"Don't talk nonsense! We clearly coordinated the bombing down to the second—don't even think about stealing my credit!"
Saratoga and Ranger were getting more and more heated. They hadn't even finished mopping up the Abyssals, and they were already on the verge of coming to blows.
Still, as carriers, their combat strength lay in their aircraft—not in close combat—so neither of them was especially tense.
Yamato watched as Bismarck and Prince of Wales made no attempt to stop them, and asked in confusion,
"Bismarck, are you just going to let them argue like this?"
Bismarck gave her a glance and calmly replied, "Clarifying contributions is necessary."
What kind of answer was that? Clarifying contributions? It's not like someone's handing out prizes.
Yamato's suspicion deepened. Don't tell me… she's planning to extort another round of rewards from Shipgirl Command?
Bismarck noticed Yamato's paranoid look and quietly chuckled to herself.
Yamato, of course, didn't know that Hikaru had already informed them—any shipgirls who performed well in the defense of the base would be rewarded.
Last night, perhaps because the Abyssal forces had reached some kind of critical mass, or perhaps because they'd finalized their plan to attack Hikaru's base, he received three new missions in his sleep:
[Large-Scale Mission: Defense of the Naval Base]
You've built your first naval base in this region, but under the stormy skies, the Abyssals have sworn to crush it. Defeat the incoming Abyssal horde, and let their fleeing shipgirls carry your name in fear.
Rewards: 1000 Diamonds, 10 Collector's Crates, and 3 Random Mystery Rewards.
[Collector's Mission: Yamato's Horn]
Abyssal Yamato is known as the workhorse of the fleet—and one such Abyssal Yamato is among the forces marching on your base. Her horn has special properties. Capture her alive and take her horn. This trophy will be a shining symbol of your base's glory.
Bonus Reward: 100 Diamonds.
[Collector's Mission: Cap of the X.Fliegerkorps]
The Abyssal 10th Air Corps, wielders of the Winds of Death, will appear during the defense of the base. The X.Fliegerkorps carries a unique military cap that she values more than her life. Seizing it will massively enhance your base's reputation in Abyssal waters.
Bonus Reward: 300 Diamonds.
In addition, there was one more notice:
Outstanding-performing shipgirls during this operation will be awarded medals. There are 12 slots. The admiral will also receive a War Merit Medal.
Medals are critical equipment that contain the power to 'break through limits.' Treat them with care.
It was just like an in-game event: major battles came with rewards. Though apparently this event had no sub-stages or checkpoints—the prize came all at once.
Clearly, the main mission was the Defense of the Naval Base, and the medals and trophies were secondary.
What caught Hikaru's eye most was the claim that the medals could "break through limits." Did that mean shipgirls could exceed level 110?
He didn't have the items yet, so there was no point overthinking it.
Hikaru had casually mentioned the rewards for war merit to the girls—and that alone was enough.
He would never fully understand a shipgirl's pursuit of honor.
For a mere medal…
For a single word of praise from their Commander…
A shipgirl would willingly risk her life.
That was why Saratoga and Ranger were now fighting over credit—and why Ranger probably volunteered to join the northern strike squad in the first place. She likely figured it would give her more chances to earn achievements.
Under these circumstances, Bismarck had no reason—and no right—to stop them.
The two carriers had charged into the Abyssal carrier formation. Their results could only be confirmed by the two of them. Bismarck, being so far away, couldn't have seen anything herself.
So she wasn't in a position to mediate.
Bismarck glanced over at Prince of Wales.
The proud elder sister of the UK faction had her head down, charging forward at full throttle. Her crimson cloak flared out behind her, like a bloodstreak ripping through the stormy air.
Of everyone in the squad, Prince of Wales was probably the most desperate to prove herself—because so far, she hadn't scored a single merit.
Worse still was her overall strength.
Despite being nicknamed "Boss" by her fellow officers—and humorously known as the leader of the UK faction—the truth was, Prince of Wales had only just passed level 100.
She wasn't even stronger than the level 110 battlecruiser, Hood.
[End of Chapter]
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