「The Chamber of Mind」
Deep within his subconscious, Sakura Zeimachi sat motionless, eyes gently shut.
His face bore the weight of unseen battles—worn, drawn, and hollowed by fatigue.
The dim 3x3 chamber around him pulsed faintly, its fractured-screen walls flickering like broken memories struggling to hold shape. In that suspended stillness, the Fool sought a fragment of peace amid the quiet unraveling of his mind.
Because at times like this, solitude was a moment he quietly cherished.
"Finally, they escaped that island." (Sakura Zeimachi)
So much had unraveled in his mind—shattered memories of the past colliding with flickers of futures yet to come. All churning in a storm of thought much like someone flipping through an old photo album.
Memories and lived experiences rose to the surface—lessons carved by pain, shaped by failure, and touched by fleeting moments of joy, shifting through one by one, little by little.
"Nice work, everyone." (Sakura Zeimachi)
A vivid image took shape in his mind—Hylia and the six Ship Girls with Demi-systems, leaping together into the vast open sea. After a week and a few days since they first set foot on that island, they had finally broken free.
They had grown stronger from their time spent there—grinding, struggling, evolving. But more than power, they had gained something deeper, Friendship. Bonds that bloomed like a bouquet of different flowers, tied together in shared happiness.
Furthermore, they weren't alone.
With them was a once-feral beast—still brimming with primal power.
A creature mighty enough to stand among the divine hierarchy, now surging forward beside them, its raw strength slicing through the waves like a living calamity. It'd lend its power—as per the contract that had been forged.
"It's not a perfect 100% run. But this should be enough." (Sakura Zeimachi)
It wouldn't be long now.
They're on their way.
"Deutschland, Gascogne, Hakuryuu, Yamashiro, Hornet… and that girl. Ichigo, wasn't it? Still hiding her real name, huh? What an unusual… hopefully Hylia gets along with them as things move forward." (Sakura Zeimachi)
His expression softened as his thoughts drifted to the fate of that feasty-haired little girl.
He could already picture her puffing out her cheeks in frustration, arms crossed and eyes glaring—Hylia's unmistakable way of showing she was upset, even when it came from a place of care.
"After everything she went through, of course she'll be mad." (Sakura Zeimachi)
Then there were the Ship Girls.
Each one powerful, strange, and distinct in their own way. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of faces they'd make when they finally came face to face with their favored commander again... which is none other than him.
"Maybe I'll get stabbed a few times... which I deserve though." (Sakura Zeimachi)
He didn't know what they would say, or what they would show him. But somehow, the thought of seeing them again made the weight in his chest feel just a little lighter.
Even if only for a fleeting moment.
"Did I interrupt your meditation?" 「Als」
Disturbing the surrounding peace, a fragmented door creaked open and its edges flickering like shattered glass, crackling with static ripples. From beyond it, one of his Personas—Als—stepped into the room.
Sakura Zeimachi's eyes opened slowly, followed by a steady, controlled exhale.
Standing across from him was a figure straight out of the Murim. Calm, poised, and draped in simple, traditional garb. A faint, knowing smile played on his lips—like he had been watching everything unfold from the start.
"I was just restoring a bit of strength. It'd be disgraceful if I couldn't give everything I have in the final battle because of fatigue. So... what brings you here?" (Sakura Zeimachi)
Als—the Persona born from his deep admiration for Fu Hua.
Unlike the others, Als embodied his Neutral alignment. He didn't reject evil, nor did he revere good. He was the Fool's anchor of Determination—the side that never gave up, no matter the odds.
So far, he hadn't felt his resolve waver.
So why he's appearing now?
After closing the distance...
The Persona stepped forward, gripping Sakura Zeimachi's arm and pulling him out of his daze. His sharp eyes quickly assessed the man's condition before erupting into a deep, booming laugh. This Persona really likes to laugh.
"Hmm? Hmm! Ahahaha! Just as I thought... splitting each Persona apart, building an island from scratch, fighting off System Users, and constantly supplying energy—It's taken quite the toll on you. You look like you're one breath away from death!" 「Als」
Seeing that side of himself—so alive with laughter and bold grins—a faint smile break through.
"I am ready to die. That's never changed." (Sakura Zeimachi)
"Haha! I know! But make sure to die after you've finished everything, alright? Because right now... the heir almost arrived—along with her companions. Prepare yourself, my friend. And cry if you must! Because after this... your tears will hold no meaning." 「Als」
Sakura Zeimachi didn't respond.
He simply let the words pass in one ear and out the other.
That didn't mean talking to him was out of the question. Picking himself up with a deep breath, the man began a simple conversation with his Persona. It felt strange—yet oddly comforting—to speak like this.
At times, it was unsettling to talk to someone who shared your exact thoughts. But it was also easy—because the connection was immediate. Then again, this wasn't the first time he'd felt that way.
