"Nyaaa…"
Akashi dramatically slumped across one of the hovercraft seats while staring out the window.
"It's soooo boring in here, nya…"
Her green ears twitched repeatedly while her fluffy tail lazily swayed behind her.
Outside—
The harbor remained lively.
Servants moved between docks.
Nobles chatted nearby.
Workers carried cargo.
And absolutely nobody realized that the "civilian vessel" sitting quietly near the harbor was actually one of the most advanced stealth hovercrafts in existence.
The disguise system remained flawless.
To ordinary eyes—
It merely appeared as another noble transport ship docked for the wedding festivities.
Meanwhile inside—
Akashi remained completely alone.
Which honestly made things worse.
Vestal had stayed aboard the Daedalus to oversee primary medical operations and command support.
So Akashi had been assigned emergency extraction medic duty instead.
Meaning—
She now sat alone inside an absurdly advanced stealth hovercraft while waiting for rescue teams to arrive.
And boredom was rapidly becoming her greatest enemy.
Akashi pressed her face lightly against the window afterward.
"So many humans…"
Then dramatically—
"And not one buying Akashi products, nya…"
Several medical drones quietly floated nearby organizing supplies inside the emergency medbay section.
Advanced treatment pods already waited prepared for Hipper's arrival.
Nanomedical scanners.
Repair systems.
Emergency Nikke-compatible support units.
Everything had been prepared beforehand because Yuuki anticipated severe injuries.
Akashi softly sighed again afterward.
"Commander really leaves Akashi with all the scary responsibilities…"
Then proudly—
"But reliable Akashi can totally handle it, nya."
Suddenly—
One of the hovercraft sensors softly beeped.
Akashi's ears instantly perked upward.
"Hm?"
The external stealth cameras detected movement approaching from the hidden extraction route.
Multiple friendly signatures.
Akashi immediately straightened excitedly afterward.
"They're here already, nya?!"
"Akashi!"
The familiar voices immediately echoed from outside the disguised hovercraft.
Akashi's ears instantly shot upright.
"Nya?!"
The hovercraft hatch quietly opened moments later—
Revealing the exhausted extraction team finally arriving from the hidden harbor pathways.
Invisible cloaks shimmered briefly before deactivating one after another.
Yorktown.
Enterprise.
Illustrious.
Belfast.
Ade.
Soda.
Nimi.
Neon.
Laffey.
Unicorn.
And finally—
The rescued girls.
The moment Akashi saw the wheelchair—
Her playful demeanor vanished immediately.
"Hipper…"
Akashi's voice softened immediately the moment she properly saw the weakened Iron Blood cruiser.
Hipper managed a faint tired smirk despite her condition.
"Akashi…"
Then weakly—
"Heh… nice seeing you again."
That alone nearly made Akashi emotional.
Because for years—
She genuinely believed Hipper had died alongside countless others during the collapse.
Instead—
The proud cruiser had somehow survived through unimaginable suffering.
Akashi immediately rushed forward while multiple medical drones activated around the medbay simultaneously.
Cocoa carefully supported Hipper's shoulders while Javelin remained nearby still wearing the wedding dress she never wanted.
The moment Hipper entered the medical bay—
Advanced holographic scanners illuminated across her body.
Internal damage reports immediately flooded Akashi's displays.
Malnutrition.
Nerve damage.
Muscle degeneration.
Old fractures.
Surgical trauma.
Psychological stress indicators.
Then—
The scans reached her lower body.
Akashi froze briefly.
"…Nyaaa…"
Her ears slowly lowered.
"She's worse than Shikikan predicted…"
Belfast quietly answered nearby.
"Lady Hipper endured prolonged abuse and starvation."
Then softly—
"She has also lost both legs."
Silence filled the medbay afterward.
Even Neon stopped joking for once.
Javelin lowered her gaze painfully.
Akashi's tail visibly stiffened in anger afterward while reading deeper trauma reports.
"That stupid prince…"
For a moment—
Her usually playful demeanor completely vanished.
Then she immediately refocused professionally.
"Quickly!"
"Bring her fully inside, nya!"
Medical drones immediately surrounded Hipper afterward while treatment arms extended from the walls.
The hovercraft interior rapidly transformed into a fully operational mobile medical station.
Advanced scanners continued analyzing Hipper's body while nanomedical systems prepared emergency treatment protocols.
Akashi quickly pointed toward another section afterward.
"Javelin too."
Then softer—
"And ...."
"Cocoa.." The small maid replied.
She finally properly looked toward them.
"…It's really nice seeing you both, nya…"
Javelin's eyes visibly widened emotionally.
"Akashi…"
Then quietly—
"I thought you died fifteen years ago…"
Akashi immediately puffed her cheeks proudly.
"Akashi survived, nya!"
Then immediately returning to work—
"Now hurry and sit down before Akashi gets angry."
The girls obediently complied afterward.
Cocoa meanwhile looked completely overwhelmed by the hovercraft interior itself.
The advanced lighting.
The holographic systems.
The floating drones.
The medical technology.
Everything looked impossibly futuristic compared to the island civilization.
"…This place…"
Neon immediately grinned proudly beside her.
"Cool, right?"
Then dramatically spreading her arms—
"Welcome to Commander's completely unreasonable technology collection."
Cocoa quietly looked around again.
"…You all really found another world…"
Nearby—
Unicorn continued softly hugging Javelin tightly now that they were finally safe.
"We really found you…"
Javelin quietly held onto her in return.
"…You really came for me…"
Laffey meanwhile slowly climbed onto one of the hovercraft seats afterward.
"…Mission success."
Several seconds passed.
Then quietly—
"…Laffey sleepy."
Nimi softly sighed.
"You slept during half the mission."
"…Still contributed."
"That is somehow true."
Yorktown meanwhile stood near the hovercraft entrance quietly looking toward the distant mountain where Yuuki remained.
"…Commander."
Enterprise calmly stepped beside her.
"He'll return."
Then softly—
"He still hasn't failed us yet."
Inside the hovercraft—
The rescued girls slowly began realizing something they had almost forgotten existed.
Safety.
No guards.
No fear.
No chains.
No prince.
For the first time in many years—
They were finally safe.
Akashi immediately began full medical diagnostics on all three rescued girls simultaneously.
Multiple holographic screens floated around the medbay while medical drones moved rapidly between stations with precise efficiency.
Cocoa sat nervously upon one of the examination beds while scanners passed over her body.
Javelin remained nearby still wearing the wedding dress while quietly watching Hipper's treatment begin.
The diagnostics completed quickly.
Akashi softly sighed afterward.
"Cocoa and Javelin mostly suffer from stress, exhaustion, and untreated injuries, nya…"
Then quieter—
"…plus psychological trauma."
Both girls visibly lowered their gaze afterward.
Years of fear could not simply disappear overnight.
Still—
Compared to Hipper—
Their conditions remained manageable.
Akashi immediately activated the medbay treatment systems afterward.
Soft green medical light surrounded Cocoa and Javelin while nanomedical injectors carefully repaired damaged tissue, bruises, fatigue, and accumulated physical strain throughout their bodies.
Small scars faded rapidly.
Muscle tension relaxed.
Pain disappeared.
Even their exhaustion visibly lifted within moments.
Javelin blinked repeatedly afterward while moving her arms slightly.
"…The pain is gone…"
Cocoa quietly touched her own healed skin in disbelief.
"…What kind of technology is this…?"
Neon proudly answered immediately.
"Absurd technology."
Then dramatically—
"Commander-special absurd technology."
Meanwhile—
Hipper's treatment began far more seriously.
The medbay platform beneath her shifted into full surgical reconstruction mode.
Advanced holographic systems mapped her damaged lower body while medical nanomachines flowed around her in glowing streams.
Akashi's expression remained fully focused now.
