Crossover Shipgirls: Building a Dimensional Empire from Scratch

Boom—

The Xianzhou Luofu delegation boarded a starship of the Starsea Empire and set course for the solar system.

Ordinary Xianzhou starskiffs could not sustain ultra-long-distance interstellar voyages. The Starsea Empire’s vessels possessed long-range jump capabilities, so they gave them a ride.

Hum…

The starship performed continuous jumps through the depths of space. The scenery before their eyes shifted again and again, as if they had been swept into a torrent of spacetime.

Finally, after several rounds of jumps.

A familiar blue planet appeared before them, with Honkai-1 Space Station floating above it, maintaining a steady synchronized orbit.

”Is this the world of the Starsea Empire?”

Tingyun asked as she looked out through the viewport.

The solar system was larger than she had imagined. This seemed to be their homeworld. A few scattered ships were moving about within the system.

Earth itself was nothing more than an unremarkable rocky planet. Among the countless worlds the Xianzhou had seen, its size was not particularly large.

”No. This is only a part of the Starsea Empire’s world.”

An Angeloid answered.

”Our concept of a ’world’ may be somewhat different from yours.”

”Before going to the Starsea Empire, please be sure to understand this.”

In this universe, star systems or galaxies could be referred to as a world. They had originally been isolated from one another, arranged independently in the greater cosmos like cells in a honeycomb.

It was only after the Aeon of Trailblaze connected all realms that the various worlds became linked.

But within the Starsea Empire, the concepts of ”world” were clearly far more grand.

Boom—

The ship passed through a transmission anchor point. For a moment, everyone’s vision blurred.

Then they arrived in another solar system.

In the boundless starry sky, starships could be seen traveling everywhere.

Tingyun had the illusion that she was not in the empty void of space at all, but at a starskiff dock during morning rush hour.

Ships were coming and going in every direction, dazzling to behold.

Farther away, above the moon, one could vaguely see a colossal structure roughly half the size of a planet, suspended in lunar orbit.

Like a space city, it shimmered with countless points of light.

”That’s the Science Nexus. A megastructure completed not long ago for the Research Division.”

The starship pierced through the atmosphere and descended toward the starship landing base outside the capital.

”Oh…”

Tingyun, Sushang, Qingque, and the accompanying members of the delegation all crowded around the viewport, curiously examining this unfamiliar civilization.

If nothing unexpected happened, they would be stationed here as envoys for quite a long time.

Unlike the cyber-classical style of the Xianzhou, Earth of the Starsea Empire—after several expansions and modifications—had completely transformed into a futuristic technological landscape.

Minimalist design aesthetics. Anti-gravity buildings of various shapes floating in the air. All sorts of marvelous structures that defied the laws of physics.

Everywhere, it showcased the Empire’s achievements in engineering.

”Ah… this place… it’s like…”

Sushang tapped her head, then suddenly realized.

”It’s like Xianzhou Yaoqing! Um, just bigger than Yaoqing—and with houses floating in the air!”

Yaoqing maintained close cooperation with the Interastral Peace Corporation, and its style leaned more toward a futuristic metropolis.

Sushang felt this place was like an upgraded Yaoqing, and she relaxed slightly, gaining a small sense of familiarity.

”Mm…”

”The bigger the place, the more overtime work there is…”

Qingque still wore a world-weary expression.

Click—

After the starship landed.

Tingyun adjusted her clothes, carefully combed every strand of fur on her tail, clapped her hands lightly, and led the delegation down the gangway.

”Everyone, be mindful. Don’t disgrace the Luofu.”

”Mm…”

Sushang followed behind Tingyun, nervously glancing around.

If one had to use a single word to describe their impression upon arriving at the Starsea Empire, it would be: big.

Their starships were big. Their cities were big. Everything seemed one size larger than the Xianzhou.

”Welcome, esteemed guests. Commander is awaiting you. Please follow me.”

Belfast, accompanied by the Royal Maid Corps, gracefully performed a curtsey toward the delegation.

A small squad of Angeloids accompanied them as well.

”She’s so beautiful!”

Sushang jolted.

Clack—

With a lift of her hand, Belfast casually manifested a small spacecraft.

”The administrative center is some distance away. Please follow me.”

Manifesting a ship out of thin air again.

They had seen it once when welcoming Grey. Now they saw it again upon arriving at the Starsea Empire.

Tingyun began to suspect whether this was some kind of superpower possessed by everyone in the Empire.

