Author: This is "in between the events" which happened not long after the events of 'Lost at Sea and In another World' Chapter 31 (specifically the last part). This is what happened after that story and before "another story".

NOTE: If there's indeed another story, I'll confirm it and make an update but it's "unknown" for a while. Also, this is going to be a short story which is going to be 5 chapters or less.(still not sure).

A new life in another world...

The peace is soothing and relaxing for most people but not for the likes of the Iron Blood heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. She often entertain themselves by teasing and toying with others since she easily gets bored. Of course she makes sure her own game doesn't bite back at her or escalate into chaos. Prinz Eugen lives for the fun not the danger but her current life had become mundane.

"The humans here are different"

Prinz Eugen observed the ordinary humans around her, walking about their own businesses. She sighs in boredom since she's been watching humans walk in front of her yet nothing is changing for the past two hours. She wonders how Tirpitz could stay quiet for hours without the need to change to another activity.

"If you're so bored then go back to Iron Blood"

Tirpitz, slightly annoyed, responded to her companion with a stern and unamused expression. While Tirpitz isn't as devoted to the nation like Bismarck, she shares her "no nonsense" side from her.

"That's impossible right now...after everything you told me"

"Oddly enough, you believed me. You didn't think of a possiblity I could have lied to you in order to manipulate you"

Tirpitz raised an eyebrow, pointing out a "flaw" that Prinz Eugen didn't do prior to arriving at a human town.

"You never lie" Prinz Eugen responded lazily

"What makes you say that?"

"I don't trust easily so I try to see through everyone as much as I could. You never lie to use others because you resorting to such method is tedious and not worth the effort. Knowing myself, I guess it's the reason my future self followed your future self without questioning it"

"Is that so?" Tirpitz smirked

The pair relaxed by the side, surrounded by the peace and quiet. Tirpitz is accustomed to long periods of serenity but it doesn't apply to Prinz Eugen who chose to stay with her.

"Still, its surprising my future self scuttled herself. Everyone who saw thought I blew myself up" Prinz Eugen is clearly unhappy

"That's correct"

"Now I'm officially dead and gone..."

"That is also correct"

"If I had known I'd unintentionally fake my own death, I wouldn't have let my guard down when I saw someone who looked like me while I was alone in a mission"

Prinz Eugen crossed her arms and with an upset expression, she directly gazed at Tirpitz who isn't the least bothered with how the turn of events affected the heavy cruiser.

"Well, how else is she going to spy in Iron Blood without Bismarck noticing that she wasn't the real Prinz Eugen? The only way for her to do that was to indirectly spy by hijacking her past self" Tirpitz sighs

"Even if it's my future self, being used by her wasn't a pleasant feeling. It's like I was sleep walking and overworking myself at the same time"

Prinz Eugen described her experience of being an unwilling accomplice during the events with Tyrant. She was used without her permission and she voiced out she doesn't like it. Rather than apologize, Tirpitz smiled and scoffed, somewhat teasing the still annoyed Prinz Eugen.

"If you know yourself, then you shouldn't be angry at me. It's not my fault you committed suicide in front of Bismarck and the others"

"..."

"You could still go back to our world. Tyrant's dead and I'm the traitor now"

"I still can't. You said my tsundere big sister cried like a little girl. She'd kill me herself if she finds out I'm still alive"

"How about Prince of Wales?"

"No comment"

Prinz Eugen looked away and her response only amused Tirpitz who expected her answer.

"I may be upset that I unintentionally faked my own death but I prefer it this way" Prinz Eugen isn't completely upset

"Why?"

"I don't like being tied down in Iron Blood by the petty humans. Besides, if we both go back...our future selves died for nothing"

"..."

"You betrayed Iron Blood for their sake and brought me since you knew I'd be either executed or be thrown back to jail"

"I left Iron Blood for my own sake. Bismarck will repeat her mistake and I don't want to be burdened by her problems. I brought you along since there's a chance the Sirens might find you first before the shipgirls can" Tirpitz explained

"See. You're just like Bismarck. You're willing to make unacceptable choices for the sake of others. You both won't mind staining your hands if it's for someone else's sake"

"You're wrong about that"

Tirpitz immediately replied to Prinz Eugen who reacted in mild surprise seeing how serious Tirpitz is.

"Bismarck will never resort to using dirty methods. My older sister values honor and pride so much she wouldn't stab anyone in the back and use other people"

"Right. Only you would do that because you didn't hesitate to literally stab your own sister and leave without even apologizing properly"

When Prinz Eugen clearly referred to her in a sarcastic tone, Tirpitz punished her by giving her a chop in the head. Prinz Eugen massaged her head after being given a rightful but sudden punishment.

