it" Neumark frowns at Tirpitz
"Bismarck did feel guilty for what happened, but she never regretted saving your life" Neumark locks the second restraint on the right arm
"You're telling me all of this, but she couldn't tell me herself a year ago"
"You have every right to hate her for what she did. That's why Bismarck didn't justify her actions as right"
"..." Tirpitz lowers her head
"Bismarck does care about you, but you're both stubborn and not expressive. As a result, you misunderstand each other and so does the people around you. You've seen Bismarck's other side, so you should know this more than anyone"
"..." Tirpitz averts her gaze
All Tirpitz could think of is observing Bismarck from her back and when they spoke after Tirpitz survived the operation, Bismarck couldn't show a hint of emotion.
"If she knew I'd be miserable, she should have let me die" Tirpitz takes a deep breath
"If you had died, wouldn't that hurt your dear Victorious?" Neumark tilts her head
"..." Tirpitz raises her head
"Tirpitz, we all know you're attached to Victorious"
"Bismarck made the decision because you had a reason to live. Our dear leader is never honest with her own feelings, you know"
"That's ..." Tirpitz doesn't know what to say
"Good grief. You should talk with your old sister. I'm your repair ship, not a therapist"
Neumark stands up and walks towards the desk with a lot of documents and files nearly piled up. She reaches for a folder on the far right with today's date stamped on the folder.
"How's the examination on my wisdom cube" Tirpitz turns around
As she tests the newly locked restraints that don't appear to be different than the damaged ones, she sets her gaze on the folder Neumark is holding.
"You surpassed the threshold, but I'm shocked to find no damage. I may have calculated wrongly since the output you released last time is somewhat similar to the META where the fragment came from" Neumark opens the folder and pulls one of the sever documents
"Am I a META or at least close to one?" Tirpitz stands up
"Don't worry. From the results, you just possess the power of one. Even after death, that META's power lingers and contained a large amount of energy"
Neumark hands over the piece of paper where the findings on the wisdom cube are stated. The writing is clear and eligible, but Tirpitz is no researcher to understand the numbers and terms used other than her wisdom cube is stable. She just stares at it even when she remains uncertain.
"It merged with your wisdom cube which isn't a surprise since it's a broken off piece" Neumark flips to another page
"Broken off piece?" Tirpitz sets the paper aside
"Tirpitz, the core is the piece of the META's wisdom cube. It's likely deliberately destroyed rather than naturally fractured from an intense battle"
"Someone destroyed it when the META died. Why break it apart?"
"I don't know. All I know is it's illogical to leave one piece while take the rest" Neumark closes the folder
Tirpitz gently reaches for her chest, wondering more about her wisdom cube changed by her current condition.
"Even if it's just a piece of a dead META, I can't guarantee it wouldn't have any effect on you" Neumark walks towards Tirpitz
"What do you mean?"
"It latched on to you and replaced the broken section of your wisdom cube. If we're careless, it might alter your wisdom cube further. When we studied it before, the fragment contained a faint essence as if the META's influence is still present" Neumark scratches her head
"So, you're saying I might become one of those METAs?"
"There's no proof of it, but it's better safe than sorry. I doubt nothing's going on when a kansen showed up and let Iron Blood keep the piece"
"What?"
Hearing possible crucial information, Tirpitz approaches Neumark enough that they're only inches away.
"Bismarck kept it confidential, but a kansen helped us retrieve the piece. That same kansen showed up when you were on the verge of death. Bismarck wouldn't tell me, but I saw that kansen talked to Bismarck before she made the decision" Neumark takes a step back
"You're saying someone convinced Bismarck?" Tirpitz clenches her fists
"Tirpitz, I don't want to jump to the conclusion that someone is making the fool of us...but it's strange neither Bismarck and I could remember what the kansen looked like"
Neumark crosses her arms and tilts her head left to right. This shows even Neumark herself is clueless of a possible foul play but doesn't deny the possibility. She's more focused on the kansen with a questionable identity.
