Kanda leaned his back against the wall. His face was covered with several bruises—not from his fight with Jens, but from Manami's repeated blows after she learned about his involvement in the idea for the new creation that he had given to Antonia.
At the center of the room, Kuune lay unconscious on a futon, with Durel and Melwin sitting beside her. Durel was working on a monitoring device that displayed Kuune's current condition and vital signs.
Also inside the room were Eris, Chaika, Aoi, Manami, Antonia, Maya, Sarah, and Claris.
As for the others, Kio had stayed with his friends, while Asami remained at her old home under the protection of five battle maids. They had been stationed there before the incident that occurred earlier that evening.
"Dr. Durel, how is Captain Kuune's condition? Were you able to learn anything from her current state?" Kanda asked.
"Her condition is stable, and her vital signs are functioning normally. From the readings, she appears to be in a deep sleep. However, we cannot wake her up by force. Doing so could cause severe shock to her brain and potentially result in permanent damage."
"How long will she remain in this condition?" Kanda asked again.
"Fortunately, she should regain consciousness in three days. Whatever substance was injected into her system is short-lived, so its effects should wear off by then," Durel replied.
"Captain Kuune may regain consciousness in three days, but I don't think Jens will simply remain silent after working so hard to accomplish this," Kanda said, looking toward the others.
"What do you think she will do next, Kanda?" Melwin asked.
Kanda pondered for a moment before turning his attention toward her.
"If something happened to your captain, what would you do, Melwin?"
"I would take over the command center. I would act as the Sub-Captain in her absence, and my orders would become the highest priority until she returned," Melwin answered.
"What if your captain encountered an unforeseen incident where she was still recognized by the system as being alive, but was incapable of giving orders to her subordinates—just like her current condition?"
Kanda's question caused Melwin's expression to change.
She slowly began to understand what Jens might have been planning with today's incident.
"So, Kanda..." Durel spoke as she connected the pieces together. "You believe Jens deliberately planned today's event to make Kuune incapable of giving orders to her subordinates while the system continues to recognize her as alive. That would allow Jens to proceed with her next plan without anyone realizing what she is doing. Am I right?"
"That's right, Dr. Durel. When I met her this afternoon, I could tell that she still hasn't given up on taking revenge against you—or, more accurately, against the Catia Federation," Kanda replied.
"How will she take her revenge?" Aoi asked curiously.
"I have a possible theory."
Chaika suddenly spoke up.
"I assume she will use our main ship to travel to the Catia Federation. Since our ship is capable of navigating by itself and returning to our planet afterward, it would prevent the tragedy involving Lawry's late master from happening again."
Everyone turned toward Chaika as she continued.
"Jens could use the main ship as a cover for her attack on the Federation. If she succeeds, the responsibility would ultimately fall on our captain."
Silence filled the room.
Everyone was staring at Chaika.
Chaika blinked several times before becoming slightly flustered.
"What?! Why are all of you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, Chaika..." Kanda replied. "We were just surprised after hearing your conclusion."
"Haa! How rude!" Chaika puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms. "I can think of things like that too, you know! If I couldn't, I wouldn't have been able to work as the leader of the Analysis Team in the Exploration Team!"
"Hahaha. It can't be helped if we thought that way, Chaika. We usually see you having fun around the house."
"Hmph! Don't talk to me anymore."
Chaika turned her face away from Kanda, clearly sulking.
Kanda smiled wryly.
"Well... I'm sorry, Chaika. I'll make you my new dessert creation later. How about that?"
"I... murmur... T-Two... murmur..."
"Hm? What was that, Chaika? I couldn't hear you."
"I said I want two of those desserts later!" Chaika shouted.
"Alright. Just leave it to me."
Kanda placed a fist against his chest as he confidently made his promise.
After their little banter ended, Kanda's expression became serious again.
"Anyway, our priority is to prevent Jens from carrying out her revenge."
"What is your plan, Kanda?" Melwin asked.
"We need to take control of your ship before Jens can reach it. I want you to contact your subordinates on the main ship immediately, Melwin."
Melwin immediately attempted to contact her subordinates.
However—
"..."
Her communication device remained silent.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Her expression gradually became more serious.
"I can't connect to them. Something is blocking the signal from reaching the main ship."
Melwin immediately informed Kanda of the situation.
Kanda frowned slightly before turning toward Antonia.
"Antonia-chan, what about Test Product No. 15? Have you already completed its prototype?"
