Azur Lane: Isekai'd with Maxed-Out Port

Fortunately, although Enterprise and Essex didn't require much bodily protection aside from windproof helmets, they had both prepared gear within their rigging storage.

Lin Lan put on the windproof helmet from Enterprise and also changed into the black motorcycle protective suit Essex handed him.

This protective suit, a gift from Jamaica to Essex, looked as solid as a bulletproof vest.

Lin Lan knocked on his chest to test it, and indeed, it provided strong impact resistance.

"Commander, make sure to hold tightly onto my waist..."

As both of them mounted the motorcycle and he heard these words from the dumpling-girl in a blue jacket sitting in front of him, Lin Lan obediently complied.

He had no choice. 

He had seen earlier that once the motorcycle started, its speed was terrifying. If he didn't hold on tightly to Essex, he'd probably be flung right off during the first turn.

Since Essex was only wearing a cropped tank top under her jacket, Lin Lan, who wasn't wearing an outer coat himself, wrapped his arms tightly around the waist of this beautiful Eagle Union rider. 

Essex, her face hidden under her helmet, blushed deeply.

Though the commander had touched her sensitive areas before, this was the first time they were in such close and genuine physical contact.

With the engine of the racing motorcycle roaring, Lin Lan immediately saw the scenery around them begin to blur past.

As they took a turn, he personally experienced the drifting sensation at high speed.

It was only now that he understood why, despite the danger, so many street racers and professional riders were obsessed with motorcycle racing.

The intense visual stimulation and wind pressure at high speed were truly intoxicating.

Of course, Essex's soft little tummy was also irresistible—he couldn't help but give it a gentle squeeze or two. 

That was only human nature, right?

Essex's trembling reaction to having her belly squeezed was incredibly cute, but Lin Lan didn't dare go too far.

If he really disrupted her control while driving, then even as a brave warrior, being flung off at this speed could mean serious injury—or worse, a complete wipeout.

Anyway, there would be other chances for that kind of thing. Ruining the night's plans over a moment of indulgence would be a loss.

After Essex took him for a lap around the track, giving him a full taste of the thrill of motorcycle racing, they returned to the starting point, thus ending their racetrack journey.

However, as everyone laughed and chatted on their way to the exit, Lin Lan noticed that little chibi Hammann was walking silently at the very end of the group, her face red and head down.

He couldn't help but chuckle—Hammann was clearly still overthinking what kind of "request" he might make of her.

No need to rush. 

Better to let her imagination run wild for a bit longer.

Since it was only a little past 3 p.m., returning already would be too early. Enterprise suggested the group go rest at a convenience store by the beach.

Lin Lan didn't have anything urgent today, so he agreed with Enterprise's suggestion. After leaving the racetrack, the group headed toward the coast.

The seaside on the back side of New Ocean Artificial Island was a beach. 

Unlike the well-developed front coast, this area had little aside from an unmanned convenience store, some parasols and chairs at the entrance, and not much else.

Well, if you had to point out something, there were a few coconut trees planted around the store, and quite a few seashells and crabs on the sand.

Warm, brilliant sunshine poured onto the golden beach, while the gentle sea breeze and rhythmic waves formed the most beautiful scenery of this secluded coastal spot behind the hills.

Lin Lan sat down under a parasol in front of the convenience store to rest, gazing out at the endless blue sea in the distance.

After Maury, Gridley, and still-silent Hammann went into the store and brought out cola, coconut juice, and other drinks for everyone, Lin Lan picked a bottle of coconut juice for himself and started casually scrolling on his phone.

Gridley had already uploaded the photos from this morning into the group chat, attracting many amused comments from the Eagle Union shipgirls.

For example, Bogue was quite heartbroken. Had she known Lin Lan was visiting the backhill baseball field today, she would've definitely come to show off a little.

Nevada was equally regretful. She directly tagged Lin Lan and invited him to experience the authentic hometown flavor of her western town next time.

Other Eagle Union shipgirls also chimed in, inviting Lin Lan to visit various parts of the frontside of the artificial island tomorrow.

"Commander sure is popular, huh."

Enterprise, holding a cola in hand, also pulled out her phone. Seeing the lively mood in the group chat, she smiled and commented to Lin Lan.

The person in question just shrugged. This was within his expectations. He could only reply in the group, saying he'd visit each area one by one.

After his message, the group chat exploded again. Lin Lan smiled wryly and closed the chat.

"Looks like I'll be pretty busy these next few days."

Though he said that, Lin Lan was clearly happy to be so well-received.

Still, there were more serious matters to attend to.

 For instance, the objective of the Sirens in Orlan that he had analyzed last night—he planned to meet with Little Sara and New Jersey tomorrow to discuss it.

Things like that were better resolved through early discussions with his shipgirls so they could make the necessary preparations in advance.

Anchorage was squatting nearby, curiously observing a gray-shelled crab crawling about. 

Little Anchorage had a strong interest in everything.

"Come to think of it, this eastern continent of Orlan is quite amazing. The western continent is already covered in snow, and yet the climate here is still so warm."

Watching Anchorage focus intently on the crab waving its claws menacingly, Lin Lan couldn't help but sigh.

He hadn't noticed it much while staying at the academy on the eastern continent, but after going to the western continent and returning, the stark contrast in climate between the two parts of the same country became apparent.

"That's true. We didn't notice much change back in the Harbor District, but once each faction set out, we quickly found the weather in our respective regions growing very different."

Enterprise nodded in agreement as she gazed at the sunny, beautiful beach.

"In the Harbor District, the seasons were very clear. But on our way here, the weather gradually became more unusual."

"When we arrived at this country called the United States of Orlan, it happened to be this season. Back in the Harbor District, it should've already started snowing, yet here it's still warm."

"It was only then that we realized we were no longer in our original world. Without even knowing it, we had come to a completely unfamiliar, alternate world."

Lin Lan frowned slightly at her words and asked with some confusion:

"You only realized it then? Didn't you notice you had lost contact with headquarters back in the Harbor District?"

"All communication and supply requests to headquarters were handled solely by you, Commander. Not even faction flagships had the authority."

Enterprise's reply helped Lin Lan understand why his shipgirls hadn't realized they had crossed into another world until much later.

What they referred to as "headquarters" was actually the game's official operations center. And sure enough, such a headquarters had existed before.

The daily resource emails from his monthly pass, the missions he accepted, the automatically regenerating oil and supplies—all of these, in the eyes of his shipgirls, were supplies provided to their Harbor District by headquarters.

That's why only the commander—himself—had one-way communication privileges with headquarters.

As for large-scale operations and the like, they must've also been missions issued by that so-called headquarters.

Now that they had arrived in this alternate world, it was clear those city strongholds where they used to exchange rewards from large-scale operations were no longer accessible.

Thankfully, the United States of Orlan had petroleum refining technology, and the various conglomerates didn't lack oil either.

Otherwise, his shipgirls would have had to give up their riggings and fight in close combat instead—though even without riggings, they weren't easy opponents to deal with.

"The Sakura Empire faction ended up in Liaozhou, where the climate is pretty good—like spring all year round. 

But the region where the Northern Union arrived is the exact opposite. It's extremely cold, covered in snow and blizzards for most of the year."

Essex's additional comment surprised Lin Lan. A place that spent most of the year in winter?

How had he never heard about such extreme climates in this world when he was at Red Maple Academy?

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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

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