Crossover Shipgirls: Building a Dimensional Empire from Scratch

After leaving the village, the Butterfly Sisters followed behind Setsuna, having reunited with some old acquaintances, and were in excellent spirits.

Their admiration for the man before them only deepened.

They couldn’t help but sigh that Kanae’s decision to muster the courage and take them to meet the Commander back then had been the right call.

”Tch.”

Gudako chewed on a blade of foxtail grass, holding her head in boredom.

”Ugh, so dull. I thought there’d be some classic plot stuff. Like maybe some innocent girl showing up out of nowhere, crying and demanding justice in front of the Commander.”

”Saying she was abused by a local tyrant and asking us to help her.”

”Then, after some digging, we uncover some ancient, powerful local clan. Those idiots can’t recognize a mountain when it hits them, so they send underlings, then elders, then even the regional officials to pressure us.”

”And then the Commander reveals his true identity in the public court, scaring them half to death, making them kneel and lick his boots.”

”A perfect ’Dragon King Returns’ arc, so satisfying.”

”???”

Even Setsuna and the shipgirls, including Richelieu, paused in disbelief at her rambling.

Richelieu reached out and touched Gudako’s forehead.

”No fever... Are you sure you didn’t stay up all night reading weird novels again?”

”Wait, how did you know?!”

Gudako looked surprised.

”I just think the genre has potential, okay? It shows off our status as the suzerain while dispensing justice.”

”How about we wander around a bit more? Maybe we’ll find some tyrant bullying the weak, and we can swoop in and smack them around?”

”...”

”If you’re that bored, go help Lucoa and Nia copy books in the grand library.”

Chen Hai rolled her eyes.

”First of all, all those landlords and local tyrants were eliminated ages ago. There are no noble families left.”

”Second, with the Commander’s personality, I doubt it would go the way you imagine.”

In vassal states, the power and wealth structure had already been shattered and rebuilt through violent deification.

Nobles, capitalists, landlords... all had been physically wiped out.

As for the kind of story Gudako had in mind...

Chen Hai knew her Commander too well.

If some villain showed up, he’d likely slap them into the next life right away and send Angeloids to raid their homes.

Got backing? Who in this world outranks him?!

”Tch, can’t even do a little undercover boss routine? It’d be such an exciting story.”

Gudako clicked her tongue.

”Playing house with vassal natives? You seriously thought of that? You could be doing literally anything else.”

”Shopping with shipgirls would be more meaningful.”

Setsuna gave her another flick to the forehead.

That impulsive personality of hers hadn’t changed much—she and Observer were two of a kind.

Still, having her around did make things more lively.

...

As the group chatted and bantered, dusk approached.

On their way back from the Swordsmith Village, Kanae suddenly tugged at Setsuna’s sleeve.

She spoke shyly:

”Commander, the hot springs up the mountain in the Swordsmith Village are really nice... Would you like to try them?”

”Hm?”

Setsuna glanced at her, thinking back.

The hot springs at the Swordsmith Village—in a sense, they were something of a landmark.

The shipgirls who loved bathing perked up with interest.

”Commander-sama, let’s go together, okay? It’s been so long since we’ve had a good soak.”

”Taihou will accompany you~”

Taihou clung to Setsuna’s arm, her gaze seductive.

Hiss—

He looked around. Surrounding him were lovely, radiant girls.

Richelieu, Yat Sen, Chen Hai, Nagato, Mio... all the oath-bound shipgirls and other ladies were here.

Each one looked at him with a mix of anticipation and shy affection.

”That’s true. We’re so used to the hot springs at the port, it might be nice to try somewhere else for a change.”

”Commander, would you... like to join us?”

Yat Sen and Belfast also nodded in agreement.

...

Compared to Gudako’s fantasy of a ’Dragon King Returns’ plot, this was much more to Setsuna’s taste.

Why bother posturing in front of the locals when soaking in a hot spring with shipgirls was far more enjoyable?

”Let’s go. Have the Angeloids clear the area. We’ll all go together.”

...

Several hours later.

On the mountain above the Swordsmith Village, Setsuna and his group arrived at a secluded hot spring nestled in the mountains.

