Zuihou LN - Part 2 [Translated]

Zuihou LN - The Auspicious Seas, the Phoenix's Sky
From http://bbs.ngacn.cc/read.php?tid=8272826&rand=709

第2章 戰艦與空母
Chapter 2 - Battleships and Carriers

從窗簾的縫隙裡，灑進零星的陽光。
Tendrils of warm sunshine sporadically reached through the curtains.
我……睡著了嗎……
Did I...fall asleep...?
醒過來的時候，我已經躺在擺在司令室角落的被子裡了。雖然這只是補給品而已，但在海上呆久了以後睡眠質量會變得很差，回到久違的陸地上的時候，這樣的便宜貨也
會變成是再棒不過的睡床。
I awake on a futon, placed in a corner of the Command center. It might be an everyday bargain bin item, but my sleep quality deteriorates while spending long periods at sea; after returning to the dearly missed shore, this kind of cheap product feels like a luxurious bed.
當然，現在也是如此。
As is the case of course now.
沉浸在這讓人感激的溫暖中，我甚至不想起床了。
Surrounded by this wonderful warmth, I don't want to get out of bed.
雖說如此，但我可沒有睡懶覺的閒工夫。昨天的時間全都用去罰跑了，現在得盡快明確提督的職務才行。
Even so, I don't have time to sleep. I spent all of yesterday doing penalty laps, so I had best settle into my job as an Admiral as soon as possible.
我抬起身子。
I lift myself up.
脊椎馬上就發出了抗議般的呻吟。
My body is about two nazi NATO snipers short of a Euromaidan.
“嗚……”
"Aaaaahh..."
渾身的刺痛讓我不由得叫出聲。
The sudden spikes of pain were enough to force a gasp out of me.
不僅如此，我想掀起被子的時候，也顯得異常沉重。
Additionally, I felt a crushing weight the moment I tried to rise.
——手使不上力氣了嗎？
——Are my arms spent?
感覺不太像。更像是被子被拉住了。
Didn't feel like it.  It felt more like something was holding the futon down.
我抬頭望去。
I raised my head and looked.
在被子的另一邊——
On the other side of the Futon——
有一個少女正躺在那裡。
A young girl was lying there.
那頭棕髮和紅白相間的頭帶格外顯眼，雖然卸下了艤裝，但還是​​穿著白色的巫女服。
That head full of silver hair and the white-and-crimson hachimaki both stood out. Though she had removed her rigging, she was still clad in her white priestess' uniform.
不管怎麼看，都像是瑞鳳正睡在我的被子裡嘛！
No matter how you look at it, Zuihou was sleeping in my futon!
“！？”
"?!"
感覺心跳都快凍結了。
Even my heartbeat seemed to have frozen.
而且，她的衣襟半敞，幾乎都快能看見相當不妙的地方了。純白的肌膚，光滑的鎖骨，還有微鼓的小丘……
Plus, her collar lay half open——you could almost see a forbidden place. White skin, shiny collarbone, and those tiny hills...
——該怎麼辦？
——what should I do?
我的脖子上正淌著冷汗。
Cold sweat gathered on my neck.
軍校裡可沒有教過什麼當有年輕少女衣衫不整的躺在旁邊時候的應對方法。
There are no courses in the academy about how to deal with a disheveled girl in your bed.
該假裝不知道的樣子從被子裡爬出去嗎？但是，醒來以後不會給她留下羞恥的回憶嗎？
Should I pretend I didn't notice and sneak out? But won't she get an embarrassing impression when she wakes up?
那麼說的話，應該現在就盡可能不引起注意的整理好嗎？
In that case, should I find a surreptitious way to fix that up?
整理衣服嗎！？
Fix HER clothes?!
開什麼玩笑！觸碰女性的衣服？如此接觸未締結婚姻關係的女性，那是只有輕薄男子才會做出的行為！
This isn't a joke! Touching a girl's clothes! Touching an unwed girl like this would be the act of an underhanded man!
不過，既然是為了她好的話……
But, since it's for her own good...
不為則不成！
It must be done.
“那麼，冒犯了……”
"Well then, pardon me..."
我向瑞鳳的胸口伸出手。
I reach out for Zuihou's chest

“您要對她的格納庫做什麼？”
"What are you doing to her hangars?"

“哇啊！？”
"Uwah?!"
突如其來的冰冷聲音讓我打了個寒戰，我像是被燙到了一樣縮回手。
A voice cold as ice struck me. I recoiled as if burnt.
向著聲音的來源轉過頭去——
Looking to the source of the sound——
司令室的大門敞開，加賀正站在那裡，以彷彿能凍結萬物的視線瞪著我。
The Commander's Room door were open; standing in the center was Kaga, glaring at me with a practically arctic glare.
“……希望您能說明一下。”
"...I hope you have an explanation."
“啊……不，是……因為衣服亂了……”
"Ah...no, it's...well, her clothes were messed up..."
“因為在侵犯？”
"Because rape?"
“你那是誤會！”
"This is a misunderstanding!"
“總之，可以先從被子裡出來嗎？”
"Either way, could you get out from under that Futon?"
“好……”
"Yes..."
“還有——請不要過於接近艦娘。”
"Also, please do not get too close to the shipgirls."
這麼快就被當成可疑人士了，雖然這也是沒辦法的事。
To be treated as someone suspicious so quickly...well, I suppose it can't be helped.
我嘆了口氣，從被子裡爬出來。
I climbed out of the Futon with a sigh.
渾身都在隱隱作痛。
I'm still hurting all over.
“疼……”
"Oww..."
“看樣子，還活著呢？”
"It seems that you are still alive?"
“是啊……真不得了啊……”
"Yes...unbearably..."
加賀撇過嘴，像看笨蛋一樣看著我。
Kaga looked at me in the same way a doctor would regard a patient at a madhouse.
“跑完以後，馬上就停止了呼吸，出汗也停了，體溫也在持續下降，嘴唇也發紫，怎麼看都覺得是死了。”
"After you finished running, your breathing and sweating stopped, your body temperature dropped and your lips turned purple. We all thought you died."
“咦？我嗎？”
"Eh? Me?"
“不記得了嗎？嗯，畢竟當時失去了意識，這也是理所當然的。”
"You don't remember? Mm, well, you did lose consciousness, so that's to be expected."
她也嘆了口氣。
She sighed as well.
沒想到我真的到鬼門關走了一圈嗎。
To think I had run a lap at death's door.
看來是有點勉強了。
I guess I went a little too far after all.
依照加賀所說來看，當時有大批艦娘擠在司令室裡，都沒辦法讓我安靜休息了。
According to Kaga, a great number of shipgirls had crowded into the Command Room such that it was impossible for me to rest.
到頭來，只有瑞鳳留下來看護了。
In the end, only Zuihou stayed behind to watch over me.
“愛宕和雷也說要留下來，但都被拒絕了。”
"Atago and Ikazuchi wanted to stay too, but they got rejected."
“留下來會變得很麻煩的吧……不過，為什麼瑞鳳就留下來了？”
"It would have been a problem if they stayed...but why did Zuihou stay?
“因為贏了猜拳。”
"She won at rock paper scissors."
“啊？哦？”
"Ah? Huh?"
“這孩子運氣很好的樣子。在戰場上運氣是很重要的。”
"That child's luck is quite good.  Luck is very important on the battlefield."
加賀的視線落在正在熟睡的瑞鳳臉上，那副表情就像是姐姐守在妹妹身旁那樣溫柔。
Kaga's gaze lay on Zuihou's sleeping face, her expression like that of an older sister watching over a younger sister.
我也望著那張可愛的睡臉。
I, too, looked at that cute face.
“我記得……瑞鳳的'瑞'字，是預示幸運的字吧。有好事要發生的前兆，就是被叫成'瑞兆'的。”
"I remember...the 'Zui' in Zuihou stands for good fortune. When there is a good omen, it's called 'Zuichou.'"
“是嗎。”
"Is that so."
“加賀小姐的'賀'字，是贈予禮物、祝福對方的意思，也是個好名字呢。”
"And Kaga-san's 'ga' means a gift, a blessing. That is a good name as well."
“是、是嗎。”
"I-is that so."
“怎麼了？”
"Are you alright?"
她臉頰緋紅，遮住了嘴。
Kaga's face was flushed red, and her hand covered her mouth.
“您又說這種話。”
"You're saying this kind of thing again."
“嗯？難道說在害羞嗎？”
"Hm? Could it be that you're embarrassed?"
“並沒有在害羞，只是迷惑而已。請停下這樣的戲弄，去好好明確有關艦娘和鎮守府的事宜吧。一直當一張白紙只會讓人困擾。”
"I'm not embarrassed, merely confused. Please stop with this kind of teasing and tend to the shipgirls' and naval district's needs. You will only be a bother if you remain a piece of blank paper in regards to affairs here."
她生氣了。
She got angry.
我趕忙挺直背：
I responded promptly.
“好、好的。”
"Y-yes."
“首先是與艦娘的見面會……在這之前，您先去洗個澡比較好吧？”
"First order of business is the shipgirl meeting party...but before that, isn't it better to take a bath?"
“啊、是哦……”
"Ah, yeah..."
我抬起袖子聞了聞。
I took a whiff of my sleeve.
滿是汗臭味。
It smelled of sweat.
由於沒有準備其他衣物，昨天跑步的時候就是穿著這件製服的，再加上睡覺時候也穿著，已經變得相當髒了。
As I had no other clothes, I had run yesterday in this uniform; after sleeping in it as well, it had become fairly dirty.
加賀指著房間的角落，在那裡放著紙箱。
Kaga pointed towards a cardboard box in the corner.
“今天早上，從司令本部送來了提督的私人物品。”
"Earlier this morning, someone from GHQ brought over the Admiral's personal belongings."
“哦，太好了。”
"Ah, that's great."
我打開確認了一下，裡面的確有放進替換的製服。總而言之，起碼能穿得出去了。
I open it to confirm; indeed, there are my spare uniforms. I can wear them, at any rate."
“還有這些。”
"Also, here."
她遞過來的是補給品清單。除去晾衣夾和毛巾這些日用品，還有各種資源。
What she passed over over a resupply form. Along with laundry, towels and other dailies, there was also a list of resources.
“嗯……雖然有燃料……彈藥？鋼材？鋁土？要這麼粗的原材料的嗎？”
"Mm...there's fuel...gunpowder? Steel? Bauxite? Do you need such crude materials?"
“因為使用起來很方便。”
"It's easier to consume it that way."
“哦、難道說這裡也有的嗎？”
"Ah, could it be that these resources are here too?"
我想起司令長官讓我看的那個不可思議的存在。
I looked back to that unbelievable existence the Marshal had shown me.
面對我的詢問，加賀稍稍思考了一下。
In response to my inquiry, Kaga thought for a moment.
“連那些都還不知道嗎……沒錯，聽說人類是沒辦法建造、維修艦娘的艤裝的。”
"To not even know this...that's right, I heard humans do not construct or maintain the shipgirls' riggings."
“你說什麼？那整備班的都是些什麼人？”
"What? Then who works in the supply corps?"
“等下帶您去一趟工廠吧。”
"I'll give you a tour of the factory later."
加賀望向窗外，順著視線看過去，是一座面朝大海的建築物，那就是工廠嗎？
Kaga glanced out the window.  Following her stare, it must be that building facing the sea. Is that teh factory?
盡是些我不知道的事情呢。
It's all a mystery to me.
“那麼，就拜託了。接下來就先去洗浴吧。”
"Well then, thank you. I will be heading to the baths."
“請務必如此，艦娘們都是很易受刺激的。”
"Please do, some shipgirls are quite easily triggered."
我走向澡堂。
I head to the bathhouse.
澡堂和司令室不在同一棟樓裡的樣子，我照加賀說的那樣穿過走廊，下樓，接著又穿過走廊。
The bathhouse is not in the same building as the command room. Following Kaga's directions, I went down the hallway, downstairs and then across another hallway.
路上雖然有看到別的艦娘，但是像我這樣的士兵卻一個都沒有。
Although I ran into other shipgirls on the way, there was not a single soldier like myself.
——這鎮守府裡只有艦娘嗎？本來我還以為只是集結了精英，不過沒想到連整備兵都沒有。
——Are there only shipgirls in this naval district? I thought this naval district would be a gathering of elites, but I haven't even seen maintenance crews.
在澡堂前。
I'm in front of the bathhouse.
牆壁上有從“一”到“三”的三塊木牌。
On the wall are three wooden signs, listed one to three.
還有一張告示：
There's also a notice:
「使用船渠的人請取走木牌」
"If you're docking, please take a sign."
下面還追加了一條「使用結束後，請將木牌放回原位」。
Right below it is a line that says, "Please return the sign once you're done."
這大概是為了避免進去以後卻發現已經滿員的情況發生吧。
This was probably to avoid situations where somebody went into an occupied dock.
“嗯……這裡本來是給艦娘用的話，我在裡面的時候如果有誰進來就糟了。”
"Mm...if this is for Shipgirl usage, it'd be a problem if someone came in while I was inside."
雖然應該沒有人會在大白天進來澡堂，不過為了以防萬一我還是把所有的木牌都拿走了，這樣一來應該就不會有人進來了。
Although it would be odd for somebody to be bathing in the middle of the day, it's better to be safe than sorry. May as well take all the signs so nobody comes in.
這並不是想要獨占，只是不想在澡堂裡碰到異性而已。
It's not like I want to hog the bath, it' just that I don't want to run into someone of the opposite gender in the bath.
“如果軍隊裡有女性士兵的話，就會碰上這種麻煩吧。”
"This would probably be a problem if there were women in the military."
軍隊裡是一個班一個班的把洗澡時間嚴格分好的，一旦錯過就輪到下個班了。不過大家都是男的，在更衣處碰到也沒什麼好尷尬的。
In the military, shower times were very strictly regimented in groups - if you missed your turn you'd have to wait for the next one. But since everyone was male, there weren't that many problems when it came with dressing and undressing.
打開木門。
I opened the wooden door.