"All right…"
Then professionally—
"Beginning neural reconstruction, nya."
The damaged remnants of Hipper's legs were carefully stabilized first.
Then—
Artificial tissue generation systems activated.
Bone structures began reforming.
Synthetic muscle fibers regenerated layer by layer.
Nerve pathways reconnected gradually through nanomachine assistance.
Even the severe muscular degeneration caused by years of immobility rapidly reversed.
Javelin stared silently at the process.
"…She's rebuilding her legs…"
Akashi proudly nodded while continuing treatment.
"Shikikan's medical technology is amazing, nya."
Then more softly—
"And Lady Hipper still had healthy neural data remaining."
Meaning—
Her body could still properly reconnect to reconstructed limbs.
Moments later—
The regeneration system completed.
Fully restored legs slowly formed beneath the medical chamber lights.
Not prosthetics.
Real biological reconstruction.
Then additional nanomedical systems began purging deeper issues.
Hidden infections.
Internal damage.
Chronic pain.
Malnutrition effects.
Even neurological trauma treatment protocols activated afterward.
The medbay carefully stabilized stress damage accumulated over years of abuse and suffering.
Hipper herself slowly drifted asleep during the process.
For the first time in years—
Her body no longer hurt.
Several minutes later—
The medical chamber finally opened.
Akashi proudly crossed her arms afterward.
"All done, nya!"
The girls immediately stared.
Because Hipper now looked completely restored.
Healthy skin.
Stable posture.
Color returned to her face.
Even her previously weakened body looked revitalized.
Hipper herself slowly opened her eyes afterward.
Then quietly sat up.
"…What."
She looked down instinctively.
And froze.
Her legs.
Her real legs.
Completely restored.
Hipper slowly touched them almost fearfully.
"…They're back…"
Javelin immediately burst into tears again before hugging her tightly.
"Hipper!"
Cocoa herself looked emotional nearby.
Akashi proudly puffed her chest.
"Advanced GDI medbay, nya!"
Then softer—
"Welcome back properly."
"Frau Hipper!"
The moment Hipper fully sat up from the medical chamber—
Nimi immediately rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
Hipper visibly froze briefly from the sudden affection.
Then slowly—
Her expression softened.
"…Nimi."
Her voice carried genuine emotion now.
"To see another Iron Blood comrade again…"
Then quieter—
"…I truly believed I never would."
Nimi herself looked emotional hearing that.
Because unlike before—
Hipper's voice no longer carried the constant irritation and aggression she used to hide behind.
The medbay had not only repaired her body—
It had stabilized years of accumulated trauma and neurological stress as well.
Not changing who she was.
Simply allowing her mind to finally rest.
Hipper slowly looked around the hovercraft afterward.
At everyone gathered there.
Shipgirls in advanced combat armor.
Destroyers she thought long gone.
New allies she had never met before.
Nikkes standing beside shipgirls naturally.
Even small girls like Laffey and Unicorn quietly watching nearby.
The scene honestly felt unreal to her.
"…Thank you."
Her voice softened again.
"Truly…"
"…thank you, everyone."
Then quietly—
"It is good to see comrades again."
Her gaze slowly moved across the unfamiliar faces afterward.
"New allies…"
Then thoughtfully—
"New faces."
Neon immediately waved proudly.
"Yo!"
Then dramatically—
"Elite Nikke firepower specialist Neon reporting in!"
Nimi quietly introduced the others properly afterward.
"These are our new allies."
Then gesturing carefully—
"Fellow Nikkes like Cocoa."
"Ade."
"Soda."
"And Neon."
Hipper quietly nodded toward each of them.
Then formally—
"I am Admiral Hipper."
Her posture straightened slightly instinctively.
"The Iron Blood heavy cruiser named after the undefeated Admiral Franz von Hipper."
Despite everything—
A trace of old Iron Blood pride still remained within her.
Neon immediately grinned.
"Cool introduction."
Ade and Soda softly smiled seeing Hipper looking healthy again.
Cocoa herself looked relieved beyond words.
Hipper slowly lowered her gaze afterward.
"…Truly."
"Thank you."
Akashi meanwhile crossed her arms proudly beside the medical systems.
"Nyaaa…"
Then teasingly—
"You're way calmer than before."
Her tail swayed mischievously.
"Normally you'd already be yelling and acting all tsundere by now."
Several girls softly laughed afterward.
Even Hipper herself surprisingly smiled faintly.
"…Ahaa…"
Then quietly—
"Ten years is a long time, Akashi."
Her eyes slowly lowered.
"I don't think I possess the energy to maintain such a foul attitude anymore."
There was no bitterness in her voice now.
Only exhaustion.
And acceptance.
Yet somehow—
That made everyone around her want to protect her even more.
"Lady Belfast! Lady Illustrious!"
Javelin immediately rushed forward and tightly hugged both women while breaking down crying once more.
Illustrious immediately wrapped her arms around the small destroyer gently.
"There… there…"
Her voice carried deep warmth while softly patting Javelin's back.
"You are safe now."
Belfast meanwhile quietly observed the wedding dress afterward.
Then softly teased—
"My…"
"You truly look beautiful."
Javelin's face immediately reddened emotionally.
"I-I'm not getting married…"
Her voice cracked badly while tears continued falling.
The statement sounded less embarrassed—
And more desperate.
Because this dress represented fear.
Hopelessness.
Years of imprisonment finally ending in forced marriage.
Yet now—
Standing inside the hovercraft surrounded by familiar faces—
The meaning had finally changed.
Javelin buried her face against them again afterward.
"I really thought…"
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
"…I thought I would never see everyone again…"
Illustrious gently held her closer.
"And yet here we are."
Then warmly—
"Together again."
Even Belfast's usually composed expression softened afterward.
"You endured admirably, Lady Javelin."
Then more quietly—
"Most would not have remained as kind-hearted as you after such suffering."
Javelin softly shook her head.
"I was scared the whole time…"
Then crying again—
"I missed everyone so much…"
Nearby—
Even several others quietly looked emotional watching the reunion.
Because after years of separation—
These shipgirls were finally finding each other again one by one.
Not as ghosts.
Not as memories.
Alive.
"The whole gang's here!"
Anis cheerfully announced herself the moment she entered the hovercraft interior alongside Rapi after finishing overwatch duties outside.
The atmosphere inside immediately became livelier again.
Rapi quietly followed behind her while removing portions of her sniper equipment calmly.
The moment Hipper saw them—
Her eyes widened slightly again.
Because more unfamiliar faces kept appearing.
And yet—
None of them felt hostile.
Then suddenly—
"Hipper!"
Atago immediately rushed forward before tightly hugging the restored cruiser without hesitation.
Takao followed shortly afterward, calmer as always but visibly relieved as well.
"It truly is good seeing you safe again," Takao quietly said.
Atago meanwhile looked genuinely emotional.
"You have no idea how worried everyone was."
Hipper blinked several times afterward from the sudden affection.
"…Atago?"
Then looking toward Takao—
"And Takao…"
The two Sakura cruisers softly smiled.
Nimi immediately continued introductions afterward.
"These are Anis and Rapi."
Then carefully—
"Together with Neon, they form the Nikke Counter Squad."
Neon proudly puffed her chest immediately.
"The strongest firepower friendship trio."
Rapi quietly corrected without hesitation.
"That is not our official designation."
Anis meanwhile casually wrapped one arm around Neon afterward.
"But we ARE basically Commander's closest squad."
Rapi paused briefly.
Then quietly—
"…That is technically correct."
Anis immediately pointed proudly afterward.
"See?"
Then dramatically—
"Even Miss Serious agrees."
Hipper quietly observed the three Nikkes now.
Their interactions felt natural.
Comfortable.
Nothing like the fearful obedience she had witnessed from others before.
"…You all seem close."
