Endless Silver Machine

"Mechanical Alchemy" and "Light Flame Sword" symbolize the Chise family and the Heinz family - the two ancient families known as the "Twin Towers of Bis" and the original "Fu surname" families.

The secret that Aika and Ling had been trying so hard to hide immediately spread like wildfire throughout August, and then reached the ears of more and more people.

From the moment the magic costume was revealed, the surrounding atmosphere had changed. After returning to reality from the past, Aika and Ling had already anticipated such a result. In addition to the Nemesis Society, more and more forces will include them as objects of concern in the future.

The only thing Aika feels guilty about is that he also exposed Luoluo's identity. If it weren't for her own self-assertion, Luoluo could have lived peacefully as an ordinary girl.

"It doesn't matter if it's just a little bit. If I can share a little bit of the burden for my brother, I'm already very satisfied."

Facing his brother's apology, Luoluo just used this sentence to calm Aika's uneasiness.

After the exercise, Aika and Ling returned to Lan Ming's castle successfully. The only difference is that the security in the castle seems to have become tighter.

…………

At night, Wei Xi knocked on Aika's door.

Aika, who happened to have nothing to do, took Wei Xi into the room.

No one came here with her, and Aika immediately knew that she had something to say to herself that she couldn't let others hear.

"Sister Ling and I apologized..."

Sitting beside Aika's bed, Wei Xi twisted the hem of her skirt with her fingers.

"I knew she would do it."

This result is correct.

Now that the misunderstanding between the two has been resolved, is there anything else Wei Xi needs to worry about? Aika couldn't think of a reason.

"I became 'family' with everyone just to serve Sister Ling...Sister Ling told me that this obligation ends here..."

Her voice was choked.

I'm afraid that when she heard Ling's words, she ran away because she was hit too hard. Because she only had that one room in the castle to go back to and had nowhere to escape, so she had no choice but to hide in Aika's room.

"Is not it good?"

"I don't know..." She clasped her hands on her legs, "If this is the case, I have no reason to stay here..."

It turns out it’s this kind of trouble again…

Aika laughed dumbly. I remember that a few weeks ago, Ling was also troubled by this problem. Why are all my family members such troubled girls?

"If there is a reason, there is one."

Aika categorically rejected Wei Xi's frustrating words.

"Because I want you to stay. Luoluo and Ling also have the same idea. Isn't this reason enough?"

Wei Xi was stunned by his words.

"In this case..." Although she shed tears, she smiled, "There is no other way..."

After chatting with Wei Xi for a while, Aika received a text message reply from Ling. When Wei Xi didn't notice, Aika had already told Ling that she was hiding here, and the rest would be left to her.

"It's getting late. It's almost time to go back, right?"

"Um……"

After waving goodbye to Aika, Wei Xi opened the door and was startled by Lan Ming who was sticking to the door and eavesdropping.

"Have you finished exchanging feelings?"

Lan Ming deliberately said this to Wei Xi.

"No, sorry..."

As expected, Wei Xi felt very embarrassed by this question. She bowed in panic and ran away from Lan Ming.

"Sorry, have you been waiting for a long time?"

Aika had no idea she would be here at this point in time.

"Leaving aside the fact that you hid the magic costume from me, what was the conversation just now about?"

"How much did you hear?"

"All of them..."

"Then aren't you following Wei Xi?"

"This is so rude!" Lan Ming put his hands on his hips with an angry expression, "When I was about to come to find you, I happened to see her wandering around the castle, looking like she was lost, so I followed her quietly. I’ll protect her later.”

"Your Highness, the world generally calls this behavior 'stalking'."

Does she really not know...

"Everyone knows Ling's background, right?"

"Um."

"She always thought that Wei Xi was the culprit, and then Wei Xi stayed with Ling for a purpose similar to atonement. To put it simply, that's it."

"It's so complicated..." Lan Ming could understand this relationship for the time being, "The words you said about leaving her sound pretty cool."

"Thank you, thank you..."

Aika really didn't know what expression to make.

"The exercise is over. You must leave here tomorrow."

"I know."

Now that their identity has been exposed, they cannot stay in August for long.

There is no telling how much malice is hidden under the water. Lan Ming's castle is a safe haven, but Aika doesn't want to involve more people because of his own reasons.

"It seems I'm not too late."

The golden and dark blue eyes seemed to have made up their minds.

"Aika Chise, will you be my knight?"

At a different time and in a different place, Lan Ming made the same request to Aika again.

"What responsibilities do you need to bear if you become a knight?"

This time, Aika didn't show any intention of refusing.

"Protect me, you have this ability. Although I don't like to rely on my identity, I will bring some convenience to you and them."

"Isn't it enough to have Charlotte?"

"I have my own goals. If I can get help from the Qianze family and the Heinz family, I will be a little more confident."

"Did Ling agree?"

"Um."

Lan Ming affirmed.

"Yeah……"

Aika was silent.

"With your family background, you can legitimately join my banner. I will take care of the troubles in the process, so you don't need to worry."

"Sorry, I still can't agree."

"Why? I've already said it to this extent!"

Being rejected again, Lan Ming's self-esteem was greatly stimulated. She unconsciously raised her voice.

"This family background cannot be abandoned. You will become the focus of the world. One day you will lose the protection of Shuoyue Academy. At that time, are you going to take them and run away? This is how you treat your 'family' The way?"

Lan Ming gave up the pretense of elegance. This boy is so stupid and ridiculous! Doesn't he still understand the current situation?

Aika didn't reply and listened calmly until the end, letting Lan Ming's suppressed dissatisfaction vent on himself.

"If that time comes, no matter what means I use, I will protect what belongs to me. Family, friends, and you."

"What does it mean……"

"I accept the responsibility of being your knight, but cannot accept the title."

"What's the point of doing this..."

"Maybe one day, I will become an enemy of the empire. At that time, if I were your knight, I would be in all kinds of troubles."

Lan Ming could not hide his surprise at this unexpected answer.

"Is this the answer you get when you go back in time?"

"I'm not sure yet which approach is correct, but only by relying on your own strength to cross over will you gain something, right?"

"It's so strange..." Lan Ming wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, but showed an indifferent smile, "I can't understand your thoughts at all..."

"Haha, people often say this, but actually I think I'm quite innocent."

"What I say from your mouth is not trustworthy at all. I have to learn to doubt you."

"If you say that, didn't Her Highness the Princess also lie to me?"

"Eh?"

"Ling will not agree."

Aika is convinced. This wasn't what Ling told him via text message, but he was able to understand Ling's thoughts. Only Ling would never hesitate when faced with this problem.

"Ah haha..." Lan Ming stuck out his tongue, "It's exposed..."

"But I just discovered it."

"If Ling really agrees, what will you do?"

"The answer will not change, but I will take her away forcibly. Because she is my 'family'."

"Oh, fighting for love? I feel like this development is not bad. Well, let's try to create a scene like this next time."

"There are already enough troubles, so let's not use it...and fighting for love with a sword is not used in this kind of place."

Saying "I won't disturb you anymore", Lan Ming left the room with a smile and closed the door behind his back.

"That's what he said."

Lingzheng was leaning on the wall next to the door. Wei Xi, who returned to the room, learned that Lan Ming was here, so she waited here and happened to hear Aika's last words.

"Um……"

Ling clasped her hands behind her back and lightly kicked her heels against the red carpet.

Having heard the words countless times, it was the first time that Ling felt so real.

…………