"I'll bring it to you immediately, Kanda-niisan."
Antonia nodded before continuing her report.
"As for your question, the prototype for Test Product No. 15 has been completed. All fifteen test products have also had their prototypes created. Test Product No. 1 was already tested during today's incident."
"Good job, Antonia-chan. I want you to bring all of them here right now."
"Alright. But what about their testing, Kanda-niisan? Those products have only been tested inside the laboratory. We don't know how they will perform in a real situation."
"How were their results during the laboratory tests?"
Kanda's question caused Antonia to think for a moment before answering.
"Test Products No. 1 through No. 6 achieved an eighty-percent functionality rate. No. 7 through No. 14 achieved around seventy-five percent. As for Test Product No. 15..."
Antonia paused for a moment.
"It is the only one that reached ninety-five percent functionality."
Kanda nodded.
"That's good enough. Just bring them here, Antonia-chan."
"Understood."
Antonia turned toward her two maids.
"Maya, Sarah, let's go."
"Yes, Antonia-sama."
The two battle maids immediately followed her.
Antonia left the room with Maya and Sarah, heading toward her house to retrieve all fifteen prototypes.
Kanda watched them leave before turning his attention back toward the others.
Whatever Jens was planning, he knew they were running out of time.
After Antonia left the room, Kanda turned his attention toward Melwin.
"Melwin, what will happen if Jens forcefully enters your main ship?"
"Our command center and the core system room that you visited before will initiate a safety procedure," Melwin explained. "Those rooms will be separated from the main ship and isolated within an interdimensional space. This prevents anyone from entering them."
"How can you return those rooms to their normal state afterward?" Kanda asked.
"We need verification from Captain Kuune to deactivate the safety procedure. However, she can't do that right now because she has entered a deep sleep. As her First Officer, I cannot bypass her authority as long as she is still alive."
"I see."
Kanda thought about it for a moment before shaking his head.
"Anyway, we'll think about that later. Right now, we need to contact your subordinates and warn them about the possibility of Jens attacking the main ship."
Kanda then turned toward Claris.
"Claris, could you prepare some drinks for everyone?"
"Of course, Kanda-sama."
Claris bowed before leaving the room and heading downstairs to prepare the drinks.
A short while later, the door opened again.
Antonia returned to the room, followed by Maya and Sarah. The two battle maids were carrying four large suitcases, two in each of their hands.
By then, Kanda and the others were already drinking the beverages that Claris had prepared.
"Put them here."
Antonia pointed toward the floor in front of her.
Maya and Sarah placed the four suitcases down before Antonia opened them one by one.
She took out a small device from one of the suitcases and handed it to Kanda.
"Kanda-niisan, this is Test Product No. 15 that you asked for."
Kanda accepted the device and carefully examined it.
It resembled a small television remote control. There were only two buttons on it—one red and one blue.
After examining it for a few seconds, Kanda handed the device to Melwin.
"Melwin, here. Try using your communication device to contact the main ship again after pressing the blue button."
"Understood."
Melwin followed Kanda's instructions.
She pressed the blue button before attempting to contact the main ship again.
To her surprise—
"Connection established!"
She immediately contacted her subordinates and warned them about the possibility of Jens attacking the main ship.
After ending the call, Melwin turned toward Kanda.
"They received my warning. They're preparing for the possibility of Jens arriving at the main ship."
"Good."
Kanda nodded.
For the next fifteen minutes, everyone remained inside the room, discussing their next course of action while drinking the beverages Claris had prepared.
Then—
*BEEP! BEEP!*
A sudden distress signal came through Melwin's communication device.
Her expression immediately changed.
"What's happening?"
Melwin quickly picked up the device.
"Melwin speaking. What happened?"
She listened carefully to the voice coming from the other side.
Her expression gradually became more worried.
After several moments, the call ended.
Kanda immediately noticed her expression.
"What happened, Melwin? Has Jens already made her move?"
"Yes, Kanda."
Melwin clenched her hand around the communication device.
"The call was from my subordinates. They were suddenly ambushed by Jens and her forces."
"How about your subordinates? Are they safe?"
"They managed to save themselves when Jens invaded the main ship."
Melwin took a deep breath before continuing.
"They gathered inside the command center and immediately activated the ship's defense mechanism. As a result, the command center and the core system room were separated from the rest of the ship by a thin dimensional gap."
She paused.
"Nothing can survive inside that dimensional gap without proper preparation."
