Bab 83: Chapter 83: The “Killer” Volleyball
At this time of year in Orlan, autumn had already arrived. Thus, the afternoon sun wasn't as harsh as in summer.
On this beach, Lin Lan had originally planned to enjoy a warm nap in the sun.
However, Princess Deutschland of the Iron Blood had brought a volleyball and eagerly invited him to a beach volleyball match.
Well, Lin Lan's plan to nap on the beach was now in jeopardy.
On this not very large beach, apart from Deutschland and Spee, three submarines lolis and Elbe were all ready to compete with Lin Lan.
As for Ulrich and the others, since they had other work to do in the port area in the afternoon, they said their goodbyes to Lin Lan after lunch.
Since they were all in the same port area, finding them later was just a few steps away.
Lin Lan didn't actually know how to play volleyball; his understanding of the game was limited to watching matches on TV.
But beach volleyball was supposed to be just for fun, without any strict rules.
After being dragged onto the beach by Deutschland, Lin Lan initially thought it would be a casual entertainment game with his girls.
However, when he saw U101 serve the ball and create a large crater in the sand next to him, he was immediately filled with a chill.
"Are you guys trying to kill me today!"
The large crater in the sand made him decide on the spot to quit this "killer volleyball" game.
"Ah, I didn't control the strength well just now, Commander, don't mind it."
U101 had removed her cap and put it away, giggling as she apologized to Lin Lan.
"You guys should be mindful of my servants; after all, lower-class beings are not as tough as us, they're quite fragile."
Hearing Deutschland's words, Lin Lan felt a bit unwilling but had to admit that she had a point.
Although his body had returned to its youthful appearance, he was not Superman.
Getting hit by that ball could be fatal.
Before he could say anything, Deutschland, grinning widely, lifted the volleyball and showed him a mischievous smile.
"But, servant, since you've been away from us for so long, we have to settle the score properly."
Seeing Deutschland's mischievous smile as she scrutinized him, Lin Lan let out a cry of distress and ran away.
He knew it—this volleyball match was definitely a "plot" against him.
It was too late to regret now.
Deutschland's ball did not hit Lin Lan, but bounced off the ground with a force that was no less than before.
Lin Lan could even feel the air pressure as the volleyball passed by him!
"You're using this as a chance to get revenge on me! Help!"
"Heh heh heh, Commander, after disappearing for so long, everyone has some grievances, and now they're all coming out!"
The silver-haired girl, Elbe, had picked up the volleyball and, with a smile, threw it back at Lin Lan.
"Thud."
The ball did not hit Lin Lan but landed in front of him, making his heart race.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the bouncing volleyball and hugged it tightly.
"I declare this volleyball match over! I'm confiscating this ball!"
Lin Lan tightly held the volleyball and sighed in relief for his quick thinking. But then he saw that Spee had another volleyball in her hand.
Ah, weren't we supposed to have just one ball?
"Commander, I'm sorry…"
Spee's cold voice, full of apology, came through as the silver-haired girl assumed a pitching stance.
"Spee, you're my little angel! How could you join them too!"
Thus, amidst Lin Lan's cries of despair, the "friendly" beach volleyball match continued.
"Hah, hah, hah…"
An hour later, Lin Lan lay exhausted on the beach, unable to move.
And on this small beach, there were now more than ten large craters.
"Hehe, Commander, do you realize your mistake now?"
The little lolis U556 and U1026 crouched beside Lin Lan, looking down at him with smiles, and began to wipe the sweat from his face.
"You guys are really too much."
Although Lin Lan said this, he knew that they didn't genuinely want to hurt him with the volleyball.
These ship girls of his were all battle-hardened, fully leveled, and if there were a game panel, their accuracy stats would probably be maxed out by now.
Even just avoiding the ball had already exhausted him.
"Meow haha, drinks are here, meow."
Akashi's voice came through, and she arrived on the beach with several manjuu girls carrying glasses of juice.
The sly merchant's voice carried an uncontrollable hint of amusement. Lin Lan didn't need to guess; Akashi had probably seen his disheveled state in detail.
"Here, feeding the servant is also a duty of the master."
Deutschland brought a beige drink and crouched next to Lin Lan, the Iron Blood princess with black hair and red highlights cheerfully pointing the straw at him.
After Lin Lan finally managed to catch his breath and looked at the mischievous smile on the girl's face as she handed him the drink, what could he do?
Since he couldn't refuse, he might as well enjoy it.
The cool and refreshing drink made Lin Lan feel his energy restoring significantly.
This must be pear juice.
Come to think of it, he had seen Deutschland carrying a bag of pears in the morning. It seemed there might be a pear orchard nearby?
Lin Lan pondered this as he finished the pear juice.
After such intense exercise, he felt much better compared to the morning.
The saying "life is in movement" certainly has some truth to it.
"This time it's a free service from Akashi, meow. If you want drinks in the future, it'll be for a fee, meow~"
Akashi also squatted next to Lin Lan, grinning as she spoke.
Well, a cunning merchant truly lived up to her name; they had just met, and she was already reverting to her true nature.
Lin Lan sat up from the beach, shot a fierce glare at the little merchant, then turned to look at the empty beach and said:
"This place is really too small, and there's no entertainment on the beach. It's too lacking in functions."
"Commander, you could also choose to have us occupy a city directly, like the Eagle Union,"
Elbe suggested with a mischievous smile as she stood beside Lin Lan.
"That's not impossible, but it would need some careful planning."
Lin Lan thought about the meager reward he had received from the Navy Department in the morning and inwardly cursed—working people really have no way out.
The oil he looted from the Tian'ou Group's oil depot in Lihu County was worth several hundred times more than that lousy reward.
To get rich, it seemed he would still need to rely on these unconventional methods.
Elbe's suggestion made Lin Lan start to consider some ideas.
After all, although the Eagle Union was famously "rogue," the Iron Blood's reputation was no less formidable.
With so many cute U-boat wolves at his disposal, a maritime raid against the Orlan United States could also be feasible.
"Well, whatever the Commander wants to do, we will fully support it, hmm~"
Elbe saw that Lin Lan was moved by her words and displayed a classic, teasing smile.
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