After the tea party concluded, the group gathered to discuss the next phase of the operation, awaiting the green light from Command. In the room, Enterprise leaned casually against the wall, while Hornet munched on a snack beside her. Baltimore sat in the corner, arms crossed, observing the discussion. Memphis stood next to Greynar, who was seated at the table, deep in thought. Saratoga and Queen Elizabeth along with Warspite stood near the center, their focus on a rge map of the NA Ocean spread across the table, its details illuminated by the room's soft lighting.

  “First off, I want to say something,“ the Commander began, breaking the quiet anticipation in the room. “Is it allowed to bring snacks here? I'm still hungry.“ His words evoked a few chuckles from the group, and Elizabeth sighed theatrically before calling for a maid to bring him some refreshments.

  “You really enjoyed the tea party, didn't you, Commander?“ Memphis asked with a knowing smile.

  “It was one of those rare times I could actually rex, and it was great,“ he admitted, pausing before muttering under his breath, “Except for those... Royal cuisines I've heard about.“

  Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, catching part of his muttering but deciding to let it slide for now. The room lightened with the rexed banter, though the map on the table reminded everyone of the serious discussion ahead.

  “Ahem,“ the Queen cleared her throat, regaining everyone's attention. “Servant, would you?“ She gestured for the Commander to take his pce and begin.

  Standing up, the Commander addressed the group. “As we had pnned, we'll be joining forces with the Royal Navy, and the offensive will start once the Command gives us the go to start the operation. Besides, the Sirens' offensive has increased, and we can't afford to wait much longer.“

  “After the offensive begins, the Commander will take over the command of the Royal Navy fleet and unch an attack alongside the Eagle Union Fleet that has already arrived,“ Saratoga added. “We were transferred by the Command to assist the Commander in unching the attack from here.“

  “I see... This arrangement would save time moving back and forth. Is there any problem with Elizabeth?“ Greynar asked, turning to the queen.

  The Queen shook her head, a smile pying on her lips. “That’s totally fine, it’s actually what we pnned! That’s not to imply the operation won't proceed fwlessly with me at the helm, but even one such as I may occasionally need to watch from the sidelines. Fortunately, thanks to the unpnned actions of a certain person and a certain company, things are finally back on track.“ She paused and winked. “I'll leave all the troublesome matters like combat command to you. Please don't let me down~“

  “You deserve credit too, you know,“ Greynar said, not wanting to dismiss her contribution. “The headquarters definitely wouldn't have responded so quickly if it wasn't for you.“

  The Queen ughed abruptly, her smile widening. “Hoho! Continue to show your gratitude!“ she said, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction.

  “With that taken care of, we'll leave the rest in our capable Commander's hands,“ Saratoga said with a smile, though it didn’t seem entirely friendly. “Please behave and go back to your castle, Miss Elizabeth~“

  “As for that matter...“ Elizabeth replied with a pyful tone. “I’ve changed my mind~ Since we are already at the front line, I’ve decided to enter the heart of the NA Ocean with the Commander.“

  “Eh...? Huh? You’re going to head into the center of the NA Ocean... personally?“ Memphis asked, her surprise clearly showing on her face.

  “That is the pn,“ Elizabeth replied smugly, though a slight blush crept up on her face. “W-well, it’s not like I’m worried about my servant... but I do have matters to inspect at the NA Ocean.“

  Saratoga sighed, holding her head in frustration. “Can’t you... just leave it to the maid corps? Stay where it’s safe and leave the fighting to the Royal Maids? This mission is especially dangerous, and we don’t want to risk you or the Commander getting hurt. You certainly won’t like it when your subjects are worried about you, will you?“

  Warspite interjected gently. “We understand your concern, but—“ She was cut off by Elizabeth raising a hand.

  “It’s fine, Warspite. I know how you feel, but we need not expin ourselves to this close-minded commoner,“ the Queen said, her smug expression fixed as she shot Saratoga a challenging look.

  “Oh, you’re pulling the queen card on me now...“ Saratoga huffed, crossing her arms.

