=================

"That was an unnecessary speech that I made... They were children." He facepalmed as he was walking around the palace still getting impressed by the fancy-schmancy details and furniture it was offering.

'What can I do here that can entertain me?' He stroked his chin. 'I mean, meeting new girls here is ENTERTAINING. Wait, that sounds weird.'

He was still walking around hallways upon hallways that it looked like it was never-ending. And with him looking out the windows, seeing the ocean blue outside. A beautiful sight, 'but it is also a place of conflict.' He thought.

And after that, he was running out of things to do. He was admittedly getting bored. Walking around the place can only keep someone entertained for so long. He panned his head, then he saw a door.

The door looked all too similar to the doors that the Azur Lane base use. So with the familiarity, he opened the door, seeing who was on the other side.

Then 4 girls were surprised by his sudden barging into their dorm.

"Um," He looked around the room. "Am I interrupting something here, girls?"

"Yahello!" The girl jumped in front of Caster. Surprising him.

She was hopping around him like a bunny. Way too energetic for Caster's liking.

He looked away as the girl was getting close to him. And he also realized that the girl was just as tall as him.

'Again, a small man in a big girl world... Wait, did I say that last time?!'

"Anyway... What's your name?" He asked the energetic girl.

"The name's Kent! Are you the 'miracle' Commander?" Kent tilted her head.

Caster didn't know how to respond to that specific question. 'Miracle'? He was sure that Warspite mentioned earlier in the meeting before saying her achievement or world-record thing. He really wants to know what's up with the nickname of his that he sure didn't deserve in his view.

"What's with the 'miracle' shenanigans?" He demanded to know where that nickname came from. Though pretty sure he already knows the answer.

"Don't you know yet? You won a major victory against the Sirens! I really wished I was there to see it!" Kent was running around the dorm. And Caster finally came inside the room and closed the door behind him.

He looked at the other 3 girls who were in the room and they were all shy. And we all know what that means.

"Anyway, you 3 haven't said anything yet. Do I have to ask you 3 directly?" Caster directed the question to the other 3 girls in the dorm room. Who was all looking at the ground, being shy?

"H-hi..." The girl stood up from her bed shaking in fear.

"My-my name is Cygnet. C-class... I-I'm pretty good at fishing! If you would wish to join me." She stood up flustered for some reason. Nervousness? Maybe that would be the reason.

"Good afternoon, Cygnet. You don't have to be worried or nervous around me." He smiled at her. Which made her more flustered. As she sat back down on her bed.

"My name is Suffolk! 5th ship of the Kent-class. I'm happy to finally meet you, Commander!" She saluted at Caster.

"M-my name is Norfolk....... The T-third batch of County-class Destroyer. P-please just don't stare at me too much." And as soon she said that, Caster literally not just faced away from her, turned his body away from her.

"D-don't look away like that!" Norfolk commented on Caster's doing.

"I'm just joking with you. Sorry." He smiled. Then a chuckle afterward.

"Anything you guys wanna ask me? I'm already here so ask away." He smiled and laid back on a chair he just sat on.

"How did you defeat the Siren on that battle?" Kent asked first.

"With planning. That's literally it. And the win was mostly luck involved. All victories have that one factor." He shrugged.

The girls nodded. But were confused at the same time.

"Anything else? You could ask me personal ones." Caster stated.

"D-do you already like some of the girls here?" Norfolk asked which made Suffolk surprised. Also Cygnet as well.

'For a really shy girl, she's really forward with me.' He thought.

"You're being forward, Norfolk..." Kent teased.

"N-n-no!" Norfolk denied the claim. Blushing.

"Well, for your information, I don't have anyone that I like... Yet." He smiled. He knows what he's saying. And he's fine with it.

The girls were curious and slightly surprised. But they got the message he was trying to convey anyway.

"Anyway, I'll be going now. I'm going to explore the palace more. Good day, girls." He said before standing up from his chair.

"See you later, Commander!" Kent waved bye.

"Later..." Cygnet also waved bye along with Suffolk and Norfolk.

