After waking up the next morning, Lin Lan decided it was time to set off for Yalang City.
He gathered all the shipgirls around him in the conference room on the first floor of the attic for a discussion, and they finally settled on who would accompany him.
The selected group included Zeppelin, Agir, Brunhilde, Lützow, Weser, Count Spee, Mainz, Z46, and Akashi.
Ulrich, however, stayed behind, as the port still needed defense against the Battleaxe military industry, which might send saboteurs again.
Although Deutschland and Magdeburg both wanted to go as well, Akashi strongly advised them to remain and continue their work on robot research and development.
According to Akashi, once the robots were ready, they wouldn't need to help with manual labor at the port anymore—Manjuus could control the robots for such tasks.
The two of them, being skilled in machinery, were crucial to this project.
Rupprecht, eager to accompany Lin Lan, was also assigned an important task. Lin Lan had entrusted her with assisting Elbe in investigating the surrounding areas of the port.
Thus, the final group accompanying Lin Lan was set.
Traveling by river to Yalang City would take a full day by speedboat, and the return trip would be quicker, as it would be downstream.
Since they were heading to a large city, Lin Lan decided not to pack too much luggage, planning to buy clothes upon arrival.
"If there's any emergency, you can have Leonie (Z46) rush back for help, and we'll be there immediately," Lin Lan said.
At the dock, after the others entered the yacht cabin, Lin Lan, accompanied by Zeppelin, stepped aboard.
Ulrich, typically a woman of few words, had already reminded Lin Lan three times, sounding more like an overprotective mother sending her child away.
"Don't worry. With Zeppelin and Agir by my side, I think the one who should be concerned is Yalang City," Lin Lan said, smiling as he waved from the dock in civilian clothes.
"As long as the Commander gives the order, I can bring that city to a dead silence in an instant," Zeppelin replied coldly, her hands clasped in front of her chest.
Hearing her disregard for human life, Lin Lan's smile tightened.
While Yalang City was indeed within Battleaxe military industry's sphere of influence, that kind of destruction wasn't necessary.
"In that case, Commander, Your Excellency Zeppelin, I won't waste any more words. I wish you a swift return," Ulrich said.
"Thank you. The port is in your hands for now. We'll be back as soon as we can," Lin Lan said, bidding her farewell.
He started the yacht, and they slowly began their journey upstream.
"I still don't understand why you insist on traveling in such an unprotected vehicle.
A mass-produced warship would be much safer," Zeppelin commented coldly, standing beside Lin Lan as the yacht moved.
"The warship would draw too much attention. We'd likely be stopped for questioning before we even reached the city. This will make things smoother," Lin Lan explained casually.
"With absolute strength, there's no need for subtlety," Zeppelin replied, her crimson eyes locked on Lin Lan.
"Let them know that defying you means death. Make an example of them."
"Our iron will stand by your side, Commander. Even if it means destroying the world."
Her tall, imposing figure and cold tone reflected the deadly seriousness in her words.
Lin Lan couldn't help but think of the Battleaxe military industry, which had attacked his port, and the persecution he faced from the Tian'ou Foundation during his academy days.
"Zeppelin, I understand."
A steely resolve flashed in Lin Lan's eyes. The Battleaxe military industry had to be dealt with, but he didn't intend to become their direct enemy just yet.
Instead, he planned to support a rival faction within Battleaxe's territory.
In the Western Continent, aside from the Admiralty, the Battleaxe military industry's biggest adversary was the Tianou Group.
The conflict between these two consortia had escalated to an all-out war, as seen from the Battleaxe military's recent attack on Lihu County.
The five consortia of the Zhu Hai Commercial Association, while united against the official forces of the United States of Orlan, were far from harmonious themselves.
"Since Battleaxe wants to destroy my port, they will be my first target," Lin Lan muttered coldly.
"And the Tian'ou Consortium will be next."
Without realizing it, Lin Lan had become colder and more ruthless, influenced by the iron-blooded shipgirls around him.
He had watched Mainz cut off the arms of defenseless civilians without flinching, and witnessed Ruprecht destroy two Battleaxe industrial units without feeling any guilt.
Lin Lan knew that without his shipgirls' strength, he might already be dead—another victim of the Sirens, the Demon King's army, or the consortia's machinations.
He was lost in these grim thoughts when he felt a hand lightly tap his shoulder. He snapped back to reality and looked at Zeppelin.
"Save your killing intent for those who deserve it. Don't let these negative emotions consume you," she said calmly.
Bending slightly, she reached out and wiped his face gently with her gloved hand.
As he looked into her cold, goddess-like face, Lin Lan saw something that caught him off guard—a flicker of sadness in her eyes.
For a moment, his heart stirred, as though he had forgotten something important.
He was about to ask Zeppelin about the sorrow in her gaze when the yacht's cabin door opened, and a silver-haired girl with red highlights stepped out.
She wore a black short-sleeved T-shirt and pleated skirt, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Oh my, what did I stumble upon here? Is Lord Zeppelin sneaking some alone time with the Commander?"
Agir teased, her hair blowing lightly in the wind as she strolled up to them.
"Hmph. I was just making sure this naive fool doesn't get himself into trouble. Nothing more,"
Zeppelin replied, stepping back and resuming her cold, aloof demeanor.
"Really?" Agir grinned playfully as she circled around Zeppelin and stood beside Lin Lan, hugging his arm to her chest.
"Commander, tell me what Zeppelin said to you just now~"
The silver-haired girl blinked her golden eyes, a mischievous smile on her lips as she gazed up at him.
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