The corridors of the Daedalus had grown noticeably quieter.
Most of the newly rescued Shipgirls and Nikkes had finally fallen asleep in their assigned quarters.
According to Yuu's examinations, rest was the final stage of their recovery.
Their bodies had already been repaired.
Now...
They simply needed sleep.
Only two patients remained unconscious.
Cinderella.
Under Arisa's careful observation.
And Ayanami.
With Laffey, Javelin and Nimi refusing to leave her bedside.
Yuuki, Yuu and Yorktown walked side by side toward the command hall.
The soft hum of the carrier echoed through the hallway.
Yorktown glanced at the Omnitrix integrated into Yuuki's left gauntlet.
"So..."
"...Commander."
"You really didn't transform again after you turned sixteen?"
Yuuki smiled.
"No."
"I got bored."
Yorktown blinked.
"...Bored?"
He chuckled.
"It was exciting when I was younger."
"Turning into aliens."
"Learning new abilities."
"But eventually..."
"I realized every alien form came with weaknesses."
"Weaknesses?"
Yorktown tilted her head.
Yuu answered before Yuuki could.
"Chief's alien forms are powerful."
"But none of them are perfect."
"They're living organisms."
"Just like humans."
"They possess biological limitations."
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly."
He tapped the Omnitrix.
A holographic projection appeared above his wrist.
A humanoid figure made entirely of molten magma and living stone slowly rotated in midair.
Yorktown's eyes widened.
"...Wow..."
"What is that?"
"A Pyronite."
Yuuki rotated the hologram.
"Looks impressive, right?"
"It can generate enormous amounts of heat."
"Manipulate fire."
"Survive inside volcanoes."
Yorktown nodded enthusiastically.
"It looks incredibly strong."
Yuuki grinned.
"It is."
He paused dramatically.
"...But."
Yorktown laughed.
"I knew there'd be a 'but.'"
"There always is."
Yuuki changed the hologram.
The Pyronite now stood surrounded by an endless ocean.
He pointed at it.
"This world."
He gestured toward the sea outside the Daedalus.
"Almost every major battle we fight takes place here."
"The ocean."
He looked back at the hologram.
"A Pyronite hates water."
Yorktown blinked.
"...Really?"
"It isn't just uncomfortable."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Its flames weaken."
"Its body temperature rapidly drops."
"Its offensive abilities become severely limited."
He dismissed the hologram.
"So against Sirens..."
"...or naval Raptures..."
"...this thing is practically dead."
Yorktown burst into laughter.
"So one bucket of seawater..."
"...and your terrifying fire alien becomes miserable?"
Yuuki laughed.
"Pretty much."
Yuu adjusted her glasses.
"Every species evolved within a specific ecological niche."
"The Omnitrix grants Chief their strengths."
"But it also reproduces their natural biological shortcomings."
Yorktown looked thoughtfully at the Omnitrix.
"So..."
"...there isn't one perfect alien."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"No."
"And that's why I stopped relying on it."
"My armor has fewer weaknesses."
"My nanomachines adapt."
"My own abilities continue improving."
"The Omnitrix..."
He looked down at the familiar green emblem.
"...is no longer my first solution."
"It's my backup."
Yorktown looked once more at the Omnitrix.
Her curiosity only grew.
"So..."
"...Commander."
"How many forms do you actually have in there?"
Yuuki scratched his cheek.
"...Quite a few."
"That's not a number."
He laughed.
"Fair."
"I've personally unlocked a lot over the years."
"I mostly kept a handful of favorites."
"But..."
He glanced at the Omnitrix.
"If the entire genetic archive were accessible..."
"...there should be around..."
He paused.
"...1,000,910 DNA samples."
Yorktown stopped walking.
"...What?"
She stared at him.
"...One million..."
"...Nine hundred and ten?"
Yuuki nodded casually.
"Approximately."
Yorktown looked between him and the Omnitrix.
"...That tiny watch..."
"...contains over a million alien species?"
"Yep."
She simply blinked several times.
"...I..."
"...don't even know what to say."
Yuu couldn't help laughing.
"...Pff."
"I've already gone through this reaction."
Yorktown turned toward her.
"You knew?"
Yuu nodded proudly.
"Naturally."
"I spent years researching Chief's transformations."
She tapped her interface.
"I currently maintain over sixty complete biological files."
Yorktown's eyes widened again.
"...Sixty?"
Yuu smiled.
"Strength."
"Weaknesses."
"Metabolism."
"Environmental adaptations."
"Combat capabilities."
"Energy output."
"Neurological structures."
"I've documented everything Chief has unlocked so far."
Yuuki sighed.
"...You forgot to mention she tried collecting samples from every single one. She nearly dissected me just to see what was inside."
"I did."
Yuu answered without shame.
"For science."
Yorktown giggled.
"I believe you."
Yuu continued,
"But compared to the Omnitrix's full archive..."
"My research barely scratches the surface."
She looked thoughtfully at the green hourglass.
"Chief hasn't unlocked anywhere close to its total library."
"The Omnitrix only grants access gradually."
"As he encounters new DNA..."
"...or fulfills whatever criteria Azmuth programmed into it."
Yorktown slowly looked back at Yuuki.
"So..."
"...You've only seen a tiny fraction?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Exactly."
"I could spend several lifetimes unlocking everything..."
"...and probably still wouldn't finish."
Yorktown laughed helplessly.
"I was expecting..."
"...maybe twenty forms."
"Or thirty."
She pointed at the Omnitrix.
"Not..."
"...an entire galaxy's worth."
Yuuki smiled.
"That's why I stopped obsessing over unlocking more."
"There'll always be another alien."
"Another ability."
"Another transformation."
He shrugged.
"So I simply kept the ones I understood well."
"The rest..."
"...can wait."
Yuu nodded approvingly.
"Mastering one hundred forms..."
"...is considerably more practical than barely understanding one million."
Yorktown smiled.
"I suppose that's true."
She looked once more at the Omnitrix.
"...Still."
"I don't think I'll ever stop being amazed by that thing."
Yuuki glanced at the familiar green emblem merged with his armor, now shaped like a gauntlet. Its colors subtly shifted toward red and black, matching his dark hair and eyes. His armor remained a deep silver, complemented by the white coat draped around him.
"...Neither do I."
"Even after all these years..."
Yorktown smiled.
"...That actually makes me feel better."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She nodded.
"I was worried you'd suddenly start solving every battle by turning into something unstoppable."
Yuuki laughed.
"If such an alien existed..."
Then, silently in his heart, he added, "But I have to argue with two voices. It's been years since I saw those two."
Azmuth's words echoed faintly in his mind said a long time ago.
"Every transformation has limitations."
He smiled.
"No."
"I'd rather let the fleet shine. I am done with do it by myself thing."
"If I ever transform again..."
"...it'll be because everyone else needs one more teammate."
Yuu smiled quietly.
"Not because you have to carry the battle."
Yuuki nodded.
"...Exactly."
Together, the three continued down the corridor.
============
The three finally arrived outside the command hall.
The automatic doors slid open.
Arisa bows for their arrival.
Inside...
Nearly every senior member of the fleet was already present.
His current Level 30+ shipgirls:
Kaguya, Yorktown, Enterprise, Illustrious, Unicorn, Akagi, Kaga, Takao, Atago, Maya, Choukai, Houshou, Eldridge, Prinz Eugen, Admiral Hipper, Avrora, Prince of Wales, San Diego, Bulin, Kurin, Purin, Nimi, Laffey, Javelin, Vestal, Akashi, and Belfast.
His current Nikkes were all at Level 30 or higher.
They included Nayuta,Rapi, Anis, Neon, Mary, Pepper, Ade, Soda, and Cocoa.
Jarvis's hologram floated above the central command table.
Only the newly rescued Shipgirls and Nikkes were absent.
Among them were Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Hiryuu, Souryuu, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Centaur, Albion, Mecklenburg, Hindenburg, Friedrich, and finally, Ayanami.
As for the Nikkes, Emma, Vesti, Eunhwa, Velvet, Privaty, and Cinderella were also still resting.
