Dawn had just broken, yet Jun Hao remained fast asleep, trying to recover as much of his drained life energy as possible.
[Ding!]
The system's notification rang out like the most relentless alarm clock, instantly jolting him awake.
[Congratulations to the host for fulfilling Belfast's emotional need: The longing to be understood for the deep exhaustion and constraints buried within her heart.]
[Reward: 10 Bond Points.]
[Would you like to collect it?]
"Ugh..."
Jun Hao forced one eye open. When he saw the message, he grumbled inwardly, 'System... I've realized you're really too much. Waking someone up at the crack of dawn is one thing, but this reward is just pathetic! 10 points? Just 10?! Are you treating me like a beggar?'
He tried to sit up, only to be pushed back down by a wave of intense soreness and weakness.
'Do you have any idea what I went through last night? That was a war. A brutal war that nearly drained every last bit of my energy and willpower!'
[This system is only responsible for settlement after task completion and does not evaluate the Host's physical exertion.]
The response came, as always, cold and merciless.
[Detected Host's intention to voluntarily forfeit the reward. System beginning reward destruction... 3... 2...]
"Wait, wait, wait! Who said I didn't want it?!"
Jun Hao shot upright, ignoring the pain wracking his body.
"I want it! Of course I want it! No matter how small, it's still something!"
[Reward distributed. Current total bond points: 18.]
"Phew..."
The tension in his chest eased slightly.
"Add it to my constitution. It's only one point anyway," he said weakly.
Now, he finally understood just how fragile his 24 points of constitution were when facing Belfast's true "Warship Form."
That elegant and flawless Head Maid, once freed from all restraints, had unleashed an energy that was nothing short of terrifying.
He had nearly lost that battle. Even now, it felt like every last one of his abilities had been spent, leaving his mana entirely depleted.
[Attribute point added successfully.]
[Current constitution: 25.]
As the notification faded, the paralyzing soreness didn't disappear entirely, but it eased enough for him to move.
At the very least, he could control his body again.
Taking advantage of this slight recovery, he prepared to drag himself out of bed and wash up.
[Ding!]
[Warning! Warning!]
[Current Port Harmony Level: 11.]
[Host, please take action immediately to handle the conflicts between the Ship Girls!]
'Are you serious right now?! Wasn't it a perfectly fine 88 points yesterday? How did it crash all the way down to critical levels in one night? These girls are gonna kill me...'
Jun Hao wanted to scream, but he knew he couldn't afford to waste time. He shot straight into the bathroom.
<<>>
Meanwhile, back at the Royal Dormitory, in Queen Elizabeth's room.
Queen Elizabeth was sitting at her breakfast table, her tiny face still soft with sleepiness.
The door slid open without a sound. Belfast, already up and about, wheeled in a dining cart with her usual grace.
Elizabeth, barely awake herself, immediately picked up on something unusual about Belfast today.
She seemed so much livelier than normal. Her long hair had an extra sheen to it, her skin practically glowed, and those amethyst eyes of hers sparkled with energy and contentment.
It wasn't just her appearance. Even her movements were two or three times faster than usual, yet she maintained perfect elegance and composure.
"Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal~"
Elizabeth took one look at Belfast's "enlightened" state, and her small face instantly flushed a deep red. She naturally understood what those changes meant.
Because of that, her hands clenched into fists beneath the bedsheets.
"Belfast! You're too despicable!"
Despite Elizabeth's anger, Belfast remained completely unfazed. She simply turned slightly and performed a flawless maid's bow.
"Your Majesty, what has caused such anger?"
Belfast hadn't intended to show off, but no matter how much she restrained herself, she couldn't help it. After all, yesterday had been wonderful in every sense.
"You're... you're still asking me?!" Elizabeth's face burned with indignation.
She suddenly rose from the bed and pointed at her.
"Sneaking around behind my back is one thing! But now you're rubbing it in my face! I didn't make you Head Maid so you could provoke me!"
Belfast tilted her head slightly, as if confused.
"Your Majesty, I don't quite understand. As the Royal Head Maid, I was simply fulfilling my duty last night, easing the Master's exhaustion and lightening the burdens on his heart."
"Duty?!" Elizabeth felt her blood pressure rise. "That's your idea of duty?! You're clearly taking advantage of your position!"
"I see. My apologies, Your Majesty. Then next time I attend the Master's, I should request your approval first?"
'Who asks permission for something like that?!'
Elizabeth realized that anything she said would just feed into this scheming maid's games.
All she could do was huff and silently record today's grudge in the notebook of her heart. When she had the chance to see her servant, she would settle everything.
At that time, she would make him understand that she was the most suitable woman in the entire Royal Navy.
"This is bad!" Sirius rushed into Elizabeth's bedroom.
"Why the panic? Does this look like the conduct of a Royal Maid Corps member? A proper maid should remain elegant and composed, even in the face of great events."
Elizabeth extended a hand, allowing Belfast to help her dress.
"Speak, Sirius. What happened?"
Sirius slowed her breathing, though she was still slightly out of breath.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty... gulp... Miss Amagi of the Sakura Empire... Miss New Jersey of the Eagle Union... and Miss Bismarck of the Iron Blood... They... they..."
She couldn't finish, but Elizabeth already understood.
Why else would they appear in the Royal Port if not to claim him?
'But how did they find out? Could the Sakura Empire have spread the information?'
That seemed unlikely. It would bring only short-term gain while harming themselves. With Amagi's intelligence, such a mistake was impossible.
Elizabeth and Belfast exchanged a glance before heading out to see what was happening.
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