Most of their conversation, unsurprisingly, revolved around Fu Hua—comparing their current situation to her past, or even debating whether their outfits would match her taste.
Even though Sakura Zeimachi had created Als himself, he still found it surprising just how much the Persona could talk about Fu Hua. He talked a lot. Seriously—a LOT. Loli-man was supposed to be the meme-loving Persona, so how…
"Oh! I almost forgot, and you need to know this, my friend! Fuka-san with glasses really is versatile! First, you can have Fuka-san take them off and she suddenly become super beautiful! Or have her keep the glasses while flashing those cute grins! Or—my favorite—have Fuka-san steal your glasses and wear them like, 'Haha, got your glasses, Zei-san!' That's just way too adorable! Also, her boyish look with glasses! I really like it when her glasses have that suspicious looking gleam! She can look totally cool or completely goofy in that form. It's like she perfectly balances masculinity and femininity. Peak female body! Hmm! Being able to switch up the styles and colors of glasses based on her mood should be a lot of fun too! NO! It's actually so much fun! Whether Fuka-san have those half rim glasses, or the thick frame glasses, everything! It's like she's enjoying all these kinds of glasses de la buffet. I really want to see Fuka-san in her qipao trying on some thin, sharp-frame glasses. Or Fuka-san in her Shadow Knight armor swapping her helmet visor for some personalized specs. We need glasses to become a thing for Fuka-san—and we have to start selling them in a Honkai-themed world next time! Don't. You. Think. We. Really. Need. To. Officially. Give. Every. Fuka-san's. Variant. Glasses? MY FRIEND!?" 「Als」
Sakura Zeimachi simply stared in silence.
Did I always look like this back then? he probably wondered.
But at the same time, a worry crept in—about the limits each of his Personas possessed. If the differences between them kept shrinking… that could only mean one thing...
"YES OR NO, MY FRIEND?!" Als pressed again.
Though Als gripped his shoulders firmly, the foolish man didn't respond. He knew arguing with his Persona was like arguing with himself. But since dragging out that conversation would be a hassle, he shifted their focus.
So, they moved on to discuss some recent events in the real world.
"So... how's everyone else?" Sakura Zeimachi asked awkwardly.
"Trying to change the topic, huh?! But fine! Since you're my friend, I'll let it slide!" Als boomed as usual, thumping his chest with a fist. "Now then—if we're talking about Project Magia..."
Necro-phi was already in position. Loli-man stood ready to go on air the moment the signal was given. El Dust remained deep in his role-playing session. And then there were Sengoku and Amour, still engaged in their never-ending territorial defense.
Everything was still within the boundaries of the plan.
"Nothing ever works out cleanly, huh? But every effort deserves payment. I'll give you a spare body to use later. Whatever you choose to do with it… I think I already know," Sakura Zeimachi said with a tired grin.
"Hahaha! Indeed! I already have a few ideas of what I'll do if I get a spare body—just like our other friends," Als laughed heartily, placing a hand on his hip. "But you saying you already know? Now that makes it more exciting."
"Well, duh. Of course I know," Sakura Zeimachi replied, confident—maybe too confident, like someone who had seen the paths too many times.
The two then chuckled.
For a moment, the weight he carried didn't seem so heavy. But then... Als's grin faltered—not fully gone, but no longer as certain.
His posture eased.
The usual theatrics faded, just a little.
Als glanced at him again, quiet this time, no smirk, no banter. At that moment, Als knew he was the only Persona speaking to him. And through it, he felt the core of who he was—his reason for existing—rise to the surface.
["My name... is Cera. What is your name, Champion?"]
["Do what you have to do, fulfill your duties. That's all I can say to you, Zei-san."]
Teacher and friend… both gone now.
All that remained was the memory they left behind.
It was never forgotten—if anything, it still lingered, vivid as ever.
And every time he thought of them, Als could feel the emptiness in the Fool's heart... a void deepened by those very memories, slowly eating away at him from within.
This was the price he had to pay—for being the one who knew them and never letting them go.
Admirable, perhaps. But deeply, achingly sad.
"My friend, I've said it countless times, and I'll say it again—I will always be on your side. No matter how many layers of lies we've woven together, I will never lie to you," Als said softly.
"...What's wrong with you? Stop being gay or into selfcest." (Sakura Zeimachi)
"Ahahaha! Glad to see you've got some energy back!" Als laugh out loud as usual and patted his [Friend's] back. Within that gaze, a stubborn flame still flickered—refusing to be extinguished.
His laughter slowly faded into silence as the moment slipped away. With their brief reprieve now behind them, they began preparing to leave the subconscious realm. Hylia would be returning soon—along with many others after all.
Was it hope returning, or perhaps a tragedy destined to repeat itself?
Only one could uncover the true answer.
However just as they were about to leave, something drew their gaze. A woman's lifeless body lay motionless within the Chamber of Mind. A woman with dark hair and red eyes of sharingan.
