碧蓝回忆录文字版/荣耀殿堂/While the Coffee is Hot

SP Bismarck

While the Coffee is Hot
There I stood, at the door to the Iron Blood's workshop. The sounds of hammering and bolting were coming from inside.
Upon opening the door, I was greeted by the voice of a woman surrounded by a mountain of machine parts and metal materials.
Bismarck：
Who might that be? Ah, let me guess...
You didn't introduce yourself at once, so you can't be U-556. Your footsteps didn't sound like Zeppelin's or Gneisenau's either.
You've come alone, and quite late in the evening at that. That leaves but one candidate...
Welcome, Commander. My hands are full at the moment, but feel free to make yourself comfortable.

She was the source of the sounds. It seemed she was building something.
Deciding to stick around, I sat on a chair a fair distance from her so I wouldn't get in the way.
Rigging：
GRRRRGGHH!
Bismarck：
Take it easy. The commander's not a threat. There, good boy.
Hmm. It needs some fine-tuning. I'll talk to Friedrich about that later...

Bismarck decided it was time for a break. She put down her tools, stood up, and walked over to a coffeemaker placed in a corner of the room. She took out two paper cups.
Bismarck：
Care for some coffee? It's not the best, but it's an adequate amenity for a workshop.
I prefer mine black, but if you'd like a bit of sugar or creamer, just tell me.
...It's done. Here you go.
Last refill now. We don't want to have too much, or it'll affect our performance in the office tomorrow.
Now... To what do I owe the pleasure? I'd imagine you have better things to do at this hour.

The scent of freshly-ground coffee beans filled the air. I took in the smell as I thought about the answer to her question.
"There are two reasons. The first is simple – I'm seeing what's up around the port."
Bismarck：
Seeing what's up, you say? Not much, on the whole.
Although, it's true the Iron Blood is a faction with many secrets. If I were you, I'd regularly check in and have a look around too.
Me especially, seeing as I am the leader of the Iron Blood. The woman with the permanent pokerface. She has got to be planning something...
Yes... Planning what to have for dinner, perhaps.

She downplayed it as a joke, although I had no reason to believe she meant the first half seriously in the first place.
Bismarck：
Being a leader, someone who looks after those under their command, is quite tiring.
I'm sure you know what it's like, Commander. From the thrill of issuing an order, to the doubt when you lack information crucial to making an informed decision...
And in my case... The emptiness of when you're losing sight of yourself... "Am I Bismarck, or am I the Iron Blood's flagship?"

Bismarck was a leader with a strict sense of duty that seemed to cause her endless woe and doubt...
But, this strict sense of duty is also what fueled her desire to do everything she could for humanity, regardless of the consequences for herself.
Bismarck：
Naturally, I don't want to forget myself. That is why I created this place solely for myself. A place where I can just create and study.
I don't know what your mind conjures up when it thinks "Bismarck." But if you wonder about me...
Then this place where you stand, what you see around you, this person before you now... is the answer.

Putting down her cup on the work table, the Iron Blood leader clad in a black uniform turned to face me.
Bismarck：
I have you to thank for this. For letting me be myself.
I'm sure U-556, Tirpitz, and all my Iron Blood comrades are grateful for it as well.
So, thank you, Commander. Thank you for everything, always.

Bismarck smiled at me. It was the first time I'd seen her smile from the heart, as solely herself.
It felt like I'd manage to ease the burden on her shoulders, even if only a little bit, by talking to her today.
Bismarck：
...Sorry, I just realized I've been going on and on about myself.
You said you had two reasons for coming here. What's the other?

I reached into my pocket, took out two opera tickets, and presented them to her.
Bismarck：
Ahah. I see... It's starting pretty soon, I see.
Perfect timing. I did say this would be our last cup of coffee for the evening, after all.

And what great coffee it was. It had such a supple, yet clean aftertaste.
Bismarck：
Just asking, but... Would you say I should stick to black garments for the opera?