Later...

The two continued to explore a coastal city somewhere in France like ordinary tourists but only Prinz Eugen is enjoying the modern city filled with sights and never saw in their own world. Tirpitz is already familiar with her surroundings so only Prinz Eugen took interest in everything around them.

"So what are we going to do here exactly? If I'm sticking by you, I need to know why are we hanging out here in this world"

"You're not forced to stay with me. Go home when you feel like it" Tirpitz reminded her

"I told you already. I'm officially dead so there's no point for me to go back to Iron Blood. They'd kill me twice if they see me somehow back from the dead"

"Enterprise has the coordinates and the Sirens probably found about it by now. The Creator's other half is in this world and the Sirens know it"

Tirpitz turned to a corner and head to a site where there are no humans present. There, she decided to inform more of what's happening while Prinz Eugen is busy enjoying her new life even if it feels mundane.

"So we're like the good guys now?" Prinz Eugen jokingly asked

"My job is to ensure no Siren will get in the way since it's up to Azur Lane to meet up with the other half of the Creator. The Tyrant Code's primary objective is to eliminate those who opposes and resists the administrator. I get rid of anyone who would stand in my way. That's why it's was given the name [Tyrant] because its purpose is to crush the opposition and those who defy"

"Huh, so it's not just because it sounds cool..."

This made Prinz Eugen laughed since she isn't aware that the codename [Tyrant] was given because of its purpose not because it was a random chosen name.

"Also, who is the Administrator?" Prinz Eugen scratched her head

"One of the several names for the other half of the Creator. The one who decided to postpone humanity's destruction in this timeline by running away and stripping the Creator half of her authority" Tirpitz further explained

"Oh, so they're pissed off. She weakened the Creator and flipped her off before disappearing. None of the Sirens could find her so they're very frustrated right now. No wonder you said Tester showed up out of nowhere to rip out the Coordinates out of the weakened Tyrant. They're already desperate"

After learning this, Prinz Eugen couldn't help but laugh while Tirpitz blankly stared at her, silently waiting for the heavy cruiser to finish.

"Let me get this straight, we're just on the sidelines since getting to the Administrator first is Azur Lane's job and not ours. We're just here to make sure nothing goes wrong like the Sirens getting in the way"

Prinz Eugen tries to understand what Tirpitz had just said regarding the purpose of why they're staying in the world filled with Abyssals than Sirens.

"That's right"

"This isn't bad. We're not doing the hard work but we're doing our part to make sure they won't mess up" Prinz Eugen is less annoyed than she was an hour ago

"It won't be easy. The Bismarck of this world knows about my betrayal and so does her fleet. That's why while we're doing our part, we can't let them be aware of our presence"

"You did say the Bismarck of this world saw you betray our Bismarck. So how are we going to avoid them?"

"By not going near Japan or the Sakura Empire of this world. They're stationed at the Maizuru Naval district so I had us stay here in a country called France"

Tirpitz projected a map and pinpointed both the Japan and France, showing how far the two countries are. Japan is around in Asia while France is around in Western Europe which gave enough distance away from the Maizuru fleet.

"So if they find us, we kill them?" Prinz Eugen wanted to confirm

"If possible...no"

"Because you're still attached to them. You did spend a lot of time with them"

Prinz Eugen crossed her arms, her voice deepened when she mentioned that Tirpitz still has lingering attachment. This is a flaw which will prove problematic in the future and Prinz Eugen is well aware of it.

"Avoid casualties in this world as much as possible. If we start killing random people, especially shipgirls...then that would make things harder for us" Tirpitz reminded Prinz Eugen

"Well, that's true. If you're hiding, the last thing you want to do is get unnecessary attention. We don't want the shipgirls here going after us" Prinz Eugen agreed

"Oddly, you decided to go along with this? You're free to do as you please in this world"

"I like to live freely and for fun but I can't do that if the Sirens had turned our world to scrap. That's why I'll follow you on this one, Tirpitz. I won't be going back to Iron Blood but instead I'll stay here with you"

"I see. Then you're free to stay as long you don't make a nuisance out of yourself and be at least helpful" Tirpitz laid out two conditions

"Don't worry, I'll be cooperating with you since neither of us can go back to Iron Blood and neither us want the Sirens to do as they please. I'm not blindly loyal to Iron Blood but I'm against the Sirens like everyone else"

Prinz Eugen assured Tirpitz of her cooperation and made it clear while she's not devoted to Iron Blood like the others, she resents the Sirens as to her, they are natural enemies because she is a shipgirl.