  “This is not up for debate! It would besmirch my reputation to send my servant into danger without incurring any risk myself!“ Elizabeth decred firmly. “Instead of looking at me with such empty eyes, why don't you look at yourself in the mirror first?“

  Saratoga saw her opening and shot back with a smirk. “Look in the mirror...? Is it the mirror brought by the royal family? Is there something wrong with it that I need to check?“ She tilted her head, clearly enjoying teasing Elizabeth.

  “Y-you...“ Elizabeth gritted her teeth, then sighed in frustration. “This isn't up for debate, Saratoga! I'm a queen, yes, but also a shipgirl, just like you. If I’m going to stand by sipping tea while my servant and my subjects head into war, then I would rather die!“

  The debate ended with Saratoga and Elizabeth bickering nonstop, though it turned into an oddly enjoyable moment of levity before the operation's next phase. As the meeting concluded, everyone headed off to rest and prepare.

  The Commander, followed closely by Memphis, was engaged in conversation when they encountered Sheffield in the corridor.

  “Sheffield,“ he greeted her, inclining his head slightly.

  “Long time no see, Commander,“ Sheffield replied with a polite bow. “Hello, Memphis.“

  “Hello to you too, Sheffy,“ Memphis responded warmly.

  “I didn’t spot you at the tea party,“ the Commander noted. “But I guess you’re around here as well.“

  “In order for everyone to better enjoy the tea party, it is the maid's duty to stay behind the scenes at the right time,“ Sheffield said, her lips curving in a faint, smug smile. “By the way, I have a message for you from Her Majesty.“

  The Commander blinked in surprise. “What is it?“

  Sheffield leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper near his ear. “What kind of existence do you think the Ashes are?“ she reyed to him the odd message.

  “Wha—?“ The Commander’s eyes widened slightly.

  Straightening, Sheffield continued, her expression composed as ever. “There’s no need to answer immediately. Her Majesty simply hopes you’ll take time to reflect on this question.“ Gncing briefly at Memphis, the maid added, “I won't take up any more of your time, Commander. I hope you have a pleasant evening.“ She bowed gracefully before taking her leave.

  As the maid departed, the Commander stretched, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over him. “Damn, I’ll just go rest for tonight... If the operation is a success, there’s going to be a lot to do. The sea routes in the NA Ocean will reopen, won’t they?“ he asked Memphis.

  “Yeah,“ Memphis replied with a nod. “It’ll be a tremendous step forward for trade and will certainly change the course of sea route. Plus, it’ll give us a significant boost in our efforts against the Sirens.“

  “That means I wouldn’t be resting once the operation is done,“ he murmured under his breath, then gnced at Memphis. “Are there any holidays for a Commander? I just want to ze around, rest, and enjoy a few days without being swamped by work.“

  Memphis chuckled at his question and gave a casual shrug. “You’d have to take that up with the Eagle Union Command themselves. Knowing them, though, I wouldn’t hold my breath.“

  “Fine, fine...“ he waved it off dismissively before fshing a sly smirk. “By the way, want to come over to my room?“

  Memphis froze mid-step, her eyes widening in shock. “W-w-what do you mean by that?“ she stuttered, her voice tinged with panic.

  He raised a brow, clearly relishing her reaction. “You know exactly what I mean,“ he teased. “You did it before when I went to the Arctic... sharing a bed, remember?“

  Memphis’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as she stammered, “T-that was completely different! I had a nightmare, and it was... it was...“ She trailed off, unable to come up with a convincing excuse.

  Greynar, clearly amused, smirked and gave a shrug. “It’s fine if you don’t want to,“ he said in a pyful tone. “Darn, my own secretary shot me down on my gracious offer to share a bed~“

  Memphis sighed, her cheeks still flushed. “F-fine! Ugh... Commander, you clearly did this out of your own amusement...“ she muttered in defeat, unable to hide her embarrassment.

  Greynar chuckled, unabashed. “Guilty as charged,“ he admitted with a grin, his tone light and teasing.

