I really don't have money for the ship girls.

"This mission feels like it started strong but ended weakly. I was thinking of going to see Sister Shoukaku."

Ying Tian could understand everyone's complaints, but places like Africa were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. After a moment of silence, the Prince of Wales' voice came from the phone: "Commander, I'm afraid we can't return for the time being."

Ying Tian was taken aback for a moment, then quickly asked, "Why?"

"Because of this operation, we have used up all the materials we had saved up, and we are temporarily unable to bring everyone back."

"What?" Ying Tian's eyes widened in surprise.

"What?" Akagi also appeared surprised, but was secretly overjoyed.

"What?" The company was surprised; she was genuinely surprised.

Chapter Nine: Conspiracy is also a form of open conspiracy

"The naval base has accumulated quite a bit of materials for the Sirens to cross over, but this time, in order to find Taihou as soon as possible and to ensure the safety of the commander, we have only kept enough materials for two people as a backup, according to the highest standard. All the rest will be used to support this operation," the Prince of Wales explained. "We did not expect this operation to go so smoothly. We originally thought that by the time we found Taihou, the naval base would have been able to gather some materials for the operation."

Ying Tian shook his head, took in the blazing sunlight, the dusty highway, and the peering black Africans, and immediately understood his current situation. He asked his phone, "There are less than two months until school starts. Is it possible to gather enough materials for time travel in this time?"

"It should be possible."

It was Veneto who spoke, but Amagi quickly retorted, "At the previous speed, it was possible, but now the main force of the naval base's air force has gone to the Lord's world, leaving only British Airways, German Airways, Skyhawk, Volga and the others. The air force strength is far from what it used to be, and the combat efficiency will also decrease. I predict that it will take at least four to five months to gather all the materials for everyone."

“We can gather a batch of materials first, bring back a group of people, and then the efficiency will be… um…” Veneto was lightly pinched by Littorio. She saw that Jean Bart and Washington were looking at her and immediately understood. “Never mind what I said.”

Hearing the commotion on the other end of the phone, Ying Tian understood their meaning. After all, who comes first and who leaves first is a question that is difficult to answer throughout history. Unless it is voluntary, even if the order is given in the name of the commander, people will have doubts in their hearts even if they don't say it. Even if it is voluntary, it may be forced.

Perhaps because Ying Tian had been silent for a long time, the Prince of Wales in the conference room said, "The commander doesn't necessarily have to stay there forever. He can go back to his country to continue his studies. Once we have gathered enough materials here, you can go there and bring everyone back to the naval base."

Amagi said, "I think this is a good idea. Our ship girls' combat power is unmatched by ordinary people, and our lord will be safer as well."

The ship girls on the other side, upon hearing this news, couldn't help but start discussing it.

"Wow, to stay in a place like this for four or five months without a commander? No way!"

"Bumblebee, soldier, don't say things like that."

“It is the soldiers who should say this. It is meaningless if they cannot fight or protect their commander.”

"Feilong, you... you're absolutely right! You're practically my mouth double, Enterprise Sister, did you hear that?"

"I'll do whatever the commander says."

"Sister Akagi, say something too."

Akagi spoke up, saying, "I support sending the commander back."

“That’s right, I knew it was Akagi-nee…” Chiyoda, whose burgundy hair peeked out from under the hood, paused for a moment and said, “Did I hear that right?”

“You heard me right, I support sending the Commander back.” Akagi said calmly and rationally, her eyes narrowed. “In fact, the Commander can’t do anything even if he stays here. Going back will not only ensure his safety, but also allow us to continue the Second Naval Base Plan. No matter how you look at it, he should go back. It’s the most reasonable solution at this stage.”

“I agree with Akagi.” Richelieu stood upright with Louis IX between the two cars, vigilantly watching their surroundings. “I can sense quite a few unfriendly stares. Commander, it would be better if you went back.”

Kalyon blinked. She could understand Richelieu saying that, but Akagi actually said such things, and with such a gentle and demure demeanor like a Yamato Nadeshiko. Was this the same Akagi who would occasionally go crazy, who would have a stern face when she saw anyone who tried to get close to the Commander, and who would report anyone who snuck into the Commander's lewd picture group to get resources?

Carlyon quietly tugged at her sister Essex's sleeve, pulling her back a little.

"what happened?"

“Sister Essex, you have more contact with Akagi. We don’t know if she’s plotting something.”

“No, Akagi’s point this time is quite valid,” Essex said, stroking her chin. “However, this kind of talk doesn’t really fit Akagi’s personality. She’s never been very rational when it comes to the Commander…”

"Right? There must be a conspiracy."

What kind of conspiracy could Akagi possibly have? She was simply maintaining the persona she had deliberately cultivated in front of the Commander.

