Author: Actually, I initially planned of a 10 or 20 chapter story (could also be another 30+1 story), but I decided to shorten it for a one-shot since I'm not certain whether I should make another long story. The initial idea is to have the story be told in Belfast or Zuikaku's perspective like she's just telling the story to someone else.


An entity who doesn't truly side with anyone and only stands by a certain faction out of personal reason, blankly stares at the Siren Empress and Zuikaku, an unusual combination. It's possible for her to display emotion when she's currently in a shadowy and glitching form where anyone can barely tell she has a humanoid form.

"Seeing an awful fodder is unsightly. Right, Zuikaku?"

Project: Ghost or SIN as called by some people, refers directly to Zuikaku when she switches her attention from the confident Siren to the determined warrior of the Sakura Empire. The first thing she says is a direct insult and obvious display of disgust. Her echoing and undeterminable voice faintly booms the nearby surroundings.

"We just met and you already hate me. Then again, you technically met me from other timelines" Zuikaku scoffs

"You have your hand on your hilt all this time. Do you think I wouldn't notice how you want to cut me down the moment I stepped in here? I don't like people like you who is too...predicable and uninteresting" Ghost tilts her head

"That's because you're so volatile that a mood swing will make you go on a rampage. I can't have you destroying nations just because you're bored" Zuikaku frowns

"I have no intention of causing a ruckus. Have you forgotten I chose to be calm and relaxed because I'm keeping an eye on Bismarck"

"You used the World Tree to grant your wish of letting you finally exist in this world" The Siren Empress reminds Ghost

"My wish is no longer your concern, you mere Arbiter. Don't forget I detest Sirens as much as I detest humans. I hate everyone equally...but I won't throw a tantrum"

"All you do is destroy. Do you think you can protect anyone with those hands that slaughtered shipgirls from various timelines?" The Siren Empress leers at her

"I simply have to erase the obstacle. I need not to think whether I should shield someone as I would eliminate the threat beforehand"

Lightning crackle around Ghost's shadowy body as if she is getting upset the more she converses with the Siren Empress. Just as she says, she is hostile to Sirens and humans alike, knowing both kind are known to lie and betray for their selfish desires.

"White crane, why do you put up a facade of friendliness to the ones who would threaten your parent" Ghost shifts her attention back to Zuikaku

"It's not fake. I want to protect my older sister and the Sakura Empire because they are my friends-"

"...but you would point your blade against them if you deem them a threat to Progenitor" Ghost cuts her off

"In the beginning, my mental cube was personally molded by one person and she gave it to humanity to grow. Even so, I'm well aware of who gave birth to Zuikaku"

"What a pathetic child..."

"Are you insulting me because you lost your own creator, Sin of humanity?" Zuikaku smirks

"..."

"I know very well why you are not loyal to humanity despite possessing the mental cube of a shipgirl. You can't pacify your own frustration, so you lash out at everyone around you"

"Don't challenge me, hatchling. Even with a power superior to a normal shipgirl, your strength is worthless against me"

"You provoked me first, you apparition"

The two sharply glares at each other while the Empress shakes her head when the starts firing venomous words and rebukes at each other. In her eyes, they are like children who starts with one shove until it would escalate into a physical fight.

"Empress, why did you even invite me here?"

"Why did you agree? I thought you wouldn't bother accepting it" The Empress returns the question

"I want to get away from Eugen. She wouldn't stop suspecting everything I do"

"Well, I invited you here because I need to confirm your presence. I haven't personally seen your physical form after all. I didn't think you would only come because you're annoyed at someone else" Thee Empress answers the initial question

"How many are there aside from Eugen? There are others from different nations who agreed to cooperate with a Siren. Talk about filthy spies..."

"No one betrayed their nation. They agreed to help when you demolished Azur Lane's bases after they tried to manifest you for the first time"

"...Ah, right. I believe I ended up killing ten thousand humans within a month. I don't bother counting every ants I step on"

Ghost's callousness at the casualties caused by her carnage infuriates Zuikaku, but she remains calm enough not to insult her. The shadowy entity in front of her isn't even human despite taking shape from human emotions. It's just that she has been twisted after learning intense emotions such as sorrow and frustration for the first time.

"You seem accustomed to your new life...or should I say a stolen one?" The Empress changes the topic

"I've taken this life as mine, so there shouldn't be questions about it. You and the other Arbiters watched everything in comfort while Bismarck and Tyrant are killing each other. Talk about haughty puny ones being so relaxed...just like those human officials"

"You say you hate everyone equally, but I feel like you deeply hate Arbiters"

"You can thank Arbiter Zero who disturbed me. That annoying one secretly gave humans the knowledge to access the imaginary numbers where I was bound. She did it on purpose, so I would be provoked into rampaging"

"Don't lump that one with us. She's a Siren who simply exists because she is curious of this timeline's uncertain future. It made even worse when she absorbed Arbiter XVIII: Moon"

The Empress clarifies how Arbiter Zero: Fool doesn't belong to their faction. In fact, that particular Arbiter isn't technically allied to anyone due to how she abnormally behaves. This results in the other Arbiters deeming her defective.

"I will remain quiet as long as the Arbiters stay away from Iron Blood. You see, I'm quite entertained observing the lives of those girls in Iron Blood. I don't like having my fun ruined, you know"

"Do you see them as individuals, Ghost?" Zuikaku crosses her arms

"I see them as people. I'm just saying spending time with those shipgirls is actually amusing...when I spent an eternity within the imaginary numbers"

"..." Zuikaku narrows her eyes

"I'm keeping my word, Zuikaku. I won't lay a hand on anyone as long as I'm not disturbed. So you better pull away that Hiryuu META prying into my whereabouts"

"The commander dispatched that black rabbit, huh. I can't really confront her, you know"

"That's your problem. I'm just here to clean up any possible messes even if that dirt has to be humans themselves"

Ghost will only remain true to her word so long she isn't given a reason to go berserk and unintentionally harm those around her. Despite serving as a destroyer, her primary purpose is to correct humanity's mess by removing the excess or the source of the dirt.