"The name's Caster. Edrich Caster." He said before closing the door.

Now, he's out of that room, and metaphorically being honest with himself in that said room, he has to move on and find new things to do. And he smelled something delicious. 'It's gotta be somewhere around here.' He thought as he looked around the place. He couldn't track where the smell was coming from.

Then he did finally got the smell tracked like a dog. And it led him to the cafeteria of the palace. He did not expect a cafeteria to be present in such a royal place like this. There was the dining room already. Now there's a cafeteria?

'So, two kitchens in this castle apparently...' He thought. As he was walking to the kitchen.

Then he saw someone there that looked way too familiar to a ship that he already met.

"Oh, are you the Commander of Azur Lane?" The girl looked at him. "Must be hard to command multiple cultures at once."

"Admittedly, yes."

Then the girl turned around as she turned off the stove.

"The name's King George V."

"Nice to meet you, Commander." She smiled warmly at Caster.

'I knew that she looked like Wales. Almost having the same getup. Red and white color scheme, a red cape, and that blonde hair.' Caster thought.

'My sister Wales had a bad time with the first Commander of Azur Lane... If he came here prior to the victory, I would have definitely not liked him and probably hate him immediately.' King George thought. Observing Caster's body language.

"Good afternoon. My name is Edrich Caster. I'm happy to be in your presence." As he bowed in respect. How many girls did Caster do this too? Should we have a 'milady' counter?

The King was surprised by the respectful gesture as many girls did before her. She was just the recent victim of respectfulness and definitely not the last.

'I haven't talked to Wales about him. I gotta keep my guard. Edrich Caster huh.' King George thought.

Caster put his head back up. And he looked at the food under the glass cover. "Looks good. Do you cook?"

"Ah, yes, I can. You want some?" King George pointed at the foods present.

"No, not really. The smell is what drew me here." Caster chuckled.

The King couldn't help but smile at the comment that Caster made. And this led to this question.

"Can you cook?" King George V asked Caster. Which made him look back up at her.

"I can cook also. But the practice has been limited when I got here. People you know like Belfast always cooks for me. What she makes is great but I can cook on my own." Caster described his situation about his cooking.

"I see. Seeing Belfast isn't here, you could cook. I'll try your food." King George suggested. Then Caster just nodded and shrugged.

"Okay."

Caster was in the kitchen of the palace. Well, one of two or more kitchens in the Langston Palace. The King said that Caster can cook whatever he wants, as much as he wants. Then a few familiar and unfamiliar faces came in the cafeteria.

As soon as Caster heard the steps signaling that girls might be coming in the cafeteria, he turned around.

Norfolk, Suffolk, already has seen the two of them. Also Formidable? Then two faces that definitely don't look like they belong in a cafeteria.

"Oh, hello. You're here already?" King George left Caster for a bit as she was talking to Formidable and the others who came in the cafeteria.

Caster turned back around and he was contemplating what the hell is he going to cook. But with the 4 girls suddenly came into the cafeteria, he got a little nervous.

"Caster, the girls want to see you." King George tugged on Caster's shoulder as he turned around.

"Oh? Girls?" He turned around again looking at the girls. "Good afternoon.

'Damn. She has some resemblance to Belfast. And she looks exquisite as well.' He told himself. But... 'Have some respect for yourself and women damn it!' He also said to himself.

"Greetings. My name is Rodney... Glad to finally meet you face to face~" She said in a tone that Caster couldn't help but... Smile? Blush? Huh?

"And greetings too, Commander." A goddess showed up and stood next to Rodney. "My name is Victorious and I represent victory. Anything you want will go as you wish."

'Two gorgeous women don't belong here in a cafeteria. But their looks literally represent the palace as the whole. This place is beautiful, the girls are well, beautiful. What could a guy ask for?' He told himself.

And he had another thought in his mind but he swore that he wouldn't talk about 'that guy' ever again. So he put that thought behind him.

But from the girls' perspective, Caster was just there staring at them, speechless. Then he shook his head to snap himself out of his trance.

