"The dual variable wing system is a skill that comes naturally with Ikaros as a mechanical maiden. As for the fusion armament, that should be a transformation from the original Blood-Edge Armor. The only question is, now that she has been awakened as a mechanical maiden, how exactly would such a fusion even work? Could it be..."
Jason Kin's imagination was wandering when a gentle and melodic voice suddenly rang in his ears.
"I am happy to see you, Master. Ikaros reporting for duty."
The pink-haired angelic maiden knelt gracefully before him, her devotion plain to see. The sudden angle gave Jason a startling view that made him pause for a moment. He had to admit silently to himself that her figure was breathtaking, rivaling even Bismarck's in its presence and depth.
He coughed lightly to compose himself. "Alright, stand up."
"Yes, Master."
Ikaros rose obediently, then quietly walked to his side with a gentle smile on her face.
"Master, I am a universal entertainment mechanical angel. I know many skills. Please, allow me to serve you."
Without hesitation, she leaned closer. Her delicate hands pressed warmly against Jason's shoulders, massaging them with practiced grace.
Just as Jason was about to enjoy the moment, a cold, authoritative voice echoed from nearby.
"Our Commander already has attendants. There is no need for you to be so forward."
The one who spoke was none other than the icy yet elegant Bismarck.
"That's right. Commander already has me, Bismarck, and Effie to take care of him. And who exactly are you supposed to be?"
A small figure carrying a half-finished bottle of wine strolled over. It was the little drunkard, Laffey, who squinted suspiciously at Ikaros with open hostility.
Faced with the stern challenge of the two ship girls, Ikaros's expression faltered. Her once soft and gentle eyes shifted suddenly to a glowing yellow hue.
Battle mode had been triggered.
Her entire presence changed in an instant. Gone was the warmth and innocence. Instead, a sharp killing aura radiated from her body. The gentle angel had transformed into a goddess of war.
Both Bismarck and Laffey instinctively sensed the shift. Their ship rigs materialized at once, weapons armed and ready.
In that instant, the atmosphere grew tense and heavy.
"Bismarck, this girl is really strong. I can't even detect her combat level!" Laffey whispered in shock, clutching her bottle tightly.
Bismarck narrowed her eyes, equally surprised. "Yes. She is unfathomable. Stay close to me, Laffey."
Though her words were calm, there was also a flicker of stubborn pride on her face.
Until this moment, she had been the strongest fighter within Jason's divine domain. With her eighth-tier Legendary strength, she was unmatched, a force capable of tearing apart armies and shattering landscapes. But now, standing across from her was a woman whose power far exceeded her own.
The realization struck her like a cold wave. Her position as the number one warrior was threatened. The desire to test herself against this intruder was burning hot within her chest.
Jason, however, had no intention of allowing the situation to escalate. He quickly stepped forward with a disarming smile.
"Relax, all three of you. You are on the same side. There is no need to fight each other."
"Same side?" Bismarck asked cautiously.
"Commander, who is this woman?" Laffey chimed in, her tone still suspicious.
Jason laughed lightly. "Allow me to introduce her. She is my new apostle, and from now on, your new companion as well. Her name is Ikaros. Due to certain reasons, she possesses the power of a ninth-tier demigod."
"What? Demigod level power?"
"Doesn't that mean she is on the same level as you, Commander?"
Both ship girls looked back and forth between Ikaros and Jason with wide eyes. They seemed to struggle to accept what they were hearing.
Jason shook his head, still smiling. "That may have been true before. But things are different now. Your Commander has grown even stronger."
While both he and Ikaros could be considered demigods, there was a vast difference between one with divine power and one without. With the divine energy he had recently condensed, Jason was far beyond her reach. Crushing Ikaros with one hand would not even be difficult. That was the true power of a god's blessing.
"Congratulations, Commander!" Bismarck and Laffey said almost in unison, bowing their heads respectfully.
"Good. Now, all of you are my apostles. I do not want to see strife between you. Lower your weapons, cast aside your hostility. If you are still eager to compete, I can offer you a different way to do so."
His words drew their attention.
"What way?" Bismarck asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself.
"Mahjong," Jason said with a grin.
"Mahjong? Who is that, and why should we fight him?" Laffey tilted her head, genuinely confused.
Jason blinked, at a rare loss for words. "Mahjong isn't a person. It is a tabletop game of skill and strategy from a mysterious land. It is very fun."
The three women immediately perked up, their curiosity ignited.
Laffey's eyes shone as she put down her wine. "Commander, please teach Laffey. Laffey wants to learn this mahjong game."
Jason turned toward the other two. "What about you?"
"Master, I want to learn as well," Ikaros said sweetly, her gentle demeanor returning as her eyes faded back to green.
"I'll join too," Bismarck added quickly, unwilling to lose face after Ikaros spoke first.
"Perfect," Jason said, clapping his hands together. "There are four of us, exactly what we need to form a mahjong table. I will teach you how to play. That way, you will all have a way to pass the time and relax during your free hours. Later, we can even invite Effie to join you, which would make it even better."
His voice carried a touch of excitement. The divine domain was still relatively quiet, with only the four of them able to enter at the moment. Most of the time, the atmosphere was cold and empty. Teaching them to play mahjong would not only provide entertainment, it would also help strengthen their bonds with one another.
It was the perfect solution. Entertainment, camaraderie, and peace of mind all rolled into one.
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