Chapter 46: Chapter Forty-Six: Three Minutes of Silence

The person leading the way had a head of white hair, wore a navy cap, a black navy cloak, and a bald eagle perched on her shoulder.

Looking at this familiar yet unfamiliar figure, Qin Ge quickly recalled the name of this shipgirl in his mind: Enterprise!

Her name is a monument, a monument of World War II. Her legend lies not only in her battle record, but also in the spirit she represents.

Enterprise was the second Yorktown-class aircraft carrier of the U. S. Navy, and also the seventh U. S. warship named Enterprise. She once held off the Japanese Combined Fleet for as long as a year in the Pacific theater without any other carrier support, making her the most famous legendary warship in U. S. and world naval history.

She shot down 911 enemy aircraft, sank 71 ships, damaged over 192 ships, earned twenty battle stars, and earned the reputation of 'one ship against a nation'—she was truly the Pacific Queen.

"It seems the Donghuang Navy Department really values this occasion, actually sending the Frontline Command's commander Enterprise to the Commander Academy; it seems the higher-ups have also sensed a greater crisis." A Furore's words interrupted Qin Ge's thoughts, prompting him to reassess the Enterprise opposite him.

"Indeed, since you left the Northern Union, it's been about half a month; the Soviet Alliance must have noticed something and sent a message to the Donghuang Navy Department. I suppose not only the Donghuang Navy Department, but other fleets' naval departments are also on edge now." Mikasa said from the side.

"Probably." A Furore nodded.

Meanwhile, Qin Ge, sitting nearby, sensed from their words that a storm was brewing; it seemed this was not just a simple opening ceremony.

After the three took their seats, the Prince of Wales walked straight to the podium and addressed all the cadets below.

"I am Dean Prince of Wales of the Azure Lane Commander Academy. I believe you have all heard of my name; here, I represent the entire faculty and staff of the Azure Lane Commander Academy in expressing my deepest respect for your arrival."

"While many people were struggling just to survive, you stepped forward without hesitation—for your ideals, for humanity, for peace, for freedom—coming to this Commander Academy to become brave and fearless new cadets."

Warm applause broke out below; his words continually struck the hearts of the newcomers. Any lofty ambition ultimately seeks others' acknowledgment, and now the words of Dean Prince of Wales of the Azure Lane Commander Academy are exactly that acknowledgment.

The Prince of Wales raised her right hand and gently pressed down, and the applause gradually faded. She then spoke again: "Now that you are seated here, it means you are one step closer to realizing your ideals. Through two years of study and experience at the Azure Lane Commander Academy, I hope you will contribute your strength to defending humanity and the oceans in this great endeavor."

Next, we proceed with the first traditional procedure of our Commander Academy: please all rise.

As the Prince of Wales's words fell, the second-year students reacted first, but the first-year students were not far behind, all standing up in rhythm. On the stage, Qin Ge also stood up alongside Mikasa and the others.

"Remove your caps, face the martyrs' monument, and observe three minutes of silence!"

Having understood the Prince of Wales's words, the newly minted cadet commanders swiftly removed their caps, lowered their heads before the black monument.

At that moment, before the auditorium of the Commander Academy, the uniform silence of the crowd made even the fall of a pin audible. The wind brushed past, as if also paying silent tribute to the commanders who had perished on the monument.

Three minutes may seem neither long nor short. When it ended, the Prince of Wales raised her head and said to everyone, "The rite is over; put on your caps and sit down."

The synchronized sound of caps being put on and seats taken rang out at that moment, and everyone once again fixed their gaze on the Prince of Wales.

The Prince of Wales said, "Those commanders whose names are engraved on the martyrs' monument all gave their lives for humanity's greatest cause, for peace and protection; they are the most lovable people, and also the most worthy of respect."

But I sincerely hope you will not become one of them; I hope you will master the various knowledge your future instructors will teach you, I hope you will be prudent and calm in your future missions, speaking cautiously and acting carefully, and I hope you will survive the wars to come.

Because only by staying alive can you fight, only by staying alive can you achieve your ideals, and only by staying alive can you command your own fleet to defeat the Sirens.

So have you heard me clearly? Study, fight, then survive!

"We heard you clearly!"

A deafening roar echoed across the sky at that moment, and the Prince of Wales's few words brought the matter of the new cadets to the forefront.

Seeing this, the Prince of Wales nodded with satisfaction. She said to everyone, "Very well, you are the finest batch of cadet commanders. Next, I will introduce the distinguished guests who have come to attend your opening ceremony."

As the Prince of Wales spoke, the many students below began to pay attention to the person she was about to introduce.

And on stage, the Prince of Wales turned to face Enterprise and the others, saying, "First, I would like to introduce you to Li Sixuan, president of the Shenhua City Chamber of Commerce. His chamber is our Azure Lane Commander Academy's largest partner; all the commission missions for second-year students are issued by them, so you should thank him for the missions you will later receive."

As the Prince of Wales's voice rang out, a middle-aged man stood up, waved to the cadets below, and at the same time thunderous applause erupted from the ground.

"The second is the director-general of our Maritime Affairs Bureau, Qinglong, director of the Shenhua City Maritime Affairs Bureau. After you graduate from the Commander Academy, the Maritime Affairs Bureau where Director Qinglong works will be your largest trading and commission hub, as well as your information consolidation center." The Prince of Wales indicated Qinglong as she introduced him.

Qinglong stood up, adjusted his glasses, nodded to the crowd, and then sat down amidst the thunderous applause.

The Prince of Wales smiled slightly at Qinglong, then pointed her hand toward the third person: "You may know less about this one; she has long been active on the front lines of the battle against the Sirens, leading many commanders and the free shipgirls in fighting the Sirens—she is the Frontline Command commander of the Donghuang Navy Department, Enterprise!"