In the city of Orario, where adventurers and their gods reside, stands a bustling building, constantly seeing adventurers entering and leaving its main doors.
Adventurers know it simply as The Guild—a place essential to their survival, especially for those seeking to brave the treacherous dungeons and face the monsters lurking below.
Whether for glory, survival, or simply to earn Valis, the currency of the world, the Guild is where most of their journey begins.
The Guild itself is a well-established organization. Offering crucial services to adventurers, like guiding and supporting them in their quests, while also managing the many Familia scattered within Orario.
Thereby why, the Guild holds great significance, ensuring the balance between ambition and survival for all who walk its halls. And within the main building of this revered organization, Hylia and Fuwa could be seen.
Receiving their earnings of the day.
"The total value of the Magic Stones and Drop Items combined... comes to 70,000 Valis. Should I split it in half for you, Lia-chan?" asked Eina, the Guild receptionist.
"No thank you! We can do it by ourself." (Hylia)
"Fuwa!"
The small, energetic furball answered enthusiastically. Hovering effortlessly while clutching the pouch of Valis, Fuwa floated over to rest on Hylia's shoulder, eagerly awaiting her next move.
"See you later, Inana! Oh, do you need me to deliver message to Rabbel like usual?" (Hylia)
"N-No, you don't have to. Just be careful on your way back. And don't follow anyone you don't know, okay?" Eina, the Guild receptionist, replied with a concerned tone.
Waving her hand and nodding at the half-elf's advice, Hylia took off running, as excited as a child who just got her allowance.
The bustling voices of merchants filled the streets, making Hylia glance around in every direction. They showcased materials, rations, and gear—everything an adventurer might need for their journey.
"Every now and then, something would catch her eye, slowing her pace. Perhaps it was because these items hadn't been there yesterday, but Hylia couldn't help but take a closer look. A necklace, a small cupcake, and a box containing a hooded cloak—all of them piqued her curiosity in different ways." (Cera)
The girl was still in the process of learning about the world around her. New things were a good stimulant, helping her mind to grow and explore.
Hylia found herself wondering who might wear such a beautiful necklace, then imagined the taste of the sweet treat, causing her to swallow involuntarily.
She even mused about how she might look with the hooded cloak she had spotted.
But at the same time, she had already been taught about duty and responsibility. With a glance at her furball companion, she quickly pulled herself away from the bustling street and continued on her way.
"Ahaha sorry, I'm the one who taught her about some old lesson of discipline. That's should be fine, right?" (Cera)
As she remarked with a playful smile, truth to be told Cera had been quietly observing Hylia and Fuwa as they went about their errands.
The young woman blended effortlessly into the crowd, almost as if she were in disguise. Only a select few could notice her presence amidst the sea of people.
"Well yeah... another 'talking to the air' treatment. Never thought you'll start with this side, ▀▀▀▀. What's up? Something wrong with Zei?" Cera muttered under her breath.
There was indeed something—something involving Zeimachi.
"Sakura Zeimachi… I'll keep saying it, no matter how many times it takes." (Cera)
A name alone isn't enough to change someone, and a person doesn't instantly transform just by adopting a new identity. Still, whatever understanding brings you comfort...
"...I already know that much, so what does this esteemed being need from this deviation? I'm doing my best to raise Hylia to be an idol, you know?" Cera replied, a hint of frustration in her tone.
You what? No, it doesn't really matter.
Rather than an Idol Raising Project, tell me what you know about the Persona within the Fool.
"Persona? Oh... I thought you were talking about that Joker guy. It's about his 'other self,' right? Hmm, I do know quite a bit about it, but why? Since we're in Orario, don't you want to go on a dungeon tour or go monster hunting?" Cera asked, her enthusiasm returning.
The young woman gestured enthusiastically toward the entrance of the Babel Tower, the gateway to the Dungeon, as if she were a sales promotion girl showcasing the latest product.
"That's rude! I'm just giving you some advice since I know one or two thing about writing too. It's a good chance to improve your sight in how Hylia have grown as well." (Cera)
She talked to the air more and more.
"That girl, she's been asking about you. Don't you want to talk again with your creation?" (Cera)
I'm the one who can be seen as the creator of this story, while Hylia is the Destroyer—or the piece destined to bring it all down. Our relationship, of course, isn't as harmonious as you might imagine, Cera.
Contemplating the knowledge she had gained, Cera let out a sigh.
She appeared to be lost in thought.