The world is no different even after the one change that has to be done. Bismarck removes one of her nation's most stubborn and dangerous adversaries, only for her to remain the only one to possess about the awareness of this obstacle. Iron Blood may have gotten their brief moment of peace, but everyone cannot rest until the threat from both inside and outside are eliminated. Enterprise finds no time to rest and ventures forward, tracking down a deadly Arbiter who is not who she seems.

"Arbiter Zero: Fool, a renegade Siren exiled from the network for being defective. What could you possibly want from a minor threat?" Akagi wags her tails

"You may know a lot about Sirens, but you don't know how dangerous some of them are. Arbiter Zero crosses world to world, and maybe timelines as well" Enterprise frowns

"She's not as proactive as the other Arbiters, but she isn't weak despite being defective. Arbiter Zero annihilated Arbiter XVIII: Moon and assimilated her true core. Perhaps it's the other way around. The Moon is a deceptive one after all"

Enterprise narrows her eyes when even Akagi isn't certain about the Siren due to the little information Azur Lane possesses about her. The nature of Sirens is difficult to comprehend, which makes learning about their motives and patterns difficult half of the time.

"Akagi, do you feel like something changed a bit? It feels like something is different, but I couldn't put my finger on it" Enterprise crosses her arms

"I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but I don't notice anything amiss. Are you perhaps going mad from overthinking?" Akagi chuckles

"I'm not joking around, Akagi"

"You're so serious all the time that it's entertaining seeing you irritated"

Akagi and Enterprise are technically allies now after a long-standing hostile rivalry, both of them aren't completely warm or even close to each other. The commander has to sometimes get in between them to cool them down, namely Akagi as she is difficult to predict and keep in check.

"I saw a vision of a giant white tree with odd patterns carved around it like a spiral. Everything was so white and empty, except for a lone person standing by the tree"

"A white tree?" Akagi narrows her eyes in curiosity

"Near that white tree is being of pure black cloaked in shadow. I couldn't even tell if it was human as if stared me with those bright red eyes"

"How odd. The tree you're describing is perhaps the World Tree. To begin with, how are you even aware of its existence?"

"Someone showed it to me. That someone's regrew half of her body after getting bombed three times. She's also intangible and tangible from time to time" Enterprise describes her opponent

"Other than that, who is this being you saw?"

"I'm not certain, but in my dream...I saw someone who looks like a shipgirl but not a shipgirl at the same time"

"Is this what you've been telling the commander this morning? Good grief, you've wasted other people's time" Akagi stands up

"I'm not saying nonsense, Akagi. What I saw felt too real. I don't know what she is, but I'm certain that it can take me out in an instant" Enterprise insists

"Bismarck blabbered the same nonsense two weeks ago. Perhaps she has a clue to what you're saying" Akagi suggests

"Bismarck?"

"As odd as it sounds, Bismarck got involved with something that I don't remember. After I told her I don't know what she's talking about, she calmly walked away for some reason"

What Bismarck remembers is no longer present within everyone else's memory, but she isn't visibly concerned about this. Not only Akagi finds this mildly suspicious but Enterprise as well.

Later...

Enterprise decides not only to express her concern to Akagi but to her commander who is enjoying her tea while continuing her daily paperwork. Belfast quietly stands by the commander's side, serving her tea as a natural duty of a maid.

"Hmm, for short you felt something is going on. Is that what it is, Enterprise?" Essex is also present in the office

"Which is why you need my permission to visit Iron Blood?" The commander raises an eyebrow

"Yes. Commander, Akagi suggests Bismarck might have information that would confirm whether this being really exists or not" Enterprise nods

"I don't think you can simply march into their headquarters just to ask whether what you saw is real. Bismarck is the fleet leader of Iron Blood, so she is as busy as the commander"

Belfast is implying she is against the idea of Enterprise paying a sudden visit to Bismarck herself because she suspects whether an enemy other than the Sirens actually exists.

"This isn't just my imagination, Belfast. I saw that person before, and it's within a vast empty world. I couldn't get near her because she's pushing me away on purpose" Enterprise defends herself

"Even so, how are you certain this entity truly exists? No one else but you witnessed her" Belfast retaliates

"If there's an unknown entity and Azur Lane is unaware of it, you may confirm it with Bismarck. She's been bothering me about it since last week, and I know Bismarck isn't the type to spout nonsense"

To Belfast's surprise, the commander interrupts the conversation between them and defends Enterprise's reasoning. She continues to gently sip her warm cup of black tea while filling and signing documents.

"Bismarck paid a visit to the Sakura Empire looking for Shinano the other day as well. If someone like Enterprise and Bismarck are worrying about the same thing, then we should look into it" Essex also comes into Enterprise's defense

"Commander" Belfast briefly raises her voice

"Let her be on her own agenda, Belfast. I'm looking into a similar thing, so Enterprise confirming it would be beneficial to the fleet" The commander stands by her decision

"..." Belfast lowers her head

"By the way, when are you planning to pay a visit to Iron Blood?"

"Within this day" Enterprise instantly replies

"Bismarck is currently in Iron Blood and has no agenda elsewhere. I suppose...you can take the leave for today..."

"Thank you, commander" Enterprise nods

"Then as compensation, I'll have you bring Belfast with you. Maya and King George V are also visiting Iron Blood today for unknown reasons"

"Commander, I'm fine by myself"

"That is a direct order from your commander, Enterprise. Normally, I shouldn't be allowed to let anyone in the fleet to leave their ports without a mission, but this is a special matter"

"Commander..."

