I, a ship girl, am the savior of civilization.

The first thing that catches the eye is the list of major news events in Hong Kong.

"The Veneto Plain is suspected to have been hit by a meteorite, causing severe damage to its topography. Geologists suspect that the plain may exhibit basin-like characteristics..."

"Snapped!"

With a dark expression, Veneto closed the port news and went directly to the interface for the upcoming port exercise and competition.

Subsequently, under Laura's worried gaze, Veneto uploaded the destroyer Veneto's identification data to the organizing committee.

For Veneto, submitting application materials for a battleship not recognized by the world as a destroyer must have been an unbearable ordeal.

Noticing Laura's expression, Veneto forced a smile, trying to maintain his elegance.

"It's okay, I'm used to it..."

Hopefully, VV is alright.

115. It must have been assembled incorrectly!

In the preliminary and semi-final rounds of the exercise, Veneto dominated the competition.

Well, since the target is space warfare, the idea of ​​a close-range torpedo attack is out of the question. Even in a one-on-one situation, under the condition of balance, the firepower of a destroyer is simply no match for that of a battleship.

Naturally, the unparalleled firepower also attracted the attention of Lexington and Fleet Commander Rodney, who were also watching the exercise closely.

"Flagship, is that the new prototype ship you mentioned earlier?"

Watching Veneto sweep across the field, Rodney thought of something and then asked, "Even replica battleships would have a hard time achieving this level of firepower. Is she really a destroyer?"

"It was indeed unexpected."

Lexington naturally knew what the name Veneto represented, but considering the advantages that special psionic energy fluctuations had on warship manufacturing, Lexington was determined to make good use of it.

Anyway, the design of the battleship is nearing completion, and if nothing unexpected happens, it should be able to benefit from the battleship's psionic buff when Veneto is set right.

The transition was perfect; it was as if Bulbasaur had eaten Doritos and entered Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

That's absolutely brilliant!

For a moment, Lexington had to admire her own virtuousness; she could even save up for the cost of a destroyer. She truly deserved to be called a wife.

As for Veneto, we'll use port technology to make amends and fulfill her wishes as compensation.

"Perhaps the equipment was assembled incorrectly. The exercise has already progressed to this point. If we suddenly reveal that she is a battleship that has infiltrated the destroyer, it may cause dissatisfaction among the other ship girls. Let's wait until everyone realizes her strength before making any corrections."

Lexington smiled slightly. As long as the price paid is high enough, a destroyer with sufficient potential can indeed become a battleship.

The rewards for winning the exercise will be specially increased. Under the guise of modification, Veneto's battleship status will be announced after the storm has passed. The rest is up to the other ship girls to imagine.

In this regard, Mrs. Leigh's government only needs a little guidance to nip any potential trouble in the bud.

"I see. I understand."

After receiving Lexington's instructions, Rodney nodded slightly and became even more concerned about Veneto's matter.

The exercise lasted a full month, during which time the last batch of Star Destroyers specially gifted by Lexington was completed and rolled off the production line, and Veneto proved to everyone following the exercise that its firepower was unmatched.

On the home port forum, and even on other colony planets, many people are discussing this ship girl who has the cute features of a small destroyer but possesses firepower that even battleships can hardly match.

However, the narrative surrounding the Veneto has not fundamentally changed. To this day, the vast majority still believe that the Veneto was a special type of destroyer.

"Perhaps, she is actually a battleship? Although battleship girls rarely exhibit such perfect barrenness, it is still possible."

Of course, there were people who spoke the truth, but under the control of Lexington and Rodney, these statements were helplessly silenced, and various accounts gradually became consistent.

"It must be an equipment error, but we have to admit that the Veneto did have the potential to become a battleship."

Laura's Four-Person Club's Loving and Harmonious Hut

"Ah ah ah ah ah!!!!"

His face gradually contorted in rage, and Veneto, having once again missed his chance to redeem himself, slammed his teacup to the ground, his chest heaving violently.

Laura and the young lady sat to the side, continuing to savor the black tea that Veneto had brewed earlier, without even blinking.

As for Belfast, she consciously slipped past Veneto, taking the opportunity to clean up the broken teaware shards.

"Phew, I lost my composure, sorry."

After taking a few deep breaths, Veneto calmed himself down and apologized for his previous impotent rage.

Laura seemed unfazed. Over the past few days, she had witnessed Veneto's transformation from hopeful to utterly desperate. With Lexington's hints, it would be strange if public opinion were to sway Veneto's dream.

"It's okay, I'm used to it."

Laura stirred the glass symbolically a few times with a silver spoon, then put down her glass and looked at Veneto earnestly: "VV, try to take it easy. Getting angry all the time isn't good for your health."

“Look at Laura, she never worries about this kind of thing.”

Your ID says "mothership," so there's no need to worry about it.

With a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, Veneto slumped helplessly on the sofa, looking utterly exhausted.

Seeing Veneto's state, Laura felt a pang of sympathy: "VV, why don't I go find Lexington and ask her to change your registration to battleship, and maybe try genetic engineering while we're at it?"

Upon hearing Laura's words, Veneto immediately perked up.

Laura's demeanor was completely different from that of ordinary ship girls who were busy with their daily lives, and she always called Lexington by her full name from time to time, which made Veneto a little suspicious that the two of them knew each other.

After all, anyone else would address Lexington as "Captain" or "Lord of the Flagship," unlike Laura who showed such utter disrespect.

