Chapter 764: The British Man Who Missed Peaches (Subscription Request, Monthly Tickets Request)
Hearing the conditions proposed by the British that Hood relayed, Chen Yu only wanted to use a popular internet slang phrase: "Are you out of your freaking minds?"
However, before bursting into curses, Chen Yu couldn't help but sneer. It was so typically British, always wanting to gain the biggest benefit possible, even if it meant suffering a loss themselves, and always leaving a trick or two behind to make others miserable.
It was the same when they withdrew from the Middle East. After the British left Mesopotamia, the locals practically turned their brains to mush, and that was because the British deliberately drew highly problematic borders in the Middle East and fueled animosity between nations.
Not to mention India and Pakistan, just look at the mess the British left in Hong Kong when they withdrew their troops, a mess that still had severe repercussions twenty years later.
So, faced with such outrageous demands from the British, Chen Yu had only two words for them: "No way."
Hood naturally understood that Chen Yu would never teach Summoning Spell to the British. Although she was a British warship, the moment she was summoned by Chen Yu as a ship-girl, her allegiance had shifted to him, and she would never betray him.
Therefore, after receiving Chen Yu's response, she wasn't surprised at all, and she conveyed this answer back to the British Government's transcendent beings.
"This... If that's the case, I'm afraid we won't be able to let you take the Belfast away," the Mage with the white beard responded unhappily to Hood's given answer, but lacking the strength to engage in conflict, they could only offer such a response, still hoping to get what they wanted from Hood.
However, faced with the white-bearded Mage's reply, Hood, who was once a British warship, knew the British people's habits all too well.
"Gentlemen, if you really intend to do so, then I regret to announce that negotiations have failed, and we will have to resolve this issue by force," Hood shook her head, giving up the idea of further entanglement, and stated directly, "The Belfast is someone that I must take away today. Out of respect for my past as a member of the Royal Navy and my oath of allegiance to the Queen, I am willing to offer the British Government and the Royal Navy some reasonable compensation. But that doesn't mean you can make exorbitant demands."
"Miss Hood, we haven't made any exorbitant demands," a gentleman nearby still wanted to explain. He stepped in front of Hood, speaking to her earnestly, "The Belfast is a warship of the Royal Navy filled with honor and achievements. Because of its illustrious wartime accomplishments, it has become the second ship in British history to be preserved in the name of the nation. I believe such a ship is priceless, even as a bargaining chip, and I think it is worthy of a trade for a Summoning Spell that turns warships into humans, isn't it?"
Although the well-dressed man maintained the etiquette and could still put on the airs of a gentleman, speaking with a tone that deliberately imitated a former London gentleman, Hood still felt his words were frivolous.
"Enough! I am already sick of your colonial-flavored rhetoric!" Hood rudely cut him off and spoke impatiently, "If you think these kinds of clingy tactics and my past service in the Royal Navy will make me yield, then you are sorely mistaken! I am a warship, and I prefer to solve problems the military way."
Having said this, Hood wanted to turn away, no longer willing to continue the fruitless discussion with these two persistent men.
However, the man dressed as a gentleman blocked Hood's path, apparently wanting to say something more, and even reached for Hood's arm.
If Hood were truly an ordinary woman, he might have achieved his goal, but Hood was a ship-girl.
As the supposedly genteel man extended his hand towards Hood, it was her ship equipment that responded quicker, suddenly manifesting on her body to intercept his action and pressing the muzzle of its gun against his face.
"You truly disgust me! That outfit is a travesty on you!" Hood glared at the man before her, her voice dripping with disdain. The frivolous and colonial air he exuded clashed so starkly with the traditional British gentleman's attire, it was as absurd as a baboon donning human clothes and insisting it was human.
Whitebeard, the mage, quickly pulled the pretentious man away and, after apologizing to Hood, continued, "Miss Hood, I'm aware that this may be troubling for you, or perhaps our demands were indeed too steep, but obviously, you must also recognize the significance of The Belfast to the United Kingdom. You cannot expect to take it without offering something in return, can you?"
"So what on earth do you want!" Hood was fed up with these two persistent men, filled with both sorrow and bafflement. Where had all the polite and charming gentlemen gone? Had the true gentlemen disappeared with the setting sun of the Empire, leaving the United Kingdom to negotiate with the likes of these people now?
Facing Hood's near-volcanic demeanor, the mage with the white beard consulted with the British government officials behind the scenes before responding, "There are no true demigods left in the United Kingdom."
——————————————————
Upon hearing the British people's demands recounted by Hood, Chen Yu scoffed disdainfully, shaking his head, "The British really do drive a hard bargain, swapping a warship for a demigod. What makes them think I would agree to such a demand? What stops me from obtaining what I want in a country devoid of demigods?"
"Commander..." Although Hood was equally outraged by the British people's attitude, seeing Chen Yu's dismissive manner made her want to plead on their behalf.
Chen Yu raised his hand to stop Hood from continuing, slightly nodding, "I know what you want to say, and for your sake, if that's what they want, then it's not out of the question."
"Commander, I'm truly sorry!" Hood apologized to Chen Yu, bowing her head, "I have caused great trouble for you due to my recklessness, which is truly a dereliction of my duty."
"It's no matter, letting The Belfast join us is also a way to enhance our strength," Chen Yu dismissed Hood's apology with a shake of his head, "You tell the British people that summoning a ship-girl requires the use of a ship filled with history and glory; modern warships are not out of the question, but without a ship with history and legend, even if you manage to summon it, it can never become a demigod."