"I'm simply worried at your well-being. If you somehow encounter an enemy, I don't want you to face your enemies alone"

"That is why you mustn't be casually putting yourself in danger because the commander grows restless whenever you are harmed" Belfast explains it

"I'm sorry for making you worry always, commander..." Enterprise holds the tip of her cap

"Don't look down like that, Enterprise. I want you to always stand proud"

"Commander, mind I remind you not to give special treatment" Belfast clears her throat

The commander defends herself from Belfast's scolding and sermons, Enterprise warmly smiles while her eyes are fixated to the cornered commander.

"The commander likes you a lot, so always take care of yourself. She worries the most more than anyone, you know" Essex whispers

"I'm not as special as you think..." Enterprise sighs

After a minute or two, the commander ends up losing to Belfast lecturing her about equally treating the shipgirls under her command.

"Commander, I will be taking my leave. Belfast, I'll wait for you at the port" Enterprise immediately takes her leave

As soon as Enterprise closes the door behind her, the commander's loses easygoing expressions and frowns at Belfast who is aware at the reason to why the commander suddenly turns serious.

"I met Arbiter Zero during one of her raids. A renegade Arbiter who assimilated another Arbiter...and knew how this world would turn out" The commander informs Belfast

"I suppose she already warned you that Project: Ghost has fully manifested into the world"

"She permanently erased someone as a result. I'm not certain what really happened, but it seems everything turned out like she wanted. It makes me think if she toys with the flow of the timeline itself..."

"Our concern should be ensuring Ghost will not be provoked by Azur Lane. Ghost is a failsafe program embedded within a shipgirl's mental cube. It's impossible to end the end itself..." Belfast furrows her eyebrows

"Then I have to ensure this walking time bomb doesn't detonate on us. If possible, I don't want those geezers to find out about this" The commander rests her head on her arm

"Although Ghost assured us she wouldn't go against Azur Lane for a personal reason, there's a chance she may change her mind if she is ticked off. She's not obliged to protect anyone and only being behaved because of Iron Blood" Essex raises her hand

The commander expresses her knowledge even if she has little to no involvement at the whole situation. Arbiter Zero involves her, perhaps out of the Siren's whims, but the Arbiter isn't someone who moves impulsively.

"That Fool told me that Project Ghost hates humanity for how her creator is betrayed. It then turns out that said creator is a deceased human researcher. Hiryuu META said that thing is too much even for the Ashes since you can't even kill what's not even alive to begin with" The commander groans

(What is Zuikaku doing...? Well, knowing her, she wouldn't act unless that person says so) Belfast thinks to herself

Zuikaku's role and true background is unbeknownst to most shipgirls, even towards the commander. Although Zuikaku is genuinely an ally to anyone in Azur Lane, what concerns her is the one Zuikaku stems from.

Iron Blood...

Bismarck takes a short break from her exhausting paperwork with Friedrich der Grosse accompanying her. The latter blushes at how relaxing the calm afternoon is while the former is clearly still thinking about her work despite being on a short break.

"Loosen up, Bismarck. You always stresses yourself out"

"I need to be vigilante even in this time of peace. One enemy may have been erased, but that's only one shipgirl..." Bismarck rests her back

"I still have no idea who that is..." Friedrich der Grosse shakes her head

"Of course you wouldn't remember..." Bismarck sighs

It's been two weeks since the somehow successful last clash at the endless domain where the World Tree resides and Bismarck finally achieves a moment of peace and long deserves. Despite the confirmed erasure, Bismarck knows she mustn't let her guard down since only one enemy has been eliminated.

"By the way, I heard you visited the famous Shinano. You know, the one the commander likes a lap pillow even though she has me..."

Bismarck is no longer surprised that Friedrich der Grosse is more concerned that the commander prefers Shinano as a lap pillow.

"When I talked to Mikasa about my dreams, she mentioned about Shinano having the same dream" Bismark confesses

"What did this Shinano say?"

"She widened her eyes in surprise and asked how I don't notice anything even when it's already right beside me" Bismarck clearly recalls the first meeting with Shinano

"That sounds so ominous..."

"In the end, I just left since she spoke in riddles and it only confused me further"

"What a shame..."

For a moment, Friedrich der Grosse believes Bismarck would have a long story to pass the peaceful afternoon with, but Bismarck immediately cuts to the point.

"Bismarck, I happen to notice how you're seemingly worried at Tirpitz. It's unusual of you to focus on her recently"

"I'm just wondering why Eugen is somewhat hostile towards her. Tirpitz isn't doing anything out of line, but Eugen always sneers at her for some reason"

"Eugen is the moody one even if she's so playful all the time..." Friedrich der Grosse has little to no clue

"Maybe I should talk to Eugen. I don't want any internal conflict in Iron Blood"

"My beloved daughters should all get along. Let your mother handle this first~" Friedrich der Grosse volunteers

Of course, Friedrich der Grosse sees herself as the mother of everyone in Iron Blood, including Bismarck herself who is one of the few people actively refusing being treated as a daughter. The others are simply too intimidated to refuse her affection which sometimes physically harms them for giving too much.

"Bismarck, I'm sorry for interrupting your break" Mainz rushes to where Bismarck is currently resting

Mainz momentarily pants after jogging from one end to Bismarck's side with a stern expression on her face. Bismarck straightens herself when she senses that Mainz might be present to report an urgent matter to her.