Aoi's expression became increasingly worried.
"What do we do now, Kanda? We need to save those Catians!"
"We could go to the main ship and rescue them," Kanda replied. "But we need Kuune's authority to deactivate the ship's defense mechanism. Without it, we won't be able to reach them."
Aoi lowered her head.
"So... we've reached a dead end."
"How about your creations, Kanda?"
Manami suddenly spoke up.
"Is there anything that could help us save those Catians?"
Kanda became silent for a moment.
"Well..."
He slowly looked toward the suitcases.
"I have one product that could solve everything."
Melwin immediately turned toward him.
"What is it, Kanda? If that thing can save my people, I want you to use it."
"Calm down, Melwin."
Kanda's expression became serious.
"Before I show you that product, you need to understand something."
He paused.
"If you use this thing, you might regret it."
Melwin stared at him.
"Do you know why?"
"I don't know."
Kanda walked toward one of the suitcases.
He opened it and began rummaging through its contents.
After a moment, he pulled out a strange spherical object.
The sphere was surrounded by numerous blunt-ended spikes. Its jet-black surface gave it an ominous appearance, almost as if it had been created solely for destruction.
Kanda held the object in his hand.
"You know, Melwin..."
He looked directly at her.
"This is Test Product No. 7."
Antonia quietly nodded.
"It is one of the most powerful products that Antonia created based on my idea."
Kanda continued.
"Although it's still only a prototype and it achieved only a seventy-five-percent functionality rating during laboratory testing..."
He looked down at the ominous sphere.
"...it possesses enough destructive power to destroy an object ranging from something as small as a marble to something as large as your main ship."
Melwin's eyes widened.
Kanda's expression remained serious.
"Do you understand, Melwin?"
He raised the sphere slightly.
"If you use this thing, you must be prepared to take responsibility for every life that could be lost after it is activated."
Melwin stared at the small object in disbelief.
"That tiny thing can cause such tremendous damage?"
"Yes."
Kanda's answer was short and absolute.
"That's why I wanted to keep it as a last resort. We should only use it when there are no other alternatives left."
Silence enveloped the room.
Everyone stared at the ominous sphere in Kanda's hand.
Then—
"Kanda-niisan..."
Antonia's voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Look at the bell belonging to Captain Kuune."
Everyone turned toward Kuune.
Beside her head lay the small bell that she always carried.
The bell suddenly began to glow.
Rainbow-colored light radiated from its surface.
"W-What is that?"
The bell slowly floated into the air.
Everyone watched in silence as it drifted toward Kanda.
As it approached him, the ribbon attached to the bell suddenly began to move.
The ribbon slowly unraveled from the bell before floating through the air.
It then wrapped itself around Kanda's neck.
The rainbow-colored light gradually disappeared.
The bell returned to its normal appearance.
Kanda instinctively touched it.
"What just happened?"
Melwin stared at him with a complicated expression.
"Kanda..."
She hesitated for a moment before asking,
"Did Captain Kuune ever say something to you like, 'I will leave my crew in your care' or 'I trust you with all my being'?"
"Hmm..."
Kanda pondered for a while.
Then, he remembered.
"I remember her saying something similar."
Everyone listened carefully.
"She said, 'I trust you, Ichijou. Therefore, I'll be glad if you could support me later by taking over my duties.'"
Kanda scratched his cheek.
"She said it when I asked for her assistance during our previous mission. At the time, I didn't think much about it."
He sighed.
"I simply accepted it because I needed her assistance as soon as possible."
Silence filled the room.
Melwin and all the Catia girls stared at Kanda with shocked expressions.
Then—
Their expressions changed.
The surprise disappeared.
Their eyes became serious.
One after another, the Catia girls stood up.
Melwin stepped forward.
She placed a hand against her chest before lowering her head respectfully toward Kanda.
"Kanda..."
Her voice was solemn.
"According to the order given by our previous captain, Captain Kuune, we officially recognize you as our new captain."
Kanda's eyes widened.
Melwin continued.
"From this moment onward, all of us will follow your orders."
The Catia girls raised their hands in unison.
They saluted their new captain.
"Yes, Captain Ichijou Kanda!"
Kanda remained completely silent.
He looked at the Catia girls standing before him.
The weight of Kuune's trust suddenly became much heavier than he had expected.
The small bell around his neck gently moved.
*Jingle.*
And with that sound, Kanda Ichijou officially inherited the command of the Catia crew.
