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

"Can you guarantee the Commander's safety?"

Helena META's crimson eyes fixed on Lala. Those eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through a person's heart, put some pressure on Lala, but she was not afraid. Instead, she answered openly.

"With Akashi around, I believe there's no need to worry about the Commander's safety! Super Game Maker will also provide the Commander and Akashi with suitable equipment, just like when Momo and I first arrived in this world!"

Lala paused, looked at Helena META, and spoke with a serious expression and resolute tone, understanding how she felt.

"Besides, Super Game Maker No. 1 has already been repaired by Miss Akashi. The game's difficulty should be controllable now."

Lala paused again, thinking of Akashi's rare and exceptional research talent.

"With Miss Akashi by the Commander's side and her research ability... maybe the Commander and the others will find their own way back before we even manage to contact them!"

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

"Besides, Miss Helena META, you should trust me and everyone in the port too. Even if the Commander runs into trouble, we'll definitely find him and bring him back as quickly as possible!"

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

"If you're so confident, then what are you still standing around here for?!!! Start preparing immediately and bring the Commander back!"

Helena META's tone was stern, her voice carrying a note of urgency. Lala understood what she meant and was about to turn around when Helena META called out to her again.

"If there's anything you need help with, tell me!"

After saying that, Helena META headed into the laboratory, looking ready to begin her research.

"Miss Helena META, wait. The signal relay device isn't in the laboratory. We need to retrieve it first!"

Lala blinked at Helena META, a smile appearing at the corner of her lips. Then, as if remembering something, she added.

"Where is that thing?"

The Head Maid, who had been waiting nearby all along, spoke up.

"It's... in the Commander's office! It's the one I brought over before so the Commander could watch Scorching Magical Girl Kyoko with me... last week."

"Oh, so that's why Big Sister came back a little late that day! So that was it..."

A look of realization appeared on Momo's face.

"Momo!!!"

Lala's face reddened slightly as she stopped Momo, then looked toward Yubari and Helena META.

"I'll go get the device first. You two wait here for a moment."

With that, Lala prepared to run toward the office.

"Lala, I'll go back with you. When we came over, the commander's office door had already been locked!"

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

As she spoke, Lala ran toward the office. Queen Elizabeth did not continue after her upon hearing that. She did not care how Lala had gotten a key to the Commander's office; after all, she had one too.

The Commander was not in the port now. She needed to speak with the flagships of the various factions.

Queen Elizabeth did not care about Lala's words, but that did not mean no one else did. Lala had no idea that her casual remark had hurt the heart of a ship girl already on the verge of collapsing because of the Commander's disappearance.

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

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

Taiho lowered her head and muttered, seemingly surrounded by a dark aura that was heavy and frightening.

Seeing Taiho like that, Nagato sighed and silently glanced at Amagi behind her, who was watching her younger sister to keep her from going berserk.

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

Forget it. Later, she would trouble Shinano to make the two of them sleep well. Oh, and Jun'yō too!

Shinano happened to still be asleep and did not know what had happened to their commander. She could inform her while she was at it!

A short distance away from the workshop, Royal Ark stood beside Avant-garde. The two of them had just listened to the entire conversation between Lala, their Queen, and the others.

As though puzzled by something, Royal Ark asked Avant-garde beside her.

"So... basically, what we can be certain of right now is that Akashi is with the Commander, and that Super Game Maker will provide equipment for the Commander and Akashi... so the Commander is most likely safe, and might even be back soon, right?"

Avant-garde turned to glance at Royal Ark, who truly looked very concerned. After thinking for a moment, she nodded.

"Going by Princess Lala's explanation, that's right!"

A delighted expression appeared on Royal Ark's face. She seemed happy that the Commander was safe, but also perhaps happy for another reason.

"That's good, that's good! As long as the Commander is safe! What a relief. Ahem, Avant-garde, I just remembered I have something to do. I'll head back first! If anything happens here, let me know."

As she spoke, Royal Ark turned around, the smile on her face almost impossible to hide.

The commander wasn't in the port. The little destroyer sisters would definitely be scared!!!

Royal Ark screamed inwardly.

Woooooo, little destroyer sisters, I'm coming to protect you!!!

As Royal Ark muttered to herself, she had already begun planning which little destroyer sister she should visit first.

But just as she took a step, she felt someone grab her left hand. She tried to pull free, but could not. The other person was clearly gripping her tightly!

Royal Ark wiped away her smile and turned toward Avant-garde with a puzzled expression.

"Avant-garde, why are you holding me? Don't tell me you're jealous of my nice skin..."

Avant-garde looked at Royal Ark sternly, ignoring her attempt to make friendly conversation. In a cold, imposing voice, she addressed Royal Ark.

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

"How could this be? Avant-garde, you can't do this. I haven't done anything! I was only planning to return to the dormitory."

Royal Ark tried to argue, but Avant-garde ignored her completely.

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

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

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

"Save those words for the Military Police!"

As though remembering something, Avant-garde smiled.

"Oh, right. Last time, when you escaped from the Military Police prison, they had originally planned to arrest you again. The Commander pleaded on your behalf back then, which was why the remainder of your sentence was waived."

Avant-garde spoke with a gloating smile on her face.

"This time, heh! Before the Commander returns, no one will plead for you. Stay in the Military Police and reflect on yourself! The Military Police learned from their previous mistake. They'll absolutely have someone watching you around the clock, twenty-four hours a day!"

"I've been wronged, Avant-garde! You've really wronged me! As for the little destroyer sisters, I... what was that saying again? Oh, right, it begins with affection and ends with propriety. I haven't committed any c-c-c-crime..."

Royal Ark's face was full of panic.

"You don't need to explain yourself to me. I'm not listening. I'll say it again: explain it to the Military Police!"

Avant-garde did not accept Royal Ark's excuses. She had heard Royal Ark say those words far too many times!

"Please, Avant-garde, I won't go looking for the little destroyer sisters. Until the Commander returns, I'll stay by the Queen's side and serve as Queen Elizabeth's most loyal guard. Is that okay?"

Royal Ark suddenly looked toward her Queen, seemingly making a concession as she pleaded with Avant-garde.

"You still want to tarnish the Queen's glory? That adds to your crimes!!! Off to the Military Police with you!"

(Some people said that I, the commander, was Royal Ark's prison mate. Let me clear this up: that's a rumor! How could I possibly be Royal Ark's prison mate?

The Military Police are all my people. Why would they arrest me?!!!

Even if I really went to the Military Police, it would only be to visit Royal Ark!!!)