Page 226
"I hope Senior won't have the chance to use it... huh."
After wiping away a handful of non-existent sweat, she looked downstairs. Eula was waving a plate of Hailang Party at her, with a very appropriate cook's headscarf tied on her head: "Come down to eat, Hana Rin."
"I'll be right there - Senior, the safety pin is here. Don't open it before you find the target -"
After Superman Kivotos twisted the big golden-haired boy's naughty little hand, he jumped directly from the fourth floor, causing Yula, who was delivering the meal, to twitch his eyelids.
If she didn't spread her wings of wind at this height, she would have sprained her ankle, but Hua Lin acted as if nothing had happened. No one knew how her equally plump body managed to control the potential energy.
The more she got along with Kong's female companions, the more she understood that the saying "people's physical conditions cannot be generalized" was not just a joke, just like they had no concept of falling damage.
“…It tastes really good.”
The filling of the Tide Pie combines the sweetness of onions and the richness of meat, but you would not think that it was cooked by the "noble" Eula herself.
"I don't have much talent for shooting, but I can still fill your stomachs."
Hearing Karin's sincere praise, a smug smile returned to Eula's delicate face.
"... Did Eula-senpai personally cook for you?"
"In your eyes, am I not good at anything other than swinging a sword?"
"Of course not, but everyone is good at a limited number of things. I have invested too much energy in housework and tactics training, so I am lacking in cooking skills... Senior, you are too versatile, I am a little envious."
Karin expressed her envy frankly, which made Eula blush. She didn't know how to respond to such praise:
"…It's not difficult. I can teach you."
The easiest way to deal with a tsundere is to be super straight - but Karin took Eula's insincere and happy remarks seriously.
"Thank you...but I'm afraid we'll have to wait until the conflict is over before we can all spare some time."
Holding the fork, Hua Lin wiped the grease from the corners of her mouth and looked towards the maintenance yard not far from the front line:
"It's just like the day before the final battle... The atmosphere is so tense that there's no time to schedule a lesson with Maid Befa."
The past few weeks had been so relaxing that she almost forgot that she was here to be a bodyguard. Now, with only one final push left, she felt as if she had returned to the daily routine of "school conflict", with a familiar sense of security...
Under the gaze of the two people - in the middle of the Xicheng District Market, Gustav was kneeling on one knee, undergoing transformation.
Now we finally have an area with convenient transportation and supplies, which provides space for this guy to make a major renovation that suits the local characteristics.
"Shiluwa, hand me a flathead screwdriver!"
"Here you go! For your protection, this mecha is so beautiful. Can I touch it?"
"Don't touch the pellet stove, its location is optional."
Kong could understand the fascination of this "oil man" in a singer's guise with mobile suits. He had a similar attitude when he first came into contact with Gundam. But seeing the way she touched him... it was as if she was touching not the transmission device, but the strings, the private parts of her lover. He couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.
"Do you need a mechanic? Ahem, I mean, I can help you modify it at my own expense, as long as you agree to let me access the structural drawings of this machine--"
"Of course you can, but the Mega Particle Furnace is a unique product in this world and cannot be replicated. The laws of physics are not universal. The effect of using it for others is completely different from that of using it for me. I'm afraid you will be disappointed——"
"Oh, it needs a power-driven core similar to Destiny?"
"more or less."
Just as Kong was about to wipe the oil off his face with his thumb, a pair of slender white hands immediately handed him a towel.
"Big brother's craftsmanship is amazing, it's like a sculpture of a work of art!"
Clara's pigment-less eyes sparkled with adoration.
While Shiluva was twisting her waist violently against Gustav's knees, the young girl kept her eyes focused on Sora. The former appreciated the artwork itself, while the latter appreciated the creator of the art, which suddenly created a chasm-like gap between the older single women.
The former is the inheritor and promoter of "ancient art", writing rock songs about love every day, but the result is that she is not as good as a young man in knowing how to protect a man.
"Thank you... After all, we have lived together on the battlefield. If you are responsible for the mobile suit, it will respond to your care and expectations."
