Chapter 972: Departure, Into the Pacific Depths

Looking at the mirror, Belfast was carefully tidying up, Qin Ge smiled and said, "This scene is very familiar; I remember that every time we sortie, you always help me tidy up like this."

"If I may, I wish my tidying for you, Master, were for the sortie and would always stay as it was last time. Moreover, Master, this time is truly too dangerous—have you really decided to go to the front line with everyone?" Belfast's voice carried a rare hint of worry.

Obviously, Belfast also knew about this distribution of power and understood Qin Ge's intent. However, as his personal maid and his marriage ship, she did not want Qin Ge to take such a great risk.

"But this battle is for the entire harbor; as commander, I should fight side by side with you on the front lines, not just wait every day for your battle reports."

"This isn't a lack of trust in you, nor am I trying to show off; this time it concerns the fate of the world, so I hope you can understand." Qin Ge said.

"Geez, you've said all that, Master, what else can I say?" Belfast said helplessly; in fact she also knew her advice wouldn't have any effect.

She knew Qin Ge's nature too well: once he decides, he never changes, and especially for such a critical decision, this trait is carried out to the fullest.

"Heh, probably the person who knows me best in this harbor is you, and sometimes I even feel that my self‑understanding falls short of yours." Qin Ge chuckled, "Don't say that anymore; besides, with you by my side, and Yujin and the others, under this protection I'm absolutely at ease. Rest easy—nothing will happen."

"Yes."

For Qin Ge, his reliance was not just this; in his conversation with that person, he had already been spoiled about the experiment. Thus his understanding of the experiment's result is what led him to make such a bold decision.

Moreover, Yujin has been able to contend with the Arbitration Agency for so long; while individual strength might not match theirs, letting him be killed by the enemy amid ten thousand troops is absolutely impossible.

After they were fully equipped, the two walked along the harbor's concrete road toward the port, seeing no one along the way. This time basically all usable forces of the harbor were deployed; except for those handling harbor logistics and the laboratory, all forces had already gathered.

They didn't dawdle; upon reaching the port, they already heard the voices of the crowd.

However, as Qin Ge approached, the sound grew fainter until it disappeared, leaving only the waves continually lapping the harbor, proving this space had not been silenced by a mute spell.

"Is everyone here?" Qin Ge smiled and stepped forward, asking Yinlishabai, Yixian, Soviet Russia, and Hai Lun Na, who stood at the front.

"Reporting, Commander: all combat personnel of the harbor have assembled; please give orders." Soviet Russia said to Qin Ge.

"Hmm." Qin Ge nodded, then looked at the crowd and said, "This is still the first time, aside from festivals, that the Royal, Donghuang, and Northern Union have gathered so many people together, right?"

"I believe you already know our upcoming strategy; this time our side's force ratio will be relatively weaker, we may face greater pressure, and we might even come face‑to‑face with all the Arbiters—are you afraid?"

"No!"

The crowd replied in unison; though their voices were soft, they revealed immense resolve.

"Good, I trust you, and I also trust the White Eagle, Iron Blood, and Sakura Empire far away. This battle is not only our harbor's fight, nor merely the previous sea‑clearing operations we've done."

"This battle aims to enter the Pacific's core region, freeing the entire ocean from the grasp of those three, and restoring it to humanity's control."

Besides our harbor, the ship girls of other factions also reached out to us; they have nearly gathered their strongest forces to accomplish this world‑watched battle.

Therefore, we can only win, not lose, for we have only this chance. So I hope everyone fights bravely on the forthcoming battlefield, fulfills the orders of their squad leaders and the fleet flagship, and while protecting themselves, achieves the maximum combat results.

"And I will be with you as well!"

Warm applause quickly spread from the crowd; Qin Ge, seeing their sincere smiles, couldn't help but smile himself. Although he had much to say, after thinking it over he ended up stating only the purpose of this operation.

At the very least, this time he is following along with everyone.

The applause lingered for a long time before gradually fading; finally Qin Ge told the crowd, "Then let's begin now—board the ships and set out!"

"Yes!"

Since most of this time will be spent in combat, few command ships are equipped; including Qin Ge's, there are only four or five in total.

Like the Prince of Wales‑class battleship, which had already deployed its hull on the sea surface early on, allowing its squad members to board.

Thus the whole fleet looks enormous; with destroyers, cruisers, battleships, and carriers surrounding it, Qin Ge's command ship is tightly embraced within, making it quite safe.

As the fleet sailed not far from the harbor, a task force from Donghuang, Sakura Empire, and the Northern Union also joined, and the great throng proceeded toward the distant core waters of the Pacific.

…………

"Dream Weaver, their deployment is already in place; everyone has set out from the polar regions and the harbor, advancing toward our core area."

"However, there is an interesting phenomenon: the force of the fleet where Qin Ge, the commander, is stationed is far weaker than the fleet that rushed from Hawaii." The Observer turned to the Dream Weaver beside him and said.

"What about the Yujin force beside him?" the Dream Weaver asked softly.

"Most of them are Royal Yujin; of course, overall strength is still stronger on his side." the Observer replied.

"Let's begin according to the original plan." the Dream Weaver said softly.

"Hehe, do you really want to let this perfect opportunity slip by? If you now send out all the Arbiters, you could completely suppress or even destroy his fleet; then the stronger fleet on the other route would be unable to reach him, and we could only nibble at it bit by bit." the Observer laughed and said.

"No need; according to the current situation, using the Laplace Demon also counts, and no matter which method we take, the result is the same, so we should just carry out the original plan."

"Understood!"