Yuu had made that decision herself.
"They're staying in their quarters."
"Their physical reconstruction is complete."
"But their neural synchronization still requires rest."
She brought up several medical charts.
"The Levelling System will only be installed after their bodies completely stabilize."
"Otherwise..."
"...it may place unnecessary stress on their Wisdom Cubes and Bastion Cubes."
Mary nodded in agreement.
"Twenty-four hours."
"That's all they need."
Pepper smiled.
"They've earned the rest."
Yuuki nodded.
"Good."
"They've been through enough."
Jarvis projected a holographic globe.
"Sir."
"It has now been approximately twelve hours since Operation Mother Whale concluded."
Another screen appeared.
Multiple Siren signatures.
Reconnaissance routes.
Satellite observations.
"They returned."
Akagi folded her arms.
"As expected."
Jarvis nodded.
"Several Siren scouting fleets investigated the battle site."
"They conducted extensive scans."
"Establish Video Uplink."
A familiar voice echoed through the command room.
"Miss me?"
The hologram shifted.
Replacing the globe—
With Vergil.
He stood inside a vast, metallic control room.
Behind him, massive observation windows revealed the vastness of his research center on board the Philadelphia.
Vergil smirked.
"Reporting in from orbit."
Vergil spread his arms slightly.
"Philadelphia Station."
"And currently enjoying a very nice view of Earth."
Yuu smirked.
"They didn't find a thing."
Vergil nodded.
"Of course they didn't."
"I made sure of it."
He tapped something off-screen.
Jarvis immediately displayed another report.
"Correct."
"The Mirror Sea collapse erased the battlefield."
"Remaining debris was completely removed."
"All GDI signatures aboard the Mother Whale were deleted before its destruction."
Vergil looked rather pleased with himself.
"I even scrubbed every system log."
"According to the Mother Whale's surviving records..."
"...it simply malfunctioned."
Neon grinned.
"So they have absolutely nothing?"
Jarvis nodded.
"Negative."
"The Sirens currently possess no verifiable evidence connecting GDI to the Mother's destruction."
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"Behemoth knows."
"Yes."
Vergil replied this time.
"But without supporting data..."
"Her testimony alone lacks credibility."
He chuckled.
"Even if she tells the Queen..."
"...she'll sound like she's making excuses."
Takao allowed herself a faint smile.
"A rare victory."
Yuuki quietly looked around the command hall.
Everyone seemed relaxed.
Even Rapi quietly enjoyed a sweet while reviewing her interface.
Anis leaned comfortably against her chair.
Neon had somehow already gotten herself a drink.
The atmosphere almost felt...
Peaceful.
Yuuki glanced at the Omnitrix hidden beneath his Mark 86 gauntlet.
No one had noticed.
Or if they had...
No one had asked.
Not yet.
He smiled to himself.
"...Good."
There was no reason to explain it now.
If the day ever came...
When the commander of the GDI suddenly transformed into an alien before the entire fleet...
He'd answer every question then.
For now...
There were more important matters.
Protecting the people already standing beside him.
The Omnitrix remained quietly hidden beneath the gauntlet.
A secret...
Waiting until the day it was truly needed.
The command room of the Daedalus had settled into a peaceful rhythm after ten hours.
The emergency operation was over.
Repairs were progressing.
Medical teams continued routine examinations.
Most of the fleet had finally found time to relax.
Across the command consoles and tactical stations...
Dozens of Shipgirls and Nikkes were no longer discussing the battle.
Instead...
They were browsing something entirely different.
The Levelling System Shop.
"...I still have fifty-three thousand credits."
San Diego blinked.
"How?"
Akashi proudly puffed out her chest.
"Nyaa! Daily missions! Combat missions! Rescue bonuses! Boss rewards!"
"The Mother Whale paid really well."
Neon happily scrolled through the holographic menu.
"I already upgraded my rifle."
"Three percent extra damage."
"...Worth it."
Nimi nodded while comparing upgrade trees.
"Small improvements eventually become large ones."
"Efficiency matters."
Nearby...
Prince of Wales quietly studied another menu.
Unlike the others...
She wasn't looking at armor.
Or utilities.
Her attention rested solely on one category.
Battleship Main Armament.
"Hmm..."
She selected a schematic.
T1 Naval Cannon Enhancement
Available
Her finger hovered over another option.
T2 Naval Cannon Enhancement
Locked
Requirement: Retrofit I
Another.
T3 Electromagnetic Rail Cannon
Locked
Requirement: GDI Retrofit
Then—
Heavy Naval Laser Battery
Locked
She smiled wryly.
"...One step at a time."
Yorktown looked over her shoulder.
"Looking at future upgrades?"
Wales nodded.
"My current guns still serve me well."
"But eventually..."
"I'd like to replace them."
She examined another tree.
"Railguns."
"Rail Cannons."
"Laser Batteries."
She chuckled softly.
"None of them are even available yet."
"Seems Commander intends for us to earn them."
Yuu, who happened to be passing by, nodded approvingly.
"Technology progression."
"If I gave everyone laser weapons immediately..."
"...there would be nothing left to work toward. Besides, you currently lack the strength, power output, and ship capacity to properly support those weapons."
"Besides."
She smiled.
"You'll appreciate them much more after earning them."
Suddenly...
A new tab appeared.
Every Shipgirl and Nikke stopped scrolling.
"...What's this?"
RETROFIT
Everyone tapped it almost simultaneously.
A massive information window expanded.
RETROFIT
Unlock Requirement: Level 100
Raises maximum level from 100 → 200
Unlocks Tier 2 Technology
Advanced Wisdom/Bastion Cube Synchronization
Silence.
Then another page.
GDI RETROFIT
Unlock Requirement: Level 200
Raises maximum level from 200 → 300
Unlocks Tier 3 Technology
Access to advanced GDI weapon systems
Neon nearly dropped her drink.
"...Three hundred?!"
Enterprise slowly folded her arms.
"So..."
"Level one hundred isn't the end."
Yuu nodded.
"Correct."
"The Level Cap simply marks the end of one stage."
"Retrofit represents the beginning of another."
Akagi smiled.
"So we continue growing."
"Exactly."
Yuu replied.
"As long as your bodies can withstand further evolution."
Another notification appeared.
Unlike the others...
This one carried a crimson warning icon.
LEVELLING SYSTEM CONTRACT
Every expression became serious.
SYSTEM SECURITY PROTOCOL
If the user voluntarily betrays the Global Defense Initiative...
Execution is NOT authorized.
Instead...
Levelling System privileges will be permanently revoked.
All installed upgrades removed.
All purchased enhancements deleted.
User returned to original biological and mechanical factory specifications.
Silence filled the room.
Even Anis looked surprised.
"...That's..."
"...actually pretty merciful."
Rapi slowly nodded.
"It removes the power."
"Not the individual."
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"So betrayal simply..."
"...undoes everything the system granted."
Yuu answered calmly.
"Correct."
"The system belongs to the GDI."
"If someone willingly abandons the organization..."
"...the system leaves with it."
Akashi scratched her cheek.
"That means..."
"All credits..."
"Upgrades..."
"Equipment integrations..."
"Everything disappears, nyaa."
Nobody seemed particularly disturbed.
Instead...
Most simply nodded.
Akagi shrugged.
"...Betrayal never crossed my mind."
Kaga quietly agreed.
"There is nothing to gain."
Yorktown smiled softly.
"The Commander has never treated us as tools."
Enterprise nodded.
"Nor disposable soldiers."
Neon laughed.
"Besides..."
"...have you ever tried lying to Commander?"
Anis immediately burst into laughter.
"He reads people like an open book."
Rapi allowed herself a small smile.
"...It's honestly terrifying."
Yuu adjusted her glasses.
"I've seen Chief predict someone's question..."
"...before they even asked it."
Akashi raised a paw.
"Nyaa..."
"I wouldn't even know how to betray him."
Yorktown looked around the room.
Everyone seemed to share the same thought.
They didn't stay because of the system.
They stayed because of him.
Because all of them were connected to his heart...
