Raize's gaze was subtle. Although he couldn't see what expressions the other shipgirls had, after hearing Laffey's realistic yet heart-piercing remark, their expressions definitely wouldn't be pleasant.
Moreover, as the contractor of all the shipgirls, Raize could clearly sense emotions of envy, jealousy, and dissatisfaction coming from Roon and Friedrich der Große.
The emotions of the other shipgirls who were still lurking without speaking were also very complicated, and they had quite a few opinions about Laffey's position as the big sister.
But Laffey seemed as if she were completely tipsy, continuing to swagger arrogantly in the group chat.
[Laffey]: Don't blame Laffey for being so blunt. The Commander is even stronger than Laffey. As your connections with the Commander deepen, you should also have obtained powers that suit you from him, right?
[Cygnet]: Sister Laffey, I've also gained the same acceleration ability as you. No wonder you're so powerful—once you enter acceleration mode, it's practically like time stops.
[Vampire]: Mmhmhm~ I got the same acceleration ability too, and my skill Vampire's Kiss has been enhanced as well. It can halve others' power and add it to myself.
[Eldridge]: Acceleration… Eldridge has it too, and Eldridge also has the power of thunder. The Commander isn't afraid of the electricity on Eldridge's body, so I can be lifted up anytime.
[Ayanami]: It seems that this acceleration power is the standard ability for us destroyers. It's really very useful in battle.
[Z23]: That's right. The big sisters who are battleships and carriers can't keep up with our speed at all.
[Prinz Eugen]: Nimi, don't be so absolute~ Even if we can't keep up with your speed, you still can't beat us either.
[Roon]: Ahahahaha If you think being fast means you're invincible, you little ones can come try some real combat.
[Bismarck]: @Z23, Nimi. As long as you haven't reached Laffey's level, no matter how fast you are, if your power isn't sufficient, you won't be able to break through our physical defenses. The Commander won't overly favor you—we also inherited extremely destructive power.
[Friedrich der Große]: You destroyers having this kind of ability is very suitable for assault operations. As for us heavyweight shipgirls, there's no need to excessively pursue speed. In terms of destructive power, if we're of the same tier, even Laffey wouldn't be able to win against us!
[Laffey]: Mmhmhm~ Is that so? Laffey isn't going to stand still. My starting point was much higher than yours, and it's not just the Commander who helps me—Sister Sei also guides Laffey's training.
[Javelin]: So this is where Laffey-chan's confidence comes from. But speaking of starting off better than all of us, I remember Laffey-chan telling me that you were a top-tier shipgirl from the moment you were born.
[Roon]: !!???
[Friedrich der Große]: !!!!
[Cheshire]: What, nya!? Laffey, you were top-tier from birth!? Why are you the only one so special!? Did darling secretly give you some kind of special treatment we don't know about?
[Prinz Eugen]: Oh my, oh my~ I seem to have heard something incredible. We train ourselves to exhaustion every day, and you little bunny were top-tier from the moment you were born—yet you still urge us to work even harder!?
[Hammann]: That's not fair! Laffey, hurry up and explain honestly—did the Commander open a back door for you!?
[Monarch]: If you don't say anything, your position as big sister should be reconsidered. No wonder someone as lazy as you has such strength.
[San Diego]: Waaah… San Diego doesn't want to work hard anymore either. Laffey, you bad girl, you hid such benefits from us. Hurry up and explain honestly, or we'll go block the door to your room!
[Ding! Laffey has gone offline and applied for private time. Location tracking and communication have been blocked.]
After washing up and returning to his room, Raize saw all this and couldn't help but smile wryly. He hadn't expected Laffey to mention her special circumstances to others after all. Now she'd been stabbed in the back by Javelin, hadn't she?
The smug little bunny had finally been crusaded by her companions. Judging by the situation, Laffey was probably playing hide-and-seek now.
Clatter—
Suddenly, the drawer on the desk in Raize's room slid open by itself. The first thing Raize smelled was a strong scent of alcohol.
Then, under Raize's twitching gaze, a pair of small white bunny ears poked out first, followed by Laffey's familiar little face.
Her delicate, fair face still carried a drunken flush, and there was a hint of panic in her rabbit-like crimson eyes.
After climbing out of the drawer, she immediately yanked it shut, then entered acceleration mode and pulled out a roll of tape from behind her. In a few swift motions, she firmly sealed the drawer.
Only then did Laffey seem to notice Raize's subtle expression. She took out the half-finished bottle of alcohol from behind her, smiling with a flushed face as she invited him:
"Commander, want to drink with Laffey~?"
"Did the other sisters chase you down?"
Raize didn't agree. With a helpless yet doting smile, he gently tapped Laffey's smooth, fair forehead with his finger and spoke softly.
Now that the other destroyers were gradually gaining Raize's acceleration as well, Laffey could no longer come and go without a trace within the naval base like before.
Not only were the big sisters interested—even the other destroyers were equally concerned about the fact that Laffey had been max level from birth.
Why was Laffey max level from the moment she was born, while they had to fight hard and grow stronger?
And in the past, this lazy little bunny had even told them that as an initial shipgirl she was very close to the Commander, and that as a senior she had become so strong through "hard work."
Heh, I believed you! You drunk little loli are rotten to the core! You fooled us so badly!
You clearly had that power from the very beginning, yet you shamelessly claimed you worked so hard?
The sisters' thick, long, black gun barrels were already thirsting for action. Prepare yourself, Laffey!!!
"Mmm~ Laffey's drunk. Laffey wants to sleep. Commander, hug me~~"
Seeing the helpless look on Raize's face, Laffey knew the Commander had probably already seen what happened in the mental link chat. She immediately put on an exaggerated act of a drunk loli.
Her soft body swayed unsteadily as she suddenly threw herself into Raize's arms, closing her eyes to show she wanted to sleep.
"You really are something… I told you not to mention this in front of your companions."
Raize gently stroked Laffey's head, feeling the smooth, silky texture of her hair in his palm.
Hearing this, Laffey simply buried her face into Raize's clothes, trying to muddle through it by playing dumb.
Raize was somewhat troubled about Laffey's situation. To prevent the other shipgirls from overthinking things or believing he was playing favorites, he had instructed Laffey not to bring up her special circumstances for the time being.
And yet this muddleheaded girl went straight and told Javelin. Who knows whether Laffey had also told others that she had a wedding dress and an oath ring?
If the other shipgirls really found out, he would truly "socially die."
After all, marrying a destroyer—although it's a huge win—really isn't legal!
Moreover, aside from Laffey, in the game he had also married Illustrious, Enterprise, Belfast, and Unicorn.
Their golden wisdom cubes were still being kept on him, nurtured with his own power and resources. He just didn't know how to let them make their appearance.
If the other shipgirls were to see that these four, along with Laffey, were all top-tier—and even wearing wedding dresses…
Raize could practically see the subtle, scrutinizing looks from the other shipgirls.