"She's dead?" (Sakura Zeimachi)
It was Suzuko, one of the System User within Yulijer's group.
Somehow, her body—or at least a mental echo of it—had ended up here. Pale and unmoving, with blank eyes and a silence that pressed against her face, she looked as if she'd been lying there like a corpse for a long, long time.
"Her mind is gone. Snapped under pressure," Als said, his voice quiet but firm. "She tried to pit her Eternal Mangekyo illusion against Fenghuang Down's mental field in this realm. Mind versus mind—genjutsu against divine resonance... and she lost."
He exhaled deeply, then raised his hand, invoking his authority within the subconscious realm.
With a simple gesture, the lingering fragments of the woman's shattered mind flickered like scattered sparks—glimmering briefly before fading into nothing. Within those glowing pieces, traces of darkness swirled quietly, as if secrets still clung to them, even in erasure.
This darkness was Yjor's staple food, though the serpent often muttered that sometimes... it left a bitter taste.
"What's left is just the shell of a soul that can no longer think. Her body might still be alive out there... but what truly made her who she was is gone," Als said softly, glancing toward the main body.
"That's one loose end." (Sakura Zeimachi)
With that, the truth behind Suzuko's lifeless state became painfully clear—yet it meant nothing for the Fool. Death was a familiar sight to him, especially when it involved others, he had no care for.
"The others?" (Sakura Zeimachi)
"Still intact... most of them. I could turn their memories into a Feather if you want to... but you sure not going to do that right?" Als replied, hesitation in his voice.
But with no further words, the Fool turned abruptly and vanished from the Chamber of Mind—leaving Als alone within the subconscious realm. But then again, it wasn't as if Als had anywhere else to go.
The Persona stood motionless for a moment, watching the subconscious realm flicker with countless colors clashing and fracturing into one another. He murmured softly, raising his hand toward a specific direction.
"Phew… he almost tipped into the dark side just now. Keeping the balance with just me around really is a challenge," Als muttered, scratching his head in mock frustration.
A door creaked open, linking him to the familiar space known as the Watching Room.
It was here that the Personas typically gathered—quiet observers peering into the real world through Sakura Zeimachi's eyes. The dim glow of countless screens bathed the room in a flickering light, casting shifting shadows across the walls.
He let his gaze drift toward his usual seat, ready to settle in, but to his surprise… he wasn't alone.
"It seems… it's better if we don't tell him about Moriarty just yet. It'll only shake his resolve," Als murmured to himself as the cinema began to flicker to life. "Nice work, Amour. As expected from a Persona whose very name stands for love."
"I'm doing this for everyone he loves—and everyone who loves him." 「Amour」
The scene before them unfolded: the office of the Azur Lane Commander—quiet, still, and empty. No one else was there except the Commander himself and a round, fluffy creature known as Fuwa.
It seemed his end would begin in the very place where he had spent most of his time alone, accompanied only by a furry companion he had spoken to just a few times.
["Don't worry, she'll never forget you. Honestly, I don't think she ever wants to either. Now... I'm asking you to keep watching and not jump into the battle till I said so, deal?"]
["...Fuwa?"]
["Eh, did you forget what you're supposed to do? Hmm… fine, I'll explain it again."]
As the movie started to play, the cinema thankfully didn't resemble some glorified PowerPoint presentation. The display was crisp—standard theater resolution, but clear enough to match the sight of a healthy human eye.
Unlike a certain "Beginning of the…"—well, never mind that.
"Sadly, I don't have much time to lounge around. Please, keep an eye on him," Amour said, his voice already growing faint as his presence began to leave. "Sigh… There are just too many types of people within his Feather. You should've been the one handling this."
"Ahaha! Sorry, my loving friend, but helping Zei is my everything right now," Als chuckled to himself, then added with a knowing smirk. "Take care of yourself too. There are a lot of people within the Feather who SIMPLY seeking to protect their rights."
He paused. The air had changed.
The warmth Amour carried—the emotional trace he always left behind—was gone. Even the faint shimmer of his lingering presence had vanished, like a dream fading at dawn. The silence felt familiar… yet just a little too suffocating.
Als wasn't someone who enjoyed being truly alone.
"Haha… There are many who despise being at the mercy of someone else's whims, I'm sure you've met them in one or two conquests of your love," he muttered, folding his arms as his gaze lingered on the screen.
"Especially when their lives—their whole worlds—can be rewritten so easily. Plenty of people like that live among the Feathers… or more precisely, in the worlds Zei once turned into memories and folded into his Feather." 「Als」
He closed his eyes for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Well, I'm sure you can handle it. Now then—let's change the scenery, shall we? Just sitting around listening to people talk can get really boring, don't you think?" Als grinned—and with a casual flick of his hand, a dakimakura materialized beside him.