"Enterprise requests your audience. She says you know something about a ghost...and tree. I got lost while listening to her" Mainz scratches her head

"I'll see her right away. Where is she?" Bismarck instantly stands up

"W-well, she's by the wharf patiently waiting" Mainz clears her throat

"I see. Thank you for immediately reporting this to me"

Bismarck immediately ends her relaxation and marches away from the scene in a hurry, baffling both Friedrich der Grosse and Mainz. Both expects for Bismarck to refuse and possibly saying she has no time to entertain the nonsense of others, but she quickly flees the scene to meet Enterprise.

"There's such a heavy vibe here. Probably because Bismarck is so strict with maintaining order" Enterprise mutters to herself

Enterprise inspects the ships currently anchored in the port and the warehouse lining up. Someone from Iron Blood leaves to ask whether Bismarck would agree to see her, but Enterprise impatiently taps her right foot.

"Belfast walked away for some reason. I wonder if it's because King George V is still here?"

Belfast is supposed to accompany Enterprise, but the former disappears somewhere as soon they arrive within Iron Blood's main headquarters.

"Hmm? That person? Isn't that-"

As she continues to wait for Bismarck or someone else to confirm whether she would meet Bismarck or not, she spots a figure she has seen before. Enterprise curiously walks away from her waiting spot to get a clearer view of the figure, only to immediately come to a stop when she recognizes the person the moment she briefly turns to face Enterprise.

"This dreadful feeling..." Enterprise takes several steps away

"...?"

Enterprise bites her lip and glares in hostility towards the curious Iron Blood shipgirl who briefly stops upon spotting Enterprise.

"..."

The familiar shipgirl stands for another ten seconds before resuming her task when Enterprise doesn't say a single word or at least take another step.

"Don't tell me that person is...that black thing..."

Enterprise clenches her fist and frustratingly watches as the shipgirl disappears from her view after turning left to a corner. As soon as that shipgirl turns and briefly glances at Enterprise, the latter notices a devious smile curving at the side of her lips, somewhat confirming her suspicion.

"Enterprise" Bismarck walk towards her

"Bismarck?" Enterprise shakes her head

"Is there something wrong? You look pale?"

The presence of an unwelcomed being suddenly strikes a chill down her spine which never happens before, save for the unknown specter she sees in one of her vague and lucid dreams.

"Bismarck, the commander informed me you encountered...a ghost"

"...What do you wish to know?" Bismarck is briefly surprised

"This ghost I saw felt like a parallel of where I'm standing. I saw it, a shadowy shipgirl standing by a large white tree within a empty space"

"A white tree within an empty space? Enterprise, don't tell me you actually saw the World Tree?"

"It's a giant white tree with symbols carved around it. I saw a ghost touching its trunk and turned to look at me with those blank red eyes" Enterprise further describes it

"You did see Ghost. It can't be right. I thought I stopped her from manifesting into this world"

"You went to see Shinano because she dreamed it..." Enterprise swallows her breath

"Shinano said it exists in this world. In this world, a living ghost exists...but we're not certain if it's an ally or a threat"

It turns out, Bismarck's visit to the Sakura Empire isn't fruitless since Shinano herself confirms about the existence of Ghost whose existence is unknown to almost any shipgirl in Azur Lane.

"Did she tell you where it is?" Enterprise wants to know more

"That's what she couldn't answer. All Shinano said was that Ghost is aware of our movements...and our actions will determine on how it will react"

Enterprise goes into a thinking position since they known an unknown being exists in the world, but they don't have the slightest clue about its whereabouts. They don't even know if it's against humanity or not.

"A door was left opened two weeks ago, and I failed to realize it couldn't be closed even after I succeeded. As a result, I failed to prevent it from escaping out of its prison" Bismarck confesses her frustration

"That's why I'm also here. I want to track it down and learn whether it will be an enemy to us or not"

"Enterprise, will you try to confront it? You're eyes are telling me you're not friendly towards it" Bismarck points out

"That's..."

Right now, Enterprise has not response to that question since she can't immediately judge whether someone is an enemy or friend without even interacting to it. Sometimes even the unlikely ones turns out to be an ally with Akagi as a primary example for her. She doesn't think they could cooperate each other over a common goal, but it's actually possible.

"Enterprise is certainly taking her time..."

Somewhere within Iron Blood's base, Belfast inspects one of the warehouses where functional spare parts and other equipment are stored. She notices the lack of proper maintenance within the area, seeing dirt and clutter at each corners.

"Belfast...!"

"Speaking of which..." Belfast takes a deep sigh

Belfast waves her hand, greeting Enterprise who rushes to her side with a slightly upset and worried expression visible on her face.

"You've been in a conversation with Bismarck for half an hour. Did you two happen to get to know each other?" Bismarck giggles

"No time to joke around right now"

"Did something happened? Please tell me you didn't get into an argument with Bismarck"

"It's not that. Bismarck doesn't know that-"

"...the living ghost is one of the shipgirls in Iron Blood"

"...!"

Enterprise steps back when an uninvited guest continues what she is about to say as she steps out of the shadow. This certainly startles Enterprise while Belfast is displeased with the untimely interruption.

"I'm glad we can finally personally meet each other again, Enterprise..."

"Tirpitz - no you're...Ghost, aren't you?"

Enterprise finds her confirmation with Tirpitz gently smiling at her - except that smile isn't actually a gentle but belonging to someone who would be more than glad to engage her in a fight.

"Hmm. Just like they said, we look nothing alike. Thankfully that wasn't the case, or I might have lost my temper the second I saw you"

Tirpitz doesn't always fully express her emotions, but this is the first time Ghost actually experiences human emotions such as excitement and curiousity. She would express her desire to rampage and kill others with a playful smile on her face.