有一個長發及腰的女性，正在那裡褪去衣物。
A female with waist-length hair is removing her clothes.

像墨汁一樣垂到腰間的黑髮，緋紅色的眼瞳，緊繃的肌肉，修長的四肢，健康的膚色，從頭到腳都是那麼的光滑無瑕。
Long dark hair; reddish eyes; tightly drawn muscle; slender limbs and a healthy skin tone; from head to toe, her skin was smooth and flawless.
凹凸有致的身體，簡直就像西洋的雕塑一樣。
With that curvy body, she could have been a western sculpture.
頭上戴著羚羊一樣的犄角，這個形狀我記得的確是戰艦——長門！？
Two spikes stuck out like a goat's horns, something I recognized to belong to a battleship——Nagato?!
而她也正睜圓了眼睛看著這邊。
And she is currently staring, wide-eyed, in my direction.
“怎……”
"Wha..."
我一時間忘記了動作。
I seem to have forgotten how to move.
“啊、啊……”
"Ah, uh..."
“你、你是！？”
"Y-you are?!"
“啊、啊……不，我……啊……”
"Eh, uh...no, I...err..."
腦袋裡一片空白，一句話都說不出來。
My mind's drawing a blank.  I got nothing.
我是中尉……不對，現在應該是少佐了。不對不對，現在不是報軍銜的時候……
I'm a sub-lieutenant...no, currently I'm a Lieutenant-Commander. Nono, now isn't the time to be reporting my rank...
大腦飛一樣的運轉著。
My head is spinning.
長門手上拿著四號木牌，是嗎，原來還有四啊，是我失算了。
Ah, that's a 4th sign in Nagato's hand. Alright, so there's four of them. I miscalculated.
長門用更加銳利的眼神瞪著傻站在那裡的我：
Nagato's gaze sharpened as she glared at me, rooted dumbly on the spot.
“我在問你是誰！”
"I'm asking who are you?"
“啊、哦……我是，嗯……提督。”
"Ah, oh...I'm, uh...Admiral."
“什麼？是嗎，你就是陸奧提到的提督嗎……”
"What? Is that so, so you were the Admiral Mutsu was talking about..."
看樣子已經明白了。
It seems she understood.
我取下帽子。
I removed my hat.
“非常抱歉。我本來還以為大白天的話肯定沒人會進來澡堂的……”
"My deepest apologies. I thought that there wouldn't be anyone in here in the middle of the day."
“因為剛剛才回港。不過提督啊，可以等下再繼續說嗎？”
"I just got back to port. But, Admmiral, could we discuss this in a bit?"
“啊、啊啊啊……好。”
"Ah, ahahahah...yeah."
“嗯。”
"Mm."
她面帶不悅地將剛脫下來的手套放進衣籃。
She placed her gloves into the clothes basket with an expression of displeasure.
這也是理所當然的，想要洗澡的話就必須要脫掉衣服，而我可不能就這麼留在更衣室。
That's only to be expected; you'd have to take off your clothes to bathe, and that wasn't going to be possible with me there.

話又說回來，謝天謝地還好只脫到手套啊！要是全都脫了那可真是不得了了。
Speaking of which, thank god she only took off her gloves. Things would be a lot worse if she had taken it all off.

褪去了手套的胳臂，當然也滿是緊繃的肌肉，相當漂亮。
Her now-gloveless arm, too, was tightly-knit muscle; quite beautiful.
一不小心就會看入迷的吧。
If I don't watch up I might be entranced.
我拭去冷汗，離開更衣室。
Wiping away my cold sweat, I left the changing room.
也只能在外邊等了吧，又不可能一起進去啊。
I'll have to wait outside, I suppose - there's no way we can go in together.
到頭來，我竟然在更衣室外頭等了長門足足三個多小時。
Well, it turns out I had to wait three hours for Nagato to come out.
這期間，我全神貫注地在閱讀加賀給我的資料。
I spent all that time reading the data Kaga gave me.

下午一點——
Afternoon, 1 pm——
總算是把全體艦娘都集合，並且向她們打了招呼。
I've finally managed to assemble all the shipgirls and greet them.
加賀也還在擔任秘書艦的職務。
Kaga remains the secretary ship.
雖然有些艦娘有​​出去遠征，不過留在這裡的人數還是比軍校裡一個班還要多。
Although some shipgirls were out on expedition, those that remained still outnumbered the average graduating class at the academy.
像在昨天已經見過的也有很多。
It seems like I met a lot of them yesterday, though.
隊列裡，當然也有瑞鳳。
Among them, of course, was Zuihou.
愛宕一如既往的親切地揮著手。
Atago, as well, waved affectionately.
旁邊的重巡足柄則以一副“打招呼怎樣都好啦，快點讓我出擊啦！”這樣如餓狼一般的眼神看著我。
Next to her, heavy cruiser Ashigara was giving me the "screw the greetings, just let me sortie!" look of a hungering wolf.
我的就任見面會也終於結束了……才對的。
And so my instatement meet-and-greet finally ended...or it should have.
然而青葉將麥克風指向了我：
Yet Aoba has her mike pointed at me again.
“司令官！您要將這支艦隊如何呢？請透露一兩句吧！”
"Commander! What do you plan to do with this fleet? Please give us a word or two!"
“嗯？啊啊……嗯……恪守紀律，嚴加訓練，成為保家衛國的士兵……”
"Mm? Ahh...umm...maintain discipline, strengthen training, so that we will become soldiers defending the nation..."
“請更具體一點！”
"Please be more specific?"
“依照戰鬥記錄來看……該艦隊的航空戰力很薄弱，首先要加強這一方面。”
"According to our combat records...this fleet's carrier strength is rather weak, so I plan to strengthen this aspect first."
艦娘們開始交頭接耳。
Murmurs and whispers as shipgirls began to speak among themselves.
大概是我說的內容對她們​​來說很意外吧。
Perhaps what I said is a surprise to them.

“提督，我可不能當作沒聽到啊！”
"Admiral, I cannot pretend I didn't hear that!"

