I would've gotten away from Admiral Graf Spee if she didn't take me to the Ironblood HQ after stabbing me in the abdomen with her metal talons and being very joyful like Menhara Chan.  Things are going downhill for me recently: Admiral Graf Spee taking me somewhere that I'm not familiar with, barely surviving from her vicious metal claws and ending Helena with no warning from a point-blank shot. And without my pistol, because of Admiral Graf Spee, I would have to settle things on my own. 

I couldn't see anything or remember anything after I passed out a few minutes ago. My breathing was weak, barely surviving from getting choked by the savage Admiral Graf Spee.  My abdomen was still in a horrible condition, but at least it wasn't bleeding any more for a few hours. The room I was in was bitter and cramped like some sort of confinement place. I couldn't move my arms or legs because they were tied up in a chair I'm sitting in. 

???: Oh~? You're finally awake~

The voice I heard was not Enterprise, Hiryuu, Prince of Wales, or Bismarck. It was someone that I'm unfamiliar with. Someone from the Ironblood faction who is sadistic to other people and commanders.  

???: Hm? Not speaking, are you? I know why you came here a few minutes ago. 

Arthur: I know why I'm here, Admiral Graf Spee...

???: I'm not Admiral Graf Spee, silly Shikian. Here, let me take that blindfold off for you. 

The blindfold was finally removed and I was wrong about my assumption thinking it's Admiral Graf Spee. The figure has the color of amber on her eyes, a tint of gray long hair, wore a uniform that has gray and crimson red on it. 

Arthur: Admiral Hipper class Heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen? 

Prinz Eugen: You know your Ironblood ships very well. 

She was provoking me for her entertainment like I'm some sort of slave or animal. 

Arthur: What do you want from me, Prinz Eugen? 

Prinz Eugen didn't respond to my question. She only put her index finger to her lips and smiled at me with her seductive tone.

Prinz Eugen: Shhhh! I'll be the one asking the questions, Shikian~ 

She approached me quietly and leaned close to me. Her chest was near my neck height and it felt very uncomfortable.

Prinz Eugen: Tell me, who brought you here and for what reason? 

Arthur: Admiral Graf Spee dragged me to this place. She wants me to meet the other commanders in person. 

Prinz Eugen put her left hand on my right cheek and grasped it tight. She sounded very serious even though it feels like she's seducing me. 

Prinz Eugen: I see, do you know why I'm interrogating you in the first place? 

I shook my head no to her response. 

Prinz Eugen: I was told that you did something suspicious that the other commanders didn't like. Whatever you did was on your transcript and I'm confirming it if it's true or not. So, did you do anything horrible to a shipgirl? 

Arthur: Why are you asking me that-

Prinz Eugen: Beantworte Meine Frage! (Answer my question!)

She removed her hand off my right cheek and slapped me very hard. Her rigs started to growl at me, like vicious hounds. I didn't respond to her question because she's threatening me in German. 

Prinz Eugen: Hmm~? Not answering, huh Shikian?

I kept looking at the ground. She slowly walked away from me and stared at a wall.  She then looked at me again. 

Prinz Eugen: You see... I can tell if people are telling the truth or not. I'm almost certain about it. Do you know how your skin gets shiny when you sweat, Shikian? 

I didn't even look at her after she slapped me in the face. She lifted my head and looked me in her cold dead eyes. She was about to slap me in the face again from her right hand. 

Arthur: No, Prinz Eugen...

Prinz Eugen: That's how I can tell. 

Arthur: I ask you this, you will remove these restraints and leave this place with the door open. 

Prinz Eugen ignored my request completely. It was useless to use my mind to control her actions since she doesn't follow my orders, more like she's with someone that she knew a long time. 

Prinz Eugen: I think I'll have an even better idea if I taste your sweat~

She licked her lips seductively. This was unacceptable for my taste and not a beneficial sign.

Arthur: You're not Bruno Buccellati... Also, I do not want a single reference out of your mouth do you understand? 

Prinz Eugen grabbed me by the chest with her hands. Her rigs were ready to shred me up like confetti. 

Prinz Eugen: I'm asking you... did you happen to do anything horrible to a shipgirl?

Arthur: No. I don't know what you're talking about. 

This was a checkmate for me or maybe a glimpse of hope can save me. It was all determined by Prinz Eugen's final decision. She let go of my chest and nodded her head in satisfaction. 

Prinz Eugen: You're not sweating. All right I'll believe you.

She untied me from the restraints and headed towards the door. When she opened the door, she turned her head back to me. 

Prinz Eugen: That does it for my questions. Sorry to have bothered you, Shikian.

Prinz Eugen was out of my sights for now. I got off from the chair and headed to the door.

Arthur: I need to get out of here before Prinz Eugen finds me. 

I left the cold, dark room and headed outside. It wasn't the base I was used to, but it was very different. It was a base that was very unique and has flags that have some kind of symbol of it that was littered everywhere I go. I went to the HQ building to find some answers. Once halfway to the HQ, I stopped walking all a sudden. From a far distance, I saw Roon, Bismarck, Tirpitz, and Graf Zeppelin. They arrived from the icy shores, coming back from a mission and they were the exact ones I met before. I remember asking Jintsuu if Tirpitz blackmailed her.