"What are you talking about?" Enteprise guards herself against Ghost's seething malice

"Why do you think they call me Ghost? It's an insult since they attempted to make someone of your level. Obviously, they failed when I was born instead. That's why...it's obvious why I can't hold back all this malice when in front of you"

(I can tell she's different from the enemies I faced before, but I'm not sure if she's my enemy. So far, she didn't hurt anyone and quietly remained here for who knows how long) Enteprise is somewhat giving her the benefit of the doubt

"Don't be too hostile. Half of the reason I'm not in the good mood when in front of you is because of how Ash repeatedly failed to eliminate me. Even with her power, she can't kill someone who's practically empty inside out"

"..."

"Anyhow, I'm surprised you easily figured me out when I appeared to test you earlier. I was actually amazed, that I couldn't restrain my malevolence. You know, it's one of those sensation that signals your instincts whether to fight or flee"

The one in front of Enteprise is obviously not Tirpitz, but her talkativeness and excited behavior is slightly making Enteprise uneasy. People who seems calm and laid-back are the ones anyone should guard against as they tend to be the opportunistic ones who knows when and where to strike.

"Those eyes are already a dead giveaway and the dreadful feeling you're emitting is emitting hostility. You have no intention of hiding yourself a while ago and showed yourself on purpose, so I would come to you. Ghost, you wanted me to follow you here on purpose" Enterprise guesses

"Yes. I'm not that stupid to not know that you're here to find out about me" Tirpitz's eye color briefly flashes to dull golden one

"I'm here to find out whether you are a threat to humanity or not. When I visited that giant tree, it showed me vision of your original form...in the midst of damned world"

"Tch. You came all the way here for that. I'm a bit disappointed"

"Show me your true face, Ghost. Stop using Bismarck's younger sister as a mask when I know what you truly looked like"

Enterprise demands Ghost to truly reveal herself, unable to bear seeing an inhumane being use the guise of another shipgirl as if it's natural. What's more is that Ghost speaks and acts the same way always does, but she gives away herself by displaying her amused side.

"Belfast, you didn't really tell her..." Tirpitz chuckles

"Belfast?" Enterprise is confused

"In order to fulfill Bismarck's goal during the last confrontation with Tyrant, Tirpitz willingly exchanged her own existence to accomplish that. Tirpitz would never allow Ghost to take Bismarck's corpse, so she offered herself instead" Belfast immediately responds

"I don't get it" Enterprise frowns

"Bismarck and Tyrant ended killing each other while Tirpitz is at death's door. The only way to fix the whole mess Tyrant stirred, Tirpitz sacrifices her own mental cube. As a result, I ended up occupying her existence and fulfilling Bismarck's wish" Tirpitz squeezes her left hand

"You're possessing her?"

"I assimilated her. To be specific, her ego has been discarded. I hollowed it out so I occupied it" Tirpitz corrects her

"...?"

"If you still don't get it, the sister Bismarck loved has been dead for quite some time now. After assimilating her mental cube, I reformed this body's information rather than devour it entirely"

"Ghost is an incomplete existence. In order to accomplish her goal of being alive, she has to use someone as a catalyst and assimilate them entirely while maintaining their hollowed out mental cube. That appearance is practically a part of her now, so it can't be removed like a disguise"

"Prinz Eugen?" Enteprise almost steps back upon seeing her

Prinz Eugen interrupts the scene, much to Enterprise's surprise. She tosses a sharp glare towards Ghost who maintains her current form as Tirpitz since she isn't dumb enough to reveal her true appearance while within the safe area of Iron Blood.

"Physically she is Tirpitz, but Ghost destroyed Tirpitz's consciousness and took her mental cube as her own. Even if you fight, there's no way to bring back Tirpitz who was forced to exchange her own life for Bismarck's goal" Prinz Eugen leers at Ghost

"Don't look at me like that. I didn't manipulate the events to lead into this" Tirpitz chuckles

"You went as far as to replace Bismarck's younger sister and continue to pretend as her. Why?" Enterprise demands to know

"I chose to live without being disturbed - which means I don't want pointless conflict where I have to end it myself. Tyrant presented the opportunity by telling me Tirpitz is bound to die no matter what Bismarck does. Of course, Tirpitz assumed this eventuality from the very beginning" Tyrant explains

"Tirpitz knew she would always be in a dead end, so she chose to at least not die pointlessly. In exchange for letting her body be used, Ghost will not rampage" Prinz Eugen explains

"Since I also retained Tirpitz's memories, I willingly stayed in Iron Blood rather than disappear somewhere else. I don't want anything to happen to Bismarck or anyone else. It turns out, living among shipgirls isn't so bad" Tirpitz genuinely smiles

"Then answer my question: are you with the Sirens or with us?"

"Neither. I'm only acting on my selfish interest. Although, if the Arbiters are causing a ruckus, I'm willing to partially cooperate depending on the situation. My wish is to live as I wish now that I'm technically alive, so I don't like anyone disturbing this little peace I have"

Ghost, still in the form of Tirpitz, confirms that while she will remain neutral as she is, she would be willing to assist the shipgirls if the Arbiters decides to instigate conflict again.

"Enterprise, I won't be your enemy so long as you won't point your bow and arrow at me. Can I have your word on that?" Tirpitz crosses her arms

"As long as you won't harm shipgirls, then I have no reason to fight you. Ghost, I don't know what you truly are, but I won't hesitate to shoot you down if you pose a threat to humanity"

"Then that settles it. I'll leave you and Azur Lane alone as long as you don't provoke me. My true nature is that of a shipgirl, but I'm not obliged to protect something as insignificant as humans"

Enterprise clenches her fists while Belfast stands in front of her. In just a glance, Enterprise knows the one in front of her is someone that is near impossible to keep in line due to her unknown nature.