After all, there's even a saying circulating among the ship girls: "I believe Lexington is the ruler of the world (please fill in the rest yourself to prove Lexington's purity)..."

This almost mythical description is enough to show Lexington's status in the hearts of ordinary ship girls in the home port.

Is it really possible?

With a renewed glimmer of hope in his eyes, Veneto looked at Laura with anticipation.

Laura nodded firmly. While she remained skeptical about the usefulness of genetic engineering, changing a ship's class was definitely a piece of cake.

After all, Lexington had just spoken with Laura.

Seeing Veneto's jubilant expression, Laura couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

Being sold out and still counting the money for the seller, that's probably the best description of VV, right?

However, before that, Veneto completed the final round of the port area exercise and won the final reward.

Standing on the platform, countless ship girls cheered for Veneto, chanting "Battleship!" In their eyes, Veneto had already secured her ticket to the future of battleships.

Reward for winning the exercise: Deep upgrade of the ship girl, promoting her to a battleship.

Although each type of ship has its own advantages, the gap between them has gradually widened after entering the interstellar age. Battleships may not be as flexible as destroyers, but their firepower and armor are stronger than ever before.

Moreover, the Engineering Research Institute had just announced the completion of the blueprint for the Phantom Starship Battleship, and Phantom Starship was about to embark on an even greater path.

In this context, battleships suddenly became the focus of attention across society. And Veneto, too, was in the spotlight at this moment.

However, only a handful of people, including Laura and Lexington, knew that Veneto was actually a battleship.

For Veneto, the so-called ship girl ship type modification was actually just a pointless exercise.

Well, at most it's like getting a breast implant.

116. Ascension: PROJECT-R

The port's prosperity is incomparable to the days when they were trapped on a planet. Advanced medical technology and continuously developing genetic technology have given the home port a deeper understanding of the special existence of ship girls.

Although the true nature of ship girls is still unknown, it is possible to add new traits to them by modifying certain gene segments while ensuring genetic stability.

Without a doubt, Veneto's successful expression of the barren gene segment is extremely rare among all battleship ship girls. Even among Italian ship girls of the same class, Veneto's petite stature is among the best.

For example, the differences between Veneto and Empire, both being I-class ship girls, sometimes even make people wonder if they are related by blood.

"Our mission is to knock out a portion of Veneto's target gene, replace it with the Empire's, and finally enable the grafted Empire gene segment to be expressed."

Biology is also included in sociology. Tirpitz, who was in charge of the sociology of ship girls, tapped the projection blackboard and explained their task to all the researchers present.

"However, this is not our goal. The research project on gene editing has been completely completed, and we now have the capability to genetically modify all ship girl citizens."

Setting aside his teaching pointer, Tirpitz declared with an air of grandeur: "Under the guidance of the great Lexington flagship, this is the fourth civilization-level leapfrog project for the Phantom Starcraft, following the 'Galactic Lighthouse,' 'Megastructure,' and 'Dumpling-Making' plans!"

"Code name: PROJECT-R!"

Prior to this, the Phantom Starcraft had launched three massive projects that shocked the entire civilization, namely the three major plans mentioned by Tirpitz above.

The Galaxy Lighthouse laid the foundation for the pacifism and cooperative spirit of the Fantasy Star System, making it easier for ship girls to establish diplomatic relations with foreign countries. Anyone who knows anything about the Fantasy Star System can clearly see how friendly this civilization is.

Under the leadership of the Changchun Research Officer, the giant ship girl construction project enabled Huanmeng Technology to build megastructures, including projects such as the Ship Girl Dyson Cloud, allowing Huanmeng Interstellar to reliably obtain a continuous supply of resources.

The idea of ​​"making dumplings" reflects the realization that there is no single civilization in the universe. Although the two neighboring empires are currently maintaining good diplomatic relations with Huanmeng Interstellar, Huanmeng Interstellar must be able to protect itself should war break out.

PROJECT-R, on the other hand, involves genetic modification of all citizens of the ship girl civilization, combined with the latest developed intelligent human technology, to help the ship girl civilization transform into a species at a higher level.

A superior gene-editing capability will allow all members of Fantasy Star to step into a greater world.

Without a doubt, this was a historic event that changed the course of history in the Fantasy Star System, and Veneto was fortunate enough to become the first person worthy of being recorded in history.

"The Empire belongs to the fourth ship of the Veneto class. The same bloodline can reduce the possibility of genetic rejection. Theoretically speaking, this is not a difficult operation."

Tirpitz patted the somewhat nervous Veneto and gave him a confident smile: "Don't worry, the main purpose of this surgery is actually to add new traits to you. Getting bigger is just a side effect."

The authoritative words calmed Veneto down considerably. He nodded solemnly, then lay down and, with his eyes closed, was pushed into the gene-modification chamber.

Laura and the others waited silently outside the operating room.

"Lady Laura, do you think Sister Veneto's surgery will be successful?"

For some reason, Belfast was filled with worry and asked Laura somewhat uneasily.

"Um, this..."

Laura scratched her head, unsure how to put it. To achieve omniscience and omnipotence, Laura would need to take over Astra's temporary authority; otherwise, her journey would be meaningless.

However, Laura really can't say for sure if it's just a guess.

Although she wanted to believe in the technological prowess of Phantom Star, Laura, like Belfast, always felt that things weren't that simple.