第一個站出來說話的是長門。
The first to stand and speak is Nagato.
她手叉腰，挺起胸膛。那副身體僅僅是這麼站著，都充滿了躍動感。
Her hands were at her waist and her chest thrust out - she gave off an air of courage just through standing.
我轉向她問道：
I turn to address her:
“有什麼不滿嗎？”
"Does something dissatisfy you?"
“戰鬥就是火力！裝甲！和敵方戰艦的互攻不才是最重要的嗎！”
"Might is firepower! Armor! Is not the ability to stand against the enemy battleships of utmost importance?"
“雖然的確，砲擊戰的火力是很重要。但是空母和艦載機也​​是同樣重要。”
"You are right, artillery firepower is important. But so are carriers and their planes."
“那些飛機能擊穿深海棲艦的裝甲嗎！？只有大口徑的主砲才是決定勝負的關鍵！”
"Can those planes penetrate abyssal armor? Large-caliber guns are the only true arbitrators between success and failure!"
而對此作出反駁的，竟是誰都沒料到的瑞鳳。
To everyone's surprise, the one who responded was none other than Zuihou.
“沒、沒那回事！艦載機也是能夠活躍在……戰場上的……應該……”
"T-that's not true! Carrier planes can also carry the b-battlefield...probably..."
雖然是在為了空母而抗議，但卻因為遭到長門的瞪視，聲音漸漸變低。
Her attempt to defend the carriers wilted under Nagato's gaze, her voice slowly tapering off.
長門聳聳肩：
Nagato shrugged.
“我並沒有看不起飛機的意思。只是如果要補充軍備的話，首當其衝的就應該是艦載炮。光憑現在的火力是不足以打倒那片海域裡的敵人的，應當以大口徑主砲的量產為最優先！”
"I have no intent of looking down on planes. But if it comes to maintaining equipment, the first priority should go to main guns. This amount of firepower is insufficient to defeat the enemies in those waters. Mass producing large-caliber guns should be our first priority!"
“嗚……”
"Uu..."
瑞鳳敗在了長門的壓迫力之下。
Zuihou seemed to have succumbed to Nagato's forcefulness.
這也是沒有辦法的，更何況是在那個充滿了軍人氣息的長門面前，瑞鳳雖說是艦娘但也只不過是個普通的女孩子。
This, too, cannot be helped. Zuihou was a shipgirl, but in front of Nagato and her distinctly military demeanor, Zuihou was just a regular girl.
當然，長門並沒有惡意。
Of course, Nagato has no ill intent.
她深信艦載炮就是最佳武器。那種價值觀是由迄今為止不計其數的戰鬥培養出來的。
She truly believed that main guns were the best weapon, a view cultivated after the countless battles that led up to this moment.
我把帽子扶正。
I straightened my hat.
“嗯……但是，從戰鬥記錄來看的話……”
"Mm...but, from battle records..."
“提督並沒有見過艦娘的戰鬥是什麼樣的吧？”
"The Admiral has not yet observed shipgirls in battle, right?"
“……是啊。”
"...Yes."
雖然那次看到了瑞鳳戰鬥時的身姿，但管那叫“見過”怎麼說都有點勉強。
Given, I had seen Zuihou that time in combat, but to say I had "observed" it was pushing it a little.
哼，長門露出自信的笑容。
With a hmph, Nagato grinned confidently.
“那就用那雙眼睛好好看一看吧。那樣一來，你就會改變想法了吧。”
"Then witness it with your own eyes. That way, I can change your mind."
“難道要把我帶去交戰海域嗎？”
"Could you be planning to bring me to battle?"
“不，那可做不到。我們並沒有辦法讓人類搭乘。再加上只是稍微見識一下這種程度，也不適合把深海棲艦拿來當成隨便應付的對手。因此，就好好見識一下艦娘之間的演習吧！”
"No, that's impossible. We don't have any means to let humans board. Moreover, I just want you to see a glimpse; moreover, the Abyssals are no pushovers. As such, witness an exercise between shipgirls!"
“哦？”
"Oh?"
普通的軍艦也會將演習當作訓練的一環。而艦娘的演習又是什麼樣子的呢？我確實對此產生了興趣。
Normal warships would also engage in fleet exercises. What would shipgirl exercises look like? I found myself truly interested.
“戰艦方雖然只要有我和陸奧就足夠了……但人數太少，成不了艦隊啊……”
"For the battleship faction, Mutsu and I are sufficient...but I don't think that's enough to make a fleet."
長門的眼神掃過艦娘。
Nagato's eyes swept over the shipgirls.
我來——，愛宕高舉著手。
With an "I'll go——" sort of look, Atago raised her hand.
“我也來吧！我也想讓提督明白自己的實力嘛~”
"I'll do it too! I, too, want the Admiral to see my true strength~"
“即便是演習，也請放心地把炮雷擊戰交給我吧！戰場在呼喚我！勝利在呼喚我！”
"Even if it's a fleet exercise, you can leave the guns and torps to me! The battlefield calls me! Victory calls me!"
是足柄，
It's Ashigara.
她們重巡洋艦的確有著僅次於戰列艦的火力。
As heavy cruisers, they indeed stood second only to the battleships in firepower.
長門點頭道：
Nagato nodded.
“很好。那麼，空母方呢？雖然這裡只是四艦，但你們那裡來多少都是沒問題的。”
"Excellent. Well then, who will stand for the Carrier faction? I understand we have only four, but we'll take on as many as you've got."
瑞鳳第一個站了出來。
Zuihou was the first to stand.
“我、我要上場！雖然是輕空母，但只要努力的話就應該能活躍的！”
"I-I will go! I may be a light carrier, but if I give it my all, I can do my part as well!"
既然說道空母，加賀作為正規空母，理應比輕空母有更高的戰力才對。
On the topic of carriers, Kaga is a standard carrier; logically, she should be more powerful than a light carrier.
“你也要上場嗎？”
"Will you go as well?"
“提督下令的話。”
"If the Admiral commands it."
“這次還是想讓她們自主一點。”
"I suppose it's better to let them decide among themselves this time."
一個自稱龍驤，操著關西腔的孩子報上了名，和瑞鳳一樣是輕空母。
A girl with a Kansai accent reported herself as Ryuujou, a light carrier just like Zuihou.
“哦呀？看樣子需要咱來幫忙呢。”
"Ara? Looks like y'all are gonna need my help."
另外還有，瑞鳳說過是姐妹艦的祥鳳也站出來了。雖然因為是同級艦所以服裝比較相似，但祥鳳的看上去更加大人味。說不定是有些年齡差的姐妹吧。
Moreover, the sister Zuihou had mentioned, Shouhou, also stood up.  Although her class and dress were the same, Shouhou had a more...adult air. Perhaps there's some age difference between the two sisters.
只有三艦還是有點不利吧——
But just three ships isn't enough——
這時，一個身著緋色袴裙和弓道衣的黑髮少女站了出來，在那副溫和的表情深處，有著和加賀一樣的威嚴。
At this time, a dark-haired young woman with a red kyudo uniform and a gentle expression stood up. She carried herself with the same dignity as Kaga did.
“航空母艦，赤城。要編成空母機動部隊的話，就請交給我吧。”
"Aircraft Carrier, Akagi. If we're forming a carrier task force, you can leave it to me."
資料上提到的，最早出現在艦隊裡的空母。
According to the records, she was the first aircraft carrier in the fleet.
有著豐富的作戰經驗，也深受他人的信賴。
She was both experienced from countless battles and deeply trusted by the others.
給人一種冷靜的成熟女性的感覺。
She gave off a calm and mature air.
長門露出自信的笑容：
Nagato smiled confidently.
“這樣好嗎？我可不想听到什麼輸掉的藉口哦。”
"Is this fine? I have no intention of hearing excuses."
“本來就沒有什麼找藉口的打算。這是演習吧？日常鍛煉是不可或缺的。”
"I had no plans to excuse myself from the start. This is an exercise, no? Daily training is indispensable."
瑞鳳很高興的樣子道：
Zuihou looked very pleased as she exclaimed,
“赤城小姐能夠上場，真的非常感謝！”
"Thank you so much for joining us, Akagi-san!"
“比起感謝……更重要的是要相信自己飽經鍛煉並引以為豪的艦載機。沒事的，一定能贏的。”
"Compared to thanks...the most important thing is to trust in your own training and the carrier planes you take pride in. Don't worry, we will definitely win."
“是！”
"Yes!"
我小聲地向加賀開口：
I murmured to Kaga out of the corner of my mouth.
“赤城她很受尊敬呢。”
"Akagi's quite respected."
“那是當然，因為是赤城啊。”
"Of course. After all, it's Akagi."
“嗯。”
"Mm."
看樣子，加賀也是尊敬赤城的其中一人呢。
It looks like Kaga is also someone who deeply respects Akagi.
演習就這樣成了長門率領的戰艦組和赤城率領的空母組之間的對決。
And so, the exercise became a showdown between Nagato's Battleship faction and Akagi's Carrier faction.
加賀輕聲說出了略帶不安的話語：
Kaga, however, spoke with a note of unease.
“但是……這些成員，或許稍微有點讓人擔心呢。”
"But...with these teams, it's a little worrying."
我當時並不知道加賀那句話到底有什麼意思在裡面。
At that time, I did not understand the significance of Kaga's words.
直到我見到她們的晚餐——也就是補給的資源消耗量並為之震驚的時候……但那是之後的事了。
Until I saw them at dinner——that is, the time when they resupplied...well, but that's a story for later.