Anis softly scratched her cheek afterward.
"Well…"
Then honestly—
"Commander kinda changed our lives completely."
Rapi quietly nodded beside her.
"He gave us freedom."
Neon proudly grinned afterward.
"And awesome weapons."
"…You focus on strange priorities," Rapi sighed.
Meanwhile—
Hipper slowly processed something else entirely.
These Nikkes genuinely respected Yuuki.
Not because they were forced to.
Not because they feared him.
But because they trusted him completely.
And honestly—
That realization alone spoke volumes about the kind of commander he truly was.
"Rapi…? Anis…?"
Cocoa's voice trembled slightly seeing the two familiar Nikkes properly now that the tension had eased.
Anis immediately grinned and waved casually.
"Yo, Cocoa."
Then warmly—
"Long time no see."
Rapi quietly nodded beside her.
"It's good seeing you alive."
The small pink-haired maid visibly looked emotional afterward.
Because unlike before—
The Counters Squad no longer looked like exhausted soldiers merely surviving another day.
They looked alive.
Hopeful.
Then suddenly—
Ade and Soda immediately hugged Cocoa tightly again from both sides.
"To see fellow Nikkes again…"
Ade's voice softened emotionally.
"We truly thought we were finished."
Soda nodded repeatedly.
"We really believed there was no future left for us back in Magellan."
Anis softly scratched her cheek afterward.
"Heh…"
Then honestly—
"We kinda had the same reaction ourselves."
Neon proudly pointed toward herself immediately.
"Then Commander happened."
Rapi quietly nodded again.
"…Everything changed afterward."
Cocoa slowly looked around the hovercraft interior once more.
Advanced technology.
Warmth.
Safety.
Shipgirls and Nikkes naturally working together.
It honestly felt like a dream.
Then—
Hipper suddenly spoke quietly from the medical bed.
"…Where is the Commander?"
The atmosphere softened slightly afterward.
Yorktown calmly answered first.
"He is currently investigating the Sacred Tree ruins."
Hipper's expression immediately became serious again.
"…Then he already knows."
Belfast quietly nodded.
"You mentioned before that the Sacred Tree binds you to the island."
Hipper slowly clenched the blanket around her legs.
"Yes."
Then lower—
"Pierre uses the tree's power to control us."
Her expression darkened slightly remembering it.
"We physically cannot leave the island."
"If we try…"
"…he can kill us instantly."
Silence filled the hovercraft afterward.
Even Neon stopped joking again.
Because now—
Everyone fully understood the scale of what Yuuki was attempting alone.
He wasn't simply rescuing them.
He was directly confronting the source of the island's control itself.
Javelin quietly lowered her gaze afterward.
"…Please let him succeed…"
Enterprise softly crossed her arms nearby.
"He will."
Then firmly—
"Commander never walks into situations unprepared."
Yorktown however quietly looked toward the distant mountain once more.
The same calm trust remained within her eyes.
"…Let's hope he finishes his mission quickly."
Because despite all their faith in him—
Everyone understood one dangerous truth.
The moment the Sacred Tree fell—
The entire island would change forever.
====================
"Who art thou… O travelers?"
The ancient voice echoed softly throughout the chamber once more.
Yuuki slowly blinked afterward while staring directly at the tiny platinum-leafed tree.
Then flatly—
"…Wow."
"The tree just talked."
Beside him—
Even Nayuta looked completely speechless now.
Because despite everything they had already witnessed—
A sentient magical tree calmly speaking still somehow crossed into absurd territory.
Then suddenly—
The Sacred Tree began glowing.
A small orb of silver light emerged gently from the center of its branches before floating toward Yuuki slowly.
The Mark 86 instantly tracked it.
Threat analysis.
Energy scans.
Unknown lifeform detection.
Yet strangely—
No danger alerts activated.
Yuuki cautiously raised one hand toward the approaching light.
Then—
The orb unfolded.
A tiny humanoid figure appeared floating above his palm.
A fairy-like woman no larger than his hand.
Long black hair.
Butterfly-like wings made from shimmering platinum light.
Small elegant dress formed from glowing leaves and petals.
The entire chamber fell silent afterward.
Yuuki stared at the tiny fairy.
The fairy stared back at him.
Then Yuuki finally spoke.
"…Okay."
"This is getting really weird."
Far above the planet—
Inside the GDI Philadelphia Space Station—
Absolute silence filled the central research observation room.
Because Yuuki's live visual feed had been fully broadcast back to the station.
Meaning—
The entire senior research division, command staff, engineers, and tactical analysts were currently witnessing a literal fairy emerge from a magical talking tree.
Nobody knew how to react.
Several scientists simply stared blankly at the screen.
One researcher slowly removed her glasses.
Another quietly sat down without speaking.
Even advanced AI analysis systems struggled categorizing what they were seeing.
Then finally—
Vergil's voice broke the silence through Yuuki's comms.
"…Got it on feed, man."
His tone sounded genuinely stunned for once.
"That…"
"…is definitely a fairy."
Several researchers immediately began arguing in the background afterward.
"Energy readings make no sense!"
"Is this biological or extradimensional?!"
They have seen aliens and Tiberium mutations. They even have Manjuus in the research station now and those small chickens can do more than just labor work. The small chicken even help the researches to the point every engineer and scientist has their own assigned Manjuu.
Now a Fairy?
They never seen a fairy before.
This world is really strange.
"Are those actual glowing particles?!"
"Sir, the tree is sentient!"
"We need samples immediately!"
Vergil meanwhile rubbed his forehead while continuing to stare at the screen.
"For decades humanity dismissed magic as superstition…"
Then quietly—
"And now you're casually standing in front of a talking tree spirit."
Yuuki dryly answered.
"Welcome to my life."
Meanwhile—
Even Nayuta herself looked genuinely shaken now.
Not because of fear.
But because this surpassed even her understanding.
"…A spirit manifestation…"
She softly whispered.
"The Sacred Tree possesseth consciousness…"
Then quietly—
"This humble one did not anticipate such revelation."
The tiny fairy meanwhile floated gently before Yuuki while curiously observing both him and Nayuta.
Then softly—
"Thou art unlike the others."
Her tiny glowing eyes quietly studied him.
"Thy soul beareth the scent of distant stars…"
Nayuta quietly stared at the tiny fairy floating above Yuuki's palm.
Then softly—
"O great hero…"
Her expression visibly darkened.
"Should the Ark discover the existence of such a being…"
Then lower—
"They would undoubtedly seek to exploit her."
The fairy's tiny wings fluttered gently afterward while she lowered her gaze sadly.
Yuuki meanwhile quietly looked at her.
"So you really are the Sacred Tree?"
"Aye."
Her small voice echoed gently throughout the chamber.
"Though in truth…"
"…this one is but a spirit bound unto the island."
She slowly floated downward afterward near the platinum roots beneath the altar.
"For generations, the old bloodlines utilized mine power to shield this land."
Then softly—
"To protect it from ruin."
Yuuki crossed his arms.
"And now?"
The fairy's expression saddened further.
"…This one desireth freedom from the current bearer."
"The prince."
Nayuta quietly narrowed her eyes.
"…Pierre."
The fairy softly nodded.
"This one hath long observed the world beyond the island."
Then more quietly—
"And in doing so…"
"…I have come to regret protecting the humans dwelling here."
Her voice carried genuine sorrow now.
"I witnessed greed."
"Cruelty."
"Trafficking."
"Abuse."
"Corruption."
Her wings dimmed faintly afterward.
"And still…"
"…they invoked mine power to continue their wickedness."
Yuuki's expression hardened slightly.
"Even the prince?"
The fairy visibly trembled afterward.
"The current bearer hath fallen."
Then softly—
"He is corrupted."
Nayuta immediately looked toward Yuuki.
"…O great hero."