"I-I apologize. My brain stopped for a second there." Then he a chuckle to try to keep this interaction more or less awkward. "Anyway, thanks for the introduction, my turn."

"The name is Edrich Caster. 2nd otherworlder, 2nd Commander of the coalition named Azur Lane. Nice to meet you two." And then a bow of respect afterward.

A-kun: I'm sure you aren't getting tired of him doing this 'bow' habit that Caster has right? If so, I gotta find a way to spice things up.

"My, my, quite the gentleman you are." Victorious giggled.

A-kun: Felt that 'Ara~ Ara~' energy there? Ahhh you wanted that, didn't you?

He raised his head up and smiled. "Of course. Treat a lady with respect. Isn't that correct?"

Then the pair smiled. And King George was just spectating at this point. But she isn't done yet.

"Actually... Commander Caster can cook. That's why he's in the kitchen. So..." King George looked at Caster for a 'look of agreement' and Caster was just like: 'Please don't...'

"Why not let him cook for the others? Let's see if his cooking is good." The King smiled

"I wouldn't mind that." Rodney agreed.

"Of course." Victorious also agreed.

"I goddamn knew it." He cursed as he turned around. He already planned out his dish that he's about to make. So he went to one of the cabinets in the kitchen. He's guessing if it's the pantry.

He guessed correctly, it was the pantry. And it was FILLED with food in there.

"My, King," He teased while looking at King George. "Do I have a time limit here?"

King George was slightly flattered at the teasing of Caster but she responded immediately with: "Of course. But make it good. Ladies don't like waiting for too long."

"I know that." He mumbled. And he's doing to make something that he always practiced in the kitchen.

=================

"There... We... Go." Caster said as he is finished plating.

Then King George V went up to Caster to see what he made. "Oooh. Fried Chicken, I see."

He smiled. "It's more than that."

Then he took a large bowl and filled it with something he made while on the stovetop.

The girls who were waiting finally got what they were waiting for. Caster's food. Now, it just comes down to the taste. But first, questions are asked about his choice of food.

"What is this?" As Victorious pokes a spoon on the Fried Chicken...

"Oh, that? That is Cordon Bleu. And for my other dish..." As he put down the pot on the table and he took off the lid. "I also made mushroom soup. Careful girls, it's still quite hot."

He was hearing 'oooh's' among the girls. It's getting positive results so far.

"This might be interesting," Formidable said... As she took a slurp on Caster's mushroom soup. "This is delicious. Impressive of you."

"Well, I had time, so why not make 2 dishes." As he saw Victorious, Norfolk, Suffolk eat some of his Cordon Bleu.

Then a resounding "Delicious!" from the girls.

Caster however though, wasn't flattered or fazed by the praise. (Oh, that rhymed.) He just kept a 'poker' face as the girls were super satisfied by his food.

Rodney was also super satisfied with his cooking.

King George was the last since she watched the girls first on their reactions before she digs in the food. And like the others, she loved it.

"How did you make Cordon Bleu that fast? I thought it was a time-consuming process." Formidable looked across the table at Caster as he sat down next to King George V.

"I practiced that dish for a long time. I got the flavor part right, so I only needed to do it as fast as I can. My time has to be used efficiently." Caster explained his trick.

Then out of nowhere, King George V hugged him. And Caster was definitely surprised.

"Wha?" Caster said as he was getting squished by something soft...

"Your food is really good!" King George praised Caster.

"George. Let him breathe." Formidable said to King George V. As Caster was waving his hands signaling he's probably going to die. Then she let go of the hug.

"Thanks, Formidable. Anyway, I'm going somewhere else now." Caster stood up from the chair.

"Aww, you're not staying?" King George V said in a sad tone.

"Places to be." Caster smiled at the girls. "Have fun with the food, ladies." Then he walked out of the cafeteria.

=================

"His food is really, really good. I can't believe it." King George commented.

"He was actually spacing out when we introduced ourselves right, Rodney?" Victorious told Rodney.

"Oh, yes, he did." Rodney smiled as she finished her bowl of Mushroom soup.

"He's pretty cool too. And he can cook? He's perfect." Victorious stated in which Formidable had to calm her sister down.