Naturally, it was of Fu Hua. Who else would it be?
And with that, the Persona grew quiet, his attention returning to the unfolding movie.
————————————————
Meanwhile...
The light of morning spilled softly over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the restless sea. Pelicans wheeled gracefully overhead, their wings cutting through the crisp air while below them school of silvery fish clustered tightly like scattered jewels.
Suddenly, without warning, a massive dragon erupted from the depths, its powerful jaws snapping shut as it swallowed most of the fish in a single, thunderous gulp.
The dragon's wings unfurled wide and proud, their span vast and majestic—but despite their imposing size, they moved with a gentle rhythm, shaped precisely by the will of the riders perched atop its massive head.
"Faster, Apopo! Faster!" Hylia shouted, nearly bouncing with excitement.
"O-Oy?! Stop hugging my waist!" Deutschland twisted awkwardly, struggling to free herself from the little girl's grip. "Ugh… you really do act like a kid sometimes…"
"March forward, Popo the Apocalypse Dragon! Bring terror and fear to all who dare defy me! Wahaha!" roared Hakuryuu from atop the beast as he raised his fist high.
Thankfully, she managed not to drop her katana this time. She had once before—and poor Yamashiro had quite the chaotic mess to deal with it from down below.
As the dragon emerged from the sea and landed on the ocean's surface, the three girls shouted—each with her own reason: one filled with excitement, another simmering with irritation, and the last utterly... no thoughts at all.
Without hesitation, the colossal beast surged forward on all fours, its massive limbs tearing through the steaming water—transforming it into solid salt, crystallized by the strange, searing breath it exhaled.
"Yeah... that's definitely not your common dragon's breath." 「Hornet」
"I wonder if it has something to do with those elemental orbs spinning around its tail…" Ichigo added, her gaze fixed on the glowing spheres.
Bearing the name of apocalypse, it was no surprise that even the earth seemed to bleach and wither in its wake. The ship girls sailed close by, locked in a tight square formation, their eyes fixed on the dragon as they rode the waves beside destruction incarnate.
Together, they stirred the tides of change.
Sailing on surging waves towards Azur Lane Academy, where their final mission and ultimate purpose awaited. They carried both trembling anticipation and unwavering resolve—yet not a trace of fear in their hearts.
"Sometimes I get a little jealous of how they don't even hesitate to fly and dive around with that dragon. Also—Hornet, why didn't you hop on? I'm pretty sure you were curious enough to try," said Ichigo, arms crossed even while sailing.
"Uh... I had a pretty rough dream involving a dragon once. So yeah, I'll pass. What about you, Coney? Not sure about our mom Yamama over here, but don't tell me you don't want to ride that thing?" Hornet replied with a teasing grin.
"Note: Gascogne assesses that riding a dragon named 'Popo' would interfere with Gascogne's spatial maneuvering protocols," said Gascogne with mechanical precision as usual.
"I feel the same! And call me Yamashiro! Sitting on that dragon would destroy my poor bottom. Just look at those scales—they're rock hard!" Yamashiro added, already rubbing her backside in protest.
"Not like you hate it though, right~?" Hornet teased with a smirk.
"Gh-ghk?! Don't say weird things around the kids!" Yamashiro sputtered, flustered and red-faced.
In response, the massive dragon beside them exhaled a cold breath, sending an icy chill toward the ship girl who had refused to ride him. The cold was biting—though for the girls from the Northern Parliament, it was probably nothing unusual.
Still, Yamashiro couldn't handle it.
She immediately hugged her tail and chest, shivering as the sudden chill bit into her skin. Her eyes flicked anxiously toward the source of the cold—right into the unblinking, massive gaze of the dragon locked onto her.
"Whwhwhwaaa?!! What's thiiis?!!!" Yamashiro
Thankfully, from atop the dragon's head, Hylia quickly shouted down, "Apopo says he's worried about us for wearing so little! His scales are warm you know, Yamama!"
"He actually said that? Seriously?" Deutschland muttered, raising an eyebrow.
"What kind of creature isn't warm after soaking in a volcano?! And hurry told it to stop already—I'm freezing!" Yamashiro yelled back.
"Oh, okay! Apopo, that's enough—she said she'll wear something proper next time," Hylia relayed.
"…Did she... actually say that?" Deutschland asked, squinting suspiciously.
"I HAVE NO IDEA! FULL SPEED AHEAD, POPO!" Hakuryuu declared, pointing dramatically forward.
What an unique combination of dragons.
A dragon that served as a chilly reminder of how cold the sea could be—such was the Apocalypse Dragon. And a dork overflowing with boundless energy, riding that very beast with reckless glee—such was Hakuryuu (White Dragon).
Just like all those laid-back chats back on Skull Island, their habit of slipping into easy conversation during downtime hadn't changed. It was a small thing—casual, almost unnoticeable—but it meant something.