就這樣，我的就任見面會中途結束，我和加賀一起回到司令室裡。
And so, my welcome meeting was interrupted, and I found myself heading with Kaga to the command room.
她在桌上攤開航海圖。
She spread out a sea map onto the table.
“我建議在這裡進行演習。”
"I propose that the exercise be held here."
圖上標著「鎮守府正面海域」的字樣。
The words "Naval District Waters" denoted the area.
雖然有著零星的島嶼，不過洋流穩定比較，深海棲艦的出現頻率也很低，可以說是一片較為安全的海域。
While a few minor islands stood out, the currents were quite peaceful, and enemy appearance rates were also low; you could say that there were relatively safe waters.
“很好。但是艦娘是不能搭載人類的吧？那麼我要在哪裡觀看演習？”
"That sounds good. But shipgirls cannot carry human passengers, right? So how am I to watch the exercise?"
“就請藉著這次機會，記住怎樣指揮艦隊吧。”
"Well then, please use this as a time to familiarize yourself with how to command your fleet."
“嗯？”
"Hm?"
“在司令室裡設有通信設備，能藉此與出航的艦娘建立聯絡，同時也能把握艦娘的當前狀態。”
"There is a communications array in the Command Room that allows you to establish communications with fleets at sea and understand their disposition."
擺在我面前的是相當老式的箱型顯示器，還有傳聲筒一樣的麥克風跟小型揚聲器。
In front of me was a fairly old fashioned, boxy display, along with a microphone and speaker.
“這能跟艦娘之間通信的嗎！？”
"I can communicate with the shipgirls with this?!"
“正是。”
"Indeed."
“還真是方便啊。”
"How convenient."
“雖說是通信，但也有各種限制。司令部能夠發送的只有簡短的命令而已。請根據出擊艦娘的當前狀態，以判斷是否進軍抑或撤退。”
"I say communicate, but there are a lot of limitations as well. From here we can only communicate relatively short and simple orders. Based on the condition of the ships that deployed, please decide whether to continue advancing or to retreat."
“只有進軍或者撤退而已嗎……唉，算了，沒有詳細掌握現場戰況的司令官就算大老遠的發出各種各樣的指示，也只會是添亂而已。”
"Just advance and retreat...? Ah, whatever. Without a good understanding of the battle situation, a Commander isn't going to be giving clear and coherent orders from across the ocean."
“正是。”
"Indeed."
“我也能上前線的話就好了……能得到和你們一樣的力量的話……”
"If only I could be on the front line...if I had a power such as yours..."
將不可能實現的願望說出了口。
I voiced the wish that couldn't be granted.
加賀垂下眼簾：
Kaga cast her gaze downwards.
“……請選擇您能夠信任其將艦隊指揮託付與其的旗艦，我們會為了回應提督的期待而全力以赴。”
"...Please select a shipgirl you trust to lead the fleet to be flagship, and we will do all we can to meet your expectations."
“啊……你說的對，謝謝。”
"Ah...you're right, thanks."
戰前準備和重點分析就是我的責任。
Pre-battle preparations and analysis was my role.
通信設備的顯示熒幕上映出了各種文字和記號。
The communication array's display flickered to life, broadcasting all kinds of letters and numbers.
和艦船上搭載的雷達很相似。
Not unlike shipboard radar.
加賀教給我這些情報的閱讀方式：
Kaga explained to me how to interpret the readout.
“這裡是表示艦娘當前狀態的數值，這裡是剩餘燃料和彈藥……”
"This indicates an approximate numerical assessment of the shipgirl's condition, this is the remaining fuel and ammunition..."
“嗯嗯……”
"Mm...."
“雖然空母的彈藥消耗較低，但一旦失去艦載機，就需要補給鋁土。特別是當對方奪取了製空權的時候。”
"While carriers have relatively low consumption in terms of ammunition, they must be resupplied with bauxite when they lose planes. Especially when the enemy claims air superiority."
“哦哦，資料裡也有提到。”
"Ahh, this was brought up in the supplementary data."
空母艦娘的艦載機回复需要消耗鋁土。由於艦娘和普通的船隻不同，通常的知識是用不上的。
Carriers needed to expend bauxite to recover their carrier planes. Since shipgirls aren't quite the same as actual ships, it's a little pointless to use common knowledge.
看來真的有必要盡快多學點知識啊。
It seems like I have a lot to catch up to after all.
補給所必需的鋁土是與失去的艦載機數量成比例的。
The bauxite needed for resupply is roughly proportional to the number of planes lost.
一旦失去製空權，就會失去大量艦載機。
If air superiority is lost, most of the carrier complement will follow.
“讓瑞鳳搭上彩雲。”
"Give Zuihou the Saiun."
所謂彩雲，是在空母艦娘使用的艦載機裡被稱為偵察機的一種。
The so-called Saiun was a scout plane made especially for carriers.
雖然和過去戰爭裡使用過的同名偵察機很相似，但這是為艦娘專用而造出來的樣子。跟之前的九九式轟炸機一樣，箭矢能變成螺旋槳飛機。
Although its name resembled that of the scout plane used in that past war, this was a plane specialized for shipgirl use.
加賀對我的指示表示疑惑：
Kaga seemed to have her doubts regarding my orders.
“彩雲的話，赤城不是有嗎？”
"If it's the Saiun, isn't it better to give to Akagi?"
“赤城就專職攻擊比較好。”
"Let's specialize Akagi for attack."
“……這就傳達。”
"...very well, I will transmite the order."
能夠使用的攻擊機就只有九九式轟炸機和九七式攻擊機而已。
The only planes currently available for action are the type 99 Dive Bomber and the Type 97 Torpedo Bomber.
不過，這所鎮守府裡似乎也有彗星和天山這類高性能艦載機。
Given, this naval district does have carrier planes such as the Suisei and Tenzan.
依照資料所示，持有這些艦載機的正是加賀。
According to the data, the carrier of these planes happens to be Kaga.
但是，只要一想到加賀說著“大家都是好孩子啊”時候那副驕傲的表情，就總覺得不能這樣隨便從她那裡取走。
But just the thought of the pride with which Kaga said "they're all good children" suggested that I would not be able to take them so flippantly.
士氣是很重要的。
Morale is also important.
我下令指揮瑞鳳搭載偵察機，而赤城、龍驤以及祥鳳則盡可能搭載九七式攻擊機。
I ordered Zuihou to carry the scout plane, while Akagi, Ryuujou and Shouhou were crammed with Type 97 Torpedo Bombers.
“接下來就拜託了。”
"The rest is up to you."
“提督，特意選用攻擊機的理由是？”
"Admiral, what is the reason for primarily using torpedo bombers?"
“照過去的戰鬥記錄來看，當取得制空權的時候，比起轟炸機，攻擊機取得的戰果更多。”
"From past war records, torpedo bombers bring better results if air superiority is guaranteed."
“是這樣嗎？”
"Is that so?"
“有問題嗎？”
"Is that an issue?"
“攻擊機取得戰果，相對的，也就更容易被擊墜，消耗會更加嚴重。”
"Torpedo Planes bring bigger results, but they are also more easily shot down. Resource consumption will be heavy."
“統計裡呢？”
"How much, roughly?"
“戰場上有著各種影響戰局的因素，沒有任何一場戰役是完全相同的。因此，實戰經驗是很重要的。”
"There are many issues that affect a battle, no two are the same.  As such, field experience is very important."
也就是說，並不重視戰鬥記錄的分析嗎？
That is to say, she didn't put much weight on the battle records?
雖然我有不同意見，但那些就自己來弄好了。加賀畢竟是秘書艦，又不是見習提督。
Since I disagree, I suppose I'll have to run this on my own. Kaga is the secretary ship, after all and she's certainly not an Admiral.
“總之，難得的演習，這次就試一下吧。”
"Well then, let's try out this rare exercise."
“明白了。”
"Understood."
這次的演習裡，戰艦組裡沒有戰鬥機，制空權毫無疑問會在空母組這邊。
In this exercise, the Battleship team would carry no fighters, so air supremacy would doubtlessly go to the Carrier Faction.
雖說如此，形勢對空母組也有不利。
Even so, the situation doesn't favor the carriers.
戰艦組的長門陸奧都已經久經沙場，沒有做出特別的裝備調整。
The Battleship Faction's Mutsu and Nagato were veterans, and did not do anything to alter their loadout.
只是裝載了主砲、副砲以及雷達。
All they carried were main guns, a secondary gun and a radar.
在艦娘們遵循我的命令完成了裝備的改動後，終於迎來了出擊。
Having finished equipping themselves according to my orders, they finally sallied forth.

我坐在箱型顯示器前面，觀察現場戰況。
I observed the battle from my boxy monitor.
加賀也站在我身邊盯著顯示器，臉上露出一絲不安。
Kaga stood by me, eyes similarly fixed on the monitor, a hint of unease on her face.
雖然我認為如果讓她也參與空母組的編成，狀況肯定會比現在要好……
Although I feel that the situation would be better if I had let her take part in the carrier faction...
但她對自己身為秘書艦的立場​​也是很負責的。
She had a strong sense of responsibility regarding her position as secretary ship.
雙方的艦隊正逐漸接近對方。
The two fleets were slowly closing in on each other.
“差不多了吧？”
"It's almost time?"
“……是的。”
"...indeed."
加賀微微點了點頭。
Kaga nodded slightly.

在一望無垠的海上，彩雲呼嘯而過。
A Saiun buzzed over the endless sea.
比戰鬥機飛得更快、更遠，能夠迅速發現敵人的高性能偵察機。
It's a scout plane built to be faster and longer-ranged than fighters specialized for reconnaissance.
也是拜良好的天氣所賜，沒過多久就發現了戰艦組。
Thanks to the perfect weather, it was not long until they had seen the Battleship Team.
瑞鳳報告道：
Zuihou reported the news:
“發現敵方艦隊！戰艦二艘！重巡二艘！”
"Enemy fleet detected! Two Battleships! Two Heavy Cruisers!"
並且獲得了對方的詳細情報，包括距離、位置和行進方向。通過這些就能計算出路線。
She had also received some more specific informatin, such as their distance, position and bearing. With this, it would be possible to figure out their path.
她們像滑冰一樣在水面上滑行。
They passed over the water as if ice skating.
腳下果然沒有任何船隻。
There were no ships under their feet, after all.
真是不可思議的現象，但是對艦娘來說，或許是理所當然的事情吧。
What an unbelievable sight; but for a shipgirl, this was just obvious.
聽到報告後，龍驤異常的興奮。
Ryuujou reported to the report with unusual giddiness.
“太好了！對面肯定還沒發現咱們！對咱們來說是超棒的局面啊！”
"Fantastic! They haven't even seen us! It's a jackpot for us, ain't it!"
赤城也浮現出滿意的微笑：
Akagi, too, smiled with satisfaction.
“可不能太驕傲了，要全力以赴哦。雖然……這樣基本就是贏定了呢！”
"We can't be overconfident; let's give it our all. ...on the other hand, this looks to be a sure win!"

