Chapter 741: Arrival at Iron Blood

The time spent in the Northern Union wasn't long; after all cooperation talks were finished, Qin Ge had everyone prepare to set sail.

The New Year was drawing near, and the Spring Festival was approaching quickly; we had to finish the meetings with the major factions early so we could return to the port area sooner.

On the pier, Soviet Russia looked at Qin Ge and said, "Comrade Commander Qin Ge, you're really energetic—just arrived at the Northern Union less than a week ago and you're already leaving. Can't you stay a bit longer? According to the news I received, the Soviet Alliance has already prepared to return from Saint Petersburg."

Qin Ge smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Time is tight; we still have to go to Iron Blood, Iris, Sardinia, White Eagle, and then Donghuang and Sakura Empire as well. That's why that matter has been put on hold."

That matter naturally refers to the secret room; Soviet Russia also knows about it.

"Well, we'll keep in touch at any time; once the polar ice and snow melt next year, we'll prepare to conduct exploration." Soviet Russia said.

"Certainly." Qin Ge nodded, "When we have time later, we'll definitely come back to disturb the Northern Union again; this time we'll stop here."

"Alright, I won't try to keep you. Then farewell—wish you smooth sailing, Comrade Commander Qin Ge." Soviet Russia nodded and said.

"Goodbye."

Qin Ge gave a military salute to Soviet Russia, then turned and boarded the command ship with the shipgirls, heading toward the next faction.

Actually, when traveling from the Royal Navy to Riga, we had once passed through Iron Blood territorial waters and encountered an Iron Blood patrol. But since the plan was to go to the Northern Union, we only exchanged a quick greeting before leaving.

This special trip didn't take long; by evening we had arrived at the Iron Blood port city of Holstein, which is Kiel, the German port city in Qin Ge's world.

Kiel is the capital of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany, located on Kiel Bay of the Baltic Sea, 11 kilometers from the sea entrance. It is the port where the Iron Blood fleet's naval headquarters is currently stationed.

Although the port was still swirling with heavy snow, Qin Ge and his group felt the fundamental difference between Iron Blood and the Northern Union as soon as they disembarked.

In the Northern Union, the shipgirls, flags, and personnel mostly wear white clothing, but Iron Blood is different—red and black are the standard colors here.

Qin Ge had actually anticipated this, since he could tell from the uniforms of his Iron Blood shipgirls. But expecting it and actually seeing it are two completely different feelings, just like now.

The one receiving Qin Ge was Bismarck; although she had just taken over the Iron Blood recovery and reconstruction work after returning from the North Atlantic NA sea area, his arrival still made her drop her work immediately to come greet him.

This reception will have a profound impact on Iron Blood's future direction and prospects; it must not be taken lightly.

"Welcome, Commander Qin Ge and your fleet, to Iron Blood. I hope you enjoy these few days here." Bismarck looked at Qin Ge shaking her hand and said in a very formal tone.

"I've long wanted to come to Iron Blood; this trip fulfills my wish." Qin Ge smiled and said, then immediately saw the honor guard lined up behind Bismarck.

Although they stood in the wind and snow, each person held the Iron Blood flag firmly, without any wavering.

This familiar scene inevitably gave Qin Ge a sense of intimacy; he had done the same before, but back then it wasn't snowing—it was raining.

"But Bismarck, isn't this ceremony a bit over the top…?" Qin Ge said with a smile.

"I don't think it's too much at all; in fact, because Iron Blood is currently rebuilding and can't mobilize more personnel, this kind of ceremony would be too low for Commander Qin Ge." The Iron Blood Prince Eugen beside him smiled and said.

"Prince Eugen is right; please come this way, Commander Qin Ge. Let me show you the bearing of our Iron Blood troops' honor guard." Bismarck smiled and said.

"Better to obey than to show respect."

Following beside Bismarck, Qin Ge walked with her on the red carpet, accepting the honor guard's etiquette, heading toward the port exit. Meanwhile, the shipgirls followed behind the two of them together with Prince Eugen.

"I've chosen the place for you, Commander Qin Ge, and your shipgirls to rest: the VIP reception hall nearest the Iron Blood headquarters, which will also make it easier for us to communicate over the next few days. Commander Qin Ge, what do you think?"

"As the guest follows the host's arrangements; since we are here as guests, whatever you arrange, we'll trouble you, Bismarck."

"Hehe, although we fought together before, the time I've spent with Commander Qin Ge hasn't been long, but thinking about how another me could get along so well with him, he must be a very straightforward person. Upon meeting today, indeed he is."

"Ha, straightforwardness doesn't quite describe it; you know I was originally a soldier, so military discipline shaped me and gave me this habit."

"He really has personal charm; no wonder even another me already has the Oath Ring on hand."

"Cough, your observation is too keen."

"There's no way around it; she's always by your side, and facing the world's only same-named ship makes it hard not to notice. So I was thinking, if we swapped places—I'd be in your fleet and she'd be the leader of Iron Blood—would I also be like her?"

"I suppose there would be differences; although you're both same-named vessels, each person's experiences differ, leading to different choices."

"Probably, but you should be more confident in yourself."

Bismarck and Qin Ge chatted and laughed as they walked to the vehicle prepared for reception.

"Commander Qin Ge, you and your shipgirls should first return to the reception hall to rest; tonight there is a banquet specially prepared for you, and I will have someone notify you when the time comes—please be sure to attend." Bismarck said.

"Hmm, thank you."

After shaking hands, under the escort of the guard unit, Qin Ge and the shipgirls boarded a special car and left the port. After a while, they arrived in front of a luxurious hotel.

Qin Ge got out of the car and looked around; not far from the hotel he saw an office area flying the Iron Blood faction's flag, which must be the Iron Blood headquarters that Bismarck had mentioned earlier.

"Ha, sure enough, that's Iron Blood's style—directly bringing us near the headquarters." The disembarking King George V also saw this and immediately smiled and said.

"That's good; in the coming days, when we discuss cooperation, we won't have to go so far." Enterprise smiled and said.

"Actually, doing business with Iron Blood is probably the simplest, after all our person in charge is Bismarck—no one understands Iron Blood's future plans better than she does." Weineito smiled and said.

Bismarck didn't answer, but instead looked at Qin Ge.

"Cough, we'll talk about that later; everyone first tidy up your rooms, rest a bit, then change into formal attire—tonight Iron Blood has a welcome banquet." Qin Ge said.

"Understood, Commander."