How do I start a romantic relationship with a ship girl?

Page 165

Although his expression remained calm, Bismarck's quickened pace and Tirpitz's constantly fidgeting fingers revealed his inner joy.

As the two most familiar with the Ironbloods themselves, the Bismarck sisters clearly understood how the Ironbloods' combat strength would change once a new person with healing skills joined the port.

The main reason why we brought up Xu Huan's ability to attract sirens in the previous discussion was that although Ironblood was very powerful, it could not withstand prolonged exhaustion.

Their post-war recovery speed is much slower than that of other ports. If the pressure on coastal defense increases in a short period of time, they can easily cope with it by relying on their strong strength. But as time goes on, there will come a day when the recovery speed cannot keep up with the speed of injury, and in the end, they will end up with a camp full of wounded soldiers.

However, now, the commander's abilities have completely resolved those concerns...

Although they did not understand why the commander, being human, possessed the ability to repair ship girls' equipment, or the origin of this ability.

But as long as it works, it's a good thing.

"This special ability... does it have any side effects on the Commander's body?" Overjoyed, Tirpitz quickly asked the question that was currently of most concern to her.

If a commander's special ability places a heavy burden on their body, it's best to use it sparingly.

If all else fails, the ship girls can still endure some hardship.

"No... The commander seemed to know we'd be concerned about this, and explained it to me beforehand. There's basically nothing to worry about; as long as I get plenty of rest, I'll recover quickly..."

"Hmm...that's good." Tirpitz nodded in satisfaction.

"So... the Commander actually knows that he can bring the most scarce thing to Sangvis Ferri..." For the first time since the meeting began, Bismarck showed a very calm smile.

"With the corresponding preparations, there will naturally be a corresponding purpose, and they won't leave easily. In that case, it seems I was overthinking things..."

"So... what is the Commander's purpose in coming to Ironblood?" Bismarck asked, looking at Frederick again.

"This problem is very simple..."

Frederick replied with a smile, "That child came here to fight the Sirens."

"A very official answer..."

Bismarck, recalling Tirpitz's earlier statement about being open to cooperation with the Sirens, slowly shook his head, disbelieving Frederick's explanation.

“But that’s really what he thinks… I believe in that child…” Frederick finished answering, then waved his hand, stopping Bismarck from continuing.

"If you have your own opinion on this issue, it's best to ask him yourself. After all, no matter how I relay it, you won't completely believe Bismarck, will you?"

"...Yes, then let's leave it at that for now."

With the most crucial topic settled, everyone in the room visibly relaxed considerably.

As long as it doesn't involve the commander, people like Hutten or Hindenburg don't really care about other daily routines or faction matters. If the port needs them, they are happy to act as henchmen without asking why.

But Frederick thought differently.

She looked at Bismarck with great interest, then parted her lips slightly and asked the question that had been on her mind since returning to the port:

"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask... Bismarck, when do you plan to let the Commander take over command of the entire Ironblood unit?"

This appearance and posture are just like a mother asking for something from her spoiled child.

The nature of the issue was rather sensitive and harsh, and the room, which had eased somewhat, immediately became tense again because of this one sentence.

Z23 blinked and quietly leaned back.

Tirpitz remained silent, lost in thought.

The three who returned from the royal family naturally sided with Xu Huan on this matter, and thus also looked at Bismarck with curiosity, waiting for the answer from the current iron-blooded flagship.

For a time, it seemed to have a strong sense of coercion.

"The issue of command... is still too early to discuss..."

Bismarck replied slowly, "I don't have the same in-depth relationship with the Commander as you do, so for the sake of rigor, I need to observe for a while longer."

"That's good... I'll be waiting~~~"

Frederick answered with a smile.

Chapter 229 Making Coffee

The next day, at the infirmary.

The once empty hall now has tables and various equipment. Xu Huan is sitting behind one of the desks, engrossed in reading an unknown novel.

Compared to yesterday, the clinic has undergone a complete transformation thanks to Belfast's help. In addition to the beautiful and tidy green plants, there are also various furniture and appliances to improve the quality of life, such as coffee machines, refrigerators, and microwave ovens.

Aside from the addition of some medical equipment, this place has been furnished just like an ordinary office or even a lounge.

Of course, this was just the main hall; the actual wards where the ship girls were treated remained in their most formal state.

The young man was idly reading a novel at his desk to pass the time, while Elbin, who had been designated as the secretary ship, was standing in the corner of the hall, looking rather helpless.