  Memphis shot him a sidelong gnce, shaking her head with a small, reluctant smile. “You’re impossible sometimes... but I guess that’s what makes you... you.“

  “Gd you think so,“ he replied, his smirk softening into a genuine smile.

  With that, Memphis let out a resigned sigh again and continued walking beside him, the earlier tension gradually giving way to a more comfortable silence as they made their way down the hallway. Despite her earlier protests, it seemed she had reluctantly agreed to his suggestion. As they approached his quarters, Memphis, still blushing and flustered, stole a gnce at the Commander. Her expression wavered between annoyance and something softer, though she quickly averted her gaze whenever he looked her way.

  Noticing her flustered state, the Commander couldn’t resist teasing her again. “What’s on your mind, Memphis?“ he asked, his tone light and pyful.

  “W-w-what?“ she stammered, her face turning as red as a tomato. “It-it's nothing! Really!“

  He smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “A Commander and a shipgirl, alone in a room... that might give people ideas,“ he remarked nonchantly.

  Her blush deepened as she avoided his gaze, and without another word, she hurriedly stepped into the room, her expression a mix of embarrassment and frustration.

  Satisfied with the teasing, the Commander stepped inside the room. Since nothing inappropriate would happen, they kept the situation respectable. Memphis y beside him with a sigh, still finding it hard to believe she was sharing the same bed as her Commander—but here she was.

  Shifting slightly on the bed, Memphis turned to face him, her is gaze steady but curious. “Commander,“ she called softly.

  “Yeah?“ he replied, gncing at her.

  “I’ve been thinking about what Hornet said earlier...“ Memphis muttered, her voice trailing off.

  He searched his memory, then chuckled knowingly. “Ah, it's just Hornet. Don’t let her words get to you.“

  “I know,“ Memphis admitted, “but I can’t help wondering... Is it okay to pursue romantic feelings in our situation?“

  The Commander paused, choosing his words carefully. “That depends on you. Are you ready for something like that? As a Commander, my duty is to ensure everyone’s happiness, whether it’s reted to their duties or personal lives, including romantic interests.“

  Memphis considered his words for a moment, then closed her eyes with a small sigh. “I guess I’ll think about it more once all this is over.“

  “Is that so? Then you can hold your feelings for now. We're probably more than just subordinates, but less than lovers,“ the Commander remarked with a hint of a smirk.

  “Haha, I like the sound of that...“ Memphis’s eyelids grew heavy, her voice softening. “I guess that’s it for tonight. Goodnight, Commander.“

  As she spoke, her hand gently csped the Commander's, a tender yet silent gesture as they both settled into the calm of the night.

  ※ ※ ※

  “Requesting connection, Master. This is Sirius. The Royal Maid team has assembled to assist you in the major attack,“ the Dido-css ship announced over the communicator.

  “Permission granted. Welcome aboard the joint fleet. We’re preparing to move out,“ Greynar replied calmly.

  Three days had passed since the operation's initial phase, and the major offensive was now underway. With approval from Command, the next stage of the mission was set in motion. The girls gathered at the docks, each assigned to their designated positions.

  Instead of his usual command ship, Greynar had chosen to board a mass-produced King George V-css vessel, opting for a more grounded presence among the fleet. With the combined strength of the Eagle Union and Royal Navy fleets now at his disposal, he could only hope the operation would proceed smoothly.

  “Commander, the operation will commence in T-minus 10 minutes. Prepare to sail,“ Memphis informed over the communicator.