"Sister, you can't just say that to him you know?" Formidable told Victorious.

"His cooking skills are undeniable, is it not?" Victorious looked at her sister.

"Should we join him?" King George suggested to the girls... Absolutely turning around her view on Caster. Since she was scared if he's basically the 1st otherworlder.

Meanwhile, Suffolk and Norfolk are just in the background with all the ladies. But they were enjoying Caster's food as much as the others.

=================

Caster was now on the garden section of the palace. Like any garden in the world, it is beautiful. With some butterflies and birds flying around the place. It would seem that the animals also made this garden their homes.

He wanted to take a break from cooking earlier. So he sat on a bench with small arches with some vines and leaves protecting Caster from sunlight.

He was just about to doze off but then...

"It's comfortable here... Seems that you think the same way." A voice spoke. Waking Caster up immediately.

Then he looked beside him and it was Hood. Sitting next to him. "W-what are you doing here?"

Hood didn't respond and she was sitting laid back on her chair with her usual elegant aura. And then out of nowhere, she said this:

"I love thee with a love that shall not die, till the sun grows cold and the stars go old." She spoke with a smile.

'Huh? What now?' Caster thought. 'Is that a poem?' He deduced the situation.

Then Hood took off her hat and laid her head on Caster's left shoulder.

And at this point, after all the 'affection' that Caster was getting from the girls, this move by Hood was finally enough to break through and make him blush a little bit.

"P-please, can I get some context?" Caster stuttered in his words.

Ask and you shall receive, Caster doesn't know this, (as many things in this world) but this place where he and Hood are sitting right now, this is a place for... Ahem, 'couples'. It is a perfect spot for photography with two people in the picture. Male and female.

Then Hood looked up at Caster and put his finger on his lips. "Shhh. Quiet time." And she put her hand on Caster's chest. And she put her head down as she was going to sleep on Caster's shoulder.

And at this point, Caster's heartbeat was speeding up and slight sweat came on his forehead. Worried if he wants to stop her and let a lady sleep.

Don't worry, he doesn't have to choose any of those options as Warspite, yes. That smol person in the meeting room showed up. Like she knew where they were.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Warspite shouted in which Hood instantly knew that voice and woke up and went away from Caster.

Caster didn't respond as he knew if he did respond, it would be used against him. So silence it is. As for Hood though, she felt that her moment was ruined but she... She had a color of red on her cheeks.

Warspite saw it all but she didn't want her message to be ruined by giving banter to Caster. So she let it go but she's not letting Hood off the hook so she'll talk to her later.

"Caster, can you please come forward to me?" Warspite asked Caster in a much calmer tone. She has cooled off since the meeting.

"Yeah? A problem?" Caster asked.

"No... It's an apology. I have done a bit of misconduct. And I have only learned that you were a military Commander before this. And you probably have more experience than me. So, I'm sorry for my actions." She bowed as she was ashamed of her actions in the meeting room. For raising her voice on him, and a plethora of other offenses.

He knelt down a little bit to Warspite's level and said: "Don't worry. I'm not mad. I was just saying my opinion on the matter. Plus, I didn't waste my time going here, I met a lot of new girls to chat with, and this place is a place I would probably come back to." He chuckled as she pats Warspite's head. And he stood back up.

"It seems that you accepted my apology. Thank you for that." Warspite thanked Caster as she raised her head up. "I have a request for you to make."

"Yeah?"

"I already know about your victory against the Sirens, but I want to see your strategy myself. So can we have an exercise battle?" Warspite asked.

"Oh? Really?" Caster said confused. 'Exercise battle?'

"Yes. I'll explain the rules to you. 6v6." Warspite smiled.

=================

There were two islands not too far from the docks of Langston Palace. It's like a gateway from the sea of some sort to the palace. And this was the staging grounds for the exercise battle.

Warspite on one island, and Caster on another. They have 6 ships in their arsenal.

