「Azur Lane Academy : Commander Office, noon」
『PoV of Sakura Zeimachi』
It's been about two days since our arrival and I took over the role of temporary commander "properly" and also did some of the visible and must-do jobs as a commander.
Unfortunately for now I can't rely on Loli-man because he is enjoying his time "monitoring" the ship girl named Unicorn who is hiding while watching Hylia from a distance.
'A job is a job, and hopefully I could some useful things from these paper.'
There's no other choice beside to do this and hopefully I could spent my few hours to explore some other place that need to be fixed.
After all, one day is not a short amount of time, even during these few hours there was a lot of news that I obtained through「Feathers」scattered throughout this port.
"... That girl... She's not going to suddenly shout "HELL DRAGON" right..."
"I see that speaking appropriate nonsense is your habit, master. Should I help you about the content of this letter?"
"Then... Could you please Sheffield-kun. As you can see I can't really see that well while using this blindfold."
"... Very well. Master, while I'm on it I'll be sorting out your other task that you should've been able to completed on your own."
"Much appreciated, girl."
Comfortably taking my seat with a cup of tea served by one of Royal Maid in this room, I cracked my back as I hoped that Lia wouldn't suddenly activate the hidden power inside「Alastor」and destroy some of the hills behind this office.
Even though the sword wasn't a very powerful weapon like a sword that could cleave the moon or a sword that could continue to grow indefinitely like many of the main characters in their story had, there was at least something I wanted Hylia to realize from mastering that sword and the others.
The original『Alastor』is actually a living Devil arm in the form of a sword. However this「Alastor」is already a modified one that I combined with the feature from different「Alastor」in different verse.
It's like combining the same weapon with different stats or enchantment in order to get a weapon with high stats and desired enchantment if I take the in-game example.
"So... This much should be fine. Thanks a bunch Sheffield-kun, you really helped me out right here."
Well... Explaining things like that is troublesome, but the point is that the current「Alastor」is much more stable and has more diverse abilities than the original.
More importantly about this Sheffield. Previously I was told by Warspite if later someone would come to ask for a written report on many things that happened while I was taking on the role of their temporary commander.
"... Your writing looks disheveled, master. I myself not sure enough to be able to clean this for you."
Although I didn't expect that Sheffield would be the one to carry me the message, but it is possible that now the thread of destiny is the link between our meeting.
"Heeh~ So there's something that even Sheffield-kun couldn't clean hmm~ H-Hold there! There's no need to use violence in cleaning! Stop pointing your gun on my face!"
And that thread need to be severed as fast as I could so to not creating another seed of favor in her growing heart.
As Sheffield pointed the gun at me, I tried to read her mind to better know if she was really going to shoot that bullet right onto my face, but it turned out... She's just as nice of a girl as I thought.
"Excuse me, master. I spot some stain on your blindfold but I can't hold myself from cleaning it away together with you."
If only, in this world one's happiness wasn't controlled by a single person then maybe Sheffield could become more "Greedy" towards her own desires.
I don't know whether it was because of the creator of this world or that「System」user, but one thing for sure that I know is that they seem to have a taste for pleasure from the suffering of others. This hypothesis was taken from many information that I've gained from those girls' dream.
As I talked with them and lead them to be awaken from their dream, I also gained all kind of emotion from them, which turned out to be some depressed emotion they've gained in those short days.
It's not that I hate it nor justified of how vile this kind of thoughts are, I understand how nice it can be to act arbitrarily on someone's right to life.
But there are people who don't deserve something like that. Be it to receive some despicable suffering they don't deserve, nor to act as an Arbitrators because of whether it is their strength, position, and maybe ability which is above others.
"..."
"Master, your hand has stop moving."
"Ah... Right."
For now the problem I have to deal with is the situation in the「Void」which is starting to become vulnerable to being invaded by "them" again. As Cera disappears, the「Void」becomes a very easy place to find due to the waning of the「Barrier of Reason」that she uses to cover the position of that place.
Although I had asked for Moriarty's help to aid Yjor back then, but she can't stay in the「Void」for to long since she also had her own world to be taken care of.
Not only that, the messages I received from KonLulu, Hylia that I still need to take care of until who knows when, the matter regarding this fleet, the stagnated development of the Daedalus City, as well as the feelings that always bothered me when I remember the existence of that「System」user.
'That whitey... He is going to return right?'