"Can you tell me more?" Tirpitz grabs both of Neumark's shoulders
"...I'm sorry, but I lack information to confirm anything. It's just my hunch that someone is toying with us" Neumark reluctantly replies
"That's fine. Everything you said is enough for now"
Tirpitz doesn't press the issue further and lowers both of her hands. She doesn't even notice that she's still trying to keep distance from Iron Blood until she's told of new information.
Bismarck's office...
Victorious has no choice but to be alone with Bismarck. Her supposed companion, Prince of Wales, is standing guard outside. Like a dutiful guard, she quietly stands near the door without even feeling exhaustion and numbness on her legs.
"Tirpitz's back, but you knights are keeping an eye on her"
Prinz Eugen is also outside the office not out of order but for the purpose of bothering and possibly teasing her favorite battlecruiser.
"It can't be helped. There's no guarantee Tirpitz would behave" Prince of Wales sighs
"So you don't trust her that much, huh"
"George doesn't trust Iron Blood would just be quiet"
"How mean~" Prinz Eugen giggles
"Someone's been eyeing Tirpitz and we don't know whether it's a third party or someone from Iron Blood"
"It's certainly not from Iron Blood. Well, aside from the occasional spying from the Wolfpack..." Prinz Eugen turns away and whispers to herself
"The what?"
"Hehehe. Don't be concerned about it. At least we both know someone is trying to play games with us, but I don't like to entertain the ones who don't even introduce themselves"
Prinz Eugen turns back to Prince of Wales, mixing her occasional serious attitude and usual carefree nature. She nudges the diligent battlecruiser hoping for her to react, but Prince of Wales only furrows her eyebrows out of annoyance.
"That loud carrier is reigning Tirpitz in but I can't say it's a good thing or a bad thing. Tirpitz is behaved while Victorious is around, but wouldn't that make Victorious a liability?" Prinz Eugen walks back and forth in front of Prince of Wales
"What do you mean by a liability?" Prince of Wales frowns
"I mean Victorious can control Tirpitz. The popsicle of a battleship will just go along with whatever Victorious says, and Victorious can also be used against her. Anyone would hate it if someone precious to them is held against them"
"I don't like your tone, Eugen. It's like you're going to try one of your tricks again" Prince of Wales begins to warn her
"I like my hands and feet still attached to my body, thank you very much. I just want to make sure Victorious is in a position where she isn't a liability to Tirpitz"
Before the two could argue and disturb Bismarck inside, Prinz Eugen raises both hands in the air. She should be aware Prince of Wales wouldn't always take her jokes and implications lightly especially when it's involving someone.
"Are you saying Victorious is a dead weight?" Prince of Wales is losing her patience
"I didn't say that. Tirpitz isn't used to having someone she needs to protect, especially that she needs to hold back all the time now" Prinz Eugen pats her on the back
"That's true, but Victorious isn't a liability" Prince of Wales loosens her tension
"Well, she has been helping Tirpitz...but the possibility is still there"
Prinz Eugen casually uses Prince of Wales' shoulder to rest her arms and even leans on her. As a knight, Prince of Wales could actually tolerate her eccentricities like her "touchy" tendencies.
"Tirpitz may be here again, but she doesn't want to stay for long" Victorious takes a deep breath
Inside, Victorious faces Bismarck, but she musters enough courage to speak with Bismarck with direct contact. It's a serious matter for both of them, and Victorious is aware Bismarck has no ulterior motives.
"I figured she doesn't want to tell me herself..." Bismarck straightens her back
"I want the two of you two because clearly nothing will happen if you keep your distances" Victorious clenches her fists
"There are misunderstandings, but the only way to work out this issue is for you to talk"
"That's impossible considering my sister refuses to even see me" Bismarck reminds her
"Tirpitz felt betrayed after you saved her, but you're the reason she's still alive and with me. She couldn't hate you for that, but her she was robbed of emotions"
Victorious drops her shoulders as all she could do is sympathize with Tirpitz and couldn't even do anything to cure her.
