Chapter 842

Perhaps a fox's nose is more sensitive; at least Qin Ge felt that way. He had barely exchanged a few words with Wuzang when Tiancheng and the others came over.

However, Akagi and Kaga were not among those who arrived; I heard they went to discuss matters with the Sakura Empire faction. Although they are no longer leaders here, their fame and prestige remain, so the Sakura Empire's senior leadership had to give them face.

Leisure time passed quickly; the afternoon flew by. Since the banquet invited by Zhang Men would start in the evening, after lunch Qin Ge returned to his room, rested a bit, changed into his commander's uniform, and then went to the banquet venue with the shipgirls.

Qin Ge originally thought the banquet would be at the shrine where Zhang Men was, but it turned out not to be; instead, it was held in a hotel controlled by the Sakura Empire's Maritime Affairs Bureau. Speaking of which, a shrine is a solemn and sacred place, indeed unsuitable for hosting such a welcome banquet.

As Qin Ge had expected, although Zhang Men initiated the banquet, the host was actually Biyu, just like in Qin Ge's home port.

The attending shipgirls Xianghe and Zuikaku, among others, were dressed in fine attire, clearly taking this welcome banquet very seriously; as for Zhang Men, she always wears her eternal shrine maiden outfit, so perhaps it would be difficult for someone like her to don formal wear.

"Welcome, Commander Qin Ge, to the welcome banquet in Chongqing, but those insignia on you look rather intimidating." Zuikaku greeted with a smile, and upon seeing the insignia Qin Ge wore, she exclaimed in surprise.

"Yeah, at a glance, among the Nine Major Factions, aside from lacking our Sakura Empire's highest honor medal, we've already collected the honor medals of all other factions—an achievement no one has ever had before, not even us shipgirls."

"That said, Commander Qin Ge truly deserves such honor; if it weren't for your rescue last time, the Sakura Empire's situation would likely be ten thousand times worse than expected." Xianghe nodded, feeling deeply.

"Heh, since my commander is already excellent, shouldn't Sakura Empire also show something? After all, the other eight major factions have already given their corresponding honors; if Sakura Empire doesn't, it would be hard to justify."

At that moment, Akagi, holding a wine cup, walked over from the other side, her gaze toward Xianghe and Zuikaku full of teasing.

"Oh my, aren't you our senior? The matters you spoke of are internal affairs; we will decide after careful consideration. And as you are now a shipgirl serving Commander Qin Ge, to the Sakura Empire you count as an outsider, so it's better to restrain yourself a bit." Xianghe looked at Akagi and retorted without any politeness.

"Hmph, your mouth is still as stubborn as ever." Akagi frowned.

"This is also thanks to your education, senior—you just brushed off your duties and left the post you were supposed to guard; otherwise, how could we juniors possibly have reached this position?" Xianghe said with a laugh, the resentment in her tone making Qin Ge break out in a sweat.

But he couldn't interject now, after all Akagi had left the Sakura Empire—though it was her own decision, Qin Ge also played a part; saying anything now would just add fuel to the fire.

"Hmph, I'm just seeking something more real; and if I weren't here, do you think my commander would rush to aid the Sakura Empire at a moment's notice? The losses the Sakura Empire would suffer then would be even greater than now."

"Therefore, even though I have left the Sakura Empire, I am still protecting it; unlike some juniors who stay in their posts yet have caused the Sakura Empire's strength to plummet." Akagi likewise showed no weakness, firing back.

"Ugh." Watching the two of them, Qin Ge felt a headache. Just as he wondered whether he should still be standing here, a smiling figure approached—it was the host of this Sakura Empire banquet, Biyu.

「Excuse me for interrupting your mood, the banquet is about to start. If you two have anything left unsaid, you can wait until the opening ceremony finishes, then find a place privately to chat slowly. 」 Biyu said to Akagi and Xianghe, who were exchanging snide remarks.

Then, ignoring Akagi and Xianghe's reactions, he turned his gaze to Qin Ge, 「Qin Ge Commander, Lord Zhang Men wishes to thank you for leading the Fleet in aiding the Sakura Empire, so at this banquet he will confer upon you the Sakura Empire's highest honor, the Sakura Empire Medal Grand Cordon, so please excuse me a moment and come with me to the center to open the entire banquet. 」

Qin Ge smiled and said, 「Thank you very much for Lord Zhang Men's kindness, and also thank you very much for Biyu's information. Then let's go together. 」

「Alright, please this way, Qin Ge Commander. 」 Biyu smiled and then led Qin Ge away from this place of constant dispute.

The two arrived at the banquet venue's high platform. Afterwards, Biyu took the microphone and said to the venue, 「Welcome everyone to attend the Sakura Empire's this time for, welcome the banquet prepared by Qin Ge Commander. Actually this banquet should have been held earlier, but due to some delays, it can only be held formally now. 」

When the enemy first attacked, the Sakura Empire suffered huge losses; if it weren't for Qin Ge Commander leading the shipgirls to appear in time, the Sakura Empire's losses would have been even greater than now.

Therefore, to thank Qin Ge Commander, merely holding this banquet for him is insufficient to express the Sakura Empire's respect for him. Our Miko Lord Zhang Men, after deliberation among the high ranks, prepares to confer upon Qin Ge Commander the Sakura Empire's highest medal as a reward.

This is the Sakura Empire's highest respect, and also to commend Qin Ge Commander's selfless dedication and brave combat's noble quality. Now let us welcome Lord Zhang Men.

After a round of applause, Zhang Men, dressed in a shrine maiden's outfit, slowly walked from the rear of the venue to the stage's high platform, then stood before Qin Ge, holding a small box in her hands.

Only see her open the box, revealing a shining gold medal inside, with five-colored petals bearing the Sakura Empire's insignia; this is the Sakura Empire's highest medal, the Medal Grand Cordon.

「I, as the Sakura Empire's Miko, today representing the entire Sakura Empire, confer upon Qin Ge Commander the highest honor medal. I hope this medal, bearing the Sakura Empire's respect, can thank Qin Ge Commander for his contributions to the Sakura Empire. I also hope this medal can continue to motivate Qin Ge Commander to press forward bravely in battle, and to uphold the core of the Azure Lane. 」

Zhang Men, holding the medal, spoke very solemnly to Qin Ge. Qin Ge, too, was moved by the scene and returned a military salute to Zhang Men.

Immediately, Zhang Men placed the medal on Qin Ge's chest; however, because Qin Ge is relatively tall, Zhang Men had to tiptoe, which looked somewhat cute and comical, but the result was good.

「Hehe, the awarding ceremony is complete; now the time belongs to everyone, I hope you have a pleasant night! 」