Yet, whatever was on her mind, she chose to remain silent. Turning her back before ultimately walking alone into the Dungeon, leaving behind her usual companions.
"Those two should be fine, there's Hestia in the HQ. She'll need to sit tight a little bit longer though. Now then... about his Persona, was that how you call them? Let's talk as I walk." (Cera)
Speaking while walking often helps someone articulate thoughts that are difficult to express. Perhaps Cera hoped this would provide her with a way to voice the words swirling in her mind.
"Is that for real? I mean, if it's about him, I've decided to follow my heart instead of just relying on my head," Cera said, winking at a nearby group of adventurers as she passed by. "Hard to fight an idiot with intelligence, you know?"
They looked like a bunch of rookies, likely to face a wipeout if Cera hadn't come along to eliminate the swarm of monsters that had them overwhelmed.
They wanted to express their gratitude due to that reason, however...
"Send your regards to Hestia Familia, I work for them. And if you have some extra Valis to spare, you could buy a few of our tickets," Cera said nonchalantly, before grabbing the head of a giant ant-like monster and carrying it away from the novice adventurers.
Insects, especially ants, always have numbers on their side, forming complex hierarchies and strategies. This holds even more true for the monstrous variant known as Killer Ants.
They can track each other's movements through pheromones and unique signals.
It didn't take long before Cera was surrounded by the swarm, drawn in by the severed head she carried. But what is a mere bug to a god? Without hesitation, she summoned a dark red aura that enveloped her palm.
"Our ticket price is usually between 5,000 to 10,000 Valis per use, but..." she remarked casually, and in the same breath, the dark red aura surged, instantly obliterating the swarm. "But we start at 500 Valis for special conditions."
With the pests eradicated, she resumed her conversation with the air, as if nothing unusual had just happened. Besides, why would she even talk about tickets and prices in a situation like this?
"I'm just asking, is that price too low for attending her concert? Or maybe it's too high. But if you think this is all a troublesome, then just take it as part of my marketing strategy—don't overthink it," Cera said nonchalantly.
"So, about his other self… uhh, I mean his Persona. Honestly, I don't even know how many there are," she admitted, as she had finished with some detail of her Idol raising project.
How about in the current timeline?
"I can give you six, but there could be more of him," Cera continued, stepping deeper into the Dungeon. "Some of them are still hiding from me, after all."
A person who thinks all the time, lives in a world of illusion.
What reason does a Fool have to hide from you? Even an Orc monster charges head-on without fear, unaware of the difference in their essence—only to meet its end upon crashing into her.
"Uhh... things happen. But aren't you the one in charge here? You should know more than I do—not just about Dust, but also about Als, Sengo, Van or Necro, and even Loli," she quickly deflected, shifting the subject.
As she descended deeper into the lower floors, her thoughts wandered. "If we're talking about Als, well... the word 'simp' suits him perfectly. He's so different from Dust, who's just a sadistic pervert, or Sengoku, who's basically a walking ball of rage."
She would only pause when another adventurer crossed her path. Even if they showed hostility toward her, the young woman remained unfazed, pressing forward with a wink accompanying her confidence.
"A man who wishes for a partner to complete his soul, and a boy who loves a lot of delicious food. He's basically the head of Otto Apocalypse and the heart of Rengoku Kyojuro, if you know who they are," Cera explained.
Anything you want to add, or do you want to keep playing around within that underground ravine.
"His story as 'Als' ended a long time ago. It wasn't much of a finale, but that's the path he chose for himself. And as for Als... well, it's fine as long as he doesn't run into his idol. Fu Hua, I mean." (Cera)
But that's exactly what was happening on the other side.
The Persona known as Nanekluh ref Rednialsig had encountered her once again.
"Then it wouldn't be fine," Cera muttered.
Shrugging her shoulders, she continued speaking to the air, acting as if nothing had happened. However, after traversing the underground ravine, her shoes were now completely soaked.
Feeling uncomfortable, she paused for a moment to take off her footwear.
Her bare feet, well cared for, came into clear view.
"Hey... don't tell me this is some kind of feet Fan-service." (Cera)
The fact that she even has a fan is surprising news on its own.
"Yahyaya, whatever. Anyway, aside from those five, there's another Persona who usually travel within his Feathers. He only appeared when danger arises, so... it's hard to make him sign my clothes," Cera explained casually.
As she walked, the young woman carried her shoes which slowly dried on each floor of the Dungeon she ventured further into.