The Angeloids had already cleared the area thoroughly. Several kilometers around had been entirely emptied.

At regular intervals, battle angels patrolled the perimeter, wings extended, activating radar and electromagnetic jammers.

Centered around the hot spring, a vast no-entry zone had been drawn to ensure nothing disturbed the Commander’s leisure.

When national leaders visit scenic spots, bodyguards handle all logistics.

As the suzerain leader, Setsuna naturally received an even higher level of service.

”Ooh—”

”This looks pretty good.”

The shipgirls surveyed the surroundings.

The area was largely undeveloped. The hot spring felt like a hidden realm in the forest.

Moonlight filtered through the treetops, reflecting off the rippling water. Steam drifted softly around them, tranquil and elegant.

”Master, we’ve scanned the entire vicinity, replaced the hot spring water, and run full water quality and air tests. All threats have been eliminated.”

The Angeloids reported to Setsuna.

Their job during outings was to ensure the Commander and his companions encountered no unpleasantness.

”No wonder... I thought the water quality seemed way better?!”

Kanae was stunned by the Angeloids’ efficiency.

”You need to learn to enjoy some privileges with the Commander.”

Richelieu patted her on the back.

”Mm...”

Mio glanced between Setsuna and the shipgirls, then seemed to recall something.

She clapped her hands together.

Shua—

A faint barrier enveloped the area.

”Husband, this is now an independent space. No matter what happens outside, they won’t be able to see in~”

The girl looked up at Setsuna, seeking praise.

”You really know me well.”

Setsuna gave a knowing smile.

He was pretty sure he’d rubbed off on Mio in more ways than one.

Everyone soon went to change.

This hot spring didn’t have separate pools for men and women.

And there was no way the Commander would be booted out by the girls and left to bathe alone.

Not only would Setsuna not allow it—Taihou and the other oath-bound shipgirls wouldn’t either.

Given that Kanao, Shinobu, and some of the younger shipgirls were also present,

they split into two groups: Setsuna with the oath-bound shipgirls, and everyone else in a separate pool.

A bamboo wall separated the pools to block line of sight.

”Mmm...”

Setsuna was the quickest to change. After wrapping himself in a towel, he slipped into the hot spring.

The temperature was perfect. Steam swirled around him, and it felt as if all his fatigue was melting away.

The Eternal Snowfall had a sizable bath too, but it still couldn’t compare to this wild outdoor hot spring.

”Maybe I should build a man-made hot spring back home.”

”Right next to the capital. I’ll have the Bulins dig one out. Shouldn’t need a blueprint for this, right?...”

As he was daydreaming—

”Commander, um... this is a little embarrassing...”

Yat Sen, Richelieu, Kanae, and a few others emerged from the changing room, wrapped in towels.

The white towels contrasted beautifully with their delicate skin, highlighting elegant collarbones and graceful necklines. There was a pure, refreshing beauty to it.

Under the wafting steam, their slightly flushed cheeks carried a hint of allure.

Setsuna was briefly stunned.

Richelieu, Chen Hai, and other shipgirls confidently settled beside him.

Kanae, however, was shy and flustered. She dipped a foot to test the water before settling a bit farther away.

Clutching her towel, her hair tied into a bun, she peeked nervously at Setsuna and the shipgirls around him.

Had Setsuna invited her to bathe with him earlier, she might’ve fainted from embarrassment.

”Commander, it’s not like you haven’t seen us before. Staring like that is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Chen Hai chuckled at the bashful girl.

”Mm, you’ll get used to it.”

Setsuna glanced around at the beautiful girls encircling him.

Paradise. This was paradise.

Even the hot spring water felt delicious.

”Hoo—”

In the steamy mist, Setsuna sat half-submerged in the hot spring, eyes half-closed.

The Angeloids had cleaned the place thoroughly—not a single impurity could be seen on the water’s surface.

The shipgirls bathed beside him, their damp hair clinging to sakura-colored skin, adding a touch of allure.

It was now late at night. With the barrier and Angeloid patrols in place, all was silent.

Only the occasional chirp of cicadas or birds echoed through the forest.

