The atmosphere became even heavier.
Before anyone could stop him, Yuuki reached toward the center of his chest.
The familiar silver nanomachines flowed backward.
The Mark 86 armor collapsed.
Piece by piece.
Layer by layer.
Until only the glowing Arc Reactor remained.
The commander removed it entirely.
Several girls immediately widened their eyes.
"Commander?"
Yorktown frowned.
The reactor landed in Yuu's hands.
The doctor blinked.
"Chief?"
Yuuki ignored the concerned looks.
The silver-and-black kimono fluttered softly beneath Laurelin's golden leaves.
No armor.
No weapons.
No advanced technology.
No flight systems.
No nanomachines.
No support drones.
Nothing.
Then he reached upward.
The tiny neural interfaces beneath his skin powered down.
His enhanced vision vanished.
His combat assistance systems disappeared.
His implants went silent.
Yuu's eyes widened.
"He even disabled the implants..."
The doctor knew exactly what that meant.
Yuuki had stripped away every advantage.
Every artificial enhancement.
Everything that made him a GDI Commander.
All that remained—
Was the man himself.
And Takao's borrowed sword.
Still sheathed.
Yuuki rested it against his shoulder.
Then smiled.
"No tech."
The commander looked toward Maya.
"Nothing."
The wolf-eared cruiser tightened her grip.
"Let's see what you're made of."
Silence.
"I've seen Takao."
Yuuki glanced briefly toward the elder sister.
"I've trained Atago."
The heavy cruiser smiled proudly.
The commander looked back at Maya.
"Now let me see how far you can go."
Maya's ears twitched.
She understood immediately.
This wasn't arrogance.
This was evaluation.
The commander had fought alongside her sisters.
Seen their strengths.
Seen their weaknesses.
And now he wanted to see her resolve.
Takao frowned.
She knew the truth.
After a few days of training under Yuuki, both she and Atago had likely surpassed Maya.
Even the swords he gave them was enough to slice through Maya's katana.
But neither sister would willingly fight her.
Atago especially.
The heavy cruiser would rather hug Maya than duel her.
Yuuki knew that.
Which was why he had stepped forward himself.
Maya's sword lowered slightly.
Only slightly.
"Commander."
The word carried frustration.
"You really are getting on my nerves."
Several girls winced.
Even Choukai looked nervous.
The wolf-eared cruiser shook her head.
"It seems pretty clear you weren't listening to me."
Yuuki smiled.
"No."
The answer came immediately.
The commander took a step forward.
A single step.
Calm.
Steady.
"I wasn't."
The honesty stunned everyone.
Even Maya blinked.
Then Yuuki's gaze shifted toward Laurelin.
The sacred tree stood behind her.
Golden leaves drifting around its branches.
Beautiful.
Ancient.
Waiting.
The commander looked back at Maya.
His smile disappeared.
Not replaced by anger.
Not by hostility.
Only determination.
"I have no intention of leaving Laurelin here."
The words echoed through the sanctuary.
Esche quietly watched from his shoulder.
The fairy's expression had become serious.
For perhaps the first time since arriving.
Yuuki continued.
"I promised Esche."
The fairy lowered her head.
"To retrieve her sister, Oberis."
The golden leaves around Laurelin rustled softly.
"I promised I would bring them together."
Then his eyes met Maya's.
Directly.
Without hesitation.
"I am taking Laurelin with me."
The wolf-eared guardian tightened her grip.
The commander finished.
"Whether you like it or not."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The challenge had been accepted.
Not because Yuuki wished to hurt Maya.
Not because Maya hated Yuuki.
But because both were stubborn.
Both believed they were protecting something precious.
One protected a promise to a sacred tree.
The other intended to fulfill a promise made to two sisters separated by centuries.
Neither intended to back down.
A golden leaf drifted between them.
The guardian.
The commander.
Standing before Laurelin.
And somewhere deep within the sanctuary—
The ancient tree watched.
The first strike came without warning.
CLANG!
Maya lunged forward.
Her sword cutting through the air with practiced precision.
Fast.
Very fast.
Far faster than an ordinary human could react to.
Yet Yuuki moved.
Not by much.
A slight shift of his shoulders.
A small adjustment of his footing.
A fraction of an inch.
The blade passed harmlessly by.
Maya immediately followed with another strike.
Then another.
And another.
The wolf-eared cruiser unleashed a relentless chain of attacks.
The style was unmistakably Sakura.
Elegant.
Precise.
Deadly.
Steel flashed beneath Laurelin's golden light.
CLANG!
SHING!
CLANG!
The sanctuary filled with the sound of steel cutting air.
Yet Yuuki remained calm.
One step.
Half a step.
A slight turn.
The commander avoided every strike with minimal movement.
No flashy acrobatics.
No impossible jumps.
No superhuman speed.
Just efficiency.
The smallest motion required.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Several girls began staring.
"He's not even using his implants..."
Mary whispered.
Pepper nodded.
"Or the armor."
Yuu adjusted her glasses.
The doctor understood better than anyone.
The chief had truly stripped himself down to basics.
No enhancement.
No assistance.
No technology.
Only experience.
And skill.
Maya gritted her teeth.
"Stand still!"
The sword swept horizontally.
Yuuki leaned back.
The blade missed his nose by centimeters.
The commander smiled.
"Impressive."
Maya immediately pushed forward.
"If you actually hit me."
The wolf girl's ears twitched.
The teasing worked.
She attacked harder.
Faster.
The strikes became more aggressive.
More determined.
Takao watched carefully.
Then her eyes widened slightly.
Commander wasn't merely dodging.
He was studying.
Reading.
Learning.
Every attack.
Every footstep.
Every habit.
The same thing he had done when training her.
The same thing he had done when training Atago.
Yuuki wasn't fighting.
He was evaluating.
Maya realized it too.
Which only made her more frustrated.
"Take me seriously!"
She thrust forward.
This time Yuuki moved.
Not a dodge.
Not a retreat.
His hand finally shifted.
The sheathed sword resting on his shoulder descended.
CLANG!
The wooden scabbard intercepted Maya's blade.
A simple motion.
Perfectly timed.
The impact redirected her sword completely.
Maya's eyes widened.
The force of her own strike carried her forward.
Her balance broke.
One step.
Then another.
The wolf-eared cruiser stumbled.
Barely recovering before falling.
Silence.
The observers stared.
Yuuki had never even drawn Takao's sword.
Not once.
He simply lowered the sheathed blade.
Then rested it back on his shoulder.
As though nothing had happened.
Maya stared.
The realization hit hard.
The commander wasn't avoiding her because he had to.
He was avoiding her because he could.
Without armor.
Without implants.
Without weapons.
The difference in experience was becoming obvious.
Nearby, Atago folded her arms.
"She's beginning to understand."
Choukai looked worried.
"Maya..."
Takao remained silent.
Because she knew exactly what Maya was feeling.
Years ago.
She had stood where Maya stood now.
Convinced of her own skill.
Certain of her blade.
Only to discover that Yuuki viewed combat completely differently.
Not as a contest of strength.
But as a conversation.
And right now—
Maya was speaking loudly.
