Chapter 792: New Year's Eve

As Spring Festival draws nearer, the festive atmosphere in the port area grows stronger.

After finishing work together with Xin ze xi, Qin Ge chose to stroll around the port area with her, checking the current decorations, which also counted as a patrol.

However, while strolling, there was still someone following the two of them, never leaving their side.

"Vanguard, aren't you tired following me like this?" Qin Ge said helplessly, turning his head to look at Vanguard.

"Ha, how could I be tired? As the commander's Imperial Guard Knight, protecting the commander's safety is my greatest mission. Lately I've sensed the Purifiers approaching; although it's said she gets along well with the port area, we still need to guard against the Sirens." Vanguard laughed.

Qin Ge felt helpless. "But I already have Xin ze xi by my side; even if the Purifiers dare to act in the port area, they can't harm me."

"The Xin ze xi Academy, but as the commander's Secretary Ship, she's responsible for handling various affairs for the commander, so she may not always stay by his side; therefore my presence is necessary." Vanguard said.

"Hehe, Commander, Vanguard is quite right; when I went to deliver documents, I indeed wasn't by your side, so having someone protect you is quite reassuring." Xin ze xi said with a grin, obviously wanting to see Qin Ge's joke.

"Why are you also joining the fun… Well, anyway, there's nothing going on now; if you want to follow, just follow." Qin Ge still chose to compromise, after all Vanguard was concerned about him; he couldn't scold her and reject her concern.

Thus, the originally planned two people became three, walking together in the port area.

"This year's port area decorations are more elaborate than last year's; perhaps it's because there are more people?" Qin Ge asked.

"About right. I heard that last year our port area had only around two hundred people; adding a few other commanders and their ship girls brought the total to about three hundred. Moreover, several commanders took their ship girls home, so in the end it was just over two hundred.

"This year alone our port area has over five hundred people, although most commanders have already returned to Donghuang, it doesn't affect the headcount at all." Xin ze xi said.

"Actually I think it's mostly because, back when we were on Sun Moon Island, everyone's sense of belonging there wasn't very strong." Vanguard behind him said, "In the past few days I've also heard a lot from the Royal people, and I can somewhat feel that joy.

"For us, this place is something we built with our own hands, a place belonging to our own home. So when we celebrate the festival again, it naturally differs from other places."

Qin Ge glanced at Vanguard in surprise, "I didn't expect your observational skills to be so keen; treating this place as home? Indeed, that's the reason.

"As the commander's Imperial Guard Knight, one naturally needs keen observation and constant clear judgment." Vanguard said.

"Hey, that's indeed true; when traveling in other factions before, I also more than once wanted to return here." Xin ze xi said, smiling and nodding.

"Hmm, this is the homeland we forged together through our efforts; I believe that for any of us, this place is far more meaningful than elsewhere, and spending a reunion festival here is what makes it so lively." Qin Ge laughed.

"Alright, I think we shouldn't linger here with sentimentality; there are some interesting things ahead—shall we go check them out?" Vanguard said with a laugh.

"Heh, you're not the one responsible for my safety as an Imperial Guard Knight? By rights you should be most afraid of me going to crowded places, so why are you now letting me go to a crowded place?" Qin Ge teased.

"According to the knight's code, in crowded places the enemy hesitates and dares not act; only when one is truly alone is it the best time to strike. So these days we should minimize solo actions and go where there are crowds." Vanguard said solemnly.

"Heh, interesting. Alright, then let's do as you say—go where there are crowds." Qin Ge said, looking at the already eager Vanguard.

Qin Ge could naturally see Vanguard's little thoughts, but he didn't dislike them; he himself was sometimes slow and conservative, but that didn't mean he couldn't read others' minds.

Things like this have happened many times these days, and in the blink of an eye it's already New Year's Eve.

Early in the morning, Qin Ge got up from bed, which made Ou Gen Qin Wang, who still wanted to sleep in, a little dissatisfied.

"Xiao Xiong Xiong, why get up so early? It's still early; most people haven't risen yet."

Qin Ge turned his head with a smile, looking at Ou Gen Qin Wang and said, "Today, for me, counts as the last day of the year; naturally I need to get up a bit earlier—having a beginning and an end means truly finishing a year.

"Moreover, I still have a mission today. By the way, you also need to get up early; today's mission still requires you to come with me."

"Huh? Do you need my help? I don't know what kind of mission it is." Ou Gen Qin Wang asked.

"The people at the experimental field couldn't possibly all have come back, right? And since it's the big New Year, at the very least we should go console them. Bringing others along would really be inconvenient, so this important task falls to you." Qin Ge said.

"Hehe, so that's the reason. Earlier I heard from Persian Cat Sauce that the ones left behind at the experimental field this time were Peter Strasse and her group, and Persian Cat Sauce said they'd be back around noon today, so we should indeed go early.

"That way, after the commander finishes the consolation, he can also return together with them." Ou Gen Qin Wang said.

"So hurry up and get up; if you're any later, it'll be a bit late." Qin Ge laughed.

"Alright."

Although somewhat reluctant, Ou Gen Qin Wang still got up, tidied up with Qin Ge, had breakfast, made brief preparations, and then headed toward the port.

On the way he also ran into several ship girls, who, upon learning that Qin Ge was heading to the test field, all expressed their desire to go along.

Whether Qin Ge stopped them or not, the experimental field is a confidential key area for other factions or the city, but for the ship girls of our own fleet, it's always open.

Only because the Iron Blood faction is currently in charge there does it seem somewhat mysterious.

Just as Ou Gen Qin Wang had said, when Qin Ge's command ship arrived at the experimental field, Bisimai and the others were preparing to leave. Upon learning Qin Ge's purpose, Bisimai personally led him to the test field for consolation.

Afterward, Bisimai further took Qin Ge around the vicinity for a while, letting him truly feel the current changes at the experimental field.

"Perhaps we could open a training ground here? Use those mass-produced models as target ships for training?" Qin Ge asked Bisimai.

"Opening a training ground is feasible, but this place is responsible for researching the scientific ship girls, so it's not the best choice." Bisimai said.

"Then how about placing it on the neighboring island? The sea there should be suitable." Qin Ge pointed to a somewhat distant sea area on the other side.

"That works; next year other factions will gradually come over as well, and then training while monitoring will be open and aboveboard." Bisimai nodded.

"Heh, I never said that."