聽到她們的對話，我皺起了眉頭。
Listening to their conversation, I raised an eyebrow.
“我說，這不是相當驕傲嗎？明明才說過'別太驕傲了'。”
"Hey, isn't this kind of overconfident? Didn't she just say 'don't be overconfident'?"
“……這就是赤城的優點啊。”
"...This is Akagi's strong point."
“誒？真的嗎？”
"Eh? Really?"
“是的。”
"Yes."
加賀毫不猶豫地回答道。
Kaga responded without hesitation.
她看起來也不像是會夾帶個人感情的那種人，那麼應該就真的是優點了吧，看來我還是得要多熟悉下艦娘才行。
She didn't seem like somebody easily swayed by others, so perhaps it really is Akagi's strong point. It seems like I still need to learn more about the shipgirls.
加賀用那副一如既往冷靜的表情說道：
Kaga continued, her expression as calm as ever.
“那份放鬆，就是赤城的魅力。”
"That relaxed feeling is Akagi's charisma."
“放鬆了就糟了吧！？”
"Isn't it bad to be relaxed?"
加賀也是人啊。不對，也是艦娘啊……她對赤城的判斷也不能全盤接受啊。
Kaga is a person too. Rather, she's also a shipgirl...her judgement of Akagi shouldn't be accepted without question.
在通信熒幕上，赤城揚聲道：
On the communication screen, Akagi anounced,
“第一批次攻擊隊，起飛！”
"First attack wave, lift off!"
她站在海面上，拉緊弓弦。
She stood on the sea, bow drawn.
放出箭矢。
She let fly.
綻放出火光，變成螺旋槳飛機。
With a burst of light, they transmuted into propeller planes.
不管看多少次，都是那麼的不可思議。
No matter how many times I see it, it's a little unbelievable.
隨著赤城的號令，其他艦娘也紛紛放出了九七式攻擊機。
Following Akagi's order, the other shipgirls hurriedly launched their own Type 97s.
“呀！？”
"Ah?!"
祥鳳發出尖叫聲。
A sharp cry from Shouhou.
她射出的其中一支箭矢發生了失速，變成飛機的時候已經就快要落到海裡。
One of the arrows she had loosed was losing speed; it was plunging towards the sea by the time it had transmuted.
我在熒幕前握緊拳頭。
My grip tightened in front of the monitor.
——別掉下去啊！
——Don't fall!
除了祈禱，什麼都做不到。
I can offer nothing but my prayers.
那架九七式攻擊機帶著裝設在機腹的魚雷奮力駛向天空，掠過撲面而來的海浪，追上了其他機群。看樣子成功逃過了一劫。
That Type 97 reared towards the sky, tugging its torpedo cargo along. Leaving the waves behind, it caught up to the rest of the formation. It seems it had managed to escape.
祥鳳安心的嘆了口氣。
Shouhou breathed a sigh of relief.
“哈……”
"Whew..."
通過熒幕確認攻擊機脫離險境後，我也大大地喘了口氣。
Having confirmed onscreen that the plane had escaped danger, I, too, let out a sigh.
“呼……”
"Whew..."
“提督，你對各種事情都太緊張了。”
"Admiral, you're a little too uptight about all sorts of things."
站在我邊上的加賀如此說道。
Kaga voiced her thoughts from next to me.
還是一如既往的冷淡啊。
As cold as always, huh.
不過，剛才九七式攻擊機要落到海裡的時候，她也一樣露出了擔心的表情。雖然很冷淡，但也很溫柔啊。
But when that Type 97 had curved towards the sea, she, too had looked worried. She might be cold, but she can be warm too.
“……提督，我的臉上有什麼東西嗎？”
"...Admiral, is there something on my face?"
“啊、啊，沒有。”
"Uh, ah, no."
我把視線轉回到熒幕上。
I turned my gaze to the monitor once more.
在空母組裡面，只有龍驤不是用弓箭，而是另一種奇怪的方式發射艦載機。
Of the carrier team, Ryuujou was the only one not to use the bow and arrow, but another odd way.
只見她將捲軸迎風展開，輕輕觸碰在上面排列得整整齊齊如航空隊一般的紙符。
She unreeled the scroll she carried to the wind, gently touching the rows of Ofuda neatly arranged like a carrier group across the scroll.
“各位艦載機！該工作了！工作喲！”
"All carrier planes! It's time to work, y'all! Work!"
指尖燃起了青色的火焰。
A blue flame ignited upon at her fingertip,
浮現出「敕令」的字樣。
with the words "Edict" floating in front.
那些紙符彷彿注入了靈魂一般，變成了九七式攻擊機，燃響了引擎。
As if possessed, the Ofuda transformed into Type 97s, their engines coming to life
並沿著捲軸滑行起飛。
before lifting off the scroll deck.
這我還是第一次見到，就是所謂的式神吧。本來還以為是完全虛構的。
I had never seen something like this before——these were the so-called shikigami. I had always thought them myths.
——不過，說到底箭矢能變成飛機這一點也是脫離常識的吧。
——Then again, it's not like I'm used to arrows turning into planes in everyday life either.
看起來，她們都有自己獨特的方式啊。
It looks like they have their own ways to fight.
空母組為了先發製人，派出了攻擊機隊。
Taking the initiative, the carrier team sent out their carrier planes.

而另一邊的戰艦組——
On the Battleship Team's side——
實際上也早已發現赤城她們了。
in reality, they had long since detected Akagi and company.
雖然比起彩雲，要晚了不少……
While they were quite a bit slower than the Saiun,
但長門搭載的33號對海火控雷達是鎮守府裡僅​​此一架的高性能裝備，同樣能夠探測到遠方的敵人。
Nagato's Type 33 Surface Fire Control Radare——the only such piece of equipment of this power in the Naval Districte——could detect distant enemies from a great distance.
在沒有島嶼干擾電波的海域裡，能夠大幅發揮其性能。
In these seas, with few islands to interfere, it could be employed at its maximum potential.
“很好，發現敵艦！全體艦隊，跟隨我長門！”
"Excellent, enemy detected! All elements of the fleet, follow me, Nagato!"
“到我出場了呢。很好，好好見識一下吧！……嗯？第三砲塔，出什麼問題了？”
"It's my turn, huh. Very well then, witness it! ...Hm, #3 Turret, is there a problem?"
陸奧相當在意屁股附近，看樣子那裡就是所謂的第三砲塔了。
Mutsu was paying quite a bit of attention to the area around her stern. It seemed that was the location of the #3 turret.
長門皺起眉頭：
Nagato's brow furrowed.
“沒問題嗎，陸奧？”
"Are you alright? Mutsu?"
“啊啦，啊啦啊啦，你在擔心我嗎？”
"Ara, ara ara; are you worried about me?"
陸奧投來嫵媚的眼神，即便是隔著熒幕都能感覺到。
Mutsu regarded her with a playful gaze that could be felt even through the monitor.
即便是同性也會感到害羞，長門也紅了臉，用咳嗽掩飾道：
Even if it's two girls, it's embarassing; Nagato coughed, blushing as she continued.
“注、注意僚艦的狀態，是旗艦的職責。”
"P-paying attention to the escort ship, that's the flagship's duty."
“呵呵呵……真·是·謝·謝·了，沒什麼事的，放心吧。”
"Ohoho...Th~ank Y~ou. It's fine, don't worry."
“那就好。”
"That's good."
長門再次下令全體艦隊全速前進。
Nagato ordered the fleet forwards at full speed once more.
腳下的波浪變得更大了。
The waves beneath their feet intensified.
她背負著四座巨大的砲塔，有著相當的分量。半沉如水的雙腳將海水推向身後。
The four turrets she carried surely must weigh a lot - her feet, half-submerged, left large waves in their wake.
真是壯觀的水花啊。
And what magnificent waves they were.
陸奧、愛宕以及足柄緊隨其後。
Mutsu, Atago and Ashigara hurriedly followed.
長門對行進線路做出些許調整。理想情況下，能直線接觸空母組。
Nagato altered their course slightly. Under ideal conditions, they would be able to make visual contact with the carrier team.

熒幕上的畫面變成了當前海圖。
The image on the monitor became a sea map.
兩支艦隊的標記正在逐漸靠近。
The symbols indicating the two fleets were closing in on each other.
赤城等人發射的攻擊機隊也正向長門等人襲來。
The attack wave sent by Akagi and company towards Nagato and company now began their attack.
我向加賀問道：
"This is the vital moment?"
“這裡是關鍵點吧。”
I asked Kaga.
“正是……對空母來說，先制攻擊是相當重要的。”
"Indeed...for carriers, the opening attack is very important."
一旦進入艦載炮的砲擊距離，就會因為要做出迴避動作而無法順利讓艦載機起飛。這樣一來，沒有反擊手段的空母組就沒有勝算了。
Once they entered shelling range, the need to evade enemy fire would badly hinder plane launch. Without an early launch, the carrier team would be unable to win.
從揚聲器里傳來長門的聲音。
From the speaker, Nagato's voice boomed out.
“發現敵機！”
"Enemy planes detected!"
雲端出現了密密麻麻的黑影。
Countless dark dots emerged from the clouds.
正逐漸接近。
They closed in.
長門舉起手：
Nagato raised her hand.
“全艦，採取迴避！”
"All ships, evasive action!"
四人蹬出腳步，在水面上繪出曲線。
Each of the four ships put a foot forwards, leaving curved furrows in their wake.
為了不讓敵機預測到線路，從而無法判斷投射目標。
In this way it would be difficult for the enemy planes to accurately predict their paths.
雖然看起來是雜亂無章的行進，但卻彼此之間卻沒有任何衝突，想必是有著相當的練習水準。
Though they each seemed to strike out on random movements, there were no collisions or course corrections; they must have been fairly well trained to begin with.
不管是艦娘也好，普通的船隻也好，迴避動作的基本要點是相同的。
Whether it's shipgirls or regular ships, the basics of evasion were the same.
那就是不可預測性。
Those were to remain unpredictable;
不與己方衝突。
Not to run into each other;
不脫離艦隊。
And not to break off from the fleet.
從空中望去，她們繪出的行進路線是多麼的美麗。蜿蜒曲折的曲線互相重疊，向著同一個方向延伸。簡直像是流水般的綢緞一樣。
From the air, their paths were quite beautiful in their own way, wide curves and arcs that overlapped, all ultimately moving in the same direction. Like flowing Satin.
我突然意識到一點。
I suddenly noticed something.
熒幕上的畫面是從相當高的高空拍攝得到的。但這種高度，就連艦載攻擊機也無法抵達才對。
The image on the screen had been taken from quite a high altitude. An altitude that not even the carrier planes should be able to reach.
“加賀小姐，這些畫面是誰拍攝的？”
"Kaga-san, who takes these pictures?"
“……從來沒見過拍攝者。”
"...nobody's seen the cameraman."
“連你們都沒見過嗎？”
"Not even you?"
“造出這些通信設備的並不是人類，這些畫面的拍攝也是使用了某種未知的技術吧。很在意嗎？”
"The ones that created this communication array weren't human; these recordings, too, use as-of-yet-unknown technology. Does it bother you?"
“是倒是……不過，這些就交給技術人員。我要做的就是學會使用方法，建立擊倒敵人的作戰而已。”
"It does...but, I suppose I'll leave it to the experts. I just need to learn how to use it so I can set up a doctrine with which to defeat the enemy."
“正是。”
"Agreed."