"I knew it would cost her, but if I hadn't done it, Tirpitz would have been dead" Bismarck leans a bit forward
"...But you don't see it as an achievement?" Victorious tilts her head
"Of course not. Although the operation was successful, the power granted to Tirpitz was nothing but a curse. She was miserable that she only spited me ever since she came back to life" Bismarck lowers her head for a few seconds
"Came back to life? You said like she died" Victorious wryly smiles
"During the operation, Tirpitz clinically died so I had Neumark merge the core with her and it was a success. Tirpitz was saved from death only for her body to be as cold as ice"
Bismarck's intertwined fingers tenses and her tone deepens out of self-loathing. She couldn't dare herself to describe everything in detail, but she sees it as a necessity to inform Victorious.
"I was glad when Tirpitz breathed life, but I couldn't express my horror when her body completely loses its warmth. It's as if she suffered a fate worse than death" Tirpitz closes her eyes for a moment
"To live without emotions and warmth - I couldn't imagine it happening to me" Victorious shakes her head
"She woke up confused when she started screaming and panicking. I couldn't bear to see the consequences of my wish to see my sister alive again. Victorious, I simply wanted to for her to live but I didn't wish for her to suffer..."
Bismarck eases her tension enough to be at least honest about her thoughts a year ago. She couldn't directly tell anyone as she had always been leader that's never soft and emotional. It had always been that way until Bismarck behaved like a machine who disregards her own yearning even if she's an individual like everyone else.
"You felt guilty, but you don't regret saving Tirpitz's life. I'm grateful for giving Tirpitz a second chance in life, but why don't you personally tell her while she's here" Victorious crosses her arms
"Even if I tell her, would she listen? Tirpitz wouldn't heed my words because she no longer trusts me" Bismarck quickly replies
"She doesn't trust you because you didn't tell her everything!"
Even if Bismarck is known as the fearsome leader of Iron Blood, Victorious doesn't hesitate to raise her voice and scolds her. The two sisters are equally stubborn, and Victorious had enough of dealing with Tirpitz, the younger sister, alone.
"The solution is so simple but you two are such blockheads! You're as difficult as steel and Tirpitz is ice. If you had just told her a year ago, this wouldn't have strained your sisterly relationship. There are only two of you, but you two are much more difficult than an army of the Fletcher class!" Victorious stomps her right foot
"..."
The sudden burst of anger from Victorious shocks Bismarck into rendering her speechless and staring at the carrier with a wide-eyed expression. It's the first time someone actually speaks out their frustrations because they cared. Victorious is equally annoyed at the two sisters that she doesn't care that her voices reach outside.
"Tirpitz told me you just looked at her straight in the eye and never changed emotions. Directly telling her she's only alive so she can fight again hurt her. I know you did care about her, but you made things worse trying to hide it" Victorious takes deep breaths
"...I can't deny that" Bismarck exhales
"Why are you scared of just telling Tirpitz you were just scared of losing her?"
"I'm not afraid of anything. It's just that it's not easy to act as an older sister when I'm so used to being a strict leader"
"So you're more awkward, huh..."
Victorious blinks several times in sudden disbelief when she realizes Bismarck isn't proud but doesn't feel too confident communicating with her own younger sister. The two don't know each other well when they've been just focusing on their duties and never themselves.
"I can convince Tirpitz to at least try talking to you" Victorious sighs in exhaustion
"I'm not forcing you to do that" Bismarck rejects the idea
"No. I want the two of you to reconcile. It's been a bloody year already and I don't want Tirpitz to always think her sister never cared about her" Victorious is firm with her decision
"That's..."
"You never forced Tirpitz to come back and let her stay with me because you thought it was best for her" Victorious is certain
"...That might as well be the case. I know you're a good influence on Tirpitz and gambled on the chance you would ease her burden"
There's no denying or avoiding it in the current situation, so Bismarck willingly confessed her reason. She's not shy of it when she doesn't break eye contact from every word that comes out of her mouth.