**END OF CHAPTER**
Kanda leaned his back against the wall. His face was covered with several bruises—not from his fight with Jens, but from Manami's repeated blows after she learned about his involvement in the idea for the new creation that he had given to Antonia.
At the center of the room, Kuune lay unconscious on a futon, with Durel and Melwin sitting beside her. Durel was working on a monitoring device that displayed Kuune's current condition and vital signs.
Also inside the room were Eris, Chaika, Aoi, Manami, Antonia, Maya, Sarah, and Claris.
As for the others, Kio had stayed with his friends, while Asami remained at her old home under the protection of five battle maids. They had been stationed there before the incident that occurred earlier that evening.
"Dr. Durel, how is Captain Kuune's condition? Were you able to learn anything from her current state?" Kanda asked.
"Her condition is stable, and her vital signs are functioning normally. From the readings, she appears to be in a deep sleep. However, we cannot wake her up by force. Doing so could cause severe shock to her brain and potentially result in permanent damage."
"How long will she remain in this condition?" Kanda asked again.
"Fortunately, she should regain consciousness in three days. Whatever substance was injected into her system is short-lived, so its effects should wear off by then," Durel replied.
"Captain Kuune may regain consciousness in three days, but I don't think Jens will simply remain silent after working so hard to accomplish this," Kanda said, looking toward the others.
"What do you think she will do next, Kanda?" Melwin asked.
Kanda pondered for a moment before turning his attention toward her.
"If something happened to your captain, what would you do, Melwin?"
"I would take over the command center. I would act as the Sub-Captain in her absence, and my orders would become the highest priority until she returned," Melwin answered.
"What if your captain encountered an unforeseen incident where she was still recognized by the system as being alive, but was incapable of giving orders to her subordinates—just like her current condition?"
Kanda's question caused Melwin's expression to change.
She slowly began to understand what Jens might have been planning with today's incident.
"So, Kanda..." Durel spoke as she connected the pieces together. "You believe Jens deliberately planned today's event to make Kuune incapable of giving orders to her subordinates while the system continues to recognize her as alive. That would allow Jens to proceed with her next plan without anyone realizing what she is doing. Am I right?"
"That's right, Dr. Durel. When I met her this afternoon, I could tell that she still hasn't given up on taking revenge against you—or, more accurately, against the Catia Federation," Kanda replied.
"How will she take her revenge?" Aoi asked curiously.
"I have a possible theory."
Chaika suddenly spoke up.
"I assume she will use our main ship to travel to the Catia Federation. Since our ship is capable of navigating by itself and returning to our planet afterward, it would prevent the tragedy involving Lawry's late master from happening again."
Everyone turned toward Chaika as she continued.
"Jens could use the main ship as a cover for her attack on the Federation. If she succeeds, the responsibility would ultimately fall on our captain."
Silence filled the room.
Everyone was staring at Chaika.
Chaika blinked several times before becoming slightly flustered.
"What?! Why are all of you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, Chaika..." Kanda replied. "We were just surprised after hearing your conclusion."
"Haa! How rude!" Chaika puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms. "I can think of things like that too, you know! If I couldn't, I wouldn't have been able to work as the leader of the Analysis Team in the Exploration Team!"
"Hahaha. It can't be helped if we thought that way, Chaika. We usually see you having fun around the house."
"Hmph! Don't talk to me anymore."
Chaika turned her face away from Kanda, clearly sulking.
Kanda smiled wryly.
"Well... I'm sorry, Chaika. I'll make you my new dessert creation later. How about that?"
"I... murmur... T-Two... murmur..."
"Hm? What was that, Chaika? I couldn't hear you."
"I said I want two of those desserts later!" Chaika shouted.
"Alright. Just leave it to me."
Kanda placed a fist against his chest as he confidently made his promise.
After their little banter ended, Kanda's expression became serious again.
"Anyway, our priority is to prevent Jens from carrying out her revenge."
"What is your plan, Kanda?" Melwin asked.
"We need to take control of your ship before Jens can reach it. I want you to contact your subordinates on the main ship immediately, Melwin."
Melwin immediately attempted to contact her subordinates.
However—
"..."
Her communication device remained silent.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Her expression gradually became more serious.
"I can't connect to them. Something is blocking the signal from reaching the main ship."
Melwin immediately informed Kanda of the situation.
Kanda frowned slightly before turning toward Antonia.
"Antonia-chan, what about Test Product No. 15? Have you already completed its prototype?"