”My, there is no need for surprise. This is merely a small talent of shipgirls.”

The head maid seemed to read her thoughts and spoke with a smile.

”Just as foxians possess keener senses, and the Vidyadhara enjoy individual immortality, our race has a few minor talents of its own.”

”This humble lady feels that conjuring a spaceship out of thin air is somewhat different from merely having sharper reflexes…”

Whether it was the long lifespans of the Xianzhou or the Vidyadhara cycle of rebirth, those still fell within the realm of comprehension.

But a racial gift that allowed one to summon ships at will… no matter how one looked at it, it felt rather uncanny.

”Ah, does each person manifest a different-sized ship?”

Sushang suddenly caught a small detail.

”Mm-hm.”

”Miss Grey’s hull is very large. Yours is a bit smaller… Could there be someone who can manifest a ship as large as a Xianzhou vessel?”

She craned her neck and asked.

”If that were the case… wow, one person would equal an entire flagship!!!”

The delegation was startled by Sushang’s wild imagination.

”…Perhaps.”

Belfast smiled without answering.

As the ship passed through the bustling capital, the delegation discovered that the entire city was filled with girls.

Running and skipping through the streets were little lolis and Bulins, along with squads of Heroic Spirits, Spirits, and others dressed in unusual outfits.

Flying overhead were Angeloids. From the sea, Seiren occasionally surfaced, poking their heads above the water to observe these visitors from another world.

Passing over buildings of all shapes and designs, guided by the Angeloids, they arrived at the top floor of the administrative center.

Click—

Within the spacious hall, Tingyun finally saw the leader of the Starsea Empire—so mysterious to the Xianzhou.

A remarkably young man sat somewhat casually before the main console.

Around him clustered girls in various styles of dress. Without exception, each of them was beautiful.

”Commander, the guests have arrived.”

Setsuna cast his gaze over.

”Eep—”

Sushang grew so nervous she nearly lost her footing.

Tingyun stepped forward two paces, bowed her head, and presented the state letter.

”The Xianzhou Alliance—Luofu delegation pays respects to the Sacrosanct.”

”This humble lady is Tingyun, Envoy of the Sky-Faring Commission, temporarily appointed as resident envoy to the Starsea Empire. I humbly request the Sacrosanct’s guidance.”

The Xianzhou often addressed gods as ”Sacrosancts.” Since they did not know the other party’s honorific title, they simply used that form of address.

She then instructed the delegation to present their gifts—mostly delicately crafted handicrafts, fine pastries, and several medicinal pills.

”This humble lady has prepared some local specialties. This is a miniature model of the Luofu crafted by the Artisanship Commission. These are Blazing Sun Oranges selected by the merchant guild just the other day. These pearls come from the depths of Talasa Abyss…”

”In addition, there are twelve pills refined by the Alchemy Commission, said to prolong life and dispel disease.”

Her etiquette was impeccable. Setsuna could not help but sigh inwardly. As expected of the chief of the merchant guild—there was nothing to fault in her conduct.

Though the pills she had gone to great lengths to obtain were of little use in the Starsea Empire, the sincerity behind them remained.

”Sacrosanct, hm… It’s not a bad title. You may call me Commander.”

”Thank you. I accept your goodwill.”

He nodded.

”… ”

From Setsuna, Tingyun sensed a pressure even greater than that of Jing Yuan.

It might be somewhat disrespectful to say, but she felt that the General of the Luofu, in terms of sheer presence, fell far short of this Commander of the Starsea Empire.

Sushang pressed her lips together, trembling slightly, afraid of embarrassing the Luofu.

”I have already arranged lodging for the delegation. The Angeloids will take you there shortly.”

Setsuna rose to his feet and cleared his throat.

”If you have any needs, inform me. The Starsea Empire will meet your requests.”

”This humble lady wishes to contribute to the exchange between the Xianzhou and the Starsea Empire, and hopes to better understand the Sacrosanct’s domain.”

Tingyun said modestly.

”That’s simple. Stay awhile. Visit other worlds. You’ll naturally come to understand.”

Setsuna waved his hand.

”We have many unique activities here that you won’t find elsewhere. If you’d like to try them, I can take you.”

Gudako thumped her chest confidently.

”Oh? That would be most welcome. This humble lady thanks you in advance…”

”Hunting aliens, generating electricity with living organisms, using photoids to blast the sun for fun, and Eternal Silver—oh, no, that one’s a VIP project. Which would you like to try?”

”…Eh?”