From the upper floor, to the middle floor, and down to the deep floor.
According to the Guild's records, the Deep Floor was notorious for having far more adventurer deaths than the previous levels. Whether she realized she had entered the Deep Floor or not, Cera seemed largely unconcerned about the area.
"This floor... it's where Bell Cranel fight with that Juggernaut. Oh, oops, did I spoiler something?" (Cera)
Perhaps she had.
Touching her chin as if pondering something, she began to talk to herself in that dimly lit chasm.
"From what I know... Bell Cranel and his story are still in the settling into their new HQ, the Hearth Mansion. I think... we'll soon enter the next arc, where he wanders around the Entertainment District and met Haruhime." (Cera)
Stop spoiling or reading the narration.
"Too late for that! But... I'm glad you still remember to be strict. If I get the chance, I'll also teach Lia about how things went over there. It'll be useful for her to learn some adult stuff before she becomes one," Cera added with a hint of amusement.
The young woman displayed a sly smile, concealing her intentions for the girl, hoping to guide her in learning the steps of maturity. It was quite unexpected for her to show such care for anyone other than him.
Perhaps she had devised a plan that could threaten the girl's smile.
"I get it, I get it. I'm cool, kind, smart, and evil. You don't have to flatter me that much," Cera said, growing tired of her rapid descent into the Deep Floor. She then took a moment to rest by a nearby underground river.
Many underwater creatures swam, mostly the monsters that often targeted her of course. And although it was rare, she caught a glimpse of a mermaid submerged in the water for a fleeting moment too.
Deciding to take a breather before returning to Orario, she settled on another stone.
"You know... I'm the "tell me then I won't do it type," so stop telling me what I'm about to do or I light do the otherwise. Sigh, I'll calm myself down here for a while," Cera said with a smirk.
Watching the gentle flow of air around her, the young woman closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift into the soothing currents. Nothing could heard except for the sounds of the rocks, dirt, and water surrounding her.
All the monsters within the Dungeon seemed to retreat as well.
It was as if... they understood that the creature seated by the underground river was the true monster among them. Even the Dungeon itself, which was said to possess a form of consciousness, trembled in response.
She needed to be careful, because any monsters on this floor might flee to the upper levels because of her presence.
"Ah, sorry, I almost forgot I'm around living mortals right now. Whenever I think about Zei, this... happens. It was fine before since I was in the Void, but I need to be careful now. What a hassle," Cera said, exhaling in exasperation.
Isn't that what you mean by using your heart, instead of using your head.
"Maybe so... hmm." (Cera)
The young woman resumed enjoying her solitude before eventually got bored of it, and finally chose to make her way back to the upper floors, exiting the Dungeon.
She felt a hint of surprise when she noticed that not a single adventurer was around.
"This... uhh, I think I already know what about to happen." (Cera)
True to her words, as she stepped outside, she quickly spotted several high-ranking Guild officials, including the Half-Elf Eina, along with high-level adventurers from Ganesha Familia.
They're part of Orario's military police, being in charge of the city's security.
There're more people than what she could count on her fingers, all standing ready and vigilant at the entrance of the Dungeon, as if preparing for a catastrophe that could arise from monsters rampaging out.
But beyond that, she also recognized a few familiar faces among the crowd.
"Cera-san! Thankfully you're fine."「Bell Cranell」
"Wait... did you just, walk out from the dungeon?"「Liliruca Arde」
"Yeah..." (Cera)
The party of adventurers, consisting of Bell Cranel, Liliruca Arde, and Welf Crozzo, gathered once more, realizing that one of their companions had casually emerged from the center of the looming crisis.
And from the looks of it, she had a lot of explaining to do.
'This is what happens when I relax for just a moment... sigh, what a hassle,' Cera muttered within her mind, squinting as she was bombarded with a flurry of questions directed at her.
As a Manager of the Void, she really have a lot in her hands.
—————————————————
What is a soul to the mind, and what is a soul to the body?
Many have written that the soul will be forever bound to their owner, whether it's human or many another creature. Yet there remains a subtle mystery—an elusive thread—about what the soul truly is.
If a body is left without its soul, it rots, transforming into nothing more than a lifeless heap of flesh. But then, how does a soul manage to keep the body from that inevitable decay?
They say the mind is the seat of reason, the source of a being's consciousness. The soul, on the other hand, is often linked to one's ego and personality, the very core of who or what someone is.