Her voice lowered carefully.
"This resembleth the taint carried by the Raptures."
Yuuki's visor immediately brightened slightly.
"…Dark matter corruption."
The fairy slowly nodded.
"The prince forcibly infused himself with forbidden darkness."
Then quietly—
"Using Rapture power to bind this one unto him."
The chamber atmosphere grew colder afterward.
Yuuki's expression visibly sharpened now.
"So he's using Rapture corruption to control the Sacred Tree."
"Aye."
The fairy lowered her gaze sadly.
"This one resisted the corruption…"
"Yet the darkness consumed his heart instead."
Then more painfully—
"He now wieldeth mine power for domination and cruelty."
Nayuta softly tightened her grip upon her staff.
"…Disgraceful."
The tiny fairy slowly floated closer toward Yuuki afterward.
"O great hero…"
Her small glowing eyes met his directly.
"If it be possible…"
"…please take this one away from the island."
Yuuki blinked once.
"…How exactly?"
The fairy gently pointed toward the glowing crest forming faintly upon Yuuki's chest through the armor.
"If the current bearer perisheth…"
"…mine bond shall transfer unto thee."
Silence immediately filled the chamber afterward.
Even Nayuta looked visibly surprised.
"The Sacred Tree would choose thee…"
Yuuki immediately looked toward the fairy again.
"And the island?"
The fairy quietly closed her eyes.
"…Would lose its protection."
Then slowly—
"But it is time."
Her voice no longer carried hesitation now.
"The humans of this island must finally face the world they ignored for so long."
"I am weary of shielding those who abuse mine gifts."
Then softly—
"There remaineth little within this one's heart beyond disappointment."
Yuuki quietly processed everything afterward.
The barrier protecting the island.
The prince's corruption.
The Sacred Tree spirit herself desiring freedom.
And the fact that Pierre was somehow using Rapture dark matter to force control over an ancient magical entity.
Honestly—
That combination sounded catastrophically dangerous.
Nayuta quietly spoke again afterward.
"So the darkness failed to corrupt thee…"
The fairy softly nodded.
"Aye."
Then sadly—
"It merely revealed the corruption already festering within the prince himself."
Yuuki quietly stared at the tiny Sacred Tree spirit for several moments afterward.
Then calmly—
"So basically…"
"…I need to confront Pierre directly."
The fairy softly nodded.
"To sever his hold upon this one…"
"…the current bearer must relinquish the bond."
Then more quietly—
"Or perish."
Nayuta's expression slightly darkened hearing that.
Yuuki meanwhile sighed softly.
"So I have to duel an alcoholic corrupted noble possessed by Rapture darkness over ownership of a magical fairy tree."
He paused briefly.
"…My life has become really weird."
Nayuta softly covered her mouth.
"This humble one cannot refute such statement."
The fairy however looked more serious now.
"Take heed, O great hero."
Her wings dimmed faintly.
"The prince no longer merely wieldeth mine power."
"He clingeth unto it desperately."
Then lower—
"The darkness sustaineth him."
Yuuki's visor quietly processed the implications immediately.
"If the Sacred Tree breaks free from his control…"
The fairy sadly nodded.
"…the corruption shall likely consume him entirely."
Silence briefly filled the chamber afterward.
Then softly—
"O great hero…"
"It is possible thou mayst be forced to slay him."
Yuuki remained quiet.
Not emotional.
Not hesitant.
Simply thinking.
Then finally—
"…I already have a few ideas."
Nayuta quietly glanced toward him afterward.
Because whenever Yuuki spoke in that calm tone—
It usually meant someone was about to experience a very unfortunate day.
Then unexpectedly—
Yuuki walked calmly toward the Sacred Tree altar.
He accessed his interface briefly before materializing an elegant crystalline vase-like containment unit reinforced with nanotech stabilizers and energy regulators.
The fairy blinked curiously.
"…What manner of vessel is this?"
"Temporary relocation container."
Then casually—
"Basically an overly advanced portable plant pot."
Nayuta quietly stared at him.
"…Thou reduceth ancient sacred spirits unto gardening terminology."
Yuuki shrugged lightly.
"If it works, it works."
Then—
Something surprising happened.
The small Sacred Tree itself slowly moved.
Tiny platinum roots carefully lifted from the ancient altar before extending gently toward the container Yuuki prepared.
The roots entered the vessel willingly.
Then slowly rooted themselves within the nanotech soil system inside the vase.
The chamber softly illuminated afterward.
The Sacred Tree visibly looked healthier already.
The tiny fairy floated happily around the vase afterward.
"…Warm…"
Then softly—
"This vessel feeleth strangely comforting."
Yuuki calmly adjusted several energy settings.
"The nanosoil adapts to biological and exotic lifeforms automatically."
Yuuki gently adjusted the containment vase while monitoring the Sacred Tree's energy stabilization readings.
"It's specialized soil developed by the GDI."
Then more quietly—
"Back where I came from…"
"…most natural soil became heavily corrupted."
Nayuta softly tilted her head afterward.
"…Corrupted?"
Yuuki nodded once.
"Tiberium."
The name itself felt strangely heavy.
Even the tiny fairy quietly listened now.
Nayuta carefully repeated the unfamiliar word.
"…Tiberium?"
Yuuki's expression slightly softened.
"I'll explain it properly someday."
Then more honestly—
"You probably deserve the full horror story later."
The wandering monk quietly sensed something unpleasant hidden beneath that casual answer.
Yet she chose not to press further.
Instead—
Yuuki looked toward the tiny Sacred Tree spirit floating happily around the vase afterward.
"You should remain stable inside there temporarily."
The fairy gently touched the nanosoil roots beneath her.
"…Warm…"
Then softly—
"This vessel truly comforteth this one."
Nayuta meanwhile silently observed the entire situation.
And honestly—
Watching an ancient magical Sacred Tree willingly relocate itself into advanced futuristic GDI gardening equipment somehow perfectly represented Yuuki's existence.
Ridiculous.
Absurd.
Yet bizarrely functional.
Yuuki quietly observed the glowing platinum leaves afterward.
"This thing is seriously powerful."
Then casually—
"It'd make an excellent houseplant back home."
Nayuta visibly stared at him afterward.
"…Thou intendeth to transform an ancient sacred spirit tree into household decoration?"
The tiny fairy herself blinked several times in confusion.
Yuuki immediately defended himself.
"Hey."
Then gesturing toward the ruined altar around them—
"Still better than forcing it to empower corrupt nobles and human traffickers."
The fairy softly lowered her gaze.
"…A fair point."
Yuuki lightly tapped the vase afterward.
"Besides."
Then smugly—
"It likes the nanosoil."
The tiny spirit immediately nodded enthusiastically.
"This one indeed liketh the soft glowing earth."
Nayuta quietly covered part of her face afterward.
"…O great hero."
Then softly—
"This humble one can no longer determine whether thou art absurdly wise…"
"…or simply absurd."
Yuuki thought about it briefly.
"…Probably both."
Honestly—
Nobody in the room could disagree with that assessment anymore.
"Yo, man."
Vergil's voice echoed through Yuuki's communication feed from the Philadelphia research station.
"Mind letting us study her later?"
Immediately—
Several scientists in the background loudly agreed.
"We need environmental readings!"
"Mana particle analysis!"
"Those leaves alone could revolutionize bio-energy research!"
Another voice immediately shouted afterward—
"DO NOT SCARE THE FAIRY."
Yuuki sighed softly.
"As long as nobody performs experiments she dislikes."
Then calmly—
"I'm pretty sure she'd tolerate giving us a few leaves willingly."
The tiny fairy softly blinked afterward.
"…Leaves?"
Yuuki casually nodded.
"Research purposes."
Then honestly—
"Also I seriously doubt you're the only spirit tree in this world."
He glanced around the ancient chamber.