"You taught Tirpitz warmth before, so I believe you might be able to remind her again. While her emotions have yet to return, she hasn't lost herself because you're always there for her" Bismarck faintly smiles
"W-well, I thought she might do something stupid that might get herself killed" Victorious fidgets with her fingers, unsure how to react from the conflict
"I hope you continue being a trusted friend to my sister"
"There's no need to promise that because I wouldn't betray Tirpitz" Victorious places her hands on her hips
"I see" Bismarck briefly smiles again
Forty minutes later...
Victorious tightly grips Tirpitz's hand, forgetting that even when she's sealed, her touch is as cold as frozen food. She's used with physically contact with her, and she's more focused with excitedly dragging the clueless Tirpitz with her. The latter is unsure to why Victorious is giggling while pulling her through a familiar hallway.
"I'm taking you to Bismarck" Victorious chooses to reveal it
"Why?" Tirpitz tilts her head
"It's been a year already, and I believe it's time" Victorious glances at her
"What if I refuse?"
"Too bad I'm not letting you. Whether you like it or not, you're going to have a sisterly talk with Bismarck" Victorious frankly tells her
"..."
Tirpitz loosens her grip on Victorious for a brief second but closes her eyes and allows Victorious to keep dragging her.
"Did Bismarck pressured you? If she did-" Tirpitz is cut off
"She didn't. I'm the one who told her that you two should talk" Victorious sternly responds
"I see..."
For an actual moment, Tirpitz's body temperature lowers as if she's about to direct her hostility but quickly returns to normal. She doesn't question on the possibility that Victorious may have lied because she could already sense Victorious is annoyed with the two of them.
"Even if you still can't forgive Bismarck, I want at least for you two to have some clarity" Victorious slows down
"I don't fully reject the idea of speaking with Bismarck again, but this is too sudden..."
"Since we're here, why not just go ahead with it?"
By the time they finally stop walking, Victorious has guided Tirpitz right in front of Bismarck's office. Victorious gently loosens her grip of Tirpitz and looks at the door where Bismarck is waiting beyond it.
"It's going to be fine...as long as you don't try attacking Bismarck again" Victorious pokes Tirpitz's cheeks
"I can't guarantee that this may end well" Tirpitz sighs
"Bismarck does care about you, but I want you to hear it from her"
"Being honest is the least thing Bismarck would do" Tirpitz averts her gaze for a second
"Like you're one to talk!"
Victorious lightly punch Tirpitz's left shoulder and pouts when the latter is being stubborn again.
"It's going to be alright" Victorious cheerfully smiles
"..." Tirpitz notices a bit of nervousness in her
"Even if you two wouldn't reconcile right now, this is a start. I want the two of you to be sisters again"
"If that's what you want, then I'll try..." Tirpitz surrenders
"Don't do it because I wanted it. You should decide that for yourself" Victorious weakly punches her a few times
"...Fine" Tirpitz reluctantly accepts
After knocking a few times, Tirpitz turns the doorknob and slowly pushes the door open. Tirpitz turns around for a moment and Victorious only responds by giving her a thumbs up from both hands. She has to be alone with her sister and seeing Bismarck leaning by her desk distracted her enough for Victorious to shut the door herself...locks it from the outside.
"It's been a year, Tirpitz..." Bismarck starts by removing her cap
"Yes, but it felt like it's only been a short amount of time" Tirpitz takes a few steps forward
"You looked less cold compared a year ago. It seems you did mellow out with Victorious around" Bismarck does the same
"Even so, my heart remained frozen, and my condition still persists" Tirpitz bluntly reminds her
"..."
The two both fall into a tense and awkward silence. Tirpitz is barely hostile to Bismarck, but the latter could tell Tirpitz is still reluctant speaking to her. It's natural for the two of them to remain distant as the incident drastically changed Tirpitz's way of living.
"Back then I hated you for leaving me this burden, but I'm alive because of that procedure. It's because I'm still alive that I'm still talking with that loud carrier" Tirpitz stares at her hands
"I know you still couldn't fully accept it"
"How could I? My condition is likely to be permanent and all I could feel now is the coldness" Tirpitz doesn't hesitate with her words
"You have every reason to be upset at me"
"To think I would see you with such guilty eyes. Did you truly regret what you did to me?"
