Chapter 19: Everyone Returns and New Faces Emerge! (Part 2)
"If you don't take risks, you can't create a future!" Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece
"Ah, what a brilliant day it is."
"It truly is my dearest Illustrious. Would you care for some more tea?"
"Yes, please~." The carrier gratefully accepted as she brought her teacup forward. "Thank you F-"
BOOM!
"What!?" The person pouring Illustrious her tea shrieked.
Multiple explosions and yelling in the distance soon after could be heard from the clifftop where Illustrious and fellow Kansen were apparently enjoying an afternoon tea party.
"What on earth is going on over there?" A diminutive blonde figure squinted her eyes as she tried to get a better look at the situation.
As the large group looked over in unison, they made out what seemed to be a wrapped up Shikikan being carried away by none other than the Sakura Empire's Akagi.
"Apologies for the commotion, ladies, but it seems Master has finally returned." Belfast informed.
"Hmph, about time that servant showed up. How dare he make Us wait this long." Another petite blonde figure grumbled before immediately humming happily as she bit into another forkful of her shortcake. "Mhm!"
"Seems like Commander's been captured and is being taken away to the Sakura dorms." KGV deducted. "Should we bring him his deliverance, Your Grace?"
"Hmm…'twould seem to be quite a troublesome situation to get involved with….plus the Eagle Union girls seem to already be on the case, so We don't see any reason to go to the trouble.
"Your Majesty, if I may…" Wales interjected. "Should we save Commander, perhaps he would be more inclined to take up your 'requests'?"
"!….Belfast, KGV, take whoever you need and bring that servant here at once!" The now starry-eyed petite blonde ordered.
"Right away, Your Highness." Both beauties replied before rallying a rescue fleet for Shikikan.
"My, how wonderfully lively this afternoon has become." Another taller blonde beauty giggled as she elegantly sipped on her tea, waiting for the 'show' before her to continue.
[Back with Shikikan]
"A-Akagi, what do you mean by…"
BOOM!
"Release Commander at once, Akagi." Enterprise calmly said as she readied another light arrow.
"Tsk….apologies Shikikan-sama, but it would seem a swarm of pests are desperately trying to prevent our happy ever after. Please just relax as I get us to our love nest safe and sound~." Akagi sung as she had one of her tails stroke Shikikan's cheek before looking over towards her right.
"Zuikaku, if you would please."
"No need to tell me twice!" Zuikaku grinned as she suddenly appeared from behind and drew her blade, launching an immediate airstrike at the Eagle Union girls chasing Akagi.
"Wah-!" Saratoga yelled as she jumped away from the incoming fighters' lines of fire.
"Ara, not so willing to go back to the docks again, Miss Queen of the Docks?" Shoukaku appeared and taunted as she brought her flute to her lips and summoned her own planes, ready to launch at a moment's notice. "I'd rather not do our esteemed Senpai's biddings, but I can't say no to your eagerness, Zuikaku! So go ahead and go all out! I've got you're back!"
"Alright!" Zuikaku grinned as she was filled with determination to settle the score with Enterprise.
"Grr…stop getting in the way and give back Commander already! I refuse to let that prank I had set for him go to waste….!...uh, I mean…just let him go!" Saratoga stuttered.
"….That aside, what is the meaning of this?" Enterprise sighed as she stood firm with her bow drawn.
"Consider this a friendly joint exercise, Grey Ghost!" Zuikaku smirked.
"And Commander?"
"Surely you don't expect Shikikan-sama to be involved this close up in Kansen combat did you?" Akagi started before turning around and continuing to return to shore. "He'll be much safer and happier with me in the newly refurbished Sakura Empire dormitory."
Now almost completely out of eyesight, the four remaining carriers stood at a standstill.
"I don't like the sound of that…" Saratoga sweat-dropped. "Getting Commander back would be a cinch if our newcomers were here. Where the heck are they?"
"Probably still passed out from helping themselves to the bar lounge back onboard the ship earlier." Enterprise sighed.
"Enough talk! I demand a rematch, Grey Ghost! Haa!" Zuikaku declared before rushing her.
"Guess we gotta win this 2v2 before we can go on and rescue the damsel in distress!" Saratoga joked.
"Not the best choice of words, but I guess… yeah?" Enterprise sweat-dropped before the two carriers met the Sakura Empire's 5th carrier division head on.
[Back with Shikikan]
'I don't know why, but I think I should ruffle Saratoga's hair up later…'
"Shikikan-sama, I'm sure I'm just mistaken, but you aren't thinking of someone else besides your beloved Akagi….RIGHT? Akagi has you all wrapped up in her loving embrace after being away from you for so long so surely that is not the case….RIGHT?" Akagi muttered ominously as her tails curled around him more tightly as they made their way ashore.
'…S-she can read my mind!?…' He gulped nervously.
"N-not at all! I'm just confused, as to what was going on! That's all ahaha…" He sweated profusely. "But what I do know is that I'm really happy to see you again, Akagi!"
That last part seemed to have done the trick as Akagi pulled him in even closer to her and lovingly nuzzled her cheek against his.
"Shikikan-sama~, are you keeping Akagi in your most secret of thoughts? Mmm, how delightful~."
'Phew…'
"Now then, Shikikan-sama, we've arrived. Akagi's room is on the top floor. Here is a copy of the key should…nay when you return~". She sung as she used one of her tails to slip said key into his tracksuit jacket pocket.
"Um, Akagi, not that I don't love being surrounded by fluffy tails, but you don't have to carry me anymore. I can wal—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Akagi gently hushed him with another tail.
"Daijoubu Shikikan-sama~. You've had quite a long trip and are still recovering right?" She accurately assumed. "Let Akagi blissfully carry you away to our love nest~."
Unable to argue as the fluffiness surrounded and overtook his reasoning, he let the kitsune drag him into the rather huge dorm.
As he looked around, he noticed how wide open, new, and clean everything looked. Upon entering the Sakura dorms, Shikikan saw a massive open rectangular room with countless hallways leading to who knows where on the ground floor alone. Looking up, he could see an extremely imposing rectangular spiral staircase tower in the center that led to endless open walkways of all seven floors of the dorms. Despite the imposing first impressions, the entrance hall somehow gave off a welcoming and peaceful vibe, what with elegant flora and intricate artwork placed meticulously all around.
"I can't believe this used to be those dorms." Shikikan admitted as he was carried up to the seventh floor and down a wide-open hallway. "I'd probably get lost in no time if I wondered in here alone."
"Fret not Shikikan-sama, you'll know your way around soon enough for you'll be spending quite a bit of time in here~." Akagi giggled sweetly before arriving at a large sliding door and opening it. "We've arrived."
Entering the room, Shikikan found himself in a very traditional Sakura Empire room.
'Wow, it's exactly like how I've seen in those slice of life anime. Sliding doors, tatami mats, a kotatsu, neatly prepared two-person futon with lit scented candles and cherry blossom petals all around….wait hold up what?' Shikikan thought before he was brought back into reality.
"Fuu~."
