Chapter 87: The Fruits of the Siren Tide

Writing a book is not something that can be done overnight; during this period I need to consult countless sources and also seek advice from many shipgirls or commanders who have experienced battle.

However, because we are at the academy, it is not easy to find commanders who have seen battle, but shipgirls who have seen battle are easy to come by.

After all, every shipgirl who can teach at the Commander Academy has undergone the baptism of the battlefield, and only then does she have the qualifications and experience to take up a teaching post there.

Moreover, thanks to Prince of Wales's special approval, I don't have to attend other courses while writing the book, so during this period my life basically follows a fixed routine.

In the morning I get up and do my exercises, then I head straight to the library, while my few shipgirls go to the Grand Lecture Hall for class. When the shipgirls finish their lessons, they return to the library to call me for a meal; after eating, we go back to the library to continue looking up materials.

Occasionally I also run next door to Mikasa or A Furore to seek advice. However, if Qin Ge could choose, he would rather go to Mikasa more often, because going to A Furore means she will drink with him each time, and after drinking he gets dizzy and can't write.

Moreover, because I often overuse my brain, I easily fall asleep at my desk while writing. Several times it was Belfast who came to wake me up, or Banrenma.

Whenever this happens he gives an apologetic smile, shakes his somewhat dazed head, and continues his work.

September passed in this effort, slipping away from his fingertips, and October followed.

The arrival of October also signifies the coming of the annual Siren Tide. This year's Siren Tide was not delayed either; in the first few days of October, the grand fleets of all major cities sensed the omens of the Siren Tide's arrival.

The number of Siren warships in the coastal defense zone increased, and from time to time news came that small fishing villages along the shore had been attacked by Siren warships.

Finally, on the eighth day of October, the Siren army spread across the sky and appeared outside the defense zones of the grand fleets near each city, and the bloody battle opened its curtain.

Even Qin Ge, while at the Commander Academy, could hear the cannon fire from the distant sea and smell the gunpowder lingering in the air.

Although the academy's courses continued, these days many people had no heart to study, because the real war was taking place not far from where they attended class.

When the gunfire started, it lasted for nearly half a month. During that half month, Qin Ge's grand lecture hall had only first- and second-year commanders.

Other commanders who came to sit in on the Grand Lecture Hall did not show up; Qin Ge did not know how many of the commanders who often listened to his lectures would survive after this Siren Tide, but he believed that good news would surely arrive.

As expected, at the end of October Prince of Wales summoned him to his office and personally told him the news.

"How is the book writing going lately?" Prince of Wales said to Qin Ge, who had sat down.

"Not bad; everything is progressing smoothly, and I have already finished volume one." Qin Ge said to Prince of Wales.

"Good!" Prince of Wales nodded with a smile.

"Seeing how pleased the dean looks, there must be good news," Qin Ge asked, looking at Prince of Wales's smile.

"Yes, I called you here first to ask how your book writing is going, and second to tell you about our Donghuang's situation in this Siren Tide." Prince of Wales said.

"How is it? Are the losses serious?" Qin Ge asked anxiously.

"In this Siren Tide, the grand fleets within the Shenhua City area completely held off the Siren offensive, and the casualty rate dropped by more than twice compared to last year." Prince of Wales said excitedly.

"More than twice?" Qin Ge nodded.

Prince of Wales smiled at Qin Ge and said, "What's wrong? Shouldn't you feel happy about such casualties? This is all thanks to you; in this battle your Triangle Defense Tactic was used to the fullest extent. Even some small grand fleets succeeded in annihilating the Siren fleets in their respective areas, achieving unprecedented success."

Qin Ge smiled at Prince of Wales and said, "Although I know soldiers shouldn't have such emotions, although the casualty ratio has decreased, behind those numbers are still lives. I know war means death, but when this scene is placed before me, my heart still feels uneasy."

Prince of Wales nodded and said, "Actually, your feeling is what a normal person would have, after all these are individual living beings. However, this is also true in the vicinity of Shenhua City; in other coastal cities the casualties are about the same as last year."

"That's why I say this is because of you. Because you and they have received the most suitable defensive tactics and have gained confidence in victory, I hope you will devote all your energy to writing during this period."

"Don't worry; once I finish the division of writing, I can publish a volume first." Qin Ge nodded and said.

"Very good; when you finish the work, give it to me. I will review it, and if there are no problems I will directly send it to the research area next to our academy for printing. Let's try to get these books into the hands of the commanders of all grand fleets as soon as possible, so that they can have the same strategy and tactics as the commanders of Shenhua City in future wars." Prince of Wales said.

"Understood." Qin Ge nodded, then suddenly remembered something and said to Prince of Wales, "After I finish this book, I want to start accepting commissions like the second-year students."

"Oh? You want to leave the academy?" Prince of Wales wondered.

"Yes, because my shipgirls have all passed the first breakthrough, and Banrenma and Nengdai are almost ready for the second breakthrough."

"When I finish writing this book to a decent level, they should also have completed the second breakthrough according to my estimate, so based on the strength of the second-year students I calculate that I can also accept commission missions."

"Furthermore, many tactics must be tested on the battlefield to verify their feasibility, so this is necessary for me." Qin Ge said to Prince of Wales.

Prince of Wales nodded repeatedly after hearing Qin Ge finish, saying, "Indeed, many tactics must be verified through countless real combat trials. I understand your desire to take on commissions; when you finish this book, come find me directly and I will arrange it for you."

"Then thank you, dean." Qin Ge smiled.

"No need to thank me; all this is for Donghuang and for Azure Lane." Prince of Wales said.

"Yes, for Azure Lane!"