Chapter 826: Fulfilling a Wish

Qin Ge and the shipgirls walked onto the main road, heading toward the Reception House.

"The commander seems to have great faith in Donghuang," Wuzang said with a smile as they walked.

"Hehe, Lord Wuzang may not know, but the master has special feelings for Donghuang, and Donghuang treats the master very well too—this is mutually beneficial," Tiancheng replied.

"Is that so?" Wuzang turned his gaze toward the school, "So you used to study here and become the commander?"

Qin Ge nodded, "Yes, in the blink of an eye, more than four years have passed, and I've been away from the Academy for nearly three years. Things here are still familiar, but everything has changed."

"It's inevitable; besides the teachers, some joined the commander's Grand Fleet, while others scattered to various cities. But who knows how many remain after the last Siren Tide?" Weineituo said.

"I don't know." Qin Ge sighed, "I suddenly want to take a trip to Old Street; does anyone want to come with me?"

"Old Street? Are you wanting to go see Wan Lao and the others?" Lisailiu asked.

"Well, the Donghuang commander has suffered such heavy losses this time; they must have heard the news. If I keep not showing up, I fear the two old folks will be heartbroken."

"Although we can't stay long in Donghuang now, just going back to report that we're safe, keeping them company for a meal and a chat would surely be nice," Qin Ge said.

"Then should we go now, or later?" Tiancheng asked.

"Tomorrow then; today we'll count who's going, but we should keep the numbers low—too many would cause a commotion," Qin Ge said.

"I expect everyone will go, after all it's an outing with the commander, so it's best for the commander to decide," Bisimai said.

Qin Ge scratched his head, "That's true; let's go back and think it over before deciding."

"The commander doesn't need to worry too much, after all we'll be staying in Donghuang for about a month, so we have plenty of time. We can make a few trips; whatever's convenient works," Zhenhai said with a laugh.

"Hmm." Qin Ge nodded, "That's right; the scenery at Old Street is quite nice, so we can stroll around a few more times then."

"Hehe, hearing the commander say that, I've also become a bit interested," Wuzang said with a smile.

"Well, don't worry, you'll definitely be included."

Amid laughter and chat, everyone returned to the Reception House. Belfast had already tidied Qin Ge's room; it was still the same spot, still the same appearance.

"Phew, we're back; this place is really familiar." Qin Ge brushed the chair's backrest, smiling as he spoke.

"I suppose for the master, this place holds the deepest memories, right?" Belfast laughed.

"Yes, everything started here; although we didn't initially live in this house, we did stay here for a long time." Qin Ge smiled and said, "This time coming back lets us reminisce; next time we don't know when we'll be able to return."

"If the master wants to come back, we can accompany you then; Guandao isn't far from here—just a few days' journey—and our fleet is already formed, so returning here wouldn't be all that difficult, would it?" Belfast said.

Qin Ge laughed and shook his head, "But I think there won't be time later."

Just as Song Qingge had told him before, the previous Siren Tide was merely an appetizer, or rather just a prelude. The Guardian Plan has already unfolded, and his fleet's strength is rapidly developing, undergoing a qualitative change.

He can't stop even for a moment, and once the cooperation on steel with Donghuang and the Sakura Empire is settled, it will begin almost from the Northern Union's secret chambers, leading to nonstop battles.

Because there are only two ways to make progress: one is to strengthen one's own abilities, the other is to face various different challenges.

The Guardian Plan's current implementation is precisely the first stage, whose main purpose is to let Qin Ge's fleet strength develop rapidly, so as to meet the condition for entering the next battlefield.

The second stage is an endless series of trials; by accumulating experience through these trials, he continually hones his adaptability, ensuring that he can lead all the shipgirls to survive in the boundless Star Sea.

So the time ahead will only grow tighter, to the point that even dating the shipgirls becomes impossible. As for returning to Donghuang to revisit old haunts, that would be a luxury; hence the reason for staying this long in Donghuang is precisely this.

Perhaps this is his last visit to Donghuang; next time maybe only after the world's end.

"Are you saying, master, that everyone will keep inviting you, leaving you no free time?" Belfast laughed.

"I don't think so; even if everyone invites me, I can still make time. Rather, I feel our wars will only grow fiercer, so that even if we wanted to spare time, we couldn't." Qin Ge walked and laughed.

"No matter what, let's consider this the end of all our longings, a closure for past affairs."

Belfast's eyes shifted slightly; she suddenly felt that Qin Ge might be hiding something from her. But what could it be?

Almost everything that happens in the Gangqu she knows about, except for some circumstances and the private matters of other shipgirls; but what could cause Qin Ge to show such an expression now, and what will happen afterward?

"What are you saying, master? Our future time is still long; even if later events drag us down, if not in a year, then perhaps in two, three, or even four years."

"When the time comes, accompanying you back here again would also be nice, right? I believe the Prince of Wales Dean is willing to keep this place open, waiting for your return." Belfast said.

"Well, maybe." Qin Ge chuckled, "Let's not talk about that for now; we'll rest a bit, and tonight Yixian still has prepared a welcome party."

"All right, master."

Time flew by; when Qin Ge came to his senses, it was already getting late. With Belfast's service, he donned his commander's uniform and also pinned the badges conferred by the other major fleets onto his chest.

This time the banquet Donghuang is hosting isn't far; it's in the school's auditorium. Originally Yixian had planned to hold it at the Command Headquarters, but Qin Ge said the location was too remote, so better to hold it here.

Yixian had no choice but to agree; holding it here is also fine, after all both sides are very familiar with this place.

As night grew dark, the victory ceremony hosted by Donghuang finally began.