"Ah!" Shikikan jumped a bit as he felt Akagi blow sensually into his ear and wrap her arms and tails around him once more.
"Ehehehe, Shikikan-sama~" Akagi giggled as she pressed herself against his back and began to unzip his tracksuit jacket.
"S-so soft….!...I-I mean hold up Akagi!" Shikikan blushed heavily as he felt two pillowy mountains on his back.
"Just relax Shikikan-sama. Let Akagi soothe your heart, mind, body, and soul~". She whispered into his ear as she successfully removed his jacket and began to gently push him downwards face first into the futon.
Now in just a simple white t-shirt and tracksuit pants, Shikikan was completely immobilized by the softness of both the futon and Akagi. He quickly felt himself silently giving in as he was completely enveloped.
Now positioned sitting on top of him, the kitsune sat up and began to roll up Shikikan's shirt up to his shoulders, exposing his bare back to her.
"Ara~ What a muscular back you have Shikikan-sama~." Akagi blushed as she traced her soft hands along the small of his back.
Jolting a bit from the sudden touch, Shikikan almost regained his senses…almost. The combination of the lavender aroma from the candles and the kitsune's tails softly stroking the sides of his face were more than enough to bring him back into a deep stupor.
"Good, now let us begin~." Akagi gently sung as she reached over to a nearby table and grabbed an ornate amber bottle. Twisting open the golden cap, she tilted the bottle down onto her open hand, revealing the contents to be some sort of clear oily liquid-like substance.
Putting the bottle back, she rubbed the substance into her hands before gently bringing them down onto Shikikan's back, eliciting a very relaxed groan from Shikikan.
The substance felt slightly cold for less than a split second before immediately warming up and soothing his tired muscles.
"Ehehe, I'm glad you like it Shikikan-sama. Now allow me to spread the massage oil around." Akagi giggled sweetly before massaging his back with divine expertise.
Was it seconds, minutes, or hours that had passed? Shikikan had no idea as he felt his entire body melt into the futon. The kitsune's soft hands and the growing heat from the oil were far too effective for him to even care enough to think at the moment.
Feeling Akagi tug on his shirt, he immediately brought himself high enough so that the kitsune could completely remove it and toss it to the side.
Pleased by his compliance and her seemingly effective work, Akagi reoiled her hands and continued her tender ministrations on Shikikan's shoulders. The mild burning sensation washed away all of his knots and pains as the heat and Akagi's gentle hands danced around from his lower back all the way up to his neck.
"Did you know Shikikan-sama?" Akagi whispered closely into his ear. "This oil blend is not only wonderful for weary muscles, but also for heating up your desires~".
Before he could ask what she meant, Akagi gently blew on his neck where she had applied the oil. Almost instantly, Shikikan felt the oil heat up even more and send chills all the way down his spine.
"Seems like you really enjoyed that Shikikan-sama. Now then, how about I join you in some heated thrills though a more….intimate kind of massage that newlyweds would do~?" She sultry whispered into his ears once again before sitting back up, grabbing the bottle, and beginning to take off her haori and top.
Half unconscious, Shikikan failed to understand what she meant.
But whether it be to his fortune or misfortune, fate seemed to have something else in mind.
'Woosh!'
All of a sudden, the sliding door behind them burst open, revealing a very unhappy heavy cruiser.
"Did you really think Onee-san wouldn't be able to figure out which of the new rooms you and Kaga moved into?" Atago's smile betrayed her darkened eyes.
"Tsk…." Akagi clicked her tongue as she scowled at her uninvited guest. "And just when things were about to get good." She added before sliding her haori back on.
"Seems like a bit of pest control is in order ahaha!" Akagi laughed menacingly as she summoned her rigging.
"Naughty children will be punished! Ha!" Atago declared before the two went at it in the dorms, destroying everything in their path.
"Ugh…what happened?" Shikikan groaned as he lifted himself up, only to find the two Kansen duking it out around him.
"Hey! Akagi! Atago!" Shikikan yelled before feeling a draft. Realizing he was half naked, he quickly searched for his shirt and jacket. 'Note to self, be much, much more careful when with Akagi...'
Now aware of the kitsune's potent abilities to reduce his resistance to zero, Shikikan dressed himself, only to look up at the destruction around him caused by the two Kansen.
"Hey stop fighting! You're gonna bring the whole building down at this rate!" Shikikan cried out, aware enough to not do something as stupid as diving right between two clashing Kansen. 'Crap they've completely zoned everything but each other out. How the hell am I going to get them to stop?'
"How dare you interrupt our engagement ceremony!" Akagi spat as she launched multiple fighters.
"And how dare you to not hold up your end of the bargain!" Atago countered as she dove out of the way of the incoming bullet rain.
"Ahaha! Nothing can stop my love for Shikikan-sama!" Akagi laughed crazily as she readied another wave of fighters.
Seeing this opportunity, Shikikan took his chance.
'Now or never!' He though before making his move to prevent the entire dorm from collapsing.
"My love is invincible! Ahah-eek!" Akagi yelped mid-sentence when she suddenly felt a pair of hands pinch her fox ears.
"Huh…soft." Shikikan blurted out as he rubbed his fingertips around the base of the carrier's fox ears.
"Ahh! Shikikan-samaaaaa! What are you…ohhh…." The kitsune moaned as she disengaged her rigging and felt her knees give in.
"Please stop destroying the dorms." Shikikan sighed in relief.
Now that Akagi seemed to have calmed down and was now seemingly too lost in pleasure from his ear massage to hear him, Shikikan turned his attention back over to the heavy cruiser.
"Shikikan…." Atago pouted as she sheathed her katana and crossed her arms, very unhappy with the attention Akagi was getting.
"…Long time no see Atago. I'm honestly really happy to see you again." He said, trying to lighten her mood.
The moment he blinked, the heavy cruiser had instantaneously closed the distance between them and squeezed him in a tender loving care bear hug.
"Ara, did you really miss Onee-san that much?" Atago giggled happily as she pulled his head down and embraced him with her soft pillows. "Shouganai wa ne~~ehehe."
"…Well, that worked?….can't say I feel bad though since I really did miss everyone." Shikikan blushed as he gave in to the heavy cruiser's loving embrace.
"Truth be told, Onee-san missed you a lot too. Good work and welcome back, Shikikan."
Normally this would've been considered a very sweet moment between them, had it not been down in a completely destroyed room riddled with bullet holes and debris everywhere. That didn't stop there though, considering how the room was far past its last legs.
'Crack!'
"Huh?" Shikikan, Atago, and even Akagi asked when they heard something below them crack.
And as fate would have it, the floor below the group caved in and sent all three of them crashing down.
"AHH!" They all yelled as they dropped to the sixth floor, then the fifth, then the fourth, and so on, right until they crashed right into the ground floor area that just so happened to be an open air onsen area, where two particular Kansen were previously enjoying their bath.
"What!?" They cried out as they jumped from the sudden loud crashing sounds behind them.