Tirpitz waits for a few seconds before speaking because she observes Bismarck's gestures and even analyzes her way of speaking. At least, she hopes to see changes in her older sister after a year. The Bismarck she had last known only acted and spoke like a relentless machine who never sways from their objective.
"I knew it would take something from you, but it's the only way to keep you alive" Bismarck begins explaining
"So, I could fight for Iron Blood again" That's what you told me before you threw me in jail" Tirpitz could never forget it
"...No. I just wanted you to live because you weren't prepared to die like that. You wanted to live because you don't want to abandon your friend"
Bismarck makes it certain she's serious with her words when she takes several steps forward until she's only less than two meters from Tirpitz. There is still bitterness from the latter, but Bismarck is willing to accept that knowing it's her decision that set the events in motion.
"I had always been a leader to you than a sister, so I thought this is the least I could give you a happy life"
"Happy? Do you think I'm happy the way I am right now? I couldn't even express happiness even if I want to" Tirpitz emits cold air from her hands
"It's my fault you lost your emotions and turned your body into a hazard, but I never wished for you to suffer this way" Bismarck takes one step forward
Even if the room's temperature gradually lowers, Bismarck ignores it just so she could be honest with Tirpitz this time. It's her hesitation to be honest a year ago that strained their relationship and she wishes to at least reveal her side to Tirpitz.
"It's too late for that. You incarcerated me until a year has that and still shackle me..."
Tirpitz lifts her left hand and rolls up her sleeve to show the restraints. It might as well be chainless cuffs and the fact it's a metallic object locked on Tirpitz all the time adds more to the similarity.
"I know Iron Blood made this to suppress my coldness, but it always reminds me that I don't have a normal life anymore" Tirpitz rubs her wrist
"I haven't given up on trying to undo what I caused" Bismarck reaches out her hand
"Physical damage would heal in time, but what was taken from me..." Tirpitz relaxes her hand on her side
"Emotions shape us as individuals and without it, we wouldn't be different from unthinking machines" Bismarck is well aware of the sacrifice
"I can't be certain what I did would be undone, but it wouldn't stop me from trying"
Bismarck grabs Tirpitz's left hand and also ignores the low temperature of her touch. She lifts Tirpitz's hands in front to the both of them to prove her certainty because Tirpitz has yet to forgive and trust her.
"I simply couldn't lose you, so I gave in to what was offered to me" Bismarck unhands her
"What do you mean?" Tirpitz lifts her head
"Back then, I did hesitate into going with the procedure. I know you would pay the price for my selfish decision. No matter how much I convince myself, I couldn't bring myself to agree that it's worth the sacrifice" Bismarck turns around
"Are you saying someone talked you into this?"
"A kansen whose name and face I couldn't remember. She tempted me into going through with it and I agreed...out of fearing losing the only sister I have" Bismarck confesses
"..."
Tirpitz doesn't respond since she remembers Neumark mentioning someone similar earlier. Their statements match, so it might be the truth. However, Tirpitz isn't keen on taking this as the full truth from words alone. Words can be twisted depending how one would portray emotions to make it seems natural.
"I am the leader of Iron Blood, but I am also your older sister. My mistake is thinking you don't need to know everything. If I had told you, then you wouldn't have left Iron Blood" Bismarck faces Tirpitz again
"Bismarck, you're not someone to be fooled...so why did you turn a blind eye and agreed with someone you don't even know" Tirpitz questions her
"I know you wouldn't believe me, but I felt she was familiar. Like someone I always knew, so I trusted her words" Bismarck isn't certain
"She had one" Bismarck remembers something else
"One?"
"That unknown kansen. I vaguely remember she held a similar core in her hand, so she was able to emit cold air and spread ice on the ground"
While Bismarck couldn't remember any physical features from the kansen, she wouldn't forget how that kansen had the same ability as Tirpitz's current condition. She couldn't ignore the faintly glowing fragment floating an inch above the kansen's hand.
