Azur Lane Under the Stars

Page 473

St. Louis explained, "Isn't this just like, we ship girls go out and conquer the world, while you, Commander, are responsible for taking care of things at home?"

Yes, that makes sense, but the roles of men and women are reversed. It's a trivial matter...

Ren Shuo, with his dead fish eyes, said: "Fine, I'm just the pretty boy of the Kantai Collection."

"Commander, you need to think about it. There are so many people outside who want to be the ship girls' gigolos but can't. Only the ship girls' own commanders can do it."

St. Louis was laughing very happily.

"But speaking of which, Commander, what did Seydlitz say?" Saint Louis asked curiously.

Because there are ship girls from outside the port area now, the observers and purifiers are constantly complaining in the group chat that they're so bored.

They said things like they wanted to go out or go out to play.

So the ship girls started their usual operation again: salvaging the ship.

Ren Shuo stopped playing with Honolulu's twin ponytails and instead placed his hands on her soft lower abdomen, feeling her trembling with shyness.

Then, turning to St. Louis, he said, "Well, how should I put it, Seydlitz is almost completely misled by York and Lützow. He should just go there every day to make a name for himself. Also, Elbin seems to have been led astray by Sirius. I can handle that with just a word. As for Emden..."

“I just go and raise my favorability every day, and then I leave the rest of Hood and Eugen to them.”

Ren Shuo scratched his head.

Honolulu finally couldn't hold back any longer and said, "You really let go completely, haven't you? You've been stripped of your job, and now you've also been stripped of your ship salvage rights."

"There's nothing I can do. The ship girls below all have unique skills, so this is all I can do. Besides, I have social anxiety," Ren Shuo said smugly.

Honolulu knows all too well how thick-skinned its commander is; even a 381mm bullet couldn't penetrate it.

And what did you say you are? Socially awkward? Judging from your interactions with the ship girls, you're probably a socially awkward person.

Ren Shuo looked at Honolulu suspiciously: "Did you say something bad about me?"

Honolulu's heart skipped a beat: "No... what are you doing!"

"How dare you speak ill of me... Hmph, you should be punished properly."

…………

In the afternoon, Ren Shuo felt refreshed and still enjoyed watching Honolulu's face contorted with shame and indignation, as if he wanted to hit himself but couldn't get up because of his aching back.

However, I'm going to visit Elbin this afternoon.

Who knows how Sirius and Dido managed to trick Elbin into becoming a maid?

If it weren't for the Black Prince and Hermione keeping a close eye on things, these two older sisters would have completely led people astray.

Elbin was brewing black tea at that moment.

Although Elbin himself was always very self-conscious and prone to self-pity, he inexplicably learned how to make black tea very quickly.

She hadn't learned it before, and she'd only been learning for a few days. Dido and Sirius couldn't teach her anymore, so Hermione had to step in. But according to Hermione, she didn't have much left to teach, and she was probably close to mastering it.

Just considering the matter of black tea, she's a royal maid, second only to Belfast.

But they're ruthless!

At this moment, Elbin was practicing making black tea in the maid's study room.

This is one of the few times she has been able to feel confident without feeling inferior.

So when she has nothing to do, she comes here to stay quietly by herself.

"Hmm... um? Ah, Commander Ren Shuo, hello there."

When brewing black tea, Elbin seemed like a completely different person, interacting with people in a very natural and harmonious way.

"Good afternoon... Are you practicing making black tea?" Ren Shuo asked.

Elbin looked down at the teacup in his hand and then explained, "Yes, I learned from Miss Belfast how to brew black tea in a way that ensures its aroma and flavor while also making it more complex and delicious."

"Then keep it up, I believe you'll master it soon..." Ren Shuo's job was to praise this girl and build her favorability.

This kind of thing is accomplished gradually and subtly.

Hearing Ren Shuo's praise, Elbin was even happier: "Commander Ren Shuo, would you like to try it? It's freshly brewed."

Ren Shuo took the teacup and sipped it. The tea was fragrant, elegant, and delicious.

"Mmm, it tastes pretty good."

Not out of flattery for the sake of retrieving the ship, Ren Shuo was genuinely surprised; this girl's progress was truly remarkable.

"Hehe, I'm glad Commander Ren Shuo likes it."

The two chatted casually: "How have you been feeling here lately?"

Elbin said, "Everyone has been very nice to me and very friendly... I don't feel so inferior when I'm with them."

Ren Shuo nodded. Indeed, he was quite skilled at treating patients with low self-esteem in his Hong Kong district, after all, he was dealing with a group of social butterflies.

Didn't you see that when Dido was first born, she was always saying things like "Oh, I'm going to be abandoned" or "Ah, I'm not doing well, I'll kill myself"? But now she's perfectly normal.

Although I am still a bit timid.

“I really like the port area… Sirius is very kind to me, Dido is also my good friend, and York and Lützow, who used to play with me and comfort me, are here too…”

Elbin said softly, "To be honest, I don't really want to leave..."

I don't want to go back to the old maritime bureau, where I have to be so careful when making a document, afraid that I won't do it well and cause trouble for others.

Although no one seems to care... it's really upsetting to keep causing trouble for others.

Unlike here, where you don't need to do things you're not good at, everyone can choose to do things they're good at.

I feel very relaxed and happy here.

But I'll have to leave sooner or later, right? After all, I'm not particularly strong, and I'm not exactly rare either. And even now, Commander Ren Shuo hasn't shown any intention of rescuing me...

Elbin was somewhat discouraged.

Just then, Ren Shuo suddenly asked, "So... you're not leaving? Stay here and be my ship girl. I think I would be very happy to have you, Elbin, as my ship girl."

Elbin was somewhat surprised: "Huh? Really? But I'm not very strong..."