A full moon hung in the sky, casting silver rays alongside the stars. The shimmering reflection on the water made the girls around him appear even more enchanting.

”Now this... this is the Commander’s life.”

Setsuna took a deep breath.

The air itself seemed fragrant.

Indeed, after each expedition, returning to enjoy everyday life meant being surrounded by sweet, beautiful girls.

It had been a stroke of genius to approach the shipgirls first when they were his neighbors.

That laid the foundation for turning Earth into a grand super harem.

Had his neighbors been sea tigers or some bizarre world, he might’ve ended up a Sigma male or a magnetic freak, training with muscle-bound men every day.

”Commander-sama, don’t just soak in silence, spend some time with Taihou too...”

A familiar voice drifted to his ear.

Taihou sat beside Setsuna, bringing with her a fragrant breeze.

Her extravagant figure barely fit under the towel, which sagged low across her chest, leaving most of her cleavage exposed above the fold.

Of course, Setsuna suspected she left it like that on purpose.

”Are you hungry? How’s the water temperature? Want something to eat? Need Taihou to help you wash? Or... would you rather eat Taihou first?”

She pressed up against his shoulder, firing off a barrage of questions that left Kanae dumbfounded.

”Hold up. Just enjoy the hot spring for now.”

Setsuna chuckled, motioning for her to calm down.

As his first oath-bound shipgirl, Taihou was as clingy as Mio.

Her combination of boldness, sensuality, and top-tier figure among carriers made her a favorite.

Her possessiveness was even kind of cute.

”Commander, could you help me wash my hair? I... I’m not very good at it.”

From the right, Nagato swam over, blushing and flicking her ears.

”Of course.”

Setsuna pulled the miniature battleship into his arms, gently running his fingers through her long black hair.

Nagato was petite—about the size of a destroyer—but her hair flowed nearly to her waist. It must’ve taken a lot of effort to maintain.

Her fox ears twitched, and Setsuna couldn’t resist giving one a squeeze.

”Eep—Commander...”

The shrine maiden let out an adorable sound.

”Feels like taking care of a daughter.”

Kanae, soaking nearby, sighed sincerely as she watched Setsuna gently wash Nagato’s hair.

”I’m not your daughter! I’m an oath-bound shipgirl!”

”I am Nagato! Nagato of the Sakura Empire! I am a battleship! One of the Big 7!”

Nagato puffed out her cheeks, glaring at Kanae.

”You don’t believe me? I’ll show you my rigging...”

Bonk—

Setsuna lightly tapped her on the head.

”You want to manifest battleship gear in the hot spring? What about the others still bathing?!”

”Ugh...”

Realizing her near-blunder, the shrine maiden shrank back into Setsuna’s arms, quietly gazing at the moon and enjoying the warmth.

”Commander, are you... uncomfortable?”

Suddenly, Nagato noticed something. She leaned into his chest and whispered.

”Hm?”

Setsuna felt her small hand make a sneaky move and cleared his throat: ”It’s fine. You’re bolder than you look, Miss Shrine Maiden.”

”Forget it if you’re not into it.”

Nagato huffed with a pout.

”Pretty good, but it looks like your little move is about to get noticed.”

...

On the other side of the wall.

Kanao, Shinobu, Gudako, and a few accompanying shipgirls were soaking together.

Unicorn clutched her plushy unicorn toy while bathing, washing both her hair and her precious Yuu-chan.

”Mmm...”

Shinobu glanced at Unicorn out of the corner of her eye.

So strange. She looked to be about the same age, yet had such a full figure?

Are all shipgirls like this?

Or is it just a carrier thing?!

”Sigh...”

Gudako loosened her hair and sank into the water, letting out a sigh:

”So we’re the loser group, and over there is the winner group, huh?”

”What do you mean?!”

Everyone was stunned by the division of ’winner’ and ’loser’ groups.

”Winner group gets to eat and sleep with the Commander, and even bathe with him. Loser group just huddles together here for warmth. Soon, we’ll probably start hearing victory moans from the other side.”

Gudako remained completely deadpan.

”??”