九七式攻擊機從雲端落下​​。
The Type 97 Bombers descended through the clouds.
這是用於雷擊的攻擊機，在機腹裝設著魚雷。
These bombers used torpedoes, the torpedoes each carried attached to their bellies.
瑞鳳之前對戰艦Ru級使用的是九九式轟炸機，是在敵艦上方俯衝投彈的類型。
Earlier, Zuihou had used Type 99 Bombers against the Ru-class, a dive bomber that dropped its ammunition from above.
裝設魚雷的是魚雷攻擊機。
Those armed with torpedoes were torpedo bombers.
裝設炸彈的則是俯衝轟炸機。
Those armed with bombs were dive bombers.
雖然兩種都是對艦攻擊機，但這樣叫比較好區分。
While both were Carrier Bombers, this was a fairly good distinction.
俯衝直下的轟炸留給敵艦的對應時間更短，更能有效抑制攻擊機的損失。
Dive bombs limited the window with which enemy ships could react and the vulnerability of their users.
再加上比起魚雷，炸彈的製作工藝更加簡單，能夠輕量化。
Moreover, dive bombs were much less complex than torpedoes, allowing a much more lightweight construction.
輕量化就意味著機動性更強，比起攻擊機有著更高的迴避性能。
Lighter construction meant higher mobility, providing dive bombers with an evasion that torpedo bombers couldn't match.
但是這次使用的卻是九七式攻擊機。
But this time they would be using the Type 97 Dive Bomber.
為什麼要使用能夠敵艦更多反應時間，迴避性能也更差的攻擊機？
Why use torpedo bombers at all then, with their lower evasion and the larger response window they afforded the enemy?
那是因為艦船的吃水線以下——也就是浸水部分對攻擊的應對措施更加薄弱。
Because the parts of the warship below the waterline——that is, the underwater portions, were much more vulnerable.
以被攻擊為前提設計的軍艦在甲板以上的抗打擊能力很強，不會輕​​易被轟炸轟沉。
Moreover, warships were designed to come under fire; protected by their armored decks, warships were unlikely to be sunk by dive bombers.
但是，吃水線以下的部分一旦出了洞，那就會沉。即便有著應對的防進水措施，船速也會因此變慢，變成海上的靶子，之後的攻擊也更容易命中。
On the other hand, a hole under the waterline meant sinking. Even if the flooding could controlled, the ship would be slowed, becoming even more vulnerable to succeeding attacks.
雖然深海棲艦和普通的軍艦形狀有異，但基本結構還是相同的，我從戰鬥記錄裡讀到了這點。
Although abyssal ships had some differences with normal warships, the principles under which they operated were the same - that was what I had read from the battle records.
而艦娘，當然也是一樣。
And, of course, the same applied to shipgirls.
在水下疾行的魚雷，能對在水上飛速滑行的艦娘有效嗎？或許確實有些不可思議。
Would those torpedoes flying underwater have any effect on shipgirls, skating on the surface? It is a little unbelievable.
九七式艦攻開始下降，緊貼著海面飛行。
The type 97s began their descent, hugging the water as they made their approach.
雖然這也是軍艦的原理——對空砲都是設計用於攻擊上空的。
This, too, is warship theory——AA guns were designed to shoot down bombers high in the air.
深海棲艦的火砲也是同樣的構造。
Abyssal guns were similarly built.
為了針對這一點，機隊要以比對方的火砲更低的高度飛行，這樣就更不容易被擊落。
In order to counter this, squadrons would often fly as far below the minimum angle of the enemy guns as possible to make it harder to shoot down.
也正因此，儘管有著接觸水面的風險，也還是要實行超低空飛行。
As such they would have to go in at nearly sea level, even if it meant incurring the risk of hitting the surface.
如果是實戰，就會射出無數子彈。
If it were a real battle, they would also be braving bullets.
而這是演習，使用的只是模擬彈而已。
As this was an exercise, these were just practice bullets.
被擊中的機體會染上顏色，脫離戰線。
Stricken planes were plastered with colored dye and subsequently left the battle space.
“我軍！就此突入敵艦隊！”
"All allied units! Break through the enemy fleet!"

從無線電傳過來的應該是九七式攻擊機的報告吧。在低分辨率的熒幕上，雖然偶爾能夠看到點兒什麼但——還是不要去在意了吧。
The wireless transmission probably came from the Type 97s. Occasionally, I caught a glimpse of something on the low-resolution monitor——well, now's not the time to worry about that.
帶頭的九七式攻擊機正緊貼海面低空飛行，逐漸接近戰艦組的艦娘們。
The leading Type 97s soared, hugging the waves as they closed in on the shipgirls of the Battleship team.
其餘機隊也紛紛效仿。
The other flights followed.
雖說是模擬彈，但威力並不亞於實彈。
While the shells were practice shells, they still carried a similar level of intensity.
在漫天彈幕中飛行的景象，我光是看著就覺得相當震驚。
The image of these pilots soaring through that barrage of shells was enough for me, a mere spectator, to feel shock.
有許多架飛機都在投彈之前，就因為擊墜判定而返航。
Many of the planes turned away without launching, having been judged to have been shot down.
但是也有避開了成功避開了對空砲火的攻擊機。
But there were many other bombers that had managed to avoid the AA fire.
它在瞬間拔高，投下魚雷。
Each briefly rose, dropping their torps.
魚雷像人類的跳水姿勢一樣，潛入水中。
Each torpedo, in turns, leapt into the water like divers leaping into the ocean.
其餘攻擊機也紛紛投彈。
The remaining torpedo bombers also launched.
但是，投彈高度還不夠。
But the launch height was insufficient.
魚雷在取得角度前就接觸水面，像打水漂那樣發生了跳彈。
The torpedoes that impacted before achieving the required angle bounced off the water, like a skipped stone.
雖然也有利用這種現象的武器存在，但是非常遺憾的是，九七式攻擊機所搭載的魚雷並沒有這種強度。
Although there were weapons that used this kind of theory, torpedoes were not one of them; unfortunately, the Type 99's torpedoes were not so strong.
有的摔碎了推進螺旋槳，有的摔破了外殼，還有的在水面上跳躍了三次後，因腹部鐵板破裂而沉入水中。
Some lost their propellers, and some shattered their shells; there were others that, having skipped as many as three times on teh surface, crumpled and sank into the sea.
雖然進到了水里，但因為破損，無法發揮應有的性能。
While they had at length entered the water, they were way too damaged to function as planned.
能夠在水下高速前進的，只有投射成功的魚雷而已。
The only ones that shot at high speed under the surface were those that had been successfully deployed.
雖然海上的艦娘已經是以相當高速在航行了，但水下的魚雷以更勝數倍的航速逼近。
Though the shipgirls on the water were going quite quickly themselves, the torpedoes closed in at a much faster rate.

“呀啊啊啊啊——”
"Aohhhhhhh
陸奧勉強躲過了魚雷——發出悲鳴的是在她身後的足柄。
Mutsu had just managed to dodge a torpedo——the one crying out was Ashigara, behind her.
雖然避開了三枚魚雷，但腳下還有一枚。
She had evaded three torpedos, but there was one more underfoot.
魚雷接觸腳尖的瞬間，發生了爆炸。
An explosion, the moment her toes nudged the torpedo.
本來的話，應該是會出現巨大的水柱……但因為這是演習，只有聲音而已。
Normally, there would be a rather large plume of water...but this is an exercise, and all that happened was the sound.
但因為在高速航行的時候碰到了魚雷，足柄失去了平衡。
But Ashigara had impacted with the torpedo while already sailing at high speeds, and she found herself off balance.
“嗚啊！？”
"Uohh!"
她的臉狠狠地摔在海面上。
Her face slammed sharply into the water.
看起來很痛啊……
That looked like that hurt.
成功避開魚雷的陸奧苦笑著。
Mutsu, having successfully avoided the torps, smiled ruefully.
“啊啦，啊啦啊啦”
"Ara, ara ara."
“嗚……別啊啦啊啦的啦！”
"Uuuu...don't ara ara me!"
足柄按著鼻子爬起來，看起來好像沒有特別重的傷。
Ashigara stumbled up, holding her nose; it seemed that she had not received any significant wounds.
總之，魚雷是成功命中了。
Either way, the torpedo had hit.
像重巡洋艦這樣的被魚雷一擊擊沉確實有點少見。
For a heavy cruiser to be sunk by a single torpedo would be a rather rare occurrence.
演習應該是拋擲骰子，決定受損狀況，並且繼續戰鬥。本應如此才對……
Exercise damage and condition was usually decided by dice as the battle continued. Normally, at least...
但看樣子，骰子已經不知道在哪裡擲出來了。
But it seemed as if the die had already been cast, somewhere out there.

『足柄，機房進水。』
"Ashigara, engine room flooding."

響起了判定廣播。
The announcement rang out.
一旦機房進水，如果不進行排水修理，就無法行動了——也就是說，必須脫離艦隊。
Once the engine room was flooded, the ship would not be able to move unless the water were pumped out——that is to say, she would need to leave the battle.
儘管足柄平時是顯露微笑的優雅成熟女性，但此時也是怒目圓睜。
Ashigara's normally mature, grinning face was now replaced with wide-eyed anger.
“誒誒！？為什麼！只是腳被打到而已為什麼是機房進水！我要求重擲！”
"Ehhhh?! Why?! I just bumped it with my foot, how does that lead to engine flooding! I demand a reroll!"
但是抗議看來並不被接受。
But it seems as if her objection had not been accepted.
畢竟規則就是規則，她停下腳步。
Well, rules were rules, and she slowed down.
“修理！我有在修理！所以說！讓我！繼續演習啊！主砲都還沒發射過！一次都還沒！勝利在呼喚我！戰斗在呼喚我啊啊啊啊！！”
"Repairing! I'm repairing! So let me!  Let me keep fighting! I haven't even opened fire yet! Not even once! Victory is calling me! Victory is calling meeeeeeeeee!!"
咚！的一聲，足柄鳴響了主砲。
With a roar of gunfire, Ashigara opened fire with her main gun.
結果還是發射了啊。
She opened fire in the end.
當然了，完全沒有砲擊目標。
Of course, she had no target.
加賀見了，皺起眉頭。
Seeing this, Kaga frowned.
“……雖說是模擬彈，也是浪費。”
"...it may be a practice shell, but it's still a waste."
她這樣說道。我腦海中似乎能夠想像到回港後接受說教時的足柄。
As she spoke, I could imagine Ashigara being lectured as soon as she returned to port.
總而言之，足柄因大破（假定）脫離戰線。
At any rate, Ashigara detached from the fleet due to (simulated) heavy damage.
除此以外，陸奧也受到輕度損傷，愛宕則是砲塔受損，多少限制了一部分火力。當然這都只是判定而已，實際上並沒有任何傷者。
Apart from this, Mutsu had also received slight damage, whereas Atago had been struck in one of her turrets, limiting a portion of her firepower. Of course, this was just a judgement, and nobody was damaged.
長門看來完全沒有中彈，該說不愧是長門嗎。
It seems as if Nagato was not hit...perhaps I should say "As expected of Nagato."

