In the Name of the Royal Knights, Royal Ark, You Are Under Arrest!

"Can you ensure the Commander's safety?"

Helena META's crimson eyes gazed at Lala, the eyes that seemed to pierce through one's soul putting Lala under some pressure. However, Lala wasn't afraid and answered openly.

"With Akashi here, I believe the Commander's safety shouldn't be a concern! The Super Game Maker will also provide the Commander and Akashi with corresponding armaments. Just like when Lala and Momo first arrived in this world!"

Lala paused, looking at Helena META. Understanding Helena META's feelings, her expression turned serious as she spoke with conviction.

"Moreover, Super Game Maker Unit 1 has already been repaired by Miss Akashi, so the game difficulty should be controllable."

Lala paused, thinking of Akashi's rare, top-tier research capabilities.

"Plus, with Miss Akashi by the Commander's side, based on Miss Akashi's research ability... perhaps, before we can contact the Commander, they might return on their own!"

Seeing that Helena META still looked somewhat uneasy, Lala spoke to comfort her.

"Besides, Miss Helena META, you have to believe in me and everyone in the port. Even if the Commander encounters difficulties, we will find them and bring them back as quickly as possible!"

Helena META looked at Lala's serious expression and took a step back.

"If you're so confident, why are you still waiting here?! Start preparing immediately and find the Commander!"

Helena META's tone was stern, with a sense of urgency. Lala understood Helena META's meaning and was about to turn when Helena META called out again.

"If you need any help, tell me!"

With that, Helena META walked towards the laboratory, looking ready to start her research.

"Miss Helena META, wait! The signal broadcasting device isn't in the lab, we need to bring it over first!"

Lala blinked, looking at Helena META, a smile appearing at the corner of her lips. Then, she remembered something and reminded her.

"Where is that thing?"

The Head Maid, who had been waiting all along, inquired.

"In... the Commander's office! It's the one I brought over last week for the Commander to watch the broadcast of Scorching Magical Girl Kyoko with me."

"Oh, so that's why big sister came back a little late that day! So that's how it is..."

Momo's face showed a look of sudden realization.

"Momo!!!"

Lala's face flushed slightly as she called out to stop Momo, then looked at Yubari and Helena META.

"I'll go get the device first, you two wait here a moment."

With that, Lala prepared to run towards the office.

"Lala, I'll go back with you. When we came, the Commander's office door was already locked!"

"No need, Queen Elizabeth, I have the key to the Commander's office!"

Lala said as she ran towards the office. Hearing this, Queen Elizabeth didn't follow. She didn't care how Lala got the key, as she had one herself.

The Commander wasn't in the port right now, she needed to have a chat with the flagships of each faction.

Just because Queen Elizabeth didn't care about Lala's words didn't mean others didn't. Lala had no idea that her unintentional remark had wounded the heart of a ship girl who was already on the verge of collapse due to the Commander's disappearance.

"Lala has the key to the Commander's office... Lala has the key to the Commander's office... Lala actually has the key to the Commander's office..."

"Taiho doesn't... Taiho doesn't have the key... Taiho doesn't have the Commander's office key... Lala actually has..."

Taiho muttered with her head down, a dark aura seemingly surrounding her, low and terrifying.

Nagato, standing beside her, sighed and glanced at Amagi, who was watching her sister to prevent her from going berserk.

Amagi understood Nagato's meaning and quietly pulled Taiho closer to her. Then... she looked at Akagi and Taiho, who were on the verge of going dark, and sighed.

Forget it, I'll trouble Shinano later to let these two get a good night's sleep. Oh, and Jun'yō too!

Since Shinano is still sleeping and unaware of the Commander's current situation, I'll go inform her!

A short distance outside the workshop, Royal Ark stood beside Avant-garde. Both of them had overheard the entire conversation between Lala, their Queen, and the others.

As if pondering something, Royal Ark turned to Avant-garde beside her and asked.

"So... actually, right now, it's certain that Akashi is with the Commander, and that Super Game Maker will provide them with armaments... the Commander is most likely safe, and might return soon, correct?"

Avant-garde turned to look at Royal Ark, who had suddenly asked the question. Seeing the genuinely concerned expression on Royal Ark's face, she thought for a moment and nodded.

"According to Princess Lala's explanation, that's right!"

Royal Ark's face lit up, as if happy that the Commander was safe, or perhaps happy for some other reason.

"That's good, that's good! As long as the Commander is safe! Then I can rest easy. Cough, Avant-garde, I just remembered something, I'll be going back now! If anything happens here, you can notify me."

Saying that, Royal Ark turned around, her smile almost impossible to conceal.

The Commander isn't in the port, the destroyer sisters will surely be scared!!!

Royal Ark cried out in her heart.

Ooooh, destroyer sisters, I am here to protect you!!!

Royal Ark chanted in her mind, already planning which destroyer sister to find first.

However, just as she took a step, she felt her left hand being grabbed. She tried to pull away, but couldn't. The other person was clearly using a lot of force!

Royal Ark's restrained smile faded as she turned to Avant-garde with a confused expression.

"Avant-garde, why are you pulling me? Could it be you're envious of my good skin...?"

Avant-garde looked at Royal Ark with a serious expression, ignoring Royal Ark's attempt to get chummy. She spoke to Royal Ark sternly.

"In the name of the Royal Knights, the Commander, and Queen Elizabeth's Royal Knights, Royal Ark, you are under arrest!"

"How can this be? Avant-garde, you can't do this! I haven't done anything! I was just heading back to my dorm."

Royal Ark tried to argue, but Avant-garde paid her no mind.

"Until the Commander returns, to ensure the safety of the destroyers in the port, Royal Ark, your freedom of movement will be restricted!"

"No, Avant-garde, you can't! The Commander isn't here, the destroyer sisters will be scared. I was just going to protect them! I absolutely wouldn't do anything else."

Seeing Royal Ark still trying to argue, Avant-garde shook her head.

"Save those words for the Military Police!"

As if remembering something, a smile touched Avant-garde's lips.

"Oh, right. Last time you broke out of the Military Police prison, they were planning to recapture you. The Commander pleaded on your behalf then, and your remaining sentence was waived."

Avant-garde said this with a gloating smile.

"This time, heh! No one will plead for you before the Commander returns. You can stay in the Military Police and reflect! The Military Police have learned from their past mistakes; they'll have people watching you 24/7 without interruption!"

"You're framing me, Avant-garde! You're really framing me! My feelings for the destroyer sisters are... what's the saying? Ah, yes, they stem from affection but are bound by propriety. I haven't committed any cr-cr-crimes..."

Royal Ark's face was filled with panic.

"You don't need to explain to me, I won't listen. I'll say it again, go explain to the Military Police!"

Avant-garde refused to accept Royal Ark's excuses; she had heard them far too many times!

"No, Avant-garde, I won't go look for the destroyer sisters. Until the Commander returns, I'll stay by the Queen's side and be Queen Elizabeth's most loyal guard, is that okay?"

Royal Ark's gaze suddenly shifted to her Queen, as if compromising on something, and she pleaded with Avant-garde.

"You still want to tarnish the Queen's honor? That's an additional charge!!! Go to the Military Police!"

(Someone said that I was Royal Ark's cellmate. Let me clarify, that's a rumor! How could I possibly be Royal Ark's cellmate? The Military Police are my people, why would they arrest me?! Even if I did end up in the Military Police, I'd just be visiting Royal Ark!!!)