While Yuuki was merely listening.
Nearby, Akagi's tails swayed.
The fox watched every movement.
Had Maya truly landed a strike—
The duel would have ended instantly.
Not because Yuuki couldn't continue.
But because half the women present would have intervened.
Kaga.
Akagi.
Yorktown.
Kaguya.
Atago.
Several Nikkes.
Even Esche looked nervous at the thought.
Fortunately for Maya—
Yuuki wasn't giving her that opportunity.
The commander smiled.
Still relaxed.
Still holding the sheathed sword.
Still refusing to draw it.
"Again."
The challenge wasn't mocking.
It wasn't arrogant.
It sounded exactly like a teacher encouraging a student.
And somehow—
That irritated Maya even more than the dodging had.
Frustration finally got the better of Maya.
If her swordsmanship alone wasn't enough—
Then she would use everything available to her.
Golden light erupted around her.
Mechanical components unfolded.
Her rigging materialized behind her.
Cannons.
Armor.
Targeting systems.
The familiar power of a shipgirl flooded back into her body.
"Maya!"
Choukai shouted.
The wolf-eared cruiser ignored her.
"If I cannot stop you with my blade—"
The rigging began powering up.
"Then I shall stop you as Laurelin's guardian!"
Yuuki merely glanced toward Yuu.
A tiny nod.
Nothing more.
The doctor immediately understood.
"Mark 49."
The Rescue Armor standing behind her came alive.
Its eyes illuminated.
A thin pulse of energy spread outward.
A nearly invisible wave.
Silent.
Elegant.
And devastatingly effective.
The pulse passed over the sanctuary.
Immediately—
WHRRRRR—
Maya froze.
Her rigging flickered.
Then died.
The cannons powered down.
The targeting systems vanished.
The armor disengaged.
Gone.
The wolf-eared cruiser stared.
"What?"
Nearby, Choukai's rigging collapsed as well.
The younger cruiser blinked.
"Huh?"
Even Houshou's restored wings folded automatically.
The carrier looked surprised.
"My rigging..."
Yuu casually adjusted her glasses.
"Disabled."
The three guardians stared.
"What did you do?"
The doctor smiled.
"A technology inhibitor."
The answer meant absolutely nothing to them.
Yuu noticed immediately.
Then simplified it.
"It disables unregistered technology."
The doctor pointed toward their inactive riggings.
"Those count."
Maya looked horrified.
"You disabled our riggings?"
"Correct."
Yuu smiled.
"Very useful invention."
The wolf-eared cruiser clenched her fists.
Yuuki finally spoke.
"I came here to protect Laurelin."
His gaze shifted toward the massive sacred tree.
"I am not letting anyone throw explosives around her."
The statement silenced everyone.
Even Maya couldn't argue with that.
The guardian's entire purpose was protecting the tree.
Launching naval artillery near Laurelin would achieve the opposite.
Still—
The frustration remained.
Her sword tightened in her grip.
The wolf-eared cruiser rushed forward.
"AAAHHH!"
The cry echoed across the sanctuary.
Maya abandoned every technique.
Every strategy.
Every plan.
Only determination remained.
She swung.
Yuuki moved.
For the first time since the duel began.
The sheathed sword left his shoulder completely.
A single motion.
Simple.
Effortless.
CLANG!
Steel met steel.
The impact rang throughout the cavern.
Then—
Maya's eyes widened.
The force traveled through her blade.
Through her wrists.
Through her arms.
Perfectly redirected.
The sword left her hand.
Spinning.
End over end.
Until—
THUNK
The blade embedded itself vertically into the ground several meters away.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Maya stared at her empty hand.
Unable to process what had happened.
The duel had ended.
Just like that.
Yuuki lowered Takao's sheathed sword.
Then sighed.
"I thought ten years would do you some good."
The words weren't cruel.
They weren't mocking.
If anything—
They sounded disappointed.
Maya froze.
Ten years.
Ten years protecting Laurelin.
Ten years surviving.
Ten years training.
Ten years carrying the burden of her promise.
Yet against this man—
She couldn't land a single strike.
Not one.
Slowly.
A realization surfaced.
The same realization Takao had experienced years ago.
The same realization Atago eventually reached.
The commander wasn't winning because he was stronger.
He wasn't winning because of technology.
Or armor.
Or weapons.
He had removed all of those.
What remained—
Was skill.
Pure skill.
The result of countless battles.
Countless years.
Countless lifetimes.
Maya remembered something.
Everyone she approached got hurt.
Enemies.
Friends.
Even Choukai sometimes suffered because of her stubbornness.
Yet this man stood before her.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Unshaken.
No matter how hard she pushed.
No matter how aggressively she attacked.
He simply stood there.
Unmoved.
Around them, the gathered shipgirls and Nikkes remained silent.
Even Akagi.
Even Kaga.
Even Rapi.
They were all thinking the same thing.
No armor.
No implants.
No riggings.
No enhancement.
No tricks.
Just experience.
Just technique.
Just Yuuki.
And somehow—
That was even more frightening than all the technology he carried.
The sword remained embedded in the ground.
The duel was over.
Maya stood motionless.
The realization slowly settled in.
She had lost.
Not merely the duel.
She had failed the promise she had carried for ten years.
The wolf-eared cruiser looked toward Laurelin.
The sacred tree stood peacefully behind her.
Golden leaves drifting softly through the air.
Ten years.
Ten years protecting the sanctuary.
Ten years standing guard.
Ten years believing that if danger ever came—
She would be strong enough.
But she wasn't.
Her fingers trembled.
Then slowly.
Maya sank to her knees.
The movement shocked several of the younger girls.
The proud guardian lowered her head.
Unable to look at Laurelin.
Unable to look at her sisters.
Unable to look at Yuuki.
"I failed..."
The words barely escaped her lips.
"I promised..."
Her hands clenched into fists.
"I promised I would protect Laurelin."
The frustration.
The guilt.
The disappointment.
Everything she had been holding back finally surfaced.
Then she laughed bitterly.
A broken laugh.
"And I lost."
Her voice trembled.
"To the man Esche trusted."
The wolf-eared cruiser looked toward the tiny fairy.
Esche lowered her head slightly.
Maya's expression became even more complicated.
"I never even met Oberis."
The admission came quietly.
"I protected Laurelin for ten years."
"But I never once met her fairy."
The realization hurt more than the defeat itself.
Then warm arms wrapped around her.
"Maya-chan."
Atago.
The older sister pulled her into a hug.
A familiar hug.
A comforting hug.
The same one she had received countless times before.
"That's enough."
Maya lowered her head.
"It wasn't enough."
The words came out immediately.
The guilt remained.
Atago gently stroked her hair.
"It was."
"No."
"It was."
Maya shook her head stubbornly.
The gesture made Atago smile sadly.
Some things never changed.
The younger sister had always been like this.
"I failed."
The wolf-eared cruiser clenched her fists.
"I thought I had become stronger."
Her gaze drifted toward Yuuki.
The man still hadn't drawn the sword.
Not once.
"I watched him remove every advantage."
"No armor."
"No technology."
"No enhancements."
"No implants."
Maya's voice cracked.