Mixing together the concept behind source and the core, it'll results on the creation of essence. Which composed from a being's consciousness, ego and/or personality.
All in all, the soul is one component of the essence possessed by sentient beings, which continually grow and change. So, does that mean the soul itself is capable of change?
If so, into what does it change? If not, why is that the case?
Whatever the answer may be, in the past, Zeimachi once conducted experiments and trials concerning both the soul and the body—the vessel that holds it.
In another world, there is vast knowledge exploring such concepts. From cloning technology, alchemy, to various bio-manipulation techniques.
At first, it was just a whim—he began with stones of carbon and eventually moved on to crafting a doll of flesh that resembled him, something he could use when the time came. But when he realized he was stepping into the domain of a creator…
He abandoned all his efforts.
At that time, he had no desire to become someone who toyed with or tarnished the meaning of creating life. He may have been a monster and a villain, but deep down, he was still human. And so, he chose the humanity within him.
However, in the end, he kept a few spare vessels—Spare Bodies—designed for his use alone. Just in case something or someone threatened to change everything.
Though their power could never compare to his original body, which had been forged by time and experience, they were still functional—usable, at the very least. Much like the one he's using right now.
—————————————————
The Void
Gazing into the black murk, he realized it was gazing back at him.
Carrying the lingering scent of the sweet cake he'd eaten, Sakura Zeimachi, after a moment to gather his courage and resolve, returned once more to a "place" he knew all too well.
Sometimes, he thought of this place as the beginning. Other times, he remembered the Void as the end of his journey. Once, it had been a lonely realm, where light only flickered faintly before fading.
But now… as he stepped in with the same shoes, perhaps it wasn't such a bad place after all.
The Feathers, constructs made to store and retrieve his memories of numerous World, they still gleamed dimly within this endless of darkness. Becoming his source of hope from yesterday until tomorrow.
Some smoldered with a fervent glow, harboring the anger trapped within, while others radiated a warmth that carried both the comfort and sorrow of the memories they held.
"I'm back home, I guess... Hmm? Those are..." (Sakura Zeimachi)
Touching one or two Feathers, he could see the scenes unfold, and those memories would continue to live on, just like the roots of a plant, unrestrained by any wall.
All the past efforts, the words he had spoken, the bonds he had forged, the sweat and blood spilled, the meetings and farewells—everything had converged to create a replica of the worlds he had visited and descended upon.
Along with their countless future.
"Commander!" Javelin shouted.
But then, they gently floated aside as the ship girls rushed over, eager to be by their commander's side. Each strand seemed to dissolve like foam upon the waves, parting gracefully to make way for them.
"Was that a portal just now? Anyway, I'm just glad you've safely returned, desu," Ayanami added, relief clear in her voice.
Javelin and Ayanami were the first to leap off the sofa, followed by Z23, who gently tugged at Laffey's arm. They seemed to have been eagerly awaiting their commander's return, despite stumbling slightly and still yawning from sleepiness.
"Laffeeey... Pull yourself together… wait, just a minute, commander."「Z23」
"Com... mander?" Laffey murmured, her eyes still half-closed.
Watching Feathers clear the path for them, the man was reminded of the flight decks on carrier warships, often used by planes to take off.
He wasn't sure what memories were stored within those Feathers, but he was grateful for them making way for the ship girls.
From a distance, he also noticed Yjor glaring at him, as if wanting to turn him into a bloody mess. But he simply scoff at it off, finding it unimportant.
However, as they those girls drew closer, Sakura Zeimachi began to sense something off—one that stemmed from Laffey's camisole slipping further off her shoulder, revealing more of her exposed chest.
Looks like there's "Happy Accident" even within the Void. Although the destroyer is certainly small and flat, but flat itself justice. After all, no matter how big or small their chests were, they still contained a man's dreams.
Or so thought Sakura Zeimachi with nodding his head.
"I'm sorry for making you wait, Comman... hmm? What's wrong?"「Z23」
"Uhh..." Ayanami muttered, her gaze flickering to Laffey.
Followed by Javelin, "La-Laffey-chan! No, you can't!" clearly flustered.
The situation was further complicated by Laffey herself, who remained blissfully unaware. Thankfully, the other three Destroyers quickly picked up on their commander's discomfort(?) and immediately shielded his eyes from the distracting sight.
"Just wait a bit longer, Commander! And, umm... close your eyes!" Javelin stammered, standing on her tiptoes and awkwardly waving both hands in front of him, trying to shield his view.