Flashback: a week ago in Jintsuu's POV

It was nothing like the ordinary night. I had a day off for today and I just got back from a sortie with Takao, Atago, Kaga, Akagi, and Amagi. Arthur was too busy sorting his "wives" and wouldn't use me or Takao most of the time. I understand that he has to deal with 17 "wives", but he would be killed if he oathed one out of the 17 shipgirls. I heard a knock on the door, it was Arthur behind the door.

Jintsuu: Need anything?

Arthur: Jintsuu, did you happen to get blackmailed by Tirpitz? 

I didn't recall seeing Tirpitz except when I met her. 

Jintsuu: What do you mean? 

Arthur: She said that you were a pest to her, you did get a note from her that said "Lover Thief", right? 

I have a note, but it was only Rodney's handwriting on it. 

Jintsuu: I didn't get any notes from her. 

Arthur: Anyway, she also told me you were... uh... thin. 

I thought he would say I was fat, but he wouldn't cross that boundary anyways. 

Jintsuu: Arthur, I hate to say this but she's lying to you. 

Arthur was confused all of a sudden. 

Jintsuu: She wouldn't go batpoop insane for like a few hours, same as Bismarck. By the way, I checked the guest room a few hours ago, and Tirpitz wasn't there. I also visited Hood, and she was unconscious on the floor, in her dorm room and Bismarck wasn't there. 

Flashback ends in Arthur's POV

Tirpitz was lying, making me viewed as dirt, including Graf Zeppelin and Admiral Graf Spee. But that didn't bother me at all. I sneaked my way into the Ironblood HQ and find some clues about escaping the place and heading back to my base since I have to check up on everyone before bad things will happen. I headed to the information room to search for the layout of this HQ. I founded some blueprints and slipped to my hidden pocket. After finishing looking through the files, I felt something weird in my pants pocket. I slowly pulled it out with my right hand and it revealed to be a piece of clothing. I dropped it quickly and was sweating a lot.

Arthur: What was that?! It was in my pocket the whole time?!

???: That's Atago's panties. 

I slowly turned to the figure. It was Prinz Eugen. 

Prinz Eugen: I brought it anyway since she was sleeping in your bed earlier. 

She approached me and licked my sweat off my face. 

Prinz Eugen: This taste...is the taste of someone who's lying, Shikikan Arthur!

Arthur: This can't be true! You framed me!

Prinz Eugen then put her index finger where her lips were. 

Prinz Eugen: My my~ I said I was done with my questions, but the situation seems to have changed, Shikikan~ You told me a lie, and now you're coming with me~ *giggle*  Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, get him!

Two new shipgirls arrived and tried to take me down. I ran and kicked Prinz Eugen on the chest very hard and pushed the two new shipgirls out of my way and headed to the weapon room to snatch an Ak-47 and pointed at the door. Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen opened the door. 

Arthur: Don't move, I'll do it! 

I pointed the barrel of the AK-47 at my head and my index finger was near the trigger. 

Arthur: I rather die instead of being with you freaks.  

They didn't respond to me. 

Prinz Eugen: I'm not done with you. So dropped the gun and come here like a good boy~ 

Arthur: You're never going to take me alive!

I shut my eyes and pulled the trigger after Prinz Eugen took one step forward. The AK-47 only clicked. I keep repeating pulling the trigger, and it turns out the cartridge was empty and hollow. I opened my eyes, removed the AK-47 magazine, and it was empty.

Arthur: Out of order?! Crud, even in the present, nothing works! 

Prinz Eugen: Girls, he's yours. 

The two new shipgirls grabbed me. The one with the eyepatch was grabbing both my wrists so I won't escape. The other one didn't want to touch me at all but forced me to drop the AK-47. Prinz Eugen looked at me and smiled. 

Prinz Eugen: These lovely girls are drop ships from an event you had according to your transcript. So give them a lot of attention for now. You're now ours, Shikikan~ Welcome to the Ironblood HQ.

I felt like they're going to treat me poorly for the nonsense I was accused of. 

Timeskip

The two shipgirls I met were Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. I was wrong about they treated me poorly because of the scandal.  Since they're new to me, Prinz Eugen told them to go easy on me. They released me and let me explore the Ironblood HQ. They were following me the whole time making sure I didn't do anything silly and I have to give them a lot of attention instead of Jintsuu and Takao. Days have passed by and they showed feelings for me, and I have to accept them or else they would kill me. Scharnhorst tends to push me away from the other girls like Tirpitz, Bismarck, and even Roon, which upsets them. She wouldn't let me eliminate them in plain sight when I see them. Gneisenau only watched me from a distance, admiring my looks and dreams about being a couple and I felt sick from her delusions anyway. 

