Bismarck staying behind caught Lin Lan off guard. He walked up to her, watching as she carefully examined the office building, and asked in surprise:
"Wait, why didn't you return to the dormitory with Brunhilde and the others?"
"...I need to make sure that the commander's residence is safe."
Hearing Bismarck's slightly hesitant and quiet response, while also noticing how she averted her gaze and pulled her military cap lower, Lin Lan's mouth twitched slightly.
The esteemed flagship really came up with a very official-sounding excuse.
But since it was already past three in the morning, it wouldn't be very considerate to actually ask her to leave. That would be too tactless.
"Come inside first, I'll give you a tour."
Lin Lan chose not to expose Bismarck's excuse directly. After all, as the flagship of Iron Blood, she still needed to maintain her dignity.
Walking into the courtyard and entering the building, Lin Lan briefly introduced each room on every floor to Bismarck.
"This is the conference hall on the first floor. All major meetings are held here."
"But with so many people arriving today, I'll have to discuss with Akashi tomorrow about building a larger meeting room separately."
On the second floor, Lin Lan pointed at his locked office door and said to Bismarck:
"That's where I usually work. Of course, since there's nothing urgent at the moment, I tend to stroll around the port rather than staying here all the time."
Hearing this, Bismarck pondered for a moment before saying:
"Even so, this place is still too small."
"This is just a temporary office. I already discussed with Ulrich and Brunhilde about building a floating fortress by the sea, covered with a Mirror Sea."
Lin Lan naturally understood what Bismarck meant.
When there were fewer shipgirls before, this office was fine, but now, with dozens of Iron Blood shipgirls around, the space was starting to feel inadequate.
So he explained the previous plan to Bismarck:
"By then, we'll move our living and working space to the floating fortress, while this port area will serve as a façade for outsiders."
As if seriously considering the feasibility of this plan, Bismarck brushed away a lock of long hair pressed down by her hat and said:
"If Ulrich and Brunhilde think it's viable, then let's proceed. We brought plenty of materials and equipment, so we should be able to complete both the floating fortress and the surrounding Mirror Sea soon."
Finally, Lin Lan led Bismarck to the third floor.
For this floor, he felt there wasn't much need for explanation.
Unlocking the wooden door, Lin Lan finally returned to his bedroom, with Bismarck following inside.
"This is much more refined than the room we prepared for you at the Iron Blood fortress."
Bismarck looked around at the decorations and furniture. Just as she finished speaking, she saw the commander in front of her starting to undo his shirt buttons.
"I need to take a shower. I got all sweaty from entering the Mirror Sea today."
Lin Lan took off his jacket, revealing his well-proportioned physique. Seeing Bismarck staring at him in a daze, he walked towards the bathroom and explained:
"The TV delivered by Tian'ou Group should have arrived at the port, but Akashi probably won't be able to install it until tomorrow."
"I don't have any books to read here either, so I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit. Just make yourself comfortable—I won't take long."
Seeing that Bismarck remained silent, Lin Lan smiled apologetically before stepping into the bathroom.
"Hmm... what should I do now?"
Watching the commander enter the bathroom and close the door, Bismarck took off her black Iron Blood military cap and placed it on the empty desk.
Under the warm yellow light of the hanging lamp, Bismarck slowly walked up to the full-length mirror by the desk and saw her reflection staring back at her.
"I remember the commander always liked touching us... and he often made us wear swimsuits or embarrassing outfits as secretary ships..."
In the mirror stood a strikingly elegant soldier in a black Iron Blood uniform.
Her handsome face carried a disciplined and aloof expression, making Bismarck lightly pat her cheeks.
No, this wasn't the version of herself the commander liked.
"The formal dress and shopkeeper outfit he bought for me aren't here... In that case..."
Bismarck, applying her rigorous Iron Blood logic, calmly analyzed the situation and quickly came up with a solution.
Listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, the golden-haired Iron Blood flagship swallowed nervously before slowly starting to undress in front of the mirror.
As she removed her black uniform jacket and cape, smooth, flawless skin like freshly peeled lychee was revealed—soft, white, and incredibly supple.
Seeing her own reflection with its well-defined curves, Bismarck's stern expression gave way to a slight blush of embarrassment, and she quickly averted her gaze.
As the flagship of Iron Blood, she had always needed to project an image of strength and authority.
Even within the port, she maintained this disciplined and commanding persona, both in front of her fellow Iron Blood members and other factions.
It had reached a point where she almost forgot that she, too, was a young and beautiful shipgirl who deserved to be cherished by her commander.
Taking a deep breath, Bismarck quickly removed her black boots and short skirt, stepping barefoot on the wooden floor.
Just a single glance at her reflection was enough to make her blush a deep red, like a fully ripened apple—so much so that she didn't dare to look again.
Finally, Bismarck took off her white gloves as well.
Gazing at the oath ring on her right hand's ring finger, which shimmered faintly under the warm light, a new sense of determination rose in her heart.
"If the others can do it, then as the Iron Blood's flagship... I can do it too."
Murmuring as if hypnotizing herself, Bismarck folded her clothes neatly, then covered her chest with both hands and slowly walked to the bathroom door.
She gently pushed the door.
It wasn't locked. A wave of warm, white steam billowed out from inside.
This made Bismarck feel both relieved and nervous.
But in the end, the tall, golden-haired flagship took a deep breath, steeled herself, and squeezed into the misty bathroom.
Meanwhile, Lin Lan was enjoying his shower, humming a tune as he let the warm water wash away his fatigue.
Feeling the exhaustion of the day melting away, he couldn't help but look forward to teasing Bismarck later.
In his mind, the usually reserved Bismarck would never be as aggressive as some of the other Iron Blood shipgirls.
Egil, Prinz Eugen, Deutschland, Emden, Ulrich... and even the newly arrived witch-like carrier, August von Parseval—each one was a force to be reckoned with.
Just thinking about August's alluring smile and intoxicating fragrance made Lin Lan feel a headache coming on.
It seemed he was in for a difficult time ahead.
And that wasn't even considering the "Emperor Mom," who had yet to arrive—the heavyweight who had taken his first time.
If he hadn't awakened his hero's strength, he might have been completely drained dry by the Iron Blood fleet.
After all, what commander could possibly withstand such a pack of fierce and hungry Iron Blood shipgirls?
Among them, Bismarck and Tirpitz were perhaps the only ones who could be considered relatively normal.
Finally, he had a chance to take the lead for once, and he was feeling quite pleased about it.
However, Lin Lan was completely unaware that someone had stealthily entered the bathroom.
Until—
A pair of delicate hands suddenly wrapped around him from behind, and a soft, damp body pressed lightly against his back.
Lin Lan almost screamed in shock.
"Commander... I just realized... I haven't taken a shower either..."
Hearing the whisper from behind, Lin Lan felt his heart skip a beat.
Oh no. His plan had been completely disrupted.
Things were not as simple as he had imagined.
Turning his head stiffly, he saw the golden-haired, blue-eyed beauty leaning against his back.
Her military uniform was gone, revealing a figure so stunning it was impossible to look away.
Only one thought remained in his mind:
Bismarck, you have changed!
But as your commander, I like it.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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