"I'll bring it to you immediately, Kanda-niisan."
Antonia nodded before continuing her report.
"As for your question, the prototype for Test Product No. 15 has been completed. All fifteen test products have also had their prototypes created. Test Product No. 1 was already tested during today's incident."
"Good job, Antonia-chan. I want you to bring all of them here right now."
"Alright. But what about their testing, Kanda-niisan? Those products have only been tested inside the laboratory. We don't know how they will perform in a real situation."
"How were their results during the laboratory tests?"
Kanda's question caused Antonia to think for a moment before answering.
"Test Products No. 1 through No. 6 achieved an eighty-percent functionality rate. No. 7 through No. 14 achieved around seventy-five percent. As for Test Product No. 15..."
Antonia paused for a moment.
"It is the only one that reached ninety-five percent functionality."
Kanda nodded.
"That's good enough. Just bring them here, Antonia-chan."
"Understood."
Antonia turned toward her two maids.
"Maya, Sarah, let's go."
"Yes, Antonia-sama."
The two battle maids immediately followed her.
Antonia left the room with Maya and Sarah, heading toward her house to retrieve all fifteen prototypes.
Kanda watched them leave before turning his attention back toward the others.
Whatever Jens was planning, he knew they were running out of time.
After Antonia left the room, Kanda turned his attention toward Melwin.
"Melwin, what will happen if Jens forcefully enters your main ship?"
"Our command center and the core system room that you visited before will initiate a safety procedure," Melwin explained. "Those rooms will be separated from the main ship and isolated within an interdimensional space. This prevents anyone from entering them."
"How can you return those rooms to their normal state afterward?" Kanda asked.
"We need verification from Captain Kuune to deactivate the safety procedure. However, she can't do that right now because she has entered a deep sleep. As her First Officer, I cannot bypass her authority as long as she is still alive."
"I see."
Kanda thought about it for a moment before shaking his head.
"Anyway, we'll think about that later. Right now, we need to contact your subordinates and warn them about the possibility of Jens attacking the main ship."
Kanda then turned toward Claris.
"Claris, could you prepare some drinks for everyone?"
"Of course, Kanda-sama."
Claris bowed before leaving the room and heading downstairs to prepare the drinks.
A short while later, the door opened again.
Antonia returned to the room, followed by Maya and Sarah. The two battle maids were carrying four large suitcases, two in each of their hands.
By then, Kanda and the others were already drinking the beverages that Claris had prepared.
"Put them here."
Antonia pointed toward the floor in front of her.
Maya and Sarah placed the four suitcases down before Antonia opened them one by one.
She took out a small device from one of the suitcases and handed it to Kanda.
"Kanda-niisan, this is Test Product No. 15 that you asked for."
Kanda accepted the device and carefully examined it.
It resembled a small television remote control. There were only two buttons on it—one red and one blue.
After examining it for a few seconds, Kanda handed the device to Melwin.
"Melwin, here. Try using your communication device to contact the main ship again after pressing the blue button."
"Understood."
Melwin followed Kanda's instructions.
She pressed the blue button before attempting to contact the main ship again.
To her surprise—
"Connection established!"
She immediately contacted her subordinates and warned them about the possibility of Jens attacking the main ship.
After ending the call, Melwin turned toward Kanda.
"They received my warning. They're preparing for the possibility of Jens arriving at the main ship."
"Good."
Kanda nodded.
For the next fifteen minutes, everyone remained inside the room, discussing their next course of action while drinking the beverages Claris had prepared.
Then—
*BEEP! BEEP!*
A sudden distress signal came through Melwin's communication device.
Her expression immediately changed.
"What's happening?"
Melwin quickly picked up the device.
"Melwin speaking. What happened?"
She listened carefully to the voice coming from the other side.
Her expression gradually became more worried.
After several moments, the call ended.
Kanda immediately noticed her expression.
"What happened, Melwin? Has Jens already made her move?"
"Yes, Kanda."
Melwin clenched her hand around the communication device.
"The call was from my subordinates. They were suddenly ambushed by Jens and her forces."
"How about your subordinates? Are they safe?"
"They managed to save themselves when Jens invaded the main ship."
Melwin took a deep breath before continuing.
"They gathered inside the command center and immediately activated the ship's defense mechanism. As a result, the command center and the core system room were separated from the rest of the ship by a thin dimensional gap."
She paused.
"Nothing can survive inside that dimensional gap without proper preparation."