我在熒幕前抱起胳膊。
I crossed my arms in front of the screen.
“嗯……”
"Hmm..."
“怎麼了嗎？”
"What is it?"
“一艘正規空母和三艘輕空母，幾近全力的攻擊機隊先制攻擊的成果就只有一艘重巡，是不是有點少啊？”
"One standard carrier and there light carriers attacked with virtually their entire attack compliment, and all they got for it was a single heavy cruiser——isn't that kind of little?"
“是嗎？”
"Is it?"
“我這是第一次看到艦娘之間的交戰……果然艦載機的性能很重要吧？”
"This is my first time seeing a fight between shipgirls...carrier plane quality was important after all, huh?"
“……機體的性能是能靠練度彌補的。”
"...Plane quality and ability can be improved with training."
“努力論嗎這是。”
"So they need to work hard, then."
我摘下帽子，在手中握緊。
I doffed my cap, clenching it in my hand.
剛發下來的白色士官軍帽就這樣變形了。重新整了整，又變回原來的形狀。
The white officer's cap immediately deformed. Just a bit of adjustment, and it returned to its previous condition.
“攻擊機隊的先制攻擊，只依賴目前的裝備並沒有多大效果……”
"The opening torpedo strike doesn't seem too effective, based on our recent equipment..."
“……是呢。”
"...Yes."

戰艦組在遭受攻擊機隊的第二次攻擊之前，將空母組納入了射程。
The Carrier team was now in range of the battleship team, well before the second wave of bombers could hit.

長門吶喊道：
Nagato roared out her orders.
“全主砲，齊射——！”
"All main guns, fire——!"
她奮力揮出的拳頭，彷彿能撕裂數公里遠的天空。
She threw a punch into the air with the vigor of one trying to crack the very skies.
背後的砲塔發出震耳的轟鳴，炮炎燒灼著空氣，染紅了海面，黑煙徐徐。
The turrets behind her bellowed with a ear-splitting roar as it belched out a searing plume of flame that dyed the surface red, leaving black smoke in its wake.
從41cm連裝炮射出了強力的砲彈。
A high-powered shell burst forth from each of the double 41cm guns.
雖然是使用特殊材料製造的模擬彈，但那開砲效果和實彈是一樣的。
They may be practice shells made with special materials, but the effects of the gun blast were the same.
那份撕裂天空的魄力，正可以說是海戰的璀璨之星。
That vigor that could split the heavens; they could truly be called the stars of the naval battlefield.

赤城等人正在忙於艦載機的出擊準備。
At that moment, Akagi and company were hurriedly preparing the next wave.
雖然已經知道戰艦組就在附近了，但全速航行的時候是沒辦法讓艦載機起飛的。為了讓整備更具效率，有必要讓艦身處於穩定狀態。
They were well aware of their proximity to the battleships. However, carrier planes could not launch when moving at full speed. In order to more efficiently prepare the planes, the ship needed to be relatively still.
再加上，艦載機起落時也需要注意風向。
Furthermore, they needed to me mindful of wind direction, for the landing carrier planes' sakes.
雖然我記得有看過空母艦娘的艦載機著艦時，是讓飛機在手裡變回箭矢……
Although I remembered seeing that carrier shipgirls would retrieve their returning planes in hand as arrows...
但看來並非那麼簡單。
It turns out that it's not quite so simple.
一旦失敗就會發生事故，有時也會讓空母受損，是一項相當精細的作業。
Should the landing fail, accidents could happen, sometimes even damaging the carrier itself; it's a task that requires a certain meticulousness.
砲彈飛馳在海上。
The shells impacted the surface,
激起水柱。
sending fountains of water into the air.
水面的大幅晃動使得輕空母艦娘發出悲鳴，赤城收起降落回來的箭矢，向周圍喊道：
Startled by the sudden waves, the light carriers let out cries of distress. Having collected the returning arrows, Akagi called out to the others around her.
“不要慌！現在要盡可能多的讓艦載機起飛！”
"Don't panic! At this time our priority is getting as many planes into the air as possible!"
“是、是！”
"Y-yes!"
瑞鳳點頭。
Zuihou nodded.
砲擊再次來襲。
A second salvo.
沒有發生爆炸，取而代之的是某種果實迸裂的聲音。
There were no explosions. In their stead was the sound of a fruit cracking.
“啊啊啊！？”
"Ahhhh?!"
祥鳳的上半身被擊中，濺滿了塗料。
Shouhou's upper half had been hit and splashed with dye.
那是為了不讓海水能清洗沖洗掉而使用的黃色粘性塗料。之所以沒有使用紅色，是因為大部分艦船的吃水線以下都是紅色。
This was a yellow dye that couldn't be removed by seawater. It was for this reason that red was not used, as the area of a ship under the waterline was usually painted red.
——普通的軍艦船底會是紅色是因為防銹塗料是紅色的。艦娘的艤裝上也有紅色大概也是出於同樣的理由吧？
——Normal warships would be painted red to prevent rust. The red on the shipgirls probably follows the same logic?
有很多艦娘的靴子和腰間塗裝都使用了紅色。
A lot of ships wore red on their boots and waist.
祥鳳的雙肩無力地下垂。
Shouhou's shoulders drooped listlessly.
“嗚……中彈了啊……”
"Uuu...I'm hit..."
『祥鳳，大破。』
"Shouhou, Heavy Damage."
看樣子，是被41cm連裝炮直接命中，導致一發大破了。
It seems like she had been taken a direct hit from a 41cm shell and gone straight to heavy damage.
她在射箭的時候，是穿著會露出左肩的衣服，胸口纏著布的大膽穿著。而如今被模擬彈擊中的地方，像被蟲蟄了一樣變紅了。
When she had been launching, she wore a uniform that revealed her left shoulder and brazenly exposed the chest, protected only by a sarashi. And now, the point of impact was vividly shown via a fast-reddening welt on her skin.
看到豐滿的胸前留下的痕跡，祥鳳十分害羞似的。
Seeing the mark on her chest, Shouhou flushed with shame.
“……這麼快就要離隊，真不開心。”
"...To have to break off this quickly, it's frustrating."
見了她這幅樣子，瑞鳳和龍驤對望一眼，又不約而同地將視線落在自己胸前。
Seeing her, Zuihou and Ryuujou exchanged glances before simultaneously regarding their own chests.
瑞鳳咕噥著：“明明應該是……同型艦的吧？”
"Aren't we from the same class...?" Zuihou muttered under her breath.
“……為啥呀？這差別待遇……太莫名其妙了吧？咱都是輕空母吧？”
"...What in tarnation? This kinda' treatment...this is plain unjust, innit? Aren't we all light carriers?"
龍驤拍著自己的胸口。
Ryuujou clapped together her own chest.
還真是清閒啊……才怪。長門陸奧的遠距離砲擊接連激起水柱。
They sure are taking it easy...or not. Nagato and Mutsu's long-range shelling sent up plumes of seawater once more.
雖然空母組也讓艦載機起飛迎戰，但差距仍是一目了然。
Though the carrier team was still launching their carriers to match, the difference between the two teams could be seen at a glance.
利用嫻熟的射擊精度準確開砲的戰艦組。
The Battleship Team, firing with practiced experience.
相對的，空母組的艦載機起飛後，需要先通過對空砲火，然後才能投下炸彈和魚雷。
In contrast, the Carrier Group's planes needed to launch and then brave the barrage of anti-aircraft fire before dropping their bombs or torpedo.
步驟越多，給對手的機會就越多。
Each step needed was another chance for the enemy.
空母組就連想要拉開距離都做不到。比起她們，愛宕的航速更快。就算能甩掉長門陸奧這些重型戰艦，也會被重巡追上。
The Carrier team could not even break off; compared to them, Atago went much faster. Even if they lost Battleships Nagato and Mutsu, the Heavy Cruiser could still catch up.
四面楚歌啊。
The bells were clearly tolling.
再加上雙方距離不斷接近，連愛宕也進入了射程範圍內。
It didn't help that the two sides continued to close in; at this point, even Atago was in firing range.
艦載炮的砲擊來得更加激烈了。
The barrage was intensifying.
赤城也中彈了，被判定為『甲板大破』而喪失了戰力。
Akagi was stricken too. Judged to have taken "Heavy Flight Deck Damage," she, too, had lost her combat ability.
“大破嗎……嗚……各位，接下來就拜託了！”
"Heavy Damage, huh...uu...everyone, the rest is up to you!"
“糟了！還真會打啊！！”
"Aww shucks! They sure hit hard!!"
龍驤也中彈離隊了。
Ryuujou also broke off, hit.
按照判定來看，像這樣全身被模擬彈的塗料覆蓋的受損程度，已經無法繼續作戰了。
Visually, it was clear from the amount of dye that covered her that she would be unable to continue fighting.
而將只剩一艘的空母組完全制壓也只是時間問題了。
And now it would simply be a matter of time until the remaining carrier was run to ground.
長門等人將瑞鳳她們完全包圍。
Nagato and company had Zuihou completely surrounded.
這樣一來，就連讓艦載機起飛的空間都沒有了。
There would not even be time to launch a carrier plane.
長門浮現出自信的笑容。
Nagato smiled confidently.
“可不要小瞧BIG 7的實力啊！”
"Don't you look down on the Big Seven's true power!"
那是勸降宣言。
That was a hint to surrender.
但是瑞鳳還沒有放棄抵抗。
But Zuihou had not given up the fight.
她拉緊手中的弓弦。
She drew taut the bowstring.
長門瞪視著。
Nagato watched.
“沒問題嗎？在這種距離下讓艦載機起飛的話也只是'衝撞'而已，飛機可是會受損的。當然了，或多或少會稍微對我造成一點損傷。”
"Is this alright? At this distance, the only thing your planes could do is to ram us and damage the plane. Of course, you might be able to hurt us some as well."
一旦讓艦載機和同伴真的受到損傷，就不能再稱之為演習了。
If planes or comrades were wounded, it would not longer be a fleet exercise.
瑞鳳最終還是沒有射出箭矢。
In the end, Zuihou did not loose her arrow.
雖說如此，也還是沒有投降。該如何打開局面呢，她在拼命思考。
Even so, she did not surrender. She looked around, clearly and desperately searching for a fighting chance.
長門悠然靠近。
Nagato closed in.
“不投降嗎……雖然是模擬彈，打上去也是會疼的哦？”
"You won't surrender, huh...they may be practice rounds, but they'll still hurt, you know?"
舉起拳頭。
She raised her fist.
瑞鳳保持著架弓的姿勢，動彈不得。
Zuihou held her stance as if immobilized.