"Will my brother have expectations and feelings for the machine?"
"Of course. Humans are sophisticated machines. As long as the consciousness is self-generated and has not been tampered with by external factors, it doesn't matter what the container is."
Facing the little girl whose eyes were getting brighter and brighter, as if she had found a confidant, Kong saw a certain "persistence" that had been bothering her. Thinking of her relationship with Swarovski's family, he told her his own experience, hoping to give her some inspiration so that she wouldn't have to question herself:
"I once commanded an army composed entirely of constructs. Except for their souls, there was no part of their bodies that met the definition of 'human', but we still called ourselves humans... Today, only my consciousness is still human, and my body is a star core, but do you see any difference between me and other people?"
"Yes, the older brother is more open-minded and considerate!"
"Ha ha……"
Although Clara praised him with a blushing face, Kong did not dare to smile too proudly, because Eula's "death ray" had already landed behind him. If he made Clara more coy or her favorability a little higher, he would surely be faced with endless kicking football revenge in the evening.
"But I still don't quite understand, big brother. If we modify it in the mechanical settlement, although the transportation of ammunition will be more difficult, there are enough spare parts. Why do we have to go to the front line for maintenance? Is it just for a quick attack?"
Following Sora's somewhat fearful gaze, she saw Eula's flat eyes. Although the girl didn't quite understand the twists and turns between men and women, she changed the subject without any instruction and didn't try to provoke the vengeful knight.
Although the ice-blue elder sister had a fierce look in her eyes, she seemed to have the intention of protecting Clara - this was the conclusion she came to... It was very strange.
"…It's for fishing." Kong bared his big white teeth.
"Eh?"
Clara blinked - most of Beloberg's catches were "digs", and fishing seemed to be a rather ancient activity.
Directly modifying Gustav on the front line, in addition to the relatively convenient transportation here, Kong may have the intention of deliberately luring the enemy to attack actively.
He always looked up to his opponents and divided his tactical and strategic arrangements into three levels: upper, middle and lower, and implemented them simultaneously to deal with the three different IQs and strategic levels of the enemy.
As long as Bu Liren's reconnaissance capabilities are up to standard, they will definitely receive news that Gustav, the war machine that is killing everyone underground, is being modified very close to the front line. If they cross that line like lightning and raid the MS maintenance yard, they will be able to steadily eliminate a powerful firepower point... Even if it is an attractive bait for air defense.
But Bu Liren's egg-shrinking skill seemed to have reached perfection. Since the last battle, he had not taken the initiative to test the surrounding garrisons, and he dared not cross the barbed wire into the West City District, allowing Jeppard's troops and the rangers to provoke him.
"It's a shame, no one has taken the bait in so long. I'm almost done."
After wiping his cheek and making sure the last hydraulic rod was functioning properly, his eyes involuntarily fell back to Clara's bare feet.
Although I know there are extra protection measures, it is dangerous to run around barefoot on the lower level... It is even colder on the upper level - your legs are not a construct.
"Don't worry... I have an updated force field shield. It won't get dirty or pierce the soles of your feet."
In response to Sora's somewhat awkward look, Clara threw out the words she had prepared long ago.
In the past, there were always wanderers and miners who looked at her toes and pink arches that were as white as jade with strange eyes, but Clara's shyness was never as strong as when Sora was staring at her.
She even felt that this strange sight, which made her feel uneasy and her toes curled up instinctively and dug into the ground, made her feel a little...satisfied? She wanted to show him more.
She might have a vague understanding of what "opposite-sex tension" was, and she might have gradually come to understand what other girls' hostile attitude toward her meant - but the more this was the case, the less she wanted to restrain her little hobbies in front of Kong.
Regardless of whether the reason of increasing height by stimulating the soles of the feet with cold water is scientific or not... after experiencing that kind of gaze that made her whole body feel hot, she would never choose to wear shoes in front of Sora.
"What are you doing?"
