Endless Silver Machine

They chose a place only a few dozen steps away from the research room, located on a slightly higher lawn in the palace courtyard.

The wind is sunny and the colorful sunshine shines on the green grass. The breeze in June and the fragrance of the garden plants blow on the cheeks and hair, carrying all the physical and mental fatigue far away.

Ruby spread the tablecloth prepared in the small basket on the soft grass, just enough for four people to sit together.

"Hmm...it tastes very good! Although I have never tasted this kind of taste at home or at Shigetsuki Academy, it's delicious!"

"Thanks……"

Ruby smiled humbly and took a small bite of the tip of the sandwich. She seems to like to eat the sandwich from the tip and chew it slowly in her mouth for a long time, like a lazy hamster.

Maybe it’s because he has a small appetite, so he takes his time while eating.

Unique was chatting with Inili who couldn't enjoy the delicious food while eating, which perfectly complemented Ruby and Aika who didn't like to talk much during the meal, adding a completely different lively atmosphere to everyone.

Aika, on the other hand, quietly watched Ruby slowly eating a sandwich, enjoying the warm sunshine at noon.

He propped up his back with both hands and looked up at the sky. The midday sun in early summer appeared extremely soft under the influence of the colorful barrier, which made Aika, who was used to estimating time based on sunlight, lose his correct judgment.

As he thought about it, waves of drowsiness kept coming to Aika's mind.

…………

Aika opened her eyes again and saw Ruby's sleeping face with her head lowered, facing her.

The side face reflected by the setting sun was sleeping quietly, and the back of his head was resting on his very soft legs.

This posture made Aika realize that she had fallen asleep with Ruby's legs like this since she didn't know when.

Judging by the sky, it's probably evening now. While he was enjoying the comfortable lap pillow that no matter whether he was awake or asleep, he would indulge in it, Ruby also dozed off with him.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Aika couldn't help but reach out and tease her, gently pulling her cheeks left and right.

"It's so soft..."

After doing this once, Aika had no chance to continue. Because that little movement just now seemed to have disturbed Ruby's clear dream.

Drowsily opening her tear-covered eyes, Ruby looked at Aika who was lying on her back on her legs. She quickly sat up straight, her body that had been shaky until just now.

"You've woken up, big brother... Now that you've woken up, just call me..."

"Sorry to trouble you, I seem to have slept for a long time."

"Nothing, no trouble..."

Now that Ruby had woken up, Aika sat up as well, ending the dreamlike comfort of the lap pillow.

It was still the grass where he had lunched a few hours ago, with the checkered napkin beneath him and the little basket for sandwiches still in its original place.

There were just two fewer people than there were a few hours ago.

"Where are Inili and Unique?"

"The Young Lady and the Holy Lady are going back first. The Young Lady seems to want to continue to complete the research left by the elder brother under the guidance of the Holy Lady."

"Yeah……"

Inili and Unique were good partners during the cross-border war, and now they are just recreating the scene from that time.

Aika originally wanted to go back as soon as possible to complete the remaining projects, but now she was hesitant about disturbing the time the two of them spent alone together.

"Okay, let's go back too." After thinking about it, Aika chose not to disturb the two of them, "Ruby, where are these things going to be sent back?"

"Hey, I found this from my room. If you put it back in the kitchen, someone will clean it up."

She stared at Aika with her big blinking eyes, as if asking him where he wanted to return now.

"I'll take you back. I won't go to the research room now. With Inili and Unique there, the progress will definitely be much faster than if I did it myself."

Hearing what Aika said, Ruby immediately understood Aika's kindness. She showed a comforting smile and prepared to stand up, but her body shook involuntarily. Aika quickly grabbed her arm and held her waist with the other hand to prevent her from falling.

When he suddenly pulled her so close that they could feel each other's breath, Ruby's ears turned red.

"I'm sorry, is it because I couldn't stand upright after sleeping for so long?"

"It feels a little numb...but it should get better after a while." Ruby stood up with Aika's arm and smiled sheepishly, "This is my first time...doing this for a boy. kind of thing..."

"It's such an honor to be able to be Ruby's first."

"No, no, I'm the one, I'm honored!"

As expected, Ruby's panicked look as she shook her head desperately was also very cute.

…………

The two continued to sit on the grass for a while, during which time Ruby talked about some little stories that only Teacher Letika and herself knew.

After Ruby's legs no longer felt numb, the two returned to the palace where everyone was before nightfall completely fell.

Throughout the whole day today, in addition to Aika and the three of them who were fighting in the research room, Caroliel had re-adjusted the allocation of investigators to clean up the smuggling syndicates in the Protoss territory. This was also the first task after Instructor Letika took office. Take full responsibility for big events.

After Aika washed away her fatigue comfortably in the bathhouse, she saw Charlotte and Anjie waiting at the door of her room.

They came to convey the conclusion they reached after discussing with Lan Ming for a long time today. Charlotte is a nobleman who was abducted by an unknown organization and whose whereabouts are unknown, and Anjie is the former maid sent back to her hometown by Augustus. They are not yet listed as wanted objects. Because of the current severe situation in the Bis Empire, the two of them could not appear in public. If they were targeted by the Bis Empire, there would be many disadvantages, so they decided to stay in the God Clan to assist in the investigation of the Mimicry Magic Equipment Smuggling Group.

"Because now you do have the ability to call yourself a knight, I agree to hand over the princess to you. The princess also thinks that you are here..." Charlotte put his fist on Aika's chest, "But you You must remember that I am the real knight of Her Highness the Princess! So before I come back, you must protect Her Highness the Princess and return it to me intact!"

"Miss Charlotte and I will take over for you to complete the search mission on the Protoss side. The Holy See has proposed a joint search, and we humans should also have people to connect with you. After completing these tasks, we will work hard to bring you back from the Protoss. assistance."

Anjie and Charlotte bowed their heads to Aika in the end, and this was their farewell in less than a few minutes.

The departure date from the Protoss territory was set for two days, and Lan Ming had already made most of the arrangements while Aika was immersed in the research room today. Charlotte and Anjie have confirmed that they will stay in the territory of the Gods to continue investigating the remnants of the smuggling group. Leilu followed the Sea Mist Fleet back to Frost Moon Academy, while the remaining people set off for the Tebiri Kingdom.

After three days were left for Aika to analyze the Mimic Magic Equipment, he, with the help of Inili and Unique, successfully analyzed the signal path for the data transmission of the Mimic Magic Equipment.

"Data transmission of the mimicry magic equipment? In that case, can we find where the data they collected was finally received?"

This is a discovery of great significance. With this technology, we can follow the clues to find the lair of the "factory" and give them a fatal blow.

"What is certain now is that large quantities of mimicry magic equipment are popular on the frontline battlefields of the Kingdom of Tebiri, which means that the data is concentrated somewhere in the human country. Whether this is true can only be verified by returning to the human country. The materials here are not yet capable of making a magic machine that can track data flow, so I want to ask Professor Cocona to make it after I go back."

With such results and careful arrangements, it has laid solid confidence for the escapees to embark on the journey again.

…………