"He didn't even draw his blade."
The humiliation stung.
Not because she lost.
Because she couldn't force him to take her seriously as an opponent.
Takao quietly stepped forward.
"Maya."
The younger cruiser looked up.
Her elder sister's expression remained calm.
Yet unusually gentle.
"You misunderstand."
Maya blinked.
Takao looked toward Yuuki.
Then back toward her.
"He took you seriously."
The wolf-eared cruiser froze.
"What?"
"If he didn't."
Takao folded her arms.
"The duel would have ended immediately."
Several shipgirls nodded.
Especially Akagi.
Especially Kaga.
They knew exactly how dangerous Yuuki truly was.
Maya slowly processed the statement.
Then Atago squeezed her slightly tighter.
"Maya-chan."
The heavy cruiser smiled.
"You're fighting Shikikan-sama."
The title carried weight.
"The man who defeated Takao-nee."
Takao nodded.
"The man who defeated me."
Atago added.
Akagi sighed.
"The man who defeated us."
Kaga folded her arms.
"Repeatedly."
Yuuki pretended not to hear that.
The foxes noticed.
The group laughed softly.
Even Maya managed a small smile.
Then Atago gently lifted her chin.
"Listen carefully."
The wolf-eared cruiser met her sister's eyes.
"You weren't fighting alone."
"Huh?"
"You were protecting something precious."
Atago's smile softened.
"You weren't fighting for pride."
"You weren't fighting for victory."
"You were fulfilling a promise."
Silence.
The words struck harder than any sword.
A promise.
That was true.
She never fought because she wanted to win.
She fought because she had given her word.
Ten years ago.
To a tree.
To a sanctuary.
To a home.
Atago smiled.
"And that's why I'm proud of you."
Maya's eyes widened.
"Proud?"
The heavy cruiser nodded immediately.
"Of course."
Atago tapped Maya's forehead.
"You stood before an entire fleet."
She gestured around them.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Kaguya.
Yuuki.
And even then—
"You still protected what you believed in."
The wolf-eared cruiser's eyes began to water.
Atago's smile became brighter.
"That's my little sister."
The tears finally came.
Not from defeat.
Not from shame.
But from relief.
Because after ten years.
For the first time.
She wasn't standing alone anymore.
Atago continued holding Maya as the wolf-eared cruiser struggled to calm herself.
The guardian's emotions had finally caught up to her.
Ten years of responsibility.
Ten years of isolation.
Ten years of believing that if the day ever came, she alone would have to stand between Laurelin and danger.
Then—
A gentle voice echoed through the sanctuary.
"Maya..."
The voice was soft.
Warm.
Gentle.
Yet it carried throughout the entire cavern.
Everyone froze.
Golden leaves began drifting from Laurelin's branches.
More than before.
The sacred tree glowed.
The roots shimmered.
The lake surrounding the island rippled despite the absence of wind.
"Maya."
The voice sounded again.
"That is enough."
The wolf-eared cruiser froze.
Her ears twitched.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
She turned toward Laurelin.
The voice continued.
"You fulfilled your promise."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Even Yuuki looked toward the tree.
Even Esche stopped flying.
The tiny silver fairy's eyes widened.
Then the light intensified.
Golden particles began gathering beneath Laurelin's branches.
More.
And more.
And more.
The air itself seemed to glow.
Kyon and Momo immediately dropped to their knees.
"L-Lady Laurelin..."
The two Tsukimimi trembled.
Something sacred was unfolding before their eyes.
The golden light condensed.
A silhouette formed.
Small.
Delicate.
Then a pair of beautiful butterfly-like wings unfolded.
Golden wings.
Translucent and radiant.
Like stained glass forged from sunlight.
Gasps spread throughout the sanctuary.
Orange hair flowed gently behind the figure.
Golden eyes opened.
A dress woven from light and golden leaves adorned her tiny frame.
Every movement caused golden motes to drift through the air.
She looked less like a fairy.
And more like a spirit born from the tree itself.
A living embodiment of Laurelin's blessing.
The fairy smiled.
A warm smile.
A loving smile.
A smile that had watched over this sanctuary for centuries.
"Oberis..."
Esche whispered.
The silver fairy's voice trembled.
The newly appeared fairy turned.
Her golden eyes immediately found Esche.
For a moment—
Neither moved.
The two sisters simply stared at one another.
Separated for so long.
Waiting for so long.
Then Oberis smiled.
"Sister."
Esche's eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Sister!"
The silver fairy launched herself forward.
Oberis opened her arms.
The two fairies collided in a tiny embrace.
Golden and silver light intertwined around them.
The sight was so pure that even several shipgirls found themselves smiling.
Kaguya quietly wiped away a tear.
"This one blames the onions."
"There are no onions."
Akagi replied.
"Tis magical onions."
Nobody argued.
Meanwhile, Maya remained frozen.
Because Oberis had not looked at Esche first.
Not completely.
Her first words had been directed elsewhere.
Toward her.
The guardian.
The fairy descended slowly until she hovered before the kneeling cruiser.
"Maya."
The wolf-eared shipgirl lowered her head.
"I failed."
The words came automatically.
Oberis gently shook her head.
"No."
A tiny hand touched Maya's forehead.
The gesture felt impossibly warm.
"For ten years."
Golden leaves drifted around them.
"You protected this sanctuary."
"You protected Houshou."
"You protected Choukai."
The fairy smiled.
"You protected me."
Maya's eyes widened.
"But..."
"I never asked you to win. I never even asked you to be a guardian."
The words struck deeply.
The fairy's golden eyes softened.
"I only asked you to protect what you loved."
Tears streamed down Maya's face.
And for the first time since the duel began—
The weight she had carried for ten years finally began to lift.
"You fulfilled your promise."
Oberis repeated gently.
"Beautifully."
The wolf-eared cruiser could no longer hold back her tears.
Behind them, Laurelin's golden branches swayed softly.
As though the sacred tree itself agreed.
The sanctuary fell into stunned silence.
One fairy had already been difficult enough for most of them to process.
Now there were two.
Two genuine fairies standing beneath Laurelin's golden light.
The shipgirls stared.
The Nikkes stared.
Even Houshou looked fascinated.
Meanwhile—
Yuu's eyes were shining.
Dangerously.
The kind of shine that made Akashi slowly take a step backward.
The doctor was already imagining research papers.
Experiments.
Studies.
Data.
Esche noticed immediately.
"Eep."
The silver fairy hid behind Yuuki's shoulder.
Oberis blinked.
"Why is she looking at us like that?"
"Research."
Yuuki answered.
The golden fairy immediately hid behind Esche.
"Ah."
The shipgirls laughed.
Then Oberis composed herself.
The fairy gracefully flew forward.
Golden particles drifted from her wings.
She stopped before Yuuki.
"You are?"
The commander smiled.
"Yukihira Yuuki."
The fairy bowed politely.
"I am Oberis."
The tiny fairy placed a hand against her chest.
"Fairy of the Laurelin Tree."
Then—
"Oberis!"
"Esche!"
The two fairies immediately forgot their dignity.
They flew directly into each other's arms.
Golden and silver light intertwined around them.