It echoed exactly what Sakura Zeimachi had always wished for.
A genuine bond between Hylia and the ship girls.
No matter how strong someone is, they can't change something greater than themselves so easily—not without help. No matter how exceptional a person may be, they become even greater with others beside them.
The Fool understood that better than anyone.
But if there is a time for laughter, then there must also come a time for seriousness.
So far surprisingly, their journey home went smoothly. Even the obstacles they encountered were little more than scattered Siren Fleet pawns—easily dealt with and offering no real threat.
The Sirens' presence and activity had been unusually scarce lately—or so TB informed them. As a result, everything had gone smoothly: their sailing, the wild ride atop the dragon, and even the path of salt the beast carved beneath its feet as it flew.
But then—TB's virtual avatar suddenly appeared before them, projecting a new destination marker. In that moment, they knew, something in the plan had changed. And there was no mistaking it, especially after hearing TB's terse announcement.
[Entering former battlefield zone. Prepare for battle stations at any sign of hostiles.]
"Gradually entering emotional inhibition mode. Preparing alternative measures for engagement against high-threat enemy," Gascogne reported.
The moment hit like a silent wave.
Everyone tensed—no words, no second thoughts. This was it. The moment they had trained for. Prepared for. Feared… and accepted.
"It is time..." Ichigo said quietly.
She scanned their faces, one by one, searching for doubt. There was none. They had already made this decision—together—long before setting out. And now, Ichigo turned to the little girl at the center of it all.
The girl with bright ombre hair, perched atop a dragon, gazed back at her with eyes full of quiet kindness and innocence—eyes that shimmered with a gentle, childish desire to help.
"…Lia-chan, could you take command for this battle?" Ichigo asked softly. "And watch over us—from above."
"Ehh? But... why?" (Hylia)
"Because I believe you can do it," Ichigo replied, then gave a wry smile. "Though I guess just saying that isn't enough to convince you, huh?"
"Definitely not!" Hylia protested, flustered. "N-No way! You've always been the one leading us, Ichigo big sis! You're the smart one—the one who always knows what to do!"
Back on Skull Island, Ichigo was usually entrusted with the role of flagship.
Such duties like commanding from base and overseeing operations. She rarely went on expeditions as her movements weren't the most agile, and there was little need to fight when she was already overwhelmingly strong.
But this time was different...
Beyond that, the feasty haired little girl clearly wanted to fight too— "If I'm the one taking command from above, then that means I can't be down there supporting you, right?" she pouted, her cheeks puffed with frustration.
Yamashiro blinked, tilting her head. "Just what kind of support are you trying to give that you're this upset about it?"
"Support is support!" Hylia snapped, voice trembling with earnestness. "I want to help all of you! The enemy might go after Zei too—and I want to protect him. And my friends… my friends are still back at the academy. I want to protect them..."
"Friends… hehe, I see," Yamashiro murmured with a gentle smile.
After all, this wasn't just any battle—it was the battle, the one everything had been building toward. After all they'd been through on Skull Island, after every mission, every hardship… all of it had led to this moment.
They had slept under the same roof, bathed in the same place, seen each other's bare selves more times than they could count. That's why Hylia couldn't understand why one of her big sisters would choose to hold her back now.
Deep down, she believed she could help them.
She wanted to help them.
That's why, after receiving no clear answer for several seconds, Hylia spoke again—this time in a quieter, more fragile voice, "...I don't really know who the enemy is over there, but… am I not allowed to fight alongside all of you?"
Ichigo let out a soft chuckle, her voice warm, "Ahaha, of course not, you silly." But the smile faded from her lips. Her expression hardened, her tone turning firm, "Didn't I already say? You'll be watching us… from above."
Hylia frowned, "But… you said it like I'm not allowed to join you in this battle…"
"That's not what I truly meant, dear," Ichigo replied softly. "But for this fight—just this one—I can't afford to hang back as usual. You said it yourself, we don't fully understand our enemy yet. That's why… I need to keep both hands ready.
Hylia tilted her head, brows furrowed, "... but can't you… fight and lead at the same time? If it's you, Ichigo big sis, I'm sure you can…"
Ichigo smiled again—but this time, there's a sharpness in her gaze that made Hylia fall silent.
"Not this time, Lia-chan. This time… I want to stop overthinking about orders or strategy… and just focus on the enemy right in front of me. Just like how all of you have fought with everything you had—I want to try that too," Ichigo said, her voice quiet but resolute.
"Hn…" Hylia gave a soft sound, lips pressed in a pout as she looked down, clearly conflicted.
"I'm truly sorry, too," Ichigo added gently, her gaze meeting Hylia's.
"We kept this discussion from you while we were still on the Island… and only brought it up now. Since the situation at the Academy remains uncertain… we've been hesitant to let you face the enemy directly." 「Ichigo」
It was clear—Ichigo intended to step onto the front lines herself.
