Chapter 18: Bismarck's Change

"It just so happened that I ran into Hipper and the others in the cafeteria, and they were going to participate in an exercise. Since I didn't know what to do today, I thought I'd join in and bother you."

Under the dim red lighting, Lin Lan walked over to Bismarck.

On the largest screen in front of them, two clearly defined teams of Iron Blood shipgirls were displayed.

Team A: Aircraft carrier Peter Strasser; battleship Tirpitz; battlecruisers Odin, Scharnhorst; heavy cruisers Prinz Heinrich, Prinz Adalbert, Admiral Graf Spee.

Team B: Aircraft carrier August von Parseval; battleship Ulrich von Hutten; battlecruisers Seydlitz, Gneisenau; heavy cruisers Admiral Hipper, Blücher, Prinz Eugen.

Both teams had one aircraft carrier, one battleship, two battlecruisers, and three heavy cruisers.

"In the past, you personally organized the exercises in the port. Are you going to give it a try today?" Bismarck asked as she manipulated a floating, translucent sci-fi keyboard.

Lin Lan smiled awkwardly, "This is my first time here today, so I'll just watch and learn. You go ahead and organize the exercise as usual."

He wasn't kidding. In the game, his experience with exercises mostly involved tapping the screen and watching the shipgirls do their thing.

Now, when it came to actual tactical command, he definitely couldn't compare to these girls.

Watching Bismarck seriously operate the keyboard and adjust the screen views, her flawless face carried a soldier's focused expression.

Under her black uniform, she had a figure that would make many women envious, and her every movement exuded an elegant, leader-like aura.

It seemed Bismarck noticed Lin Lan's gaze on her. She turned her head, puzzled, and looked at him.

"Commander, is there something wrong? Is there something off about me?"

Well, as the noble Iron Blood flagship, Bismarck spent most of her time in combat training or managing Iron Blood affairs. 

She rarely focused on her personal life, so she didn't realize the impact her appearance had on men.

"Since the exercise hasn't started yet, and I don't understand your operating system, I can only watch you," Lin Lan said with a helpless expression, spreading his hands.

"Oh... I'm sorry, Commander. I forgot to explain this to you. Allow me to walk you through it."

Bismarck finally remembered that she hadn't explained the command system of the data processing center to Lin Lan.

Realizing her oversight in front of her lover, a faint blush appeared on Bismarck's face. She lowered her military cap slightly and quickly began to explain.

With Bismarck's thorough explanation, Lin Lan roughly familiarized himself with the Iron Blood Fortress operating system.

Even though he doubted he'd ever have the chance to use it, there was no harm in learning about it.

Unfortunately, before he could try operating it himself, Bismarck said, "Commander, the exercise is about to start. Let's watch it first."

Lin Lan nodded. There would be plenty of time to experience the Iron Blood Fortress operating system later, so there was no rush.

Then, he watched as Bismarck enlarged one of the floating screens in front of her and took out a small communicator.

"To the Iron Blood warriors participating in the exercise in Teams A and B, this is Bismarck. Please listen carefully to today's exercise briefing."

"This exercise will be a harbor assault. Team B, led by August, will be the attacking side, while Team A, led by Peter, will be defending the harbor."

"Team B, as the attackers, will have access to a large number of mass-produced warships. However, your ammunition and aircraft will be limited. If you fail to break through the harbor within the given time, it will be considered a failed exercise."

"Team A, as the defenders, won't have mass-produced warships, but you'll have defensive facilities, mines, and unlimited ammunition and aircraft."

As Lin Lan listened to Bismarck's briefing, he noticed that on one of the screens in front of him, the previously empty sea began to distort and shift.

In just a few seconds, a military harbor appeared as if it were a mirage, like a divine miracle.

This... is the power of the Sirens.

Of course, this technology is now part of Iron Blood's power.

In the game's storyline, the Iron Blood faction pretended to collaborate with the Sirens, gaining access to much of their technology.

Two of the Sirens' most famous technologies, the Mirror Sea and Floating Island Fortress, are now under Iron Blood's control.

"Now, both Teams A and B, please enter the Mirror Sea and quickly get into position. The exercise will officially begin in five minutes!"

After Bismarck finished speaking, she glanced at Lin Lan, who was casually observing, and suddenly felt like teasing him.

"Today, I will be watching the exercise alongside the Commander. The MVP of the winning team will have the honor of becoming the Commander's secretary ship tomorrow."

"End of communication."

Lin Lan, who had been watching the shipgirls enter the exercise area through the shimmering boundary of the Mirror Sea, was stunned. Why was he suddenly involved in this?

And what was this reward about becoming his secretary ship?

Bismarck noticed Lin Lan's bewildered expression and, unable to hold it in, burst into a girlish giggle, a stark contrast to her usual seriousness.

"Pfft, I'm sorry, Commander. I couldn't control myself when I saw your expression."

Lin Lan was surprised, watching Bismarck, who was trying to maintain a serious face but couldn't help smiling. This was the first time he had seen her so relaxed.

After all, whether in the game or since his arrival, Bismarck had always been serious and meticulous.

Seeing this playful side of Bismarck was a revelation for Lin Lan.

"When I stand before my comrades, I must be uncompromising, always moving forward."

"At those times, I can't be just Bismarck with my own emotions; I have to be the invincible leader of Iron Blood."

Bismarck turned to Lin Lan, stepping closer. She raised her arm and gently placed it on his shoulder.

The stark contrast between her black military uniform and his white commander's uniform was striking.

Her tall black boots and the slight gap between her skirt and stockings only added to her regal, queen-like aura.

"But, you once told me that in front of you, I could put down that burden a little. Commander... you don't dislike this side of me, do you?"

Lin Lan looked at Bismarck, who was now so close. The leader of Iron Blood was breathing heavily, showing that it had taken great courage for her to say those words.

He remembered hearing something like this in the game when he purchased Bismarck's black dress outfit.

Naturally, his hands moved to her waist, feeling the softness of her body as she trembled slightly.

"Commander…"

Bismarck's voice was so soft it was barely audible. 

Lin Lan held her close, the usually stoic leader of Iron Blood now showing a shy, vulnerable side only to him. They embraced, feeling each other's heartbeat and warmth.

"Bismarck, you're so beautiful. I could never dislike you. I'm more likely to fall for you."

Lin Lan gently stroked her back, inhaling the sweet scent of her silky blonde hair, and whispered in her ear.

"So, in front of me, you don't have to carry all those burdens. Just be yourself."

"…Mm."

A smile of happiness spread across Bismarck's face as she softly replied.

Five minutes passed quickly, and with the buzzing sound from the screen, the exercise officially began.