Aoi's expression became increasingly worried.
"What do we do now, Kanda? We need to save those Catians!"
"We could go to the main ship and rescue them," Kanda replied. "But we need Kuune's authority to deactivate the ship's defense mechanism. Without it, we won't be able to reach them."
Aoi lowered her head.
"So... we've reached a dead end."
"How about your creations, Kanda?"
Manami suddenly spoke up.
"Is there anything that could help us save those Catians?"
Kanda became silent for a moment.
"Well..."
He slowly looked toward the suitcases.
"I have one product that could solve everything."
Melwin immediately turned toward him.
"What is it, Kanda? If that thing can save my people, I want you to use it."
"Calm down, Melwin."
Kanda's expression became serious.
"Before I show you that product, you need to understand something."
He paused.
"If you use this thing, you might regret it."
Melwin stared at him.
"Do you know why?"
"I don't know."
Kanda walked toward one of the suitcases.
He opened it and began rummaging through its contents.
After a moment, he pulled out a strange spherical object.
The sphere was surrounded by numerous blunt-ended spikes. Its jet-black surface gave it an ominous appearance, almost as if it had been created solely for destruction.
Kanda held the object in his hand.
"You know, Melwin..."
He looked directly at her.
"This is Test Product No. 7."
Antonia quietly nodded.
"It is one of the most powerful products that Antonia created based on my idea."
Kanda continued.
"Although it's still only a prototype and it achieved only a seventy-five-percent functionality rating during laboratory testing..."
He looked down at the ominous sphere.
"...it possesses enough destructive power to destroy an object ranging from something as small as a marble to something as large as your main ship."
Melwin's eyes widened.
Kanda's expression remained serious.
"Do you understand, Melwin?"
He raised the sphere slightly.
"If you use this thing, you must be prepared to take responsibility for every life that could be lost after it is activated."
Melwin stared at the small object in disbelief.
"That tiny thing can cause such tremendous damage?"
"Yes."
Kanda's answer was short and absolute.
"That's why I wanted to keep it as a last resort. We should only use it when there are no other alternatives left."
Silence enveloped the room.
Everyone stared at the ominous sphere in Kanda's hand.
Then—
"Kanda-niisan..."
Antonia's voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Look at the bell belonging to Captain Kuune."
Everyone turned toward Kuune.
Beside her head lay the small bell that she always carried.
The bell suddenly began to glow.
Rainbow-colored light radiated from its surface.
"W-What is that?"
The bell slowly floated into the air.
Everyone watched in silence as it drifted toward Kanda.
As it approached him, the ribbon attached to the bell suddenly began to move.
The ribbon slowly unraveled from the bell before floating through the air.
It then wrapped itself around Kanda's neck.
The rainbow-colored light gradually disappeared.
The bell returned to its normal appearance.
Kanda instinctively touched it.
"What just happened?"
Melwin stared at him with a complicated expression.
"Kanda..."
She hesitated for a moment before asking,
"Did Captain Kuune ever say something to you like, 'I will leave my crew in your care' or 'I trust you with all my being'?"
"Hmm..."
Kanda pondered for a while.
Then, he remembered.
"I remember her saying something similar."
Everyone listened carefully.
"She said, 'I trust you, Ichijou. Therefore, I'll be glad if you could support me later by taking over my duties.'"
Kanda scratched his cheek.
"She said it when I asked for her assistance during our previous mission. At the time, I didn't think much about it."
He sighed.
"I simply accepted it because I needed her assistance as soon as possible."
Silence filled the room.
Melwin and all the Catia girls stared at Kanda with shocked expressions.
Then—
Their expressions changed.
The surprise disappeared.
Their eyes became serious.
One after another, the Catia girls stood up.
Melwin stepped forward.
She placed a hand against her chest before lowering her head respectfully toward Kanda.
"Kanda..."
Her voice was solemn.
"According to the order given by our previous captain, Captain Kuune, we officially recognize you as our new captain."
Kanda's eyes widened.
Melwin continued.
"From this moment onward, all of us will follow your orders."
The Catia girls raised their hands in unison.
They saluted their new captain.
"Yes, Captain Ichijou Kanda!"
Kanda remained completely silent.
He looked at the Catia girls standing before him.
The weight of Kuune's trust suddenly became much heavier than he had expected.
The small bell around his neck gently moved.
*Jingle.*
And with that sound, Kanda Ichijou officially inherited the command of the Catia crew.
END OF CHAPTER