"Let's just head back to the Royal Navy dormitory like this today and enjoy the scenery of the port along the way."
Jun Hao's suggestion made Belfast stop in her tracks. She turned around, a trace of doubt in her eyes.
"Master, are you saying you wish to walk to the Royal Dormitory?"
"That's right," Jun Hao said, nodding his head.
Belfast sighed softly before speaking.
"With all due respect, Master, I strongly suggest you dismiss that idea."
Hearing this, Jun Hao looked a little surprised and asked, "Why? Is the dormitory area far from here?"
"Distance has never been an issue for us," Belfast said as she took half a step forward, lowering her voice. "Master, do you remember what you said earlier? In order not to affect the normal operation of the port, you wished to keep your current situation a secret for the time being."
To help Jun Hao understand why she opposed the idea of walking, the corners of Belfast's lips curled slightly as she continued.
"Think about it like this. The others finish their daily training and are on their way back to the dormitory. Then suddenly, they see you. The Commander they've been longing to see day and night, walking right there on the road, alive and completely unguarded. Master, what do you think would happen next?"
In Jun Hao's mind, countless beautiful faces twisted with excitement surged toward him like a rising tide.
The next moment, he would be tackled to the ground and immediately enter a 'Heavily Damaged' state.
Just imagining the scene made Jun Hao instinctively clutch his chest.
"I... I understand. Just as you said, I'll follow your arrangements, Belfa."
"Thank you for your understanding, my Master~"
The smile on Belfast's face returned to flawless perfection.
She gracefully made a polite gesture and led Jun Hao toward the main entrance of the Command Office Building.
When they reached the gate, a softly glowing carriage happened to be waiting there.
It was a magnificent carriage coated in white pearl lacquer, with delicate golden carvings decorating its edges and shimmering under the afterglow of the setting sun.
A white steed stood proudly at the front, its head raised high, both majestic and elegant.
Seated in the driver's position and holding the reins was another figure Jun Hao knew very well.
Short white hair, graceful posture, and a splendid rapier at her side.
It was Sirius.
The moment she saw Jun Hao step out of the building, Sirius's perfectly straight posture collapsed instantly.
She forgot to greet the Head Maid standing beside him and simply stared at Jun Hao in stunned silence.
A second later, she dropped the reins and hurriedly jumped down from the driver's seat. Her movements were so rushed that she stumbled upon landing, nearly losing her balance.
But she paid no attention to it. In her eyes, there was only one person.
"My... my honourable Master!"
-SIRIUS-[1]
She rushed toward Jun Hao, clearly wanting to say more, but the overwhelming excitement left her breathless. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to steady herself.
"You... you really are just as the Head Maid said. You've truly returned, full of life."
Seeing the tears welling in her eyes, Jun Hao felt his heart soften. He stepped closer and gently placed his hand on her head.
"Haha, just think of it as your Commander getting a high-definition remaster, Sirius. Relax a little. Don't get so emotional. From now on, we'll have plenty of time together."
The warmth and weight of Jun Hao's palm settled against Sirius's head. She'd dreamed of this moment countless times, yet the reality made every fantasy feel hollow by comparison.
The flood of elation and pure bliss threatened to buckle her knees and send her collapsing right there.
But she knew she'd already embarrassed herself enough today with how she'd been acting.
She couldn't let herself bring any more shame to her Master or the Royal Maid Corps.
Sirius grabbed her skirt tight, and after fighting to push down all that joy bubbling inside her, she managed to take a step back. She gave Jun Hao a proper, formal curtsy.
"Please forgive how rude I was just now, my honourable Master."
Her voice still sounded a little breathless, but at least it was steady again.
"By order of the Head Maid, I, Sirius of the Royal Maid Corps, have come to escort the Master back to the Royal Navy."
She straightened and gestured gracefully toward the magnificent carriage.
"Master, if you please."
Jun Hao nodded with a smile. To be honest, he was quite excited at this moment.
Before his transmigration, carriages were something he had only seen in movies or in high-end amusement parks.
What's more, he was now being personally driven and served by two such beautiful and graceful maids.
Belfast stepped forward and opened the carriage door for him. Jun Hao didn't hesitate. With her assistance, he stepped inside.
The interior of the carriage was even more luxurious than he had imagined.
Soft, deep-red velvet cushions lined the seats, which were crafted from what looked like expensive polished wood.
There was even a small bar-like area inside. Though compact, it held nearly every kind of drink and snack.
It had to be said that when it came to luxury and comfort, the Royal Navy truly stood at the very top.
"This is a bit too extravagant..." Jun Hao said with a quiet sigh.
Belfast entered the carriage after him and calmly replied, "This arrangement has already been simplified as much as possible according to your request. Any simpler, and it would be extremely disrespectful for us Royals toward our Master."
"Alright then."
Jun Hao shrugged and accepted it. As the carriage gave a gentle sway, it slowly began to move.
Leaning back against the soft cushions, Jun Hao watched the Command Office Building gradually fade into the distance through the ornate window.
Though he could only see part of the port through the glass, the sights were enough.
From the girls resting at the stalls after training, happily enjoying snacks and little trinkets, to the diligent little yellow chickens scurrying busily around, the lively scene stirred a warmth in his chest and a sense of belonging he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Every bit of it reflected the port's prosperity.
"All of this is thanks to you, Master."
Belfast's gentle voice pulled Jun Hao out of his thoughts.
"How so?" he questioned.
"Without your dedication and leadership from the very beginning, we never could have built such a flourishing port. No... forget the port. Even something as simple as staying united, we..." Belfast forced a bitter smile.
Jun Hao understood what she meant, so he reached out and gently patted her cheek, which made even the composed Belfast feel a little shy.
"Master?"
"Don't think about the past anymore. Just let it go. I'm here now, for everything."
Seeing Jun Hao's confident smile, a sudden impulse stirred within Belfast, but she held herself back.
At least, not for now.
Instead, she softly took Jun Hao's hand and leaned into his palm like a small bird seeking warmth.
"I understand, Master. As you wish."
Just as the atmosphere inside the carriage began to grow warmer, the carriage slowly came to a stop.
They had finally arrived at the Royal Navy's dormitory.
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Novels Available:
-> Zenless Zone Zero: The Almighty Incubus of Sixth Street. (Translation)
-> Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives! (Translation)
-> Zenless Zone Zero: Death in White. (Original)
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