"Commander, there's a message from the port, meow."
On the beach chair, Jack, who was enjoying the Siren lady's clumsy massage, heard Akashi's voice, so he waved his hand and sat up.
Empress, seeing this, thoughtfully picked up the fruit plate nearby and fed him the assortment with a small fork.
"Mm, it's fine, no need to trouble yourself so much. Come sit."
After eating a bite of cantaloupe, Jack patted the chair next to him.
"Okay."
Empress smiled and sat down, still holding the fruit plate.
However, this time she didn't use a fork, but held a cherry in her mouth and winked at Jack.
Akashi: "..."
This hateful Siren, does she think Akashi doesn't exist, meow!
"Cough cough, we'll talk about this later. Let's hear what Akashi has to say first."
Jack used his index finger to push the cherry from Empress's lips.
"Yes~ Commander-sama~"
Empress's tongue circled his finger once, then she sat quietly to the side.
Stare—
Akashi glared at the posturing Siren with a cat's disdain.
Just a few days ago, she was so arrogant.
After being 'trained' a few times by the Commander, she became like this, truly an uncultured sight.
Jack patted Akashi, who was pouting and completely unaware that she was starting to get jealous.
"What news is there from the port, my cute Akashi-chan?"
"Hmph! Akashi sees that the Commander has been enchanted by the Siren and probably doesn't want to hear about the other sisters, meow."
"Hehe, here, have some fruit first."
Jack forked a small piece of melon.
"Awu~ Hmph, don't think feeding Akashi will make her forgive you, meow~"
Akashi's small mouth moved incessantly, and after finishing, she opened her mouth again: "Another piece, meow~"
"Alright!"
So, before hearing the news, Jack began to feed the cat girl.
Empress watched from the side with a hint of envy.
She was a Siren, not a Shipgirl, and had no past full of memories with Jack, thus she couldn't enjoy his love with a clear conscience. That's why she behaved so submissively in front of him.
Moreover, Empress had other tasks. She and Observer would soon leave for the dimension where the Siren main body was located.
Her time with Jack would be even shorter.
Musashi and Unzen understood this and didn't disturb them, but the destroyers and people like Akashi lacked the wisdom and experience to comprehend it.
Looking at Jack intimately conversing with Akashi, Empress sighed inwardly.
[If only I could, I'd also want to become a Shipgirl... instead of a Siren~]
...
"Enterprise and the others have also set off. Are the routes all arranged? Will there be no deviations?"
"Don't worry, the shipping lanes are fixed, meow. They're sure to meet in the middle, meow."
"But the more you say that, the more I feel like something unexpected will happen. How about this, you all return to my world, and I'll fly alone towards the shipping lane. I can get there in less than an hour, and it'll even be a surprise for Enterprise and the others. How's that?"
"Nya?"
Akashi tilted her head.
There's such a solution, meow?
"I was just thinking of having a bit of ceremony. You all endured the few months I was away, so you can wait a few days. Besides, Akashi, don't you think the scene of two ships meeting at sea is very romantic?"
"Commander, you're eavesdropping on Akashi's thoughts again, meow!!"
Akashi was quite sure she hadn't spoken aloud.
"That's because you wear your heart on your sleeve. Am I right, Empress?"
"Huh? Um…"
Oh no! Did I also get…
Wink~
Jack winked.
Empress suddenly realized, her face flushed as she lowered her head.
Her thoughts about wanting to become a Shipgirl must have been heard by Jack. It was a little… embarrassing!
"Alright, it's decided! I'll go ahead alone for a thousand or so nautical miles, and then when I'm close, you all can come out. We'll meet this afternoon. How's that?"
Jack also made a compromise here.
After all, sailing at sea for two or three days was indeed boring.
He couldn't just 'do it' all the way until he met Enterprise and the others; that would be too perverted.
"Okay, then does Akashi need to inform them, meow?"
"Just briefly tell Enterprise and the others that I might arrive early, and ask them to maintain their scheduled course. That's all."
"Understood, meow."
"One more thing!"
Akashi, who was about to leave, turned around and tilted her head in confusion.
Jack smiled and took Empress's hand and Akashi's hand, placing them together.
"Whether Shipgirls…"
His gaze turned to Akashi.
"Or Sirens…"
Then he turned to Empress.
"Since you've joined this family, you only have one identity: you are the wife of me, your Creator, my Dependents (kin/dependents)."
"For my sake, how about getting along well?"
Akashi glanced at Empress, her eyes somewhat evasive.
"Tch~ It's just that our idiotic Commander is too benevolent, meow. Uh… if the Siren side is willing to provide some technical support, then Akashi has absolutely no problem, meow."
"No problem! Siren technology weapons, bionic ship equipment, I can provide all of these unconditionally."
The things previously used to entice Jack to join the Sirens, after he'slept' with her, Empress directly provided them for free.
Because of this, Akashi's eyes widened, like a parched drunkard seeing an unparalleled beauty.
"Miss Siren is a good person, nya! Quick! Come, Akashi will show you around Akashi's laboratory, nya!"
She impatiently pulled Empress towards the cabin, through the inner door, to take her to the Star Sea Azure archive, the laboratory specially built for Akashi.
"Commander, I..."
"Go, and also, the items I gave to you and Observer are ready for use at any time, so there's no need to worry about missing certain opportunities just because you're undercover. You... can come home at any time!"
Home...
What a sacred word.
Empress placed her hand over her heart, feeling an unprecedented warmth.
"I understand, Commander. After the technical data transfer is complete, Observer and I will depart together. I will carry out your will, spreading your gospel among the faithless Sirens and igniting the flames of pilgrimage!"
"As you wish... excellent."
Jack patted Empress's head, watching the two depart.
With a wave of his hand, the beach chair and parasol, and other leisure items were put away. Jack summoned Shinano, the owner of this ship, through the mental network.
"Jack: Have everyone return to the Star Sea Azure Port first; I'll take you quickly to our destination for this voyage."
"Shinano: Mm~"
Shinano answered him succinctly.
Soon after, the giant aircraft carrier disappeared, and Jack, holding Shinano, flew at extreme speed towards the sea like a cruise missile.
...
Within half an hour, a fleet bearing the Azure Lane emblem came into view.
Jack gazed at the silver-haired girl standing at the bow of the ship, who had arrived as expected.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"