Chapter 268: Mikasa's Expectation

On the way back, Qin Ge and Mikasa walked together; it was already sunset, the huge Divine Tree behind them gradually grew hazy in the evening light, and as they walked they chatted.

"It seems Zhang Men holds you in great respect, Sanli Xianbei," Qin Ge said with a smile.

Recalling when the two talked, Zhang Men spoke with an admiring tone about Mikasa's deeds and plans on the battlefield, and Qin Ge could feel that.

"Hehe, no matter how much admiration, I'm just an old-era battleship, while she, as a new-era battleship, needs to forge her own future," Mikasa said casually.

"That's true," Qin Ge smiled, "but Sanli Xianbei is certainly not an old-era battleship; I recall you saying that excellence and mediocrity can only be tested on the battlefield."

"Having experienced so many battlefields, I believe Sanli Xianbei has always been among the finest."

"Hehe, when did you also start saying flattering words?" Mikasa smiled, "but you're right, the battlefield is where excellence and mediocrity are tested, and the place we gallop is precisely the battlefield."

"Whether newcomer or aged, only by proving one's own worth does our existence have meaning."

Qin Ge smiled, gazing at the distant sunset slowly falling, "People from the other factions should be arriving soon, right?"

"It should be about a few days from now, though their arrivals will be spaced out. For example, those from the Northern Union can reach here by crossing the Bering Strait, and the White Eagle can also come by skirting the land."

"As for Royal and Iron Blood, they'll have to go around half the blue planet from the Cape of Good Hope, so the journey will take longer, leaving us plenty of time," Mikasa said.

"Then, Mikasa-senpai, which people do you think each faction will send?" Qin Ge asked.

"Which people will each faction send?" Mikasa pondered, "As far as I know, the Northern Union will likely send Mercury Memorial and her companions; as for the White Eagle, it should be Saratoga."

"As for the Sardinian Empire, according to my guess, they'll likely send Littorio Vittorio Veneto, and Iron Blood should send Ou Gen Qin Wang."

"As for the free Iris, they'll likely send Saint Joan of Arc or Emile; as for the Vichy Tribunal, it should be Algeria or Dunkirk."

"As for the Royal faction, I can't guess for now; it could be Hood, or it could be a person of the George V class."

Qin Ge nodded, and as Mikasa spoke, one battleship after another appeared in his mind; these battleships, personified as shipgirls, are the foremost existences within their factions.

These are battleships that have left glorious marks in world naval history, so it is no exaggeration for them to represent their factions at the gathering.

"What about Donghuang?" Qin Ge asked, "After all, we are merely the vanguard; the true leaders should still arrive later, right?"

"As for Donghuang, based on my understanding of Yixian, she will likely send the Prince of Wales and Ninghai," Mikasa smiled.

"Ninghai?" Qin Ge momentarily thought of the Ninghai who manages the warehouse at the school.

"Hehe, not our school's Ninghai, but the Ninghai responsible for logistics in the Donghuang Command."

"She is an Awakened shipgirl, and her strength is considerable; she once single-handedly faced a large Siren main force and even won—how strong do you think she is?" Mikasa smiled.

"A large Siren main force?" Qin Ge exclaimed in surprise, "Such large main forces usually only appear in erosion level five or six sea areas, right?"

"That's right, so never underestimate any faction's high-ranking members; they are beings capable of taking on a thousand alone," Mikasa said to Qin Ge.

"They were the earliest to awaken at sea, so the battles they experienced are also the longest; in those battles they have honed themselves to become ever more outstanding."

"Moreover, even the most ordinary shipgirls can easily challenge these fully trained Super Rare Shipgirls of today."

Mikasa's admonition also made Qin Ge nod, but even if Mikasa hadn't said that, Qin Ge would not look down on any shipgirl.

Just as Mikasa said earlier, because they were destined to head for the battlefield from the moment of their birth, and the battlefield is the stage to display their power.

"I understand," Qin Ge nodded, "what do you think the Nine Major Factions will choose as the event for this competition? If they knew I existed as an over-spec entity, they might change the rules."

Mikasa smiled, "Do you really think the main point of this is the battle between your students?"

Qin Ge's expression froze, then he realized, "So you mean our duel is merely a decoy?"

"That's right; the people coming from the Nine Major Factions all bear their own missions, while you should merely be a decoy confusing the other high-ranking members of the Nine Major Factions; the true core is something you cannot access."

"As for those faction high-ups, this time they've come to discuss those things," Mikasa said with a deep gaze.

"To be frank, Azure Lane is no longer the original alliance that could unite wholeheartedly against the Sirens; each faction has begun to look after its own interests."

"This state is not good, because the Sirens remain the greatest hidden danger. I faintly feel that the current situation of Azure Lane, with everything being obstructed by the Sirens from within,"

"but this is an open conspiracy; no one can do anything about this change. Unless we can set aside our factions' grudges and truly unite, this state will persist for a long time."

"Perhaps this is the inevitability of history?" Qin Ge mused, "but I don't think it's a bad thing, because there is no eternal alliance, just as there is no eternal dynasty."

"Separation and reunion, reunion and separation—this is the rhythm of history. And this state of being united in name only does Azure Lane no good at all."

"Perhaps so; Azure Lane now needs an opportunity, a chance to break the deadlock, a chance to rally all factions."

"I have already seen this opportunity, Qin Ge; you, who can summon the leaders of other factions, are this opportunity. It depends on whether you can seize it—if one day you can lead all the major factions to join hands, you will be humanity's benefactor."

"Zhang Men has passed; your soul is pure, so I believe you can be trusted. Today I've told you all this, and I also hope you will grow earnestly, lead the shipgirls, and try to end this chaotic age," Mikasa said.

Qin Ge nodded, "I'll do my best!"