"Since we're not going to do anything right now, I'm off trying their croissants here. If you need me, just contact me,"

"Just don't go running off to another city or something. I have to meet with the Administrator again soon"

"Again?" Prinz Eugen raised an eyebrow

"She's aware of what's happening and surprised me when she came to see me after arriving here. She asked about Bismarck since my sister is the original Tyrant. I told her I replaced her earlier"

"You met her and you didn't wake me up" Prinz Eugen pretended to look upset

"She only stayed for a few minutes before disappearing again. She's a Siren who has no intention of ending the war herself because humans should take responsibility over their own actions. She's just here to make sure humanity doesn't destroy themselves"

"She sets the balance in the world to prevent one side overweighing the other. Like an enforcer of the natural laws" Prinz Eugen interpreted

"That's right. The Administrator is someone who removes anything and anyone that disturbs the natural balance. I learned she was separated from the Creator because of the abnormalities and disruption she's causing. This is a natural response because of the imbalance"

"A natural response. Like giving a predator to a prey who had no one to fear and keep in check" That's what Prinz Eugen understood

"The World made a natural enemy for the Creator since there was nothing to keep her in check. She was getting too powerful and made it worse when she produced the Sirens"

At the very least, Prinz Eugen understood the basic context but she's still confused about the relationship of the one Tirpitz calls the Administrator and the Creator. The only thing she understood is that the Administrator is someone who existed as a natural response to the natural order slowly collapsing from Siren interference.

"I think I'll try their food here before dealing with the Sirens and Azur Lane. I really wanted to try their breads here"

"Suit yourself but don't run in with the Marine Nationale girls here" Tirpitz allowed her to leave

"The what?" Prinz Eugen stopped in her tracks

"The Marine Nationale is the counterpart of Iris Libre and Vichya Dominion here. Since this is a modern world, they're no longer at each other's throats and reunited into a single fleet again" Tirpitz explained

"Now I'm curious to meet them" Prinz Eugen giggled

"..." Tirpitz glared at her

Prinz Eugen then ran off to explore more the French town, deciding to enjoy her newfound freedom in case someone tries to take it from her. A minute or two after the heavy cruiser, cheerfully left to spend the new few hours by herself, Tirpitz turned her head upon noticing a certain someone behind her.

"It's you..."

Tirpitz slightly frowned when she immediately recognized the figure who easily found her. While strolling the quiet street, Prinz Eugen turned her head to the left, seconds before someone stumbled into her. The one who struck her fell on her back, making a thud and dropping what seems to be groceries.

"Ouch!"

The one who fell on her own rear was none other than the Kriegsmarine version of Prinz Eugen. Neither of the two Prinz Eugen can recognize each other as neither of them met in person before.

"I'm so sorry! I was in a hurry that I wasn't looking where I was running!"

Kriegsmarine's Prinz Eugen felt embarrassed when her counterpart picks up the groceries for her. When the Iron Blood counterpart handed over the pair of grocery filled plastic bags, the Kriegsmarine counterpart quickly apologized.

"That's fine. It's not like I'm injured"

AL Prinz Eugen then examined the strange girl's appearance. She's about her "age" but she's in a military-like uniform.

"That symbol on your shoulder..." AL Prinz Eugen took interest in the coat of arms

"This? This is my coat of arms. I'm the Admiral Hipper class heavy cruiser, Prinz Eugen!"

KC Prinz Eugen cheerfully introduced herself, proud to let others know who she is. Immediately realizing that the one who bumped into her was her Kriegsmarine counterpart, Iron Blood Prinz Eugen became speechless.

(This is...the Prinz Eugen of this world? She's not who I expected she is. She certainly doesn't have the same personality as me with just one look. Besides, she looks like the happy go lucky type)

While AL Prinz Eugen remained speechless at her counterpart's innocent-like and cheerful demeanor, another shipgirl entered the scene, KC Prinz felt awkward since she doesn't know why the "strange girl" is in shock upon introducing herself as a Kriegsmarine ship.

"Say, is your Admiral Hipper what they call a tsundere?"

"A tsundere? My sister doesn't call anyone stupid or idiot when she gets complimented but she does get flustered. Have you met my older sister?"

