Even though the warehouse was full of equipment worth a fortune, Hikaru's shipgirls barely needed any of it. At most, they'd swap gear depending on the situation, so much of it remained unused for now.
Lexington understood what Hikaru meant and said, "I took inventory. We've got seven elite-level damage control fairies left. These are what can turn the tide of battle."
She and Tirpitz had teamed up to crush the Abyssal Barbarossa's forces—so she knew exactly how powerful those fairies were.
You could say the damage control fairies had given Tirpitz five extra lives—and fully restored lives, at that.
"Seven, huh? That makes ten total when we include the ones we already had left."
Hikaru thought for a moment. "Put them away for now. We'll distribute them strategically in wartime."
Lexington nodded in acknowledgment.
If there wasn't a looming war on the horizon, Hikaru would've loved to spend a whole day playing around in the warehouse. Every piece of gear looked fascinating.
But clearly now wasn't the time. After getting a general idea of the warehouse's status, Hikaru led the shipgirls back out.
They had walked a good distance when Yat Sen returned with a few freshly caught fish and started slicing them for sashimi. Only then did Hikaru realize someone was missing.
"Where's Cali?"
Inside the warehouse, California was drooling, surrounded by a mountain of radiant rainbow-tier equipment.
"Rainbow-tier 275 fire control radar… Rainbow-tier Honor Blue Ribbon… Rainbow-tier AK-230 AA gun… Rainbow-tier CM-20 quad 45mm high-angle gun … Oh, and this main gun's amazing! Early-model six-star triple 16-inch —what the heck, a five-star gun? Trash, out of my sight!"
A golden main gun she would've once eyed with envy was now kicked aside like junk. California hugged a pile of six-star equipment and rolled around the warehouse floor in blissful ecstasy.
"My Commander is so rich—no, so loaded with gear! How is he this strong?! As his very first shipgirl, I was clearly born to rule the world too! Ehehe~"
Lost in her gear-induced daydream, California was soon dragged out of the warehouse by Lexington.
Hikaru wasn't sure why, but he kept getting the feeling that California was looking at him strangely.
Every time her gaze landed on him, it was like she was staring at a walking pile of diamonds—or rather, a stack of mobile six-star artillery.
What's gotten into this girl?
Shaking his head to clear that thought, Hikaru sat down at the simple, nearly bare table. He raised his cup.
"Today marks the founding of our new naval base in this world. The Abyssal forces are still pressing from the outside, and our base is still in rough shape. But I'll lead everyone in rebuilding. By this time next year, I hope our base will be huge and beautiful—and the Abyssal flagships will have no choice but to offer us tributes on time. May everyone be safe and happy."
"What are you talking about? I'm your wedding ship," Lexington said with a soft laugh. "We once built a mighty base together, and now we'll just do it again. As long as you're here, I'll always be happy."
Bismarck solemnly raised her glass. "Me too."
It was unclear whether she meant "me too" as in also a wedding ship, or that she too would walk this path alongside Hikaru.
Maybe both.
Tirpitz, on the other hand, had a totally different focus. She smirked mischievously. "Tribute on time, or else we strip their panties and spank their butts."
Hikaru kept a straight face. Clearly, Bismarck hadn't hit her hard enough earlier.
After the Commander and his three wedding ships gave their toasts, the others—Vampire, Fletcher, Glowworm, California, Yat Sen, and Ella—clinked their cups together in turn.
The table only had three dishes: grilled fish, sashimi, and fish soup. Yat Sen rubbed her hands together, slightly embarrassed.
"I know it's simple… Give me more time and I'll make a full-course fish feast worthy of the occasion."
The food was basic, but far from crude. Hikaru took the first bite of grilled fish and his eyes flew wide open. He almost choked up. "This is the best fish I've ever eaten in my life. Yat Sen, you're incredible!"
The simpler the ingredients, the more they revealed the chef's skill. A grilled fish with almost no seasoning had nearly brought Hikaru to tears.
Yat Sen's cheeks flushed red from the praise. She whispered, "If the Commander likes it… then I'll cook for you for the rest of my life."
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/BellAshelia]
[Thanks for your support!]