Psychedelic fortress

「Chamber of Mind」

Evaluating Hylia's growth after a few days that has been passed ever since she received the three blade of guidance, increasing her proficiency about combat, and then familiarizing the concept of System that has been slumbered within that world for some chosen girls.

In the enigmatic depths of the Chamber of Mind, a select of few persona has concocted a small experiments about some of those points in order to evaluate Hylia's worthiness in becoming the successor of Cera's legacy.

❛... Alastor around 40% awakened, Seilenos and Doujigiri still null. System progress still... not enough. Alright, this'll be keep in here.❜「Necro-phi/Vandango」

❛Ayyo Van, let's go and say farewell to Amour! Though I'm not that close with him, he's quite a man of culture dang it! Oh and Sengo going too didn't he?❜「Loli-man」

❛... Right on your left.❜「Necro-phi/Vandango」

Thereafter his experiments, when he had received his first data about the first battle of the feasty haired girl, there's a small farewell taking place within the Chamber.

The chairs, which were originally five, momentarily increased to six with the arrival of his side who chose "Love", but unfortunately, the change did not last long since Sengoku and Persona bearing the mark of Amour will be gone for a while.

❛Then, we'll be off to Yjor.❜ 「Persona bearing the mark of Amour」

❛(Grumbling-grumbling and grumbling).❜「Sengoku」

Beforehand, Sengoku briefly exchanged place with Sakura Zeimachi and trained both girls.

His "love" for combat knew no bounds, and he relished any opportunity to engage with formidable opponents. Despite the immense challenges he presented to them, Sengoku provided the girls with intense battle experiences that left a lasting impact just like what the fool prepared for them.

Kuhum, apologize as we're slightly digressing from the initial explanation, but the thing that needs to be said is, the reason behind this exchange between Sakura Zeimachi and Sengoku itself was due to the gamble held between Sengoku and the persona bearing the mark of Amour.

From the beginning, Sengoku didn't really care much about the training session. He remained preoccupied with his enmity towards the persona bearing the mark of Amour, who had become active again when Sakura Zeimachi started recalling his old teachings.

❛Take care of Machi for me, and use what I gave you well.❜ 「Persona bearing the mark of Amour」

❛... Thank you for being a dependable guardian for Feathers, and for helping those girls within their dreams.❜「Necro-phi/Vandango」

❛Heh, you're still being formal around me. But yeah... helping those girls was also my part when Machi granted me to more freedom.❜「Persona bearing the mark of Amour」

The terms of their wager were as follows: If Sengoku managed to defeat Hylia and Enterprise Alter without getting hit even once, he would be allowed to punch the persona bearing the mark of Amour's face three times.

However were he failed the requirement, he'll join with Persona bearing the mark of Amour in order to aid Yjor from the invading abysmal creature.

Since Moriarty's arrival, it probably left some break time for Yjor to relax. However, now that Moriarty is akin to a World Guardian, he didn't dare to ask her for more help. Well... he's a coward who ran away after their first night, so being afraid of his partner is something expected.

Although the snake was hesitant to seek help, but no matter how malevolent and how many malice of「the Worlds」reside within Yjor's scale, the snake could not withstand the combined power of "them." Sakura Zeimachi was already aware of this fact.

All in all, from the looks of it Sengoku has lose the bet. So now they're going to leave Chamber of mind into「the Void」, while using some clone bodies that has been prepared. The clone itself was pretty fragile, but it still could suspend peaceful-level daily life for at least three months.

❛You amazingly fell for his trap Sengo! Kwahahaha!❜ 「Loli-man」

❛Yareyare daze, this brother of mine is very gullible.❜「El Dust」

When one think about it and comparing it to some game's term, Sengoku is like a character who grow more stronger the more HP he lost. By using some other comparison... ah yes, just like the prince of Saiyan Vegeta who owns his Ultra Ego, Sengoku had some similar characteristic.

❛Say that again.❜「Sengoku」

Simply put Sengoku is an enmity type, the type who grew stronger the more hit he received, and the more stronger his enemies are. Just like a tanky fighter, enjoyer of Guts skill, or maybe even admirer of Battle continuation, he's the type who countered each strike and received anything being throw at him.

Yet the Persona bearing mark of Amour technically outsmarted Sengoku by using that bet. Therebye it can be noted if this persona is slick just like Als.

❛You can run wild in there, so hold your tongue young one.❜「Persona bearing the mark of Amour」

❛(Grumbling-grumbling and grumbling) This is why...❜「Sengoku」

But no matter how slick he hid the reason behind why he tricked Sengoku.

