Chapter 583: How to Become Stronger

After parting with Ou ruo la, Qin Ge paced to a place that had a very Sakura Empire architectural style.

Since this base was built by Qin Ge himself and its goal was for his own fleet, there were some considerations regarding accommodation.

Besides the communal dormitories, he also specially constructed several buildings each with the characteristics of their respective factions, such as this Sakura Empire-style building, as well as Royal European-style architecture, and Sardinian Empire Roman architecture, etc.

Although relatively few shipgirls reside here, they still like to come here for tea and rest when they have nothing to do.

Last night, Tiancheng told Qin Ge that she would be here this afternoon, asking him to come over for tea and a chat.

He reached out and knocked on the door, and a reply came from inside immediately: "My Lord?"

"Yes." Qin Ge had just spoken when the door opened. Before Qin Ge's eyes appeared a short-haired figure who looked very unruly—Luan.

"Good afternoon, Luan." Qin Ge said to Luan.

"Good afternoon, Commander." Luan said to Qin Ge, then stepped aside to let him in.

Qin Ge smiled, walked in from the space Luan had made, and saw Tiancheng kneeling at the edge of the table. However, what surprised him was that Akagi and Kaga were not there.

"My Lord, you look surprised—could it be because you noticed Akagi and Kaga aren't here?" Tiancheng immediately understood Qin Ge's thoughts and smiled as she said.

Qin Ge raised his hand embarrassedly and said, "No, it doesn't matter even if they were here."

Tiancheng smiled and said, "I know Akagi and Kaga have caused My Lord many troubles before; recently I have been educating them to correct themselves."

"Those two children are rather stubborn, and having always held high positions while growing up, they have developed that temperament; I hope My Lord will not take offense."

Qin Ge sat down and said, "I know, but sometimes I don't know how to gauge the proper degree in dealing with them."

"However, there is still plenty of time ahead, and I believe we will surely improve our relationship."

"My Lord, if you think that way, that's really great." Tiancheng said with a smile.

"Tea, Commander."

While the two were speaking, Luan poured a cup of tea from the side and placed it in front of Qin Ge.

"Thank you." Qin Ge smiled and said to Luan, then looked at Tiancheng: "By the way, I usually see Akagi and Kaga together with you; why are they suddenly not with you today?"

"The two of them went together to Saipan Island." Tiancheng replied: "The conference that My Lord and we held on Saipan Island earlier aroused great interest in them, and they also wanted to embark on a path different from before, so they are now actively participating in fleet affairs as well."

Qin Ge nodded in realization: "I wonder if their trip to Saipan Island isn't out of interest in mass-produced battleships? I suspect what sparked their interest is the test site established by Iron Blood."

"My Lord is correct." Tiancheng nodded.

Qin Ge couldn't help but chuckle: "Iron Blood, Northern Coalition, Sakura Empire—I hope this test site isn't too dangerous."

Tiancheng shook her head slightly: "That won't be the case; even if they have some dangerous ideas, they will still keep the entire test site within certain limits, after all, this test site is for their own fleet, not for the enemy."

Qin Ge nodded, turned his head to look at Luan: "Then why aren't you going, Luan?"

Luan shook her head: "I have no interest in that sort of thing; my greatest interest is becoming stronger. Originally I thought just following the prescribed path would suffice, but after joining the fleet and seeing Tiancheng and you, I feel that alone is not enough, so I am still exploring."

Tiancheng smiled: "Luan is the same; I have told her many times that to become stronger, one does not necessarily need to look at strength, but rather a broad-minded attitude and a firmer conviction."

"But she always feels that her own strength comes first; without strength, everything is illusory, so My Lord could give her some guidance."

Qin Ge chuckled: "Me giving Luan guidance? I'd probably just make things more confusing."

"No." Tiancheng smiled: "My Lord is someone who makes even me wholeheartedly convinced, so being a bit more confident is fine. Moreover, in Luan's heart, My Lord is also a very strong person."

"Am I a strong one?" Qin Ge looked at Luan in surprise.

"Yes, having experienced so many battles together. I have seen the Commander's performance on the battlefield. Moreover, even in battles where you were not together, I am clear about how your comrades evaluate you, so the Commander is a strong one, a person who is very powerful in battle." Luan said to Qin Ge.

Qin Ge then felt a bit embarrassed: "Thank you very much, but if I were to give you guidance, I'm afraid I couldn't even count off one, two, three, four."

"However, I think that for shipgirls, a person's strength is not absolute. For even if you are strong, you may not be able to accomplish certain things, nor can everything go smoothly."

"More important is the bond between comrades and the strength of unity."

"Take an ordinary battle as an example: Akagi should be considered a very formidable aircraft carrier; her Awakening level is stronger than anyone else in our fleet."

"But if we similarly encounter an enemy's main force aircraft carrier, I believe her single-person processing speed would definitely not be faster than that of three fully trained carrier shipgirls, or even four."

"Therefore, any strength is only under specific circumstances; even an unknown person has their own advantage."

"My Lord said that very well; I believe such words will surely enlighten Luan." Tiancheng smiled.

"Does the Commander mean I should go make friends with the weak?" Luan hesitated while looking at Qin Ge.

Qin Ge shook his head: "They are not weak; even the most ordinary destroyer, while inferior to you in firepower, is absolutely stronger than you in anti-submarine capability."

"So I think that expertise has its specialization; among shipgirls there is no weak one, only those who adapt to their respective fields."

Luan thought for a moment, raised her head and said to Qin Ge: "I will try to do that, if this really can make me stronger."

Qin Ge smiled: "Perhaps you will later enjoy the feeling of fighting alongside your comrades."

"Hopefully." Luan said half-believing, half-doubting.

"Hehe, I just said My Lord would surely answer Luan's question, cough cough..."

"What's wrong?" Qin Ge saw Tiancheng coughing and hurriedly moved closer to say.

"I've made My Lord worry; this is just an old ailment." Tiancheng shook her head.

"But you haven't coughed during this period before; otherwise we could go together to the Kitchen Goddess." Qin Ge said.

"It's fine; probably just a slight chill, resting a while will make it better," she said.

"Definitely don't push yourself."

"Yes, My Lord."