Looking back, they saw a mountain of debris and right near the top was Atago and Akagi, who both had spirals in their eyes and stars floating around their heads as they seemingly acted as cushions for a relatively uninjured Shikikan.
"Ugh…" Shikikan groaned before realizing he was on top of both Kansen. "Atago! Akagi! Are you okay!?"
"A..…" they both hummed as they were rendered unconscious for the time being.
"Shikikan?" A voice called out from behind him.
Looking back, Shikikan could've sworn he felt his jaw drop at the sight before him.
"I had a feeling that rumbling earlier was Nee-sama's doing."
"Ah, don't look! Turn your head back!"
Before Shikikan were Kaga and Takao, both in nothing but white bath towels hugging their gorgeous frames and seemingly getting ready to go through the onsen curtains behind them.
"Uh….I can explain." Shikikan tried.
"Just turn around first!" Takao demanded as she held her towel tightly and turned her torso away from him.
Now just realizing that he was staring intently at the two, he turned bright red and quickly jumped up and spun around so that he was now seated on his knees and looking the other way.
"I assume Akagi nee-sama and Atago here captured you from your return ship, brought you back here, and fought immediately afterwards? Sending all three of you plummeting from seven stories high no less?" Kaga guessed as she looked up wonderingly at the hole of which the ceiling of the seventh floor could be seen from where they were on the ground floor.
"…Would you believe me if I said that was exactly what happened?" Shikikan asked.
Upon hearing this Kaga heavily sighed as she saw her sister and the heavy cruiser in question still rendered unconscious and buried in the pile of rubble.
"So Shikikan what shall you do now?" Kaga calmly asked as she boldly walked over to stand in front of his seated self.
"W-well I should probably call Akashi to get all of this repaired and then get back to my ship and help unload everything, b-but….um…"
"But?" Kaga tilted her head questioningly.
"K-kaga y-your clothes…." Shikikan blushed as he and the angel on his right shoulder fought against the devil on his left urging him to just look at the white haired kitsune dressed in nothing but a form fitting bath towel.
"Hmm?" Kaga asked before looking down quickly and then back up, a smirk quickly growing on her face. Seeing as how Akagi was currently incapacitated, she decided to let her instincts run amok.
"Shikikan…does what you see…..interest you?" She daringly asked as she walked up closer to him and crouched down.
Now on all fours and directly in front of his ever-reddening face, the carrier brought a hand up to gently force him to look into her very amused eyes.
"Why so shy? I am as much yours as you are mine." Kaga grinned as Shikikan's embarrassed face had awakened her primal instincts. "And I must admit, I was rather 'impressed' with your performance during that battle. It helped me affirm that you are worthy of not just my loyalty, but also of my whole being hehehe…" She laughed rather evilly as she brought her face in a bit closer towards his.
"H-how shameless! Cease this debauchery at once you two!" Takao yelled as she picked up another bar of soap and chucked it at them.
"Hey, wait, how am is this my fau-oof!" Shikikan complained but was knocked back as the soap bar made contact with his forehead.
"Perhaps I let my instincts run a bit too wild." Kaga started as she scooched over to see if Shikikan was still conscious.
"Ah gomenasai Shikikan!" Takao quickly apologized as she rushed over and knelt next to him. "I meant to aim for in between you two, but well…my eyesight isn't the best."
"Ugh, it's fine." He waved her off as he decided to just lay on the cool, clean floor. "But now that I think about it, I'd still rather a soap bar than your katana."
"Ack…, p-please forgive my shortcomings and let the past stay in the past, Shikikan." Takao requested as she hung her head in sheer embarrassment.
"Heh, I'll think about it." He teased as he sat up and head patted the flustered cruiser.
It was at that moment a loud knocking sound on the wall near the entrance behind them was heard.
"Master? Are you in here? I heard a loud crashing sound and-oh my." Belfast appeared with Sheffield and KGV in tow.
"…My ever so lecherous and perverted Master who intrudes on ladies about to head in for a bath, your presence is needed with Her Grace. Please at least try to act like a respectable human being and put aside your depraved mindset for now. Oh, and welcome back." The ever sharp-tongued Sheffield spoke.
"W-wait hold up Sheffield, I can explain." Shikikan sweat dropped.
"You can explain as we head back to Her Highness, Commander." KGV interjected as she walked up to him and offered him a hand up off the ground. "I dare say Her Highness is in quite an impatient mood."
Taking her hand up, Shikikan began to bring himself upwards, but as luck would have it, he ended up slipping on the soap bar Takao threw earlier.
"C-commander!?" A surprised KGV asked as he fell forward towards her and sent her crashing down onto her rear from the sheer force of the sudden collision.
"Ah, sorry K—" Shikikan was about to apologize profusely, but as he looked up he realized his face was barely a centimeter away from KGV's. At a loss of words from being so close up to the scarlet eyed beauty, he felt himself unable to pull away.
With cheeks as red as her eyes, KGV spoke. "Ohh? I wasn't aware that you possessed such audacity, Commander."
At first not sure what she meant, he quickly understood what she was referring to when he finally realized where his hands were laid upon.
"S-sorry!" He quickly threw his hands up and off of the surprisingly soft hand rests they found themselves on.
"….Seems like I must punish this exceedingly perverted Master…" Sheffield glared as she summoned her guns.
"W-wait Sheffy hold up! You know that was an accident!" He paled as she cocked her gun and slowly brought it up.
"Now, now…" KGV started as she brought herself up and began dusting off her clothes. "I don't truly think Commander had done that on purpose. Right?" She looked at him expectingly with sharp eyes.
"N-no! I just slipped I swear!"
"I suppose we'll just have to call it a happy little accident." She sighed before chuckling to herself. "But perhaps I should still have you take responsibility. The real question being, how so?"
"I-if it means Sheffy will stop pointing those guns at me I'll do anything…" He gulped as the maid held him at gunpoint.
"Heh, glad to hear." KGV smirked as she offered him a hand up once again, albeit much more ready for anything this time. "I'll inform you of what I expect you to do after we meet with her Majesty."
Taking her hand once again and successfully getting up off the floor, he proceeded to also dust himself off. "Uh, who are we talking about exactly?"
"The Queen of the Royal Navy." An amused Belfast informed as she walked up and straightened his tracksuit out from top to bottom. "Seeing as how we are strapped for time, we must try to make you as presentable as possible in your casual wear. Now let us hurry."
"Apologies for the intrusion. Please enjoy your bath." Sheffield nodded to the two Sakura Empire Kansen before putting away her gun and beginning to walk out with Shikikan and company.
Now alone, Takao spoke.
"Should we have intervened?"
"Hard to say." Kaga shrugged. "Must be a stroke of good luck for them as Nee-sama and Atago most likely wouldn't have been as so willing as us to let him go, let alone let that maid point her guns at him. And besides, it be bothersome to fight in just a bath towel."
"True…" Takao blushed at the thought of her towel dropping and Shikikan seeing her in her true form. Now vigorously shaking her head to clear her lewd thoughts she spoke. "S-shall we hurry into the onsen and contact Akashi about fixing up the dorms?"