"What we found today changes a lot of things."
Then toward Vergil—
"And did you receive the golem fragments?"
The comms immediately became excited again.
"Oh, that thing is insane."
Vergil sounded genuinely enthusiastic now.
"The crystal cores alone are beyond anything we expected."
Then rapidly—
"And the structural composition…"
"And the energy circulation…"
"And the magic-conductive minerals…"
Several scientists immediately began arguing again in the background.
"We're establishing a new research division immediately!"
"We need thaumaturgical engineering studies!"
"Magic-reactive materials research!"
Vergil meanwhile sounded increasingly excited.
"We might actually develop expendable combat golems eventually."
Then thoughtfully—
"Imagine sending magical tank-golems before deploying the main armor divisions."
Yuuki immediately groaned.
"You're already weaponizing fantasy creatures."
"That's called scientific progress. Plus, it's kind of a robot made up of soil. Not really fantasy creatures."
Then quickly—
"Any more weird things down there worth collecting?"
Yuuki looked around briefly.
"I'll keep an eye out."
Then casually—
"I'll send samples if I find anything useful."
"Perfect."
Vergil immediately answered.
"Now if you'll excuse me…"
His voice carried dangerous scientific excitement now.
"I'm going to stare at the golem for the next twelve hours. Thanks for the power crystals and be sure to send the ones Neon gathered up here, the girls over here couldn't wait to learn everything they can."
The transmission ended shortly afterward.
Nayuta quietly stared at Yuuki afterward.
"…Thy people adapteth disturbingly fast to impossible revelations."
Yuuki shrugged lightly.
"Scientists lose fear the moment something becomes research material."
Then his attention shifted toward the fairy again.
"So…"
He crouched slightly toward her floating form.
"Miss…"
The tiny spirit softly bowed.
"Esche."
"Guardian Spirit of the Sacred Tree, O great hero."
Yuuki immediately shook his head.
"Just Yuuki."
Both Nayuta and Esche blinked afterward.
"…Yuuki?"
"…Yuuki?"
Yuuki nodded calmly.
"Yukihira Yuuki."
Then properly—
"High Commander of the Global Defense Initiative."
His expression softened slightly afterward.
"Sorry for not introducing myself earlier."
Esche quietly floated closer toward him afterward.
"…Yuuki."
She softly repeated the name like testing it.
Then gently—
"This one thanketh thee."
Nayuta meanwhile looked thoughtful.
"So long as the prince yet liveth…"
"…the barrier surrounding the island remaineth active?"
Esche slowly nodded.
"Aye."
"The bond persisteth until the current bearer falleth."
Yuuki quietly processed that.
Meaning—
They still had time before chaos reached the island.
Then Yuuki glanced toward the tiny spirit again.
"So…"
He pointed lightly toward her miniature form.
"Are you always this small?"
Esche softly floated in a small circle above the vase.
"This form reflecteth the state of mine tree."
Then gently—
"At present…"
"…it resembleth but a tiny houseplant."
Yuuki immediately snorted softly.
"You really are a houseplant now."
Nayuta visibly gave up trying to correct him anymore.
Esche however surprisingly didn't seem offended.
Instead—
She softly explained.
"As the tree groweth stronger…"
"…so too shall this form mature."
Yuuki thoughtfully rubbed his chin.
"Hm."
Then casually—
"I actually know a perfect place for you."
Esche tilted her head curiously.
"…A place?"
Yuuki nodded.
"Plenty of sunlight."
"Clean water."
"Protected environment."
Then lightly tapping the vase—
"And I can keep supplying the nanosoil you like."
Esche's wings visibly fluttered happily afterward.
"…Truly?"
Yuuki smiled faintly.
"If you like the soil that much, I'll bring more."
Honestly—
The terrifying ancient Sacred Tree spirit becoming emotionally attached to futuristic anti-Tiberium gardening soil somehow felt completely natural at this point.
Yuuki carefully stored the specialized vase containing the Sacred Tree safely within his dimensional inventory system afterward.
The nanosoil stabilization field remained active even after storage.
Surprisingly however—
Esche herself did not return into the container.
Instead—
The tiny spirit simply floated gently upward before landing lightly upon Yuuki's shoulder.
Her small platinum wings fluttered softly beside his helmet.
"…Comfortable."
Yuuki glanced sideways briefly.
"You staying there?"
Esche softly nodded.
"This one desireth to observe the world beside thee."
Nayuta quietly watched the interaction with visible amusement now.
Honestly—
The terrifying ancient Sacred Tree guardian had somehow already become attached to him.
Yuuki simply shrugged afterward.
"All right."
Then looking toward Nayuta—
"Shall we head back?"
Nayuta softly bowed her head.
"Aye, O great hero."
Yuuki's expression sharpened slightly afterward.
"Now that we know what Pierre's actually doing…"
Then calmly—
"I officially have enough reasons to crash this wedding."
Esche quietly lowered her gaze sadly.
"…Please save the maidens bound unto this island."
Yuuki immediately answered.
"Already planned to."
Then suddenly—
"Hold on."
Before Nayuta could react—
Yuuki wrapped one arm firmly around her waist again.
Nayuta visibly stiffened immediately.
"…O great hero?"
Then Yuuki looked toward Esche.
"Esche."
"Hold on tight."
The tiny fairy immediately grabbed part of his shoulder armor.
The next moment—
WHOOOOOOOSH.
The Mark 86 thrusters erupted violently.
Instead of retracing the ruins—
Yuuki simply launched directly upward.
The repulsor engines blasted through the ancient opening above the final chamber originally designed to provide sunlight to the Sacred Tree.
Stone exploded outward behind them.
Debris scattered throughout the hidden forest above the mountain as Yuuki burst from the ruins at extreme speed.
Then suddenly—
Open sky.
Nayuta's eyes widened immediately.
The three soared above the forest canopy while sunlight illuminated the island below them.
The hidden opening disappeared almost instantly beneath the dense mountain woods.
Yuuki glanced downward briefly.
"Huh."
Then casually—
"We probably could've entered from here originally."
He looked at the absurdly thick forest covering the mountain.
"…Though honestly nobody would ever find that entrance naturally."
Nayuta meanwhile quietly stared downward at the island from above.
The city.
The harbor.
The castle.
The ocean beyond the barrier.
Everything stretched beautifully beneath them.
For several moments—
She simply remained speechless.
Then softly—
"…So this…"
Her voice carried genuine wonder.
"…is the world from above."
The wind flowed through her white hair while Yuuki carried her effortlessly through the skies.
Nayuta slowly looked across the distant horizon afterward.
"It maketh the world seem…"
Then quietly—
"…so very large."
Yuuki glanced toward her briefly.
"It is."
Then more softly—
"And honestly?"
"…You've barely seen any of it yet."
For someone who spent years wandering ruined lands and isolated regions—
Seeing the world from the skies beside someone powerful enough to challenge the world itself felt strangely liberating to Nayuta.
For once—
She no longer felt like a wandering observer merely surviving among ruins and endless despair.
Instead—
She felt like she was finally moving toward something.
Toward change.
Toward possibility.
Then Yuuki's voice calmly interrupted her thoughts.
"Come on."
He adjusted his flight direction toward the harbor below.
"I'll introduce you two to everyone."
Nayuta softly blinked.
"…Everyone?"
Yuuki immediately activated stealth mode mid-flight.
The Mark 86 shimmered before vanishing completely.
Because Nayuta still wore the anti-bobby suit—
The optical camouflage extended naturally around her as well.
Even Esche became hidden atop Yuuki's shoulder.
The three descended rapidly afterward while flying low above the island rooftops toward the disguised hovercraft.
Below—
The wedding preparations continued completely unaware that the Sacred Tree had already defected from the kingdom.
Honestly—
Pierre was about to experience an unbelievably terrible day.