And lying to him wasn't something they could do.
Because somewhere along the way...
Respect had turned into trust.
Trust had turned into loyalty.
And loyalty had quietly become something deeper.
Something none of them would ever betray.
As the warning quietly disappeared...
The browsing resumed.
Some continued buying inexpensive improvements.
Others chose to save their growing fortune.
Already planning...
For the day they would reach Level 100...
And take their first true step into the next era of GDI technology.
================
Kaguya quietly stepped toward the center of the command room.
The playful smile she normally wore disappeared.
She slowly closed her eyes.
Her ten silver-purple tails spread gracefully behind her.
"...Silence, if thou would."
The command room fell completely quiet.
A faint violet glow spread beneath her feet.
Mana rippled across the room like calm water.
Even the holographic displays flickered slightly in response.
Yuuki watched silently.
"...You've found them?"
Kaguya nodded.
"I have been searching for the Twelfth Pillar ever since we departed."
Her voice became softer.
"...The connection groweth stronger."
She slowly raised one hand.
A glowing line of mana stretched across the holographic globe of Earth.
Vergil immediately synchronized Jarvis with Kaguya's magical projection.
"Receiving magical coordinates..."
"Triangulating."
Jarvis overlaid satellite maps.
Ocean currents.
Known Siren territory.
Shipping lanes.
Then—
A single point illuminated.
"Location acquired."
Kaguya opened her eyes.
"There."
"The Twelfth Pillar."
"The one which presently holdeth..."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"...Nagato."
"...Mutsu."
"...Shinano."
"...And Musashi."
Yuuki's eyes widened.
"...They're..."
"...that close?"
Kaguya nodded.
"Approximately."
"...Two days' travel."
Silence.
Yuuki slowly realized something.
"No wonder..."
He looked toward everyone.
"I've been able to establish mental contact with Shinano..."
"...and Musashi."
"I thought it was because of the Wisdom Cubes."
He smiled.
"They've been nearby this entire time."
Vergil rapidly expanded the holographic map.
"Enhancing."
"Cross-referencing satellite archives."
"Thermal signatures."
"Population estimates."
His fingers danced across several holographic keyboards.
"...Wait."
His expression changed.
"...That's odd."
Jarvis enlarged the island.
Everyone leaned forward.
Yorktown blinked.
"...An island?"
Enterprise narrowed her eyes.
"...No."
Vergil slowly zoomed in further.
Buildings appeared.
Road networks.
Industrial sectors.
Dockyards.
Tower blocks.
"...That's..."
"...a city."
Silence filled the room.
Not merely an outpost.
Not a fortress.
An entire metropolis.
Jarvis immediately began reading from archived intelligence.
"Cross-reference complete."
The city name appeared across the central display.
LAWLESS CITY
Several intelligence files unfolded beside it.
Jarvis continued.
"Lawless City."
"A globally recognized criminal enclave."
"The largest known center of organized crime operating on the surface."
Another layer appeared.
Smuggling routes.
Slave markets.
Illegal weapon production.
Human trafficking.
Underground laboratories.
Mercenary headquarters.
Everything.
"The city's infrastructure is almost entirely controlled by criminal syndicates."
"Government authority is effectively nonexistent."
"Illegal commerce operates openly."
"Corruption levels are extreme."
"The city's surrounding districts consist primarily of sprawling slums."
"Multiple reports indicate widespread human rights violations."
"Numerous Nikke trafficking operations have previously been linked to this location."
The room became deathly silent.
Even Anis stopped smiling.
"...That's..."
"...worse than I imagined."
Rapi slowly clenched her fists.
"...So that's where they are."
Enterprise folded her arms.
"...A city built by criminals."
Akagi's tails slowly flared behind her.
"...Holding Nagato."
"...How bold."
Takao's expression hardened.
"They chose quite the fortress."
Vergil enlarged another scan.
"...Actually..."
"...this gets worse."
Everyone looked toward him.
"The city's underground structure is enormous."
He highlighted layer after layer beneath the island.
"...Artificial caverns."
"...Military bunkers."
"...Massive subterranean complexes."
"...Far larger than the city above."
Yuuki quietly stared at the display.
"...So the city..."
"...is only the surface."
Vergil nodded.
"I'd wager whatever they're hiding..."
"...is below."
Kaguya looked once more at the glowing marker.
"My instincts tell me..."
"...the Twelfth Pillar lieth beneath the city itself."
Yuuki slowly crossed his arms.
His expression became thoughtful.
Then determined.
"...Good."
Everyone looked toward him.
"If Nagato..."
"...Mutsu..."
"...Musashi..."
"...and Shinano..."
"...are truly there."
He smiled faintly.
"...Then our next destination..."
He pointed directly at the holographic city.
"...is Lawless City."
Silence lingered.
Then Akagi's smile slowly returned.
"...Another rescue mission."
Yorktown nodded.
"We'll bring them home."
Enterprise quietly loaded a tactical map.
"This won't be as straightforward as the Mother Whale."
Vergil smirked.
"...Good."
"I was getting bored."
The command room shifted instantly from peaceful discussion...
Back into planning mode.
Their next battlefield...
Would not be against a fortress.
Nor a Mother Whale.
But against the most infamous criminal city remaining on Earth 3.0.
Just as everyone began studying the tactical map of Lawless City...
A familiar, gentle voice spoke from the back of the command room.
"Fear not, Yuuki."
Everyone turned.
"Nayuta?"
The young Pilgrim smiled and gave a small bow.
"This humble one..."
"...has already prepared for such a possibility."
Yuuki raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Nayuta clasped her hands together.
"One of my clones is already within Lawless City."
Silence.
Anis blinked.
"...You have a clone there?"
Nayuta nodded.
"Indeed."
"I dispatched her long before I obtained the Levelling System... it has been months, perhaps even years, since she began quietly observing human settlements."
"Lawless City happened to be one of them."
Vergil immediately became interested.
"...You've had an infiltrator there this whole time?"
"This humble one prefers to gather information before acting."
She smiled innocently.
"It appears that habit has proven useful."
Yuuki looked thoughtful.
"So..."
"...what happens now?"
Nayuta gently placed a hand over her chest.
"When I reunite with that clone..."
"...our memories will merge."
"I shall receive everything she has witnessed."
"People."
"Defenses."
"Criminal organizations."
"Hidden passages."
"Daily routines."
"Even changes made while we remained here."
Jarvis immediately highlighted the city's map.
"Live reconnaissance without electronic transmission."
Vergil smiled broadly.
"...No signal."
"No hacking."
"No interception."
"No electronic footprint."
He looked genuinely impressed.
"...That's actually brilliant."
Enterprise folded her arms.
"So the enemy never realized they were being watched."
Nayuta nodded.
"My clones possess independent thought."
"To those around them..."
"...they are simply another resident."
Akagi smiled.
"A spy that leaves no evidence."
Kaguya looked at Nayuta with quiet approval.
"An elegant technique."
Yuuki crossed his arms.
"How quickly can you merge?"
"Immediately."
Nayuta answered.
"The moment we arrive..."
"...I simply recall her."
"Our memories become one."
Yuu adjusted her glasses.
"That gives us something satellites cannot."
"A firsthand perspective."
"Street layouts."
"Local customs."
"Safe houses."
"Suspicious activity."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"Chief..."
"...we may not need to enter blindly after all."
Yuuki smiled.
"Looks like we've got our scout."
Nayuta bowed once more.
"This humble one shall provide every path..."
"...that leads to Lady Shinano..."
"...Lady Musashi..."
"...Lady Nagato..."
"...and Lady Mutsu."
The room grew noticeably more optimistic.
Instead of attacking an unknown criminal metropolis...
They would soon possess intelligence from someone already living inside it.
Vergil leaned against the holographic console with a grin.
"...I like this plan."
"Knowing the battlefield before the battle even starts."
Yuuki nodded.
"That's how the GDI fights."
He looked once more at the glowing image of Lawless City.
"...This time..."
"...we won't be walking into their city."
"We'll already know its streets before we ever arrive."
Yuuki looked toward Kaguya.