[Back with Shikikan]
Currently, Shikikan and the Royal Navy girls have just about made their way out of the Sakura Empire dorms.
"The exit should be right over here." Sheffield informed as she led the group out of the mazelike dorm.
"I'm surprised you were able to find where I was and where the exit is so fast." Shikikan admitted.
"No one is better than Sheffield when it comes to espionage." KGV nodded. "She's done extensive research into each of the dorms for….security's sake."
"Uh…should I be worried that you are spying?" Shikikan sweat dropped.
"Not at all Master, it's all for the sake of making sure everyone is safe." Belfast jumped in. "But moving on, how are your injuries? I can tell you're not quite fully healed yet."
Making a mental note of how quickly she tried to transition the conversation away from that subject, he decided to just play along for the time being.
"I'm still a bit sore honestly, but Vestal said I should be back to normal in another day or two."
"With those injuries you had, I would've expected another couple of months." KGV admitted before giving him a pat on the back. "But seeing you recovered this quickly is wonderful news. Excellent work and welcome back Commander.
"Thanks." He smiled as he let himself be guided away to wherever they were leading him. "How was it over here while I was gone?"
"Besides commissions, joint exercises here and there, construction of the new facilities, and an obscene amount of paperwork, not much else." KGV shrugged.
"Many new Kansen have also arrived during your absence, Master." Belfast added before pointing to a wide grassy clifftop. "We'll be meeting with some of the said ladies including Her Majesty momentarily."
Looking up, he noticed multiple tea party tables and picnic blankets set up with exceedingly elegant looking teacups, plates, and treats galore. And around the elegant setup stood multiple familiar and unfamiliar faces, all happily chatting away, pouring tea, or enjoying their desserts.
'Guess I shouldn't be too surprised given how long I've been gone…' He thought.
"Commander!" Javelin yelled excitedly as she jumped up from her spot on the picnic blanket and ran towards him, glomping him with a flying hug tackle. "Welcome back!"
"Heh, I'm glad to see you too Javelin." He hugged her back before setting her back down onto the ground.
"I'm truly happy to see you back safe and sound Commander."
Looking up, he noticed Illustrious smiling kindly at him.
"Thanks Illustrious, and the same goes for me too honestly." He shyly rubbed the back of his head.
"Oh my~." The carrier giggled.
"So, you're the Commander?" An unfamiliar voice called out to him from the tea table nearest the edge of the cliff. "Despicable, to have me wait on you for so long!"
Looking over to where he heard the voice, Shikikan noticed that it was a young blonde girl accompanied by another petite blonde and a tall blonde beauty, all sitting around the table with more unfamiliar faces on standby near them.
"Um yeah that's me and uh, I'm sorry?" He replied albeit confusedly.
"Hmph, as you should be, but We shall forgive you in recognition of your achievements so be grateful!" The petite blonde spoke haughtily.
"T-thank you?" Lost, he looked over to Belfast, KGV, and Sheffield for guidance.
Noting his gaze and plea, Belfast stepped forward.
"Apologies for the wait Your Highness. We've successfully retrieved Master and have brought him as requested." Belfast curtsied.
'Highness? Wait…, so this little girl is the leader of the Royal Navy!?' He went wide-eyed at the sudden realization.
"Your thoughts are written all over your face Commander." Wales chuckled from her spot at another nearby table.
"As you can see, Your Grace, Master is a bit disoriented after his long trip so please forgive his pitiful mannerisms." Sheffield added after also seemingly figuring out what was going on inside his head.
"Hmm, so be it." The petite blonde huffed before standing up and facing him. "I am the super-dreadnought and Queen of the Royal Navy, the one and only Queen Elizabeth! While you are still 100,000 years too early to command me, I shall be generous and give you a chance... From this day on, you will be one of my faithful servants!"
"…" At a complete loss at the sudden declaration, Shikikan couldn't help but stand their dumbfounded. Luckily, the other petite blonde behind Queen Elizabeth caught his eye after waving frantically at him.
Successfully getting his attention, said blonde proceeded to take a knee and bow her head towards the queen.
'….Kneeling is still a bit too hard on my legs, but essentially, I just need to bow right? Question is though, how exactly do I do a proper one?' He thought. 'There's defin…oh wait! There was that one manga with that butler doing a really classy looking bow. I'm sure I'll be fine if I just copy his entire character…right? I think it was something like this…'
Making up his mind, he put his right hand over his heart and his left arm behind his back. He then proceeded to bow with his waist whilst keeping his legs together and straight.
"A pleasure to meet you, Queen Elizabeth. Thank you for gracing our humble base with your magnanimous presence." Continuing to mimic the butler character, he looked back up and gave the petite blonde a soft yet confident smile.
….
Silence befell the clifftop as Shikikan couldn't help but feel his face burning up from embarrassment.
"S-sorry, I wasn't sure how els—" He started but looking back at the queen, he noticed how bright red her cheeks were.
"P-perhaps We spoke too soon. Y-you show promise, so s-serve Us well…" She mumbled the latter half as she couldn't help but shyly look away from Shikikan's gaze.
It was then that the Kansen around them began to do their utmost to stifle their giggles.
"W-what's so funny!?" Elizabeth roared in sheer embarrassment.
"Nothing at all Your Majesty. We are all just simply relieved that things are going smoothly." KGV replied after quickly managing to suppress herself.
"My, perhaps Your Highness is not accustomed to such devilish charm?" The still unknown tall blonde beauty sitting at the table Elizabeth was at teased.
"P-poppycock! We are unfazed and just felt a bit hot is all." She retorted before she quickly sat back down and hid her face behind her teacup.
"Hehe." The tall blonde giggled before getting up herself and walking towards Shikikan.
"Greetings and well met. I am the glory of the Royal Navy: Hood. Wherever I go, victory follows. And I must say, what a pleasure it is to finally meet the hero of NY Harbor." The beauty gracefully curtsied.
"Nice to meet you, Hood, but hero is a bit…" He chuckled awkwardly.
"Hehe, forgive my whims. After speaking with Belfast and Illustrious about you, I couldn't help but want to see for myself how true their observations were. I must say though, I'm quite surprised with how right they were." She giggled.
"…..Bel? Illustrious?"
"Yes, Master/Commander?"
"…What exactly have you told Hood about me?" He sweat dropped.
"Apologies, but that's a secret between ladies." Illustrious winked.
"Rest assured Commander." Hood started. "I've only heard good and…'interesting' things about you from everyone."
"W-what do you mean by interesting?" He gulped before looking towards the Head Maid for help. "Bel? Please?"
"Your troubled expressions are truly precious, Master." Belfast teasingly ignored his plea and elegantly bowed.
As the three beauties purposefully left Shikikan in the dark, he felt a small hand pat him on the back. Looking back, he noticed it was the one remaining blonde he has yet officially met.
"Don't mind, Commander." She gave him a pitiful smile.
"…I know you meant well, but…" He started but decided to just move himself out of the spotlight. "Actually, never mind. Might I ask for your name?"