Her face was flushed with embarrassment, but she gave it her best shot.
Meanwhile, the other two quickly moved to fix Laffey's clothes, fumbling with the fabric and exchanging panicked whispers. Thankfully the Commander patiently waited for them.
And when he finally opened his eyes, Laffey's outfit had been fixed, now covering what had previously been exposed. It wasn't much different than before... but at least she was concealing her chest better now.
"Anomaly fixed. You're good to see now, Commander," Ayanami calmly stated.
"Thankfully, it was only the Commander who just saw that. And since Yjor-san is a snake, he shouldn't count?" Z23 was clearly giving the sleepy ship girl an earful.
"Ah, but that doesn't mean it's okay for you to see it, Commander! Ecchi is no good! Unless the other party agrees to it, of course," Javelin fidgeted nervously, her face a mix of embarrassment and concern.
"Javelin, you're saying weird things again. Commander, what do you think? Hey... Commander? Commander, are you sleepy?" Laffey asked in her usual dazed tone.
Everything happened so quickly, like sand slipping through his fingers.
Being in the middle of their chattering, though they called out to him, Sakura Zeimachi remained silent, lost in thought. He feels... responsible for taking these girls into this "place".
He began to blame himself—it was his fault for being so hasty, for trusting Cera's words, which had led the ship girls to step foot in this unfamiliar setting, far from their home.
Moreover, he wondered what the girls were thinking about this "place" right now. Seeking answers, he swept his gaze over each of them, searching their expressions for clues.
'Hmm? Commander is looking at me. Is something wrong? Don't tell me... He know what I've done to the chair? Huh? Wait, his hands...'
Ayanami studied the Commander's face intently as their eyes met.
But she also noticed something was off.
Her attention shifted when she noticed something unusual—his hands felt lighter and softer than she remembered. Though unaware that the man before her had swapped bodies, Ayanami's sharp instincts were still on alert.
'Laffey... I didn't sound too harsh, did I? I wonder how Commander will react—eh? Wait, he's looking at me? ...Is he, going to get angry?'
On the other side, Z23, or known as Nimi, the ship girl in spats of Iron Blood engineering, was quietly reminding herself to stay composed and not draw too much attention in front of the Commander.
Her face began to tense at the thought of his potential anger, though it was unlikely to ever come.
'...Commander isn't paying attention to me... Hm? Now he's looking at me? ...No, now he's not... Is he looking at me again? ...No, now he's not... Looking at me again?'
For her part, Laffey had been clutching her commander's sleeve with an almost childlike grip. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and it was clear she didn't want to let go of his sleeve anytime soon.
And then there was Javelin, who appeared to be overwhelmed with embarrassment and anxiety as she felt the intensity of her commander's smoldering gaze upon her. Such an intense stare was something Javelin found difficult to ignore.
'Eh, ah? Now he's looking at me?! Oh no, no, no—why is he making that face?! Wasn't he just teasing Laffey-chan just now? Is my hair okay?! My eyebrows are fine... but is my face weird now?! Please, someone tell me if I look alright!!!'
With a faint smile, one Feather gleamed silently as he let out a small chuckle. Looks like within that certain Feather, it contain yet another memory of something similar to this moment.
Each of the four girls had their own unique thoughts swirling in their minds, and this realization was a beautiful truth for him to behold.
Despite this, he still wished he hadn't brought them into this place. This "place" wasn't where they were meant to be. To atone for his mistake, he took one deep sigh before deciding to talk with each of the ship girls.
"I apologize to all of you for leaving you here for a while. Whatever happened to you in this place is my responsibility. Even though I'm not your Commander, I bear the burden of having brought you here," Sakura Zeimachi said, his tone heavy with regret.
"Hmn? Commander... is not Commander?"「Laffey」
"Commander… an alien, desu?" Ayanami chimed in, her small fingers playfully pinching his hand.
"...Ahaha, no, not an alien. But as you can see, I'm just a human living in a place like this. I'm not really your Commander, and I don't deserve to be called one. That's why… I'm sorry." (Sakura Zeimachi)
The Commander he knew from Azur Lane's story was a leader who always protected his beloved ship girls—a figure Sakura Zeimachi longed to be. But he knew he would never become someone like that.
A self-deprecating smile crossed his face, lingering as the weight of his words settled in.