As they approached the harbor—
Nayuta quietly looked around again while hidden beneath stealth.
"…To fly freely through the heavens…"
Her voice carried genuine wonder.
"This humble one understandeth now why birds sing."
Yuuki softly laughed.
"I see somebody got addicted to flying fast."
Nayuta surprisingly nodded immediately.
"…Aye."
Then very seriously—
"Should this humble one eventually join thy faction…"
She looked toward him carefully.
"…would it be possible to partake in such aerial adventures once more?"
Yuuki blinked once.
Then amused—
"So that's your dream?"
Nayuta softly lowered her gaze.
"…To fly freely."
"For once without fear."
Yuuki's expression softened slightly afterward.
"We'll see."
The wandering monk visibly looked hopeful hearing even that much.
Moments later—
The hovercraft finally came into view below them.
Yuuki descended directly toward the concealed landing section atop the disguised vessel.
Then—
FWOOOOSH.
The thrusters slowed.
Yuuki landed smoothly upon the hovercraft's upper platform before disengaging stealth entirely.
The sudden appearance immediately startled several girls nearby.
"Commander!"
Yorktown visibly relaxed instantly afterward.
Enterprise crossed her arms quietly.
"Took you long enough."
The hatch opened rapidly as others rushed toward the platform.
Then everyone suddenly noticed—
Yuuki had returned with a mysterious white-haired monk floating beside him.
And a tiny fairy spirit sitting on his shoulder.
Silence immediately followed.
Neon blinked once.
Then pointed dramatically.
"…Commander."
"What did you bring back THIS time?"
"Well…"
Yuuki casually stepped forward after landing.
"This is Nayuta."
He gestured toward the white-haired wandering monk beside him.
"She's a fellow Nikke."
Then calmly—
"Member of the Pioneer Squad."
The reaction was immediate.
"PIONEER?!"
Neon practically shouted loud enough to shake the hovercraft interior.
Even Rapi's eyes widened slightly.
Anis visibly froze.
Ade, Soda, and Cocoa themselves looked completely stunned.
Yuuki blinked once.
"…Is that bad?"
Anis immediately turned toward him.
"Bad?!"
Then dramatically—
"That's an INSANE level of important!"
Neon immediately pointed accusingly at Nayuta afterward.
"The Pioneer Squad are basically legends!"
Rapi quietly explained afterward.
"They are remnants connected to the Goddess Squad."
Then carefully—
"Only three known survivors remained active for years."
"No one knew their locations."
Anis crossed her arms.
"And they basically wander the surface doing whatever they want."
Then seriously—
"People treat them like myths."
Cocoa softly looked toward Nayuta with visible awe.
"…A Pioneer…"
Even Hipper quietly narrowed her eyes slightly.
Because despite not being a Nikke—
Even she had heard fragments of stories regarding the legendary Goddess forces.
Nayuta meanwhile softly bowed respectfully toward everyone.
"This humble one is Nayuta."
Then gently—
"And yes…"
"…the excitable little one speaketh truth."
Neon immediately puffed her cheeks.
"I HAVE A NAME."
Nayuta calmly continued anyway.
"This one serveth as the fourth member of Pioneer."
Then quietly clarifying—
"Though unlike the others…"
"…I was not originally part of Goddess Squad."
The girls quietly listened carefully now.
Because the appearance of a Pioneer member alone already changed the scale of things significantly.
Then Nayuta softly looked toward Yuuki beside her.
"This humble one seeketh alliance with the great hero Yuuki."
The girls immediately looked toward him afterward.
Yuuki simply shrugged.
"She approached me first."
Nayuta gently nodded.
"In exchange for sanctuary…"
"…this one shall provide information."
Then more seriously—
"Knowledge regarding the world."
"Scattered Nikke locations."
"Bastion Cubes."
"And pathways leading toward the Ark."
Silence briefly filled the hovercraft again.
Because the value of that information was immeasurable.
Anis softly whistled afterward.
"…Commander."
"You somehow recruited a literal wandering legend."
Neon immediately pointed proudly.
"As expected of Commander!"
Rapi however quietly observed Nayuta carefully.
"…You trust him that much already?"
Nayuta softly glanced toward Yuuki.
Then calmly—
"This humble one witnessed a man capable of overwhelming Sirens…"
"…walking calmly through ancient ruins…"
"…befriending sacred spirits…"
"…and offering freedom unto Nikkes without demanding chains in return."
Her expression softened slightly afterward.
"In truth…"
"…trusting him became surprisingly easy."
That answer unexpectedly quieted the room.
Even Akashi softly blinked.
Because coming from someone like a Pioneer—
Those words carried tremendous weight.
"So basically…"
Yuuki casually removed portions of his helmet while stepping fully into the hovercraft interior.
"I met her before exploring the ruins."
Then gesturing toward Nayuta—
"She's a temporary ally for now."
His tone remained calm as always.
"Once we locate her original body, we'll probably bring her properly into the GDI."
Anis immediately stared at him.
"…You say that way too casually."
Neon dramatically pointed afterward.
"Commander literally recruited a legendary wandering monk!"
Yuuki shrugged.
"I needed someone capable of navigating Nikke-related information networks."
Then more seriously—
"If I want to understand this world properly…"
"She can detect other Nikkes..."
"…and eventually access the Ark to find out more about reviving Nikkes…"
"…then I need her."
Rapi quietly nodded afterward.
"That is logical."
Nayuta meanwhile softly bowed her head again.
"This humble one merely seeketh purpose."
Then calmly—
"And safety beyond the reach of foolish humans."
Yuuki then raised one finger slightly afterward.
"Oh."
"And there's one more thing."
The girls immediately looked toward him again.
Yuuki gently motioned toward the tiny spirit floating beside his shoulder.
"This little one is Esche."
Then simply—
"Guardian Spirit of the Sacred Tree."
The tiny fairy immediately floated forward politely before bowing gracefully in midair.
"This one greeteth thee all."
Absolute silence followed.
Everyone stared.
The tiny fairy blinked innocently back at them.
Then—
"A REAL FAIRY?!"
Neon practically exploded with excitement.
Even the shipgirls themselves looked visibly shocked now.
Because unlike strange technology or advanced weapons—
A literal fairy crossed straight into fantasy territory.
Yorktown blinked repeatedly.
"…She's adorable."
Illustrious gently covered her mouth in surprise.
"My goodness…"
Enterprise herself visibly paused longer than usual while observing Esche carefully.
"…Unexpected."
Even Belfast quietly stared for several moments.
"…So magic truly exists."
Esche softly floated around the room afterward while curiously observing everyone herself.
The girls meanwhile continued staring at her in disbelief.
Unicorn slowly raised one trembling finger.
"…Can I touch her?"
Esche tilted her head curiously.
"If thou desirest."
Unicorn carefully held out her hands afterward.
The tiny spirit softly landed upon them.
Immediately—
Unicorn visibly gasped.
"She's warm…"
Neon immediately leaned closer excitedly.
"Commander!"
Then dramatically—
"You brought back a MONK and a FAIRY from a single mountain trip!"
Anis crossed her arms afterward.
"At this point I'm not even surprised anymore."
Takao quietly looked toward Yuuki.
"…Did the ruins truly contain a sentient spirit tree?"
Yuuki nodded once.
"Yeah."
Then more seriously—
"The Sacred Tree was being forcefully controlled through Rapture corruption."
That statement immediately killed the playful mood.
Rapi's expression sharpened instantly.
"…Rapture corruption?"
Nayuta quietly answered instead.
"The prince infused himself with dark matter."
Then lower—
"Using its influence to bind Esche against her will."
Several girls visibly reacted negatively afterward.
Even Akashi's ears lowered.
"That island seriously keeps getting worse, nya…"
Esche herself softly lowered her gaze sadly.