Tingyun froze for quite a while, carefully contemplating the bizarre projects Gudako had just mentioned.

Some of those names sounded terrible the moment one heard them.

In the end, she could only offer an awkward yet polite smile.

”Mm… The Starsea Empire is truly wondrous. This humble lady does not yet fully understand these matters. Might the Sacrosanct explain them in a little more detail?”

”Of course!”

Gudako perked up enthusiastically.

”The alien-hunting activity is easy to understand, right? We pilot faster-than-light starships and go to—”

”Hunting? Aliens? …”

Just hearing those words strung together gave Tingyun and Sushang an ominous feeling.

Thump—

Setsuna knocked Gudako lightly on the head.

”Settle the delegation in the capital first. Your ’special projects’ can wait until later.”

...

Half an hour later.

”This is the residence Commander has arranged for you. If you have any needs or issues, please report them to the Angeloids.”

In the residential district of the capital.

Belfast and the Angeloids guided the Luofu delegation into a courtyard estate.

Considering the size of the delegation, the courtyard was much larger than an ordinary villa, composed of several independent small buildings.

Gardens and artificial rock formations were all present. If such a lavish land-use plan were proposed in the Starskiff Haven or Exalting Sanctum, the Realm-Keeping Commission would likely never approve it.

Inside, the layout followed the same minimalist sci-fi aesthetic as the rest of the Starsea Empire. On the walls, on the furniture—anywhere at all—one could summon a holographic interface.

”Oh…”

The delegation looked around in fascination. Unlike Grey’s group, who had brought an entire suite of research equipment, they were a pure diplomatic mission. An estate of this scale was more than sufficient.

Rustle!—

A row of Angeloids bowed in perfect unison.

”Welcome. Household Angeloid MK3 units at your service.”

”During your stay in the Starsea Empire, your daily needs will be attended to by us.”

”Ah!”

Tingyun jumped slightly and took a closer look.

Each Angeloid was beautiful, dressed in a uniform outfit, a pair of white wings folded neatly behind her back.

Their movements were perfectly synchronized and impeccably respectful.

”Oh my—there’s no need, truly! We can take care of ourselves!”

The foxian girl’s ears twitched as she hurriedly waved her hands.

”The Angeloids are artificial intelligences created by the Starsea Empire. There is no need for concern.”

Belfast said with a smile.

”Eh? …”

Recalling the flocks of Angeloids in the sky and the squad accompanying the Starsea Empire delegation, Tingyun blinked.

”So that’s the case?”

”Yes. The Angeloids are capable of handling most tasks in daily life. If necessary, they can also assume security duties. Please inform them promptly of any needs.”

”The Starsea Empire’s territory is vast. When traveling, you may have the Angeloids escort you.”

Belfast gestured outside the courtyard, where several shuttles and small spacecraft were parked.

Tingyun and Sushang knew a little about piloting starskiffs, but those were entirely different from the Starsea Empire’s faster-than-light vessels.

The Angeloids doubled as chauffeurs.

”Wow—”

The delegation once again felt like country folk entering a grand metropolis. Though both were interstellar civilizations, the other side’s living standards seemed far superior.

”…Hm?”

Qingque’s eyes darted around as a bold idea took shape.

”Um… may I ask, could they help me with some work?”

”For routine tasks, certainly. The Angeloids are equivalent to small supercomputers and can also connect to the central network to access greater processing power.”

Belfast considered.

”However, for matters from other worlds, the Angeloids will require some time to learn. Your divination arts, after all, are new to us.”

The work of Divination Commission clerks was nothing more than vast amounts of calculation and deduction. Qingque was among the lowest-ranking diviners, mostly handling basic tasks.

Such work posed no difficulty for the Angeloids.

”Yay!!”

The little loli’s eyes shone. She clapped her hands and warmly took an Angeloid’s hand.

Then she bowed deeply.

”I’m counting on you! Thank you, the Sacrosanct!! Thank you all!!”

”?”

The Angeloids were startled. It was their first time receiving such a grand bow.

Qingque had been despairing over the pile of assignments Fu Xuan had handed her, thinking she would face endless overtime even in the Starsea Empire.

Instead, she had found her savior immediately.

Artificial intelligence truly was the greatest invention in the world. It held profound significance for the advancement of the noble art of slacking off.

Unfortunately, the old conservatives of the Xianzhou harbored deep psychological scars regarding artificial intelligence and strictly regulated the performance and manufacturing of automatons.