“Commander, I believe this is the best solution at present. Even if you are worried, you can come to check on us in the middle of these four or five months.” Akagi said with a focused gaze, “I think Taihou must think the same way.”

"No, I don't want to be separated from Commander." Taifeng grabbed Yingtian's arm and looked at him pitifully. "Commander, you can punish Taifeng however you want, please don't leave me. Even if you have to leave, take Taifeng with you, okay?"

“It’s impossible,” Akagi added from the side. “We don’t have identities in this world, so we can’t travel together.”

“Then I will sail there myself by sea.”

"You're going to expose your ship girl identity? That would only cause more trouble for the commander."

"There is definitely a way. As long as I can be with the Commander, Taihou will do anything."

Akagi added insult to injury: "It's not a question of whether you can do it or not, Taihou, don't you understand?"

"I don't understand. All I need to do is love the Commander."

"Alright, that's enough." Ying Tian stopped everyone's argument. He looked at the head maid, who hadn't spoken until now, and asked, "Belfa, what's your opinion?"

Belfast smiled slightly and said, "Emotionally, I hope the master will stay, and rationally, I agree more with Akagi's words, but I think the commander has already made his own decision."

"Hmm." Ying Tian took a breath. The ship girls around him were all looking at him, their different colored eyes revealing different emotions. He said, "I'm really worried about leaving you here. It's not just about safety. I know you're very powerful, but force can't solve everything in many cases. This is Africa, after all, and anything can happen."

"So I stayed with everyone else."

"Alright!" Shinano, who had inadvertently spoken her true feelings, subconsciously covered her lips and said, "It's not that I'm being ignorant... just pretend I was talking in my sleep..."

Then, seeing that someone had taken the lead, everyone else agreed.

"Whatever is immature about her, she's good."

"That's right, what's so great about studying? A good commander is one who shares weal and woe with everyone."

"I will protect the commander's safety."

Akagi raised her chin and asked, "Commander, are you sure?"

"Yes, I've made up my mind."

The Prince of Wales' voice came from the other end of the phone: "It is indeed a decision the Commander would make. We can only ask everyone to protect the Commander. We will also have the research team improve the technology as soon as possible."

"It's okay if it's not that fast... I mean, don't worry, there are so many of us."

"I will protect the commander."

"Anyway, I respect the commander's opinion."

In the conference room, Soviet Belaros couldn't help but sigh, "It's said to be going smoothly, but the result is still the same; we still have to waste some time there."

“It’s not that simple.” Hood gracefully put down his teacup and looked at Amagi across from him. “When everyone was encouraged to come out in full force in the first place, someone should have already thought of this.”

Amagi smiled without saying a word, while Jean Bart went straight to the point: "Ensuring the commander's absolute safety is a decision that everyone agrees on. What do you mean by saying this now?"

"It doesn't mean anything." Hood gazed leisurely out the window, his thoughts drifting. "It was indeed a decision we all made together."

There were no conspiracies, it was all open schemes, those vixens!

Wales, say something! Oh wait, Wales is a traitor too.

They're all traitors!

Chapter Ten: I have a group, can I invite you?

In theory, with so many people, money and ability, not to mention that the ship girls could completely crush the combat power of the excellent matchmaking mechanism in the African region, even those few dozen submachine guns could become a local overlord. After all, the small Central Africa has an air force of only a few trainer planes of junk. How could it possibly defeat a fleet capable of destroying a country with twenty-four aircraft carriers? As long as they don't provoke the UN peacekeeping forces, especially the French army, it's fine. After all, this place was once a French colony and also France's backyard of influence.

But this is Africa, an Africa that cannot be judged by the standards of civilized society.

There are roads, but none of them are paved highways.

There is internet access, but it's a sporadic 2G connection.

There is some security, but not much; it's mostly maintained by peacekeeping forces.

"Commander, stop! Stop!"

"What happened?"

"The wheels of the car we rented were stolen."

"..."

Louis IX delivered a stylish flying kick, his long, silver-grey hair cascading down from under his hood, exuding power and beauty.

"Damn it, this woman is still chasing me!"

The two burly, dark-faced men who stole the wheels were, of course, two men who didn't fight back when chased by a woman. The reason they didn't fight back was because Louis IX had kicked down two large trees and bent a telephone pole along the way. Even the most uneducated person could feel the oppressive feeling of someone's life being threatened.

Louis IX deliberately missed with the same flying kick, kicking a brick under the roadside wall and creating a deep crater. If the kick had hit the person, he would have been finished.

Like the last straw that broke the camel's back, the two strong men fearfully dropped the tire and fled. The wheel, which required two strong men to lift, was easily held in Louis IX's hand. Even though it was just a heavy cruiser of the Iris class, she could definitely be called a natural superhuman.

