Azur Lane: Silent Service
Chapter 20 - Two Wives Missing Husband

On the dry dock of the Gibraltar military base, Bismarck gazed at the front of his wrecked ship. His mind flew in search of the cause of his defeat of the USS Seawolf and got the question without an answer. The damage suffered by the body of his ship was not from a torpedo attack but another attack that Bismarck did not know, it was because the bottom of his ship looked healthy without injuries.

“It's very strange” muttered Bismarck.

Right next to the body of his ship, Bismarck spotted the U-30 submarine that was about to sink to the bottom of the ocean. The damage was from a torpedo attack that left a wide scar piercing into the hull of the ship.

“Different from me, the U-30 suffered a torpedo attack because of its position in the periscope depth.”

“Hng!”

With that in mind, Bismarck got a new lead on the torpedo attack that hit the U-30. Its position diving in periscope depth should be very difficult to detect with surface radar. Realizing the oddity, Bismarck concluded one thing.

“Wait! Since the beginning of the USS Seawolf has been aware of the presence of U-30 following it?”

“Did since the beginning of USS Seawolf have won the duel?”

“It's very impossible! Detecting the presence of submarines underwater? Did the U-30 make a loud noise that caught the hydrophone USS Seawolf?”

“Cannot be! Submarine that runs 2 knots using battery power is not as noisy.”

“How does the USS Seawolf know the whereabouts of U-30?”

“Guh! It's so embarrassing!”

As the flagship of Iron Blood, Bismarck became a ship filled with hope and pride. His confidence and big ego became a cold iron that walked the ocean. His small defeat from the submarine was an insult and a cover for his high ego. Now, he was beginning to realize his weakness as the Iron Blood Flagship.

“I have to train even harder, huh?” little muttered Bismarck while staring at the body of his ship.

...

...

...

“Bis-”

“-Marck?”

“Bis ... Marck ..”

“Bismarck? Oye! You hear me?”

“Huh?!” Bismarck awoke from his little daydream. Beside him, Hood brought soft drinks for Bismarck.

“Admiral asked me to see the condition of your ship” Hood said as she gave Bismarck a soft drink.

“Are you and your boat body okay?” ask Hood.

“...” Bismarck simply fell silent and picked up the drink Hood was holding. He again saw the condition of his ship that made emergency repairs and drank soft drinks given by Hood.

“As you can see, the condition of my ship is like this and the U-30 will temporarily make full repairs” Bismarck said to explain the situation.

“Severe enough damage for Battleship cute” reply Hood.

“Imut? What's your max?” hood's answer left Bismarck confused.

“This is I mean” Hood showing a photo of Bismarck wearing a maid uniform.

“Ah! Oye! Give it to me!” Bismarck moved quickly to take that embarrassing photo of Hood.

Hood dodged quickly and stuffed the precious photo into his pocket.

“Calm down, this photo has been circulating all over Gibraltar's military base even Tirpitz acknowledges Bismarck's timidity this one” Hood praised.

“Kuuuuhuu..” Bismarck hid the embarrassed expression of his face with his hat.

“Talking about cute, I got interesting information about USS Seawolf.”

Hearing Hood's words, Bismarck again put on his serious face and forgot his embarrassing photo.

“Uhuh, what information is it?” bismarck asked in a serious tone.

“So, she's a veteran submarine, huh? I deserve to lose. That explains everything. His tactics and attacks are not unusual” said Bismarck in a cold tone.

“Veteran? Uh! Also true! We found an important note about him. When the USS Seawolf returned after her first patrol of the Atlantic waters, she returned by tying a spatula on her periscope.”

“Huh?” hearing Hood's strange remark, Bismarck's expression was filled with questions.

“I also put on such an expression the first time I read his report. But, in the tradition of the Eagle Union submarine. Tying the spatula on the submarine periscope signifies Clean Sweep or even cleaning. For the first time, one submarine successfully leveled a siren convoy operating in Atlantic waters.”

“Huh?!” Bismarck was shocked after hearing that.

“Lose from such a great man, isn't that a pride in itself?” said Hood with a big smile.

“...” Bismarck was pensive after realizing this information. The surprise attack he suffered was not without reason. The man or USS Seawolf is a veteran who messed up a siren convoy in Atlantic waters. He had heard rumors of sirens passing through Atlantic waters from Tirpitz. But to confirm the rumors. He had to get the appropriate source and it was appropriate. The wounds Bismarck had obtained had slowly become a matter of pride for him, he had long since not gained a worthy enemy. As a fellow Flagship, this defeat was an honor for him.

“One more thing, Bismarck. We'll be back at the main base tomorrow. Would you like to come home with us?” ask Hood.

“Maybe not. My ship is still not sea-worthy” reply Bismarck.

Hearing Bismarck's reply, Hood only smiled cynically.

“Why are you smiling like that?” bismarck's instincts went quickly. He sensed another piece of information Hood was hiding.

“It's okay, it's just ... Uh! Uupss..” Hood quickly closed his mouth.

“Hood, you did it on purpose to make me curious, didn't you?” bismarck said as he approached Hood.

“T-No, this is just additional information. Eagle Union to conduct anti-submarine exercises against USS Seawolf.”

Bismarck's eyes opened wide and his ears twitched after hearing the interesting information.

“Why do they do that? More so against the USS Seawolf? Doesn't that feel weird?” bismarck.

“B-Bismarck ... Please don't force me to say more about the Admiralty Code's decision to discontinue the Seawolf.” program

“In other words, it is the last farewell to USS Seawolf.”

Bismarck fell silent and thought of something.

“Hood, I'll be back with you guys and leave the body of my ship here!” bismarck pressed Hood.

“A-I understand.”

Hood accepted Bismarck's request. Their small alliance to search for information regarding the USS Seawolf has come to fruition. Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis may have reconciled into a single entity but their limited mindset and human intervention had the other party playing behind it. The birth of the Seawolf unit that played behind the watchful eye of Azur Lane became a living proof of human efforts to fight the siren at the expense of moral and legal values.

“But, all of that is paid for with a lost human heart. Humans are quite attractive for a few things. Their unique thinking is very difficult to guess. Hood, among all humans. Who made you interested in gaining your loyalty?” bismarck asked in a serious tone.

“Somehow, I only dealt with humans for a while. All orders from the Royal Navy require Queen Elizabeth's approval. So, my loyalty is still under the Queen's lead. However, we need human assistance for other purposes.”

Bismarck smiled wryly after hearing that. The condition of the Royal Navy and Iron Blood was very similar. They are loyal to one thing but need humans to take care of other needs. In the end, they need humans to fulfill a single purpose.

“I think I need to get to know the man closer to” said Bismarck.

“Heh, that's very interesting. What are you gonna do?” ask Hood.

“Isn't it clear? I'll give up this body for him” Bismarck replied.

“Eh? Eeeeh?! Don't be like that Bismarck! Humans are too weak for that one!” exciting Hood.

A small commotion occurred at the dry dock of the Gibraltar military base. The feud between Bismarck and Hood was complicated and tense. They fight over human norms and ethics with the needs of men who are difficult to withstand. They debate issues that have not yet occurred to produce a fair decision for both sides.

“Alright, I have control of his right side while Bismarck has control of his left side” Hood said.

“Deal!” bismarck as a sign of approval.

On the other hand, a man who was walking leisurely enjoyed the sight of an amused feeling in his nose and sneezing.

“Hacyuu! Is there someone talking about me?” said it.