"I'm not making an excuse or directing the blame, but I want you to at least know about this" Bismarck makes it clear
"Neumark said you did meet with someone before you ordered the operation. I know you didn't lie..." Tirpitz mostly accepts it
There's still a part within Tirpitz that's still cautious of their words, but she doesn't throw it as impossible considering she has her own secrets too. Tirpitz has yet to confess to anyone about the "ghost" with the same appearance as her that made itself present whenever she passes out.
"Are you willing to hear me out?" Bismarck is a bit puzzled
"I'm willing to listen at least" Tirpitz crosses her arms
"I see. Then I'm glad you're willing speak with me further" Bismarck lightly nods
"Just so you know, this has yet to fix anything. I'm only doing this because I want the truth"
"That's fine. I just wish to have some clarity between us" Bismarck doesn't mind
"Just as you're willing to hear my side, I wouldn't turn away all the frustrations and resentment you wish to express. I can't deny that I caused your life to be like this"
For a moment, Tirpitz's finger twitch as if something sparked in her chest. She couldn't notice this as she focused on Bismarck's solemn and soft tone resulting from her guilt of robbing Tirpitz a normal life in exchange of surviving what could have been certain death.
...
...
Unknown to anyone in Iron Blood, a certain META is partially aware of the conversation between Bismarck and Tirpitz. The META is still lurking by a dark sea with a lifeless fragment of a wisdom cube in her possession. It emits a faint blue light and pulses in regular intervals as it hovers a few centimeters above the left palm.
"Tirpitz...reacted...?" Victorious META's lips part in disbelief
The META who has been observing from time to time, is caught off-guard at something she couldn't foresee. She couldn't get near without alerting everyone, so lacked the other details to interpret what she sensed.
"Bismarck doesn't remember yet, but if my past self figures this out" Victorious META bites her thumb
Victorious META hasn't panicked, but she's gradually growing nervous at the situation she couldn't stir away. Nothing could distract either Bismarck or Tirpitz without the opportunity to approach regular kansens.
"This happened because you couldn't get the most important piece" Hunter META, who's standing behind her, scoffs
"Why is it the one Iron Blood had in possession is where her consciousness remained?" Victorious META stops biting her thumb
"You got careless back then and gave it out of a hurry...or our Tirpitz thought ahead and tricked you"
"That's not possible" Victorious META denies the second idea
"It is possible. Her body may have died, but she's still conscious of her wisdom cube"
Realizing that, Victorious META sweats coldly as she tries to spy in Iron Blood using the fragment of a wisdom cube with her. It may be broken, but like the one used in Tirpitz, the META's influence and power still lingers.
"Tirpitz would try to find the truth of her own without letting her Victorious know. Bismarck wouldn't figure out who tricked her for a long while" Victorious META sighs in relief
"..." Hunter META narrows her eyes
"Are you angry?" Victorious META doesn't need to look
"You kept the piece of the friend you betrayed" Hunter META stares at the fragment
"Betrayal might be lighter than what I did"
"..." Hunter META furrows her eyebrows
"After all, I made sure to break her wisdom cube apart"
Victorious META leans her hand closer to her face to stare at the glowing fragment on a clearer and better angle. She finds no joy at how it emits a calm glow as it's the result of her sin more than a year ago.
"I have to make sure she stays apart. It's for the best..." Victorious META gently presses the fragment to her chest
"Is that why you didn't try to retake the fragment?" Hunter META raises an eyebrow
"No, it may not be part of the plan, but it might work in my favor...because Tirpitz is still alive" Victorious META faintly smiles
"Your dedication is making me nervous. I hope you're not about to make things worse"
Hunter META is at disbelief to what lengths Victorious META will go after what she did a long time ago. Even if they're allies and Hunter META being concerned with Victorious META endangering herself, she knows that the latter might gamble with danger again. That danger might be worse than leader Tirpitz META to her death.