"Belfast, how do you know about Ghost? Same thing about Prinz Eugen too" Enterprise takes a deep breath and calms down

"I will explain everything...as soon as King George V and Maya regain consciousness"

"What?" Enterprise is confused

"I forgot to tell you. They decided to draw their blades on me when they didn't like what I said, so I accidentally injured them and knocked them out" Tirpitz swings her thumb behind her

The one in front of Enterprise is no longer Tirpitz as she's actually Ghost now who overtakes Tirpitz's mental cube as her own, replacing her existence entirely. Ghost assures Enterprise she won't pose a threat as long as no one and nothing is bothering her since she simply once to be away from conflict as much as possible.

"Enterprise, Eugen, and Belfast? You're all gathered here. Tirpitz as well" Bismarck enters the scene just like Prinz Eugen

"Pardon for taking our time. We simply needed to confirm something from your sister" Belfast bows

"Belfast-"

Before Enterprise can remind her about the most recent revelation, Belfast frowns and shakes her head. Enterprise notices Prinz Eugen is restraining herself from saying anything to Bismarck despite the fact that Tirpitz Bismarck is speaking to is not the same one she calls her younger sister.

"Enterprise went to ask...something, so I will be taking my leave with Eugen" Tirpitz immediately decides to leave the scene

Prinz Eugen is reluctant to leave after the whole scene where it almost escalates into hostility due to Ghost emitting such an sinister aura, but she only interrupts the scene earlier fearing the two might clash. She glares in dismay at Tirpitz, who brushes off the silent response with a faint scoff.

"I see..." Bismarck doesn't find it strange

"Enterprise, have you found what you're searching for?" Bismarck shifts her attention

"Yeah. I certainly did..."

Bismarck is completely clueless that Tirpitz is already Ghost who replaces the original Tirpitz without anyone suspecting as the body and the memories embedded in it still belongs to Tirpitz. The latter briefly pauses to leave a parting smug before waving goodbye. This frustrates Enterprise, but Belfast calms her by placing her hand on her shoulder.

"Ugh, my heads hurts like hell..." Maya walks out of the warehouse

"That bloody-"

After Maya, King George V staggers walking out the warehouse, rubbing her aching head. Belfast shakes her head while Bismarck is surprised to see the two appear out of nowhere looking like they are struck by something.

"Did you two got into an accident?" Bismarck notices their pained expression

"W-we're fine. I just go careless and slipped a bit" Maya nervously laughs

"..."

King George V is about to say something, but she shuts her own mouth after catching a brief glance of Belfast warning her to be careful with her words.

"Enterprise and Belfast are here too. Which means ..." King George V straightens herself

"B-Bismarck, have you seen Tirpitz by any chance?" Maya nervously asks

"Yes. She just left a minute ago along with Prinz Eugen. Is there something you want to ask from her as well?" Bismarck notices Maya being cautious

"I'm good..." Maya shakes her head

"I see. Then I will be on my way as well since I have to resume my daily work. Enterprise, if you wish to know something else before you leave, I will be at my office"

For some reason, the four shipgirls in front of her share a tense and slightly hostile atmosphere but not directed towards her. Enterprise pays a sudden visit because she wants to confirm about Ghost's existence, but Bismarck is aware of what she discovered shortly before Bismarck interrupts them. As Bismarck takes her leave, Maya takes a deep relaxed sigh while King George V removes her calm facade.

"Ghost knocked us out by appearing behind us and just touching our shoulders. I didn't know she can tamper with mental cubes ny just touching the shipgirl" Maya shudders

"King George V, you two know about Ghost. Aren't any of you going to say anything to Bismarck? That thing is not Bismarck's sister anymore, just a fake using Tirpitz's mental cube"

It's cruel to let Bismarck go by her day unaware that the Tirpitz she regularly interacts is just Ghost using Tirpitz's existence to be "alive" as part of her initial goal. The three shipgirls couldn't directly stare at Enterprise's disappoinment at them.

"Belfast said Tirpitz planned this from the beginning. She knew undoing Tyrant's mess would be a failure, and the only way to ensure Bismarck won't die...is to give herself up. We know this is cruel for Bismarck, but this is the only way to keep Ghost to our side. Also, Belfast is the only one who remembers everything, so don't judge us..." Maya responds

"Ghost respects Tirpitz's wish to protect her home and her sister, so she willingly stays in Iron Blood. Enterprise, she may be a failed copy, but she is aware that it would devestate Bismarck once she learns of this" Belfast comments

"Enterprise, can you really walk up to Bismarck and tell her that a living ghost consumed Tirpitz's existence and took her body?" King George V returns with a question of her own

"...No, I don't think I can tell Bismarck that it's not her sister anymore...and you people are aware of it" Enterprise is still disappointed with their choice

Unlike Enterprise, the three are prepared with the eventuality, specifically Belfast who has been observing the events taking place. King George V and Maya have their own agenda for agreeing not to say anything, but it's too early for Enterprise to learn everything at once.

"Belfast, I want to know about Ghost...and what's her goal for wanting to exist in this world as a living being..."

Enterprise can't storm and instantly tell Bismarck about Ghost using Tirpitz's mental cube and body as her own, but she needs to learn more about Ghost first. She doesn't know anything about Ghost, not even her seeming curiosity towards her. If she is going deem Ghost as either an ally or enemy to Azur Lane, she wishes to learn more about the unknown being's ulterior motives.


EXTRA

Where should I begin? If I were to begin, would it matter?

Bismarck has to get rid of Tyrant's meddling in Iron Blood and the other world, but she's lying there completely dead. It doesn't matter who is alive and dead since such thing doesn't faze me the least. I am neither dead nor alive, so my heart is completely blank at a sight like that.

"Bismarck's sister..."

