Crossover Shipgirls: Building a Dimensional Empire from Scratch

"Commander, from my brief experience as a Master, I've learned one thing... The more you study magecraft, the more you realize the limits of humanity."

"Unless you transcend humanity!!"

In the office, Gudako made a grand declaration to Setsuna and the shipgirls, mimicking Dio Brando's iconic line.

"I reject my humanity, Commander!!!"

"…"

"You're sure about that?! What about your Gundam?" Setsuna stared at Ritsuka Fujimaru, finding her sheer unpredictability truly baffling.

"Gundams are external tools."

Gudako crossed her arms with an air of confidence.

"After witnessing shipgirls, Heroic Spirits, dragon girls, and Spirits, I've realized that if I want to get stronger, I must transcend my human limitations."

"Look, shipgirls can transform into starships, Heroic Spirits can wield countless Noble Phantasms, Tohru and Lucoa can turn into colossal dragons capable of destruction, and Spirits can summon Angels..."

"But me? As a mere human, I'm weak and powerless. All I can do is pilot the Unicorn Gundam. And when I encounter combat scenarios unsuitable for a mobile suit, I'm completely helpless."

"…"

Setsuna had to admit, she wasn't entirely wrong.

There were barely any ordinary humans in the base anymore—Shipgirls, Heroic Spirits, and Spirits all had their own unique abilities.

As for magecraft in the Type-Moon universe... aside from the elusive True Magic, there were only so many powerful spells a human Master could cast.

"Isn't there another way?"

Richelieu asked thoughtfully.

"I can't eat a Wisdom Cube and turn into a shipgirl, nor do I have dragon blood. I can't exactly die and hope to become a Heroic Spirit, right?!"

Gudako shrugged in exasperation.

"Besides, if I become a Spirit, I'll stay young forever! That way, I won't have to worry about dying before all of you... or worse, getting old and ugly and being kicked out by the Commander in a few decades!"

"???"

"So that's your real motive?!"

The shipgirls were utterly speechless at Gudako's shamelessness.

Setsuna glanced at Mio.

"Can you do it?"

Mio observed Ritsuka Fujimaru carefully.

"The ten special Spirit Crystals have already been distributed. I can only give you a standard one."

"It won't come with a powerful Angel, just enhanced affinity with spiritual energy. Even so, do you still want it?"

"I want it! I want it! I want it!!!"

Gudako nodded so frantically it was a wonder her head didn't fall off.

There was no downside to becoming a Spirit. Mio, who now obeyed Setsuna without question, posed no threat to them. It was essentially a free power-up.

And, most importantly, eternal youth!

No girl could resist such an offer.

With Setsuna's approval, Mio clasped her hands together. A radiant halo of light surrounded her, and moments later, a crimson crystal materialized in her palms.

"This is a Fire Element Spirit Crystal. It's essentially a weaker version of the Angel Camael, which Kotori possesses."

Mio spoke generously, offering the crystal.

"So I'll be a bit weaker than Kotori, huh?"

"That works. I can use this opportunity to learn more fire magic. Those dragon girls seem to know a lot…"

Gudako examined the crystal for a moment, then, without hesitation, tilted her head back and gulped it down.

"Gulp—"

The girl let out a small burp.

A swirling vortex of radiant light enveloped her, lifting her off the ground.

A peculiar force surged through her body, and with her eyes closed, Gudako floated gently in mid-air.

After a few minutes, the light dissipated, signaling the completion of the transformation.

She now wore a rather revealing red dress, resembling a youthful version of the Astral Dress Elohim Gibor.

"So this is my Spirit Form? Feels pretty amazing…"

Gudako could sense the abundant spiritual energy coursing through her.

She extended her hand.

Fwoosh—

A ball of blazing fire ignited in her palm.

This wasn't Chaldea's magecraft but a new power originating from another world.

"Oh, I feel stronger already."

She was visibly pleased with the newfound abilities.

Her body brimmed with energy, and her mind was flooded with various combat techniques—mostly fire-based magic.

"After transforming into a Spirit, your ability to control spiritual power will increase. However, your physical growth will be frozen at your current age."

"If you ever regret it in the future, you can return the Spirit Crystal to me and become human again."

Mio explained gently.

"I won't regret it, no way! As for my figure... well, sure, I might not compare to the shipgirls, but I think I'm good enough, right?"

She glanced expectantly at Setsuna.

"Uhh... I guess... it's... fine?"

Setsuna studied her uncertainly.

"???"

"Why do you sound so unsure?! Have you been hanging around those carriers too long? Your sense of proportion is completely skewed!!!"

Gudako nearly threw a fireball at his face.

"…"

"So... you're now a Gundam-piloting Spirit?"

Richelieu rested her chin on her hand, eyeing Gudako skeptically.

"What form do you even plan to use in battle?"

"Versatility is key! As a Chaldea Master, I need to develop in all aspects—ah, no, I mean, technology and magic must advance together!"

Gudako puffed out her chest proudly.

"At the very least, I have three forms now, just like the Commander—Human Form, Spirit Form, and Gundam Form. Though… they're all kinda bootleg versions."