"Queen Elizabeth-class fast battleship, Warspite, reporting in." She saluted. "I'm glad we finally meet, Commander."
"You as well." He smiled. "Thanks for helping me earlier by the way."
"Tis no worries. You handled that quite well in all honesty."
"I had good help."
"Heh." Warspite chuckled. "I must ask though, where did you learn to bow like that?"
"Would you believe me if I told you from a manga?" He chuckled embarrassingly. "Speaking of which, Sheffy, did you ever end up finishing that piano prodigy one?"
For less than a millisecond, Shikikan could've sworn he saw a single teardrop form in Sheffield's eye.
"…..Yes. But instead of standing around so awkwardly, might I suggest you sit down and join the tea party, Master?" She replied hurriedly before walking on ahead by herself.
Before he could process what just happened, he heard multiple footsteps approaching from the other side of the clifftop. Looking up, he noticed it was Wales with a group of three other gorgeous beauties making their way towards him.
"Commander, I'd like to introduce you to our additional arrivals." Wales started before taking a step to the side, handing the spotlight over to the one with very long silver hair tied into twin tails.
"Good day, Commander. I am Formidable, third ship of the Illustrious class. Pleased to make your acquaintance." The twin-tailed heavily 'armored' Kansen graciously bowed and introduced herself.
"Y-you as well." He said as he tried his very best to maintain eye contact before bowing as well.
"Hmm…" She hummed as she stared into his eyes. "I can see now how you got that Devil-Eyed Prince nickname."
"Please don't remind me. Just thinking of millions of people all looking at me in the crowd and on live TV still has my knees wobbling." He jokingly admitted.
"Hehe. Duly noted." Formidable giggled. "I'm quite glad you seem to be as nice of a fellow as my dear sister made you out to be."
"Formi please." A blushing Illustrious called out as she overheard from afar.
Now satisfied with both Shikikan's and her sister's reactions, she stepped to the side to allow for the other two Kansen to make themselves known to him. Both were doll-like beauties with the first having soft pink sapphire eyes and the second with crimson ruby red eyes.
"Good day, Master. I am the light cruiser Dido. I am in your service as a Royal Maid."
"It is an honor to meet you. I am Sirius of the Royal Maids, here to assume the position. Henceforth, Master, I shall serve you to protect your glory and your beliefs."
'Deep breaths and eyes up man. Eyes up. Eyes up!' He desperately tried to make a good first impression. "Thank you for coming to our aid. I look forward to working with all of you."
'Well done Master.' Belfast giggled to herself, apparently knowing exactly what was going on inside his head.
"Well then, with all the pleasantries done, shall we return to the tea party?" KGV offered before she, Wales, Formidable, and Belfast made their way over to where Elizabeth was.
"Would you like a cup of tea or crumpets, Master?" Sirius offered.
"Actually, yeah…I mean yes please." He for some reason felt the strange need to act prim and proper considering the atmosphere the tea party was giving off.
"Right away. Please have a seat wherever you like, Master." Dido requested as the two went to a nearby tray table.
'Wow, they seem super reliable. Are all the Royal Maids this graceful?' He assumingly thought.
"Come join me and Unicorn, Commander! The grass and ground around here is super soft! And the desserts are SO good!" Javelin called out as she had run over to a nearby picnic blanket and patted an empty spot in front of her and said light carrier.
"You had me at super soft grass."
Walking over, he plopped himself right on down and instantly felt how right Javelin was.
"Wow." He remarked as he lied down on the picnic blanket.
"See?" Javelin grinned.
"Welcome back Big Bro." Unicorn greeted him as she scooched over to kneel next to his head.
"Thanks Unicorn." He graciously patted her head.
"Ehehe..." She hummed happily.
"Master." Sirius called out with a tray of tea and crumpets in her hands. "I've brough-wah!"
Failing to notice the rock below her due to her 'anti torpedo bulge', Sirius had unfortunately tripped and spilled the contents of her tray all over herself and the previously reclined Shikikan.
"Eek!?" Multiple voices cried out as everyone stopped what they were doing after hearing the loud crash.
Picking herself up, the short haired maid realized what she had just done. "M-master! M-m-my sincerest apologies! Please forgive this lowly maid for her careless mistakes and punish her as you see fit!"
As she waited to either be yelled at or worse, struck, she was confused when she suddenly felt a cloth moving around on top of her head.
"H-huh?" She asked dumbfoundedly as she slowly looked up.
Instead of seeing an enraged or even displeased man like she had expected, Sirius had looked up to see a tea covered Shikikan with a concerned look on his face. Furthermore, it was he who was currently doing his best to wipe away the tea that spilled on top of the maid's head with a cloth he had found inside a nearby picnic basket.
"Are you okay Sirius? Does it hurt anywhere? Stay still. I've almost gotten all of the tea off your head."
"M-master? W-why are you….." She tried to form words but couldn't as she felt her face burning up from how close he was. Looking into his eyes didn't help either as she felt like she was staring into an endless dream-like universe.
"Master! Please forgive my sister for her mistake! She truly did not mean any harm!" Dido exclaimed as she rushed to kneel next to him and Sirius.
"But I'm not mad-"
"Also please forgive me for not foreseeing this! I beg your forgiveness, Master! Please do not discard me like this broken doll...!" She continued as she held up a small doll that looked a lot like Sirius.
"C-calm down! I'm not mad! Like at all!" He tried to console the teary-eyed maid by patting her gently on the head while his other hand was still trying to wipe down Sirius's head.
"Uwaaa…" Dido heavily blushed and looked down with still teary eyes.
'She seems to have calmed down thankfully.' Shikikan sighed in relief.
"Commander, here's some napkins!" Javelin informed.
"Big brother, I've found the teapot and cups! Nothing is broken!" Unicorn added.
"Thanks, you two. Could you go ahead and wring out this picnic blanket too?"
"Sure thing!" The two cheered before picking everything up and scurrying off somewhere.
"Master….my apologies for ruining your triumphant return." A downhearted Sirius apologized once more.
"Sirius. Dido. Please look at me."
Looking up, they both felt a warm hand gently touching their cheeks.
"From the bottom of my heart, I promise you that I'm not mad at all. I'd rather be absolutely doused in tea than see either of you two this upset. So please, don't worry. I can always get new clothes, but you two are irreplaceable." He spoke softly and sincerely.
{Affinity up! x10!}
"Oh my honorable Master, I thank you for your kind, generous mercy!"
"M-master, I'm unworthy of such attentions from you!"
{From afar, or more specifically, where Queen Elizabeth and company were sat}
"Those two…" Elizabeth sighed.
"My, how charming." Hood giggled. "He is as kind as you ladies had said. Hmm? Wait, weren't Belfast, Illustrious, and Sheffield just here a moment ago?"
"Hmmfph." Formidable hummed from another nearby table as she placed a cloth over her mouth to hide her mouthful of cake and pointed towards where Shikikan was.
[Back with Shikikan}
"Alright, all set, but you might want to go and change out of those wet clothes Sirius."
