299: Reunion with Ironblood and Temporary Farewell

However, since Hipper's voice had already come through, it meant that most of the Ironblood shipgirls had also arrived upon hearing the news.

After this little commotion, Lin Lan could tell that Saratoga had truly adjusted her emotions. 

She had likely guessed that Hipper had arrived, which is why she said those things deliberately in front of him.

"Commander~ Put down your dear little Sara, will you? You must have a lot to say to the Ironblood sisters. Want us to give you some space~?"

Hearing Saratoga's mischievous question, Lin Lan couldn't help but laugh.

"What's there to avoid? It's not like we're talking about something shameful. You can all stay here. It won't get in the way."

With Lin Lan's permission, Saratoga cheerfully waved over New Jersey, Anchorage, and Eldridge, and they all took seats at the empty spots along the long table in the meeting room.

At the same time, Saratoga picked up a plump, round creature wearing a white navy cap from under the table—a Command Cat—and handed it to Anchorage.

Sitting where little Sara had been just a moment ago, Lin Lan finally noticed the massive emblem of the Eagle Union hanging on the wall behind him.

Hmm, thankfully this 3D holographic communication doesn't show the background behind the person on the call—otherwise, with him sitting in this spot, it would really look like he was the Eagle Union's spokesperson.

"Um, Bismarck, I'm really sorry for making you all worry before… And don't blame Ulrich and Sui Qiong. The Observer's ambush came too suddenly..."

Looking at Bismarck's face, Lin Lan first apologized guiltily for his earlier failure in Yunhai City.

What he worried about most was that Ulrich and Sui Qiong would blame themselves for failing in their duties.

"Ulrich, did you hear that? The Commander doesn't blame you at all."

Bismarck smiled faintly and turned her gaze to the side.

"As long as you're unharmed, Commander. I will reflect deeply on this incident."

As Bismarck finished speaking, the holographic image changed to Ulrich, her face calm.

"The Observer's attack in Yunhai City was clearly aimed at me. I suspect it had already been lying in wait nearby for some time."

"This sort of thing has never happened before, so Ulrich, please don't blame yourself."

Seeing Ulrich, Lin Lan shared the deduction he had come to after encountering the Observer.

"Commander, you don't need to worry about me. I'm fine. We'll be waiting for your return at the port. But you must be more careful from now on."

Hearing Ulrich say this and seeing a faint smile appear on her usually cold face, Lin Lan finally felt a little relieved.

He was afraid Ulrich would take it too hard—after all, every time he was ambushed, it happened with Ulrich as the flagship. Talk about bad luck.

At that moment, the sound of a door opening and footsteps came from Bismarck's side.

"Sui Qiong? You came at just the right time. Say something to the Commander, whom you've been most worried about."

At Bismarck's words, Ulrich waved to Lin Lan and stood up to make room.

Soon, the familiar white-haired mechanical girl Sui Qiong appeared in the holographic projection, her voice choked with emotion:

"Commander, Sui Qiong failed to protect you… I'm sorry…"

"Hey, Sui Qiong, don't cry. I told you, we were ambushed back then. And it was a high-level Siren, no less. Don't blame yourself—I'm fine, see?"

It took Lin Lan quite a bit of coaxing to calm Sui Qiong down.

He also reminded her to follow Bismarck's lead and return to the old port with the Ironblood faction while he was away.

After that, Lin Lan met one by one with many other Ironblood shipgirls: Friedrich der Große, Prinz Eugen, Ägir, August, Z23, and more, all exchanging well wishes.

Of course, Peter and Brunhilde, as well as the other Ironblood shipgirls who had gone to Haifeng City to attack Warhammer Industries, had also returned. 

Lin Lan was informed that their mission had been successfully completed.

Time passed by—about an hour in total. During that time, New Jersey even got up to pour Lin Lan a glass of water.

Finally, after chatting with all the little chibis of the Wolfpack, Bismarck's holographic image once again appeared before him.

"Speaking of which, Bismarck, after I was taken by the Observer, how did the situation develop on the Western Continent?"

Now that the conversations with the Ironblood shipgirls were over, it was time to check in on the Western Continent's current state of affairs.

"Commander, rest assured. After we learned from Saratoga that you had safely arrived on the Eastern Continent, we pushed the Western Continent Navy and Tian'ou Group to reach a cooperation agreement."

"All major representatives of Battleaxe Industries have now defected to Tian'ou Group, and news of this will soon reach the Eastern Continent."

"Additionally, Jian Qian'ou has promised to send oil regularly to the port at Lihu County. Later, we plan to open a dedicated shipping route to deliver oil to the old port."

"We're preparing to return to the old port next week, before the surrounding seas freeze over."

With Bismarck's words, Lin Lan's last concern was put to rest.

Since things were going smoothly with the Ironblood faction, the Western Continent Navy, and Tian'ou Group, he had nothing left to worry about.

The next time he saw the Ironblood shipgirls, it would likely be at the old port.

"Then Bismarck, I'll stay here with the Eagle Union for a while. I hope you all have a safe journey back to the old port. Also, say hi to Elizabeth for me."

"Commander, if you want to speak with Elizabeth, the Eagle Union can directly connect with the Royal Navy's communications…"

Bismarck replied in her usual precise tone, clearly puzzled—after all, as an Ironblood shipgirl, she didn't understand the subtleties of Eastern courtesy.

"You... ah, forget it. Just pass the message along once you all get back safely."

Lin Lan smiled helplessly. He was just about to bid farewell to Bismarck and the Ironblood shipgirls when he suddenly remembered something.

Wait a second—what about that merchant fox, Akashi?

"Bismarck, did I… forget to talk to Akashi just now?"

"Hmm… Commander, actually, after Akashi learned you had been taken by the Observer, she came to the Eastern Continent."

"What?! That repair ship came to the Eastern Continent all by herself?!"

Bismarck's words made Lin Lan's eyes go wide in disbelief.

"Akashi said she could find you using a cat's sixth sense, so she left Lihu County Port. Judging by the time, she should be arriving on the Eastern Continent any moment now."

"Commander, you really don't have to worry too much. 

She's always traveled between our various factions alone. Once she gets here, she'll probably come find you at the Eagle Union."

Before Lin Lan could reply, Saratoga—who had been bored and playing with her phone—suddenly flung it away, her face full of horror.

"What? That merchant is coming to wreak havoc on our Eagle Union again?!"

At the same time, New Jersey propped her chin up with both hands, showing a rare distressed expression:

"We only just managed to dump that merchant on Ironblood, and now this…"

"New Jersey, I can't pretend I didn't hear that comment…"

Bismarck's voice rose slightly at New Jersey's jab.

Seeing that a diplomatic incident between factions was about to erupt, Lin Lan quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over:

"Alright, alright. Don't worry. With me here, Akashi won't be causing any big trouble."

Even as he said that, Lin Lan recalled that Akashi had once mentioned she had come from the Ryōshū Kyūtō where Sakura Empire was located, traveled to the Eagle Union's Eastern Continent, and then joined Brunhilde's fleet—which had originally planned to return to the Ironblood stronghold—on its journey to the Western Continent.

Come to think of it, he probably didn't need to worry too much about Akashi. That little merchant fox did have some skill.

After that little episode, Lin Lan finally—reluctantly—ended the communication with Bismarck and the Ironblood shipgirls.

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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