No one wanted to see that outcome—for it would mean a fight to the death.
But the threat posed by Bismarck, Saratoga, Prince of Wales, and Ranger hung like a sword over everyone's head, leaving both the Shipgirl Division and the military uneasy.
This was nuclear deterrence.
Goeben thought for a moment and said, "It's strange that they didn't go rest on the yacht."
"I know. I've already sent people to investigate. And that military officer Bismarck killed—there's no way she did it without reason," Warspite replied, exhaustion written across her face. "I've lived a lot longer than you, and my life experience is much broader."
At nine o'clock that evening, Bismarck led her squad to the port outside the Admiralty Academy, right on schedule.
She left Saratoga and the others on guard in the rear, then came ashore herself with Yamato in tow.
The harbor was ablaze with lights. More than ten warships lined up in a row outside the port, and onshore stood ranks of tainted extraordinaries, shipgirls, and officers.
"They're lined up to welcome you. This is their final attempt at peace," Yamato said as she looked at Bismarck. "You can still retract your declaration of war. It's not too late."
Bismarck shook her head. "I didn't come here just to extort a few more concessions."
But clearly, the other side thought otherwise.
Warspite and an old man wearing the insignia of Marshal stood at the front of the harbor. The moment Bismarck set foot on the gangway, Warspite and the Marshal stepped forward to meet her.
Their faces showed neither smiles nor hostility.
Like the ranks of expressionless extraordinaries standing behind them, it could be taken as a welcoming honor guard—or as a parade meant to intimidate.
"I am Warspite, of the Eastern Fleet Shipgirl Division."
"Military Department, Marshal Heizou."
The two introduced themselves to Bismarck.
"Bismarck, shipgirl under Admiral Kuramoto Hikaru, secretary ship, leader of this Squadron, with full authority over all matters here."
Seeing that Bismarck was about to speak, Warspite quickly interjected. "We've redrafted an agreement. You may wish to take a look."
From behind her, Goeben stepped briskly forward and handed over a document.
Bismarck glanced at it, let out a laugh that was impossible to tell if mocking or amused, and casually shoved the papers into Yamato's arms.
Caught off guard, Yamato hurriedly smoothed the document open. One look, and her eyes widened in shock.
Compared to the draft she herself had discussed earlier, this agreement gave far greater concessions to Hikaru's side, along with more aid.
It even contained a clause canceling Hikaru's status as a wanted man, wiping the slate clean of all past offenses.
In other words—even if Commander Noboru had been killed by Hikaru, the Military Department would simply declare that the matter no longer existed, completely closing the case.
But with so many benefits came harsher conditions.
The earlier agreement had stopped at trade and aid, at most sending a few military observers, with both sides as equals.
This new document demanded that Hikaru's base submit to the supervision of the Eastern Shipgirl Division—something like the treatment of hired mercenaries.
Yamato looked toward Bismarck with unease. She knew Bismarck's temperament—at the negotiating table she would never yield an inch.
And indeed, Bismarck found it laughable.
"Do you think we came here begging to cooperate with you? Or that I was just angling for a better deal?"
Her voice was not loud, yet it seemed to carry a strange force. The sea breeze carried it so that everyone in the harbor could hear her clearly.
Warspite began, "We mean no such thing, but we will not be threatened. I must give you a solemn warning—"
"That's exactly what I want to say." Bismarck cut her off. "Our base may be small and isolated, a speck of dust compared to your great headquarters and this Country itself. But even if we are weak, we will never bow to threats. Even if we are poor, we will never submit to bribes. Let me warn you all: if we find any further hostile acts, we will retaliate with severity!"
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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