❛... You should conserve your strength, who knows what'll happen in there.❜「Necro-phi/Vandango」

Necro-phi/Vandango already got his own theory, maybe this persona was trying to remove Sengoku from the scene, thereby lifting the "hatred" away from Sakura Zeimachi's mind, or so he thought.

❛You should be more than capable of handling those filth, why would I need to tag along?❜「Sengoku」

❛Oh my? Need some push from me to leave your comfort zone? Or maybe~ You're not confident enough to face those "filth"? Hmm?❜「Persona bearing the mark of Amour」

❛Shut it, I'll finish it in second.❜「Sengoku」

Well it doesn't matter.

After being taunted again and again, Sengoku decided to leave them behind and face the challenge on his own. Opening the portal from one of the unlocked door within his distorted mind, Sengoku angrily entered「the Void」.

Loli-man and El Dust continued to laugh whenever they saw how such an easy guy Sengoku is, they playfully slapped each other back thoroughly entertained by the situation. Meanwhile Necro-phi/Vandango was in the middle of his chat with the Persona bearing the mark of Amour.

It appeared that Necro-phi/Vandango was suggesting for Yjor to get a well-deserved rest after holding the fortress. The Persona bearing the mark of Amour agreed, and so he also say his farewell and leave the Chamber of Mind.

...

Not long after those two left...

❛ I'm late?❜「Als」

❛... They just gone.❜「Necro-phi/Vandango」

Als arrived, he realized that he was late, and both Sengoku and the Persona bearing the mark of Amour had already departed the Chamber of Mind.

❛Oh! Yo Als, how is our GM doing?❜「Loli-man」

❛Ahaha... everything still fine. Just want to gave them these things since they're going to Unite & Fight with only two member. I did want to give them, but now... what should I do with these?❜「Als」

Als, also known as Nanekluh ref Rednialsig, was currently playing a role similar to a GM for the system gifted to the six ship girls. He was diligently monitoring any strange movements within the template he had created and providing updates regarding any minor errors.

As part of their plan to train the ship girls and familiarize them with the「System」, Als was the one who would assign them quests, thus earning him the title of the GM.

Als had been preoccupied with other tasks dealing about those System template, quest and such, which ultimately caused him to be late in bidding farewell to Sengoku and the Persona bearing the mark of Amour.

❛If you're still thinking, want to hear my plan? Thought it'd be a good idea to use those items as a reward for the girls' quest, those Mugwort, Chameleon plant, and co, they'll probably do just fine .❜「El Dust」

Contemplating for a sec, El Dust who caught some fresh idea spoke up.

Als carefully considered the proposal, realizing it could be a great way to make use of the Unite&Fight kit he had originally intended for Sengoku and Persona bearing the mark of Amour. With a nod of agreement, he decided to go along with El Dust's idea.

❛I'm very much fine. Indeed, I think we're on the same page, Dust. Let's reward the girls for their quest. I'm sure they'll appreciate it. And... yes, I got some idea about it as well.❜「Als」

Using those items, Als felt a brilliant idea ignite in his calculations similar to what El Dust thought as well. And so, he began to craft a strategy with skill akin to someone possessing the wit of VA Akira Ishida.

❛What're these, gheeh?! You sure going to give these to them?! Aren't these outto already?! And how come there's Decadriver in here!❜「Loli-man」

❛You need to be prepared for anything my friend.❜「Als」

Als placed his Astra Sphere down and began pulling out several items from within the circular object just like a Doraemon. The number of items was quite substantial and not limited to weapons alone.

Among them were various pieces of clothing, books, plants, electronic devices, and other strange and unique objects. There's even something that shouldn't even be handled to any common mortal. Just what's going to happen upon this peaceful Azul Lane world I wonder...

— — — — — — — — — — — — — —

「Exercise Area」

"Waah~ Zei, Enty big sis! Look at that cloud!" (Hylia)

"Hmm? The one that looks like poop?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

"Which one? ... It does look like it."「Enterprise」

Their training for the day had ended. After spending a few hours in the open sea, the three figures—Sakura Zeimachi, Hylia, and Enterprise Alter—were now lying on the water's surface, gazing up at the clouds that had gathered in the sky.

Despite having some wounds and torn clothing, there didn't seem to be any serious tension between the three of them, right now they're chilling with each other unlike when they were still standing on the training ground.

In a special moment, they find themselves free from the weight on their shoulders, where there's no world needed to be saved, no suffering comrade the ship girl couldn't assist, and no time for the feasty haired girl to concern herself with complicated matters of Cera inheritances.