'That's what to be expected my brother. Those persistent fellows will definitely keep following your tail.'「El Dust」
According to the experience I've had, people like those who benefit from the「System」will return to complete what they previously failed and subsequently they will be offered more rewards than when the mission was first raised if they completed the said mission.
The problem is... When they return I'm sure many people will come to this world with unreasonable powers in their arsenal just like that Gate of Babylon.
'Ck... What're you getting your ass worried about?! If you want to protect them then do it! That's what your strength are used for you dimwit.' 「Sengoku」
'My friend... You know what's right especially at times like this, and what needed to be done when the moments arrive. If you ever find yourself in trouble then I'll lend you my help when the time comes.' 「Nanekluh ref Rednialsig」
Even so I'm not sure if the current me can do the same thing as before. The current me already has two sins that will not disappear, the first is the name "Sakura" which I will carry with me to the end, and also my relationship with Moriarty which continues to a level beyond marriage.
The me that has changed now, will probably become weaker than the old me. That's why I hesitated especially because there was Hylia who I had to take care of right now beside me. If I left her alone to venture this cruel world, I couldn't face Cera when I met her in the afterlife.
'... You're doubting yourself again. But isn't it fine? That means you still don't know everything about your own self. Rise, gentleman... We can't let everything fall just because of past self.'「Necro-phi/Vandango」
"Master? Is the tea not to your liking?"
"... Sheffield."
As expected...No matter how far I go and walk forward, I still can't thought highly of myself, in the end I'm just a piece of trash who is hoping for some unfeasible things.
"Yes, master. I'm your Sheffield in here, please give me your order."
'That's right, a lump of non-combustible rubbish if we're talking about this girl's taste. A trash that can be thrown away and will never be considered righteous, but does that matter? You already have the answer for that ma dude. But dang that Unicorn is really cute~'「Loli-man」
"Nothing... Thanks for your hard work and accompanying me for a while. The time is becoming less boring with other people to chat with."
I admit, the feeling I swallowed as I gulped this tea was a very bitter answer which also felt very uncomfortable.
But it can't be helped, what has been swallowed will be a pity to be spitted out. Coupled with Sheffield who is pressing her tender and soft palm onto my forehead, how could I spit out the tea she had worked so hard to make.
"... Thankfully, you're not in fever, master. Did you hit some nerve in your joint as you write this report?"
"How could that explain having fever with hitting my hand on this table?"
"It's an feasible feat, master. However, since I'm not "greedy" I'll be forfeiting this chance to show how disfigured your writing are."
"Well... Uhh... Thanks? I guess?"
At that time, I tried to read Sheffield's mind again, and how surprised I was when I saw the development of the impression she had of me.
Even if it's just a little, it seems like she's starting to like me for being able to joke around with her and... Hmm? Make her feel safe? Where from?
*The door open*
This is some unexpected side of her. Certainly, girls will feel more comfortable with someone they could feel ease with, but... Well enough about that, let's focus in this paper work.
"Then as instructed, I will take this report and send it to the higher-ups for acceptance. Is there anything else master still wants me to hear?"
"There's nothing much but thank you again for your hard work."
"Then I take it there's none, excuse me master. Please work hard on your other task."
Sheffield then with her cold attitude went out of this office with a pile of papers that could be called the report I had painstakingly made with the ship girl.
As she was about to close the door, I noticed that Sheffield was peeking slightly at me from the gap in the nearly closing door. I didn't do much other than wave my hand and say a good-bye for her good work.
*The door closed*
"... Now then, I wonder if those sleeping beauties will wake up soon or not. The time is getting dire and there's some chance if those pesky fellow would sneaked into their dream."
'Perhaps... Hmm... They'll wake around tomorrow? But since you used spartan way then be prepared for the best Zei.'「Loli-man」
"W... What've you done?"
'Nishishishi... I'll be looking forward to it~' 「Loli-man」
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- Altschmerz -
- n. weariness with the same old issues that you've always had—the same boring flaws and anxieties you've been gnawing on for years, which leaves them soggy and tasteless and inert, with nothing interesting left to think about, nothing left to do but spit them out and wander off to the backyard, ready to dig up some fresher pain you might have buried long ago. -
- The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows -
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「Realm of Dream : Akagi」
The battle trying to show each other's feelings is over. In a battle that does not aim to achieve a resounding victory, there are only two figures standing opposite each other with very different assumptions about the theory of happiness.
"..."