"But hey, I should have no trouble clearing singularities, right? I bet some of the weaker Heroic Spirits can't even beat me anymore."

"…"

Setsuna sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Let's hope Dr. Roman and Da Vinci can make sense of your 'study abroad' experience here."

…

...

Evening.

At the administrative center.

After sending off the excited Gudako, Setsuna continued to handle affairs with a few shipgirls.

Richelieu and Yat Sen sat on either side of the large office desk, swiftly reviewing documents.

The paperwork included Brilliant ideas from the Bulins on construction projects, as well as applications for forming expedition teams to explore and establish new territories.

The resources around Constantinople had been nearly exhausted, making it time to set their sights on more distant lands.

"Hmm… Let's deploy six Bulins expedition teams to Western Europe, the Far East, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania to establish temporary outposts in preparation for future city expansions..."

"As for site selection... it's best to choose locations with convenient maritime transport routes and flat terrain to facilitate the construction of starship landing bases."

"Commander, does this plan work for you?"

After confirming with Setsuna, Yat Sen added the expedition proposal to the to-do list.

"Yes, it looks good."

Setsuna propped his head up with one hand, lightly tapping the desk with the other as he pondered.

"We now have eleven—no, twelve Spirits. Even if we recruit the remaining ones, the number is still too small..."

"If Gudako can become a Spirit, then ordinary humans should also be able to. Let's see how strong she can become after mastering her Spirit powers..."

"Tsk, shipgirls don't age, and Spirits don't either. Does that mean everyone here will stay forever young in the future?..."

As he mused, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Commander, your coffee."

Belfast walked over with a tray, placing a plate of desserts on the desk.

Her elegant movements were flawless, and even the angle of her bow was a sight to behold.

Then, she hesitated for a moment, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something but ultimately shook her head and turned to leave.

"Hmm?"

Setsuna noticed her distracted demeanor.

"Something on your mind?"

"No."

The maid turned her head away, brushing her silver hair with a somewhat evasive look.

"Are you sure? Because you don't look like you're fine."

Setsuna chuckled.

Belfast was always meticulous in her work, maintaining a graceful smile at all times.

"... "

She hesitated for a while, her gaze lowered in hesitation.

"Come on, tell me, what's bothering you?"

"Or is something making you unhappy?"

Setsuna gently pinched Belfast's soft cheeks.

"... "

After a moment of silence, she finally whispered, "You've been a little biased lately…"

"Me? Biased? How so?"

Setsuna was puzzled.

"Ever since you went to that new world, you've been focusing on the Spirits, haven't you?"

"Thinking about how to win over the Spirit of Origin, how to bring more Spirits home, how to provide them with better accommodations and lives..."

"Even considering how to control Spirit and inverse Spirit powers, how to transform more people into Spirits..."

Belfast murmured softly.

"Those girls are indeed adorable. The Spirit of Origin is beautiful and powerful... but... but haven't I been by your side the longest?"

"I've been taking care of you ever since the Vanguard Fleet first started expanding, haven't I? Isn't it... a little unfair to me..."

She lowered her head, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her maid uniform.

The ever-composed and graceful head maid of the Royal Navy had never appeared so flustered as she did today.

After speaking, she hastily raised her head, waving her hands nervously.

"Forgive me, Commander. I... I spoke out of turn... I didn't mean to criticize you."

"After you brought back the Spirit of Origin, you saved many lives—it's truly admirable. I just... I just hope you'll pay more attention to those around you..."

"..."

Nearby, Richelieu and Yat Sen unconsciously paused what they were doing.

"How courageous, but... is the Commander really that neglectful? Belfast is about to cry," Richelieu said, resting her chin on her hand.

"That's because you're always part of the expedition teams, spending time with him every day," Yat Sen sighed softly.

"The sisters from the Dragon Empery fleet have been complaining to me, saying the Commander has been away for too long."

"..."

Setsuna stood up and let out a deep sigh.

Alright, with so many people in the base now, it was inevitable that some things would be overlooked.

Day after day, he'd grown used to someone quietly tidying his room, washing his clothes, preparing meals, and arranging his schedule...

All of it had become so natural that he had unconsciously taken the ever-dedicated head maid for granted.

Though their relationship lacked romantic surprises, Belfast had always been there, caring for him in her own way.

"Make a wish," Setsuna gently patted Belfast's shoulder.

"?"

The head maid blinked her beautiful violet-blue eyes, unsure of his meaning.

"During our last space combat drill, didn't you win against me? You earned a wish."

"Anything within my power, you can ask for."

Setsuna smiled as he reminded her.

"Ah... that time! Oh, I remember now!!"

Belfast suddenly realized.

"I asked you back then—if I won, could I go on a date with you? And you said it was impossible for you to lose??!!"

"Did you do that on purpose?!"

"But you did win in the end…"

Setsuna scratched his head, feeling as if his past mistakes were coming back to haunt him.

"Mm..."

Belfast pondered seriously for a moment.

"Commander, can we go on a date tomorrow? Just the two of us. No work, and no one is allowed to interrupt."

"Sure, it's a small matter. I'll spend the whole day with you."

Setsuna agreed without hesitation.

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