Since New Jersey admitted defeat, Lion dismissed her rigging as well.
"Hehe, but Miss New Jersey, you seem pretty happy about all this," Lion remarked with a faint smile.
"Yeah, losing's a little disappointing, but honestly? It would've been even better if Honey had personally led the team that defeated me."
New Jersey lowered her gaze to the photos of the Amagi sisters, envy evident in her voice.
"Still, judging from these pictures, looks like someone else got to enjoy that privilege first."
Lion glanced at her, unsure for a moment how to respond.
Still, having already experienced the Commander's overwhelming tenderness for herself, she understood exactly how New Jersey felt.
Realizing that, Lion met New Jersey's eyes, and the two of them suddenly burst into laughter together.
The tension lingering after the battle gradually faded, replaced by a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere.
Just then, two figures sped across the distant sea before slowing to a stop in front of them.
It was Sirius and Dido.
"Lady Lion."
Sirius bowed respectfully to Lion first.
Lion responded with a slight nod. Then Sirius turned toward New Jersey.
"Miss New Jersey, according to Master's orders, as the losing side, you are required to accept your punishment."
"Punishment?"
New Jersey's already bright mood instantly became even more excited. She practically bounced in place.
"Um, Sirius! How does Honey want to reward... Ah! I mean, punish me?" she asked eagerly, her face full of anticipation.
Sirius shook her head.
"Master instructed me not to explain beforehand in order to prevent any resistance. Please come with us. You'll understand once we arrive."
"Honestly, what is Honey even talking about? I'm way too happy right now to resist anything," New Jersey said with a pout.
After all, no normal shipgirl would willingly miss out on such a wonderful "punishment."
Seeing that New Jersey fully understood the situation, Sirius glanced toward Dido behind her.
Receiving the signal, Dido nervously gathered her courage and pulled out a pair of handcuffs from beneath her skirt.
Without hesitation, New Jersey voluntarily extended both hands.
"Click."
The handcuffs locked around her wrists with a soft sound.
"I-I'm sorry, Miss New Jersey..." Dido apologized quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's okay, it's okay!" New Jersey replied cheerfully. "Dido, Sirius, hurry up and take me to see my Honey already. I seriously can't wait anymore!"
The moment she confirmed the handcuffs were securely fastened, New Jersey let out an excited cheer and suddenly dashed toward the Royal Navy's direction.
She moved so quickly that even Sirius and Dido struggled to keep up.
"Miss New Jersey! Please slow down!" Sirius called out hurriedly.
"W-We can't catch up!" Dido added anxiously.
Just like that, the three figures gradually disappeared from Lion's sight.
Only Lion remained standing quietly where she was.
Unlike New Jersey, she wasn't nearly as impatient. After all, when it came to experiencing the Commander's tenderness, she was already a "veteran."
And veterans were supposed to stay calm and composed.
Feeling the cool sea breeze brush against her once more after the battle, Lion slowly stretched her limbs.
"Hmm~ Time to head back. I definitely can't miss the victory banquet!"
<<>>
When Jun Hao finished his conversation with the system and slowly made his way to the Royal Navy port, he was greeted by all the Royal Navy shipgirls who had participated in the exercise.
They stood neatly arranged in formation, backs straight and expressions proud, looking every bit as valiant and spirited as victorious warriors should.
Jun Hao stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping across the assembled girls.
He could clearly feel the pride and glory this victory had brought them.
Not just the Illustrious-class sisters, the Royal Maid Corps, Warspite, and Vanguard...
Even Elizabeth.
As Queen, she stood proudly at the very front. Despite her small stature, she somehow seemed taller today.
At that moment, Jun Hao truly realized another side of his wives.
They were his lovers, his oath-bound Shipgirls.
But at the same time, they were elite warriors standing on the front lines against the "uninvited guests" beyond the Royal Navy's borders.
While Jun Hao looked at them, every girl present stared back at him with shining eyes.
They were waiting for their Commander and husband to give his final verdict on this victory.
The anticipation in their gazes made Jun Hao realize that he really should say something. But before he could, he suddenly noticed something strange.
"Elizabeth, why don't I see any of the girls from the Sakura Empire or Eagle Union?"
Hearing Jun Hao's utterly mood-killing question, Elizabeth immediately slapped a hand against her forehead.
'Instead of praising the girls who won, you're worrying about the other factions first... Honestly, sometimes I can't tell if you're dense or just too kind.'
Even so, she still answered him helplessly.
"They lost the exercise and felt too embarrassed to face you, so they went back to their dorms first."
"I see..."
Hearing such an adorably stubborn reason, Jun Hao couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
Looks like he would have to personally visit the Sakura Empire and Eagle Union dorms later to comfort those girls.
Still, right now belonged to the victors.
'What should I say? Thank them? Encourage them?'
Jun Hao found himself unexpectedly conflicted. He didn't want to ruin the atmosphere with stiff or overly formal words.
While his mind was still trying to come up with the perfect speech, his body moved before his thoughts could catch up.
He slowly raised his hand and gave all the Royal Navy girls in front of him a firm thumbs-up.
Then he flashed them a bright, genuine smile.
"Well done, girls! Your husband is proud of you!"
The praise was simple and direct.
Almost too plain.
Yet the moment those words fell, the entire port suddenly went silent.
Jun Hao blinked awkwardly.
'Wait... did I accidentally kill the mood?'
But in the very next second, the Royal Navy girls exploded into deafening cheers.
"OOOOOOHHHHHHH—!!!"
"Commander!!!"
"I love you so much, Commander—!"
"Commander, let's make little ships together tonight!"
"For the Queen and the Commander!"
"Commander is the best! Commander is number one in the world!"
Some girls became so excited that they completely abandoned formation, instantly turning the previously orderly scene into total chaos.
Several destroyers were practically bouncing in place, while even some of the usually composed maids struggled to maintain their composure.
Just as Elizabeth was about to step forward and restore order with her authority as Queen, Belfast quietly walked over and whispered something into her ear.
A glint immediately flashed across Elizabeth's crimson eyes.
"Oh? They're all ready?"
"Yes," Belfast replied with an elegant smile. "In fact, they entered the state even faster than I expected."
After saying that, she glanced toward Jun Hao with a mischievous smile.
As if silently telling him:
Master... you're in for quite a treat tonight.
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Azur Lane: Don't Fight! You're All My Wives!
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