Chapter 33: Eugene’s Warm Invitation

"Bismarck, just like I said yesterday, you don't need to hold back your feelings in front of me. I like the real you, not just your role as a leader."

Staring at Lin Lan, Bismarck was silent for a moment before letting out a soft, surprised laugh.

"Such smooth talk. Well, I'll do my best."

It was the first time Lin Lan saw the usually serious Bismarck smile so sweetly, as if she had finally set aside her burdens.

At that moment, Lin Lan felt that the person in front of him was no longer the stern Iron Blood flagship, but a genuine girl.

So this is what Bismarck is like without her Iron Blood leader shell?

"Alright, Commander, let's go find Prince Eugen. I have Iron Blood's next tasks to plan, so time is tight."

Bismarck smiled and let go of Lin Lan's hand. Before he could react, she gave him a light kiss on the lips.

Lin Lan was taken aback.

Seeing Bismarck at the door with a mischievous smile and holding an empty plate, Lin Lan finally snapped out of it and followed her out of the room.

In the corridor, just before they reached the central palace, Bismarck pointed to a closed wooden door and said:

"This is your office. Commander, I hope you and Eugen have a great time today."

Before Lin Lan could say goodbye, Bismarck seemed to remember something and added quietly:

"Remember, if Eugen invites you to drink, definitely don't go."

Lin Lan recalled that Eugen's alcohol tolerance wasn't very high.

Although it didn't lead to her getting drunk, Eugen would do things that were quite out of character after just a little alcohol.

It wasn't just talk; Lin Lan remembered that among the many outfits he had bought for Eugen, two stood out.

One was a black evening dress, and the other was a Sakura-style kimono.

Though he had forgotten the names of these outfits, Eugen's voice in the outfit's dialogue made a deep impression on him—he realized he should never let Eugen drink.

Nodding in agreement, Lin Lan waved goodbye to Bismarck and arrived at his office door.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Lan turned the handle and opened the door.

"Mein Schatz, good morning~"

A casual yet sophisticated voice greeted him. Inside the tidy office, Eugen, with silver hair and a cute tuft on her head, was sitting on the desk by the window and blew a kiss at Lin Lan.

"Good morning, Eugen. Congratulations on being MVP in the exercise."

Lin Lan entered the office and congratulated Eugen.

Even though Eugen had surprised him at the restaurant yesterday, it was only now that Lin Lan faced the former front-line damage ship he used to like the most.

At the end of her silver bangs was a distinctive red lock of hair, and aside from her silver hair cascading down her back, she had two pigtails secured with red metal accessories.

Eugen smiled slyly and observed Lin Lan.

"It's truly strange, Commander. You really can go back to how you were when we first met. It's incredible, hehe~"

Eugen stood up from the desk and began to circle Lin Lan, playfully nibbling on her left-hand fingertips.

"Don't ask me. I don't know why either."

Lin Lan, feeling awkward, sat in the chair behind the desk and noticed that Eugen had already prepared a cup of mint tea for him. He picked it up and took a sip.

"Hehe, so, Commander, is there any work you need Eugen to do for you today?"

Eugen walked around the desk and stood next to Lin Lan, leaning in with a smile and whispering:

"Just like before in the port area, you can still poke the secretary ship's chest if you want. Everyone's used to it now~"

Lin Lan almost spat out his tea in surprise.

Could it be that he was actually touching the secretary ship back then?

Were all those shipgirls fighting so hard for the secretary ship position because they knew it would involve...

Lin Lan felt a cold sweat. One of his favorite pastimes was poking the secretary ship's special touches.

Especially with Live2D outfits, he often set the secretary ship to be teased.

Unfortunately, Eugen had more than one Live2D skin.

Seeing Lin Lan's face turn red, Eugen chuckled and said:

"It seems the Commander has realized the mistakes from before. But it's alright, who told my Commander to be so lovable?"

Lin Lan didn't really listen to Eugen's words; he was still immersed in his own guilt. He covered his face with his hands and lamented:

"So that's how the secretary ship's affection is built. I must have looked like a total beast in the eyes of the shipgirls I just met..."

"Alright, alright, my dear Commander. The shipgirls in the port area already know you well. We know exactly who you are."

Eugen laughed joyfully and patted Lin Lan's head:

"But back then, those destroyers and submarines were so cute, and you could still do that..."

"Stop, don't say any more! I'm guilty, I'm guilty!"

Eugen's words struck Lin Lan hard.

After a while, Lin Lan finally accepted the reality with a heavy heart.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Lin Lan said seriously to Eugen:

"Eugen, I might be leaving the Iron Blood fortress for a new port area tomorrow. As your secretary ship, I need to clarify this with you."

Although Eugen seemed a bit scattered, she was a trustworthy and wise shipgirl.

So, Lin Lan decided to explain his future plans and reasons to Eugen.

"Oh, Bismarck already told everyone about it. We all know."

Lin Lan was taken aback, realizing Bismarck must have explained everything to the other Iron Blood shipgirls after he fell asleep last night.

"So, what do you think I should prepare for today?"

Lin Lan wanted to hear Eugen's opinion.

"Hehe, Commander, my suggestion is to explore the third floor of the Iron Blood fortress today."

"Huh?"

Lin Lan was confused and hadn't reacted before Eugen took his arm and pulled him along.

"Come on, Commander, you'll see when you get to the third floor. There are some great things there, hehe~"

Seeing Eugen's bright smile, Lin Lan couldn't refuse her invitation.

After all, he hadn't been to the third floor of the Iron Blood fortress yet.

According to Bismarck, the third floor was the library and entertainment area, as well as some personal rooms for shipgirls.

He couldn't possibly be in for something unpleasant just for visiting the third floor, could he?

Since there was no pressing work for him at the moment, Lin Lan allowed Eugen to guide him out of the room.

He trusted that Eugen's seemingly wise but somewhat whimsical personality wouldn't lead him to anything pointless.

They took the floating elevator to the third floor of the Iron Blood fortress. As they stepped out of the elevator, Lin Lan immediately felt several gazes directed at him and Prince Eugen.