Pax Propter Vim [Azur Lane Fanfic]

Chapter 18

Imperial Base, Saigon – December 18, 1941, Midnight.

The soft glow of lanterns flickered in the quiet courtyard, their warm light casting long shadows across the stone pathways. Atago exhaled slowly, allowing the cool night air to wash over her. After the long discussions with Gūji Nagato and the others, she needed a moment to herself—to think, to breathe, and to deal with the burdens that no one else could know about.

Takao, ever the loyal companion, immediately noticed. "Atago, if you want some fresh air, I can come with you."

Atago smiled, her brown eyes twinkling with mischief as she waved a gloved hand dismissively. "Oh, no need, dear Takao~ Our beloved Gūji needs you far more than I do right now. Besides, I can handle myself."

Takao furrowed her brows but didn’t argue. "If you say so… Just don’t take too long."

With a final nod, Atago turned and strolled through the courtyard, her long black hair swaying gently with each step. The air was crisp, unusually cold for the season, seeping through the parts of her body left exposed by her immaculate white uniform. A faint shiver ran down her spine, but she ignored it.

As she walked, the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed faintly, a reminder of the vast, dark ocean beyond the safety of the base. The ocean… once the Empire’s greatest strength, now a battlefield of unseen enemies and dangerous alliances.

Before long, she reached the guard post at the edge of the base. A lone soldier stood on watch, gripping his rifle tightly as he tried to maintain his focus.

Atago smirked, stepping closer before clearing her throat playfully. "Hello, handsome~"

The soldier jolted upright, nearly fumbling his weapon as his face turned an embarrassing shade of red. "M-Miss Atago! Wh-what brings you here at this hour?"

Atago placed a gloved finger on her chin, pretending to ponder. "Ohh~ I just thought a little night walk would be nice. The flower fields outside the base are particularly breathtaking under the moonlight, you know~"

The soldier swallowed hard, struggling to maintain his composure. "B-But, Miss Atago, it’s dangerous outside at night! The jungle isn’t safe, and—"

Atago let out a soft giggle before stepping forward, her delicate scent washing over him. She leaned in, pressing a fleeting kiss against his cheek, making him freeze on the spot.

"Be a dear and let me through, won’t you?" She purred, stepping past him without waiting for a response. Her hips swayed with practiced elegance, her uniform catching the moonlight with each graceful movement.

The soldier stood there, paralyzed, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. By the time he turned his head, Atago had already vanished into the night.

Atago walked leisurely along a worn dirt path leading to a vast, open field. The scent of blooming flowers filled the air, mixing with the distant tang of salt carried by the ocean breeze. The field stretched out under the star-studded sky, a sea of white and violet petals illuminated by the pale glow of the moon.

She made her way to a lone sakura tree standing near the edge of the field. Though it was far from home, the tree still bloomed, its delicate petals dancing in the wind. Atago reached out, her gloved hand brushing against the rough bark.

"A shame, really…" She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Then she heard it.

The faintest rustle of grass. The sound of cautious footsteps approaching from behind.