The reunion drew smiles from almost everyone present.
"Thou lookest no different."
Oberis laughed.
Esche tilted her head.
"Neither do thou."
The two fairies looked at each other.
Then simultaneously asked—
"How many years hath it been?"
Silence.
"..."
"..."
The sisters blinked.
Then Esche shrugged.
"This one lost count."
"Understandable."
Oberis nodded solemnly.
The shipgirls couldn't help laughing.
Apparently fairies were terrible at keeping track of centuries.
Eventually Oberis looked toward Yuuki.
Then toward the silver fairy.
"So."
The golden fairy smiled knowingly.
"Thou hast chosen thy wielder."
Esche immediately nodded.
"Yes."
The silver fairy proudly stood atop Yuuki's shoulder.
"This is the one who hath taken my tree."
The fairy pointed dramatically.
"Telperion now rests beneath his protection."
Oberis looked surprised.
"Truly?"
Esche nodded.
"In exchange for my safety to leave the island."
The silver fairy smiled.
"He watches over us."
Then Esche grabbed her sister's hands.
"Sister."
The silver fairy's expression softened.
"Thou shouldst come with me."
A brief silence followed.
Oberis turned.
Her golden eyes looked toward Laurelin.
Toward the sanctuary.
Toward the place she had called home for countless years.
Then she smiled.
"Aye."
The fairy looked back toward Yuuki.
"I too have remained in isolation for far too long."
Her wings fluttered gently.
"If the Great Hero desires."
The fairy bowed gracefully.
"Please welcome this humble fairy into thy faction."
The title immediately made Yuuki sigh.
"Great Hero?"
Kaguya immediately nodded.
"Tis accurate."
"Very accurate."
Esche agreed.
Yuuki covered his face.
Nobody listened.
Meanwhile Oberis continued.
"And besides."
The fairy smiled mischievously.
"He possesses very nice soil."
Silence.
The entire group blinked.
"Soil?"
Mary asked.
Oberis nodded enthusiastically.
"Excellent soil."
The fairy pointed toward Esche.
"I have never seen Telperion so happy."
The silver fairy immediately nodded.
"Indeed."
The two sisters exchanged a look.
Then simultaneously said—
"Very nice soil."
The group became increasingly confused.
"Wait."
Houshou blinked.
"What soil?"
Yuuki sighed.
Then materialized something from storage.
A large modernized planter.
Constructed from advanced GDI materials.
Filled with dark black nanosoil.
The same container currently housing Telperion.
Oberis stared.
Then stared harder.
Then looked toward Esche.
"Sister."
"Yes?"
"This maketh us look like houseplants."
The silver fairy nodded.
"It does."
The golden fairy looked horrified.
The silver fairy immediately pointed toward the pot.
"Enter it."
"What?"
"Trust me."
The golden fairy looked suspicious.
Very suspicious.
Then Yuuki carefully placed the special planter near Laurelin.
The sacred tree shimmered.
Golden light gathered around its roots.
The shipgirls watched curiously.
Then—
Laurelin shrank.
And shrank.
And shrank.
Until the gigantic sacred tree became a beautiful bonsai-sized version of itself.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The entire group stared.
Neon pointed.
"The tree became smol."
Nobody could argue with that assessment.
The miniature Laurelin gently moved its roots.
Then planted itself inside the GDI planter.
The moment its roots touched the nanosoil—
Oberis froze.
The fairy's golden eyes widened.
The tree glowed.
The leaves brightened.
The roots visibly relaxed.
The sacred tree looked almost relieved.
"Oh my..."
Oberis floated closer.
Then closer.
Then even closer.
The fairy looked completely astonished.
"This..."
She touched the soil.
Golden particles exploded around her wings.
"This is nice."
The understatement nearly caused Esche to laugh.
The silver fairy folded her arms proudly.
"That is exactly what happened."
Oberis immediately understood.
This wasn't ordinary soil.
The nanosoil contained nutrients.
Energy.
Water regulation.
Environmental stabilization.
Everything a sacred tree could ever want.
The fairy slowly looked toward Yuuki.
Then toward the tiny Laurelin.
Then back toward Yuuki.
"Sister."
"Yes?"
"I understand now."
Esche nodded knowingly.
"Exactly."
The golden fairy smiled.
Then looked toward the commander.
"And thou sayest there is more of this?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Much more."
The commander pointed toward the distant horizon.
"Our Home Island."
The image of the Citadel appeared briefly as a hologram.
Gardens.
Parks.
Green spaces.
Protected sanctuaries.
"I already prepared a place in my personal quarters."
Oberis stared.
Then looked down at the nanosoil.
Then at her miniature tree.
Then at Yuuki.
The fairy smiled warmly.
"Thou art remarkably persuasive."
Esche immediately corrected her.
"Nay."
The silver fairy proudly stood on Yuuki's shoulder.
"He simply feeds trees very well."
The entire group burst into laughter.
"Gained me another houseplant."
Yuuki proudly held up the two special pots.
One contained the silver-leafed Telperion.
The other contained the newly-miniaturized Laurelin.
The contrast between the legendary sacred trees and the casual way he was carrying them nearly made several shipgirls laugh.
"Pffft."
Oberis covered her mouth.
"Thou truly art something."
The fairy looked at the two pots.
"To reduce two sacred trees into houseplants."
Esche nodded.
"Very expensive houseplants."
"Indeed."
Oberis agreed.
The sisters seemed surprisingly accepting of the situation.
Yuuki shrugged.
"Well, they wouldn't survive in ordinary soil."
The commander carefully adjusted the pots.
"As I explained to Esche."
He pointed toward the dark nanosoil.
"These aren't normal soils."
Yuu immediately perked up.
The doctor had heard this explanation before.
She still found it fascinating.
"Nanosoils."
Yuuki nodded.
"Developed back in my world."
The commander's expression became nostalgic.
"A world where fertile land became one of the most precious resources imaginable."
Several girls listened carefully.
"Tiberium?"
Kaguya asked.
"Yeah."
The commander nodded.
"The infestation poisoned most natural ecosystems."
"Ordinary farming became increasingly difficult."
"So the GDI adapted."
The dark soil glowed faintly.
"We engineered our own."
The commander gently touched the soil.
"Nutrient regulation."
"Root monitoring."
"Water balancing."
"Growth optimization."
"Disease resistance."
The list continued.
By the end of it, several shipgirls were convinced the soil itself was more advanced than some military equipment.
"So ordinary dirt became treasure."
Mary realized.
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly."
"Which is why these two will be fine."
He looked toward Telperion.
Then Laurelin.
"The place I've prepared for you is surrounded by this kind of soil."
Oberis immediately looked interested.
"More?"
"A lot more."
The fairy's eyes sparkled.
"Sunlight?"
"Plenty."
"Water?"
"As much as you want."
"Protection?"
The commander smiled.
"The best available."
The golden fairy folded her arms.
Then nodded approvingly.
"Very acceptable."
Esche immediately looked smug.
"See?"
The silver fairy pointed triumphantly.
"I told thee."
Oberis laughed.
"Aye."
Then the golden fairy flew forward.