The lonely one desperately calls out to her sister over and over again, but the dead can no longer respond. No matter how much Tirpitz says Bismarck's name, that one isn't going to open her eyes anymore. To begin with, Bismarck has no chance on winning whoever she would face.

"It's hopeless to begin with"

In another route, she would be up against Fool who would take her out faster than Tyrant can since she absorbed not only Sirens but Abyssals as well. I pity Tirpitz since she doesn't know Bismarck would be in a dead end just like her.

(The one who had just experienced warmth again...happens to lose it again. Her smile is drowned by her tears. I see...so this is fruit of your work, huh...)

Whenever I would see a shipgirl act more human than actual humans, I keep questioning about the reality of this world. Why is that those who aren't naturally born humans have more humanity than them? The creation surpasses the creator that they begin to fear. Their overwhelming strength in the guise of a human face is what drove those humans to be irrational.

"It's a shame this is how it ends...for you..."

Tyrant bought enough time for me to escape the imaginary numbers by connecting a line from their to the World Tree. I simply have to pull myself away from the suffocating prison.

"Enterprise? No, you barely resemble her..."

"Why do you think they called me Ghost? A ghost of not that person...but the human who took me in" I faintly smile at Tirpitz

The utter shock and frozen terror keeps stirring pity in me. I know I possess emotion because my origin is still a shipgirl despite being reduced to this state. It makes me grit my teeth every time I am deemed as a failed replica of the "Grey Ghost" herself.

"It really is game over. Everyone's efforts...are useless now" Tirpitz sinks into despair

"You were willing to throw away your life believing so long as Bismarck lives, and it doesn't matter how you will end" I approach her

I have no true form as I am left incomplete because my creator perished before she can complete me. No, to be specific, she made it so those filthy humans won't complete me and use me. If that were to happen, I would be no different from those filthy Sirens.

"There has to be a way to prevent this timeline from dying. There has to be a way...to undo this mistake" Tirpitz pleads to someone like ne

"What if I told you there's a way? I'm certain you were prepared for it the moment you left Iron Blood" I take a deep sigh

"But that eventuality..."

"The World Tree can grant what humans revel as miracles, but there's no such thing as a free miracle. If the conditions are aligned, then a 'wish' is possible. The question is...are you prepared to carry the weight of your own wish?"

"..."

Right now, Tirpitz is put in a corner with no possible way of escape. This is a situation where is at her lowest and most desperate. She would abandon the so-called God and cling to the Devil if it means accomplishing her goal. How ironic that making a deal with a Devil means dooming your soul for eternity.

"I can take Bismarck instead even if it's her lifeless body that remains"

"Don't take her! I don't want her to suffer more than she already did, and I know she would never allow someone like you to be used a puppet. Bismarck...would wish to save Iron Blood as herself..." Tirpitz grits her teeth

"If...you reach out your hand...there's no going back..." Tyrant is still alive somehow

"Tyrant!"

"Oh? You're still breathing?" I chuckle

"Tirpitz, what you're about to do...is irreversible. There's not even a moment...to think about regret..."

"You killed Bismarck...!" Tirpitz clenches her fist

"It was not...supposed to happen...but I truly lost myself. Kill me...as you have every right to enact vengeance..." Tyrant takes a deep breath

"After blabbering about keeping your sanity, you still lost it the moment you stepped inside the World Tree. Well, you fulfilled your promise to me in the end"

I should be thankful that this failure of an Ashen one manages to succeed after countless obstacles, but I ended up insulting. Tyrant weakly turns her head, as if she bears a grudge me. While her mental cube is drifting within the imaginary numbers, I made contact with her. There, we interacted for months until I persuaded her into freeing me. She's too cautious and untrusting until I offered her a way to keep Iron Blood safe.

"There's not much time, Tirpitz. Your allies are dying out there. To be specific, you're about to die yourself..."

Tirpitz's mental cube is such a battered state that absorbing the damage from Tyrant's distortion cannons put her at death's door. Right now, she has fifteen minutes at best before she completely loses the life she has been desperately clinging on.

"I will protect Iron Blood and continue to fight for what I believe in. No matter the consequences, I will carry it...for the sake of never losing ever again"

"I see. You made up your mind...from the very beginning" I narrow my eyes

"Can...you really...handle it...?" Tyrant coughs again

"It's not even worth thinking about. This eternal punishment...is a small price to pay for those who can carry the future of others. I'm just here to ensure Bismarck will continue to carry Iron Blood's future"

"You are...an idiot. Then again...we are the same person..." Tyrant weakly scoffs

"Ghost" Tirpitz looks back at me

"What is it?"

"Will you...remain at Iron Blood? Once Bismarck wakes up, I might not be by her side"

"I will respect your will, Tirpitz. For your sake, I would remain by Bismarck's side. You may rest assure that I would put her out of harm's way...because you're willing to go this far just to condemn yourself"

That's right. Tirpitz has no choice but to give up her entire existence to me if she wishes to save Iron Blood. In doing so, I would overtake her mental cube which would destroy her ego in the process. I would be hollowing her out and filling my own existence with it.

"I was supposed to be the one to - but instead... you're willing to let Ghost use your body as her own. Tirpitz would die entirely, and there's no bringing you back" Tyrant reminds her of the consequences

"..." Tirpitz has no reason to respond

"If only...I could be there...to watch this tragedy...unfold..." Tyrant weakly laughs

Tyrant finally decides to kick the bucket after desperately clutching her consciousness for a few minutes. I admit I'm impressed she managed to keep herself alive after Bismarck deals a sure killing blow on her. Wait, that doesn't sound right...

