Chapter 1000: Hai Lun Na's Judgment

The command ship floated on the dark‑red sea surface; apart from the heavy dark clouds and the occasional red stone pillars abruptly appearing on the sea, this sea area seemed somewhat desolate.

Several days have passed since leaving the fortress base, and currently all operations are proceeding steadily.

After reaching the destination, Bisimai and the others originally wanted to leave a detachment to escort Qin Ge; after all, if a Siren fleet suddenly appeared in this sea area, leaving only a single command ship here would be like sending a sheep into a tiger's den.

However, Qin Ge waved his hand and refused; he only left Guanghui and Hai Lun Na, of course the Hai Lun Na from Yujin. He also told everyone not to worry, because more Yujin shipgirls would cross worlds to come to this world and join this final battle.

Although Qin Ge said that, the shipgirls still confirmed Hai Lun Na properly; only after confirming that such a thing existed did they leave this place reassured.

Of course, they were not far away either, because the nearest fleet was only a few dozen kilometers from here; thus, if any problem arose here, these shipgirls could provide support at any time.

Originally Qin Ge said it wasn't necessary, but Bisimai said this was their bottom line, so Qin Ge could only agree.

Thus this situation arose: the command ship moved together with the leading fleet, but kept a sufficiently safe distance.

"Commander, a new Yujin shipgirl is coming; I recall I didn't inform you about this, did I? How did you find out?"

Hai Lun Na sat beside Qin Ge, fixing him with her scarlet eyes; compared to her usual composure, she now seemed to carry a different emotion.

Qin Ge chuckled, "Really someone's coming? I was just saying what Bisimai and the others said; looks like I stumbled onto the truth."

"Ah?" Guanghui not far away raised his head, looking surprised at the two before him: "Commander, it turns out you didn't even know whether any Yujin shipgirls were coming, and Hai Lun Na didn't tell you any information either? Everything you said earlier was just to keep Bisimai and the others from worrying?"

Qin Ge smiled and nodded, "Exactly, they're all fine; it's just that sometimes they really can't let go of me. This would affect their performance on the battlefield, so rather than that, it's better to find such an excuse so they can put their minds at ease and give their all on the battlefield."

Hai Lun Na curled the corner of her mouth into a smile, "Perhaps it's not just that? Commander, be honest with me—have you already figured something out?"

From your previous reply to Bisimai and the others, and your attitude toward us up to now, all these things show that you understand us… or rather, you understand our purpose.

"Ah?" Qin Ge froze for a moment, pretending not to know anything, "I suppose I don't really understand you all; of course, from our usual interactions I know a bit, but isn't your purpose to let this world return to normal?"

It's precisely because of this purpose that we cooperate, and even that you've joined my fleet.

"Commander, you're lying." Hai Lun Na said with a faint smile, "Although I haven't been by your side long, whenever you lie—or whenever you feel guilty—you can't help but blink your eyes."

"This habit may be bad, but for me I still want to keep it, because only then can I tell whether the commander is hiding something from me or treating me with the sincerest heart."

Qin Ge startled, then turned his head to look at Guanghui beside him, "Do I?"

Guanghui shook his head, smiling, "I haven't noticed such a small detail, or rather, because I trust the commander, every word you say is truth to me; I won't imagine you telling lies."

Qin Ge couldn't help but laugh, "Because I also have no need to lie to you."

"Although seeing you two trust each other is moving, this seems unrelated to what we're discussing now." Hai Lun Na interrupted, "So commander, what exactly do you know?"

Logically, staying at the fortress base now is the safest choice; it's said that place won't swallow all sea information, but it can guarantee that under remote command the fleet can exert its maximum strength.

But you've come here now, and aside from your secretary ship, you've left only me by your side; this seems filled with your trust in me, yet I sense something else in this trust.

Have you already met that person?

Hai Lun Na's words made Qin Ge's gaze tighten; he immediately defended, "That person? What are you talking about?"

"Hehe, it seems my guess was correct; this is a carefully laid trap. According to the information you know, you will forever be confined in this cocoon until the last moment, when the answer is revealed."

"But your current behavior has left me sometimes unable to read you; you've already broken out of that cocoon."

"I believe that in this world no one could, without anyone knowing, reveal the answer to all these questions to you; but perhaps such a person exists in another world." Hai Lun Na looked at Qin Ge and smiled.

"Evidently, that exalted one used a method unknown to us to spoil the whole affair in advance. Although they won't tell you the detailed specifics, they also let you know the general direction."

Thus, from the beginning until now, your trust in us and your attitude toward Antikes have been changing under the influence of that awareness.

"So am I right, commander?"

Qin Ge suddenly laughed, "Hehe, I knew you'd figure it out someday, because I'm after all not good at acting, unlike you professional actors."

Hai Lun Na's eyes brightened, "Does this count as your admission?"

"Do you know why I let you stay?" Qin Ge didn't answer, but instead turned to Hai Lun Na and said, "Your information‑sensing and gathering abilities are too strong; even I think that when I sent that message to Bisimai, you must have already suspected something."

"Exactly, as a normal commander, your shipgirls haven't exerted their proper strength; you should have asked, but you didn't—instead you chose to believe, as if you'd known from the start that this would happen." Hai Lun Na looked at Qin Ge and said.

"Hehe, but I don't understand: since you already knew, why didn't you tell them? Aren't they the people you cherish most?"

"Yes, precisely for that reason I wanted them to grow using this opportunity. I can't foresee how the future will be; all I can do is make them stronger, so they can stand out in the worlds to come."

"You've gone to great lengths; then do you want me to pass this information back, or just cover it up?"

Hai Lun Na looked at Qin Ge, a hint of a smile appearing on her face.