  “Finally, we're moving out again,“ Enterprise remarked as she unched from the dock, summoning her rigging. Her gaze swept back to the others as she addressed them. “The Sirens have deployed a rge fleet in the central area, fortified by a dense network of fortresses. This isn't a quick decapitation strike—we’re looking at a methodical cleanup of the entire sea zone,“ she paused. “This operation is massive in scale. Unlike our usual strategy of targeting their command network with quick skirmishes, we’ll be committing our entire forces for a direct confrontation.“

  “Based on the comparison of the strength between both sides, Command has decided on a pn to apply pressure across the board and break through at multiple points,“ Memphis added. “There won’t be any opportunistic tactics this time. The fleet will advance yer by yer, moving from the outer zones to the core, systematically eliminating every Siren unit in the area.“

  Baltimore nodded as she summoned her gear. “We’ll have every fleet from every outpost in the region, all fighting with the same goal. Simple and straightforward—just the kind of strategy I like.“

  “It’s not so simple for the one coordinating the efforts of so many at once,“ Memphis gncing at the tablet data in her hands. “Our fleet is the rgest one sortieing today, and with the Commander at the helm, I suppose that makes it something of a superfleet.“ She smiled lightly.

  “Not to mention, we also have the support of Her Majesty the Queen herself~“ Saratoga added with a pyful wink.

  “But even with the massive fleet we’ve assembled, we’ll still need to break through one defensive barrier at a time to reach the center of the NA Ocean,“ the Commander expined. “This means dismantling their defenses yer by yer until we reach the core and eliminate them completely. According to our intel, the Sirens are aware of our attack and have been preparing for it, so we can’t afford to rush in recklessly. Caution will be key.“

  “Yup! To sum it up, this isn’t a race—it’s a multi-ne Siren-busting marathon to the center!“ Saratoga excimed, pumping her fist in the air. “Commander, our fleets are ready.“

  “Good,“ Greynar replied with a nod. “Now, let’s wait for the go-ahead from the Royal Navy.“

  As their communicators came to life, Hood’s voice resonated across the NA Ocean, delivering a speech to the assembled fleets on behalf of the Commander.

  “This is battlecruiser Hood of the Royal Navy fleet. I've been entrusted with delivering this address on behalf of the Commander,“ she began, gaining everyone's attention.

  Long ago, the Sirens emerged, bringing an age of fear and chaos. They seized control of our seas with ruthless efficiency, leaving humanity with little choice but to retreat and endure. Yet, even in the darkest times, hope persisted. Faced with relentless adversity, we did not falter—we chose to rise and fight back.

  From the depths of despair, we found our strength, reciming the courage and determination we thought lost. These are the fmes that have driven us forward. As proud members of Azur Lane, we have dedicated ourselves to reciming the seas and restoring peace, and today we stand united once more.

  The Sirens in the NA Ocean have concentrated their forces at the center, where a great storm serves as their final shield. To them, it is their st refuge. To us, it is the path to victory.

  This is the final hurdle—the decisive battle that will determine our future. The final enemy awaits, and with them, our ultimate triumph. Today, the Sirens will find no escape, no reprieve. We will rewrite the course of destiny, not with hesitation, but with unshakable resolve. Let us take back what is ours, and seize glory with our own hands. Forward, to victory!

  Her speech was met with a thunderous cheer, the resounding enthusiasm signaling the fleets’ readiness to begin the operation. Yet amidst the jubint cries, not everyone shared in the excitement. The Commander, Greynar, remained silent, his expression heavy with thought.

  Even if this operation succeeded in breaking the Sirens’ hold, the battle was far from over. The Sirens would persist, their relentless presence continuing to pose a grave threat. Then there were the Ashes faction of META ships, whose motives and actions remained as unpredictable as ever. Beyond them loomed the Arbiters, Sirens whose true numbers and capabilities were still shrouded in mystery. Each of these represented a significant challenge, but none compared to the shadow of the true enemy that y ahead.

  The true enemy still lurked in the depths of possibility—the force responsible for the devastation in the original timeline. A foe so terrifying that it brought humanity to its knees, leaving only despair in its wake. An entity not meant to exist in the dimension, yet it roamed freely, a harbinger of death and destruction. For Greynar, the cheering crowds and the imminent battle felt like mere preludes to a far greater storm.

  He was brought back to reality as Hood's voice cut through his thoughts, asking him to issue an order. Shifting his communicator to a wide-range broadcast channel for the Azur Lane fleet, he steeled himself and gave the command.

  “Azur Lane! Commence the attack!“

  With that, the second phase of Operation Siren has begun.