"Bismarck, from now on...you will have to live without knowing the truth. I know you will resent me for it, but this is what I have chosen" Tirpitz whispers to Bismarck

Tirpitz expresses her past and future regrets to Bismarck, her heart twisting in pain. It's odd that I can tell the sorrow and grief in this shipgirl when I can't even understand it despite possessing such emotions. I know I have human emotions, but couldn't even impact my being that I feel like it's just dead weight to me. Human emotions drive and motivate living beings to strive and move forward, so I remain stagnant - just in between.

"I'm sorry...that I couldn't tell you how there was no way for this to end without a sacrifice. I won't let you choose yourself, so I must make that choice. Bismarck, you made so much sacrifice for Iron Blood that I won't let you carry this burden as well"

How long is she planning to say farewell? Did she forget she would die at any moment now? Please tell me the flow of time isn't slowing down every time she talks. It's always like this in human imagination.

"Tirpitz, it's time" I decide to remind her

Tirpitz wipes away her tears and gently caresses Bismarck's cheek with her index finger shortly before she stands up. I know very well that she would accept it either way since the Creator and the Progenitor predicted something like this would happen. This is the last time the Sirens will interfere with my plans. The next time I see any of them, I will personally eliminate them.

"From now on, you will have to carry this burden as Tirpitz. This is your wish of finally being alive, isn't it?" Tirpitz stretches out her hand towards me

"Being in non-existence and existence is no different. Either way, it's hell...but lesser of two evils I suppose" I also stretch my hand until both our palms make contact

I shrug my shoulders, not caring whether living in this world would be difficult just like the eternity I spent bound to the imaginary space where it's ironically filled nothing but infinite.

"I admit that I would die still filled with regret. I'm scared of dying, but I'm scared of living in regret that I couldn't save Bismarck and watch Iron Blood burn to the ground" Tirpitz wryly laughs

"Having a peaceful death is but wishful thinking..."

"You will have to see the world in a different angle this time. I wonder if you can learn to accept your new reality after this. If only...I am still aware myself..."

Oddly enough, Tirpitz still manages to calmly smile even as I begin to consume every part of her existence, from body to soul. I know she already accepts her fate despite the regret twisting her heart right now. Shadows begin to engulf her, destroying her current form and her current personality.

"I can only hope that this time...you will finally learn that world is not always the hell you perceive. Ghost, humans change and learn despite their flaws. Perhaps, you can understand it better in a different perspective"

Those words words remind me of a certain someone. Maybe it's that old man calling himself a commander. I remember him always trying to teach me how not all humans are evil. When I remember my own past, the few happiness I experienced is always eclipsed by the sheer hatred of being a failed reproduction of the Grey Ghost herself. In this moment, I only have to focus on remembering Tirpitz as her ego will be lost forever now. Bismarck is going permanently lose her only sister.

"I will have to find out whether this world is something that I can accept after I rejected everything..."

After I reduce Tirpitz to her mental cube, her purest form, I sink it into my shadowy existence. I quickly assimilate her body's information and reshaping it all over again which takes all my resources to focus. Little by little, I grind the information within that mental cube to myself in order to gain the body's information. It feels like slicing a hole open in my shadowy body and inserting the faintly glowing cube inside me.

"...!"

The warmth of being "alive" gushes to my thoughts like a violent flood with the entirety of her memories barraging on my consciousness. I stagger back while I try to contain Tirpitz's memories along with the warmth of being a living being now rather than a shapeless ghost. Right now I wanted to groan, but I bite my lip to keep that noise to myself. This sudden surge of new emotions almost makes me curl down to the surface, but it's not painful in a terrible way.

"Damn it, Tirpitz. Your memories are giving me such a headache. It hurts like hell" This is the first time I felt actual pain

I actually felt...pain, and not just on a physical sense. This means I'm successfully linking my consciousness to Tirpitz's mental cube. Although, I didn't expect for the process to flow so quickly that my thoughts are being flooded by the sudden uncontrollable surge of Tirpitz's information by this synchronization. Her experiences and what she felt in each of those moment is making it difficult for me to focus all of my resources in binding her mental cube to my core.

"I am...Tirpitz now..." I keep panting

I bit my lip as I arrange the information embedded in Tirpitz's mental cube before it gets scattered away and be lost forever. My shapeless shadowy form slowly takes shape, perfectly reconstructing Tirpitz from her appearance to her voice. It feels so warm now that I mixed my core to Tirpitz's mental cube, somewhat merging with her now. I feel like suffocating for a minute, but I can easily adjust myself to this new body now. My experience is strange since I keep feeling heat course through every corner of my body, and it makes me feel light-headed. Fortunately enough, Tirpitz's memories have settled in along with the rest of her body's information, so I can utilize these memories to perfectly replicate her behavior.

"...So this is the sensation of being a living being. It felt like I was being torn apart, but it was worth enduring the five minutes of pain"

My original shadowy and void-like body begins to solidify when the skins forms first before it's followed by the clothing. After the assimilation is successfully completed, I gently touch and caress my cheek, finally able to to distinguish the sense of touching something warm and part of a living flesh. I couldn't help but smile and manically laugh at how I am official a living being even if it means permanently replacing someone's existence. Humanity rejected me and cast me away to the imaginary space, but they don't know I finally obtained "living". I wanted to badly slowly tear them apart, but I won't disrespect Tirpitz's sacrifice. After all, I promised her I will remain in Iron Blood and watch over Bismarck since she's willing to give up her own existence for her sake.

"From now on, huh..."

For a whole minute, I reeled back in pain in order to mentally and physically adjust myself since I replaced Tirpitz after I destroyed her ego and consumed her mental cube to use her existence as my own. After I calmed down, I straighten myself and stretch a bit. It will take some time fully adjusting having my own body now, but I have no reason to rush since Bismarck wouldn't even know the truth...