Chapter 16 - Fake It... Until Make It...
The mysterious girl is KMS U-556, an Iron Blood type VIIC submarine that was often encountered during World War II.
The Treaty of Versailles that restricted Germany from producing submarines has led to rapid developments in their submarine technology. A cheap, fast, and easy-to-produce submarine to stab British cargo ships in the Battle of the Atlantic. Type VII submarines have many variants such as VIIA, VIIB, VIIC, VIIC/41, VIIC/42, VIID, and VIIF. All of these variants adapt to submarine technology that developed during World War II.
In that era, the submarine became a fierce hunter in the ocean before becoming a hunter hunted by destroyer sonar.
Type VIIC is the submarine most produced by Kriegsmarine. In the Azur Lane game, six types of VIIC submarines can be used by Players. One of them is the U-556 that is walking with me.
Our closeness is limited to friends who fight in under the water and help attack the main fleet with torpedo attacks.
Urk... I almost forgot about this one.
Submarine battles in the Azur Lane game have their own rules such as hunting grounds, attack zones, and ambushes.
Ah! I passed all those stages with Seawolf technology. My submarine doesn't need an attack zone because my attack area is the ocean itself.
Hunting grounds? Almost all ocean areas are my hunting grounds.
Ambush? Isn't that a common thing for submarines? Making a surprise attack and disappearing like an ex-wife.
"Neee... Neee... Lord Seawolf! What do you like? Hunting Aircraft Carriers or Battleships?" U-556 asked.
Currently, Sofia and I are taking a short trip to Azur Lane's main base building. The leisurely trip accompanied by U-556 and the Little Beavers formation feels very enjoyable. A combination of Fletcher-class loli and U-boat loli.
How should I explain this situation? It feels very comfortable to be surrounded by flowers that are almost in full bloom.
It seems like Ark Royal and I will understand each other if we talk about destroyer Loli.
"Tough question. During my journey in the Eagle Union submarine unit, I always hunted sirens and destroyed Siren Strongholds. My first battle against foreign ships was only Bismarck and U-30."
"Urk… Lord Bismarck…"
Hearing my answer, U-556's facial expression turned slightly pale and her body trembled.
On the other hand, the Little Beavers who heard my words looked very happy.
"The battle took place at night. So, I took advantage of the darkness of the night to attack Bismarck and U-30 in one attack. If the duel was held during the day, I might have had a little difficulty chasing them and unknowingly sank Bismarck with a full attack."
"Hiiik!!" U-556's body suddenly stopped and ran to hug my body.
"L-Lord Seawolf… P-Please don't sink Lord Bismarck. I'll do anything as long as Lord Seawolf forgives Lord Bismarck's action of challenging a duel," said U-556 who hugged my body and held back her sobs.
"That seems very interesting, Seawolf. May we hear the story in detail?"
Behind me, Charles Ausburne approached me with her sister-ships. Their gazes were fixed on me and Sofia.
"Jiiiiiiiiiii…" they exclaimed.
"This is my first time seeing a Seawolf-class unit in person. Several other Eagle Union shipgirls have encountered one of the Seawolf units at sea but for the legendary and mysterious Eagle Union Flagship... we are lucky enough to meet you..." said Charles Ausburne.
Hmm… is this the effect of the Silent Hunter title?
How should I reply to that exaggerated remark?
The nonsense I spouted at the Gibraltar military base came true because my strange system approved my nonsense.
If I reply with nonsense, will it be a double-edged sword on another day?
Yep, to hell with karma. I will take this nonsense seriously!
"As the Seawolf Flagship, my duties are very different from theirs" I replied.
"I know that your battle history is recorded in the black ribbon of the Eagle Union. Your secret identities and illegal experiments. Um... Enterprise was a little angry after learning the terrible truth. Are all the rumors true? L-Like... The secret experiments and your real identities?" Charles Ausburne's sharp gaze was fixed on me.