Let alone assisting her work—anyone who suggested giving automatons greater thinking or computational ability would likely be hauled off for investigation.

”… ”

Tingyun felt a deep sense of worry about her delegation.

One slacker. One inexperienced Cloud Knight rookie.

Compared to the professional team Grey had brought, the gap was painfully obvious.

She could not count on them for serious matters. She would have to salvage the Luofu’s dignity herself.

”This humble lady thanks the Sacrosanct for such generosity. We are newly arrived and unfamiliar with the Starsea Empire’s regulations. Should we commit any offense, we beg your understanding.”

”May we review the Empire’s laws first, lest we inadvertently violate them?”

The Xianzhou Alliance had the Xianzhou Codex. She assumed the Starsea Empire must have something similar.

”There are laws, yes. Though they’ve never really been used.”

Belfast handed Tingyun a tablet containing records of the Starsea Empire.

The Imperial Code had been compiled long ago by Astraea of the Type-Moon world—the goddess of justice—to regulate vassal states and maintain order among other subordinate worlds.

As for the Starsea Empire’s homeland, being a utopian world with zero crime, the legal code was largely decorative.

”Never… used? …”

From these absurd little details, Tingyun gradually realized she had arrived somewhere utterly unbelievable.

...

”Mm…”

After settling in, the delegation began exploring this unfamiliar empire from another world.

Walking through the capital’s streets, they found the Starsea Empire’s prosperity surpassed even Exalting Sanctum and the Starskiff Haven.

Anti-gravity structures rose from the ground to the sky. Shuttles and Angeloids moved constantly through the air.

Looking around, Tingyun and Sushang noticed the staggering diversity of species within the Starsea Empire.

Not only were there flocks of lolis and Bulins, but also countless catgirls, Horse Girls, and other strange beings.

As a foxian, Tingyun could blend in perfectly.

Entering the commercial center, they found an overwhelming array of goods.

From peculiar magical artifacts to specialties from countless worlds—everything imaginable was available.

Sushang wandered toward what appeared to be a weapons exhibition area, craning her neck at the oddly shaped armaments.

”Does the Starsea Empire use swords too? I thought you usually fought by piloting starships?”

”Magic and technology from across myriad worlds converge here. Not everyone has the need to fight in space.”

An Angeloid elegantly introduced the merchandise.

”This is Murasame, originally from the Akame ga Kill world. The blade carries a lethal curse toxin, highly effective against ordinary organisms. Suitable for novice swordsmen.”

”Beside it is an improved Nichirin Blade, likewise suitable for beginners. More advanced users may select weapons seized from the Re:Zero and Goblin Slayer worlds.”

The Angeloid glanced at the greatsword strapped to Sushang’s back, judging she had some foundation.

”Additionally, for those capable of wielding Honkai energy, there are replica versions of Judgment of Shamash, Abyss Flower, and Xuanyuan Sword available…”

”For ranged combat, we also offer magic scrolls. However, casting super-tier spells requires passing the qualification exam at the Magic Academy.”

”Wow—”

The array of weapons was dazzling.

Tingyun selected several magic scrolls. She had seen Himeko use them on the Xianzhou before.

”This item can seal other objects within and summon them when needed?”

”How convenient… If applied to the Sky-Faring Commission, it would surely ease the burden of the Xianzhou’s foreign trade.”

She was about to pay when she realized something.

”May I ask, is there a merchant exchange here? This humble lady would like to convert some currency of the Starsea Empire.”

”Oh, are you newly arrived? There’s no such thing as money here. If you like something, just take it.”

Nearby, Akame and Kurome, who were out shopping, chuckled at the scene.

”Eh?”

Tingyun froze. She suddenly recalled how Kiana had grabbed items and run in the Starskiff Haven.

So… they had been telling the truth?

”How can that be?!”

Sushang, honest as ever, immediately sensed something wrong and tried to argue.

”If someone were greedy—eating and drinking for free every day without working, and hoarding treasures everywhere—wouldn’t that throw the world into chaos?!”

”Mm… On the Xianzhou, we arrest thieves every so often!”

”Uh… eating and drinking for free?”

Akame scratched her head.

”I think Commander wouldn’t mind… Just the resources developed within this universe alone are already more than we can use…”

”Though we’d rather go to other worlds to find something interesting to do…”

”Wow!!”

Qingque was overjoyed.

She had just discovered yet another piece of wonderful news.

”I love the Starsea Empire! Long live the Sacrosanct! May I ask where immigration procedures are handled?”

—

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