Chapter 26: The Plan to Reap the Benefits

"Since the biggest issue at the port right now is the lack of oil, let's not rush back to the port just yet. Listen to me—I have a bold idea," Lin Lan said after thinking for a moment.

He then shared his plan to exploit the oil resources of the Orlan Federation. His position as the Commander from the Red Maple Academy could play a crucial role in this.

"I think it could work. Our Ironblood fleet can accompany the Commander to his new post, ensuring his safety," Bismarck said after a brief pause, being the first to agree.

After all, the Orlan Federation, where Lin Lan was assigned, was the closest to the Ironblood fortress. 

Even if something went wrong, they could deploy a large fleet from the floating fortress for a rescue.

Moreover, with the Ironblood fleet's shipgirls accompanying him, no typical Siren flagship could stand against them.

Lin Lan thought the same. After all, Ironblood had even torn open the mirror sea created by the Siren Constructors to save someone. 

Unless the Sirens specifically targeted him, a regular Siren fleet wouldn't stand a chance against the girls at his port.

As for the Orlan Federation's fleet… Lin Lan pondered. Since they couldn't even defeat the Sirens, he decided to disregard them for now.

"When we secure enough oil, we'll store the excess at the old port, and the Royal Navy will manage it," Lin Lan said, gradually refining the details of his plan after receiving Bismarck's approval.

During his year at the Red Maple Academy, Lin Lan had pretty much figured out the general situation of the Orlan Federation. After all, he had to find a way to survive back then.

As he thought about it, memories of being bullied and persecuted by the wealthy and powerful at the academy, especially by that narrow-minded and arrogant young master, brought a cold smile to his face.

The Tianxing Corporation—what goes around comes around...

And I might just be your karma.

"When I've gathered enough oil, I can form an ocean-going fleet and bring you all back home one by one."

Lin Lan brought his thoughts back to the present. Now wasn't the time to vent his negative emotions in front of his wives.

Currently, the factions in the port were scattered across different nations, some even across entire oceans. The routes between Orlan and those countries hadn't been restored yet.

So, bringing all the girls back together would take time.

Besides, the meta shipgirls couldn't be ignored either.

Lin Lan also discussed this with the flagships, instructing them to inform any meta shipgirls they encountered that he had returned.

Those meta shipgirls were practically walking nuclear bombs—capable of wiping out entire fleets as if it were child's play.

Lin Lan had considered using force to conquer a nation directly. 

Most countries in this world relied on the sea, with the ocean covering much more area than land, and rivers crisscrossing the landscape. The navy was the main military force.

Given his current port's strength, and if the equipment in his warehouse truly arrived in this world, it wasn't impossible to destroy a country.

But Lin Lan understood a simple truth: those who have the way are aided by many; those without it are aided by few.

Even if he did conquer a country by force, he might not govern it well and would only create endless enemies and problems.

He wasn't an ambitious person, after all. Instead of conquering the world, he preferred to live a peaceful life with the girls from the port.

Since Lin Lan had made up his mind, the flagships present all expressed their support. As long as Lin Lan's orders weren't too unreasonable, they would obey without question.

That's how things have always been.

After checking in on the other shipgirls he was concerned about, Lin Lan received reassuring answers.

Over at the Sakura Empire, with the assistance of Amagi and Shinano, even Akagi was behaving herself.

In Sardegna, Marco Polo had been depressed for a while after Lin Lan disappeared. 

However, she quickly set an ambitious goal: first, to bring this world under the Sardegna Empire's control, and then to use the world's power to find Lin Lan.

With Veneto now passing on the news of his return, that troublemaker should settle down... right?

Knowing Marco Polo's troublesome nature, Lin Lan repeatedly reminded Veneto to keep a close watch on her. After all, she was always itching to restore Sardegna's former glory.

The meeting concluded with the flagships reluctantly logging off, their holographic images disappearing one by one.

They didn't really want it to end, but Lin Lan was too hungry to continue.

They could always stay in touch later. For now, this would do.

"Phew, without realizing it, it's already afternoon, and I missed lunch…"

Finally finished with the meeting, Lin Lan stretched contentedly and took out his signal-less phone to check the time—it was already past three in the afternoon.

"Don't worry, my child. There are always chefs available in Ironblood's dining hall," said Friedrich der Große, looking at Lin Lan with a gentle smile.

"Actually, this is the perfect time for afternoon tea. Bismarck, you've worked hard all morning—why don't you join us?" 

Friedrich invited Bismarck, who had been standing behind Lin Lan.

Bismarck nodded, accepting the invitation.

Lin Lan gently placed the Commander Cat, who had fallen asleep from his petting, on the table, and the three of them left the conference room.

As they walked down the hallway, Lin Lan asked Friedrich curiously:

"By the way, why was there a Commander Cat in the conference room? I didn't see any others in the fortress."

Friedrich, holding Lin Lan's left arm, smiled warmly and explained:

"Because the Commander Cats are in the port. Each faction took one when we left. Only with a Commander Cat near the communication system can we communicate over long distances."

???

Lin Lan was stunned. How had he never heard that Commander Cats had this signal-tower function?

It seemed something mysterious had changed with the Commander Cats.

But since both Friedrich and Bismarck found nothing strange about it, Lin Lan could only accept this new reality with a sigh.

As they exited the hallway, the three of them ran into Z23, leading her Z-class destroyer friends with cleaning tools in hand, heading to the central Ironblood palace for a big cleanup.

Aside from Z1, Z2, Z16, and Z46, whom he had already met, there were two other Z-class destroyer chibis.

The cheerful, white-haired Z28, with a small pet bird perched on her shoulder, and Z25, a pink-haired loli with twin tails, who was a devoted fan of Z23 and had a black plush rabbit named "Mr. Encore" hanging from her waist.

(Z28)

(Z25)

All the Z-class destroyers were dressed in matching black-and-white maid-like short skirts with black stockings and bows, looking like little girls helping their parents clean the house—adorably cute in every way.

"Look, it's the Commander!"

Z16, the lively, black-haired loli with a white cowlick, was the first to spot Lin Lan, excitedly shouting and almost breaking formation to wave.

But both her hands were holding full buckets of water, nearly spilling them all over.

"Z16, mind your manners!" sighed Z1, the big sister of the Z-class destroyers. Z16 was the hardest to manage.

"Lady Friedrich and Lady Bismarck are here too. We're on duty, so let's put our things down and salute together."

Z23, the little teacher, instructed her sisters like a true big sister.

"Good afternoon, Commander, Lady Bismarck, Lady Friedrich!"