Chapter 704: Rest Time

As night fell across the entire Atlantic Ocean, the fleet led by Qin Ge sailed forward on the sea surface.

It was clearly visible that the fleet's overall speed had slowed down, including the fleets on both wings.

This was the order Qin Ge issued over the public channel, the point being to give the shipgirls who had fought for a day a buffer time to rest.

To him, the shipgirls were not weapons that could fight endlessly; they were more like comrades fighting side by side and family living together.

As people, they get tired and weary; although shipgirls do not show this over a long period, intense battlefields always affect some emotions.

Especially among the fleet there are many destroyers and light cruisers; prolonged combat will cause some of their morale to sink, making them more prone to injury.

Therefore, before encountering the enemy, this silent advance strategy is very suitable for a fleet that has just experienced a major battle.

Besides those on patrol, everyone has started eating; you should have something to eat too, Master. I heard from Miss Zhenhai that you haven't eaten all day." Belfast placed the food and tea on the table and respectfully said to Qin Ge.

Qin Ge did not decline; with no battle now, it was also a good time to rest. He then rose from beside the nautical chart and, under Belfast's gaze, came to the side of the dining table.

Looking at the food on the table, Qin Ge said somewhat surprised, 'Quite a feast. I recall, Belfast, you just returned to the command ship not long ago, right?'

'Yes, Master.' Belfast smiled and said.

Zhenhai, sitting beside the table, lifted her head to glance at Qin Ge and smiled, saying, 'This is definitely something Belfast brought back from Donghuang. Don't forget Ninghai's bold words from before.'

After being reminded by Zhenhai, Qin Ge couldn't help but smile, saying, 'Ninghai really is... hehe.'

During the time with White Eagle, Ninghai's cooking skills received universal praise, especially from Qin Ge.

After all, those few Donghuang shipgirls of ours are not particularly outstanding in cooking, which is why Qin Ge has heaped such praise on Ninghai's culinary talent.

And when Ninghai is happy, she promises to make more things for Qin Ge in the future, which is why we now have this table of dishes.

After sitting down, Qin Ge ate while saying to Zhenhai, 'Once this battle is over, I will definitely have Yixian and Ninghai built, so I won't have to watch others envy them.'

Zhenhai laughed and nodded, saying, 'Commander, that proposal is fine, but if the future Yixian and Ninghai knew the Commander was building them just for food, they might feel a bit hurt.'

Qin Ge smiled and said, 'Food is the paramount necessity of the people; eating is a matter of great importance.'

'Your eloquence as Commander is getting sharper, but you're no ordinary commoner,' Zhenhai said.

'Well, aside from being Commander, I'm just an ordinary human.' Qin Ge said with a smile, 'I have desires and appetites, and I've never claimed to be a saint.'

Just like other commanders, to gain great power I summon the main shipgirls; to satisfy my longing for beauty, I summon the existence I hold dear.

'Then who is it that you, Commander, currently hold dear? Don't say Guanghui, she's already your marriage ship, so name someone else.' Zhenhai said.

Qin Ge chuckled, 'What's so hard about that? It's far in the heavens, near at hand.'

'Oh? What about Belfast?' As for the answer to that question, Zhenhai did not show too much surprise.

Qin Ge shook his head and smiled, 'Why can't it be two people?'

Zhenhai blinked, then laughed, 'Hehe, Commander, you're getting more and more interesting, truly giving me some unexpected surprises.'

'That's not really a surprise, we've been together for such a long time, and in every battle you're by my side, helping me devise plans. Over time, our feelings naturally deepen.' Qin Ge smiled.

'So when you ask this question, you must have already guessed the answer, right?'

Facing Qin Ge's words, Zhenhai chuckled, 'I'm not a worm in the Commander's stomach, so I don't know what you're thinking; I'm just asking to confirm your idea.'

However, the people who fight side by side with you are not just me alone; this time, Commander, you owe many favors.

Qin Ge's expression stiffened, then he laughed, 'Indeed, it seems that the Oath Ring in the Gangqu office is far from enough.'

'It's not enough; ordinary commanders usually prepare several, and all the scarlet tip income from fleet missions goes to this place.'

'And the Commander has only given out one so far, and not because he couldn't afford it—truly a case of not knowing one's own blessings. Beware, if someone in Gangqu starts a rebellion, the Commander won't look good then.' Zhenhai said teasingly.

After hearing that, Qin Ge quickly shook his head, 'No way, a rebellion? I'm not some big landlord or earth emperor, and I haven't done anything wrong to everyone, so there shouldn't be any need for that.'

'Hehe, Commander, could it be that you forgot who tied you up in the office?'

'Or that you forgot who keeps giving you favors, preparing at all times night to ambush you.' Zhenhai smiled and said.

Upon hearing Zhenhai say that, Qin Ge suddenly recalled that there are indeed several people in Gangqu who have been eyeing him covetously.

He quickly said, 'I still have Bisimai, Emperor Frederick, Xin ze xi, and Enterprise; there shouldn't be any problem, right?'

'Haha, Commander, they can indeed block most people for you, but these individuals certainly do not include themselves—take Emperor Frederick as an example.'

When Zhenhai said this, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes, 'She is absolutely not what her outward appearance shows; she is like an abyss, and if you're not careful, you'll fall into her embrace.'

Moreover, in normal times, her performance is overly calm; just when she first appeared, she sparked the Commander's wave of reform in Gangqu.

After the Gangqu reform succeeded, however, she withdrew from the turmoil and displayed unusually calm behavior, truly puzzling to ponder.

Qin Ge shook his head, 'Zhenhai is being overly sensitive about Emperor Frederick; actually, I have my own judgment of her. She feels to me like…… well, a mother.'

Although saying that might seem a bit odd, she is excessively tolerant; although she is also strict in some aspects, tolerance still occupies the majority, just like a parent.

I am certain she is indeed plotting some things, but I believe that absolutely is not meant to harm me.

'Perhaps, after all, her attitude toward the Commander is completely different from ours.'

'Well, let's eat first, we can talk while eating.'

'Okay.'