Chapter 18

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18. To Ask for Help, One Must Kneel!

Sacramento is truly a mysterious ship girl. At least no one knows exactly when she appeared by the admiral's side. In short, she appeared out of nowhere, fitting in perfectly, and then maintained a distant yet close relationship.

Theoretically, ship girls cannot disobey the admiral's orders. Ship girls are spirits summoned by the admiral using that strange machine, and although their structure and behavior patterns are similar to humans, they are born with extremely powerful, almost superhuman abilities. Like their numbers, they possess various powerful armaments and firepower. This is accompanied by a natural affection and trust for the admiral.

Whether it's through construction or salvaging, these ship girls will have a sincere affection for their admiral. One could even say that the affection between blood relatives is not as strong. In a certain sense, the souls of ship girls and the admiral are interconnected. It's not uncommon for ship girls to commit mass suicide when the admiral dies.

However, each ship girl is also a pure and independent individual. They are undoubtedly living beings with their own thoughts, not manufactured slaves. This has been proven by the admiral who paid with his life, as forcing a ship girl to do something against her will is a terrifying act.

Among these self-aware ship girls, Sacramento is undoubtedly an anomaly. She is even an anomaly among anomalies.

She cares about nothing and is indifferent to everything. Although she is a chef, she sits in the farthest corner, quietly chewing her food. Her behavior is rigid and rule-bound, even the Haihu couldn't match her in this regard. What other ship girls find most incomprehensible is that Sacramento is the only one among them who dares to say "no" to the admiral's commands.

Even now, Sacramento still maintains her aloof position. She sits leisurely in the kitchen chair, flipping through the book in her hand. Her black eyes blink, unbothered by admitting her identity and thoughts.

"I think the relationship between you and the admiral is a bit dangerous. If both sides trust each other completely, it could lead to serious problems, right?"

Flipping through the yellowed pages of the book, the girl in the white dress said leisurely.

"This time it was just an issue with the fuel reserves, but if such a problem occurs during battle, it would be too late, wouldn't it? The admiral should learn from this, shouldn't he? You all dote on each other too much, and this will eventually lead to problems."

"Ah, but I don't have the right to say so much, after all, I'm just a chef. I shouldn't be so enthusiastic about others' affairs."

"I think you've already said too much..."

"That can't be helped, because I'm not used to lying."

For Masaki's strange expression, Sacramento showed no remorse. She just continued to sit in the chair, flipping through the book, with no intention of helping her.

Indeed, these problems are due to their own actions. Sacramento hasn't done anything wrong; she just doesn't want to cover it up. In fact, Sacramento's approach is correct because the system does have flaws. Without a threshold, problems will eventually arise, and this is a lesson that everyone has overlooked.

But this lesson is too harsh for everyone. If it's not covered up, it won't be good for the future development and the admiral himself. So a choice needs to be made.

Masaki didn't think about it for long. She decisively bowed her head to Sacramento.

"...A request."

"Hmm?"

Sacramento looked at Masaki with confusion, blinking her eyes.

"I didn't hear you clearly, what did you say?"

"I said, a request."

Looking at the seated Sacramento, Masaki said firmly.

"I'll do anything I can, so please help me! For the sake of our unity, and for the admiral! Please!"

"Being asked to this extent makes me feel like I'm the bad guy."

Facing the kneeling girl, Sacramento pondered for a moment.

"Um... How about you get the thimble that Enterprise stole for me?" Seeing Masaki's serious expression, Sacramento tapped her lips, as if thinking of something, and then proposed a seemingly simple request.

"I do care about that thimble, after all, it was something the admiral gave me before he came here. Without it, I can only be a chef. But Enterprise refuses to return it, which is very troubling for me. So if Masaki can help me get my thimble back, there will be no problem."

"Okay, time is pressing, so Sacramento, you go to the warehouse, and I'll go to Enterprise to get the thimble, right? By the way, what is a thimble?"

Masaki quickly stood up, rubbing her numb legs.

I was afraid you'd be a saint and ask for nothing. Since you're asking for something, there's no problem, right? After all, the admiral has so many things at Enterprise, one thimble won't make a difference. A simple apology should be enough.

"A thimble is actually a platinum ring, but it has no gemstone, just a series of indentations, as it's used to push the needle."

Sacramento sighed, as if thinking of something troubling.

"It took me a lot of effort to modify it. A ring without the indentations is useless, but Enterprise won't return it to me, which is very troubling. So I can only ask you, Masaki. Of course, I'll go too, don't worry."

Without further ado, Sacramento also stood up, placed the book on the chair, and stretched lazily. The perfect curves of her body, accentuated by the dress, were breathtaking. Her impressive figure even made Masaki wonder if the admiral and her side were blind.

How can someone like her have no presence? Are our eyes blind? Just her figure alone is enough to draw attention.

"In short, a platinum thimble, right? I'll go get it."

I've heard of such things, used for sewing.

Enviously glancing at Sacramento's retreating figure, Masaki nodded reluctantly. She turned and ran out of the kitchen, heading towards the combat department's dormitory.