"Not the one you know. The one I know has a sharp tongue and cries when she loses an argument"

AL Prinz Eugen couldn't help but chuckle since her Kriegsmarine counterpart isn't aware she's talking to another Prinz Eugen. This made "entertainment" for AL Prinz Eugen whose enjoying the obliviousness of her counterpart. She sees her Kriegsmarine counterpart as someone who doesn't do the teasing but the one who gets to be teased.

"You're kind of cute, you know. I wonder if everyone is head over heels about you"

"U-uhm, I don't know about that...but the admiral says I look cute when I smile"

KC Prinz Eugen fidgeted and became slightly timid when she mentioned about her admiral. The Iron Blood one, on the other hand, is enjoying seeing all sorts of reactions from her.

"What do you think of Prince of Wales?"

"H-heh...? Why is a random girl suddenly asking me this? Are you a shipgirl too? I wasn't informed of more shipgirls here"

KC Prinz Eugen avoided the question much to AL Prinz Eugen's amusement. She finds her Kriegsmarine counterpart "cute" that she couldn't stop herself from teasing her.

"Hmm?" AL Prinz Eugen noticed somewhat coming

The moment is cut short when someone with long in a white uniform with a short cape came running to the scene, exhausted and panting after reaching KC Prinz Eugen.

"Eugen, there you are! Don't just go running on your own!"

"Graf Zeppelin? I'm sorry I forgot about you since I was in a hurry. The others will get angry if we take any longer"

"Don't worry. It's not like you're Shimakaze or Tashkent. Though they should have sent those two since they're faster"

"Graf Zeppelin? You're the Graf Zeppelin here?"

AL Prinz Eugen didn't meet the Kriegsmarine version of Graf Zeppelin so the two Kriegsmarine shipgirls are unaware of who she is. As a result, neither of the two Kriegsmarine shipgirls are aware they're talking to the Iron Blood version of Prinz Eugen who was a traitor and presumed dead

"Well, yes. I am the sole aircraft carrier of the Kriegsmarine, Graf Zeppelin. Forgive my comrade here. She's a bit clumsy sometimes"

"Hahahaha! So this is what these two are like in this world. The Prinz Eugen who is the happy go lucky one and the the Graf Zeppelin who is isn't as angsty as that one"

When AL Prinz Eugen burst into laughter and two Kriegsmarine shipgirls looked at each other, confused to why a girl dressed in an odd uniform started laughing all of a sudden.

"Are you a Kriegsmarine too? You have the Iron Cross" Graf Zeppelin pointed out

"You could say that but I'm not from around here. My affiliation is somewhat the same as your Kriegsmarine"

"..." The two are confused on what she meant

"Say, are you two stationed here?" AL Prinz Eugen curiously asked

"No. We're just here to make some repairs and resupply. We'll sail again tomorrow morning" Graf Zeppelin replied

"Are you stationed here? Or just passing by like us?" KC Prinz Eugen asked

"Eugen, we don't even know if she's just a shipgirl" Graf Zeppelin whispered

"So you two just made a stop here. Also, from the looks of it, you have companions"

"That's right. Some of us need to refuel and resupply before heading to our destination" Graf Zeppelin nodded

"I see. Good luck on your journey, shipgirls of the Kriegsmarine. I wish we could properly meet next time so I could properly introduce myself"

AL Prinz Eugen walked away the scene waving goodbye, with the two still puzzled on who the odd girl is. She's just a random passerby but the way she talked towards the two was rather different, almost sounding familiar.

"She doesn't look like a civilian..."

Graf Zeppelin rubbed her chin, pondering about the unknown girl's identity. At first glance, Graf Zeppelin knows no civilian is dressed like that and the way she spoke implied that she might be aware of who they are.

"I don't remember anyone in the Kriegsmarine looking like that. I wonder if she's a shipgirl" Prinz Eugen wondered

"Maybe, but she doesn't look like a French shipgirl. She has the Iron Cross that we from the Kriegsmarine beard as a symbol. She's German but she's not one of ours...but not a civilian either" Graf Zeppelin scratched her head

"We should go back now. We still have to cook dinner!" Prinz Eugen remembered

In the end, Graf Zeppelin decided to brush it off since it's probably not a big deal to be worried about.

(I wonder what she meant...)

Still it bothered her on what the unknown girl meant as she left about wishing to meet them properly next time so she could properly introduce herself. She thinks that girl may be just a mysterious shipgirl she haven't heard of.

Meanwhile...

After wandering a while, Prinz Eugen returned to Tirpitz whose sitting by the port and watching the clock of seagulls. The battleship quietly stood there and even when she noticed her companion had returned, she didn't say anything.

