The higher-tier Abyssal flagship didn't answer. She tipped her head back, drew a long breath of the scent on the wind, and watched the jade lion stream north. "The force in the Seas is going to be devoured by that iron lion."
"So that's where Ryuujou 3546 dragged the troops," the lower-tier flagship said, squinting north and clenching her fist. "If I leave now, I can still rally them—bring most of them back."
The stronger the Abyssal host, the more it needs numerous, powerful flagships to command it; otherwise it's just a pen full of furious beasts barely held together.
The higher-tier flagship shook her head. "Too late. The lion is here."
That lion was Gorou.
The radiance in the western sky was racing east, as if the whole world were lighting up. The air shivered. It felt like the heavens were on fire.
—
Hikaru only learned over breakfast that a pack of Abyssal submarines had launched a torpedo raid in the night.
He frowned at Bismarck. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Bismarck, all business: "You were exhausted. I judged proper rest more important than adding worry to your burden."
"You…" Hikaru shook his head—he couldn't bring himself to scold her.
Blame Tirpitz's arms for being too warm, and Bismarck for spoiling him.
So he settled for a tiny "revenge": a pinch at the soft skin of a drowsy Tirpitz's waist.
Tirpitz knit her fine brows, a very wronged little face. "You're bullying me again!"
"Eat properly when you're eating. How many naps do you need in a day?"
After the righteous lecture, Hikaru scooped up a spoon of century-egg and lean-pork congee, blew on it, and held it to Tirpitz's lips.
Tirpitz sniffed, murmured "ah," shut her eyes, and leaned in to bite.
Ow!
She bit the tip of her own tongue.
She opened her eyes to see Hikaru, all gentle patience, guiding the spoon to Lexington's blushing lips instead. "You've worked hard, dear. Let your Commander spoil you a little."
Lexington shot him a shy, delighted look and, so as not to put him on the spot, took the spoon delicately and tasted the hot porridge.
"Uu~" Helena and Saratoga chorused, equal parts tease and envy.
Tirpitz looked even more aggrieved and appealed to her sister. "Sister, look at the Commander—he's bullying me again!"
Bismarck barely kept herself from rolling her eyes. Sometimes their Commander was like a boy: the more he liked someone, the more he had to tease her. Anyone could see his softest spots were Tirpitz and Lexington; who else did he cuddle at night, and sit with most often at meals?
Blessed and doesn't even know it!
For all that supposed favoritism, Hikaru tried to share fairly. Once Lexington got her "love-bite" of breakfast, the shameless little ones—Z17, Glowworm, Changchun, Vampire, even Fletcher—crowded in for a spoonful.
Moskva, Helena, and Leipzig sat a bit farther off, wearing complicated looks—half disdain, half the envy that leaks out at the corners of one's eyes.
If the little ones were fed, he couldn't slight the ladies: Bismarck, Yat Sen, Repulse, Prince of Wales—everyone got a turn. Prince of Wales looked a touch awkward, as if it didn't suit her bearing, but she still humored him. Hikaru had thought Vittorio Veneto would balk; instead she accepted the bite without a flicker.
Apparently what truly set Veneto off was anyone commenting on her slight build—or, heaven forbid, telling her to "drink milk and grow." Touch that nerve and you die.
Hikaru was tempted to suggest more beef instead—maybe she'd grow a bit taller.
Sensing his gaze lingering too long, Veneto glared. "Commander, you're thinking something very rude, aren't you!"
"No. Absolutely not."
He dropped his eyes to his own bowl. After feeding so many girls, his congee was down to a single spoon.
Tirpitz stared at it with big, pleading eyes.
Hikaru caved with a sigh. "There's only this one spoon left—one bite for you, one for me."
Hoots and boos from Ranger and Changchun; even Saratoga cried foul.
Just as Hikaru lifted the spoon to Tirpitz again, maid Repulse sighed, took his bowl, and ladled him a fresh, generous serving—cooled to just-right warmth for the mouth.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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