Just like the others.
"Hmh. Just admit it—you want to throw hands." 「Deutschland」
"Huhu~ Not that I dislike this bold side of you." 「Hakuryuu」
Unusually, neither Deutschland nor Hakuryuu offered a witty retort. Instead, they simply jumped down from Apocalypse Dragon and materialized their rigging without a word.
Had this been their former selves, they might've shouted over each other to claim the lead in the counterattack. But now, they understood—there was value in letting Hylia watch from behind them and even why Ichigo acted like that.
It was pride that held their tongues, the instinct to protect that guided their silence—and above all, an unspoken recognition of Hylia's strength… a strength that, perhaps, even outshone their own.
"In the end, this is our grudge," Deutschland said quietly. "Don't stain your hands for our sake."
"Nothing but the truth," Hakuryuu added, her eyes gleaming like twin flames. "Let us show you—our true might. The strength of the ship girls… from our world!"
"And also… your presence with that dragon could become the ace that turns the tide," Yamashiro said, her tone gentle. "So please—just support us when we truly need it, okay? We know how strong you are… but we want to face this with our own hands."
"When we call, bring down a rain of fire! Got it?" Hornet grinned.
Hylia looked at them—each face lit with determination, trust, and a quiet care that needed no words. And though a part of her still felt like she was being kept at a distance, like an outsider watching from the edge… she nodded.
Quietly. Firmly.
She should wait.
And when the moment came—she would be there. Not just to help, but to protect them in return.
"…I got it. But if you really need my help, just call out! I'll be watching from above with Apopo." Her gaze then locked onto one ship girl in particular. "Sis Coney, you don't say much, but I know what those eyes of yours mean! Don't worry—I've got your back!"
"…Yes," Gascogne replied softly, her emotion breaking through. "...Gascogne will do her best."
One by one, the ship girls responded—not with grand speeches, but with nods, small smiles, steady gazes. It wasn't loud, but it was enough. They understood each other.
With that silent promise sealed, Hylia and the colossal dragon surged skyward, soaring through the air like a storm unleashed. Behind them, trails of salt and sea spray etched against the azure sky—marks of a power rising.
Now, the spotlight belonged to the ship girls.
Their moment had come.
"She's really a good kid," Hornet said, her voice tinged with something almost maternal.
"That's why we can't let her be part of this revenge," Yamashiro replied firmly.
As they moved forward—shielding the flower of hope they had chosen to protect—the ship girls advanced onto a battlefield soaked in blood and the filth of the world's cruelty.
With bodies already tainted by the past, they marched not for glory... but to deliver their vengeance in strokes of pain and fire.
Their burden was theirs alone.
"Let's us go." 「Ichigo」
...
....
.....
Shallow Water, previous battlefield Zone.
Not far from here, a battle of staggering intensity had once ignited—ship girls locked in furious combat against Yulijer and the System Users who fought at his side.
Though the clash had long since ended, its presence lingered—not in sound, but in the unnatural stillness of the waves, as if the sea itself bore witness and refused to forget.
No scars marred the surface, yet the ocean remembered.
For beneath the water, the truth revealed itself.
The seafloor, once a vibrant, shallow cradle of life, had been torn apart by the raw force of war. Coral beds shattered. Ridges collapsed. Craters pockmarked the sand where power had been unleashed without restraint.
The ecosystem had been gutted.
Many species had vanished. Life here had not simply died—it had been erased... yet, it wasn't only the destruction that unsettled them. It's what they found scattered throughout the area that puzzled them as well.
They'll begin by exploring surrounding waters.
[I'll keep watch on the distance between you and any unknown objects in the area.]
"Carefully advance to your assigned points. The currents beneath us don't allow for extreme maneuvers. Move forward with the utmost caution," Ichigo ordered.
A tense silence stretched for a moment, broken only by the distant hum of engines and the restless splash of waves beneath them.
Then Hornet's voice broke through, tinged with surprise and concern. "Guys… my plane just picked up something strange. From above, it looks like we're hovering over a crater—the sea floor below dips deep, shaped exactly like a massive bowl."
The revelation hung in the air, heavy and unsettling.
"Could it be… a bomb? A nuclear one?" Ichigo asked, her voice edged with concern.
"Negative. No increase in radiation levels detected." 「Gascogne」
"Then… is it a Siren project we've never heard of before?" Yamashiro guessed, her tone uncertain.
"Whatever it is…" Hornet muttered, her gaze fixed on the distance. "This is going to be a real pain if we get caught in it."
Beneath the calm surface, an unnatural current churned—an invisible whirlpool twisting the water with silent, relentless force. It was a wound carved too deep for Earth's oceans to heal.
A quiet remnant of power unbound.
Some of them wondered what kind of power could carve a basin twice the size of California beneath the ocean. Was it the strength of their allies? Or was it the might of their enemies?
