Chapter 125 – For the Greater Good

Several Commanders echoed the call for restraints, but Takeyama Takeshi couldn't bear to watch anymore. He stepped forward, furious.

"You admit his shipgirls are strong, and yet you still believe he'd do something this stupid? Even if he had done it, do you think he'd leave behind obvious traces? What ungrateful, baseless nonsense!"

But Shun's thick skin was impervious to such scolding. He ignored Takeyama completely, keeping his eyes fixed on Gorou.

And Gorou… couldn't make up his mind.

Deep down, he didn't believe for a second that Hikaru would murder Commander Noboru and other two innocent commander over some petty disagreement—and then destroy their corpses to cover it up.

It would be completely irrational. If anything, Hikaru had already come out ahead in the conflict: Noboru had nearly been blown apart by Hikaru's Shipgirl. What grudge could still linger that would drive Hikaru to revenge?

Besides, if things went south and they truly broke ties with Hikaru today, no one could predict what someone with the strongest shipgirls might do next.

At the very least, they could forget about Hikaru ever serving the interests of the Country again.

But still… Gorou had to ask himself honestly: if they didn't seize this rare opportunity to force Hikaru to reveal his background, what would happen once his legend as a national hero spread unchecked? Who would dare touch him then? And what would that mean for the Nation?

His mind made up, Gorou fixed Hikaru with a cold stare.

"Commander Hikaru. I'll permit you to visit Compartment A1309—but after that, you must tell us where you come from. It's the only way to clear your name."

Hikaru gave a cold laugh. "Is this really for my sake?"

Gorou nodded. "Yes. For your sake."

But deep inside, Gorou whispered to himself: For the greater good.

Hikaru couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

Still, he understood. He'd lived through the collapse of Earth in his previous life. He'd long since learned to understand even the incomprehensible.

Perhaps… that was exactly what the mastermind behind this mess wanted: to provoke a split between Hikaru and Gorou, isolating him completely.

That mastermind might even be among them right now—watching Hikaru with smug satisfaction.

"Shall we move out, then, Fleet Admiral Gorou?" said Representative Murong, emerging from the crowd with a frostbitten expression. Her tone was sour and impatient.

It was no wonder. She had come here expecting a clean, feel-good ceremony: a medal presentation, smiles all around. Instead, she'd stepped into a political swamp, one that would cling to her like filth on the way back.

Hikaru glanced at Murong. The odds were low, but… he couldn't completely rule her out as the mastermind either.

Truth be told, anyone on this ship could be a suspect—and Hikaru remained the one under the most suspicion.

Shun, who had already convinced himself Hikaru was guilty, shouted that they should bring enchanted handcuffs to restrain him immediately.

Tirpitz growled in a low voice, "You're all looking to die."

"There's no need for handcuffs," Gorou waved his hand. His gaze was locked onto Hikaru. "You may inspect the scene, but your shipgirls are not allowed to accompany you."

Lexington's expression darkened instantly. She grabbed Hikaru's hand. "Commander, be careful. This could be a trap!"

Fletcher was equally panicked. "Commander, you mustn't leave us!"

Without his shipgirls, Hikaru would be completely vulnerable. Surrounded by thousands of Commanders, every one of them confident they could take him down.

And everyone knew—when a shipgirl lost her Commander, she would inevitably begin to die.

In other words, if Hikaru accepted Gorou's terms, he would be placing not just himself, but also the lives of Tirpitz, Lexington, and the others into Gorou's hands.

Of course, Gorou might not actually harm him. But even that uncertainty would force Lexington and the others to act with extreme caution—unable to fight without risking Hikaru's life.

All eyes were on Hikaru. Wakayama's expression was unreadable. Shun was openly gloating. Yamato looked deeply worried. Takeyama's eyes were filled with concern.

Hikaru's gaze swept to the side—landing on the Viribus Unitis, standing beside Takeyama—and his eyes lit up.

"Miss," he said calmly, "could I borrow your command sword again? Just for self-defense."

Shun snorted. "You think a sword will let you stand against Fleet Admiral Gorou?"

"Who knows?" Hikaru said, waving him off casually. "Guess we'll find out."

[End of Chapter]

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