I was outside of the HQ to get a breath of air when Scharnhorst and Gneisenau weren't around. Outside was mostly icy cold, with some drops of hail landing on the snowy ground. I turn my back to see if they were still following me, but they weren't behind or near me. I was mostly alone near the icy shores, pondering about an escape plan. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I knew it was someone else, not Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. I looked at the figure behind me, and I recognized the ponytail hairstyle. It was Takao but in a different appearance. She wasn't in her usual uniform; the white one with the gold highlights. Instead, she was wearing a German uniform like the other German commanders are currently wearing. 

Arthur: Takao, what are you doing here?! 

Takao put her finger where my lips were. She was trying her best to not blow her cover. 

Takao: Be quiet, they can hear us. 

She was mentioning about Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. She felt the presence of Souryuu and Hiryuu from them.

Arthur: I need to talk to you, it's really important. 

Takao: Not here, they will know about this. I know a place, follow me. 

She grabbed my hand and headed to the dining room. Meanwhile, I sense a presence about someone watching me, just like what Souryuu does. I can hear the giggles and dreams about me. It was most likely to be Gneisenau, who was more likely acting weird. 

Timeskip: 5 minutes later...

Takao lead me to the dining room where the commanders and german shipgirls would usually meet. Since there was no one there, Takao used it as an advantage to spill the tea. 

Takao: What is it that you need to talk about? 

Arthur: It's the base, anything changed?

I was nervous about leaving it for a while. 

Takao: Nothing has changed, yet. 

Arthur: What do you mean? 

Takao looked around if anyone was watching or listening to us. 

Takao: Listen, you need to get out of here as soon as possible. Jintsuu and I heard about someone or a bunch of people planning to destroy your base. 

Arthur: Why would they do that?! 

Takao: They're yandere killers, people who want to get rid of Akagi, Kaga, and the others. If you don't fight them back, they would do the work for you. Jintsuu and I are here to get you out of here before things get worse. 

Arthur: Wait, who's watching the base then?

Takao: Hiryuu is watching the base. By the way, how did you get here? 

Arthur: Admiral Graf Spee took me here. I think she put Atago's undergarment in my pocket. 

I thought that she would kick me in the nuts for that. She only sighed in disappointment. 

Takao: Those Ironblood shipgirls are trying to sabotage you. You were half right about their insane mentalities by the way. 

Arthur: What do you mean? 

???: Not only they are crazy, but they were conditioned to kill you in the first place. 

It was Jintsuu that was listening to the conversation. She arrived a few minutes later and was wearing the same attire as Takao. However, she wasn't wearing the accessories that indicate her as a Sakura Empire shipgirl. 

Arthur: They want to kill me? 

Jintsuu: Yes, but unfortunately they're observing you for "research" for now.  Someone or a few people are suspecting you. 

Arthur: Who? Tell me!

Jintsuu: We don't know, but we'll tell you later. 

???: You two, what are you doing here?! 

It was Scharnhorst that came out of the blue. She pointed at Jintsuu and Takao. 

Jintsuu: Uh... Scharnhorst, we were... showing the Commander the dining room...

Takao: Y-yes, we just happen to find him here and he was asking questions about this place... 

Scharnhorst: Are you bullying him?!

Takao: N-no... 

Jintsuu: Nein. We did nothing to him at all. 

Scharnhorst: Get away from him, now. 

Jintsuu and Takao walked away quickly from me before Scharnhorst harmed them. Then she put her hands on my face acting desperately. 

Scharnhorst: Are you okay, Commander?! Did they hurt you at all? 

I shook my head. Scharnhorst sighed in relief. 

Scharnhorst: Thank goodness you're unharmed. I was so worried about you for a while!

Arthur: It's been a few minutes though, Scharnhorst. What do you want from me? 

Scharnhorst: I have a confession to make.

Arthur: You're not confessing to me. You and your peers are nothing but crazy backstabbers! 

Scharnhorst: What do you mean? We were trying to protect you from the other girls!

Arthur: Then tell me this, why did Graf Zeppelin, Admiral Graf Spee and Deutschland want to kill me in the first place?!

Scharnhorst: They were like that, we told them not to do that to you and that is not my fault!

Arthur: Alright, who's in charge of this place?

Scharnhorst: I can't tell you, but I can escort you to them. 

I looked back and saw Gneisenau peeping me behind a pillar. She had a lollipop in her mouth and smiled at me when she looked at me. 

Gneisenau: Hi... 

Arthur: Would you please don't do that Gneisenau? You acting like Mizore Shirayuki if you keep doing that...

Gneisenau giggled joyfully. She thinks it was a funny joke to her. 

Gneisenau: You're funny Shikikan~ 

She crossed her left leg and tilted her head.  

Gneisenau: By the way, you tend to ask a lot of questions why is that? 

Arthur: I need answers right now. This doesn't feel a warm welcome after all...

Scharnhorst: Your answers will be received soon. 

She pulled out a walkie talkie and then she was speaking to it. 

Scharnhorst: We have him, he's asking a lot of questions. 

???: Take him to me, now. Do you understand, Scharnhorst? 

Scharnhorst: I understood, Captian.

She put the walkie talkie away and looked at me coldly. 

Scharnhorst: Someone wants to meet you right now.

Arthur: Who's the person you were talking to? 

Scharnhorst: His name is The UnderTaker...