Chapter 438: Second Barrier

"Yes." Qin Ge nodded firmly, "I believe she will be a very magnanimous person, so you should relax your mind and properly prove your strength. Let the Monarch also see that the Royal's choice of you back then was worthwhile."

Hao nodded with a smile, "Suddenly I feel you're not bad, Commander Qin Ge. I think after this battle, I'll apply to the Royal to replace the envoy that was sent over."

"Oh? Why?" Qin Ge wondered.

Hao smiled, smiling sweetly, "Because I'm afraid that if I keep staying by your side, I'll be infected by your charm and then abandon everything to join your fleet."

Qin Ge couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing that, "Are you praising me with these words?"

"Perhaps there's no more sincere praise than this?" Hao said, blinking her eyes.

Qin Ge laughed while rubbing his nose, "Alright, your praise is useful to me. But I'd rather you stay; perhaps later joining my fleet would also be a good option."

Fanji laughed at this, "Commander Qin Ge, your blatant inducement behavior, I can't pretend not to have seen it."

"What's the big deal? Anyway, the Sakura Empire's Akagi and Kaga have already joined our fleet."

"Although we previously had an agreement with our commander, but as Guanghui became an Awakened Shipgirl and as the Monarch successfully summoned, that agreement has also been fulfilled."

"After we leave this mirror sea, and when the next sortie occurs, our fleet will have three Awakened Shipgirls!" Luodenni smiled.

"That said, those two are also quite formidable—one gives up a faction leader position just like that, and an already Awakened Shipgirl says she'll join the commander's fleet and does so, really leaving no room for retreat." Fanji said sentimentally.

"After all, it's been a long time since the Nine Major Factions' leaders' meeting, so the senior officials of the other eight factions already know that Akagi and Kaga have joined Qin Ge's fleet, and it's no longer a secret."

"Alright, let's leave these for later. Now don't think about anything—everyone immediately anchor the command ship, all personnel go to rest, and we'll regroup here in nine hours to prepare for the second barrier." Qin Ge smiled.

"Yes, Commander!"

All the shipgirls said to Qin Ge, including Hao and Fanji who temporarily joined the Qin Ge Fleet.

Then everyone else went to the crew dormitories, and Qin Ge also headed to his own dorm. They must now ensure sufficient rest to better face the second barrier.

Nine hours isn't actually long; after everyone fell asleep, it passed quickly.

When the time was up, all the shipgirls, including Qingge, returned to their original positions in the grand hall.

Following the previous formation, aside from Hao and Fanji, everyone else went into the water. In a ring formation, they guarded around the command sword, waiting for the sea mist to dissipate.

Soon, the sea mist before everyone's eyes gradually dissipated, and that alluring voice reappeared.

"Heh, it looks like you're now full of energy, so the next is the second barrier challenge. With one additional combat power added, can you succeed in passing? I'm really looking forward to it."

After that alluring voice gradually faded, the mist over the sea also receded. The entire sea and sky were cloudless, wind calm and waves still.

At that very moment, four large fleets appeared simultaneously on Qin Ge's radar ahead.

"Everyone take note: four Siren large fleets have appeared ahead of us; aircraft carriers launch their carrier aircraft to vie for air supremacy. The rest assume defensive formations, beware of the vanguard fleet's approach."

Qin Ge quickly issued orders, and finally specifically said to the Monarch, "Monarch, this is your first battle; try to stay by Luodenni's side and don't do anything pointless."

"Reporting, Commander: while the Wisdom Cube was analyzing combat data, I had already recorded your usual training formations, plans, etc., in my data, so rest assured—I will definitely follow the fleet's footsteps." The Monarch's voice came through the communicator.

Qin Ge nodded in understanding, "Then that's perfect."

After the orders were finished, Hao and Fanji began to watch the battlefield ahead, waiting for the great battle to start.

The first to reach the skies above the four Siren fleets was still Guanghui's fighter jets, and she very quickly assessed the situation of the four Siren fleets.

"Report, Commander: among the four fleets that appeared, three fleets are identical to the previous ones in every way, and their training level is the same as well. Meanwhile, the other large Siren fleet includes a Breaker!"

Upon hearing the message, Qin Ge nodded, "Breaker, a battleship-type Siren humanoid? I understand—this time the battle sequence changes: after seizing air supremacy, we prioritize eliminating the Breaker using an airstrike tactic, while the other shipgirls follow the previous steps."

"Yes, Commander!"

After hearing the shipgirls' responses, Qin Ge lowered his communicator, then raised his head to look toward the distance, where fierce combat was erupting in the high skies.

Beside him, Hao stepped forward and said to Qin Ge, "If I'm not mistaken, the next barrier will feature five Siren fleets, and it's possible that the leader of the fifth Siren fleet will be the Chessmaster, a carrier-type Siren humanoid; I believe that fleet will definitely have more aircraft carriers."

"If that's truly the case, Commander Qin Ge, your tactic of first seizing air supremacy advantage would not be guaranteed."

Qin Ge looked into the distance and involuntarily nodded, "Yes, four aircraft carriers versus four fleets is already the limit; this time the struggle for air supremacy will be much slower than before."

"If a fifth fleet appears, led by the Chessmaster, then the assurance of seizing air supremacy at the outset would be nonsense; by then we'd have to consider how to defend against the enemy's carrier aircraft attacks."

"Then, Commander Qin Ge, do you have a plan?" Hao smiled.

Qin Ge nodded, "Although with our current fleet strength it's somewhat risky, but if we want to inflict the maximum damage ratio, we must do it this way."

"So when the third barrier arrives, you should also join the battle formation then; we will begin a strong assault."

"Indeed, it's time to launch a strong assault." Hao smiled, her eyes full of fighting spirit.

"For over a year, she has never fired a gun; she needs an exhilarating battle to soothe her mood."

"And the next barrier will be when she sorties."

Beside her, Fanji was also very excited; although she doesn't like combat, encountering such a battle, how could she avoid it?

"She is a veteran of the Royal; this time she will surely let the Royal's brilliance shine across the entire sea area."