"Thank you for your tender care, my honorable Master, but you are still positively drenched in tea. Please allow this Sirius to fetch you a fresh towel and clean you up." She requested before quickly getting up and scouring around for another towel.
"Master~ I shall bring you a fresh pot of tea and sweets. Please wait for me!" Dido added before getting up and leaving her spot as well.
'Perhaps I spoke too soon, but they both are still so adorable.' Shikikan chuckled to himself. 'This tea though...' He added as he smelt the fragrant tea on the back of his hand and gave it a light lick. "Huh, sweet."
"Really? Let me try~."
It was then he felt a pair of arms wrap around his neck, two large sensations press up against his back, and a soft, yet wet, sensation slowly move up along the side of his cheek.
"Ah!" Shikikan jumped a bit and away from whoever appeared behind him.
"E-eugen?"
"You weren't kidding. That was pretty sweet." Said heavy cruiser smirked and winked as she placed a finger up to her lips. "Thanks for letting me have a taste Herr Kommandant. Oh, and welcome back~."
Before he could offer a response, Shikikan's vision went white as a towel was now draped over his head and a pair of hands began wiping him down.
"Please stay still, Master." Sirius's voice requested. "I will be done shortly."
"Not too hard now, Sirius." Belfast's voice was heard as he felt another pair of hands around his head. "It be bothersome if you ruffled Master's hair up in the process."
"U-understood!"
"Herr Kommandant?" Another familiar voice asked as he heard her walking up towards him.
"Oh Nimi, is that you?" He guessed. "Long time no see. Literally."
"What are you…never mind. Willkommen zurück." Z23 sighed but smiled.
"Thank you for coming to our tea party, Miss Eugen. I hope my sister did not cause you too much trouble." Illustrious greeted.
"For me personally, not at all. But for our Queen of the North, well…" The Ironblood beauty trailed off as she looked behind her to where a busty blonde figure was practically dragging a tall beauty with short snow-white hair along with her up the cliff.
"Illustrious! I've found and brought Tirpitz~!" The blonde called out.
"….Please let go. It's bad enough to barge into my room like you did but dragging me all the way out here is…."
"I wouldn't have resorted to that had you not holed yourself up in their as soon as you arrived in the first place!"
"…Wha-?" Curious, Shikikan lifted the towel out of his eyes to see who the unfamiliar voices were.
"I don't like using violence, but-hmm?" The blonde figure before him hummed as she turned her head towards him. "Oh! You're the Commander! We finally m-wait? Why are you on the ground and positively soaked?"
"Long story short: Sirius." Sheffield bluntly explained.
"Ah.." Apparently, that was enough for the blonde to completely understand the situation.
"Again…my sincerest apologies." Sirius blushed and apologized once more.
"No matter! No one looks hurt and I've finally gotten Tirpitz to come out of her room, so all's well that ends well!" The blonde happily cheered, leading to the white-haired beauty to sigh in exhausted annoyance.
"Allow me to introduce myself! I am the one called Victorious, Illustrious-class carrier number two of the Royal Navy. Yes, sing my name as you herald the coming of the symbol of victory. As long as I am here, our endeavors shall be smooth!" She energetically introduced herself.
'Illustrious class for sure….' Shikikan thought as he noticed a resemblance to the other two carriers before shaking his head out of the gutter.
"All set Master." Belfast spoke as she and Sirius both got back up. "Sirius please go to Master's quarters and bring back a spare change of clothes."
"Right away." The short haired maid replied before making her way down the cliff.
"Thanks, you two." Shikikan replied as he slowly but surely got back up off the ground. "A pleasure to meet you two. Sorry for my soaked appearance and for not being here when you first arrived."
"No worries! Everyone here knows you were still beat up after that fight, so no one here holds it against you! Right Tirpitz?" Victorious sung.
"….Correct. While I do have some questions for you Herr Kommandant, I should introduce myself first. I am Tirpitz, acting leader of the Ironblood." She nodded her head at him.
'Acting leader?' Shikikan thought before returning back to reality. "Pleasure to meet you. Thank you for coming to our aid here on this base."
"Ahem!"
Looking up, Queen Elizabeth was now standing 'tall' and proud. "Now with all the pleasantries out of the way, shall we commence with our friendly discussion over tea and the like?"
Silently nodding her head, Tirpitz walked up to sit across from where Elizabeth was. Both were now sat at a larger round table with multiple chairs around it.
"You coming, Herr Kommandant?" Eugen and Z23 asked noticing he was just standing there.
"Huh? Wait, I'm part of this too?"
"Oh, didn't you know?" Eugen started before boldly wrapping an arm around his and escorting him up. "This meeting will be mostly about you after all~."
"H-huh?" He dumbly replied as he was pulled along and placed right in between the two faction leaders. Hood, Wales, KGV, and Warspite were seated on either side of Elizabeth while Eugen took Tirpitz's right side and Z23 next to Eugen and Wales, leaving the remaining two open spots for someone else and Shikikan.
'So whose…?' He questioned before he felt someone walk up behind him. Turning around, he was greeted by a tall beauty dressed in Ironblood fashion and long wild white hair going past her lower back looking directly at him as she made her way up.
"Ho? Have you been struck with love at first sight by our carrier, Herr Kommandant?" Eugen teased.
"E-eugen please don't make this awkward. If she hears that then I can't even begin to…"
"I heard." The tall beauty stated as she was now standing right before Shikikan, her piercing eyes staring directly into his judgingly. "You're mein Kommandant? I am Graf Zeppelin. Since it appears that all the conditions have been met, let the final movement begin."
"Nice to meet you, but uh…what do you mean by final movement?"
"My only desire: To end the world. I shall not ask for your help though... as you are already a part of my plans."
'Déjà vu…Actually you know what? No more being surprised, let's just play along from here on out.' He decided in his mind before a smile creeped up his face. "As you wish, milady. Allow me to offer you your seat at this ceremonious gathering." He added before pulling out her chair for her.
"Ho? As expected of the one I chose." She chuckled to herself before taking her seat.
Now all seated, Shikikan couldn't help but notice multiple gazes thrown his way, some smirking, some mocking, some confusion, and even some…glares?
"…Why did you only pull her chair out?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Because she was the only one not already seated?"
"Is that jealousy I'm sensing Queeny?" Eugen smirked. "I'm sure if you got back up and asked him to do the same for you, he'll do it. Right Herr Kommandant?"
"H=hmph! We do not have the time for such childish trivialities. Let us hurry and start this meeting already so that I may go back to enjoying my tea and cake in peace." Elizabeth pouted and huffed.
"Your Darjeeling tea, Master." Dido spoke as she placed a saucer with a teacup filled with a fragrant aromatic tea in front of him.
"Ah, thank you, Dido."
"You're very welcome~." Content, Dido took a step back so that she and Sirius were standing a few feet behind him.
Taking a sip of the soothing brew, he let out a relaxed sigh only to open his eyes and notice everyone still looking straight at him.
"W-what?"
"Nothing at all, Commander." Hood giggled sweetly.