She landed on Yuuki's shoulder opposite Esche.
One silver fairy.
One golden fairy.
The commander now had a fairy on each shoulder.
Several girls found the image strangely fitting.
"Very well."
Oberis smiled warmly.
"This one shall accompany thee."
The fairy gently touched Laurelin's leaves.
"As long as thou ensurest the survival of our trees."
Yuuki nodded immediately.
"Don't worry."
The commander smiled.
"I'll protect them."
His gaze shifted toward the gathered fleet.
"And they will too."
Yorktown nodded.
"Of course."
Houshou smiled.
"This mother shall watch over them."
Akashi immediately raised a hand.
"Akashi can provide premium maintenance nyaa."
"No charging the trees."
Yuuki replied instantly.
"Nyaa..."
The catgirl pouted.
The group laughed.
Then Yuuki continued.
"Besides."
His gaze shifted toward Kaguya.
"I'm planning to gather the Arcane Shipgirls."
That immediately caught Oberis' attention.
"The Arcane?"
The fairy looked toward the fox.
Her golden eyes widened slightly.
"Ah."
Now that she was paying attention—
She could feel it.
The magical energy flowing around Kaguya.
Dense.
Ancient.
Refined.
Unlike anything she had sensed from the other shipgirls.
"No wonder."
Oberis smiled.
"The one possesses immense magical power."
The fairy tilted her head.
"A magical shipgirl."
Kaguya proudly puffed out her chest.
"Tis correct."
The fox immediately moved closer to Yuuki.
Several girls already knew what was coming.
"The strongest shipgirl among them all."
Yuuki added.
Silence.
Kaguya froze.
Then her tails exploded into motion.
Her face immediately became red.
"Ah!"
The fox covered her cheeks.
"Praised by mine dearest husband!"
Several girls groaned.
Here we go again.
Oberis blinked.
"Husband?"
The fairy looked toward Yuuki.
Then Kaguya.
Then back toward Yuuki.
The commander immediately raised a hand.
"Not yet."
"Kyaa~"
Kaguya looked delighted anyway.
"Didst thou hear that?"
The fox looked toward Oberis.
"He said not yet."
Then she clasped her hands dramatically.
"Meaning eventually."
Yorktown immediately pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Kaguya."
"Yes?"
"That's not helping."
The fox ignored her.
Meanwhile Oberis looked between the gathered women.
Then toward Yuuki.
Then toward the gathered women again.
Slowly.
The fairy began understanding.
"Oh."
A pause.
"Oooooh."
A longer pause.
Then she looked toward Esche.
"Sister."
"Yes?"
"The Great Hero appears to have collected admirers."
The silver fairy nodded.
"Many."
"Quite many."
"An alarming amount."
The two fairies looked at Yuuki.
Then at the shipgirls.
Then at the Nikkes.
Then back at Yuuki.
Oberis smiled.
"Thou art considerably busier than the average tree caretaker."
"You have no idea."
Yuuki's immediate answer caused both fairies to laugh.
Esche sat comfortably on his right shoulder.
Oberis occupied the left.
The commander now looked like he had accidentally collected sacred beings the same way Akashi collected business opportunities.
Oberis giggled.
"Indeed."
The golden fairy closed her eyes.
Then suddenly paused.
"Hm?"
Her expression changed.
The fairy tilted her head.
Then looked at Yuuki.
Something warm.
Something gentle.
Something familiar.
A light.
Not visible to the eye.
But felt by the heart.
Oberis slowly widened her eyes.
"Ah..."
The fairy pressed a hand against her chest.
"So that is it."
The golden fairy smiled.
"I can now feel it."
Esche immediately nodded.
"The light."
"The warmth."
"The connection."
Oberis looked fascinated.
"No wonder Esche became so attached to thee."
The silver fairy immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"This one is not attached."
Oberis stared.
Yuuki stared.
Everyone stared.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Esche sighed.
"Perhaps slightly attached."
The group laughed.
The silver fairy pointed toward Yuuki.
"The bliss of the light in his heart."
Then toward Telperion.
"The tree loves his soil."
Then she pointed at herself.
"And I love his heart."
Yuuki immediately looked away.
"Moving on."
Oberis smiled mischievously.
"Then allow me to join that light as well."
The fairy happily settled onto his shoulder.
Yuuki sighed.
"I am collecting fairies now."
"Correct."
Esche nodded.
Then the commander turned toward the three Sakura shipgirls.
Houshou.
Maya.
Choukai.
The three stood together beneath Laurelin's golden light.
"So."
Yuuki smiled.
"Do you wish to join the Global Defense Initiative?"
Maya hesitated.
Not because she doubted him.
But because there was one thing she needed to know.
The wolf-eared cruiser looked toward the tiny Laurelin.
Then toward Oberis.
Then toward Yuuki.
"Can I visit Laurelin anytime I want?"
The question immediately softened several expressions.
Yuuki nodded.
"Of course."
The commander held up the special pot.
"She'll be beside Telperion."
The silver tree.
The golden tree.
Together.
"As often as you like."
Maya's shoulders visibly relaxed.
Then Oberis smiled.
"The heavens have not forsaken us."
The fairy's voice became gentle.
"We are not deities."
Golden leaves drifted around her.
"We are merely creatures born upon this earth."
Her gaze shifted toward Yuuki.
"We only wish to live."
The fairy bowed respectfully.
"One day."
"Allow us to stand beside you, O Great Hero."
Yuuki immediately felt every shipgirl looking at him.
"Please stop calling me that."
"No."
Oberis replied instantly.
The group laughed.
Meanwhile Houshou stepped forward.
The carrier's smile was warm.
Motherly.
Comforting.
"Then it is an honor, Shikikan-sama."
She bowed gracefully.
"This mother shall accompany you."
The carrier looked toward the gathered shipgirls.
Then toward the Nikkes.
"As long as I may continue guiding the little ones."
Several Sakura shipgirls smiled.
Then Houshou's gaze shifted.
Toward Rapi.
The Nikke immediately straightened.
Before she knew it—
Pat.
Houshou gently placed a hand atop her head.
"Please allow this mother to guide the Nikkes as well."
Rapi froze.
Completely froze.
Anis saw her chance.
Immediately.
"YEAH!"
The blonde pointed dramatically.
"We got a second mom!"
"Anis!"
Yorktown warned.
"Neon!"
The silver-haired Nikke immediately joined.
"We have two moms now!"
"Neon!"
The girls laughed.
Even Rapi looked helpless.
Meanwhile Nayuta stepped forward.
The Pilgrim bowed politely.
"Houshou."
The carrier turned.
"Yes?"
"This humble one wishes to learn more of thy era."
The Pilgrim smiled.
"There is much history worth preserving."
Then Nayuta looked toward Kaguya.
"And thee as well."
The fox blinked.
"Eh?"
"This humble one wishes to know more regarding the Arcane Shipgirls."
Nayuta folded her hands.
"If my clones are to search for the Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Arcane."
The Pilgrim smiled.
"Then information shall be required."
Kaguya nodded proudly.
"Very well."
The fox placed a hand against her chest.
"This wife shall educate thee."
Several girls immediately groaned.
