Chapter 47: Oath

As the Enterprise, dressed in a black naval cloak, stood up, the students below burst into a round of warm applause, the applause so loud it drowned out the applause for the two speakers before.

People always admire heroes, and especially those who grope forward in difficulty always need a benchmark for themselves; the Enterprise can frankly say she is that benchmark.

She nodded to the crowd below, her bearing full of composure and confidence, but when she sat down, her eyes swept over the most conspicuous Qin Ge on the podium.

At this moment Qin Ge was looking at the Enterprise; their gazes met in the air, and each involuntarily gave the other a nod, after which the Enterprise sat down.

"I can see you're excited; I know you all want to go to the front line, to the most dangerous place to fight, but only the elite, the elite of the elite, are needed there. Those who go there are at least field‑officer‑rank elites, and the Enterprise is the one who, together with the front‑line generals, commands the commanders and shipgirls over there."

The Prince of Wales paused here, her face stern as she looked at all the commanders, and said, "So you must become the elite of the elite before you can fight side by side with her. Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!"

For a moment, the deafening sound pierced the heavens—this was a vow of hot‑blooded resolve, and also the oath of a band of dream‑chasers!

"Excellent! Your fighting spirit tells me I believe someone among you will indeed go to the front line and fight side by side with the Enterprise." The Prince of Wales nodded and smiled.

"Now, all new commanders, rise! Follow me, and together swear allegiance to the fluttering Azure Lane flag and the Donghuang flag." The Prince of Wales said to everyone.

Everyone rose at once, turned to face the Azure Lane and Donghuang flags fluttering to the side. Of course, this included Qin Ge on the stage!

"I swear I will voluntarily join the Azure Lane and become a commander. I am determined to uphold and defend the peace of the seas, to prevent invasion by the Sirens, I must be loyal and diligent, do my utmost to safeguard the freedom and glory we have always cherished, together with my shipgirl, to guard my world—may courage and strength be with me!"

Shouting these words passionately, Qin Ge momentarily felt dazed, recalling that at this same time last year, when he had just entered the Naval Command Academy, he and his comrades had likewise shouted those oaths loudly before the national flag.

This moment was just like that one—same fervent ambition, same surging hot blood. Although this is not his world, Qin Ge felt that at this instant he had gained a thread of connection to it.

After the oath was finished, everyone sat down, and the Prince of Wales said to all, "Congratulations on becoming a true commander, and at the same time a true first‑year student of the Azure Lane Commander Academy; you are now an honorable private."

Now it's time to meet your instructors at the school.

Amid the expectant gazes of the freshmen, the Prince of Wales turned to the instructor's platform and told the students, "These are your instructors, responsible for teaching your various subjects: the Battleship course instructor Mikasa, the Aircraft Carrier course instructor Lan Li, the Destroyer course instructor Female General, the Cruiser course instructor A Furore, the Submarine and Battlefield Self‑Rescue Hygiene course instructor Assaulter, the Physical Training course instructor Malilan, the Discipline course instructor Miaogao, and, like you, a fellow freshman serving as assistant instructor for the Strategy and Tactics course, Qin Ge!"

And also the many senior shipgirls and people who serve your studies and life.

As the Prince of Wales called the names, Mikasa and the others rose one by one to greet the applause, but when it came to Qin Ge, the crowd hesitated before clapping. At that moment, on the VIP seats opposite the instructor's bench, Enterprise and Qinglong's gazes also stalled, and they both turned to look at Qin Ge.

Enterprise had already been curious about Qin Ge sitting on the instructor's bench, but no matter how she thought, she never imagined Qin Ge would be the assistant instructor for the Strategy and Tactics course. Now, hearing the Prince of Wales say it, her surprise was evident—after all, she is on the front line and knows well how vital strategy and tactics are in a campaign.

Although she harbored many doubts, she did not interrupt the Prince of Wales's speech, for she had only just arrived at the Azure Lane Commander Academy today, and compared to the Prince of Wales, who has been here longer, her knowledge is limited.

Since lack of understanding means no right to speak, Enterprise decided to wait until after the meeting and then ask the Prince of Wales for specifics on Qin Ge's situation.

Next came the instructors' representative speech, then the students' representative speech; the opening ceremony, amid the Prince of Wales's remarks, finally reached its conclusion.

"After the opening ceremony ends, all first‑year new commanders will remain behind; afterwards Ninghai and Ping Hai will take you to the construction yard for initial shipbuilding, and the Cube and supplies will be distributed there. Once construction is finished, settle your shipgirls, begin formal classes tomorrow, and finally I wish you success in the Big Build—dismissed!" The Prince of Wales said to the commanders below.

"Oh!"

With a sound like mountains and seas roaring, the opening ceremony formally ended; afterwards Qin Ge rose and followed Mikasa toward the faculty area.

Meanwhile, after seeing off the Chamber of Commerce President Li Sixuan, the Prince of Wales brought Qinglong and Enterprise together to her office.

Upon entering the office, the Prince of Wales brewed tea for the two while smiling and asked, "Just say what's on your mind; you've been hesitant all the way, which isn't like your usual selves."

Enterprise and Qinglong exchanged glances, and Enterprise spoke: "Prince of Wales, although you are no longer on the front line, I believe that as president of the Azure Lane Commander Academy you now understand even better how vital strategy and tactics are to a campaign. Moreover, I believe your appointment of Qin Ge as assistant instructor for the Strategy and Tactics course has your reasons, but I still want you to explain exactly what talent he possesses that led you to make this appointment."

The Prince of Wales smiled, placed the black tea before the two, and said, "Let me ask you one thing: in a battle, what do you think is most important for both sides?"

Enterprise and Qinglong glanced at each other, "Intelligence!" they said, "What does that have to do with Commander Qin Ge?"

The Prince of Wales smiled and said, "Back when we realized how important intelligence was, how much had we already gone through?"

"This…" Qinglong was momentarily speechless.

Enterprise's gaze sharpened: "We only found that out after we engaged the Sirens in our first large‑scale fleet action."

"Exactly." The Prince of Wales smiled, "When I posed this question to Qin Ge, he had no hesitation and blurted it out immediately."