"It won't be a problem! We have our own version of aliens in our… dimension? Or was it world? Whatever it's called, don't say you're not worthy of being our Commander!"「Javelin」
Her friends quickly nodded in agreement, showing their clear disapproval of the man's self-doubt. They didn't like the way he dismissed his own efforts, as if he had no right to claim the results of all the work he'd put in.
"You've... definitely saved us from that nightmare. If you hadn't come, we wouldn't be here like this again. I would still be trapped in that room… unable to laugh with my friends like now." There was a clear sadness in Javelin's voice, a weight behind her words that lingered in the air.
I don't want to feel betrayed and useless like that again, unable to help anyone when it mattered most. We're not going to lose another one… we're not going to lose another Commander like before.
These were the thoughts that remained in the ship girl's mind—her resolve to never repeat the same tragedy and to fight for the happiness she longed for.
"So please, don't say you're not our Commander anymore... just hearing that… it makes me sad," Javelin whispered, lowering her head as her voice trembled.
"Commander, you make Javelin cried."「Laffey」
"I-I'm not! I'm not crying at all!" Javelin protested, wiping her eyes quickly.
"Nonono, it's far too late for that," Ayanami said with a gentle sigh, clearly noticing the tears streaming down her friend's cheeks. "I and... I think everyone agrees with Javelin, desu. Commander is our Commander."
The girls stood together, their hearts filled with gratitude, silently thanking him for all he had done.
"When we learned that you kept fighting even after suffering such a fatal wound… honestly, we were confused," Z23 admitted softly. "Why would you go so far for us? If it's alright… can you tell us why?"
Although the ship girls knew only a fraction of everything he had done for them and their home, but their trust in him stemmed from those very efforts. When everyone else had abandoned them, he gave everything he had for their sake.
It was a truly heartwarming sight—because at that time, they had lost all hope. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to speak of the full extent of what he had sacrificed to save them.
"Simply put, it's because they did what they should have never done," Sakura Zeimachi began. "They disturbed the peace of the world, misused the power they held, and—most of all—they got in my way."
Some things, whether good or bad are better to be stay hidden.
"But their greatest mistake…" He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at the girls, "...was hurting you all."
So, to avoid spoiling the mood, he simply laughed along with them like the fool he believed himself to be, despite the quiet pain he felt from the love and admiration they so openly showed him.
Z23 found herself momentarily stunned by his response, as if her heartbeat had paused for a brief moment. She quickly averted her gaze, attempting to push thoughts of her commander from her mind.
"*COUGH* Right now, the real problem is figuring out how to get out of here."「Z23」
"Have you talked to that serpent? It's the caretaker of this place." (Sakura Zeimachi)
"Yes, we spent some time chatting with Yjor-san before you arrived. However, there are still many details we would like to hear directly from you," Z23 replied.
For a moment, the focus shifted from the ship girls to Yjor, who had been observing their conversation from atop a table left over from Cera's previous exchange.
The serpent had remained silent, merely hissing at the absurdities spoken by the man. Throwing beef in every opportunity at Sakura Zeimachi is a common sense after all, for the serpent that is.
So although his behavior likely went unnoticed by the ship girls, Yjor, the snake, was acutely aware that the smile on the man's face was nothing more than a facade, a lie crafted for the sake of their happiness.
This realization filled Yjor with disgust.
"Foolish human," Yjor hissed, eyes narrowed, while directly speaking to the man and the girls surrounding him from the distance. "Laughing, holding hands, pretending everything's fine? How pathetic."
Although none of the ship girls reacted, absorbed in their own moments of joy, Yjor didn't care. The snake would continue to mock and belittle whatever the man was doing, seizing any opportunity that arose.
Even if it meant tainting the beautiful moment they're sharing.
"Those little ones are worried whether you'll accept them in their tainted state. And yet you choose to put it aside, heh! Truly an idiot!" Yjor continued his mocking tirade until he noticed the man and the ship girls approaching.
The snake observed that the ship girls were still focused on talking to their Commander, while Sakura Zeimachi answered their questions with Laffey now cradled in his arms.
Wait, his arms? The sleepy ship girl looked just like a little child peacefully asleep in the embrace of a parent, snuggling deeper into his chest as if seeking the perfect spot to drift off.
For some reason, Yjor felt a surge of irritation at this sight.
"So... Commander will go back with us, right?!" Javelin asked eagerly.
