Thaw out a Second Life

Black King, Red Fox

King George V digs her fingers into her hair and clutches the strands with the conflict of her knightly honor and personal feelings against each other.

"I certainly despise this feeling, but I don't have much of a choice, do I?" King George V dryly laughs at herself
"I'm sorry to involve you with this burden....." Bismarck lowers her gaze
"No, perhaps this is for the best. Someone in Azur Lane has to ensure.....Bismarck doesn't wallow in guilt and despair"
"Are you sure about this? Getting involved with us means you'll risk sabotaging your honor and pride"
"What is the value of honor to the preservation of a friend's happiness" King George V takes a deep breath
"Friend, huh....."

Bismarck META shifts her gaze to the side when she remembers the King George V of her timeline......but she's immediately reminded how even a great knight succumbs to conflict.

"Heh. Then again, I also risk myself of making an enemy out of Bismarck. Not only would she be heartbroken if she learns her sister died, but she'd feel betrayed too" King George V laughs at herself
"Well, not really our problem" Hunter META callously shrugs
"I will take the responsibility for this deception......because I played a part in their decision" Bismarck META looks at King George V right in the eyes
"More importantly, I don't want the Bismarck I know to be someone pitying and blaming herself"

King George V clearly refers to Bismarck META who mostly lost the fierce and relentless demeanor she once had. Right now, the META in front of her is melancholic yet calm and composed.

"If the worst case scenario were to come true, I will put down Tirpitz.....for everyone's sake" King George lifts her sword
"Knowing Tirpitz, she might end herself before you can. She has more courage to kill herself than run away....." Bismarck META sighs
"Still, I will always be prepared to draw my sword to spare their feelings and bury the secret"
"You'd risk court martial to spare Victorious and Bismarck's feelings......" Hunter META frowns
"Hmph. Better than to learn Iron Blood reanimated a mindless zombie META. Can you imagine the commotion it will cause?" King George V smirks
"........" Renown META and Repulse META stare at each other in disbelief
"You need not to worry. I have faith it will not reach the point where I'd shoulder the scorn of a murderer"

Although King George V vows to ensure the truth is hidden even if she commits a sin, she views it as merciful compared to seeing Bismarck in despair and repeating a mistake.

_________________________________________________________________________

King George V strolls by the warehouse area where the Type Zwei rigging is practically complete. It's only Neumark making minor adjustments and triple checking everything to ensure the highest chance of success as much as possible.

"I can't believe you helped them"

As King George V stands in front of the rigging suspended mid air by several chains, she smiles impressed by Akagi doing the same.

"This is the only way Bismarck would let me near the rigging" Akagi scoffs
"Ah, still personal interests. Here I thought you had an understanding as a protective sister too"
"Being a protective and actually caring sister is the least I'd expect from Bismarck. What drastically changed her?" Akagi tries to press answers from her

Much of the incident nearly two months ago is limited to witnesses in Iron Blood. One reason being Tirpitz initially recovering by having a META's wisdom cube fragment fused with her. An outsider like Akagi is completely unaware of the truth behind Tirpitz META and Victorious META's existence.

"Bismarck got soft to her little sister" Akagi smirks
"To begin with, Bismarck did what she thought would save Tirpitz. Unfortunately, toying with one's life usually bites you back" King George V chuckles
"I see. Bismarck faced the consequences of her selfish love"
"Once this succeeds, I hope Tirpitz will be free of the deceased META's influence"