69: Chapter 69 The Real Guest

"They're finally back!" Li Ming breathed a sigh of relief. Although they had stayed in contact with him from the flagship, he still couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

To be precise, this was the first time he had proactively requested not to participate in an affair. If the other party were even slightly clever, the flaws he had shown in his last conversation with Finn would have been exposed, and he likely would have had to step in personally in the end.

However, regarding this point, Fujian, who had always been unsupportive of him contacting the outside world, was unexpectedly calm.

"If they dare to make a move or do anything disadvantageous to you, I will sink them all right there." This was what Li Ming read from her calmness.

Clearly, the incident in the storm last time still weighed on Fujian's mind. Although she had almost stopped interfering in his decisions, she remained exceptionally firm in certain aspects.

As for himself, he didn't want to use the fact that she couldn't refuse his firm requests to force her to submit to his will in this matter—this was a move to be avoided if possible.

Fujian was not his subordinate; at least, he had never viewed her that way.

What have I done to deserve this? (Laughs)

Seeing the fleet led by the admiral class returning along with an unidentified battlecruiser, Li Ming knew that according to the plan, he would not make a direct appearance.

Hopefully, no problems would arise.

Coming down from the Radar Station's lookout tower on the hillside, Li Ming intended to stay quiet during their exchange or find something else to do—anything to stay out of the delegation's sight.

Speaking of which, what should I teach A6 today?

"The Golden Fishhook"? Is a fifth-grade curriculum a bit much...

On the other side, at the bay's pier, two battlecruisers were docked side by side. Compared to the heavily modified admiral class, the Federation's battlecruiser looked more like a normal "battlecruiser."

"This is our open port, everyone," Fujian introduced. Although she had expressed her absolute concern for her Commander's safety, she still appeared friendly and generous in a formal setting.

Verres looked at the port.

"So new," was her first reaction. This port was definitely not renovated from an old one or directly converted from an occupied site; it was a genuine, newly built port.

In the large dry dock nearby, a newly laid keel spoke of this faction's ability to build new warships on this island, while in the adjacent small dock, two Destroyers seemed to be undergoing final assembly.

They were "Allen M. Sumner" class from their fleet, Verres analyzed.

The other Ship Girls were also sizing up the place, while Finn looked more like a street loiterer.

He peered left and right on the pier, then even climbed up a lamppost, intending to see further.

Finally, he jumped down while Fujian was still a bit dazed. "Um, Miss Fu... Fujian, where is Commander Lin Yuming?"

"Eh?" Fujian snapped back to reality. This guy was even more... familiar than her Commander had described. "He's out at sea on a mission and won't be back for a while."

"But Miss Z23 is here. Shouldn't a Ship Girl stay close to her Commander?" Finn really wanted to eat the food Li Ming cooked.

But this sentence put immense pressure on Fujian. The Ship Girls' gazes were all fixed on her, making Fujian feel a bit annoyed that a flaw had appeared in the plan.

"That's right, Z23 will be returning to the patrol fleet in a moment," she replied. "But for now, please follow me."

Laffey was a bit sleepy, Ayanami was expressionless, and Javelin was not well-suited for this kind of scene, appearing somewhat restless.

Z23's palms were sweating. Having received the "improvise" command from Fujian, she was already wondering if she should go warn her Commander to hide better, or...

"Ahem..." Verres coughed lightly. "Miss Fujian, we haven't introduced ourselves yet. That would be somewhat impolite to your side."

"I am Verres, Director of the External Communications Department of the Edenia Knight Federation Ship Girl General Bureau, and I also serve as the Chief of the Military Observation Section." Her dark gold hair swayed slightly in the wind, and her light blue eyes were hidden behind glasses. She wasn't wearing a military uniform or a suit, but a white lab coat, looking more like a technician.

"Hello, I am Truth, Director of the Medical Department of the General Bureau, and an Armed Resupply Ship." The girl with milky-white hair also had long hair, but her tight-fitting clothes made her look more like she was going into combat than a doctor.

"Combat Department representative, battleship Idnas." The girl with ink-blue hair was wearing the most formal dress uniform.

"Hello there, I'm from the Commerce Department. Just call me... Leica, yeah." The girl with short orange hair and a lazy demeanor was wearing casual clothes, though her behavior was somewhat restrained.

"Production Department, armored cruiser Brevonia. Hello." The purple-haired Ship Girl had a long ponytail. Although she also wore a dress uniform, it leaned more toward a trench coat style, and the decorations on her person sparkled in the sunlight.

"This is Persephya from the R&D Department. She is our technical elite, as well as a technical fanatic." Verres held down the Ship Girl from behind, who was also in a white lab coat. Her hair, which faded from camel-black to white, turned around to face away from Fujian, casting her gaze at Verres while trying to break free from the woman's grip.

"Don't listen to her nonsense, my experiments are all legitimate," Persephya said.

"As for these two..." Verres turned her gaze to Olena, who was currently disciplining Finn. "Do I need to introduce them?"

"Um... no need. Mr. Finn Hawke and Miss Olena, they are indeed quite..." Fujian hesitated, "...natural."

Leica burst out laughing. "Yes, very natural, mm-hmm..."

Brevonia's mouth twitched, and Verres almost couldn't hold back either, but she still managed to save some face for her juniors.

"Ahem, please follow me." Fujian gestured toward the interior of the naval base. "I have been authorized to represent the Supreme Leader in all communications with you. I will meet your needs within the scope of our principles. I hope our upcoming conversation will be pleasant."

"Yes, a pleasant conversation." Verres nodded, accepting on behalf of everyone.

Authorized?

Verres glanced at the still-rowdy Finn and Olena, making eye contact with Olena who had sensed her gaze and turned her head. Then, she asked:

"So, Miss Fujian, can these two move freely in the port?"

"Of course. Javelin, could you please take them for a walk?" Fujian agreed.

"Okay, Miss Fujian!"

"Then Z23, go find the Commander. Ayanami, Laffey, dismissed!"

"Whoa..."

"Okay."

Watching Laffey and Ayanami leave slowly while Z23 deployed her rigging in the water, Verres was lost in thought but still followed Fujian toward the office building.

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