Beginning to feel overly self-conscious, he began to quietly sip on his tea.
"So how does it feel to be back on base surrounded by lovely ladies?"
"Guh!" Shikikan exclaimed as he choked a bit on his tea. "H-hood!?"
"Hehe, my apologies Commander, but you were looking a bit nervous so I thought a little light humor might ease your tensions." Hood smiled. "I must say though, your reactions are most delightful."
"Right?" Eugen jumped in. "But as much as I want to see him continue to die from embarrassment, we've got a lot of discuss right?"
"Certainly." Hood nodded as she took one last sip of her tea. Putting it down, she turned back towards Shikikan. "Commander, would you mind answering some questions for us?"
Noticing that he finished off his tea, Sirius came up and carefully poured him another tea full.
"Thank you." He gratefully accepted. Now relaxed he turned to face everyone at the table with a friendly, but professionally serious, expression. "Ask away."
"Wonderful." Hood smiled. "Firstly, just to ensure we are all on the same page, we've been informed by Azur Lane HQ and the Eagle Union ladies of the meeting you had with the Fleet Admiral and how you accepted the PR Kansen Development plan. While we do have the gist of how the plan is to be unfolded, we all are unsure of what exactly your role is. Do you mind explaining what you know about this?"
"Yes. So basically because of my apparent affinity with wisdom cubes, the researchers back in HQ think that they can use my own thermal entropy to help bring about new Kansen allies."
"Entropy?" Queen Elizabeth questioned.
"Useless thermal energy basically. But in Herr Kommandant's case, it can actually be converted somehow into something useable." Z23 explained. "How exactly did they plan to do that though?"
"Not sure, I was going to head over to Akashi's shop to see if she or Yuubari had any idea."
"Someone call nya?" Looking behind them all was none other than the greedy repair ship herself.
"I was waiting for you to show up Commander nya but given the loud noises down by the docks earlier and the fact that the Eagle Union and Sakura Empire are seemingly sparring down there still, I got the gist that you got a bit sidetracked nya. So here I am to explain the PR project and enjoy some tea and treats while I'm at it nya." Akashi informed before walking up next to Shikikan and pulling out a laptop.
Opening it up revealed a brief overview of what seemed to be the PR project itself.
"So in short nya, Yuubari and I have created a device that can absorb and store Shikikan's energy so that it can then be shipped out to the various research labs around the world for processing." Akashi presented as she pulled up a picture of the device and images of how it works.
"Is it safe?" Wales asked.
"Well…" Akashi started. "The device itself won't cause any harm, but since the process of absorbing Shikikan's entropy is basically the same as him donating blood albeit a bit more intense, Shikikan will most likely experience a lot of fatigue and possible other side effects afterwards nya."
Upon hearing this, a concerned KGV chimed in. "Are you sure you want to follow through with this Commander?"
"If it means giving us an advantage, then it's a risk I'm willing to take."
"But will the benefits really outweigh the risks though?" Hood added.
"Hard to say nya since this is the first time it will ever be done, but in terms of safety, Shikikan shouldn't experience any long-term effects nya." Akashi admitted.
"But still…" Hood continued.
"I don't see what the problem is." Eugen interjected. "Herr Kommandant isn't entirely helpless. If he could manage holding his own against those moving scrap metal, then if what Akashi is saying the only side effects will be are true, then he should be fine. Plus, he can decide for himself, no?"
"Agreed. Our shared goal is to eliminate all of the Sirens. If Herr Kommandant is willing to take the risk, then his decision should be honored and his apparent abilities should be utilized to their fullest extent." Tirpitz added.
"…What do you think, Your Majesty?" Warspite asked.
"Hmm…while the risks do seem quite weighted, We see the potential of acquiring stronger allies to be something that can't be ignored." Elizabeth reasoned. "If he's decided to follow through with it, then We think it should be done. But until the first batch of this 'entropy' is sent to the Royal Navy labs, we won't know for sure how well this project will pan out."
"Hold it right there Queeny." Eugen smirked. "Why should the first dosage be wasted on the Royal Navy when it can actually be properly utilized in Ironblood hands? Have you even made progress on your PR Kansen yet?"
"H-heresy!" Queen Elizabeth shouted. "The Royal Navy has already completed well over one- fourth of both of our PR Kansen we proposed!"
"And the R&D team in the Ironblood have already reached about halfway of our one. Based on that, shouldn't the first entropy dosages be handed over to those closest to completing the trial?" Graf Zeppelin argued.
Looking back to Shikikan, Elizabeth spoke once more. "Hmmph. Faster does not mean stronger. The Royal Navy only looks to create the finest things in the world. That said, We can guarantee exceedingly high results, Servant, should you be wise and send the first batch to the Royal Navy research quarters."
"Herr Kommandant, should you want actual results and powerful allies, you would send the first dosage to our Ironblood labs." Tirpitz countered.
"And this is where you come in Herr Kommandant. Between the world renown Ironblood science and the outdated Royal Navy tech, who will you choose first to accommodate?" Eugen boldly asked.
"Uh…Akashi?" Shikikan desperately signaled for help.
"Nya? Why are you all arguing over getting it sent to your faction first nya? Shikikan just needs to do it once and that would be enough for all the factions involved in the first set of this PR project nya." Akashi tilted her head.
"You girls might've jumped the gun a little bit." Shikikan chuckled.
"C-cease your laughter! It's this greedy cat's fault for not properly explaining this earlier in the first place!" A red-faced Elizabeth yelled.
"Agreed." Tirpitz added as she shifted her hat downwards.
"Oh sure, blame the shopkeeper nya…" Akashi sighed. "Anyway, Shikikan, once you're done here, come over to the research lab so we can get this done nya. Now if you all will excuse me, I'll be taking this tray of cookies back to the lab for inspection so bye-bye nya!" She announced before closing her laptop and taking said tray with her and down the clifftop.
"So Herr Kommandant." Z23 started. "Have your injuries healed for the most part?"
"Yep, but I'll need like a few more days to really feel back to normal."
"Can't blame you after that performance you put on."Wales jumped in. "I'll admit, I didn't expect to see such violence from you. You had me pegged as just a nice handsome guy."
"W-wales please…" He blushed from her boldness.
"Heh, apologies, but I couldn't seem to help myself there." She chuckled before donning a serious and somber expression. "I would, however, also like to apologize on behalf of everyone who stayed behind that night for not being able to come along and help, Commander. You wouldn't have had to go through such desperate lengths had politics not hindered everything."
"True, but with the news that I'm able to have you girls move about more freely now as independents, I'm really hoping not to have to deal with such a stacked deck against me. That said, it's not anyone here's fault, so you really don't have to feel bad. I'm just really glad to see you all again." He scratched his cheek shyly.
"My…" Hood giggled.
"Hhmph. I did not expect you to be one to offer such saccharine flattery." Graf Zeppelin added.
"Don't worry Herr Kommandant, Zeppelin's just a tiny bit jealous is all." Eugen teased.