"...Kaguya."
"Hm?"
"You said the Twelfth Pillar is someone named Yukime."
Kaguya nodded.
"Indeed."
"Yukime."
"The Twelfth Pillar."
"Twelfth among the Arcanes of the East."
Yuuki looked curiously at her.
"...Would you mind showing everyone?"
A nostalgic smile appeared on Kaguya's face.
"...It has been many years..."
"...since I last beheld her."
She gently waved her hand.
A circle of violet mana blossomed above the tactical table.
The mana condensed.
Taking the form of a beautiful woman.
Gasps immediately echoed throughout the command room.
She wore an immaculate snow-white kimono trimmed with luxurious white fur around the shoulders.
Elegant gold embroidery decorated the cuffs.
Delicate blue lines flowed across the fabric like streams of ice.
A broad obi sash secured the kimono around her waist.
Tucked neatly within it rested two iron war fans.
Simple...
Yet unmistakably designed as weapons.
Traditional Japanese ornaments adorned her appearance.
Ribbon knots decorated her long silver-white hair.
Bracelets encircled her wrists.
Elegant rings rested upon her fingers.
Wooden geta sandals completed her attire.
A blue ornamental pendant hung gracefully from her waist.
Behind her...
Ten magnificent fox tails spread outward.
Near the tip of each tail rested a circular blue ring resembling Buddhist prayer beads.
Each ring quietly radiated spiritual energy.
The room fell completely silent.
"...Beautiful..."
Illustrious whispered.
"So elegant..."
Belfast smiled softly.
Even Akagi stared quietly.
"...She rivals Kaguya."
Neon blinked several times.
"...She's gorgeous."
Yuuki himself couldn't help staring.
"..."
"...She's incredible."
Even after everything he had witnessed...
Yukime possessed a graceful beauty unlike anyone else.
Kaguya looked toward the illusion with quiet affection.
"This..."
"...is Yukime."
"The Twelfth Ranked Arcane Shipgirl."
"One of the Arcanes of the East."
Her finger traced icy patterns surrounding the projection.
"Her specialty lieth in Frost and Water Arcana."
"Even her riggings answer those elements."
Snowflakes gently drifted around the illusion.
A faint layer of frost formed beneath her feet.
Kaguya's expression became serious.
"Many may be tempted to underestimate her."
"She standeth Twelfth."
"But..."
She slowly looked around the room.
"That ranking was established..."
"...ten years ago."
Silence settled once more.
"While I have advanced considerably through the Levelling System..."
"...Yukime hath undoubtedly continued to grow through her own efforts."
Kaguya folded her hands within her sleeves.
"It is entirely possible..."
"...that her present strength rivaleth..."
"...my own before receiving the Levelling System."
The room grew noticeably quieter.
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"So even without Levels..."
"...she may already be that powerful."
Kaguya nodded.
"Indeed."
She looked directly at everyone.
"Never judge an Arcane by rank alone."
"The weakest among us..."
"...still surpasseth a Decisive Shipgirl."
"The title 'Arcane Shipgirl' is not ceremonial."
"It denoteth a realm of power beyond conventional Wisdom Cubes."
Takao slowly exhaled.
"So..."
"...the Twelfth Pillar alone..."
"...could rival Kaguya before the Levelling System."
"Precisely."
Kaguya answered.
"And should she have continued training these past ten years..."
"...perhaps even more."
Yuuki continued studying the illusion.
A beautiful fox spirit.
Elegant.
Graceful.
Yet beneath that beauty...
He could sense overwhelming magical pressure.
"...Looks like..."
He smiled faintly.
"...our next rescue won't be an ordinary one."
Kaguya returned the smile.
"Nay."
"This meeting..."
"...shall be between two Arcanes long separated by fate."
Yuuki studied the holographic image of Lawless City once more.
Then his gaze shifted toward Kaguya.
"...Understood."
He nodded thoughtfully.
"We'll probably need you."
Kaguya tilted her head.
"...Me?"
Yuuki pointed toward Yukime's projection.
"To convince her."
He looked around the command room.
"From her perspective..."
"She's the guardian of the Sakura Empire."
"The Twelfth Pillar."
"She has never heard of the GDI."
"Never met us."
"And now..."
He gestured toward the map.
"...she's trapped beneath the most infamous criminal city on Earth."
"I doubt she'll simply entrust Nagato, Musashi, Shinano and Mutsu to strangers."
Kaguya quietly nodded.
"A reasonable conclusion."
"Especially if she hath protected them all these years."
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"So..."
"I'm counting on you."
"You know her."
"You understand her."
"If anyone can convince Yukime that we're allies..."
"...it's another Arcane."
Kaguya placed a hand over her chest.
"I shall."
"If Yukime still remembereth me..."
"...then I shall ensure she understandeth thy intentions."
Yuuki's expression became serious.
He looked around at every Shipgirl and Nikke present.
"There's something else."
The room immediately quieted.
He enlarged Lawless City's intelligence report.
"Everyone..."
"Expect resistance."
His finger traced the sprawling criminal districts.
"This isn't a battlefield against Sirens."
"It isn't a Rapture nest."
"It's a city."
"A city controlled by criminals."
"Smugglers."
"Traffickers."
"Murderers."
"Mercenaries."
"They're human."
Silence settled over the room.
Yuuki slowly looked toward the Nikkes.
"Many of you..."
"...were originally created to protect humanity."
"But this operation may force you to fight humans."
His voice remained calm.
"I won't order anyone to abandon their principles."
"But..."
"If these criminals threaten this fleet..."
"...our allies..."
"...or the innocent people trapped there..."
"...we will stop them."
His gaze settled upon Rapi.
"Your limiters are gone."
"I rewrote your operational directives to protect GDI and her interest."
"Your judgment..."
"...belongs to you now."
Rapi remained silent.
Her crimson eyes rested on the map.
A memory surfaced.
The day...
She accidentally killed a human.
She still remembered the horror.
The guilt.
The silence afterward.
The reason she left Absolute in the first place.
She never wished to experience that again.
But this...
This was different.
These were not frightened civilians.
Nor ordinary survivors.
Lawless City thrived upon exploiting the weak.
Selling Nikkes.
Selling people.
Destroying lives for profit.
Rapi slowly closed her eyes.
When she opened them again...
Her hesitation was gone.
"I understand..."
She spoke quietly.
"I was created to protect humans."
She looked toward Yuuki.
"But..."
"I am no longer merely an Ark Nikke."
She stood a little straighter.
"I am a GDI Nikke."
"My duty is to protect..."
"...the GDI..."
"...its people..."
"...and those who cannot protect themselves."
Her expression became resolute.
"If criminals attempt to harm you..."
"...my comrades..."
"...or innocent civilians..."
"I will stop them."
She paused only briefly.
"Even..."
"...if they are human."
Silence followed. Even Anis, Neon, Cocoa, Ade, Soda, Mary, and Pepper nodded, along with Nayuta. They would avoid it if possible, but if the situation demanded it, they would carry it out.
No one objected.
Enterprise slowly nodded.
"They chose their path."
Takao folded her arms.
"Criminals who prey upon the innocent forfeit any expectation of mercy."
Yorktown looked toward Rapi.
"You won't be alone."
Each silently acknowledged the weight of what lay ahead.
Yuuki finally spoke.
"Remember."
"We're not going there to wage war against humanity."
"We're going there..."
"...to rescue our people."
"And if criminals choose to stand between us..."
His eyes hardened.
"...then they'll answer for that choice."
The command room remained silent after Yuuki's briefing.
No one questioned the mission.
Nagato.
Mutsu.
Shinano.
Musashi.
And now...
Yukime.
The Twelfth Pillar.
This rescue would be unlike any before it.
Yuuki looked toward Kaguya.
"...Kaguya."
"Hm?"
"When we arrive..."
"...you and I will speak with Yukime."
Kaguya nodded slowly.
"A wise decision."
Yuuki looked at Yukime's projection.
"I have a feeling..."
"...she'll want to test me."
He smiled faintly.
"To see whether I'm worthy of awakening Nagato, Mutsu, Shinano, and Musashi."
