The Aircraft Carrier was furious and sent Ayanami a look: 'We agreed to deal with Azuma together and let me become the Wife Ship. How did you become a traitor in the blink of an eye? Is our indestructible alliance really so easily broken?'
Ayanami seriously returned a look to the Aircraft Carrier: 'Rest assured, our alliance still stands. I'm not interested in being the Wife Ship; actually, just being a lover is fine, yes.'
The Aircraft Carrier narrowed her eyes and returned a look to Ayanami: 'Don't forget what you said. I am determined to be the Wife Ship.'
Humph! Ayanami was very disdainful in her heart. Saying she'd let the Aircraft Carrier be the Wife Ship was just to deceive her. She just wanted to use the Aircraft Carrier as a tool to fight to the death with that Azuma, so she would have the chance to reap the rewards and become the Admiral's Ship Girl.
Hehehe! The Aircraft Carrier's heart was full of contempt. Saying she didn't want to be the Wife Ship? I don't believe a word of it! At first, she also said she only wanted to stay by Sister's side, but then she actually raided the Admiral at night. How can I trust you like this? But now is not the time to have a falling out. Once she deals with that Azuma, she'll take care of you properly. She'll turn you into a rag, used and thrown away, hee hee hee.
The two looked at each other with smiles. On the surface, they seemed very harmonious, but in reality, both were thinking of getting rid of the other to become the Wife Ship.
Seeing the two of them getting along so harmoniously, Illustrious was very satisfied. It seemed her Ship Girls were very sensible and didn't make things difficult for her. Having two such Ship Girls was truly a cause for celebration!
But why did the atmosphere between the two feel a bit chilly? Hmm! It must be her imagination. She should trust them; how could she be so suspicious of them?
...At the harbor, Illustrious summoned her main body ship, boarded the carrier with her Ship Girls, and set sail straight for Naval Base 250.
Her speed was only thirty knots; at that pace she would reach the base in an hour.
"Sister! How many Ship Girls are still at the base?" Aircraft Carrier asked curiously.
"Four left! I plan to build two more when we get back—Azuma says she can't handle all the housework alone." At the mention of Azuma, Illustrious smiled blissfully.
Seeing that smile, Aircraft Carrier and Ayanami at her side burned with envy; Illustrious had never looked at them that way, yet Azuma had won it.
Aircraft Carrier and Ayanami exchanged glances—clearly they had to join forces against Azuma, or their chances at becoming Wife Ship were doomed.
On the horizon, Illustrious spotted something wrong: flames and smoke rose from the Naval Base. "What's happening? Did something strike the base?"
She pushed the throttle and, the moment the carrier touched the pier, Illustrious and her companions dashed down the gangway.
Ruined houses and smoking rubble greeted her, and Illustrious's face paled. "Azuma... none of you can be hurt!"
She ran into the wreckage and found Azuma, Unicorn, Shokaku, Zuikaku—and an unfamiliar girl. A quick mental check of the Ship Girl register told her the stranger was Yukikaze.
Seeing them lying with eyes closed, Illustrious knelt beside Azuma, her right hand trembling as she reached toward Azuma's nose to feel for breath.
The touch drained the color from her face. "No breathing... dead. Why? I was only gone six days—who did this?"
"Could it be them? Damn it, I already hid here—why won't they leave me alone!"
She laid Azuma down, still refusing despair, and hurried to Shokaku and Zuikaku—only to find them lifeless as well.
Running to Unicorn, she saw Yukikaze clinging to her. Yukikaze was covered in wounds; Unicorn had fewer thanks to that shield, but the damage had been too great—both had died instantly.
"Sister, are you alright?" Aircraft Carrier asked worriedly as Illustrious knelt, eyes vacant.
Haman and Laffey opened their arms and hugged her. They knew the pain of losing someone dear—they had lost their Admiral not long ago. Then, Illustrious had comforted them; now it was their turn.
"Admiral, it's okay—you still have us. We won't leave you," Haman whispered, patting Illustrious's back.
"If it hurts, just cry. You'll feel a little better," Laffey said gently, eyes closed.
Ayanami analyzed coolly: "Admiral, with Azuma's strength, ordinary Abyssals or Ship Girls shouldn't have been a problem. To kill them all, the attacker must be at least an Epic Ship Girl or a Nightmare Abyssal."
"Epic or Nightmare—none of that matters now." Illustrious gently pushed Haman and Laffey aside, walked back to Azuma, and with a sweep of her right hand summoned the silver sword. She set the blade to her own neck. "Azuma is dead; there's nothing left for me in this world."
"Admiral, calm down! Don't do anything foolish!" Ayanami shouted.
"That's right! You promised to protect Laffey and me forever, you big liar! If you break your word, what right do you have to be our Admiral?" Haman cried.
"Laffey doesn't want the Admiral to die! If you don't die, Laffey promises never to drink any more of herself," Laffey begged.
"Sister! How could you leave us behind? We only just started!" Aircraft Carrier said, frantic.
The four Ship Girls dared not step closer, afraid of driving Illustrius over the edge; if she killed herself, they would never forgive themselves.
Their pleas were useless—Illustrious's mind was set.
Slice—blood spurted from her neck, and Illustrious collapsed beside Azuma. "Azuma, I'm coming with you. You won't be alone."
With her last strength she gripped Azuma's left hand, then her eyes slowly closed and life left her.
After Illustrious died, a silver core flew from her body and streaked as a beam of light toward the Pacific Governors Mansion—toward the eisnor great diamond.
With the death of the Silver King, the silver sword became masterless, waiting for the next Silver King to arise.
Watching the two women clasp hands in death, Ayanami said nothing. In the end, Azuma had won; Ayanami had known it from the day she was built.
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