On the one hand is a man who thinks that happiness will be achieved only if one faces the bitterness of the real world in which they live.
"Huuff... Haaahh..."
While on the other hand is just someone who has been hurt by the pain of a betrayal, and wants a chance to be able to atone for her guilt for not being able to protect her comrade and her loved ones.
The result of the battle was clear, Akagi who was the owner of the dream world had to accept defeat and felt extremely overwhelmed after she continued to argue with her mixed heart.
"Control your breathing and cool your head, Akagi. We can still talk this out in a more peaceful way."
Even though he knew how Akagi was feeling at that moment, the man didn't intend to just go along with it.
Every pleasant thing that is felt one day will surely end, even so, that is the reason that makes every second that has been passed turns into a precious and unforgettable memory frame when they reminisce about their past.
And yet unfortunately, that logic couldn't fully taking effect as this is nothing but a dream, a memory that'll be instantly being forgotten as soon as she awakes, something Akagi was afraid would happen.
"Ah... Commander, why did you hurt Akagi this much... Why can't you accept my love for you? "
The flames that surrounded them were also extinguished as the energy released by Akagi weakened and the heat that could be created from the ship girl's desire slowly began to falter.
With pain emanating from deep within her heart, even Akagi was unable to stand up and endure the pain any longer. She fell on the surface of the dark water, where she couldn't even see her own reflection with a very small wish that is very hard to achieve.
"It's not like I can't accept it, but it's more like you deserve to love yourself first Akagi. I'll be always be the least of your worries, so you don't really need to show that much of concern at me. "
"... Commander, doesn't that mean if you're really care about Akagi? Despite... My countless attempt for hurting you..."
The ship girl then bemoaned the black and very dark surface of the sea beneath her feet, she was very afraid of the answer that would come out of the man's mouth, but she wanted certainty, certainty if whether she should give up on this futureless dream.
Or to continue being the usual Akagi who always put her trust in her commander.
" "Akagi would never thought of hurting you, commander." Isn't that was what you said to me waaay before we live together in that house? That sentence alone is enough for me to believe in you Akagi."
And it looks like she has found the answer.
"The pain of one's betrayal is an everlasting scar that would etched deep into your heart, and will turning you into someone who'll be afraid of trusting other."
Little by little, the man's words became imprinted in the ship girl's heart along with his face which she thought was very dazzling to see. And then...
"No matter what you did, I'll always putting my trust in you Akagi. And I can reassure you if this is not just an empty words."
The sea that was once black filled with darkness that could swallow light into it, had now turned into a water surface that was crystal clear like the mirror of her heart that was no longer covered by the shadow of her past.
"Please don't give up so easily like that, I'll be continuing to watch over you from this side."
"Commander! Wait, Akagi-"
After the man conveyed his words and messages to Akagi who was trying to run to the side of the man, suddenly a mysterious force pulled her back and dragged her from the direction she intending to go.
"Let us meet again in the future. I hope you can find your real happiness in the other side."
"No! I still have-"
Unfortunately, even though Akagi tried very hard to hold her ground in her own dream world, the man was not being merciful at her and kept pushing Akagi out to quickly open her eyes.
"... It's a shame that I couldn't finished my sentence for her, but hopefully she will receive some of her memories in this world as my parting gift."
Finished his business with Akagi, the man then turned around and started to go somewhere to continue the task he had been carrying for a long time. However, his footsteps were stopped by the appearance of a creature who has secretly infiltrating that dream world.
"... Observer."
[Looks like I'm right in guessing which dream you're going to go. Sadly... This one is going to crumble soon enough and there'll be less data to be collected. Really a shame.]
She is one of the members of the faction that controls most of the world's oceans, a Siren who has the role of observer of many other Siren from each different time line, Observer.
[Well I'll be awaiting another data to be collected in another one then. See you~]
And like someone who had lost her interest in something, the Observer immediately left the place and went to another dream that she had access to.
"... She isn't doing any harm at least. But with this, there will be more problems to deal with... *Sigh* Well, good luck me in the other side... I'll be rooting for your safety."
That's it... One of the endings of one ship girl's dream and the beginning for her who have discovered something new in the fleeting world they'll forget after waking up from their bed.
But that doesn't mean his job is over, there are many more sleeping princesses that he has to wake up and there's also a Siren he has to watch over, so as not to interfere in his affairs in carrying out his mission.
"... Alright, let's do it."