Chapter 285: Before the Battle

"The Sirens' reaction is surprisingly fast; it looks like they've been monitoring our sea area all along, otherwise they wouldn't have reacted this quickly upon the appearance of a miracle." Zhang Men knelt in the center of the shrine, speaking to Akagi and Kaga before him.

Akagi nodded and said, "However, I think this time the Sirens are more of a show of force than an attack. According to the front line report, only one Siren high-ranking humanoid came this time, and there is no Siren fleet around her."

I think it should be Xinong's appearance; although it broke their deployment, it didn't disturb their plan. Making such a big fuss this time is just to tell us that even if we summoned a sea legend, it wouldn't greatly affect their plan.

Because if they really wanted to eliminate Xinong, they wouldn't launch such a massive direct assault on our Sakura Empire home island like this; instead they would wait for Qin Ge to return on his way and strike unexpectedly, destroying the still-undeveloped Xinong in its cradle.

After hearing Akagi's analysis, Zhang Men couldn't help but nod and said, "Although what Akagi said is correct, we cannot be careless about this Siren attack."

Because the other eight factions are also here, they will definitely be watching how we deal with this attack, so we must display the Sakura Empire's utmost strength.

"We understand; according to the timing of the front line report and that Siren's speed, it shouldn't take long before they reach our Sakura Empire home island."

"So next we will prepare, and we hope that Lord Chengmen, as the Sakura Empire flagship, can serve as the flagship for this sortie." Akagi said to Zhang Men.

"This is my duty; even if Akagi doesn't say so, I will also act as the flagship for this sortie." Zhang Men nodded and said.

"That would be best." Akagi nodded, stood up together with Kaga, and then said to Zhang Men, "I and Kaga will now make arrangements, and I will also ask Lady Mikasa to participate in this battle."

"I understand." Zhang Men nodded, then turned and began to pray to the deity.

Meanwhile, Akagi and Kaga walked out of the shrine. Akagi glanced back at the shrine and said to Kaga, "Kaga, you are responsible for notifying the other awakened shipgirls, and have the non-awakened shipgirls also make preparations in case of any mishap."

"And what about you, older sister?" Kaga asked.

Akagi reached out and caught a falling cherry blossom before her eyes, then said, "I will go to Donghuang to notify Lady Mikasa, and on the way check on my older sister."

"Understood." Kaga nodded and quickly disappeared beside Akagi.

And Akagi dropped the cherry blossom she had pinched in her hand, also vanishing on the spot.

It wasn't long before Kaga was busy contacting the other awakened shipgirls on the Sakura Empire home island that Akagi appeared in the reception hotel of Donghuang.

"Is this operation this swift? It's no less than the Northern Union's previous discovery of that illusory city." Mikasa, upon hearing Akagi's account, couldn't help but exclaim.

"Sorry to trouble you." Qin Ge, standing nearby, looked at Akagi and said somewhat apologetically.

After all, the reason the Sirens attacked this time was because I summoned Xinong, so Sakura Empire needs to act as a shield for this. Regarding this matter, he still feels deeply apologetic.

"It's fine, because this situation wasn't intentional on your part. Moreover, Commander Qin Ge, you summoned our Sakura Empire's sea legend; as the Sakura Empire faction, we should thank you." Akagi said with a smile.

"Then if there's anything you need help with, please, Lady Akagi, don't stand on ceremony." Qin Ge said to Akagi.

"Yes, and this task cannot be done without Commander Qin Ge." Akagi said to Qin Ge.

"Oh? What task?" Qin Ge, seeing Akagi say it without hesitation, hurriedly asked.

"The flagship for this sortie is Commander Zhang Men, so we need Lady Mikasa to go help, and we also need my older sister and Xinong to join." Akagi said to Qin Ge.

"As for Senior Mikasa, you can just talk to her directly, but Tiancheng and Xinong's proficiency is quite low; can they really help in this big battle?" Qin Ge wondered.

"My older sister is the strategist of the Sakura Empire, so her greatest strength lies not in her power but in her schemes." Akagi said to Qin Ge.

"Moreover, as a sea legend, Xinong surely has something different from other shipgirls, so I believe she will bring us a surprise." Akagi said to Qin Ge.

"Understood." Qin Ge nodded, "I will immediately go notify those two, then proceed to the dock together with Senior Mikasa."

"Then thank you, Commander Qin Ge." Akagi gave a slight smile, then bade farewell to Qin Ge and Mikasa, leaving the hotel where Donghuang is located.

Mikasa had Qin Ge first notify his own shipgirls, while she herself waited at the hotel's entrance for them.

Thus Qin Ge quickly came to the floor where his shipgirls were stationed, gathered all of them, and told them about the Siren attack.

"So fast? It looks like every move of the major factions is under the Sirens' surveillance. Similar to the hypothesis the commander previously made, I don't know what the Sirens actually want to do." Prince Ou Gen Qin Wang said.

"Now is not the time to discuss what they want to do, but rather to first deal with this Siren attack." Qin Ge said, "Looking at Sakura Empire's preparations this time, they intend to combine all awakened shipgirls to resist the enemy."

"Isn't that obvious? This is the Sakura Empire home island; the enemy has come to our doorstep. If Sakura Empire doesn't respond, the other factions will look down on it." Weineituo smiled.

"I originally wanted to show my prowess this time, but it looks like there's nothing for us to do for now." Guanghui said somewhat regretfully.

Qin Ge chuckled, "Our battlefield is not here, but the front line battlefield a year from now."

This time, the Sakura Empire side only lets Tiancheng and Xinong go into battle, and I estimate they're only responsible for some strategic matters; the real combat won't let them participate.

"Understood, Commander." Guanghui smiled, "But are you also going?"

Qin Ge nodded, "Tiancheng and Xinong are my shipgirls; my shipgirls are about to go into battle—how could I not stay by their side?"

As for you, you don't need to follow me; just follow Anshan and the others, and the Prince of Wales Dean. I suppose since the Sakura Empire side is making such a big move, the other factions will surely find out soon, so you'll also be able to see the battlefield then.

"Understood." All the shipgirls nodded, knowing that now is not the time to cause trouble for Qin Ge; this battle is clearly not theirs, and they are also quite reassured about Qin Ge's safety.

If even so many awakened shipgirls of the Sakura Empire cannot protect Qin Ge's safety, then humanity's doom is sealed.