They didn't know. Still, they pressed on.
"What… is this black mass?" Deutschland asked, narrowing her eyes.
"It's solid, shaped like a person—but it's not like any Siren I've seen," Yamashiro added cautiously.
Their attention was drawn again to the many scars scattered around the area.
There, they discovered a patch of soft, black lumps clustered together. At the time, they didn't know what NOMU was, and even TB could only provide limited information regarding those creatures.
[Otherworldly Life Form: NOMU. These are pawns from another world. Their combat abilities are formidable, and even ship girls find it difficult to take down just one of them.]
"So, they're heavy hitters despite being pawns?" Hornet asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They're that strong?" Hakuryuu chuckled softly before slicing the floating NOMU figure into smaller pieces with her katana. Then, she reported what she had found as well. "Actually... there's something I want to tell you all—I found something too, with my plane."
"...Finally, you decided to use your plane. About time," Ichigo said with a relieved sigh.
"True, Ichigo-sama. I was surprised too," Yamashiro replied.
Putting her comrades' reactions aside with a low grumble, Hakuryuu took the lead. With TB's assistance, they soon discovered another scar from previous battlefield—much like the ones they'd seen before.
Only this time… the remains they found weren't only those of their enemies.
"This… looks like a piece of rigging. Could it be debris from someone who fought here before?" Yamashiro asked, her voice tinged with unease.
Floating on the water, half-shrouded in mist and shadow, were fragments—motionless, scattered, with a dull sheen of metal and oil. But if one dared to look closer, the truth became clear.
These were not mere debris.
They were the remains of their comrades.
"T-This is…?!" Hakuryuu's voice cracked, trembling with shock as her eyes locked onto the unmistakable katana and long sword still lodged in the shattered corpse of a NOMU. "Takao and... Warspite... how could they..."
As a ship girl who cherished her sword above all else, Hakuryuu could recognize the blades carried by almost everyone at the academy—even from a distance. These two weapons were unmistakably theirs.
Her heart clenched—Takao's katana and Warspite's longsword, now reduced to chipped, scratched, and dulled relics of a merciless battle.
She had sparred with both of them before, slowly growing closer with each duel, sharing laughs, discipline, and the quiet camaraderie of fellow sword wielders. To realize the fate of the very first people she'd come to know…
It made her stomach bad.
But the devastation didn't stop there.
Scattered across the water, barely visible through the drifting haze, were the broken forms of other ship girls—comrades from different factions, their bodies silent witnesses to a brutal fight.
"Everyone... how could this happen?" Yamashiro demanded, her voice raw with grief and fury. "Tell us—tell us exactly what went down here! What did we miss while we were still on the island? TB, answer us!"
[Based on processed data, this zone was the site of a battle between the Commander and several ship girls who engaged in direct confrontation with entities identified as System Users.]
A sudden flick of Ichigo's tails sliced through the heavy mist, scattering it like shattered glass.
As the fog cleared, the grim reality was laid bare—floating corpses of fallen ship girls drifted silently on the water's surface. Some were barely submerged, their lifeless eyes staring blankly into the cold, indifferent sky.
No words were needed to grasp their fate, the haunting silence spoke volumes. Their rigging lay shattered beyond repair—only a miracle could restore what war had so ruthlessly broken.
Burn marks scorched across many of their bodies.
Their chests no longer rose.
Their skin was cold—cold as iron, slowly claimed by the sea.
They weren't just injured. They had been brutalized—torn, battered, and left with wounds far beyond anything that could be called "flesh wounds." And the most terrifying part? Yamashiro and the others didn't just find one or two of them.
There were many.
Far too many.
"Musashi! How... how could this be..." Ichigo's voice broke as her gaze fell upon the unmoving form of her comrade—eyes closed, body still. Their fallen were here. All around them.
Their comrades who would never open their eyes again.
[All of those here were ship girls who had taken part in the battle. About 62 ship girls from various factions, along with one Commander, fought against five opponents.]
Ichigo staggered a step forward, her words soft and hollow."...If this is how it ended... then in the end, I couldn't do anything at all..."
"W-Wait... sixty-two ships?" Deutschland's eyes narrowed, her tone shifting. "But we're not seeing nearly that many here... Wait. Don't tell me..." She activated her Observation Haki—and then she saw it.
The truth beneath the waves.
Below the surface, hidden from the eye yet all too present, lay what remained of the rest.
Hornet's breath caught in her throat.
Her voice cracked into laughter that didn't sound like relief.
"D-Don't tell me... That crater—down there... ha... haha…" 「Hornet」
[All those brave girls have returned to the ocean's embrace forever. The battle was won by the opposition… That is the only conclusion I can draw from the current situation.]
TB's words only deepened the frustration, the rage, and the tears spilling from the ship girls. Deutschland's hand trembled as she summoned her Color of the Supreme King, the thought of her sister possibly lying beneath the waves piercing her heart.