Kaguya folded her hands within her sleeves.
"...Knowing Yukime..."
"...she very well might."
Yuuki let out an amused sigh.
"So..."
"...I guess I'll have to fight her after all."
Several Shipgirls exchanged surprised looks.
Kaguya's expression became more serious.
"Dearest."
"Do not underestimate her."
"Yukime's Frost Arcana is among the finest of the Twelve."
"She commandeth both frost and water with extraordinary mastery."
Her violet eyes met his.
"She may stand Twelfth..."
"...but she is no weakling."
She paused.
"In truth..."
"...she may already have surpassed that Meta called Ember whom thou fought before."
The room grew quiet again.
Yuuki simply smiled.
"...Don't worry."
"I don't intend to lose that easily."
Kaguya smiled back.
"I expected no less."
A moment later...
Kaguya tilted her head.
"...Actually."
"There remaineth one question."
Yuuki blinked.
"...Hm?"
"What level art thou?"
Silence.
Then—
"Yeah!"
Neon immediately pointed.
"You promised!"
"Once we got the Levelling System!"
"You said you'd show us!"
Yuu smiled mischievously.
"...No backing out now, Chief."
Yorktown nodded.
"Yes, Commander."
"You promised."
Even Kaguya folded her arms with a teasing smile.
"'Twould be rather rude to deny thy wives such curiosity."
Several more voices joined in.
"Master..."
Akagi smiled sweetly.
"...A promise is a promise."
Yuuki slowly rubbed his forehead.
"...Sigh..."
"...Looks like I can't hide it anymore."
Vergil stepped away from the tactical console with a faint grin back in the Philadelphia.
"Oh..."
"This should be interesting. Are you certain you want to show them?"
Yuuki raised his hand.
A familiar holographic interface appeared before him.
SYSTEM MENU
He selected one option.
Visibility Settings
► Share Status Information
► Fleet Access Enabled
A soft confirmation tone echoed through the room.
Every Shipgirl and Nikke's interface immediately updated.
A new status window appeared.
For a brief second...
Nobody reacted.
Then...
The room became utterly silent.
Akashi's mouth slowly fell open.
"...Nyaa..."
Neon blinked repeatedly.
"...That's..."
"...not real..."
Yorktown stared without blinking.
"...Commander..."
Rapi looked at the numbers again.
Then a third time.
"...Impossible."
Enterprise slowly folded her arms.
"...How..."
Even Yuu remained completely speechless.
Only Vergil glanced over briefly before returning to the tactical display, seemingly unsurprised.
Displayed before every member of the fleet...
Was Yuuki's status.
================
Yukihira Yuuki
Age: 27
Status: High Commander, Global Defense Initiative High Command.
Race: Unknown
Level:10,593
================
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Akashi began counting the digits.
"...So many numbers, nyaa!"
Anis slowly pointed toward the display.
"...Ten..."
"...Thousand?"
"...Five hundred..."
"...Ninety-three?"
Neon looked as though her brain had stopped functioning.
"...Commander..."
"...That's..."
"...that's illegal."
Yorktown quietly looked at Yuuki.
"...How is that even possible?"
Yuuki gave a small, almost embarrassed smile.
"...Three lifetimes."
He answered simply.
"They didn't overwrite each other."
"They stacked."
The room fell silent once more.
Enterprise slowly exhaled.
"...Three entire lifetimes..."
"...worth of experience."
Kaguya stared at him thoughtfully.
"...So that is why..."
The command room was still trying to process Yuuki's displayed status.
Level: 10,593.
No one had recovered from the shock.
Even Kaguya remained unusually quiet.
She had sensed Yuuki was stronger than he appeared.
But not...
That much stronger.
Her violet eyes lingered on him.
"So..."
"...thou truly wert holding back all this time."
Yuuki smiled sheepishly.
"I rely on you girls because I trust you."
"I don't need to solve every battle myself."
Kaguya smiled softly.
"...Dearest."
"...That answer pleases this wife."
Before anyone could say another word...
Yuu quietly raised her hand.
"...Since we're doing this."
"I suppose I should stop hiding mine as well."
Yuuki looked over.
"...You sure?"
She nodded.
"They'll eventually find out anyway."
Her own interface appeared before her.
Unlike Yuuki...
Yuu had intentionally blocked everyone from seeing her status since the day they received the Levelling System.
She selected the same option.
► Remove Privacy Restrictions
Confirmed.
Immediately...
Every Shipgirl and Nikke received another notification.
A second status window appeared.
=================
Kirino Yuu
Age: 22
Race: Nanobased Human
Status: Head Doctor, GDI High Command Health Division
Level:3,651
=================
Silence.
Again.
Akashi stared blankly.
"...Nyaa?"
Mary adjusted her glasses twice.
"...Three thousand..."
Pepper slowly looked toward Yuu.
"...Doctor..."
"...You told us you were around Level one thousand."
Yuu smiled innocently.
"I did."
"...At one point."
Neon pointed accusingly.
"That's not 'around one thousand!'"
"That's more than three times that!"
Anis laughed helplessly.
"I knew she was terrifying."
"I didn't realize she was that terrifying."
Enterprise slowly looked between Yuuki and Yuu.
"So..."
"The GDI High Command..."
"...isn't respected simply because of rank."
Yuuki shook his head.
"No."
"We earned those positions."
Kaguya nodded thoughtfully.
"...Power..."
"...experience..."
"...and responsibility."
Yorktown smiled.
"It suddenly makes a lot more sense."
A slow clap echoed through the room.
Vergil leaned casually against the holographic console.
"...Well."
"I suppose it's my turn."
Yuuki smirked.
"You don't have to."
Vergil shrugged.
"They're going to ask eventually."
Instead of opening a holographic menu...
Jarvis projected his profile directly onto the main tactical display.
====================
Vergil
Age: 25
Race: Nephilim
Status: Vice Commander, Global Defense Initiative High Command
Marital Status: Married to two wives. Engaged to Eva McKenna.
Level:5,453
====================
The command room became completely speechless.
Neon slowly turned toward Vergil.
"...Five..."
"...Thousand?"
Akashi's ears drooped.
"...Akashi doesn't like numbers anymore, nyaa..."
Yorktown blinked repeatedly.
"...Vice Commander..."
"...You're even stronger than Doctor Yuu."
Vergil simply shrugged.
"I've had a lot of time to train."
Anis looked between the three members of High Command.
"...Commander."
"Ten thousand."
"...Doctor."
"Three thousand."
"...Vice Commander."
"Five thousand."
She slowly looked around the room.
"...We're all Level thirty-three."
No one answered.
The comparison spoke for itself.
Even Rapi looked genuinely stunned.
"...So this..."
"...is the gap."
Kaguya quietly folded her arms.
For perhaps the first time...
She truly understood why Yuuki had never boasted about his strength.
He wasn't pretending to be weak.
He simply chose not to fight unless absolutely necessary.
She smiled quietly.
"...Thou truly art an unusual commander."
Yuuki chuckled.
"I've already lived long enough."
"I'd rather watch everyone else become stronger."
Yuu nodded.
"And one day..."
"...they'll stand beside us."
Vergil smiled faintly.
"That's always been the goal."
The room slowly fell silent again.
Not out of fear.
But out of renewed determination.
If the Commander had reached Level 10,593...
If the Head Doctor had reached Level 3,651...
If the Vice Commander had reached Level 5,453...
Then perhaps...
Their own journey to greater heights had only just begun.
The room remained quiet.
Not because anyone feared Yuuki.
But because they were trying to comprehend what Level 10,593 truly meant.
Yuuki looked around at every familiar face.
Then smiled awkwardly.
"...You're probably wondering..."
"...why Yuu, Vergil and I let you girls handle so much."
Several nodded.
Yuuki continued.
"The three of us..."
"...could probably solve most battles ourselves."
"Very easily."
He paused.
"But that's never been what I wanted."
He looked toward Yorktown.
"I've watched you command the fleet."
Toward Kaguya.
"I've watched Kaguya fight."
