Between Bismarck and Prince of Wales, it was clear that Bismarck—gifted with both precision-kill and protective abilities—was better suited to lead the strike team. Her power was also greater, more than enough to carve through the Abyssal forces across two hundred nautical miles of the Black Sea.
What's more, according to her plan, Bismarck would also take on the role of rearguard, luring the enemy.
And to bait the Abyssals, you had to be valuable enough to make a flagship lose its composure. The Bismarck who had sniped Abyssal Kaga in a single shot—she was certainly valuable enough.
As for Prince of Wales—she still fell short.
Aircraft carriers, though high in value, were never the type to plunge into a flagship's net. Saratoga and the others would not be thrown into such reckless traps.
Their mission was bombing—blasting open a clear path.
After confirming the plan once more with Fletcher, Lexington, Yat Sen, and the others staying behind, Bismarck's gaze finally landed on Changchun.
As a guided-missile destroyer, and the strike team's heaviest hitter, Changchun would shoulder enormous pressure.
Though each member had been issued an Elite Damage Control Sprite, that didn't mean the danger disappeared.
Strategically, Changchun's value was no less than Bismarck's—and she was much easier to bring down. The Abyssal flagships would likely make her their target.
"Changchun, you still have a chance to back out. This mission is extremely dangerous for you."
"We C-faction shipgirls never retreat—because behind us is our homeland." Changchun adjusted her cap, grinning. "That line's cool, right? I practiced it for ages!"
Bismarck only shook her head. She didn't rebuke her—Changchun's combat experience surpassed even her own.
"Then we move. U-47, stay hidden."
With a sweep of her hand, Bismarck led the charge, spearheading the formation with Helena and another light cruiser guarding the flanks, while Changchun held the center.
Beneath the waves, U-47 vanished into the depths—the assassin in shadow.
The Abyssal flagships would not be expecting her. Perhaps she could deliver the surprise that turned the tide.
"They're coming—Bismarck, Helena, one suspected light cruiser, and that guided destroyer. Should we ease our assault on those pests?"
Receiving the carrier flagship's report, Abyssal Yamato quickly asked Abyssal Musashi for instructions.
"Ease the assault? And let them encircle us from both sides?"
Abyssal Musashi gave her a look of utter disdain, waving her hand. "Ignore the rest. Sink those two as soon as possible."
She had already learned the names Alaska and St. George, but deliberately refused to use them—a gesture of contempt.
Truthfully, she valued both highly. St. George was a fearsome fighter, and Alaska, a level 100, was a real threat. She wanted them eliminated quickly, to cut down on variables.
As for bait—keeping those two stragglers alive was enough to force Bismarck's team to intervene.
Abyssal Friedrich der Große twirled her sword with a flourish. "Why not split our forces? While they divide theirs, I'll lead a strike on the base itself."
Musashi paused to consider, then shook her head.
"No. We don't know the full strength of that base. In just a few days they've produced another guided destroyer over level 100, and that other light cruiser in the group is no weakling either. Who knows what other monsters they've hidden on the island?
Compared to the unknown power of the base, this rescue team's strength is plain. We take them first."
Her reasoning was solid. Friedrich der Große fell silent, frowning as she turned westward.
"These small fry… who will handle them?"
Alaska, at full strength, and St. George, in the nineties—neither could sink an Abyssal flagship, but if they focused on running, even an Abyssal horde wouldn't bring them down instantly.
It would take a flagship to secure the kill.
And with the distance at two hundred miles, Bismarck's strike force would be upon them within fifteen minutes. This wasn't a lazy cruise at twenty knots—this was the life-or-death speed of the battlefield, where every second burned like lightning.
"I'll go. I'll take command," Abyssal Yamato said, glancing once at the unnamed Abyssal flagship. "I'll bring ten sub-flagships and muster three hundred submarines for a torpedo strike."
She and that unnamed flagship were both level 100, but her innate power set her a step higher.
"I'll join as well," Abyssal Zumwalt said, rising from her triangular craft. "End it quickly."
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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