"Please don't call it that."
Atago sighed.
Meanwhile Choukai suddenly hugged Takao.
The elder sister blinked.
Then smiled.
The younger cruiser looked genuinely happy.
"As long as I can be with my sisters again."
Takao gently patted her head.
The younger cruiser smiled brightly.
Nearby Maya lowered her head.
"Takao-nee."
The elder sister looked over.
"I am sorry."
Maya's ears lowered.
"For raising my sword against you."
Takao smiled.
Then gently flicked her forehead.
"Ouch."
"Don't worry."
The wolf-eared swordswoman folded her arms.
"You still have much to improve."
Maya looked embarrassed.
Then Takao smiled.
"You may train with me."
Atago immediately wrapped an arm around Maya.
"And me."
The younger sister smiled.
For the first time since the duel.
A genuine smile.
Then Yuuki looked around.
The gathered shipgirls.
The Nikkes.
The two fairies.
The sacred trees.
The new allies.
The new family.
The commander smiled.
"Welcome to the Global Defense Initiative."
Immediately—
"The best faction nyaa!"
Akashi declared.
The catgirl raised both hands proudly.
"The faction of firepower!"
Neon shouted.
Several girls facepalmed.
Of course she would say that.
Then Houshou laughed.
Yorktown smiled.
Rapi relaxed.
Maya and Choukai stood beside their sisters.
Esche and Oberis sat comfortably upon Yuuki's shoulders.
And beneath the light of the reunited sacred trees—
Three lost Sakura shipgirls officially found their way home.
While everyone was still celebrating, Oberis suddenly fluttered away from Yuuki's shoulder.
Esche followed immediately.
The two fairies circled through the air before landing gently upon Yuu's outstretched hand.
The doctor blinked.
Then blinked again.
The fairies had voluntarily approached her.
A development nobody expected.
Especially not Yuu.
Oberis smiled warmly.
"If thou wishest to know more of us."
The golden fairy folded her hands politely.
"We shall gladly share what knowledge we possess regarding magical creatures."
Esche nodded.
"This one knows many things."
The silver fairy puffed out her chest.
"Ancient things."
"Very old things."
Oberis agreed.
Yuu's eyes sparkled.
Dangerously.
"Really?"
The doctor immediately leaned forward.
"Thank you so much."
The two fairies instinctively leaned backward.
Just a little.
Oberis raised a tiny finger.
"As long as thou art gentle."
"Yes."
Yuu answered immediately.
"Of course."
The doctor adjusted her glasses.
Her scientific mind was already racing.
Fairies.
Sacred trees.
Magical ecosystems.
Arcane energy.
The amount of information available was staggering.
Then her gaze shifted toward the assembled shipgirls and Nikkes.
"And while we're at it."
Several girls suddenly felt nervous.
"I can begin my research."
"Oh no."
Anis muttered.
The doctor smiled.
"On Nikkes."
Mary immediately nodded.
"Reasonable."
"Shipgirls."
Vestal adjusted her glasses.
"Understandable."
"Animal traits."
Akashi's ears twitched.
"Nyaa?"
"Arcane shipgirls."
Kaguya smiled.
"Tis acceptable."
Yuu folded her arms.
"The more I understand your bodies."
The doctor looked toward Yuuki.
"The more accurately I can build systems for them."
Several girls became curious.
"Such as?"
Yorktown asked.
Yuu smiled.
"A leveling framework."
Silence.
Every Nikke immediately paid attention.
Every shipgirl too.
"If we understand the biological, technological, magical, and spiritual aspects of your existence."
The doctor began pacing.
"We can create progression pathways."
"Growth systems."
"Stat development."
"Potential unlocking."
"Adaptive equipment."
The girls exchanged looks.
That sounded suspiciously like a game.
Yuu pointed toward them.
"You already possess extraordinary capabilities."
Then toward Yuuki.
"The chief merely wants a way to quantify and improve them."
The doctor smiled.
"If I do my job correctly."
Her eyes gleamed.
"You girls won't stagnate anymore."
That statement hit hard.
Especially for shipgirls.
Many of them had spent years trapped at the same strength.
Unable to grow.
Unable to improve beyond upgrades and equipment.
Mary stepped forward.
The former doctor looked thoughtful.
"If it helps everyone."
She nodded.
"I volunteer."
Pepper immediately followed.
"So do I."
The nurse smiled.
"If we can become stronger and help more people."
The answer was obvious.
Vestal adjusted her sleeve.
"I'll participate as well."
Akashi immediately raised both hands.
"Akashi too nyaa!"
The repair ship's eyes sparkled.
"Akashi wants to know why Akashi is so cute nyaa!"
"No."
Yuuki replied.
"Nyaa?!"
The group laughed.
Vestal sighed.
"She's serious, Commander."
"That's the problem."
More laughter followed.
Then Kaguya stepped forward.
The fox folded her sleeves elegantly.
"If Lady Yuu wishes."
Kaguya smiled.
"This wife can provide information regarding Arcane shipgirls."
Oberis immediately nodded.
"A wise decision."
The fairy floated above Kaguya's shoulder.
"Arcane shipgirls are fascinating."
Esche agreed.
"Very magical."
Kaguya puffed out her chest proudly.
"Naturally."
Yuuki pointed toward her.
"Strongest shipgirl present."
The fox immediately became flustered again.
"Dearest!"
Her tails exploded into motion.
"Thou cannot simply continue praising thy wife unexpectedly!"
Yorktown sighed.
"There she goes again."
Meanwhile Yuu was already mentally organizing research projects.
Project One: Nikkes.
Project Two: Shipgirls.
Project Three: Sakura animal traits.
Project Four: Arcane shipgirls.
Project Five: Fairies.
Yuu's mind was already racing.
For most of her life, she had studied one thing.
Humans.
Human biology.
Human psychology.
Human evolution.
Human enhancement.
Human adaptation.
Through countless experiments, studies, and collaborations with Yuuki and Vergil, they had eventually accomplished something considered impossible.
The Leveling System.
A system capable of measuring growth.
Potential.
Experience.
Skill.
The foundation that allowed GDI personnel to continuously improve themselves.
But now?
Yuu had arrived in a world unlike anything she had ever imagined.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Fairies.
Sacred Trees.
Arcane Shipgirls.
Tsukimimi.
Entire species she had never even dreamed existed.
The doctor's eyes practically sparkled.
"So many research opportunities..."
The statement made several girls instinctively step backward.
Yuuki sighed.
"Yuu."
"Yes, Chief?"
"Remember."
"No dissection."
The doctor looked offended.
"I wasn't thinking about dissection."
Nobody believed her.
Not even slightly.
Meanwhile, Kyon and Momo immediately volunteered.
The two rabbit girls practically bounced forward.
"We can help!"
"Really?"
Yuu blinked.
The two Tsukimimi nodded rapidly.
"Of course!"
"We know all about Tsukimimi!"
"Well..."
Kyon scratched her cheek.
"Not all."
"But we know more than outsiders."
Momo nodded.
"We can help explain our customs."
"Our biology."
"Our villages."
"Our history."
The doctor's notebook appeared instantly.