Toward Rapi and the Nikkes.
"I've watched you protect one another."
Toward Enterprise.
"I've watched all of you adapt."
He smiled.
"I wanted to see..."
"...what all of you could become."
"I never wanted to place you behind us..."
"...while we did everything."
The room listened quietly.
"When we fight..."
"...we deliberately suppress ourselves."
Yuu nodded.
"Chief normally limits himself to the equivalent of Level 50."
Vergil casually added,
"So do I. I prefer staying in the lab. Fighting isn't as enjoyable anymore, but discovering new things in this world makes it worthwhile."
Kaguya blinked.
"...Fifty?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Anything beyond that..."
"...stops being a battle."
He looked toward Ember's combat recordings still displayed on one of the monitors.
"When I fought Ember..."
"...I meant every word."
"It had been a very long time..."
"...since I'd experienced a genuine fight."
He smiled faintly.
"At my actual level..."
"...most enemies..."
"...would simply disappear."
"Sometimes, I fight using specially developed armors... creating new ones so I can engage in battle without relying on god mode or one-hit kills, if you understand what I mean."
Silence followed.
Yuuki lowered his eyes slightly.
"...Honestly..."
"I was afraid to tell all of you."
Yorktown tilted her head.
"...Afraid?"
He nodded.
"I thought..."
"...once you saw those numbers..."
"...you'd stop seeing me as the Commander you met."
"You'd see someone..."
"...too distant."
"...Too different."
He laughed softly.
"So..."
"...thank you."
"Despite everything..."
"...you've always treated me the same."
He looked around the room.
"Please don't let those numbers change anything."
"I'm still..."
"...the same Yuuki."
"Maybe..."
He scratched his cheek.
"...a version who takes life a little easier now."
"But..."
"...I'm still me."
Silence.
Then...
Yorktown walked over without saying a word.
She gently placed her hand on his head.
Pat.
"...Commander."
She smiled warmly.
"You're still the man who rescued us."
"The man who gave us another chance."
"Levels..."
"...don't change that."
"You're still..."
"...you."
Yuuki smiled.
"...Thanks, Hana."
Neon suddenly raised her hand excitedly.
"Commander!"
Yuuki blinked.
"...Yeah?"
"You're basically the final boss of the game!"
The room erupted into laughter.
Yuuki sighed dramatically.
"...I walked right into that one."
Belfast stepped forward gracefully.
She gave a proper curtsy.
"Master."
"You may possess unimaginable strength."
"But..."
"I remain your personal maid."
"Lieutenant Eva entrusted me with that responsibility."
She smiled gently.
"I still intend to ensure you wake on time."
"Attend your meetings."
"And refrain from turning into a cave-dwelling recluse."
Yuuki looked horrified.
"...You're never letting that go?"
"...Never."
Enterprise crossed her arms.
"We've already felt your heart."
Yuuki looked toward her.
"Our connection through our hearts."
She smiled faintly.
"It isn't numbers we feel."
"It's sincerity."
Yorktown nodded.
"If you didn't care about us..."
"...you wouldn't let us into your room."
"You wouldn't let us fuss over you."
"You wouldn't let us stay close."
She smiled.
"You've always trusted us."
"That's how we know."
"...You love us."
The command room grew warm with quiet smiles.
Anis laughed.
"...Honestly?"
"With a level like yours..."
"...who in their right mind would betray you?"
Akashi immediately raised a paw.
"Akashi definitely won't, nyaa!"
Even Vergil chuckled quietly.
Illustrious approached with her usual gentle smile.
She softly placed a hand on Yuuki's shoulder.
"My..."
"No matter how powerful you become..."
"...I still see the same young man."
She giggled.
"To me..."
"...you're still a child."
Before Yuuki could protest...
Another gentle voice joined in.
Houshou smiled serenely.
"Indeed."
She nodded once.
"A child..."
"...who still requires guidance."
Yuuki sighed in surrender.
"...Why do all the motherly Shipgirls keep saying that?"
Houshou smiled.
"Because..."
"No matter how many worlds you have crossed..."
"...or how many battles you have won..."
"No matter how many lives you lived..."
She reached up and gently brushed a strand of hair away from his face.
"...children still need someone to remind them to eat."
"...To sleep."
"...And to return home."
The room fell quiet once more.
This time...
Not because of awe.
Not because of impossible levels.
But because...
To everyone gathered in that command room...
Their commander had never been defined by the number above his name.
He was simply...
Yuuki.
Before Yuuki could respond...
A familiar red blur launched herself across the command room.
"Shikikan-sama!"
Yuuki instinctively opened his arms.
Thump.
Akagi landed squarely against his chest.
He caught her without even taking a step back.
Akagi immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Shikikan belongs to Akagi."
Before Yuuki could answer—
Kaga calmly corrected her sister.
"...Belongs to all of us."
"Hug."
A tiny voice came from behind.
Eldridge had quietly wrapped both arms around Yuuki's neck from behind.
"Hug complete."
Yuuki couldn't help smiling.
"...Thanks, Eldridge."
Nearby...
Atago and Takao exchanged amused glances before nodding in agreement.
Maya sighed.
"Our seniors really have no shame."
Choukai nodded.
"Not even a little."
Yorktown stepped forward with Laffey beside her.
She smiled warmly.
"You saved me..."
"...when no one else would. You came to this world and saved me when I needed you most."
Laffey nodded sleepily.
"...Commander found Laffey."
"...Didn't leave Laffey behind. Commander is the best pillow."
Enterprise folded her arms.
"You rescued me."
"Vestal."
"And Unicorn."
"When everyone else only saw Sirens..."
"...you saw people worth saving."
Kaga looked quietly toward Yuuki.
"When Orochi fell..."
"...you could have destroyed all of us."
"You chose rescue instead. You didn't kill me or nee-sama—you saved us, and you vowed to resurrect Amagi-neesama."
Atago smiled.
"When we, Sakura Empire needed someone..."
"...Shikikan-sama reached out his hand."
Takao gave a single nod.
"And asked for nothing in return."
Prince of Wales continued.
"You recovered us from Headquarters."
Nimi adjusted her glasses.
"And gave us a place to belong."
San Diego raised her hand. "I don't really understand everything, but you really did save me!"
Akashi enthusiastically raised both paws.
"And rescued Akashi and the Bulins from the vault, nyaa!"
Behind her...
Bulin.
Purin.
And Kurin all saluted proudly.
"Bulin!"
Avrora smiled softly.
"When Aqua became a place where I feared becoming someone's property..."
"...you arrived."
Rapi stepped beside Anis and Neon.
"You didn't leave us behind as slaves. You came for Avrora, but you chose to take us with you as well."
Anis grinned.
"We got adopted."
Neon raised both hands dramatically.
"Into the coolest faction ever!"
Ade and Soda smiled together.
"And accepted as family."
Mary looked toward Pepper.
"You even accepted broken doctors like us."
Pepper nodded.
"You didn't ask whether we were useful."
"You simply said..."
"'Come with you.'"
Javelin giggled.
"You even saved me from an arranged marriage."
Yuuki scratched his cheek.
"...I'd almost forgotten that."
"You may have."
"I didn't."
Eugen smiled mischievously.
"My teddy bear won me fair and square."
"You stole me from an utterly worthless fiancé..."
"...and made me your fiancée instead."
She winked.
Hipper immediately elbowed her side.
"Stop flirting in front of everyone!"
Eugen merely laughed.
"And..."
She offered Hipper a gentle smile.
"You also saved my older sister."
Hipper looked away, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"...Thank you. For giving me the chance to walk again—and for bringing back Eugen's lost smile."
Cocoa curtsied gracefully.
"You accepted this maid..."
"...into the Royal Maids."
Vestal smiled warmly.
"And allowed us to become your doctors."
"You even accepted this monk as your beloved, granting me sanctuary in your arms." Nayuta smiled.
"Do not forget, dearest. Thou hast made this wife fall for her beloved husband." Kaguya held his arm.
"Well, Chief. The others here helped me confess my long-held love for you." Yuu said with a cheeky smile as she hugged his arm.