After treatment, Elbin's condition was significantly better than before, and his complexion was much better. However, his gaze towards Xu Huan was always somewhat evasive, giving the impression that he was still a bit sickly.

Xu Huan raised his eyes, his gaze leaving the book and looking at the girl in the distance.

Unlike other shrewd and capable girls like Z23, or the cunning Hindenburg, and in short, other Ironblood ship girls, Elbin gave him a somewhat unexpected feeling... introverted and clumsy?

Just moments ago, she was struggling with how to brew herself a pot of tea, and her fair and slender hands were almost scalded by the hot water. Fortunately, Xu Huan secretly used his spiritual energy to help her at the last moment, otherwise the girl would probably be mopping up the water stains on the floor right now.

He wouldn't dare to look at her openly, because if Elbin knew that he had seen her clumsy behavior, the little confidence she had built up since being designated as the secretary ship would probably disappear completely.

Xu Huan pretended to be completely engrossed in the storybook and didn't notice the other person's flustered state.

Elbin, who hadn't received a word from Xu Huan, didn't dare to speak to him. He could only stand alone in the far corner of the hall. Judging from his constantly moving lips, he was probably saying something like, "No one cares about me. I'm just someone who's been used to the point of being worn out."

How can I help the other person gain some confidence?

First and foremost, it's essential to build a closer relationship.

Looking at the ship girl hiding in the corner of the hall, if you said she was the secretary ship, I'm afraid no one would believe it.

With that thought, Xu Huan put down the storybook in his hand.

Elbin, who had been secretly observing the young man's every move, immediately stood up straight.

“Hey... Elbin? What are you doing standing so far away? Come over here for a second…”

"Yes, Commander..."

Elbin jogged over, but halfway there he lost his balance and almost fell to the ground.

Is this... the legendary flat-ground fall?

Even Xu Huan, who has a relatively rich life experience, was seeing such a legendary action by the ship girl in front of him for the first time.

This situation is most likely caused by an imbalance in the body.

As Xu Huan pondered this, he glanced subtly at the ship girl's breasts, which were stretched taut by her clothes.

If I had to choose one reason... it would most likely be because of those two useless lumps of fat...

Elbin looked up and met Xu Huan's somewhat surprised gaze, and his entire demeanor immediately became even more dejected.

Looks like I messed up again... I'm really useless.

“Commander…” Elbin walked up to Xu Huan and said in a low voice, “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Today, at Xu Huan's suggestion, Elbin took off the long cloak and military cap that were draped over her back, leaving only the fitted black and gray military uniform on her body, revealing her voluptuous curves.

Her usually long, white hair, which almost reached the ground, was now tied up more simply, making her look much more capable than before.

"Hmm... let's not talk about that for now. Elbin, why are you standing so far away? I don't think I've seen you come out from that corner since I came to the hall..." Xu Huan asked slowly and calmly.

“Well…” Elbin stammered and shook his head, finally speaking softly under the young man’s encouraging gaze:

"Elbin has always had bad luck, so to avoid catching it from the Commander, I... I stood a little further away..."

"....luck?"

“Yes…” Elbin explained, “I almost tripped and fell when I ran towards the commander just now…”

“…”

Xu Huan was speechless at the ship girl's suggestion of luck.

"Okay, let's not talk about this for now... I'm pretty tough, it doesn't matter if you're unlucky and infect me, but you can't stand too far away..."

"Have everyone else in the port come and look. That spot just now, it hardly looks like a secretary ship. Don't stand in the corner anymore..."

"Yes, Commander..."

Hearing Xu Huan's request, Elbin felt no aversion whatsoever; on the contrary, he felt a unique sense of satisfaction.

Since a request has been made... it means that the person is needed.

If I'm needed... it proves that I'm somewhat useful, right? The commander needs me too, doesn't he?

As Elbin thought this, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, and he continued to wait for the young man's next command.

"Now..."

Elbin behaved very obediently, which pleased Xu Huan.

He turned and looked around the hall, intending to find some simple, easy tasks for the ship girl in front of him to do first, so as to gradually build her confidence.

"Now—Elbin, could you make me a hot coffee?"

The memory of the ship girl almost getting scalded by tea not long ago was still fresh in Xu Huan's mind, so this time he simply switched to something simpler.

I don't need to make it a pour-over; I can just use a quick-drip coffee maker and brew it with hot water.