"Spee... don't tell me… did I fail again?" Deutschland's voice cracked with anguish.
"And… what about Milord? What about... Commander?" Yamashiro's question hung heavy in the air.
[...I don't have detailed information regarding the Commander's current status.]
That silence was enough to shatter the strength of several ship girls.
It made their knees weaken.
Some ship girls fell to their deck, shoulders trembling.
The truth that so many had fallen—comrades they laughed and fought beside—shook the fire in their hearts. Even the strongest among them felt their resolve tremble beneath the weight of this reality.
[According to the details of Operation Heavenly Blue in my database, not all ship girls participated in this battle. Several remained stationed at the Academy. If I proceed with reconstructing the most likely—]
"Suggestion: Gascogne believes such a reconstruction is unnecessary at this moment," Gascogne interjected, her voice flat but firm.
[…Suggestion acknowledged.]
"Additional note: TB should access the emotional module installed within Gascogne," she added without changing tone.
The only sounds that remained were the crashing of waves, the hum of still-active rigging, and Yamashiro's muffled sobs—ones she tried so hard to suppress. Perhaps it all seemed too dramatic. Perhaps none of this felt fair, or even real.
But the pain the ship girls now felt was undeniable.
"…What's going on over there…" Hylia murmured.
High above, from the distant sky...
The feasty haired little girl could faintly sense their emotional disturbance.
It tugged at her, pulling at the edges of her focus. And yet… she hesitated to reveal herself. For she knew how crucial her presence was as a surprise—one that could turn the tide.
"H-Huh? Seilenos?!" Hylia blinked in surprise. "What's wrong all of a sudden?"
For some unknown reason, the Azure Sword—its entire body forged as a blade—had appeared, hovering quietly by her side. Though Hylia couldn't touch it herself, Seilenos floated around her of its own will, as if sensing something she couldn't yet understand.
"Again... friends... what do you mean?" (Hylia)
And so, for now...
Back below—where sorrow still lingered.
In the midst of that choking silence, Hornet's face had gone pale, her expression tight as she stared down at the sea below her feet. Deep inside, she already feared the truth—her big sister, the ever-unyielding Enterprise, must've been part of this battle.
So, she asked—
"Was… Enterprise part of the battle?" 「Hornet」
[Yes.]
"…Is she down there?" Hornet swallowed hard.
[…I cannot provide a confirmed answer. However, based on behavioral reconstruction and personality profiling of the ship girl Enterprise… there is over a 90% chance she participated.]
Slowly, Hornet lowered her head, pulling her hat down to shield her eyes.
Her fists clenched tight—so tight it looked like she might tear the headwear apart. Beside her, Hakuryuu reached out in silence and gave her back a gentle pat—an unspoken reassurance amid a storm of grief.
The air hung heavy—not just with salt, but with sorrow.
They had sought strength to protect, to stand tall and face the unknown.
However just look at them now, that strength arrived too late. What greeted them instead was a graveyard of dreams, a floating requiem for those they loved. Their comrades, their friends, their sisters—gone.
They had survived but survival never felt so hollow.
No celebration waited for them at the end of this chapter. Only regret. Only silence. The kind that seeps into the bones and whispers you should've been faster… you should've been there.
Nothing stung more bitterly than a success that came too late.
This power—awakened only after everything that mattered had already slipped through their fingers, claimed by the ocean floor, lost to the deep. What meaning did it have now?
It was failure after hope.
And as that weight pressed down on their hearts, what they needed now more than anything…was someone—anyone—who could lift that burden, even a little. Someone who could remind them that this wasn't the end.
That they weren't too late for everything.
What they needed… was someone who could pull them back from the edge. Someone who could reignite their will—not just to fight, but to keep going.
Because here and now, amid drifting wreckage and broken hearts… they were not yet safe.
They weren't in a safe zone either. Not yet. They stood within the shadows of a battlefield, surrounded by a sea that could still rise to drown them—and enemies that could be watching from the depths.
And the next storm was always just beyond the horizon.
[Alert! Prepare for battle stations. Unknown object approaching at immeasurable speed.]
And sure enough—it came.
Whether by coincidence or twisted fate, they were now face-to-face with the one person they desperately wanted to see… after witnessing all the death, all the destruction, all the heartache.
The one they had longed to meet—
[Hostile identified!]
"Hey hey~ What's with the glum faces? This your new little gathering?"A voice oozing with arrogance cut through the static like a blade dipped in venom.
"I don't remember seeing you lot in the last fight. Skipping out, were you? Tsk-tsk. We're throwing another real party back at the academy if you wanna lick my—huh?" ☆Yulijer☆
The moment his presence registered, the grief twisting in their chests ignited into fury.
Because yes—this was the one they wished to see.
And the one they now most desperately wanted to destroy.