After weighing everyone's contributions, Hikaru quickly tallied the merits.
"Saratoga, you sank about twenty thousand Abyssals. For Abyssal Kaga, I'll credit you with forty percent—recorded merit: 2.4. Ranger, around fifteen thousand Abyssals—recorded merit: 2.1. Helena, for escorting Bismarck in the charge—0.4. Prince of Wales, for covering the retreat and guarding the carriers, and especially for the extraordinary feat of uncovering the spy devices on the yacht—2. Bismarck, for slaying two Abyssal flagships, holding the center line, commanding ably, and handling crises decisively—3."
Leipzig pouted. "What's that supposed to mean? Prince of Wales only found the problem because Big Sis sent her to check the cabins. How come all the credit goes to her?"
Vampire and Glowworm glared at Leipzig, but she stood firm without the slightest fear.
After all, fighting for Big Sis's credit was a younger sister's basic duty.
"In any case, that's how the merits will be recorded. I hope everyone continues to achieve glory in this defense—but above all, safety comes first." Hikaru concluded, then looked to Bismarck. "What reward do you want?"
This was his promise—the MVP of the northern sortie would receive one special reward from him.
Bismarck bit her lip. "Cooking. Tonight, please cook a meal with me."
Hikaru blinked. That was it? Still, it wasn't unreasonable, so he nodded in agreement. Then he remembered something.
"By the way, that five-star torpedo you captured in battle—what do you think should be done with it?"
Bismarck glanced at Leipzig. "I leave the decision to you."
Hikaru turned to Leipzig, who quickly shook her head. "Not for me. My current gear is already fine—depth charges, main guns, anti-air. Torpedoes aren't my main form of attack."
Light cruisers occupied an awkward niche. Their torpedo firepower couldn't match destroyers or submarines, and their gunnery was weaker than heavy cruisers. Most often, they filled roles in anti-submarine warfare or anti-air escort.
Snuggled in Hikaru's arms, U-47 sighed like a little adult. "I already have three T10 wire-guided torpedoes. Otherwise, I could take it and ease the Commander's worries."
Hikaru couldn't help both laughing and scolding, pinching U-47's cheeks. "You little show-off."
In the game, submarines consumed little but provided immense value. Hikaru had trained no less than nine submarines to level 110, outfitting them with the finest gear.
The wire-guided torpedoes U-47 mentioned were rare six-star salvage equipment: +12 torpedo stat, plus +6 accuracy and +3 evasion—every attribute invaluable for a submarine.
Forget destroyers' +12 torpedoes—even a +20 torpedo might not be worth swapping for U-47's loadout.
Since Bismarck had no objection to the distribution, Hikaru made the call himself.
His gaze shifted to the little lolis across the table.
Fletcher obviously didn't need a torpedo, and Glowworm had her own special steel-plate equipment.
Vampire's heart began pounding wildly.
Hikaru smiled at her. "This torpedo goes to you. After dinner, let Leipzig take you to fit a proper loadout. Make good use of it."
"Commander, you're the best!"
Vampire cheered, leaping down from her chair and running circles around the table, laughing with sheer delight.
Lexington patted Hikaru's hand, half-chiding: "See what you've done, keeping Vampire so neglected all this time—"
Hikaru gave a sheepish grin. She wasn't wrong.
Vampire, as a simple collectible ship, had been forgotten after Hikaru salvaged her. Naturally, she'd never been given proper equipment.
So while the armory was stocked with luxury gear, Vampire had never touched any of it. It must have felt like the Commander didn't value her at all.
Now, Hikaru was determined to make up for his mistake. He resolved that when he entered the dream to return to the Naval District, he'd make sure the overlooked shipgirls received fine equipment too.
The district certainly didn't lack gear, and one full set could make a shipgirl feel happiness like never before.
California wanted that happiness too.
Just thinking about the rows of five-star cannons in the armory had her drooling.
"Commander, you really are the best." California leaned in with a hopeful look. "I want equipment too!"
Hikaru frowned. "Don't you already have the Abyssal Barbarossa's cannon?"
California protested, "But only one! I can mount four!"
Leipzig's sharp ears caught the problem. A golden gleam lit her eyes. "Abyssal Barbarossa's cannon?"
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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