"This one merely wished to protect the innocent…"
Then quietly—
"Yet mine power became tool of cruelty instead."
Yuuki gently raised one finger toward her afterward.
"Not anymore."
The tiny fairy looked toward him quietly.
Because for the first time in many years—
Someone finally treated her like a living being instead of a weapon.
"So…"
Yuuki casually accessed his dimensional inventory again.
"I relocated the Sacred Tree into a portable container."
Then completely normally—
"Which means…"
"…yeah."
"I technically brought the Sacred Tree with me."
The hovercraft interior immediately became silent again.
Several girls slowly blinked.
Then Yuuki materialized the elegant crystalline vase into his hands.
Inside it—
The platinum-leafed Sacred Tree rested peacefully within the glowing nanosoil.
Its tiny roots gently swayed beneath the transparent container while faint silver light illuminated the room softly.
Esche happily floated toward the tree immediately afterward.
"My tree…"
Then softly—
"This one feeleth much healthier already."
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Because honestly—
The situation had officially become too absurd to emotionally process anymore.
Yuuki had left to investigate a magical ruin.
And somehow returned with:
A legendary Pioneer Nikke monk.
A literal fairy spirit.
And the Sacred Tree itself potted like expensive home decoration.
Anis slowly rubbed her forehead afterward.
"…I'm too tired to even question this anymore."
Neon immediately leaned closer toward the glowing plant.
"…Commander literally stole the island's holy artifact."
Yuuki casually corrected her.
"It willingly came with me."
Esche immediately nodded.
"This one chose freedom."
Then quietly—
"And Yuuki offered kindness where others demanded obedience."
Nimi stared at the potted Sacred Tree in disbelief.
"…That tiny thing protected the entire island?"
"Correction," Yuuki answered calmly.
"It still is."
Everyone immediately looked toward him again.
Nayuta quietly explained.
"So long as the current bearer yet liveth…"
"…the barrier surrounding the island remaineth active."
Hipper's expression slightly hardened.
"Meaning Pierre still controls the barrier."
Yuuki nodded once.
"For now."
Then calmly—
"But Esche already wants out."
The fairy visibly crossed her tiny arms afterward.
"This one absolutely desireth liberation from the drunken fool."
Even Akashi softly stared at the Sacred Tree afterward.
"Nyaaa…"
Then amazed—
"It really became a houseplant…"
Yuuki lightly tapped the vase proudly.
"An extremely important houseplant."
Enterprise quietly crossed her arms nearby.
"…Commander."
Her gaze moved between the Sacred Tree and Yuuki.
"You understand this operation officially escalated far beyond a rescue mission now."
Yuuki immediately answered.
"Yep."
Then casually—
"We're now involved with magical spirits, Rapture corruption, ancient ruins, and political hostage situations."
Neon dramatically raised one hand.
"And weddings!"
"…Yes."
"And apparently weddings."
Yorktown softly sighed afterward while looking toward the distant castle visible beyond the harbor.
"…Then our next step is obvious."
Everyone's attention shifted toward her.
The carrier's blue eyes remained calm.
"We retrieve Prinz Eugen."
Silence followed briefly afterward.
Then Yuuki slowly smiled.
"…Yeah."
His visor faintly illuminated again.
"Time to crash a wedding."
"Master… really…"
Belfast softly sighed while looking at Yuuki holding a literal Sacred Tree inside a futuristic vase.
"So these are the individuals we rescued."
Yuuki gently stored the Sacred Tree back in his inventory afterward before turning his attention toward the newly rescued girls properly.
"All right then."
He smiled faintly.
"I suppose introductions are overdue."
Then calmly—
"I am Yukihira Yuuki."
"High Commander of the Global Defense Initiative."
Javelin immediately straightened herself despite still wearing the wedding dress.
Then suddenly realizing her appearance—
"…Ah."
Her face reddened slightly.
"I-I apologize for appearing before you dressed like this…"
She quickly bowed politely afterward.
"You are the owner of the hopeful voice."
Then softly—
"I am Javelin."
"J-Class destroyer of the Royal Navy."
Her voice trembled slightly afterward.
"Thank you…"
Then more emotionally—
"Thank you so much for rescuing me."
Yuuki lightly shook his head.
"I only brought everyone here."
Then gesturing toward the others—
"They're the ones who actually rescued you."
Javelin immediately looked toward the girls again emotionally.
Yuuki meanwhile smiled slightly.
"So you're the Javelin Laffey and Nimi kept mentioning."
Then thoughtfully—
"One more and the starter group is complete."
"Ayanami, right?"
Javelin visibly blinked in surprise.
"…You know about her?"
"A little."
Then casually—
"I've heard enough stories already."
Javelin softly smiled for the first time without fear afterward.
"Yes…"
Then warmly—
"Thank you again."
Soon afterward—
Nimi carefully guided Hipper forward.
The Iron Blood cruiser stood properly now upon her newly restored legs before giving Yuuki a respectful bow.
"I am Admiral Hipper."
Her voice remained calmer than before.
"The Iron Blood heavy cruiser named after the undefeated Admiral Franz von Hipper."
Then formally—
"I have participated in countless battles and given them my all."
Her eyes softened slightly afterward.
"Thank you for rescuing me, Herr Kommandant."
Yuuki blinked once.
"Nimi mentioned you're some kind of tsundere?"
The entire room immediately looked toward Hipper.
Hipper visibly froze.
Then immediately looked away awkwardly.
"…Please ignore that."
Her voice carried genuine embarrassment now.
"I no longer wish to be such a person."
Then quieter—
"Ten years of captivity changes someone."
She slowly lowered her gaze.
"I do not wish to continue being remembered only for harshness."
Yuuki immediately nodded.
"Good."
Then bluntly—
"Tsundere behavior really isn't my thing."
Several girls quietly laughed afterward.
Yuuki casually continued.
"I don't enjoy being insulted for existing."
Then warmly—
"So welcome aboard, Hipper."
The Iron Blood cruiser visibly relaxed slightly afterward.
"…Thank you."
"Herr Kommandant."
Then—
Ade suddenly pushed Cocoa gently forward.
The pink-haired maid visibly stumbled slightly before quickly bowing politely.
"I-I am Cocoa."
"A Nikke."
"And leader of the Maid For You squad."
Then softly—
"Please treat me well."
Yuuki immediately smiled.
"I've heard a lot about you already."
He glanced toward Ade and Soda.
"These two wouldn't stop talking about their squad leader."
Ade and Soda immediately nodded proudly.
Yuuki then looked back toward Cocoa.
"So."
"You wouldn't mind working under Belfast?"
Cocoa immediately straightened.
"Ah!"
"Lady Belfast and I already met."
Then respectfully—
"I shall do my best under Head Maid Belfast."
Belfast herself gave a graceful nod nearby.
"We shall properly reorganize the maid structure later."
Cocoa quietly looked around the hovercraft afterward.
At the shipgirls.
The Nikkes.
The strange warmth filling the room.
Then softly—
"I know this sounds strange…"
Her fingers lightly tightened against her skirt.
"But…"
"…I feel like I can trust you."
Then more quietly—
"Really trust you."
The room softened slightly afterward.
Because they all understood that feeling already.
Unexpectedly—
Nayuta quietly nodded beside Yuuki.
"This humble one felt similarly."
Then calmly—
"O great hero."
"This one knew of thee before even seeing thy face. It is one of the reason this one came to the mountain, knowing thou would be there."
Yuuki blinked once.
Then suddenly realized something.
"…Wait."
His expression slowly shifted.
"Could this be because of the Nikke Void connection?"
He pointed between everyone.
"The heart-link thing connected me to all of you already?"
The girls visibly reacted afterward.
Because honestly—
That explanation made terrifying amounts of sense.
Anis immediately burst out laughing.