Ship girls are all incredibly beautiful creatures, so my so-called beauty is no advantage at all. As for heterochromia... well, I ran into Ms. Ibuki from the Sakura Empire in the port a few days ago, and suddenly I realized I had no advantage whatsoever...

She's beautiful, incredibly capable, gentle, efficient, and most importantly, has a better figure than me...

Ren Shuo said, "It's alright, our port is very strong, so we don't care whether the ship girls who join our port are very powerful or not."

Elbin said softly, "But, but I can't do anything right, things always go wrong."

Ren Shuo continued, "But isn't your black tea also very good? It's extremely delicious, and it's basically second to none in the port area."

“But… I still can’t compare to Miss Belfast…” Elbin said.

Ren Shuo thought for a moment and then advised, "Actually, I think you might be falling into a misconception. Why do you always have to compare yourself to the best?"

Upon hearing Ren Shuo's words, Elbin looked up in surprise.

Ren Shuo said, "Actually, Elbin, don't you think I'm working too hard? Why do you always have to compare yourself to the best? Look, York City isn't as strong as the Enterprise, and when it comes to getting things done, to be honest, within the White Hawk, Lexington is just as good, and if New Jersey gets serious, it's even better... So, you don't need to worry too much about your shortcomings."

"Moreover, in my opinion, Elbin, your shortcomings are just your own perception, and I actually think that's quite a cute trait."

Ren Shuo also understood that Elbin was actually not bad, but sometimes he cared too much about other people's opinions, or rather, because he was too average, he wanted to try to become a hexagonal warrior.

However, except for a very few ship girls, it is basically impossible, and the final result can only be to put oneself in an awkward position.

In addition, Elbin's personality is somewhat...extreme? So it created a vicious cycle of "I can't do it" and "I can't do it".

"I see... I'll try to change." Elbin finally smiled.

Elbin, who usually carries an air of insecurity and worry, radiated a unique brilliance at this moment.

Therefore, a confident ship girl is the most beautiful ship girl.

You agree, Torricelli.

Ren Shuo asked with a hint of anticipation, "So, would you like to be my ship girl?"

Elbin smiled and saluted Ren Shuo: "Elbin, a Pilau-class cruiser of the Ironblood, is a cruiser classified as a small cruiser. In reality, I have no active ship history at all... You see, I have thin armor and weak firepower. My only advantages are high speed and long sea time... But I look forward to your guidance in the future, Commander."

Ren Shuo smiled helplessly: "Look at you, you're at it again. I told you to be more confident. You have your strengths, and you need to be good at discovering them yourself, understand?"

"Yes, I will try my best, Commander." Elbin seemed much more relaxed.

"By the way, Commander, what about Seydlitz and Emden..." Elbin suddenly frowned, looking very troubled.

If I run away, what will happen to my friends?

Will Emden bully me again then...? Hmm.

Ren Shuo laughed: "Don't worry, I'll let them join my port area too, after all, you're friends, right?"

A family should always be together.

Elbin opened his mouth, but that wasn't what he meant. The main problem was that he had run away without permission, and if they found out, it would be a disaster.

I hope I won't be bullied to death by Emden.

Forget it, let it be.

Elbin gave up resistance.

…………

At this moment, the female hearth goddess was very distressed in the infirmary.

Several more combat maniacs, covered in injuries from the recent exercise, came to find him.

I feel like my workload is getting heavier and heavier.

And why is Jarvis, who was recalled, working part-time as a maid? He's supposed to be her assistant... but he says he's an apprentice and has to work to pay for his tuition.

Damn it, why is this child so stubborn?

Actually, the female kitchen god didn't even consider that if this child wasn't so stubborn, he probably wouldn't have come here to apply for the job.

Thinking this, the goddess of the hearth felt a tightness in her chest and her breasts ached with anger, so she increased the force with which she treated Maryland.

"Ouch! Ouch! Be gentle!" Marila winced in pain.

Upon hearing this, the goddess of the hearth intensified her movements, causing Maryland to wail incessantly.

"Say that again?! I already told you to use practice rounds, and now you're using live ammunition? Are you just bored? Can't you give me a break?"

The goddess of the hearth began her criticism and education.

Every day, there's live ammunition here and there, it's keeping me really busy.

Maryland said, "You're a repair ship, you don't understand. Let me tell you, the romance of cannons, the feeling of live-fire shooting, is far better than the feeling of firing a training shell."

"The sound of a shell leaving the barrel, the roar of firing, and the blast wave from a bomb exploding... Ah, explosions are art."

Maryland is inexplicably having a blast.

The goddess of the hearth remained expressionless. Fine, art, huh? Live ammunition, huh?

She pulled out her largest syringe: "I think you have some hidden injuries here...you need to treat them properly."

"Huh? That's too much trouble... Wait! Vesta, what are you doing! Put that down! No!"

The goddess of the hearth pressed down on the struggling Maryland and revealed an incredibly kind smile: "Don't worry, it'll be quick, and it won't hurt."

"Ya Butterfly!!!"

Chapter 527 Lützow, This is a Necessary Sacrifice

"In terms of general rationality... you have lost."

Lützow triumphantly discarded his royal flush, followed by four twos, and ran out of cards.

"Hmph! When it comes to playing Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game), I'm the best! Seydlitz, you'll never beat me!"

"And also, I won, so I don't have to train this afternoon!"

Lützow was overjoyed. He could finally spend an afternoon openly slacking off, and he could even slack off right in front of this guy. It was absolutely exhilarating!

Seydlitz gritted his teeth: "You're really something. You can't do any of the pinpoint demolition, but you're the best at playing cards... You're really something."

"Mind your own business. Anyway, I won. Don't come looking for me this afternoon... Good afternoon."