Kanao and Shinobu were too shocked to speak.

”That’s not true! Oniichan said he likes me! He even gave me a Unicorn!”

Unicorn protested.

”Sure, sure, the Commander really is getting bolder.”

Gudako shot a glance at Unicorn.

A little sister-type shipgirl—cute and cuddly. No wonder the Commander liked her.

”Hm?”

Suddenly, Shinobu perked up her ears.

”I think I hear Onee-chan’s voice?”

”Huh?”

Everyone else fell silent.

They could vaguely make out Setsuna and Kanae’s voices from the other side.

Amid the water flow, bird calls, and ambient noise, it was hard to tell exactly what they were saying.

But words like ”you first,” ”just like that,” and ”keep your voice down” could be faintly heard.

The Butterfly sisters grew increasingly curious.

They had always followed Kanae around like sidekicks. Now their big sister had taken the lead.

Unfortunately, the hot springs were a bit far apart, and the bamboo wall blocked their view.

”Shh!”

Kanao had a bold idea.

She quietly stepped out of the water and rummaged through her luggage.

She pulled out the Teigu ”One-Hit Killer Murasame.”

”What are you doing?! Trying to shank the Commander?!”

Gudako was startled by the gleaming blade.

”Don’t do anything crazy! I’m telling you, that thing won’t work on the Commander anyway. Mio and Tohru are super sensitive to hostility...”

”Stop spouting nonsense!”

Kanao twitched at the mouth.

She cloaked herself, crouched near the wall, and slowly raised the blade.

Shhh—

The edge of Murasame was razor sharp. In a few strokes, she carved a small hole in the wall.

Kanao peeked through, then immediately covered her face and crouched away.

”Nee-san...”

Shinobu didn’t get it and peeked too.

Both of them ended up squatting together, blushing furiously.

”??”

”What happened?!”

Gudako wanted to see too but suddenly felt a chill down her spine.

Tohru had somehow teleported behind her.

The dragon girl grabbed Gudako by the back of her collar.

”Peeping isn’t a good habit.”

”You ran off on the Eternal Snowfall last time, and now you’re peeping again?!”

”But I didn’t even see the good part yet!! The FBI warning just popped up and you already caught me?!”

Gudako shouted in frustration.

Kanao and Shinobu turned even redder.

They felt like they’d grown up a little.

...

Vmm—

A few days later, the starship set sail once again, ending its inspection tour of the Demon Slayer world.

Setsuna felt it had been a very worthwhile trip.

The shipgirls and Angeloids managed everything well. Resources were stable, and society ran smoothly.

The hot spring detour had also been a delightful bonus.

This kind of team-building trip should definitely be done more often.

”Richelieu, once we’re back on Earth, pick a location and have the Bulins build a hot spring resort...”

”The Swordsmith Village spring is a bit too small. We need to scale it up several times and add proper facilities...”

”Got it.”

Richelieu quietly noted it down.

”And make sure to install heating. Kanae said the floor was cold yesterday, and her knees were uncomfortable.”

”Understood.”

...

Kanao and Shinobu huddled in a corner of the bridge.

Every time they saw Kanae and Setsuna, their faces flushed, and they stammered awkwardly.

Their image of their elder sister had been slightly altered.

”Should we erase their unnecessary memories?”

Mio glanced at Setsuna.

”Hmm... forget it. Let Kanae handle their education.”

Setsuna thought for a moment.

”They can join next time. Consider it early learning.”

”Tsk tsk tsk...”

Jeanne Alter wore an ”I knew it” expression.

”Commander, where are we going next?”

Gudako had already forgotten her failed attempt and cheerfully asked.

”Well...”

Setsuna checked the star map, thinking for a moment.

”Date A Live.”

”Mio, I have something to ask of you.”

”Yes, my husband.”

The Spirit of Origin responded obediently.

”Let’s try to create a few more Spirits. I’ve already thought of the names: Mayuri, Rinne Sonogami, Rio Sonogami... What do you think?”

”Eh?”

Before Mio could respond, Gudako’s eyes went wide.

”Commander, is this a territorial inspection or are you just hopping from world to world to party?!”

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