"It's nice."「Enterprise」

"Hehe, ain't it? Letting all your weight away as you let everything be carried by this mass body of water. It used to calm me down— blurrgh!" (Sakura Zeimachi)

The gentle rocking of the waves didn't seem to bother Hylia, who continued to watch the clouds with curiosity. However, for Enterprise, such serenity and relaxation were unusual feelings to experience.

Floating in the middle of the ocean like this, carefree and without any burden, was a rare luxury for her. It was a fleeting escape, especially as she was once again reminded of the haunting nightmare she had endured.

"Phuaaah! Salty ><!" (Hylia)

"Now that you mention it, we as ship girls probably enjoy that feeling naturally as well. Normally... freeing my weight upon this sea would mean sinking, but right now..."「Enterprise」

In that very moment, she was immersed in pure joy and a profound sense of comfort. Evidenced by the small smile that graced the corners of her lips.

As the doubts that had once constricted her chest slowly faded away, her heart found solace in the rhythmic crashing of the waves and the comforting presence of the two individuals beside her.

The man, the commander who is lying beside her, accompanied by a girl in white garment. It was the same man who had once unleashed a relentless rain of raid on her, and the girl who had fought bravely by her side in order to face the Bergentrückung.

Gone were the barriers of light, shattered were the cages of darkness, leaving only the fool who had once again swapped places with Sengoku, the persona who got annoyed due to the presence of the persona bearing the mark of Amour.

"Haaah!? What was it?! Hggguh, water got in my ears." (Sakura Zeimachi)

"No its nothing, I'm done resting commander. What's our next regime— Hmm?"「Enterprise」

Talking about weird and oddness, the man lying beside her was also an oddity as well.

Despite exuding a terrifying aura that could send shivers down her spine and could pummel her teamwork with Hylia during their training, at this moment he appeared to be just a normal guy teasing the little girl beside him.

And perhaps her commander had already announced that the exercise session was over for the day, but Enterprise Alter still felt enthusiastic about continuing with the next training session, whenever it may be.

"What?! Alastor is a good kid! He's definitely not a demon!" (Hylia)

"Nonono, that guy is not only a demon, but he's also a heavenly one, as a matter of fact, this Alastor is probably a new variant that I barely know. De este modo, you need to keep watching over him." (Sakura Zeimachi)

With a slight grin, Sakura Zeimachi continued to talk to the air, seemingly unconcerned whether Hylia heard what he was saying or not.

"No! Zei is the one who looks like a demon! Only a demon could scare people. Don't you know how Enty big sis got scared of that?" (Hylia)

"Training needs to be like the real thing, that's why I tried to be as vicious as I could. Besides, who taught you that demons are the only scary things? There are many spooky things, you know, like... hmmm, love letters?" Sakura Zeimachi

Indeed, a love letter can be terrifying, especially if it was written by someone resembling Suzuhara Lulu.

"Love letters are scary?" (Hylia)

"Whoooa... they're very scary. I got a love letter a while ago, and you know what? The content is terrifying. That's why whenever you received a love letter, make sure to give it to me, or seal it in a safe place, oka?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

"Ooooh, alright! When I find one, I'll give it to Zei!" (Hylia)

Enterprise watched the exchange between the two with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Just moments ago, they were fighting, then they solved their conflict, and now they were reconciled again.

She had witnessed similar scenes before, as it wasn't uncommon for sister ships to argue and then make up, but looking at the age difference between Sakura Zeimachi and Hylia, she doubted if they were actual siblings.

"Commander... is she your daughter?"「Enterprise」

"Nah, she's more like a pupil. Someone entrusted her to me, and then, poof, that person was gone. Right now I'm fulfilling my role as her guardian." (Sakura Zeimachi)

Ripples appeared upon the water surfaces as the man approached the girl with feasty hair.

As he replied in an instant, he gently patted Hylia's head, reminding Hylia of the person who had entrusted her to him. There seemed to be some lingering thoughts in Hylia's mind, and he wanted to comfort her before they resurfaced.

The ripples on the water mirrored the subtle emotions between the two, creating a serene and heartfelt moment.

From what he knew about Hylia at the current point, she seemed strikingly similar to him—a child with bright, sparkling eyes, unaware of the cruelest aspects concealed within her own story. Whether fortunate or not, this similarity made it easier for him to handle her.

Drawing from his own experiences and the insights Cera had shared with him.

"I see... then I'm glad, but at the same time... it makes me a little envious."「Enterprise」

"Of what exactly?" (Sakura Zeimachi)

"Of... how she still has you standing by her side, even after losing that person."「Enterprise」