Chapter 527

As the conversation continued, Hood also let go of her initial restraint and sense of distance, becoming more open.

"Commander, how has work been lately?" Yan Zhan asked from the side.

Qin Ge looked over at Yan Zhan, seeing that although Verification was a bit shorter in stature than Hood and Guanghui and the others, sitting there she still lost none of her dignity.

"Work has actually become much easier lately; as our fleet's personnel grow, each person's responsibilities become more dispersed, so everyone only needs to handle a little thing for the base to run normally." Qin Ge said with a smile.

"Well, although we Royals and Iron Blood have some unpleasant memories between us, Emperor Frederick's methods are truly admirable." Yan Zhan said sincerely.

"Not only did you assist the Commander in keeping the whole piece orderly, but now the differences between factions are also very indifferent within our fleet."

Qin Ge nodded, "This is a very good phenomenon, isn't it? If we always maintain the faction barriers, then the Fleet's cooperation will be greatly reduced, just like the Nine Major Factions in this world."

Everyone, while developing, thinks about how to restrain the other's development and wants to increase their own faction's benefits. This is disadvantageous for the world as a whole, but they cannot change it, because nobody wants to be weaker than the other.

But our Fleet does not have this problem; at the very least I am here, and at the very least there are Emperor Frederick's methods.

"That's true." Guanghui nodded, "But Commander, aren't you afraid that Emperor Frederick will take away your authority?"

Qin Ge smiled, "Do I still have authority in front of you? I've never felt that way."

I'm not your superior; from the start, when I spoke to the Banrenma, I've always called them comrades.

Our relationship is that of comrades fighting side by side; nobody has higher authority than another, nor is anyone more special. It's only because of our physical differences and abilities that we have different divisions of labor.

If one day my ability becomes stronger than yours, I will definitely be on the front line, helping you block the wind and rain, just as you are now on the front line.

"Oh? Commander, have you always thought this way?" War-weary's eyes lit up as she said to Qin Ge.

"Of course." Qin Ge smiled, "Whether before, now, or in the future, my relationship with you will never be superior-subordinate; our relationship will always be equal, precisely because of that, so I can sit here and speak freely with you."

I think that at the beginning, the original intention of shipgirls cooperating with humans was just like this.

"Commander is a qualified gentleman, no wonder so many shipgirls from various factions are willing to gather around you." Hood said with an appreciative smile.

"Me too; equality, harmony, smiles—these should be the most beautiful things in the world. Indeed, staying by the Commander's side makes my mood improve every day." Victory said with a smile.

Qin Ge smiled, "As long as you feel happy, that proves that everything I've done is meaningful."

"But I have a question; could you please answer it truthfully, Commander?" Hood said with a smile.

Qin Ge nodded, "Of course, if I know the answer to the question."

"The Commander previously said we are comrades fighting side by side, and our relationship is equal, so the emotional relationship between us should also be equal."

"So I'm curious; the Commander said he's already twenty-five and will soon be twenty-six, so does he have a girl he likes?" Hood asked.

When Hood asked this question, Qin Ge froze momentarily, and then all the other shipgirls present turned their gazes to him.

Looking at Qin Ge's hesitation, Hood smiled and said, "If Commander feels it's difficult to answer this question, you can choose not to answer."

Perhaps because of this back-and-forth, Qin Ge felt embarrassed; he then came to his senses, looked at the others and said, "No, this question isn't difficult, or rather it's extremely simple."

After getting along with Guanghui and the others for so long, not liking them is impossible; it's just that now isn't the time to talk about these things.

Our Fleet is still developing; everything hasn't stabilized yet, we face many challenges, so I feel this matter isn't that important.

Moreover, getting along like this now is also good; everyone is very happy being together, and there's nothing inconvenient about it.

Although Qin Ge's answer said a lot, everyone understood his implied meaning. This also made them more curious: why does their Commander never dare to face this question directly?

Could it be that Qin Ge has a physical problem?

According to the Hearth Goddess's news, Qin Ge's body is very healthy, perhaps abnormally healthy; his daily morning and evening exercise keeps his physical condition very good.

Could there be some other reason? Even Guanghui and Belfast, who have followed Qin Ge for so long, don't know the reason.

But at this moment, no one pursued the question, and Guanghui skillfully redirected the topic to another direction.

Afterward, the tea party proceeded harmoniously until the sun set in the west and the evening clouds fell on the mountain peak; only then was this tea party considered to have ended satisfactorily.

And after it ended, Qin Ge did not choose to leave immediately; instead, he let Guanghui and the others leave first, while he stood on the edge of the cliff, looking down at the Gangqu and the distant beach.

He was asked this question again, and Qin Ge gave a somewhat helpless smile; it seemed that he had only told this answer to Enterprise alone. Now it seems Enterprise truly lives up to its name, not revealing a bit of the content.

But what should we do from now on?

The time I have left to spend with them is still long; although it's only a few decades, those few decades still need to be multiplied by 365 days.

And as my age continues to increase and my relationship with them deepens, by then this problem will eventually end up on the table.

When that time comes, how should we face it? Should we tell them the truth? Although this answer would be hurtful, it is also a fact.

Qin Ge's thoughts became a bit confused for a moment.

And just then, a voice appeared behind him.

"Commander, haven't you left yet?"

Qin Ge turned his head and saw Guanghui wearing a white dress, standing there prettily, with the familiar wide-brimmed hat on her head.

At that moment, standing under the blood-red sunset, her whole body was surrounded by layers of halo, making her beauty breathtaking.

"Guanghui? Didn't you send Hood and the others back?" Qin Ge asked doubtfully.

"Today is the Commander's tea party, not mine, so I'm also a guest. Moreover, leaving the Commander alone here makes me a bit uneasy." Guanghui said with a smile, a hint of mischief in it.

"This..."