She watched the two people flee in panic, clenched her fists, and then relaxed them.

It's true that they embarrassed themselves in front of the commander, but ultimately it was because of their lack of vigilance that allowed them to steal the tires right under their noses. This was taking their anger out on them, an act that the Templars would despise.

Louis IX then picked up a stone from the roadside and threw it with precision, which struck the legs of two strong men, causing them to fall hard on the dirt road. Even if their teeth weren't loosened, their knees would definitely suffer considerable damage.

Watching the two struggle to their feet and stumble as they continued their escape, Louis IX thought to himself, "This is not out of anger, but punishment for your theft."

At this moment, Ying Tian, ​​protected by Joan of Arc and Essex, caught up from behind.

"How about it?"

"It's alright, the tires have been retrieved."

"There wasn't any conflict, was there?"

"No, they were scared away by me."

"That's good. You've worked hard. Get back to the team soon."

"Hmm." It was a very calm conversation, exactly as Louis IX imagined a conversation between himself and his commanding commander to be. But suddenly, he felt a strange urge and said, "Commander, I created a group, and then I gave the group owner position to Mainz."

Louis IX saw Ying Tian pause for a moment, clearly puzzled as to why she would suddenly say such a thing. She smiled, not at the commander's slowness, but at her own naivety, and continued, "I would like to invite the commander to join this group, is that alright?"

Ying Tian's intuition told him that Louis IX was definitely not talking about that, but now was not the time to delve into it. He said, "Of course, you can invite me later, and I'll join the group directly."

"Okay, let's go back then."

Joan of Arc glanced at Louis IX, and as his friend, she naturally knew what he wanted to say.

Louis IX simply chuckled. What a waste of his time, something the Commander hadn't even considered. Loyalty was a knight's code. The Commander addressed him as the group leader, so he should create a group. Later, the title of group leader was given to Mainz, so he pulled Mainz in and relinquished the position to her. Although Mainz had privately spoken to him about it several times, the group remained, probably because it was one of the few places where they and the Commander could express their feelings.

"commander."

"Ok?"

"Was that T-shirt you were wearing under your jacket bought for you by St. Louis?"

"what happened?"

"The taste is so-so."

"Let me think, it must have been donated by someone from the community when I was in my second year of high school. I think it looks pretty good."

"Don't question the taste of our Iris ship girls. I think you can go find Richelieu when you have time... Her clothing style is so-so, but fashion matching is her specialty."

"Let's talk about it later, there's nothing fashionable here anyway."

Louis IX pursed his lips and looked at Ying Tian's profile. Sure enough, this man didn't even care about his own clothes and never thought about buying anyone nice clothes. The title of "group leader" was just something he followed.

Therefore, shouldn't it be the knight's job to correct the commander's wrong viewpoint?

Louis IX remained silent, merely stepping back half a body length to silently protect his commander with the etiquette of a knight.

Sometimes, what you think are casual words actually contain a thousand meanings. With Ying Tian's current emotional intelligence, he should be able to read some of the meaning. However, he is now facing so many ship girls and has many more things to worry about.

"This hotel..." Shangri-La looked at the hotel's exterior and didn't know how to judge it for a moment.

Ying Tian also looked at the four-story building in front of him. Since it was evening, the yellow and white neon lights outside were already lit up. At first glance, it did look quite real, with a bit of the feel of an old-fashioned sanatorium in China. However, upon closer inspection, one could see the dilapidation and old age hidden under the various lights.

"There's nothing we can do. It's said to be the best hotel in the entire Central African Republic. Until we can find a suitable place to rent, we'll have to make do."

“I’m not being picky,” Shangri-La shook her head and said softly, “I feel like I’m seeing things in a big way, and I’m worried there might be some problems.”

“What problems could there be? Don’t jinx it,” Essex said confidently. “There are so many of us, there won’t be any problems.”

Shangri-La didn't directly refute their Essex-class leader. She thought to herself, "It's precisely because there are so many people that there's a problem. We know we're powerful ship girls, but in other people's eyes, it's just a young man leading dozens of beautiful women, ostentatiously checking into the best hotel—we're practically easy prey... I hope I'm just overthinking it. Maybe my sister is right; I should read less detective novels. I'm always scaring myself."

"Don't leave your things in the car, and look after each other."

"Don't worry, Commander, we're not children."

"Don't call me 'commander' here... never mind, no one probably understands Chinese anyway."

Then, as soon as everyone entered the hotel, the entire building lost power. This once again taught everyone a lesson: this is Africa, don't assume things.

Chapter Eleven: So who gets to share a room with the Commander?

The power went out, but not completely.