Caster's team consists of:

1.) Hood (Battlecruiser)
2.) Javelin (Destroyer)
3.) King George V (Battleship)
4.) Victorious (Aircraft Carrier)
5.) Formidable (Aircraft Carrier)
6.) Suffolk (Heavy Cruiser)

Warspite's team:

1.) Prince of Wales (Battleship)
2.) Belfast (Light Cruiser)
3.) Rodney (Battleship)
4.) Unicorn (Light Aircraft Carrier)
5.) Norfolk (Heavy Cruiser)
6.) Illustrious (Aircraft Carrier)

"This distribution of talent is really fair... Hmm... Seems that this battle is going to be a good one." Caster smiled as his team of girls was grouping together at the island where Caster was on.

"Commander, it would seem that we would be on the same team," Hood commented. Caster looked away from her. Trying to forget what Hood did in the garden.

"Commander! Let's not lose this!" Javelin said cheerfully.

"Commander! Let's win this battle shall we?" King George V said as Caster was walking down the island to get to the girls face-to-face.

"Alright. Are you girls ready to win?" He jokingly said.

"Suffolk, Victorious, Formidable, and King George. Come to me for a bit." Caster gestured the 4 to come to him.

The girls did, but Javelin and Hood came to Caster also even though the 2 weren't called.

"Alright... Seems that Javelin and Hood are also here but anyway, do you know the rules already?"

All of the girls nodded. Okay, reiterate the rules I will.

Rules:

1.) 10 minutes of non-stop battling. (While the girls will hold themselves back a bit.)
2.) The elimination method is to hit a ship 3 times.
3.) Any formations and tactics can be used.
4.) The first team to get 4 eliminations wins the exercise.

'Oh, god. I have to do 'impromptu' planning.' Caster thought in worry. 'I absolutely hate planning on the fly. It's basically winning by chance and mistakes from the other side.' So his hatred of 'impromptu' planning shines through in this exercise. And back then in his world, many generals in his time said that his weakness is that type of planning. He really prefers planning on a long-term scale. But he has no choice but to face it.

"Okay, standard formations and do not let the vanguard get close to you all. They have a more powerful frontline than ours." Caster said before tapping his chin... "Actually, Hood."

"Yes?" Hood turned her attention to Caster.

"Stay in the backline with the two Illustrious-class carriers. It's a better position and they can't rush you."

"Okay then. I see." Hood nodded.

And then after some waiting for Warspite to tell the signal, the exercise starts.

Warspite's formation was also looking like a standard formation with Rodney in the backline rather than Wales. As she was on the vanguard.

The 2 sides can't get something going for them. But as 2 minutes passed of dodging and firing shells, Warspite's vanguard pressed forward. And Caster was correct on the assessment.

Warspite and Caster are supposed to be absent in the battle. The girls are on their own trying their best to execute their specified plan by the 2.

Caster was slightly worried. As they were not doing good work on pushing them back and they got close to the vanguard.

But another trick up in Warspite's sleeve. Instead of scattering make it a 1v1, they ganged up on one ship to another. Basically a 3v1 situation. And their first target? King George V.

"Oh, no." As King George was moving back and she was put immediately on the defensive. Dodging the shots from Belfast, Wales, and Norfolk as fast as possible.

But she couldn't hold up as she was eliminated.

Then a clutch follow-up for Suffolk as she scored 2 shots on her sister (or is it?) Norfolk and Victorious got a airplane's guns to hit her once. She's now eliminated.

It was a great fighting brewing. But then a tidal wave stormed throughout the waters and it was going straight for the Langston Palace docks and it pushed the girls to the docks. All of them were confused about where that came from.

But then another one. And then another one.

Where is that fire coming from?

"Everyone..." Caster said as he stood up. He saw ships... "Sirens are attacking."

Everyone was shocked at the news.

"It's an ambush."

A-kun: Sorry for a mess of a chapter... There was so much going on in that chapter that I hope you aren't confused as hell as I am right now. Anyway, I have to work on some other stuff and I have the final exam of my school year coming up. On Friday no less. Anyway, I hope you do enjoy the chapter, and I'll be leaving! Bye!

Word Count: 4170 Words.

10:49 PM
5/6/20