"Eugen..." The carrier uttered darkly.
"Just kidding~." Eugen laughed her off.
As the group continued to socialize and slowly reduce the tension between the former enemy factions, Shikikan realized that he should go meet with Akashi soon.
"Well, this has been really fun and I'm really glad to meet with everyone, but I should probably hurry and get to Akashi's soon. Before I go though, did anyone have any last questions they wanted to ask?"
"Actually yes." Hood admitted before a growing smile plastered her face. "Should only enough entropy for one batch at a time could be gathered, between the Royal Navy and Ironblood, who would you have sent it out to first?"
"Wunderbar, I was just thinking the same thing~." Eugen smirked.
"…...Oh would you look at that. The Eagle Union and Sakura Empire girls are about to go for another round down there." He pointed towards where he was previously 'commander-napped'.
With most of their attention turned towards the empty, still waters around the harbor, Shikikan quickly bolted down the cliff.
"Did you really just fall for that, Queeny?" Eugen laughed.
"W-we just felt like looking in that direction is all!" Elizabeth pouted and crossed her arms defiantly, leading to a few stifled laughs.
"Well, I believe all's been said, so if you'll excuse me, I'll be heading back and seeing to the repairs of my room." Tirpitz nodded before getting up and making her way down the cliff with the Ironblood girls in tow.
"A successful tea party, wouldn't you say, Your Highness?" Hood asked.
"Indeed. We've come to see the kind of person my new servant is and established the groundings for an amicable relationship for the time being with the Ironblood. " Elizabeth nodded as she took a sip of her tea.
"If I may, what would be your final decree on the process of the PR project, Your Grace?" Wales asked.
"We believe it be best to see it through. That said, Bel?"
"Yes, Your Highness?" Belfast asked as she stepped up.
"For the time being, please do allocate at least one maid to that servant so as to keep an eye on him for the time being. We do not want others trying to steal the march after all."
"Understood."
{With the Ironblood girls}
"So what do you think of Herr Kommandant?" Eugen asked.
"Hard to say, he's much different than what I had expected from the man who singlehandedly took down hundreds of the droids." Tirpitz replied with her hand cupping her chin.
"And of the PR project?" Z23 asked.
"Needless to say, if gods truly exist in this world, let us begin our slaughter with them." Graf Zeppelin coldly replied.
"Oh Tirpitz!" Victorious's voice sung from afar. "I hope you weren't planning on returning back to your room before actually hanging out with me~!"
"..."
{With Shikikan}
"Phew, made it." He sighed in relief as he stood in front of the research lab.
"Irasshaimase nya!" Akashi appeared as she opened the door and let him in. "Let's get right to it nya. Everyone's real eager to continue with their projects and have been really annoying with their messages nya."
"I can imagine. Thanks for taking care of all this Akashi." He patted her head.
"No problem nya~." She purred as she led him towards an open room with a large strange looking circular pod in the center. The pod itself was see through, so Shikikan could see that the only thing in the center was an orb on a pointed pedestal, much like how a plasma globe turned off would look like.
"Goshujin! Welcome back!" Yuubari called as she came down from her seat and came up to him.
"Heh, thanks Yuubari." He head patted the cruiser warmly.
"So has Akashi explained everything to you?"
"Yep, I'm raring to go."
"Alright, but do be warned though Goshujin, you will feel very intense fatigue and possibly even more issues, so do let us now right away when it becomes too much." Yuubari warned.
"Will do."
"Okay, let's do this nya!" Akashi cheered. "Just go ahead and step up into the center so I can secure it nya."
Following her directions, he stepped up the six staircases and into the see-through globe like device.
Closing the door and locking it behind him, Akashi then continued with her instructions. "Okay nya! Once you are ready go ahead and put both your hands on the orb in the center and we'll begin extracting your entropy nya!"
"If you need to stop or take a break, all you have to do is take your hands off the globe." Yuubari added. "All systems green. Goshujin's vitals are on screen and stable. We are cleared for extraction."
"Whenever you're ready nya!" Akashi said as she and Yuubari stood behind a set of four different screen monitors.
'Now or never.' He braced himself and took a deep breath as he readied himself. Putting his hands on the orb, a light began to emit from the bottom and slowly made its way up. And as soon as the orb itself lit up bright white, Shikikan could feel an electrical surge rage through him.
"Argh!" He growled.
"Shikikan/Goshujin!?" The two worried.
"I—I'm fine! Just keep it going!" He snarled as the surges enveloped him, slowly getting faster and more intense.
'They weren't kidding….I could feel my energy leaving me by the second…But something tells me stopping here would mean major setbacks, so I just gotta push it!' He steeled himself as he clenched the orb that was electrocuting him.
"We're halfway done, but his vitals are all over the place!" Yuubari yelled. "This looks like it's causing him a lot more pain than we expected though. Are you sure we should continue?
"He said to keep it going, so we can't just stop now nya."
It was then that the white light in the pod began changing colors. From white to violet to indigo to blue to green to yellow to orange to red and lastly, to black.
Once the colored lights surged jet black though, something began to cloud Shikikan's mind.
'Dammit why now!?' He roared in his mind as flashbacks of his time with the Sirens flooded through.
Everything from the day it all went wrong to the night before he escaped, all the pain, suffering, and torment they put him through imploded in his mind like a ticking time bomb going off.
"Grr….." He gritted his teeth hard as his sheer willpower alongside seething rage were the only things keeping him going with this experiment.
'You'll always be mine and mine alone.'
Upon hearing the absolute last voice he ever wanted to hear again, his seething rage turned into pure hatred as the jet-black lights began to expand and shroud Shikikan in the pod.
"99%!" Yuubari yelled.
A few more seconds of a pure black pod had passed before all of a sudden…
Crack
"N-nya?" Akashi nervously said.
BOOM!
"NYA!?" Akashi jumped three feet in the air.
The black shroud of light began to crackle louder and louder against the glass, sounding just like a thunderstorm albeit happening inside and directly in front of the two Kansen.
"W-what's going on?" Yuubari asked. "Wait! Something new has emerged and has begun to be analyzed?"
CRASH!
It was then that the black shroud completely shattered the glass around the pod and dissipated, revealing the normal white lights from the beginning of the process slowly dying down around the still Shikikan.
"1-100% achieved! Let go of the orb Goshujin!" Yuubari yelled.
Hearing her, he let go of the orb and fell to his knees, breathing extremely heavily and absolutely drenched in sweat.
"D-did that do it nya?" Akashi asked as she looked on screen across all four monitors. "Wait…what does that completed analysis say nya?"
On screen of one of the monitors was just a text box that said the following:
[New skill complete: 'Siren Killer I' obtained.]
And done! Thank you all for your patience and I hope you enjoyed the beginning of this new arc I have in store for this story!
Best of luck to y'alls pulls for this event! I managed to luck out and got everyone pre-200 pity pull, so hopefully RNG shows kindness to y'all as well haha.
Anyway, thanks again for reading and I'll see y'all in the next chapter!:
Chapter 20: Calm before the Storm