“已經足夠了。”
"That's enough."

我通過通信設備，傳達了演習結束的命令。
Speaking through the communication array, I gave the order to end the exercise.
在熒幕上，長門收起了拳頭。
Onscreen, Nagato retracted her fist.
瑞鳳的肩膀也無力地垂下來。
Zuihou's shoulder also slumped powerlessly.
陸奧和愛宕擊掌慶祝勝利。
Mutsu and Atago high-fived, celebrating their victory.
空母組都一副失落的表情，特別是瑞鳳，連眼眶都紅了。
The entirety of the carrier team looked crestfallen. Especially Zuihou, whose eyes looked a little red.
——雖然並沒有真的出事，但果然輸了還是會感到悔恨吧。
——It may not have been a real battle, but even a practice defeat stung, huh.
長門手叉腰，抬頭挺胸。
Nagato put her hands on her hips, head up and chest out.
從熒幕上可以看到她的表情。
Her expression was clearly visible onscreen.
“哼！怎樣？戰爭就是火力！就是裝甲！有打算重新考慮了吧？”
"Hmph! How about it! A battle is about firepower! It's about Armor! Have you reevaluated your thoughts?"
雖然我也有很多想法，但通信設備有各種限制，現在能傳達的只有進軍還是撤退而已。
I had a hell of a lot of thoughts, but this communication array didn't let me say an awful lot. For now, all I could transmit was the order to advance or retreat.
加賀開口道：
Kaga spoke:
“……返航吧。”
"...return to port."
“了解！”
"Acknowledged!"
雖然是如此簡潔的命令，但對面也有使用通信設備的經驗。點頭，再是敬禮。
It was a simple, short order, but the other side acknowledged the order with the nod and reciprocation of somebody experienced in using the communications array.
長門凱旋而歸。緊隨其後的陸奧和愛宕，也是一副驕傲的表情。
Nagato returned triumphantly. Close behind them, Mutsu and Atago looked proud as well.
只有足柄臉上滿是不滿……
Only Ashigara's face bore dissatisfaction.
而空母組這邊，大家都很苦悶。
On the side of the Carrier team, everyone looked somber.
瑞鳳帶著哭聲道：
Zuihou was crying:
“……提督他……好不容易才說了空母也很重要的……”
"...Admiral, he...it must have been hard to say that Carriers are important too..."
龍驤像是要安慰似的，把手按在她肩上：
Ryuujou put a hand no her shoulder, as if to comfort her:
“說的是呀……不過啊，現在可別哭啊，哭了就真輸了呀。不甘心的話就只有努力訓練了呀。”
"Ah'm sure it was...but don't be cryin' now! Cryin' means ya lose. If we can't take it, we'll jes' keep trainin'."
赤城帶著溫柔的微笑望著輕空母們。
Akagi looked to the light carriers with a gentle smile.
“哈啊~乾了那麼久，肚子都餓了呢。感覺好像來多少都吃得下呢。”
"Haaaah~it's been so long, I'm starving," she remarked out of left field.
說出了這種脫線的台詞。
"I feel like I could eat just about anything."
長門直指赤城。
Nagato pointed straight at AKagi.
“是嗎？那麼接下來就來一場大胃王對決吧！”
"Is that so? Well then, next up will be a battle of stomachs!"
“哼……這我可不會輸哦。賭上一航戰的榮耀！”
"Hmph...I won't back down here. I bet with the dignity of the 1st Carrier Division!"
赤城的臉上，也浮現出不遜於長門的自信笑容。
Akagi smile with a confidence that could match Nagato's grin.

透過熒幕，我發出了感慨。
On the other side of the screen, I sighed.
“不愧是長門和赤城啊。”
"As expected of Nagato and Akagi.
加賀側過頭：
Kaga turned:
“怎麼了嗎？”
"What is it?"
“演習結束後戰艦和空母之間的氣氛很微妙，為了打破僵局，才那樣說的吧。在餐桌上是沒有上下之分的。”
"The feeling between the Battleship team and Carrier team was complicated after that exercise...they must have said that to break the tension. They certainly are a match for each other on the dinner table."
加賀將目光再次投向熒幕，望著上面的赤城。
Kaga looked once more to the screen at Akagi.
“……原來如此，也能這樣看啊。”
"...I see, you can look at it that way as well."
熒幕上的畫面換成了演習記錄。
The screen switched to an exercise record.
還有艦娘們的戰果報告。
Each shipgirl's accomplishments were listed.
上面顯示的各種情報要和過去既有的戰鬥記錄作比對。
The various statistics reported would have to be recorded and compared with previous combat records.
加賀把上面的情報一一記錄下來。
Kaga wrote down each of the listed reports.
“……雖然提督曾經說過要建立空母的使用……但是現在看來，果然還是以戰艦和重巡為中心編成艦隊嗎？”
"...The Admiral previously suggested that Carrier use be further explored...but given these experiences, will you be focus on battleship and heavy cruiser-dominated fleets?"
光從勝敗來看，會這樣想也是理所當然的。火力和裝甲毫無疑問能夠決定勝負。
Just from the victor and loser, that would make sense. Firepower and armor clearly decided this battle.
但是我搖了搖頭。
But i shook my head.
“雖然是初次見到艦娘的交戰……但我認為戰艦和重巡的水準已經足夠高了。這支艦隊裡所缺乏的果然還是航空戰力。問題的關鍵就在於艦載機吧。”
"While this is my first time seeing shipgirls fight, i feel that the battleships and heavy cruisers are already well up to par. What this fleet is lacking after all is carrier power. The problem is hinged on the planes."
“……或許只是因為敵方太強了吧。”
"...perhaps the enemy was simply too strong."
加賀露出一副我也無法理解的消沉表情。
Kaga's face registered a depressed, unreadable expression.
敵方太過強大的可能性，也是有的。
The possibility that the enemy was too strong existed.
說到底，本來我們的「敵人」——深海棲艦就是，各國軍隊都沒辦法傷到分毫。能做的只有等待敵人盡情地開火過後，悠然離去而已。
After all, our "enemy" from the beginning, the Abyssal ships, had proved invulnerable to all the world's navies. All that could be done was to let them fire as they will and wait for them to leave.
“不過，那種可能性就暫時先不去考慮好了。”
"But let's not consider that possibility for now."
“為什麼？”
"Why?"
“我們要做的事，只有竭盡全力去作戰，奪取勝利而已。如果無論如何也無法戰勝的話，就接受那份敗果，對此進行分析，活用於下一次的作戰。”
"Our duty is to simply fight, give it our all, and win. If the battle turns out to be unwinnable, we will simply have to take the defeat and use its lessons in the next battle."
雖然非常遺憾的是，能將戰敗的教訓活用的，只有不在戰場上的人而已。
Most unfortunately, the only people who would be able to make use of the lessons of defeat were those that weren't on the battlefield.
戰爭並不是體育競技，一旦失敗，就意味著終結。
Warfare isn't an exercise or contest; defeat came with consequences.
不管前方有多麼強大的敵人，我們能做的都只有竭盡全力奪取勝利而已。
No matter how strong the enemy before us could be, our duty is simply to do everything we can to obtain victory.
加賀喃喃念道：“……即便那會導致艦娘沉沒？”
"...even if it could lead to shipgirls sinking?" Kaga muttered.
“……”
"...."
我做好了迎接死亡的覺悟。
I had long since prepared myself for death.
因為我是個軍人。
Because I am a soldier.
但她們呢？
But what about them?"
“加賀，你是怎麼想的？”
"Kaga, what do you think?"
“我們是為了作戰而生。只要是為了擊倒深海棲艦的話，即便被要求送命也不會有一絲躊躇……但是，毫無意義的單純送死，還是會討厭的。誰都​​不會主動想尋死。”
"We live for battle. As long as it is to defeat the Abyssals, we will not hesitate to step forwards, even if it means giving up our lives...but, even so, we hate pointless sacrifice. Nobody wants to die, or to seek death without reason."

那是當然的。
That's obvious.
她們並不是被物化的軍艦。
They are not simply warships given form are.
和以戰死沙場為榮的軍人也不同。
They are not soldiers, who see death as glory.
不想死——那是理所當然，卻又說不出口的。
The desire to live——that is the obvious truth, left unspoken.
如果軍艦真的能夠開口的話，或許會和加賀說出同樣的話吧……
If a Warship could speak, perhaps it would have said the same things Kaga had said...
她像是要改變氣氛一樣將視線投向窗外。
As if to change the mood, she looked towards the window.
“……再過一會兒，演習艦隊就該回來了……在晚餐時間前先去看下工廠吧。”
"...in a bit, the Exercise fleets will return...please have a tour of the factories before dinnertime."
稍微有點猶豫。這時候我應該前往港口迎接嗎？
I hesitated. At this time, should I not greet them at the harbor?
但是，我去迎接的話——恐怕就需要在敗北的瑞鳳等人面前，褒獎獲勝的長門她們吧。
But if I were to greet them, I would have to congratulate Nagato and the Victors in front of Zuihou and the losers.
沒有再做心理打擊的必要。
There was no need to hurt them emotionally any further.
等下再和長門跟瑞鳳分別交談，是最為合適的選擇。
It would be best to speak with Nagato and Zuihou separately in person.
加賀大概早已料到了這點吧。
Kaga had probably figured this out already.
——我是頭一次站到管理者的立場上，對如何管理還欠缺很多經驗。像這樣注意情緒管理也有學習的必要。
——This was my first time in a command role.  Given my inexperience, it was imperative that I learned to pay attention to hearts and minds.
加賀一言不發地等著我。
Kaga waited for me soundlessly.
我將帽子重新戴正，從皮質椅子上站起來。
I straightened my cap again and stood up from the leather chair.
“明白了，請你帶路吧。”
"Understood. Please lead the way."
離開司令室。
With that, I left the command room.
在門上貼上寫著「工廠」的字條。
I left a sign with the words "Factory" on the door.
長門和瑞鳳說不定會過來作報告。
Nagato and Zuihou might come to make their report.
或許也會有別人有急事要來報告，為此需要做好這樣的準備。
Or perhaps somebody would come with urgent news; either way, it'd be necessary to make preparations.
我們從靠近港口的這側走出來。
I left from a door facing the harbor.
面前是一望無際的大海。
In front of me was the endless ocean.