"So..."
Yorktown gently reached up and adjusted Yuuki's collar.
"Do you understand now, Commander?"
Yuuki looked at her.
"You never relied on overwhelming strength."
She gestured toward everyone gathered around him.
"You relied on your armor."
"Your fleet."
"Your friends."
"And..."
"...us."
Enterprise nodded.
"You deliberately held yourself back."
"So we could gain experience."
"So we could grow."
"So one day..."
"...we could stand beside you."
Kaga smiled faintly.
"A commander who solves every battle alone..."
"...creates followers."
"You created comrades."
Silence settled over the room once again.
Yorktown looked directly into Yuuki's eyes.
"Your level may be unimaginably high."
She gently tapped the center of his chest.
"But this..."
"...is the person we followed."
"The one we trust."
"The one we love."
She smiled.
"So..."
"...when we look at you..."
"We don't see Level 10,593."
She shook her head.
"...We simply see..."
"...our Commander."
For a brief moment...
No one spoke.
Surrounded by Shipgirls and Nikkes from every nation...
Held tightly by Akagi.
Hugged from behind by Eldridge.
With Yorktown standing before him...
Yuuki finally laughed.
A genuine, relieved laugh.
"...You girls really don't make it easy to stay worried."
Anis grinned.
"Nope."
Neon pumped a fist into the air.
"That's teamwork!"
Even Vergil, watching from the tactical console, allowed himself a faint smile.
"...Looks like you were worried over nothing, mate."
Yuuki looked around the room.
At every smiling face.
Every person he had once rescued.
And quietly realized...
They had never followed the strongest man in the room.
They had chosen to follow...
The man who reached out his hand when they needed it most.
Yuuki opened his mouth to answer...
But no words came.
Instead...
His vision blurred.
A single tear escaped the corner of his eye.
Then another.
"...Commander?"
Yorktown's smile faded into concern.
"...Yuuki?"
He tried to smile.
"...I'm..."
"...fine."
His voice cracked.
More tears quietly rolled down his cheeks.
For a moment...
He wasn't standing aboard the Daedalus anymore.
He was somewhere else.
A different world.
A different lifetime.
He could almost hear them.
The soldiers.
The pilots.
The engineers.
The people who had followed him through countless battles on Earth 1.0.
The comrades he had trained.
The family he had built.
The ones he couldn't save...
When Sarajevo fell.
Faces.
Names.
Laughter.
Promises.
One after another...
Appearing before him.
Then disappearing into smoke and fire.
Yuuki instinctively closed his eyes.
"...Commander..."
Yorktown gently reached up.
With one finger...
She carefully wiped away a tear running down his cheek.
"...Don't cry."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
The warmth of her touch pulled him back.
He slowly opened his eyes.
And what he saw...
Was both the command room...
And something beyond it.
Standing alongside the girls around him...
Interwoven with their presence...
Was the endless white expanse of the Void World.
And within that light...
Were countless silhouettes.
Some clear.
Some little more than shadows.
They weren't distant.
They weren't separated.
They stood right there...
Beside Yorktown.
Beside Enterprise.
Beside Akagi.
Beside every Shipgirl and Nikke in the room.
As if two worlds had overlapped.
As if those waiting...
Were already standing with them.
He immediately recognized them.
Hornet.
She stood with her familiar confident grin.
Elizabeth, Hood, Amagi, Warspite, Valiant.
Watching quietly with regal composure.
Behind them...
More silhouettes.
Dozens.
Shipgirls.
Those whose Cubes still endured.
Those whose hearts had yet to return.
Not just waiting.
Standing with them.
Fighting with them.
Existing just beyond reach.
Yuuki's breathing became uneven.
"...There are still..."
"...so many..."
Yorktown looked into his eyes.
"...Commander?"
He slowly smiled through his tears.
"...I can see them."
The room became silent.
"I thought..."
"...I had already rescued so many."
He looked around the room...
At the girls beside him...
And beyond them...
At those standing in the same space.
"But..."
"...they're already here."
His hand unconsciously rested over his heart.
"They've been with us all along."
"Hornet..."
"Elizabeth, Hood, Amagi, Warspite, Valiant."
"And everyone else."
"They're standing with us."
Kaguya quietly lowered her head.
"...Dearest..."
Yuuki slowly looked around the room once more.
Every smiling face before him.
And layered among them...
Those who had yet to return.
He smiled.
A genuine smile.
"...Wait just a little longer."
His voice carried quiet determination.
"We'll bring you fully back."
"No matter where you're imprisoned."
"No matter how deep you're buried."
"No matter who stands in our way."
He wiped away the remaining tears himself.
"...I'll make sure you can stand here..."
"...not just as shadows."
The silhouettes never spoke.
But they didn't fade.
They remained.
Standing quietly beside their sisters.
Leaving only one feeling behind.
Hope.
Yorktown gently intertwined her fingers with his.
"We'll help you."
Enterprise nodded.
"Every one of us."
Rapi stepped forward.
"No one gets left behind."
Kaguya smiled warmly.
"This wife made a vow."
"...We shall bring every sister home. Every Arcane we can find—from the North, South, West, and East. All the pillars."
"That will be our priority—and our decisive course of action," Kaga spoke.
Akagi rested her head against Yuuki's shoulder.
"Every single one."
The command room remained completely silent.
Not out of sadness.
But because everyone present had reached the same conclusion.
Their journey...
Was nowhere near over.
This fleet...
Would continue sailing.
Until every last Shipgirl...
Every last Nikke...
And every soul standing beside them...
Could finally come home.
Yuuki looked around the room.
The Nikkes.
The Shipgirls.
His family.
The tears on his cheeks slowly came to a stop.
A smile gradually formed.
A real one.
"...You girls..."
His voice was soft.
"...I really will protect all of you."
Silence filled the command room.
He took a slow breath.
"Remember..."
"...what I once told all of you?"
Several nodded.
Yuuki smiled.
"I said..."
"...I won't catch you when you fall."
The younger members tilted their heads.
He continued.
"...But..."
"...I will always pull you back up."
He looked directly at every one of them.
"I won't stop you from stumbling."
"I won't shield you from every hardship."
"I won't solve every problem for you."
"Because..."
"...that's how people grow."
His gaze became resolute.
"So..."
"...be your strongest."
"Reach your best."
"Become stronger than you were yesterday."
"Surpass your limits."
He laughed quietly.
"I'll be waiting..."
"...for every single one of you."
The room fell completely silent.
Then his smile trembled.
For just a moment...
The memories of Sarajevo crossed his mind again.
His old comrades.
His first family.
The ones he could never bring back.
His voice became quieter.
"...I've already lost my comrades once."
He slowly shook his head.
"...Don't..."
"...make me lose all of you too."
No one answered immediately.
Instead...
Yorktown stepped closer.
Without hesitation...
She embraced him once more.
"We won't."
Enterprise nodded.
"We're returning together."
Kaga folded her arms.
"No one sails alone."
Rapi stood at attention.
"The GDI Nikkes will return with everyone present."
Anis smiled.
"Nobody gets left behind."
Neon pointed dramatically toward the ceiling.
"If anyone tries..."
"...we'll blast our way back!"
The room laughed softly.
Even Houshou smiled.
Akagi tightened her embrace around Yuuki's arm.
"This Akagi has no intention of dying before Shikikan."
Kaga sighed.
"Neither do I."
Laffey yawned.
"Laffey..."
"...promises."
Nayuta folded her hands together.
"This humble one has finally found a place to return to."
Kaguya gently rested her forehead against Yuuki's shoulder.
"This wife hath crossed worlds to stand beside her beloved."
"...I have no intention of leaving."
Yuu smiled warmly.
"You spent three lifetimes protecting others."
"It's our turn to protect you as well, Chief. I didn't become the head doctor for nothing."
Vergil crossed his arms with a faint grin.
"...Besides."
"I still have far too many research projects."
"So you're not allowed to die yet."
Yuuki laughed through the last traces of his tears.
"...Bossy."
Vergil shrugged.
"I'm practical."
Yorktown looked around the room.
