"So, regarding the order in which we will explore these three worlds, does anyone have any opinions?"
In the grand conference room, Setsuna gathered the various factions within the base, including shipgirls, Spirits, and Heroic Spirits.
Aside from a few shut-ins like Honjo Nia and Long Island, most people were highly interested in exploring new worlds.
Therefore, whenever Setsuna unlocked a new map, everyone would gather to discuss strategies and determine the members of the advance team.
"Commander, I would like to visit the Blue World first and meet the shipgirls of another universe."
The gentle and refined Yat Sen was the first to raise her hand and speak.
"I agree! I agree!!"
"Sister Yat Sen is right!"
Yukikaze, Cheshire, and a large group of shipgirls, along with a few Siren girls, eagerly raised their hands in support. They were intensely curious about beings of their own kind from another world.
"The shipgirls of another universe are significant observation samples. If possible, I would like to dismantle and research the hulls of the Fleet of Fog..."
Observer even raised a tentacle from her ship rigging.
"Boring. I want to go to the world of Akame ga Kill and have a proper fight."
"Tch, isn't that world a complete mess? Sounds just right for me. I can burn all those eyesores to ashes..."
Jeanne Alter crossed her arms and propped up her legs as she answered. She had no particular interest in shipgirls, but when Setsuna mentioned that Akame's world was in chaos and full of endless battles, she immediately became excited.
"I bet you still can't beat Esdeath and that I'll have to clean up your mess again."
Setsuna raised an eyebrow.
"I'm coming too! I don't believe her ice can withstand dragon flames!"
"Besides, I also know time-locking magic!!"
Tohru spewed out a small fireball and swayed her tail as she spun around Setsuna. A chaotic-leaning heroic spirit and a chaotic-leaning dragon girl—these two hit it off instantly, forming an unholy alliance with plans to wreak havoc on that world.
"I still want to spread the Lord's glory and bring them to the righteous path..."
Jeanne d'Arc clutched her Iris flag and hesitated to speak. She could handle Jeanne Alter, but she couldn't deal with Tohru.
As expected, a Dragon Witch and an evil dragon would naturally be drawn to each other.
"Setsuna, I want to see the angels from Heaven's Lost Property and compare artificial angels with our kind."
"And that wishing monument… I find it quite intriguing."
Kurumi voiced a different opinion.
"..."
Three small factions had given three different suggestions.
All the while, Mio sat quietly beside Setsuna and spoke in a well-behaved manner:
"Wherever Setsuna goes, I'll go. I'll always be by your side."
The depth of her infatuation was terrifying.
The other Spirits couldn't help but sigh internally.
"Blue World!!"
"Let's go fight in Akame's world!!"
"Find Ikaros!!!"
The three factions started arguing, unwilling to back down.
Bang bang bang—
Richelieu knocked on the table, bringing silence to the room.
"Commander, what is your decision?"
Sister Richelieu looked at Setsuna, waiting for his final verdict.
"..."
Setsuna glanced at the visibly irritated Jeanne Alter.
"To be fair, how about we put it to a vote?"
"Yay! Voting! That's fair!"
The shipgirls cheered in agreement.
"Quick, call all the Bulins over!!!"
"???"
"Ha?!—"
Jeanne Alter slammed the table, almost cursing.
"Voting? How do we even compete against the shipgirls?!"
"Hey! Don't go too far! You're going to bring over a hundred thousand Bulins, aren't you?!"
"We don't even need to bring Bulins."
Formidable blinked.
The shipgirls numbered at least five or six hundred, and they were remarkably united, giving them an absolute advantage.
The Heroic Spirits, on the other hand, were few in number and divided in their stances—some lawful, some chaotic, and others simply following Setsuna without question.
"..."
"Master, you're biased, aren't you?"
Jeanne Alter gave Setsuna a resentful look.
If the base's decisions were made by vote, then they might as well just listen to the shipgirls from now on.
Aside from the little lolis, no one could outvote them.
"This is actually my decision as well. I've decided to explore the Blue World first."
Setsuna teased Jeanne Alter and spoke with a smile.
"The technology of the Blue World is very important to us, and it is relatively easier to conquer."
"According to Stellaris theory, before attacking your neighbors, you should at least upgrade your fleet's equipment. You can't just charge in without shields or weapons, like an Ork going 'Waaagh!', can you?"
In the world of Arpeggio of Blue Steel, there was plenty of technology that Setsuna and the shipgirls coveted.
