88: Chapter 88 Eden

Edenia Knight Federation, the capital, Edenia.

As the political core of the Federation, this city has undergone complete modernization; thus, perhaps it should now be called the "Capital of the World - The City Where Glory Never Sets - Heart of Utopia - Edenia City."

As a massive megalopolis with a population of 88 million, Edenia is perfect; every street and every district was personally designed by the nation's finest engineers and designers decades ago.

She is the absolute economic, political, cultural, and technological capital of this great nation. Whenever the dawn arrives and the morning glow shines upon the city's domes and skyscrapers, Edenia is bathed in a "miracle."

Of course, in Verres' eyes, this "miracle" was closer to light pollution, which severely impacted shipping safety day after day.

The Edenia General Bureau of the Ship Girl Bureau is located in this city.

"Finally back—" Leica stretched. "Then I'll head back first, Lord Minister?"

"Go ahead." Verres nodded slightly; although Leica didn't belong to her department, she said it purely to tease her.

The colleagues who had set out with her also had their own business to attend to and would not be traveling with her.

She deployed her rigging and entered the crisscrossing artificial waterways.

The patterns on her massive and exquisite rigging were etched with honors and merits. She remembered the first time she came here, when the city had nearly been reduced to complete ruins.

"The children in the ruins back then are now the pillars of this country," Verres thought with some emotion.

"Good morning! Minister Verres!"

People called out loudly from the pedestrian streets on both sides of the artificial river, and Verres was then welcomed by the crowds passing by on both banks.

Amidst the flying flowers, she wore a professional smile and waved to the citizens on both banks while continuing toward her destination.

Ship Girl General Bureau. Although the Ship Girls hadn't requested it, the Federation had still built the General Bureau to be magnificent and resplendent for them.

Only after moving away from the crowd did she feel a bit more relaxed.

They respected her, but it was still quite a burden for her.

A hero of the Federation did not want to be a hero. Those who have truly experienced war do not wish for it to happen again.

Perhaps, at least that's what I think.

"Minister—you're back!"

Seeing the Ship Girl jogging over to welcome her, Verres felt a bit helpless. "How old are you now? Why are you still like a child?"

"A Ship Girl's age never changes!" She stood with her hands on her hips, looking proud, before turning resentful. "On the other hand, Minister, you dumped all this work on me and ran off to vacation by yourself. That's really unethical."

"Fine, fine..." Verres massaged her temples; her business trip really did feel like a vacation.

She looked at the tall Ship Girl with a sky-blue high ponytail in front of her, suddenly remembering when she first became her assistant.

She was like a reserved girl, a far cry from her current lively self. So much time had passed; she was still the Minister, but her assistant had become her Deputy.

It had been quite a while; the work of a Deputy wasn't something just anyone could do well, yet she had been doing it for ten years.

"Kano, thanks for the hard work. How about a cup of Elzio milk green tea?"

"One week's worth," Kano bargained.

"Deal, one week." Verres nodded, making Kano slightly regret asking for so little.

Verres told her to wait in the department while she walked into the General Bureau hall alone.

She had to find the Director. After all, Commander Li Ming was a favor to the Director this time. Although the Director was a serious person, Verres still didn't want to see this Director with such a wicked sense of humor if it weren't necessary.

...Well, although she herself had a bit of a wicked sense of humor, it paled in comparison to the Director.

She stepped into the elevator with a group of busy Ship Girls, looking like an ordinary corporate drone (though she could be considered a high-level one). She waited as the crowd in the elevator flowed in and out. As the floors climbed higher, the people gradually thinned out until only she remained.

*Ding-dong!* "Eighty-eighth floor, arrived..."

The doors opened. This was the Director's private floor, occupied by her along with the large rooftop terrace above... or perhaps the designer had prepared it specifically for her?

However, the environment here wasn't very good.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw clothes thrown haphazardly on the floor. A quilt was tossed on the sofa, and one shoe was in the corner while the other was under the coffee table.

The dining table was piled high with instant noodle cups, causing Verres' forehead to twitch with annoyance.

The cafeteria was just downstairs, and the food there was decent... She could have even asked someone to bring some up...

And what was this?

Gently moving a pair of panties on the floor with the tip of her shoe—it looked like they definitely needed washing—Verres walked through the elevator lobby into the living room.

Of course, she also had to avoid the pile of delivery boxes on the floor and the stains left by spilled drinks.

This Director really is...

With a sigh, Verres crossed the living room and opened the door to her study.

A woman with long golden hair was slumped in a recliner, a lollipop in her mouth, playing games in her pajamas.

One leg dangled on the floor. Since she wasn't wearing pants, her entire fair leg was exposed to the air conditioning.

"Director..." Verres spoke softly.

"Hmm?... Ah, Verres, have a seat." She turned her head to glance at Verres, then turned back to continue her game.

Verres ground her teeth, then put on a kind smile.

"My dear Lord Director, I've come to report."

The "Lord Director" was so startled she quickly dropped the controller and sat up.

"Verres, what else do you want? Didn't I help you with everything you asked?" Her pale blue eyes revealed grievance and dissatisfaction. If she had shed a tear, Verres would have truly praised her for acting so realistically.

"Aussie (Oath), do you think the position of Director is meant for you to slack off like this?"

"So what..." Aussie swung her legs. "It's not like they can do anything to me."

Verres massaged her temples. Although she was right, Verres still couldn't stand this person's behavior.

She used to be the banner that united everyone; how had she "fallen" to this state?

She sighed; there was nothing she could do about this woman.

"Cough, cough, cough. Alright, alright, let's not think about that. Verres, this is the first time you've used your position to help an ordinary human." Aussie stood up, letting her pajamas cover half of her thighs. "Tell me more about this Li Ming in detail."

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