"You wouldn't believe what just happened. I stumbled upon the Prinz Eugen and Graf Zeppelin of this world. My other version looked really cute and I feel like I want to tease her"

"You what?!" Tirpitz is visibly angry

"Don't get too angry now. Only the Bismarck of this world knows who I am and what I look like"

"Even so, they are close comrades of Bismarck"

"Relax, they wouldn't figure out who I am unless someone from our world knows I'm alive and came here"

"..."

"You're the only one they know so you shouldn't really be angry"

"I'll let this pass off this one time but I don't want you running in with other shipgirls here and interacting with if you don't need to. We don't want nuisances coming after us

"That's true. I don't want to deal with the Prinz Eugen here. I want to tease her when I meet her again though"

Tirpitz somewhat regretted letting Prinz Eugen stay and work with her since the heavy cruiser isn't the type to take most things seriously even when sternly warned and reminded. Rather than scold Prinz for being careless, Tirpitz just slapped her face with her own hand and faintly grunted.

"While you were away fooling around, I was informed that while Enterprise will make her move, she will not be our concern. What will be our concern are some shipgirls not supposed to get in the way"

"What?" Prinz Eugen scratched her head

"Others who shouldn't interfere are planning to head into this world as well"

"Who?"

"Sakura's legendary battleship...Mikasa"

While they're not fully aware of Mikasa, they both know of her existence as the former leader of the Sakura Empire and a veteran battleship.

"Wait, where did you get this information anyway?"

"Oh. From King George V. The same person whom I told to give the Coordinates to the Eagle Union before I left" Tirpitz casually answered

"I never thought that Royal Guard is actually helping you"

"She's been regularly updating me on what's happening in our world. That's why she quickly warned me that other than Enterprise's group, someone else will get in the way"

"Sakura's group, huh. Do we know who we are up against?"

"Not yet other than Mikasa"

"I thought I could relax for a week or so. To think I have to fight soon...after being knocked out of action and missing all the events"

Prinz Eugen dropped her shoulders, somewhat disappointed that it will time for her to get to work soon.

"What about Bismarck?" Prinz Eugen forgot to ask

"There's no indication she's going to follow after Enterprise's group. It won't take long for her to figure out I'm in this world. She's not aware you're still alive and you're with me so..."

"You're going to use me against them..."

"I can't have them know about you since they all think Prinz Eugen scuttled herself. That's why you're going to play the wild card against them soon"

"As long as I don't get busted. If Bismarck finds out I'm still alive, she won't hesitate to send me to the bottom of the ocean"

Prinz Eugen shuddered knowing what kind of person Bismarck is. She know very well, Bismarck won't hesitate against someone who didn't directly betray Iron Blood.

"My job is suppress any opposition or defiance. Once they present themselves, I will deal with them because it is my duty" Tirpitz vowed

"Just don't become like the old Tyrant. The more you have that power, the more you're starting sound less like yourself"

"My ideals from Tyrant differs because I know trying to save Iron Blood would only result in my future to be repeated. My goal may be foolish but what I seek is real" Tirpitz reminded Prinz Eugen

"I see. At least, you learned from what happened with Tyrant even if I wasn't there to see it"

"She wanted me to learn from her mistake so I learned that being with Iron Blood will only repeat my living hell. I won't let Bismarck to make me go through a hellish life again"

"That sounds dangerous..." Prinz Eugen looked concern

"Nothing and no one will be saved by staying within safety alone. This world will not be saved by naive ideals and kindness. Nothing was ever saved out of compassion and kindness"

At that moment, Prinz Eugen felt like she saw Tyrant but still remaining as Tirpitz. Even if her view on the world changed, Prinz Eugen isn't much alarmed seeing Tirpitz wouldn't allow to lose herself, as a vow to learn from Tyrant's mistake.

"I see. I don't know when this game will start, but do you believe they will change the outcome by reaching whom you call the Administrator?" Prinz Eugen gazed at Tirpitz, awaiting for her answer

"If it's them, then they might just succeed. They are people who defied their own fate and prove their struggles meant something. Those who learned from the past can only chance the future, Eugen"

"Then I hope they did learn from humanity's mistake. If they didn't, then we're going to have what you called mass extinction and reset again"

Even if it's little, Prinz Eugen placed her hope that the shipgirls will succeed because if they fail, the world will be eradicated once again, resetting to the time before man. Restarting the cycle of the world all over again...which happened before.