"Oh you are SO screwed now, Commander."
Neon dramatically pointed afterward.
"Commander accidentally built an emotional soul-network harem."
"THAT IS NOT WHAT I DID."
Rapi quietly looked away.
"…Too late."
Even Yorktown softly smiled afterward.
Hipper meanwhile quietly observed the reactions around Yuuki.
And for the first time in many years—
The Iron Blood cruiser genuinely felt something she thought she had lost forever.
A place she might actually belong.
"Oh come on…"
Yuuki rubbed his forehead immediately afterward while multiple girls continued staring at him with increasingly knowing expressions.
"I'm pretty sure this is only a trust connection for now."
Then quickly—
"Not the full connection yet."
He pointed toward Rapi and the others.
"I still need to properly free their NIMPH before anything deeper happens."
Nayuta quietly folded her hands together afterward.
"O great hero."
Her expression remained surprisingly calm.
"This humble one shall gladly consume thy blood if it truly granteth freedom."
Then softly—
"If such act severeth the chains of the Ark…"
"…this one shall not hesitate."
The hovercraft immediately fell silent for several seconds afterward.
Cocoa blinked repeatedly.
"…Consume his blood?"
Anis casually nodded.
"Yeah."
Then proudly—
"Commander's weird mystery blood basically freed us."
Rapi quietly explained further.
"The Ark no longer possesses authority over our NIMPH systems."
Then calmly—
"We are no longer forcibly bound."
Cocoa visibly looked stunned afterward.
"…That's…"
"…impossible."
Neon immediately pointed dramatically.
"And yet completely real!"
Ade and Soda themselves quietly nodded too.
Because they personally experienced the freedom already.
Yuuki immediately raised both hands afterward.
"Okay."
"We can discuss all the blood-drinking liberation rituals later."
Then exhaustedly—
"I really don't want my shipgirls use it to stay in my room after I pass out again."
Several shipgirls immediately looked away suspiciously.
"…We would never," Illustrious softly smiled.
Yorktown quietly coughed.
"…Perhaps."
Akagi meanwhile looked dangerously interested already through the comm feed.
Then suddenly—
Javelin softly touched her own chest afterward.
"…Commander?"
Yuuki blinked.
"What is it?"
Javelin looked slightly confused.
"It feels strange…"
Then quietly—
"Warm."
Her expression softened unknowingly.
"…Like I've known you for a long time already."
The hovercraft immediately became quiet again.
Because everyone there recognized that feeling instantly.
Then Yorktown softly smiled afterward.
"Ah…"
"Javelin has connected to Commander already."
Javelin blinked repeatedly.
"…Connected?"
Nimi nodded calmly.
"Shipgirls connected to Herr Kommandant can sense his heart."
Then softer—
"Commander became our source of warmth."
Javelin visibly looked overwhelmed afterward.
"…Really…?"
Then quietly turning toward Yuuki—
"…Please treat me well, Commander."
The sincerity in her voice genuinely caught him off guard.
Then Hipper herself softly crossed her arms afterward.
"…It appears my Wisdom Cube trusted you as well."
Her expression remained calmer than before.
"Despite knowing you for barely a single day."
Then quietly—
"Please treat me well too, Herr Kommandant."
Yuuki immediately groaned dramatically.
"Please give me a break."
Neon immediately laughed.
"Too late!"
Anis pointed proudly.
"Commander accidentally became emotionally adopted by half the fleet."
Rapi quietly corrected.
"…More than half at this point."
Even Yuuki couldn't deny that anymore.
Nearby—
Nayuta quietly observed the entire scene with visible amusement now.
"…O great hero."
Then softly smiling—
"This situation proveth surprisingly entertaining."
Esche meanwhile sat gently within Unicorn's hands while her tiny wings fluttered happily.
"…Indeed."
The little spirit softly nodded afterward.
"This one findeth thy companions exceedingly warm."
Unicorn herself looked completely enchanted holding the tiny fairy carefully.
"She's so cute…"
Esche happily sat upon her hands like a tiny glowing princess while the entire hovercraft somehow transformed into a bizarre mix of:
rescued bride,
armored shipgirls,
liberated Nikkes,
a legendary monk,
and a magical fairy spirit.
And somehow—
Yuuki stood at the center of the hovercraft surrounded by rescued shipgirls, liberated Nikkes, armored allies, a legendary wandering monk, and a literal fairy spirit.
And honestly—
He still had absolutely no idea how his life became this chaotic in barely two weeks.
Then suddenly—
Esche softly flew from Unicorn's hands before landing gently upon Yuuki's shoulder once more.
Her tiny platinum wings fluttered quietly beside his face.
"O Yuuki…"
Her voice softened slightly.
"Please complete the final task."
Then lower—
"So this one may fully bind unto thee."
Yuuki blinked once.
"…Right."
Then his expression slowly sharpened again.
The relaxed atmosphere within the hovercraft shifted immediately.
Because everyone understood what remained unfinished.
Prinz Eugen.
Yuuki looked around toward everyone gathered there.
"All right."
Then firmly—
"Get ready everyone."
His visor illuminated softly.
"We have one final objective."
A faint grin slowly appeared afterward.
"Crash the wedding."
Then more seriously—
"And rescue Eugen."
The atmosphere instantly intensified.
Hipper immediately clenched her fists tightly.
Now fully healed—
The Iron Blood cruiser no longer looked weak or broken.
Instead—
Pure anger quietly simmered beneath her calm expression.
Because she remembered every tear Eugen hid.
Every humiliation.
Every moment Pierre forced them to endure.
"…I wish to personally break his face."
Anis immediately pointed proudly.
"See? She IS still kind of aggressive."
"…Only toward people deserving it."
"That's fair."
Nearby—
Yorktown quietly smiled watching Yuuki naturally return to command presence again.
The moment a mission appeared before him—
His uncertainty disappeared entirely.
The girls unconsciously gathered around him naturally now.
Like stars surrounding a center.
Because whether Yuuki realized it or not—
He had already become the emotional core holding them together.
Yorktown softly crossed her arms afterward.
"What is the plan, Commander?"
Everyone's attention immediately focused toward him.
Armored shipgirls.
Elite Nikkes.
A Pioneer monk.
A magical spirit.
Even Esche quietly watched him expectantly from his shoulder.
Yuuki slowly glanced toward the castle visible beyond the harbor windows.
The wedding preparations were likely already beginning.
Meaning—
Pierre still believed himself completely in control.
Yuuki's expression gradually sharpened afterward.
"Simple."
A holographic map of the castle appeared before everyone instantly.
"We already extracted every hostage except Eugen."
His finger highlighted the cathedral district.
"So now…"
"…we stop pretending to be subtle."
Neon immediately looked excited.
"Oh this sounds fun already."
Yuuki continued calmly.
"Nayuta and Esche stay here for now."
Then toward Akashi—
"Protect them."
"Nya!"
Esche floated towards Akashi's hands.
Hipper immediately stepped forward afterward.
"I'm going too."
Yuuki looked toward her restored legs briefly.
"You sure?"
Hipper's expression hardened.
"That bastard made Eugen cry for years."
Then quietly—
"I refuse to stay behind. Please forgive me..."
Yuuki slowly nodded.
"Fair enough."
Then his gaze moved across everyone else.
"Yorktown."
"Enterprise."
"Illustrious."
"Atago."
"Takao."
"Rapi."
"Anis."
"Neon."
"Nimi."
"Laffey."
"Unicorn."
"Hipper."
"Javelin."
"Belfast and the maids remain extraction support."
Everyone immediately acknowledged.
"Yes, Commander."
Yuuki's armor softly hummed afterward while the Mark 86 combat systems fully activated again.
Then calmly—
"We enter the wedding in guise of escorting Javelin into the cathedral."
"…and take the bride."