The rabbit girls immediately realized what they had done.
There was no escape now.
Then Momo raised a finger.
"On one condition."
Yuu paused.
"What condition?"
The two rabbit girls pointed toward Oberis and Esche.
"We get to play with the fairies."
The sanctuary became silent.
Oberis blinked.
Esche blinked.
Then both fairies slowly looked toward Yuuki.
As if asking whether they were being traded.
The commander laughed.
"I think that's reasonable."
"Traitor."
Esche muttered.
Meanwhile, another group stepped forward.
"Buli!"
Three familiar voices sounded together.
The Bulin sisters.
The smallest one marched forward carrying a massive wrench.
"We can help too, buli!"
The second one proudly spun her twin drills.
"We can help, buli!"
The third hefted a gigantic hammer over her shoulder.
"If something needs smacking, I can help, buli!"
The girls immediately laughed.
Even Yuu smiled.
"And why do you want to help?"
The three sisters answered together.
"We want to become stronger, buli!"
The sincerity immediately won over half the people present.
Even Houshou smiled warmly.
The doctor adjusted her glasses.
Then actually began considering it.
Bulin biology.
Shipgirl support units.
Unique developmental traits.
Potential compatibility with the Leveling System.
Her list of future projects continued growing.
Then Yuu looked toward Oberis and Esche.
The two fairies suddenly felt danger.
Not physical danger.
Research danger.
The worst kind.
"Chief."
"Yes?"
The doctor looked genuinely excited.
"How many years do we have?"
Yuuki immediately understood the question.
Not how many years to live.
How many years to research.
How many years to discover.
How many years to improve everyone.
The commander smiled.
"Not enough."
The answer made Yuu nod.
A perfectly reasonable assessment.
Then Yuuki looked toward the horizon.
Toward the future.
Toward the countless battles still waiting.
"But."
The commander smiled.
"We finally have time."
The doctor listened carefully.
"We're no longer fighting for survival every day."
The commander looked toward the gathered group.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Fairies.
Tsukimimi.
A growing family.
"You have until we end the threat of the Sirens and the Raptures."
Yuu's smile widened.
"Excellent."
Several girls suddenly felt concerned.
Very concerned.
Not because Yuu was dangerous.
Because they knew exactly what would happen.
Once she became interested in something—
She became unstoppable.
Fortunately.
Everyone also knew another truth.
Kirino Yuu never researched people because she wanted to control them.
She never researched them because she wanted power.
She never researched them because she was curious alone.
She researched them because she cared.
Because every answer she discovered became another way to help someone.
Another disease cured.
Another life improved.
Another limitation overcome.
If she could understand Shipgirls—
She would help them grow stronger.
If she could understand Nikkes—
She would free them from weaknesses.
If she could understand Tsukimimi—
She would improve their lives.
If she could understand Fairies—
She would help protect the sacred trees.
And if she could understand Arcane Shipgirls—
Perhaps she could help reunite the scattered Arcane Orders once more.
That was why Yuuki trusted her.
Not because she was the smartest doctor in the GDI.
Not because she was Level 1000.
Not because she could build systems that changed civilizations.
But because every discovery she made began with the same simple desire.
To help people.
Which was why, as the newest administrator of Autumn Isle and Head Doctor of the Global Defense Initiative, Kirino Yuu looked upon this new world with excitement.
For the first time in years.
She had an entire world left to learn.
======================
The group eventually began their journey back down the mountain.
Not by climbing.
Much to Anis and Neon's relief.
"I am not walking down a thousand steps."
Anis declared.
"Agreed."
Neon nodded immediately.
The Iron Legions were summoned once again.
Pairs boarded the flying soldiers.
Rapi and Anis smile victoriously to be able to flew in his arms. Eldridge latched to his back like a koala with San Diego.
Behind them, the sanctuary cave slowly disappeared from view.
For a moment, Maya looked back.
The cave.
The lake.
The small house.
The sanctuary.
The place she, Choukai, and Houshou had called home for ten years.
A decade.
Ten years of memories.
Ten years of isolation.
Ten years of guarding Laurelin.
The group eventually returned to the hill overlooking the village.
The sight waiting for them was completely different from the one they had left behind only a few hours ago.
The GDI outpost was still under construction.
Massive nanocores continued unfolding themselves.
Frameworks expanded.
Walls materialized.
Power conduits connected themselves.
The entire base looked alive.
As though a city was growing directly from the earth itself.
Maya stopped walking.
Choukai froze.
Even Houshou stared.
"This..."
The carrier looked genuinely speechless.
The observation tower had already risen high into the sky.
Radar dishes rotated slowly.
Sensors continuously scanned the horizon.
Communication arrays stretched outward.
Nearby stood Yuu's administration and hospital complex.
A massive white building bearing the Diving Eagle crest of the Global Defense Initiative.
The personal crest of its commander.
Construction wasn't even close to finished.
Yet the scale already exceeded most military facilities they had seen during their service.
And it wasn't stopping.
Another nanocore opened.
Crystal-like structures emerged from the ground.
"What is that?"
Maya asked.
Yuuki glanced over.
"Advanced Crystal Shield Tower."
The structure continued unfolding.
Countless crystalline segments rotated into position.
"When completed."
The commander looked toward the horizon.
"The entire island will be protected by a shield network."
Silence.
"The entire island?"
Choukai repeated.
"Yep."
The younger cruiser stared.
Protecting a single ship was one thing.
Protecting an entire island was another.
Then another structure began deploying.
A circular tower.
Covered in strange emitters.
"That one?"
Houshou asked.
"Advanced Stealth Generator."
The carrier blinked.
"Stealth?"
Yuuki nodded.
"When activated."
The commander pointed toward the unfinished base.
"The entire installation disappears."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The three Sakura shipgirls stared.
"It disappears?"
"Correct."
Yuu answered.
"As if it never existed."
The doctor looked entirely too pleased about that fact.
Then a third structure emerged.
A series of massive rings.
Covered in energy projectors.
"What about that one?"
Maya asked.
"Gap Generator."
The wolf-eared cruiser immediately regretted asking.
Because that answer explained absolutely nothing.
Yuuki laughed.
"It bends perception."
The commander pointed toward the rings.
==================
By tomorrow noon.
The Observation Post.
The GDI Research Hospital.
The Four Instant Generators.
The Crystal Shield Tower.
The Stealth Generator.
The Gap Generator.
The Drone Hives.
The Wave Force Towers.
The Defender Cores.
Everything would be fully operational.
Autumn Isle would officially become the first Blue Zone established by the Global Defense Initiative.
A sanctuary.
A place protected from Sirens.
Protected from Raptures.
Protected from pirates.
A safe harbor.
Nearby, the Tsukimimi villagers continued preparing for the harvest festival.
Though many couldn't stop themselves from looking toward the growing GDI compound.
The sight was simply too incredible.
Buildings rising from nothing.
Machines assembling entire structures.
Defenses appearing overnight.
To them, it looked like magic.
Even Kyon and Momo were struggling to decide what was more exciting.
The festival.
Or the giant futuristic base.
Meanwhile, Nayuta quietly approached Yuuki.