Charles Ausburne's question made my brain work twice as fast. The data that Sofia stole and my nonsense were very much in line with the reality of this world.
It's time to turn this nonsense into a sweet yet bitter reality.
I raised my right hand and summoned my submarine's Wisdom Cube. A small cube emitting blue and black light emerged from my right hand. Its shape was very worrying and looked fragile to the touch.
"That's right..."
"This fading light..."
"It seems like my life is not long anymore..."
What did I just say?
Setting up Death Flags for myself?
Technically, I was already dead in the previous world. So, this is not a Death Flag but a memorial to my death.
Yup! Let's just say that.
My intonation and smiling facial expression caused mental damage to the Fletcher-class sisters. U-556 who was hugging my body suddenly released her hug and looked at my face.
"U-Umm... W-What is going on?" asked U-556.
I quickly hid my fake Wisdom Cube.
Yup! It was a fake Wisdom Cube that I created from the Weapons From Another World skill.
"It's nothing, just a small matter from Eagle Union. I hope you don't spread it. Regarding Bismarck and U-30, they are fine. Their ship damage is not too severe and they are still seaworthy."
Author Note: Seaworthy (short for the condition of a ship that can sail).
"I-Is that so? I hope Lord Bismarck uses her free time to rest."
"The repair of her ship might take a few days, it was only minor damage to the front of her ship. All of her main ship functions are still usable and my small attack targeting the front of her ship was not without reason. As the Iron Blood Flagship, she will have a hard time if suffers serious damage, right?"
"That's right, some of the other Iron Blood ships are too busy chasing the Admiral's attention. It will make the Admiral's position difficult if Bismarck suffers serious damage."
Huh? Admiral?
Admiral of Iron Blood?
I think I found something interesting in this conversation.
"Hey, if I may ask. How many men are there in Azur Lane's main base?" I asked U-556.
U-556's words have confirmed the presence of men in Azur Lane's main base. Aside from myself, it seems that other Alpha Males are threatening my harem in this place. The ship that I have painstakingly married is giving their love to a man other than myself?
Well... From their perspective, I am just a unknown man who came to Azur Lane's main base. My position is just an Eagle Union submarine that is unknown to other nations.
If that's the case...
It's time for me to raise the Netori flag!
Yeah! If they have become the property of other men. I will exploit the small gap of the lonely shipgirl who needs the warmth of her Admiral with Netori maneuvers.
"If we follow the rules that have been in place, each nation has more than one male Admiral serving in Azur Lane's main base. Their presence gives morale to the ship girls in carrying out their duties," said U-556.
"This is just a small question. Who leads the Eagle Union nation at the Azur Lane main base?" I asked to make sure of one thing.
"Admiral of the Navy, Arthur Mac William."
The answer was uttered by Charles Ausburne and triggered a strange system that governs my life in the Azur Lane world.
[ Quest Update! ]
[ Tampering New Identity for Unique Quest! ]
[ Generate New Unique Quest... Complete! ]
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Unique Quest – Old Friend & New Hope
Main Objective: Find information about the orphanage and Seawolf unit as an old friend.
Optional Rewards:
50% Synchronization (Siren Tech Lab).
100% Synchronization (Meta Tech Lab).
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Huh?!
What is this?!
You're telling me to get close to someone?!
Are you kidding me?
Hey!!
What do you expect from an introvert who was reborn as a submarine?
I want a refund!! A quest like this is impossible for me!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Unique Quest – Old Friend & New Hope
Main Objective: Find information about the orphanage and unit Seawolf as an old friend.
Abort Quest Penalty: SOMETHING BIG WILL HAPPEN.
Optional Rewards:
50% Synchronization (Siren Tech Lab).
100% Synchronization (Meta Tech Lab).
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Aaaaaaahhh... That's how you play!
Forcing it to me, dammit!
For the first time, I felt like my life in this world was determined by a strange system and Quest that I couldn't control.