"Yeah, after I finish things up here. By the way, Laffey-kun, we're near the bed now... you can loosen your grip and take a nap over there," Sakura Zeimachi said softly, patting the back of the ship girl who was fast asleep over his back.
As they settled back on the sofa and around the table, small talk and moments of intimacy filled the air once more.
He shared a few details about the Void, and in return, he asked them about what he might have missed at Azur Lane Academy. Meanwhile, Yjor the snake kept the distance, watching the interactions unfold with a mix of disdain and intrigue.
"Yjor-san isn't just an ordinary snake, is he? He reminds me of someone... Ah, now that I think about it, maybe... Sheffield-san will be waiting for you, Commander."「Javelin」
"That's just a tsundere snake, nothing more, nothing less. As for Sheffy... yeah, she'll definitely be waiting for me," Sakura Zeimachi replied with a faint smile.
Now, his desire to return to Azur Lane Academy had diminished by half, especially upon remembering some problematic girls on there.
Javelin who noticed it, becoming visibly panicked. She quickly tried to cheer him up by talking about some of the beautiful places at the academy.
"So, if I may ask... is there another version of me in another world?" Ayanami asked curiously.
"I believe there is." (Sakura Zeimachi)
With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a single gleaming feather. Ayanami watched intently, her curiosity piqued as she leaned closer, her shoulder brushing against his.
Within the feather's soft glow, an image began to materialize—there she was, Ayanami, adorned in a stunning wedding dress, standing gracefully at the center of a beautiful ceremony. The ship girl stared at the vision in awe, her eyes widening with surprise and wonder.
For a moment, she glanced at the man beside her, but quickly shifted her gaze away.
"Regarding your past, Commander... What have you done before coming to our world? And has your journey had any impact on you?" Z23 inquired, her curiosity evident.
"I'm not keen on discussing my past, so... I'll just give you this. And don't worry, I've traveled a lot in my lifetime, and yet I'm still here." (Sakura Zeimachi)
As he spoke, he rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a few random items. From a slightly rusted dog tag to a torn recipe for a burger, he laid them out for Z23 to examine and pick up if she wanted.
However, the more she saw, the more Z23's confusion deepened. It seemed like this man had really been to many places, collecting all sorts of small items along the way. But one question kept nagging at her: just how big was his pocket anyway?!
"Commander, do you want to nap? I'm not trying to make you nap with me, nope, not one bit," Laffey said, her tone soft but playful.
"Alright, alright... let's take a nap, shall we?" (Sakura Zeimachi)
Casually, he pulled Laffey into a gentle embrace and laid down on the wide sofa. He began humming a tune he knew, while softly stroking her hair as if she were his most cherished child.
Laffey looked blissfully content, snuggling closer while enjoying both the comfort of her "pillow" and the attention she was receiving. The other three ship girls could only watch with mixed feelings, their hands practically itching to separate the two lying so comfortably together.
And then there was Yjor the snake, who grew increasingly irritated by the father-daughter-like display unfolding before him. The snake loathed witnessing the man treat another girl with such affection.
As if they're his own daughter.
"Can you drop dead like right now?" (Yjor)
Yjor hissed, the snake eyes growing more menacing by the second, but it seemed the man paid no attention to the snake at all, completely ignoring its presence.
He continued to do nothing while Laffey becoming more accustomed with his body temperature. blissfully unaware of the serpent's fury hissing at him. This indifference only irked Yjor further.
So with a flick of irritation, the snake struck a nice old tail slap across the man face, before slithering away from the group, leaving them behind. No one knew where Yjor was headed, but Sakura Zeimachi didn't stop the snake either.
All the man knew was that, despite how cold and indifferent Yjor seemed, the snake had been looking after the ship girls in his absence, even talking to them at times.
Though the snake's mannerisms were still frightening—just as Javelin and Z23 had mentioned—there was a certain care hidden beneath the surface. It brought a strange sense of joy to him, especially when Yjor showed hints of jealousy at the way he interacted with Laffey.
"I'm really sorry, little one. For leaving you to handle so many task." (Sakura Zeimachi)
"???"「Laffey」
Having finished his short and very brief nap.
The man slowly rose to his feet and turned his attention to the ship girls gathered around him. He casually asked them what activities they would like to do next to pass the time, since doing nothing and napping could be boring sometime.
Their responses came in a lively mix: some eagerly asked for more stories, others playfully suggested he take another nap, while a few curiously asked if they could play on a gaming PC and connect to the internet in this strange "place."
Their fun continues.