Alaska pulled a map from her pack and traced a wide semicircle with her finger.
"If we swing around like this, we should be able to approach Hikaru's Naval District from the west."
The Abyssal army was massing to the north of Hikaru's base. Coming from the west would avoid almost all of their main force.
"No. That's too far. The detour is three times the distance of a straight line. By the time we arrive, it'll be far too late." Saint George shook her head firmly.
Alaska looked at her like she was an idiot. "Then go straight."
Of course straight ahead was impossible—the Abyssals had already blocked that path.
Saint George drew another arc between the straight line and Alaska's semicircle. "We take this route."
Alaska frowned and shook her head. "No. That would bring us within one hundred and fifty nautical miles of the Abyssal main body. Do you understand what that means? Their carrier planes would be patrolling right over our heads, and there could be Abyssal submarines deployed beneath our feet!"
But Saint George had her own reasoning.
"Do you think Hikaru can hold his Naval District?"
Alaska was silent for a moment. "Absolutely not."
This wasn't ten or twenty thousand Abyssals—it was more than a million. Within that million, high-grade Abyssals of Saint George and Alaska's level could form entire divisions ten thousand strong.
And with Abyssal flagships commanding them, directing formations of that scale, it would be as easy as reaching into a sack to crush one small Naval District defended by only a handful of shipgirls.
If not for knowing about Tirpitz's legendary record—and hearing from Saint George about the presence of Bismarck, Saratoga, and the others—Alaska wouldn't have even paused before giving that answer.
"Exactly. If we're too late, Hikaru and his shipgirls may already be surrounded—or they might abandon the Naval District and flee. If that happens, we may not even find them. What use would we be then?"
Saint George tapped the red mark on the map labeled "Hikaru's Naval District," and spoke with emphasis.
"Alaska—for the United States!"
Alaska hesitated.
This time, her silence lasted longer. Saint George was starting to grow impatient when Alaska finally nodded.
"Then we'll gamble on this. God bless the United States."
But inside, she cursed furiously.
Saint George, you damn traitor!
Deutschland, listening in confusion, tugged on Alaska's sleeve.
"Why are we heading to that Naval District? We can't help them. Won't we just end up running away too?"
Alaska patted her head. "You'll understand when you're older."
Deutschland jerked her head away, sulking.
She was a battlecruiser—no child!
Alaska only shook her head. Deutschland was still too young to understand: it was in moments of crisis that bonds were forged most deeply. And even if they did end up fleeing, going there might convince Hikaru to retreat toward the United States with them.
There was no time left before the Abyssal army tightened its encirclement.
Once Alaska and Saint George set their course, they pushed south at maximum speed.
But Hikaru's Naval District was not the only one facing trials.
Over the East China Sea, Commanders were also preparing for a battle that would shake the world.
Of course, only the highest officers—Admirals at the level of Marshal and above—plus two specially permitted Vice Marshals, and perhaps one young adjutant, understood the full scope of the campaign.
From night into dawn, in a cramped warship cabin, the lamp never went out.
Takeyama Takeshi's marriage-ship, London, quietly got up, tucked the fallen blanket over Franya(Viribus Unitis) who was sleeping in the upper bunk, then sat softly beside Takeshi.
"Commander, it's already a new month. Aren't you going to rest?"
"I can't sleep. Too much on my mind."
Takeshi's brow furrowed into a 川 character as he lifted the thick stack of documents in his hand.
It was the dossier of the Fleet Admiral's new adjutant—detailed reports, evaluations, and records spanning over thirty years of his life. It was so thorough that it even included an incident from childhood where he blew up a toilet with firecrackers.
Investigating someone so close to the Fleet Admiral bordered on taboo, but Takeyama couldn't care about that now.
And he was sure he wasn't the only one. Others with access to different channels likely had even more detailed files.
After all, as the saying goes, even a seventh-rank official in the Prime Minister's office is worth knowing. For the adjutant to the Fleet Admiral himself—it was absolutely necessary to be informed.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read 30+ chapters ahead]
[[email protected]/BellAshelia]
[Thanks for your support!]