For example, the Klein Field.
It formed an energy circuit similar to a Klein bottle (a geometric shape with only one surface and no volume, where the inside and outside are the same), allowing the transformation of incoming energy into any desired form.
In layman's terms, it was an energy shield capable of deflecting all external attacks.
For a starship, this was an absolute necessity. The shields previously developed using Gundam technology were nothing compared to the mature system of the Fleet of Fog.
Then there was the Super-Graviton Cannon.
A powerful particle beam energy weapon that, according to its performance in the story, was even stronger than the Positron Blaster Cannon.
Even more outrageous was the fact that the warships of the Fleet of Fog could combine their firepower to enhance the Super-Graviton Cannon's strength.
Setsuna thought that this kind of integration could be widely applied—not just in combining shipgirls' abilities in various ways, but also in having same-class ships practice combined techniques.
As for other technologies, such as self-repairing nano armor and corrosive torpedoes capable of disintegrating matter, they were considered mid-to-high-level tech even in the Stellaris era.
And yet, the Fleet of Fog was using these to fight against humans on Earth—what a waste.
"Alright then, when we head to the Akame ga Kill world, make sure to bring me along. I want to test my strength against someone there."
Seeing Setsuna make a decision, Jeanne Alter no longer insisted.
The topic then shifted to how to conquer the Blue World.
"Three objectives."
Setsuna thought for a moment.
"First, bring the entire Fleet of Fog back. All shipgirls are one family."
"Second, acquire valuable technology. Aside from the Fleet of Fog's systems, it seems like the humans there have also developed a few interesting things."
"Third, turn that world into a vassal state."
The first two objectives were self-explanatory—going to the Blue World was primarily to recruit new shipgirls and upgrade the Azur Lane shipgirls with more advanced equipment.
After taking care of the Fleet of Fog, Setsuna figured the humans there could stop wasting time fighting among themselves with advanced weapons and instead serve as a tribute-paying state.
"Wait! I have a question!"
After listening to the details, a small girl with fox ears suddenly stood up.
She wore a luxurious Sakura Empire ceremonial outfit, had black hair and golden eyes, and although she looked small, she was an undisputed big-gun battleship.
The flagship of the Sakura Empire's combined fleet—Nagato.
"Commander, I do understand the situation of this world."
"But I noticed that most of the Fleet of Fog's ships share names with our Sakura Empire's ships! They also have Musashi, Yamato, Shinano, and even a Nagato like me?"
"Mhm."
Setsuna nodded.
The Fleet of Fog was mainly divided into the Eastern and Far Eastern fleets.
The Eastern Fleet had the highest number of ships, and its members were almost identical to those of the Sakura Empire. The overall flagships were Yamato and Musashi, along with familiar names like Takao, Atago, Kongou, and Kirishima.
The Far Eastern Fleet had fewer shipgirls, including Prince of Wales, Repulse, Vampire, and others.
"I want to meet the Nagato from that world."
The fox-eared loli said.
"Commander, I want to see their shipgirls as well, especially... their Yamato."
Another Sakura Empire shipgirl, wearing a purple-and-gold off-shoulder miko outfit and twitching her large ears, also stood up.
The Yamato-class battleship—Musashi.
"?"
"You both want to see your counterparts from another world that badly?"
Setsuna walked over, ruffled Nagato's hair, and stroked her ears.
The shrine maiden of the sea closed her eyes in enjoyment and let out a few satisfied hums.
Then, suddenly realizing what was happening, she quickly opened her mouth in protest:
"The flagship of the Sakura Empire's fleet should only be one! There can only be one Nagato, one Musashi, one Shinano, and one of each of our battleships!"
"This is the honor of the Combined Fleet!"
"Commander, we must meet them and determine who truly deserves these names!"
Her voice was youthful yet filled with determination.
"?"
"So competitive?"
Setsuna chuckled at Nagato's serious expression.
For shipgirls, their names and hulls were a source of pride. Suddenly discovering a parallel version of themselves in another world, it was only natural they would want to settle the score.
"But what if you can't force them to change their names? Are you going to rename them? Like turning Nagato into 'Shark,' Akagi into 'Phoenix,' and Shinano into... 'Condor'?"
"Huh? I just wanted them to acknowledge our legitimacy..."
Nagato blinked in confusion.
"Commander, what's with these new names you just came up with? Why do you sound so experienced at this?!"
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