Then raised her hand toward the center.
"...Everyone."
Without a word...
One after another...
Hands reached forward.
Shipgirls.
Nikkes.
Friends.
Family.
One circle.
One fleet.
One promise.
Yuuki placed his own hand atop theirs.
"...We'll bring everyone home."
Every voice answered together.
"Together."
At that moment...
Even the silent silhouettes standing just beyond the veil seemed to smile.
As if...
They, too...
Had accepted that promise.
Before everyone could place their hands together—
The command room doors slid open.
"Having an emotional moment..."
A familiar voice echoed through the room.
"...without us?"
Shoukaku stood at the doorway with her arms folded.
A playful smile spread across her face.
"...Not fair."
Everyone turned.
Standing behind her...
Were the newly rescued members.
Shoukaku.
Zuikaku.
Hiryuu.
Souryuu.
Pennsylvania.
Arizona.
Centaur.
Albion.
Friedrich der Große.
Hindenburg.
Mecklenburg.
And beside them...
Emma.
Vesti.
Eunhwa.
Velvet.
Privaty.
Even Vestal looked surprised.
"I told you girls to rest!"
Souryuu smiled apologetically.
"We tried."
"But..."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"...we felt his heart."
"So we came."
Hiryuu scratched the back of her head.
"It's strange."
"We only just met Commander."
"But..."
"...it feels like we've known him for years."
Pennsylvania nodded quietly.
"We heard everything."
Yuuki blinked.
"...Heard?"
Arizona smiled gently.
"In our dreams."
"Every word."
"We felt your promise."
Shoukaku stepped forward.
"So..."
"...we weren't going to miss this."
Zuikaku grinned brightly.
"We might be new..."
"But we feel your heart too, Commander!"
Akagi clicked her tongue dramatically.
"...Troublesome juniors."
Shoukaku immediately smiled back.
"And troublesome seniors."
Kaga sighed.
"...They're getting along already."
Centaur raised her hand politely.
"Um..."
She smiled warmly.
"Great Elder..."
Albion gently tugged on her sister's sleeve.
"...Sister."
"It's Lord Commander."
Centaur blinked.
"...Ah."
She immediately bowed.
"My apologies."
"...Commander."
Yuuki laughed.
"I don't mind either one."
Centaur smiled with obvious relief.
"You rescued us."
"We shall remember your heart."
Albion nodded.
"Forever."
Friedrich slowly approached.
Despite still recovering...
Her regal bearing remained unmistakable.
She lowered herself into a graceful bow.
"...Herr Kommandant."
She smiled with unmistakable warmth.
"You have earned..."
"...this mother's complete attention."
Yuuki smiled sheepishly.
"...Thanks."
Before he could say anything further—
Hindenburg took one determined step forward.
"...Contractor."
Her crimson eyes locked onto his.
"I have fully recovered."
She placed a hand over her chest.
"...Permit us to finalize our contract."
Yuuki sighed with an amused smile.
"...Very well."
Hindenburg nodded immediately.
Mecklenburg practically bounced forward.
"Great Wizard!"
She raised both hands excitedly.
"I am your witch!"
"When are we flying on broomsticks together?"
The room erupted into laughter.
Yuuki rubbed his forehead.
"...That's still the first thing on your mind?"
"Obviously! The witch needs her wizard!"
Emma smiled as she stepped beside the Commander.
"...Commander."
"We've only just met."
"But..."
"We're your Nikkes now."
Vesti nodded enthusiastically.
"I have..."
She looked around at everyone.
"...so many friends now."
She smiled brightly.
"I'll protect them..."
"...with you."
Eunhwa stood straight before him.
"...Commander."
She bowed deeply.
"I misjudged you."
"I judged you before understanding you."
She slowly raised her head.
"You gave me another chance."
"You reunited me with Rapi."
She placed a fist over her heart.
"Permit me..."
"...to protect your faction."
"...just as you saved mine."
Rapi smiled quietly beside her old friend.
Velvet gave a proper maid's curtsy.
"You accepted me..."
"...into the Maid for You squad."
"And now..."
"...the Royal Maids."
She smiled proudly toward Belfast.
"I'll do my utmost."
Finally...
Privaty stepped forward.
She folded her arms.
Looked away.
And spoke with a faint blush.
"I-I'm also part of the Royal Maids now..."
She coughed lightly.
"And..."
"...one of your GDI members."
She looked away even further.
"It's..."
"...it's not like I wanted to or anything."
Silence.
Then—
Anis burst into laughter.
"There it is!"
"The tsundere!"
Neon pointed dramatically.
"Classic!"
Even Belfast covered a smile behind one hand.
Yuuki couldn't help laughing.
"...Welcome aboard, Privaty."
Her blush deepened immediately.
"I-I said don't misunderstand!"
The room filled with warm laughter once more.
Yorktown looked around.
From the very first rescued Shipgirls...
To the newest arrivals.
Everyone now stood within the same circle.
Different nations.
Different worlds.
Different histories.
Yet...
One family.
Yuuki smiled.
"...Looks like..."
"...our fleet just became a little bigger."
Before the laughter could settle...
Two tiny lights fluttered through the open doorway.
"Pray, forget us not!"
Esche declared proudly as she landed atop Yuuki's shoulder.
Oberis gracefully settled on the other.
"We too art of this family."
The two fairies folded their tiny arms in mock protest.
"Thou dost bear the sacred trees of Telperion and Laurelin."
Esche nodded vigorously.
"And thou hast accepted our bonds."
Oberis smiled gently.
"So forget not the vows thou madest when thou didst accept us."
"We shall guard thee..."
"...even as thou hast chosen to guard us."
Yuuki laughed softly.
"...I wouldn't dream of forgetting."
Esche beamed.
"Good!"
"For fair folk ne'er forget their promises."
Around him...
He looked at everyone.
The veterans who had followed him from the beginning.
The newly rescued Shipgirls.
The recovered Nikkes.
The Arcane Fox who stood proudly beside him.
The quiet monk.
The witches.
The maids.
The destroyers.
The battleships.
The carriers.
The fairies resting on his shoulders.
And finally...
His gaze settled on Yuu.
She was smiling.
Not as Head Doctor.
Not as one of the GDI High Command.
But simply...
As Yuu.
Arisa folded her arms with a mischievous grin as she came in.
"...Pff."
"I never realized Master could be this emotional."
Yuuki sighed dramatically.
"...Please don't tell anyone."
Arisa tilted her head innocently.
"Oh?"
"You mean..."
"...the Pleiades Maids?"
Yuuki's eyes widened.
"...Arisa."
She grinned wider.
"I'm sure they'd absolutely adore seeing this."
"Their usually composed Commander..."
"...crying because everyone loves him."
Yuuki covered his face with one hand.
"...Please don't."
"I already have enough trouble managing one fleet."
"I don't need another group teasing me for the next decade."
Even Vergil laughed.
"...Too late."
Yorktown giggled.
"I'd pay to watch that."
Akagi smiled sweetly.
"This Akagi also wishes to witness it."
Yuuki groaned.
"...Traitors."
The room erupted into another round of warm laughter.
Then...
Arisa's playful smile softened.
She tapped the medical tablet in her hand.
"...Oh."
"I almost forgot."
Everyone looked toward her.
She smiled brightly.
"...The other two..."
"...have finally awakened."
Silence.
Yuuki immediately straightened.
"...Cinderella..."
Arisa nodded.
"Awake."
"A little confused."
"...But smiling."
Yuuki's expression brightened.
"...And the other?"
Arisa looked toward Laffey, Nimi and Javelin.
Their eyes widened almost simultaneously.
"...Ayanami."
Laffey was already halfway to the door.
"Laffey..."
"...going."
Javelin nearly bounced.
"Ayanami's awake?!"
Nimi adjusted her glasses despite the excitement obvious in her voice.
"We should head to the medical ward immediately."
Yorktown smiled as she looked around the room.
"...Looks like today's happy surprises..."
"...still aren't finished."
Without another word...
The entire group began making their way toward the medical bay.
Together.
Just as they had promised moments earlier.