Chapter 98

"Free Shipgirls like me are still more common on the Front Line, because battles break out more often there, and many times shipgirls like us are born after battles." Guanghui replied.

Qin Ge asked doubtfully, "I know that after battles, new shipgirls can sometimes emerge from the wreckage of the Sirens, but aren't those shipgirls usually taken back by the commanders who fought in the battle as their own shipgirls?"

Guanghui nodded. "That's right, but often after a battle ends, one must rush to the next battle. Since a shipgirl's birth takes time, many commanders can't wait that long and have to let the shipgirl arise on its own."

"I see." Qin Ge nodded; he could easily imagine that situation.

In the midst of battle with artillery blazing, a fleet that had just finished a battle received new orders. Because the situation was urgent, there was no time to clean up the battlefield before rushing to the next location; this happens often.

So, as Guanghui said, each shipgirl born from the aftermath of a battle needs time. When there is no time, many commanders prioritize missions, so newly born shipgirls end up ownerless.

"These shipgirls will search the sea for their commander, but if they can't find one, they will be taken in by the Front Line Zhi hui bu and become new Free Shipgirls."

"Of course, many Free Shipgirls on the Front Line also come from coastal areas; they are accustomed to war, and once their abilities reach a certain level, they head to new battlefields." Guanghui said.

"How are Free Shipgirls assigned?" Qin Ge asked.

"There are two ways to assign Free Shipgirls. One is to follow the Grand Fleet, station together with it, and obey the Grand Fleet commander's allocation. After battle, supplies are distributed according to the merits earned."

"However, such shipgirls usually have low proficiency, so following the Grand Fleet helps ensure their safety as much as possible."

"The other is to be unified under the Front Line General Headquarters for assignment; such shipgirls generally have high proficiency, because they usually carry out support missions, rescue missions, or annihilation missions."

"After battle, the General Headquarters gives them appropriate rewards based on their battlefield performance."

Guanghui said this very seriously, and his description made Qin Ge think of a word: mercenaries.

"They are not part of the regular forces, but can be hired using resources, money, and various means to carry out mission combat."

"Why don't these shipgirls look for a commander? After all, having a commander and a fleet would make their benefits and survival much better than before, right?" Qin Ge asked.

Guanghui smiled slightly. "It's not that we don't want to find a commander; it's just that after the fact, we lack those connections."

"Connections?" Qin Ge wondered.

"Exactly, after all, a commander is someone one must swear lifelong loyalty to, so when looking, many things must be considered." Guanghui explained.

"For example, whether the commander suits one's ideals, whether the commander's fleet has a namesake ship, whether the commander's strength can drive one to unleash their full potential, and so on."

"That's true, after all, shipgirls are girls no matter what; to pledge loyalty to a man, one must have high standards, just like choosing a boyfriend." Qin Ge said understandingly.

"Hehe, Qin Ge Commander's analogy isn't quite apt, but it's not far off." Guanghui said smiling.

Qin Ge scratched his head, "Please forgive my imagination; with my limited experience, I can only think of this."

"It's fine; actually what Qin Ge Commander said is just one kind, and of course there are other kinds of relationships." Guanghui patiently explained, "For example, like-minded friends, or trustworthy superiors and subordinates, or partners who match one's temperament, and so on."

"That's true; my earlier words were too narrow." Qin Ge laughed embarrassedly.

"Actually it's not narrow; rather, what you just said is more in line with the mainstream." Guanghui said, "After all, shipgirls are merely girls who possess the power of warships; they, too, hope to be loved and treated gently."

"So many Free Shipgirls who choose a commander are basically looking for someone they can entrust their lives to."

"Hmm." Qin Ge nodded.

"Of course, many Free Shipgirls also don't want a commander; perhaps they've grown accustomed to being alone and no longer desire that sense of bond." Guanghui said.

"Oh, there actually are shipgirls like that?" Qin Ge expressed some doubt, though he only wondered briefly, after all, shipgirls grow up in different environments, so their subjective personalities differ.

"Of course there are; many around me are like that." Guanghui smiled.

"Then what kind is Guanghui?" Qin Ge involuntarily asked.

Guanghui stared straight into Qin Ge's eyes, "Qin Ge Commander, what kind do you think I am?"

Qin Ge momentarily felt flustered under Guanghui's gaze, and could only answer meekly, "I don't know."

"Then let's wait until Qin Ge Commander figures it out, and I'll tell you when I do." Guanghui said somewhat playfully.

Qin Ge involuntarily pinched his nose, unable to meet Guanghui's steady gaze, so he lowered his eyes slightly—only to see something even more embarrassing come into view.

"Very white, very big! Qin Ge dared to assert that Guanghui's size absolutely surpassed Belfast's, and compared to Weineituo it was either on par or even more excessive."

He quickly lowered his head again, placing it on the notebook to cover up that embarrassing moment.

Meanwhile, Guanghui, sitting across from Qin Ge, smiled while watching Qin Ge's flustered appearance.

Just then the house door was flung open, and Qin Ge's shipgirls returned. Hearing the sound of the door opening, Qin Ge finally breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly stood up, and looked toward the doorway.

Surely, the first to enter was his own shipgirl Weineituo, followed closely by Prince Ou Gen and his companions.

"Huh, Commander, why are you home? Weren't you summoned by the Dean?" Weineituo said to Qin Ge, and she also noticed Guanghui sitting nearby, "Royal Guanghui?"

At that moment Guanghui also stood up and said to Weineituo, "Greetings, flagship of the Sardinian Empire, Weineituo."

"Oh? Commander, can you explain?" Ou Gen Qin Wang also looked at the Guanghui before him, with interest looking toward Qin Ge.

Qin Ge suddenly felt a chill down his spine; could it be that he had gotten himself into trouble?