Chapter 126 – Investigating the Scene

The Viribus Unitis looked back at Takeyama, then drew her longsword and handed it to Hikaru.

"I believe you're not an evil man. I hope you'll clear your name."

Hikaru accepted the sword and twirled it in a flourish of silvery light, nodding at Takeyama. No words were needed.

"Commander, I won't let you go!"

Tirpitz reached out and clung tightly to him.

"Be good, dear wife. Trust your husband."

Hikaru gently stroked her cheek and said softly, "Wait for me here."

Tirpitz stared as he pried her fingers off one by one. Her voice turned icy.

"If you don't come back, I'll destroy the whole world. I'm not joking."

The threat from the strongest being alive was effective—some Commanders even started trembling.

They could feel the sheer pressure and resolve emanating from Tirpitz.

If anything happened to Hikaru, this Tirpitz really would drag them all to the grave.

Indiana stood behind Fleet Admiral Gorou, arms crossed and smirking.

"Fleet Admiral, no matter how this ends, Hikaru will never work for you again."

"That's fine," Gorou replied with a kindly smile that didn't reach his eyes, though his heart sighed deeply.

It was precisely because shipgirls were loyal only to their Commander—treating his enemies as their own—that Gorou was forced to act this way.

No one could restrain Tirpitz. She was unmatched.

If they didn't get a grip on Hikaru now and simply allowed him to serve the Nation, what would happen after decades of his power accumulating unchecked? Who could rival him then?

That's why Gorou had no choice but to make things difficult for Hikaru, even if it meant risking a permanent rupture.

Extending a hand to lead the way, Gorou said with a polite smile, "This way, Commander Hikaru."

Surrounded—perhaps even hemmed in—by the crowd, Hikaru descended the gangway and followed the winding corridors through several turns before arriving at the door to Compartment A1306.

Several Commanders stood guard. These guards clearly didn't trust one another either, and each reported to different factions.

"No one's entered, right?" Gorou asked.

"Reporting, Fleet Admiral. Only the Commanders who previously inspected the room."

"Good." Gorou nodded toward Hikaru. "You may go in and investigate."

Without hesitation, Hikaru stepped inside.

The room was considered one of the ship's luxury cabins. Though called "luxury," it just meant it had a separate washroom and restroom—the decor was far from extravagant.

The furnishings were simple and spartan, typical of a military officer's style. There weren't even many personal items.

Hikaru picked up a diamond ring from the coffee table and examined it.

"That's the wedding ring between Commander Noboru and his South Dakota," Shun said, watching Hikaru with ill intent. "Doesn't that make you feel even a little guilty?"

But Hikaru felt no guilt at all. He gave Shun a cold glance, thinking—This guy's a huge suspect too.

He set the ring down and began pacing around the cabin.

Iron-frame bed. Washroom. Toilet. He inspected each in turn.

Nothing out of place.

How could several living people simply vanish into thin air?

Flushed down the plumbing?

Hikaru scanned the room again, inwardly frowning.

Something felt off. He couldn't quite say what, but it gnawed at him.

If he couldn't prove his innocence today, he knew he'd have to leave this Country for good.

He paused for a moment, then decided to draw upon his past as a former top-tier powerhouse.

With one hand resting on the sword, Hikaru quieted his thoughts, entering a meditative state. He closed his eyes.

Shun saw this and sneered. "Fleet Admiral, he might be using some dark magic—you can't just let him get away with that!"

"I know what I'm doing," Gorou replied, waving him off.

But even he was secretly alarmed. As expected, when pushed this far, Hikaru is finally showing some real skill.

Gorou could sense ripples of energy in the air—emanating from Hikaru himself.

Yet despite having lived for two centuries and possessing a cultivation that reached the heavens, Gorou still couldn't decipher the nature of Hikaru's power.

It was as if the boy were wrapped in layer upon layer of impenetrable mist.

Interesting… I'm growing more and more wary of you, Gorou thought.

But while Gorou stood watching warily, Hikaru—having triggered a forbidden technique—was finally beginning to uncover something.

[End of Chapter]

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