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Azur Lane: Episode of Belfast Volume 4 Chapter 1 Part 3

「Just until last year, we had built a special outdoor stage for the purpose of the School Festival, but this year we expanded the facilities at our Home Port, so we could not secure enough space to set it up as we used to up until now.」

「Speaking of which……We have been doing a lot of expansions of our docks and warehouses this year alone……」

As Warspite muttered that to herself, she was immediately confronted with a new question that resulted from that matter.

「But then, since we cannot use the stage outdoors, why not just do something indoors? I think there was a big theater in this very auditorium, too.」

「Certainly, theaters are not as grandiose of a thing like a certain outdoor stage, but they are splendid things that can be used for a wide range of purposes, as well. Not to mention that they are already equipped with everything that we might need, from lighting to screens and props and such……」

「Then, if we were to hold the Beauty Pageant there ——」

「Unfortunately, no. Because there was a demand for an event that everyone could participate in equally.」

Bismarck said as if to cover Warspite’s words before she would venture too far with them.

「Every single year until now, only a small number of shipgirls could actively participate in the School Festival.There were some who said that it was unfair, so we decided to make a big review of our formula for this year.」

Continuing with where Bismarck ended her words, Mikasa opened her mouth next.

「Occasionally, it would not be a bad idea to bring out the uniqueness and characteristics of each faction in an activity that is fundamentally different from that of the “Beauty Pageant”. We decided to give it a try, with the overall theme of the event being the notion of unity among all the shipgirls of the different factions who are all gathered here in this Home Port.」

「…… Hmm, I see. So that’s what you mean by that, huh?」

Warspite nodded as she finally seemed to understand what was going on here.

And since a little while ago, she has been secretly looking at Elizabeth, who has been hiding her face by casting her gaze downwards all this time.

「……Why…… And for you to do this this year, when I was so sure that we were finally going to win……!!!」

Elizabeth was looking very annoyed as she even bit her lip hard in apparent frustration.

「… Your Majesty, I understand how you feel I really do. And I feel sorry for you as well.」

Warspite lowered her eyes as she whispered those words.

「This year…… This year for sure…… I was sure that the Royal Navy was about to win……! I could practically feel it……!」

Elizabeth might have been feeling really bitter for the time being, but it was not that she was unable to understand the reasoning behind this decision and where all the other representatives were actually coming from.

In fact, the School Festival gradually began to polarize the Beauty Pageant’s participants as the years were passing by.

In spite of the fact that only a small number of shipgirls were trying to open various shops and hold different events, and despite the fact that the Beauty Pageant was a big event that would stir excitement across all factions of the Home Port, only the candidates and some of their collaborators were busy preparing for the event as it was looming closer. And that was all there was to it.

It was only natural that there would be voices calling for a reset of this situation and creating something new and fresh.

「So……? What exactly are we going to do instead of the Beauty Pageant?」

Warspite asked that question instead of Elizabeth, who still seemed to be in the state of a deep shock from all those sudden revelations.

Just then, Enterprise suddenly puffed up her chest and showed a confident smile to everyone gathered.

「When it comes to Eagle Union, we were thinking of making a move that we could proudly present on a huge screen inside of the theater! And since the screen we would be using would be really big, the image that we would convey would be really powerful as well!」

Then, as if to not be outdone by Enterprise, Mikasa raised her hand as well.

「The Sakura Empire was also thinking of utilizing the big screen of the theater! With its use, the image that would be displayed there would almost seem alive!」

Then, Enterprise’s laughter could be heard across the room.

「…… Haha, I see. So, both of our factions thought of screen-based events, huh? In that case, our faction’s performances will look very fresh to all the rest of you, guys.」

Saying that, Bismarck showed a somewhat relaxed expression.

「What is the Iron Blood faction planning to do for the event?」

Seeing that uncomfortably smug and confident expression on Bismarck’s face, Elisabeth timidly asked.

Then Bismarck suddenly pointed her finger up, as if to underline the importance of her words.

「We are planning to perform a classical orchestra concert.」

She then used her index finger as an imaginary baton and waved it rhythmically for a moment or two.

「Our faction has long been very knowledgeable about music, you see. We will play a wonderful, beautiful melody that will be remembered forever by everyone in this Home Port. Mark my words.」

「Gunnuuh……!」

Elizabeth then frantically clenched her fists on the desk, trying to contain the irritation that was boiling down deep inside of her.

So it would seem that each faction present here actually had a very clear image of what they were going to do for the event.

The proof of that? The fact that each representative here already had some extraordinary confidence in their performances.

On the other hand, the Royal Navy faction had planned to hold the usual Beauty Pageant until a little while ago, so they did not make any preparations for the event that would be anything other than that.

Even though Elizabeth was swamped with her official duties, she did not want to make excuses in this kind of situation.

「Say, just to be sure about it……」

Raising her head, Elizabeth asked Enterprise.

「…… What we want to do for the event must certainly be announced now, right?」

Enterprise nodded head firmly, with an expression that was saying, “And when else would you want to announce that”?

「Everything is just as it was written in the sealed letter. The activities that each faction wants to perform at that event need to be announced at this meeting, since we are going to relay them to the Commander later today. There’s also the matter of the budget, so if we don’t decide now, we won’t be able to make the preparations in time.」

At that point, Bismarck opened her mouth with a serious expression written on her face.

「…… Say, Royal Navy, what in the world are you doing? For a while you have been doing nothing else by probing for the contents of the information that was in the letter that you have received.」

「I-It’s nothing! Nothing! And it’s certainly not that I don’t know what you guys are talking about!」

「You don’t know?」

Bismarck started to press the matter even more persistently now.

「Okay, wait a minute! Just…… Just give me a moment, okay? I just need to make some final confirmations with this here Warspite, alright?」

Elizabeth turned her face away from Bismarck, who was still suspicious of her words just now.

「……What are you going to do, Your Majesty?」

Warspite then whispered in her ear.

「I doesn’t matter what we are going to do and what we are not going to do…… We need a plan! And we need it fast!」

Whispering in hushed voices, both Warspite and Elizabeth turned their chairs away from everyone else so that no one could possibly eavesdrop on them. Then Elizabeth closed her eyes, folded her arms at her chest, furrowed her eyebrows, and hummed for a moment, trying to see if she was going to come up with some good ideas on the spot like that.

「As expected, it is impossible for them to actually wait for us until tomorrow, is it not?」

Warspite turned towards Elizabeth with an expression of utter concern written all over her face, and Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment, sinking deep into thought before she eventually answered Warspite’s question with a low tone and her eyes still closed.

「…… It’s pretty much impossible. There is no excuse for overlooking the letter that came a few days ago. Besides, I could not possibly put any more burden onto the Commander’s shoulders by asking for the event to be postponed like that.」