Azur Lane Mobile Front.

Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, the green-haired cat had no choice but to open the door and let the two in.

Stepping into this shop, which, despite its name suggesting a small store, is by no means small in actual size, Rob looked around and saw shelves filled with all sorts of items.

It offers everything from shipboard equipment to all kinds of daily necessities.

The scope of this unscrupulous cat's business is truly shameful.

"Hmm, I wonder, what does Commander want, meow?"

"Akashi can give the Commander an extra discount, meow!"

Upon hearing Akashi's words, Rob frowned, realizing that things were not so simple.

This unscrupulous merchant actually wants to give himself a discount?

Hell?

That shouldn't be the case. Anshan is still within the port area. What kind of ghost would be so foolish as to dare to wander around the port area?

"The master has come here simply to check on the situation here with Miss Akashi."

"After all, as you know, the world has been quite turbulent recently."

"Master, come and see if you've been affected in any way."

"You should know that your shop is a major taxpayer in the port area!"

Rob didn't answer Akashi's question, but Belfast stepped forward, understanding the implication.

Dealing with this cunning cat is best left to someone with a higher level of expertise.

Sure enough, as soon as Belfast finished speaking, the fawning expression on the cunning cat's face became even more obvious.

This confirmed to Rob and Belfast that the unscrupulous businessman was indeed up to something.

As for whether it was tax evasion or the smuggling of contraband, that will have to be investigated gradually.

(Yes, I'll have St. Louis come over to check the accounts when I get back.)

With that thought in mind, Rob let Belfast and Akashi continue their "battle" while he leisurely strolled around the store.

Look, since we're already here, why not see if there's anything we need and buy it while we're at it?

Akashi cautiously communicated the situation with the head maid, occasionally glancing out of the corner of her eye at a hidden shelf.

That was the secret entrance to her underground research institute.

She came up in such a hurry that she didn't turn off the equipment or anything below.

Now, she finally remembered this.

However, the port commander and his maid were watching him, and he couldn't find an opportunity to go over.

Now, all she can do is pray that the new batch of stuff she's acquired will be stable enough.

However, according to Murphy's Law...

If something has the possibility of going bad, no matter how small the possibility is, it will always happen.

In the basement of Akashi's shop, the equipment that Akashi hadn't had time to deal with in the chaos was now constantly beeping.

The sound gradually became more and more urgent.

What followed was an increasingly dazzling light emanating from the Mind Cube located in the center of the instrument.

Gradually, the instrument began to shake.

The sound emanating from the instrument grew louder and louder.

Unfortunately, this cunning cat equipped its basement with the best soundproofing.

Therefore, neither Rob, Belfast, nor Akashi noticed anything unusual.

...

After wandering around the store for a while, Rob felt that it was about time.

After all, I still have quite a few things to do.

He slowly walked to the counter, put his arm around Belfast's slender waist, which caused the head maid to let out a small gasp.

"I say, Akashi, do you have the Oath Ring here?"

"Meow?"

Rob's sudden question made Akashi slightly puzzled.

Her gaze quickly fell on Belfast's right ring finger.

There, a ring of oath is shining brightly.

(Bringing their own Oathship ship to buy Oath Rings? Commanders these days are getting really fancy, huh?)

At this moment, Akashi's little head was filled with great doubt.

However, driven by business ethics, Akashi quickly changed his expression.

"Meow, yes, of course there is, meow!"

With that, Akashi squatted down and began searching.

Before long, a delicate little box was placed in front of Rob and Belfast.

"Meow~ Commander, will you be paying by card or cash? We don't offer credit!"

Although the person in front of her was the highest leader of the port area, Akashi still adhered to her principle—no buying things on credit.

"Master, Belfast thinks one might not be enough~"

Belfast picked up the exquisite little box, examined it carefully for a while, and then handed it to Rob.

A sly smile appeared on her face at that moment.

There's nothing in Robo's port area, big or small, that can escape her notice.

"That..."

Robert, holding the small box in his hand, was momentarily at a loss for words to answer Belfast's question.

He touched his nose somewhat guiltily.

"Well then, Ms. Akashi, could you please bring out a few more?"

"Meow?"

Looking at Belfast, Akashi tilted her head in confusion.

She felt that she might be out of touch with the times.

Is this how the relationship between ships and commanders is now?

"Oh! Yes, yes, meow, please wait a moment, meow!"

Fortunately, Akashi reacted quickly.

She squatted down again and continued searching.

Judging from the current situation, if nothing unexpected happens, something unexpected is about to happen.

Before Akashi could even stand up, the entire shop suddenly began to shake violently.

Then, a burst of bright light emerged from the ground.

The sudden turn of events caught all three people present off guard.

Rob's body acted first.

He immediately pulled the head maid into his arms and used his body to shield the maid from view.

Just then, the Mind Cube in the underground instrument emitted a burst of bright light.

The light pierced through the ground and entered the shop.

Immediately afterwards, the light swept across, enveloping Rob and Belfast.

Akashi, who had just gotten up from the ground, stared in disbelief at the scene before him.

At that moment, she knew that she was probably doomed.

Chapter 449: Little Belfast

Once everything had calmed down, Rob carefully released the head maid.

The maid's face lit up with a happy smile.

However, he verbally criticized Rob.

"Although Belfast was very happy with her master's actions in the heat of the moment."

"But Master, protecting you is my duty~"

Rob naturally ignored the head maid's accusations.

He then turned his attention to a certain green-haired, cunning merchant cat.

Right now, the green cat is huddled in the corner, trembling.

If you look closely, you can also see that the green cat is crawling forward at a barely perceptible speed.

Rob stepped forward and grabbed Akashi by the back of the neck.

"Meow!"

Startled, Akashi immediately let out a cry of surprise.

"Don't you think you should give me an explanation, boss lady?"

Rob's tone was filled with anger and coldness.

Sure enough, this unscrupulous merchant had smuggled some contraband in the port area.

"Hehehe..."

Seeing that there was really no way to explain it, Akashi tried to get away with it by acting cute.

"Master, the commotion just now must have come from underground."

After straightening her clothes, Belfast walked over to Rob's side.

Her blue-violet eyes were scrutinizing Akashi from head to toe.

It has to be said that this cunning cat is indeed quite skilled.

They managed to create such a commotion right under the noses of Belfast and St. Louis.

"Lead the way, Ms. Akashi. As the commander of the port, I should at least see what 'treasures' you've hidden on my turf, shouldn't I?"

"Mmm~"

Stared at by Rob's cold gaze, Akashi finally gave in.

In any case, this cunning cat is bound to suffer a severe punishment today.

...

Robb and Belfast watched as Akashi opened a hidden mechanism, then watched as a shelf slid aside, revealing a downward staircase.

"Lead the way!"

Sure enough, they left the green-haired, cunning cat in front, and Robb and Belfast followed Akashi down the stairs.

After turning a corner, Robert Belfast arrived at a huge basement.

There were complex-looking instruments placed all around.

"Wow, Ms. Akashi, I didn't expect you to be a researcher."

Rob glanced at Akashi, who was trembling, and then led Belfast to carefully examine the area.

"Hmm, Miss Akashi's facilities here are actually just as good as those at the Royal Palace."

"Before, Belfast really underestimated you."

The head maid's words were like another heavy stone being thrown over Akashi's head, making her feel even worse.

(Oh no, this maid actually knows her stuff!)

Just as Rob and Belfast were getting ready to see what this cunning cat was up to, a faint sound coming from an instrument covered by a tarpaulin caught their attention.