Chapter 222: Tiancheng's Decision

"That's right." Mikasa nodded, saying, "Although I've lived in Donghuang for a long time, I still know Sakura Empire relatively well, because I return to Sakura Empire every summer and stay there for a while."

"And the Sakura Empire now is not the same Sakura Empire you were in back then."

Tiancheng nodded, "Is it because of Akagi?"

"Yes and no." Mikasa said, and the others became interested in her words and listened.

"With Zhang Men's retirement, the one now in the open is your sister Akagi; besides revitalizing Sakura Empire, her biggest goal is to find you."

"But repeated searches and plans have all failed. Perhaps it's all fate; when you awoke, you came to Donghuang and became a shipgirl of the commander."

"You can imagine what Akagi's reaction would be if you went to Sakura Empire."

"Now, the entire Sakura Empire has no shipgirl named Tiancheng."

Tiancheng nodded, "Actually, even before coming here, I've been wondering what Akagi would do if she learned of my news. It seems she still has that mischievous personality and acts more radically."

"That's right." Mikasa said, "I think you definitely wouldn't want Qin Ge to go to Sakura Empire while leaving you in Donghuang, would you?"

"Besides, you were originally the strategist of Sakura Empire, so we need to plan this trip to Sakura Empire."

Tiancheng smiled and glanced at the worried Qin Ge, then said to Qin Ge, "My lord, please rest assured; it was you who summoned Tiancheng into this world, and Tiancheng awoke because of you."

"So as long as you don't do anything against our principles, I will never leave you."

Qin Ge nodded; the matter of violating principles had actually been discussed with the Prince of Wales long ago.

"The principle of the bond between shipgirls and commanders is to oppose the Sirens, protect humanity, and protect the ocean."

"So as long as you don't violate anything within that principle, you generally don't need to worry about shipgirls suddenly leaving you. Although some actions might make shipgirls feel uneasy, they're just a bit disappointed in their commander."

"As long as you make the appropriate changes later, they will still stay by your side. Obey your command and fight bravely and fearlessly."

"That is the relationship between shipgirls and commanders: simple yet very strong. So Qin Ge never worried about Tiancheng leaving him, because when he summoned her, it was a lifelong bond."

"I know." Qin Ge nodded at Tiancheng, "However, what Mikasa senior mentioned is also a reality facing us."

"As Donghuang's commander, you certainly wouldn't want to clash with the current overt ruler of Sakura Empire; that would yield no good results for either Sakura Empire or Donghuang."

"It could even drag other factions into taking sides, so what we should do now is minimize the spread of this issue, nip it in the bud, or resolve it with the smallest loss."

"What the lord said is, actually, regarding how to resolve this matter, cough… Tiancheng already has a fairly good method." Tiancheng smiled.

"Oh, what method?" Mikasa immediately said.

"It's not us making this choice, but Akagi." Tiancheng smiled.

"Wait, what do you mean…?" Mikasa pressed, but she didn't finish her sentence because she wasn't sure if that was the case.

"Beside him, Ou Gen Qin Wang bit his finger and said, 'If that happens, Sakura Empire will fall into chaos—do you think it's worth it?'"

"I think Sakura Empire won't fall into chaos; instead it will return to the right path." Tiancheng smiled, saying, "Didn't Mikasa senior already say that? Since Akagi has now reached that position, she must consider the bigger picture."

"If she still acts like a mischievous child, I will personally guide her then."

"But I'm afraid she won't consider the bigger picture and might just leave." Mikasa said.

"If that really happens, wouldn't it be simple? Just elect another leader who can lead Sakura Empire back onto the correct path." Tiancheng smiled.

"Tsk, impressive." Ou Gen Qin Wang said.

"This method isn't a bad one, but it would be sorry to Akagi and Kaga." Mikasa said, "Although their thinking is somewhat radical, over the years they have done many things for Sakura Empire's renewal."

"So we just let them rest a bit, and besides, I know my sister very well." Tiancheng smiled.

"Alright, since you already have a method, I don't need to add more." Mikasa nodded and turned to Qin Ge, "This time, not only will I go with you, but A Furore will also go with you."

"After all, your presence is Donghuang's greatest reliance in the future; we must unite all forces we can."

"Isn't this a bit too troublesome for you?" Qin Ge said.

"It's not troublesome, because I return to Sakura Empire every summer; although A Furore returns to the Northern Union each summer, this time the Northern Union people will also come, so we can just meet up."

"Then when will we depart?" Qin Ge asked.

"Within this week, take care of your affairs, and I'll call you when it's time to set off." Mikasa said.

"That works." Qin Ge nodded and said.

After everyone had decided, we chatted a while longer; finally Mikasa returned to her room, leaving only Qin Ge and his shipgirls in the reception house.

"It's a bit hard on you, Tiancheng." Qin Ge said to him.

"There's nothing hard about it, because when the commander summoned me into this world and awakened me, I devoted my remaining life to the commander."

"So if you have any questions you don't understand, just come ask me anytime." Tiancheng smiled.

"Don't worry, I will." Qin Ge nodded.

Afterwards he turned his head to look at Belfast beside him, "Belfast, how are the others doing with tidying their rooms?"

"According to the previous progress, the rooms are now tidied up." Belfast said to Qin Ge.

"That's good; after everyone finishes tidying up, let's go out for a meal, and meanwhile buy them some clothes—consider it a welcome and dust‑washing."

"Alright, then I'll go call the others; the commander and a few will wait at the entrance, and we'll come down shortly." Belfast said.

"No problem, that's settled."