"Commander."
"Hm?"
The Pilgrim looked northward.
"The Mother Whale's route remains unchanged."
Everyone immediately became serious.
Nayuta pointed toward the distant horizon.
"It shall not pass directly over Autumn Isle."
The silver-haired Nikke paused.
"Approximately two hundred and fifty kilometers north."
The commander nodded.
"Time?"
"Thirty hours."
The Pilgrim's expression became calm.
"We still possess approximately thirty hours before interception."
The group exchanged looks.
Thirty hours.
Then the operation would begin.
The rescue mission.
Eleven shipgirls.
Five Nikkes.
All trapped within the Mother Whale.
Yuuki folded his arms.
"That gives us enough time."
Yorktown nodded.
"To rest."
Houshou smiled.
"And prepare."
The commander looked toward the village.
"Speaking of resting."
Several girls immediately perked up.
"Festival."
Neon declared.
"Festival."
Anis agreed.
The commander laughed.
Since he had already rented rooms at the inn—
There was little reason to rush.
Tonight would belong to the villagers.
Their first true harvest festival in years.
A celebration they had earned.
Then Maya looked toward the distant mountain.
The sanctuary.
Laurelin.
The place she had protected for a decade.
A faint smile appeared.
"It'll be strange leaving."
Choukai nodded quietly.
"Very strange."
The younger cruiser looked toward the mountain as well.
The home they had known for ten years.
The place where they survived.
The place where they waited.
The place where they hoped.
Houshou smiled gently.
"Perhaps not goodbye."
The carrier's voice was warm.
Comforting.
"Merely a new beginning."
The setting sun painted the sky gold.
Much like Laurelin's leaves.
The villagers prepared lanterns.
Children ran through the streets.
Food stalls were being assembled.
Music could already be heard in the distance.
Kyon and Momo already seemed excited by the possibilities as they remembered the sanctuary from before.
Kyon especially.
"A mountain shrine."
"A sacred cave."
"A hidden lake."
The rabbit girl's eyes sparkled.
"We could make it a resort."
Momo immediately nodded.
"For climbers."
"And pilgrims."
"And tourists."
Akashi's ears perked up instantly.
"Tourists mean credits nyaa."
Yuuki sighed.
"Of course that's what you heard."
"Nyaa."
The cat merely grinned.
Meanwhile Maya walked beside Yuuki.
The wolf-eared cruiser had been unusually quiet.
Eventually she spoke.
"Commander."
"Hm?"
The wolf girl's eyes sharpened.
"One day."
Yuuki already knew where this was going.
"I'll beat you."
The commander laughed.
"There it is."
Maya folded her arms.
"I mean it."
"I know."
Yuuki smiled.
"Get in line."
The wolf blinked.
"What?"
The commander gestured around them.
"You're not the only one who wants to duel me."
Takao immediately nodded.
"True."
Atago raised a hand.
"I still want a rematch."
Akagi's tails swayed.
"So does Akagi."
Kaga sighed.
"Of course you do."
Even Kaguya smiled.
"Tis not unreasonable."
Maya stared.
Then realized half the fleet wanted the same thing.
However, Maya wanted a duel to defeat the commander while the others wanted to duel him for their hands in marriage.
The wolf girl couldn't help laughing.
Nearby, Choukai happily walked beside Takao.
The younger cruiser looked genuinely happy.
The kind of happiness only possible after finding lost family.
"Shikikan-sama."
Yuuki looked over.
"Yes?"
Choukai smiled brightly.
"Please continue taking care of me and my sisters."
The sincerity immediately drew smiles.
Yuuki nodded.
"I will."
The younger cruiser beamed.
Then paused.
"Ehehe..."
The smile became slightly embarrassed.
Yuuki tilted his head.
"What?"
Choukai looked away.
Then back.
Then away again.
"It's your heart."
Silence.
The Nikke and Shipgirls immediately understood.
The cruiser tapped her chest.
"I always felt it."
"The warmth."
"The light."
"Even from far away."
Her smile softened.
"But being close..."
The cruiser looked genuinely amazed.
"It makes my heart happy."
The words were innocent.
Entirely sincere.
Which somehow made them more powerful.
"At this rate."
Choukai laughed nervously.
"I might not want to be far away from you."
Several girls nodded knowingly.
"Understandable."
Oberis said.
"Very understandable."
Esche agreed.
Yuuki immediately regretted giving fairies opinions.
Then Houshou joined in.
"Ah."
The carrier smiled thoughtfully.
"I understand."
Yorktown suddenly sensed danger.
The same danger she sensed whenever Houshou smiled like that.
"Perhaps."
The Sakura mother looked toward Yuuki.
"I shall become a mother for your little fleet as well."
Silence.
Yorktown blinked.
Then blinked again.
"Houshou."
"Yes?"
The carrier smiled innocently.
"I believe we should discuss this."
"Gladly."
The two mothers smiled at each other.
The surrounding girls immediately became nervous.
Neither smile looked dangerous.
Which somehow made it more dangerous.
Yuuki immediately stepped in.
"Let's get there one day."
The commander rubbed his forehead.
"You can't say that to a man you just met."
The carrier tilted her head.
"Can I not?"
"No."
Houshou looked genuinely surprised.
Then she laughed softly.
"Ufufu."
The carrier touched her chest.
"It feels as though we've known you for years."
The statement silenced him.
Because it wasn't entirely wrong.
The connection.
The warmth.
The light that linked them all.
The same phenomenon Choukai had felt.
The same thing Esche and Oberis experienced.
"This one agrees."
Oberis floated beside him.
"The light makes it feel as though we already know thee."
Esche nodded.
"What kind of existence are you, Great Hero?"
The question made several girls curious.
Because honestly?
They wanted to know too.
Yuuki opened his mouth.
Then immediately closed it.
Because he genuinely didn't know how to answer. He already mentioned that he is an alien who lived three lifetimes to the others before.
Fortunately—
Yuu intervened.
Again.
"Excellent question."
The doctor adjusted her glasses.
Several girls immediately recognized the expression.
Research mode.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
"I've been asking the same thing."
Yuu pointed directly at Yuuki.
"Chief."
"What is it?"
The doctor smiled.
"Please let me examine you."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"I don't think I can."
"Why not? I've been asking for years?"
The doctor's smile became suspicious.
Very suspicious.
The kind of smile that made even Vergil nervous.
Yuu looked toward the surrounding shipgirls.
Then toward the Nikkes.
Then back toward Yuuki.
A plan was already forming.
Several plans, actually.
Mary immediately noticed.
"Doctor."
"Yes?"
"What are you thinking?"
Yuu smiled.
"Nothing."
The answer was obviously a lie.
The doctor folded her hands.
After all.
If Yuuki refused to volunteer—
There were currently dozens of women standing around him who might be persuaded to help convince him otherwise.
The fact that Yorktown, Kaguya, Akagi, Houshou, Choukai, Oberis, Esche, and several others were already looking interested only made Yuu's smile grow wider.
Yuuki saw that smile.
Then sighed.
Somehow.
The Head Doctor of the Global Defense Initiative had become a greater threat to his personal safety than the Sirens.