The Divine Throne of Shipgirls

Behind Fleet Admiral Gorou, the assembled Commanders all raised their hands in salute.

Several dark, camera-like lenses poked out from the helicopter's open hatch—reporters and cameramen from the Medal Committee had arrived.

Now that the battle was over, it would fall to them to record the outcome, celebrate the victory, and shape the war's narrative: what was achieved, what it meant, and how it would be remembered. With the right publicity, even a defeat could be gilded with glory—and a true victory could create legends, birthing titles like "Eastern Dragon of Destruction" or "Summer Tiger of Malice."

Before these cameras, every Commander instinctively straightened their posture, putting on the most dignified expression they could muster. Their faces were solemn, their eyes fierce—true guardians of the homeland, models of calm command.

If anything went wrong during today's ceremony, they'd be answerable to the entire Eastern Continent.

The medal representative nodded in satisfaction and raised her voice. "Which one of you is Kuramoto Hikaru? I'd like to meet him."

A ripple of awkwardness passed across the Commanders' faces.

Granted, Hikaru had achieved a miraculous feat—almost singlehandedly turning the tide of the war—but the Medal Committee representative showing such open favoritism left a sour taste in their mouths.

After all, Hikaru was a newcomer. He hadn't even made it through the usual observation period for rookies. Then a storm rose, and somehow he soared straight into the spotlight—leaping over everyone's heads.

Still, whatever anyone felt, they had to obey the representative's request. The Commanders stepped aside, revealing Hikaru hiding quietly at the back of the crowd.

The representative's face lit up with a warm, almost familial smile, like she was greeting a cherished nephew. What she did next made Fleet Admiral Gorou's beard bristle with fury, prompting him to grumble, "Utter nonsense—completely improper!"

With that, the Medal Committee representative strode cheerfully toward Hikaru.

Jaws dropped across the deck.

Normally, it was Commanders who bowed and scraped to the Medal Committee, not the other way around. Who had ever seen a representative lower herself like this? At best, maybe Fleet Admiral Gorou himself had once been treated with such honor—but that was because of his lifelong service and towering reputation. It made sense for people to respect him.

But for this kind of treatment to be extended to Hikaru? Was she really comparing him to the Fleet Admiral?

Marshal Heizou, stroking his thick beard, looked genuinely pained.

"As expected from a woman—letting emotion cloud her judgment."

He might have grumbled, but no one dared echo him. Even the cameramen and journalists subtly shifted their equipment away, choosing not to record this part.

Meanwhile, Hikaru watched the approaching representative with growing wariness.

When someone lowers themselves like this, they always want something. Was this old lady about to rope him into some nightmare political duty?

Of course, the Medal Committee representative had no idea Hikaru was calling her "old lady" in his head—if she had, she might have passed out from sheer rage.

Smiling brightly, she grabbed Hikaru's hand and gushed with compliments.

"So this is Commander Kuramoto Hikaru? My, what a handsome young man. If I were thirty years younger, I'd fall for someone like you!"

Please, no. Hikaru silently pleaded. Go home and take a good, long look in the mirror.

Still, his face maintained a polite smile—this wasn't someone he could afford to offend.

"Madam, you flatter me," he replied.

Her smile turned sour for a second before she quickly recovered and laughed again. "Just call me Aunt Murong". I heard you're an orphan? Such a poor child. If it weren't so inappropriate, I'd want to adopt you as my godson!"

Absolutely not, Hikaru screamed internally. I don't need a random new mom!

Nearby, Fletcher raised a curious question. "Why would it be inappropriate?"

She gave Hikaru a sly look full of innuendo, as if to say, You know why.

Hikaru made a face. I'd rather not know.

Though the other Commanders respected her, that didn't mean they'd blindly follow her orders—especially when it came to military matters.

And if the lady tried to pull Hikaru into her camp, they'd likely unite against him, squeezing him out through collective pressure.

Hikaru would have to be out of his mind to grab onto that particular rope and call her "Mom."

Thankfully, it seemed she was only joking—she didn't press the issue. Instead, her eyes turned toward Tirpitz with a smile.

[End of Chapter]

[50 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]

[Check out my Patreon to read 20+ chapters ahead]

[[email protected]/BellAshelia]

[Thanks for your support!]