On a small island called Clyatis, a restaurant was doing a roaring trade. Normally it didn't see so many customers, but three days earlier something strange had happened six nautical miles north of the island.
In broad daylight a blue pillar of light had shot skyward, punching a hole through the cloudy heavens.
The beam faded, and a dazzling little island appeared out of thin air, shrouded in a blue energy dome. Ordinary people were repelled on contact; even a Three-Star Epic Ship Girl had struck it with all her might without leaving a crack.
A Silver-Haired Girl in an off-shoulder white dress and a light-blonde pony-tailed girl in a big-sleeved sailor outfit pushed open the restaurant door. Every Gaze locked onto the two beauties until they sat at a table.
"Waiter, bring me this, and this and that—okay, that's all." Illustrious ordered from the menu.
"Right away, ma'am. Please wait a moment." The waiter headed for the kitchen.
"Admiral, why don't we just force our way in?" Ayanami asked, puzzled.
First she poured a cup of tea for Ayanami, then filled one for herself and took a slow sip before setting it on the table. Only then did Illustrious speak. "That's where you're misinformed! After Azure Island is activated, the energy barrier enveloping the island won't dissipate for another three days. Though a blue-grade Azure Island may look fragile, even a Five-Star Epic Ship Girl can't break through it."
Of course, even if someone did force their way in, the blue-grade Azure Island would simply warp through space and vanish. Tracking it down afterward would be a nightmare!
"So that's why! No wonder you didn't barge in after activating that blue-grade Azure Island and instead came straight here to stay!" Ayanami nodded in understanding.
"Counting down, there are only two hours left before the barrier lifts! Once we finish eating, we'll head straight there," Illustrious said softly to Ayanami.
"Understood, Admiral. I'll give it everything I've got—please look forward to it!" Ayanami was elated. Because Illustrious had important business and couldn't go on their date, she'd promised to bring Ayanami along as compensation.
As for Unicorn, being only a Purple-rated Ship Girl, Illustrious said this mission was too dangerous and she could only take one companion, promising to make it up to Unicorn next time.
"Your order, ladies. Enjoy!" The waiter set the dishes in front of Illustrious and Ayanami.
"All right, let's dig in!" Illustrious was starving.
"Yes, Admiral!" Ayanami eagerly picked up her chopsticks.
The two happily set to work, steadily clearing the feast before them. A major battle awaited once they finished—no strength on an empty stomach.
Suddenly the restaurant doors swung open; a burly young man strode in with two girls behind him.
"Well, if it isn't Li Zifei! What brings you here?" A plump young man at another table rose to greet them.
"Oh, it's you, Wu Goudan! You know exactly why I'm here," Li Zifei replied.
"It's Wu Goudan, not Wu Goudan! Some bastard gave me that nickname—now everyone calls me that. If I ever find out who, I'll break his legs," Wu Goudan fumed at the slip.
"Haha, my bad! I just heard others call you that and picked it up," Li Zifei laughed, clearly not intending any offense.
"I suppose you're here for the blue-grade Azure Island too. Those two behind you must be your Ship Girls—damn, you lucky dog! A Purple-rated heavy cruiser Dorsetshire and a Purple-rated Battleship Maryland!" Wu Goudan said enviously.
"Yours aren't bad either! At your table there's the Purple-rated Battleship West Virginia and the Blue-rated Destroyer Kaede," Li Zifei replied casually.
"Music to my ears! I emptied my savings building them—hoping this Azure Island will help me recoup my losses," Wu Goudan boasted, proud of his Purple-rated haul.
"Looks like you're here for a meal. Join us—food just arrived, and it's on me," Wu Goudan offered generously.
"Then I won't refuse your hospitality," Li Zifei said, motioning his Ship Girls to sit at Wu Goudan's table.
"So, Zifei, how much profit do you think we can squeeze out of this Azure Island?" Wu Goudan asked seriously.
"Plenty of big shots showed up. Word is the three Grand Admirals of the East Pacific each dispatched their ace Epic Ship Girls. This island will be a fierce battlefield," Li Zifei said grimly.
"Epic Ship Girls? Then we're left with scraps!" Wu Goudan groaned.
"Not necessarily. The lion's share will go to them, but the crumbs are still ours. No matter how strong an Epic Ship Girl is, she can't wipe out every other Ship Girl," Li Zifei said, taking a bite.
"But if they really do flatten our girls, what then?" Wu Goudan worried.
"Even if they beat our Ship Girls, they'd incur the wrath of every other Admiral. We could file a joint complaint with the Governor-General's Mansion—monopolies are banned in the name of sustainable development," Li Zifei whispered.
"That's a relief. Even the crumbs could catapult us forward!" Wu Goudan finally relaxed.
"Notice those two Ship Girls over there?" Li Zifei murmured.
"Saw them the moment they walked in—two Gold-Plated Ship Girls! One's the Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier Illustrious, the other the Sakura Empire Destroyer Ayanami," Wu Goudan exclaimed.
"They're sitting alone—could they be Free Ship Girls?" Li Zifei glanced toward Illustrious.
"Free Ship Girls? Then we've got a shot! Watch me reel in a Gold-Plated beauty," Wu Goudan slicked his hair and struck what he thought was a dashing pose.
---------------------------------
Hope you enjoy this fanfiction if you do and would like to read the next 30 chapters in advance, pls do check out my Patreon.
patreon.com/TLScarlet
Also don't forget to give me a Power Stone if you do like this fiction. Your support really motivates me to continue doing my best in translating, Thanks!!