Finally, Eula couldn't stand the ambiguous interaction between Sora and Clara, who had forgotten the age difference, and slammed the cook's headscarf on Sora's head.
"Oh, oh, we're ready to call it a day. The next step is to ensure that the other armored units are transported to the front line smoothly. Where are the Svarro people?"
"Hmph, Paimon, help me keep an eye on him and don't harm the girl."
"No problem—oh! It's the familiar smoky scent of the Tide!"
Seeing that Paimon and Eula had reached an agreement through food bribery - Sora hurriedly returned to work, selectively ignoring Clara's awkward posture after being "targeted".
He didn't dare let his female companions know that he could still distract himself to appreciate the opposite sex, because this indirectly proved that he still had energy and reserves.
It’s just like doing business. Even if you keep saying you’re not making any money, in fact you must be making some money, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to make a living.
In a sense, Eula's reminder was very timely - Clara must not be misunderstood. It would be fine if she simply appreciated the art, but if he turned her into the next Fischl or Xiangling, he would be committing a great sin.
"Mr. Swarlow is still directing the little robots to lay a long track directly connected to the station. In about 26 hours, the settlement's bears will be quickly transported here."
"Very good. By the way, can I also take advantage of the heavy equipment dropped by the Ranger?"
"Of course, a single platform can bear a maximum load of 120 tons. It can also transport humans, right?"
Seeing that Sora was trying not to look away and no longer admire her shiny leg skin, the little girl could only regretfully follow suit and report -
"I can also help transport and maintain Ms. Black Tower's doll. I have confirmed before that some parts are universal after cutting."
She has a reserve of engineering and mechanical knowledge that is totally beyond what one should have at her age. She is also a master of programming. At the same time, she is gentle and considerate to the point of being meticulous - no wonder even those robots that have vaguely developed self-awareness are so close to her.
"Hey, Sora, can I come look inside the cab?"
While Clara was showing her consideration... a certain older young woman was still making strange noises, breathing heavily towards Gu Pang's transmission device and the cable hanging from the cockpit -
...The contrast between the old and the young is really hilarious.
"It's okay..."
Just as Sora was about to remind another equally "powerful" engineer lady not to attach her tongue to Carl's armor to prevent it from freezing...
There was the hum of an engine behind them.
"Hmm... Xingcha? You're back so soon?"
Sora looked up at the group of flying machines that looked a bit like immortal heroes.
These former pilots have just returned from the northern hemisphere.
In the second week after the urban confrontation line was established, various heavy equipment were transported to the city one after another, including Esther and Topa's private goods, as well as equipment brought back from their hometowns by the rangers.
Ever since he knew that Bu Liren was planning to interfere in Beloberg's internal affairs, Yu Yun gritted his teeth and used all the money that Kong gave them to purchase weapons. Judging from their attitude, even if Kong didn't pay more, he would still give them a good kick in the ass -
When Kong asked him in confusion why he had to spend money to prepare for the battle, Yuyun brushed it off by saying that "the fox people were once enslaved by the Buli people."
But compared to that light-hearted remark, this hatred is obviously worth remembering for "nine lifetimes".
...As for the fact that Kong was also blessed by abundance and became a "new sprout", Yuyun seemed to be completely unaware of it...The goal was very clear.
"Doctor Kong, the scouts from the northern hemisphere are back. The Buli people have sent a fleet to the dark side of our territory, apparently to avoid a fight in outer space. They have sent more marines."
Yu Yun took off his helmet and took the water from Clara. He then realized that this circle... Kong was surrounded by beautiful women, and he was the only man who came in. His voice became weaker, without any of the heroic spirit he had just had. "Also, before I landed, I saw a formation in the east... Most of them were Bu Li people, so they should make a big noise."
303. Women fly in the sky, men run on the ground
"...I've already finished my preparations, but they're just starting the 'parade'? It feels like something's up."
When Yuyun reported that Bu Liren and the Kburg Guards were gathering, Kong felt that it was very abstract.
It is easy to explain why the guards were observed gathering alone. After all, the command system, including the big sister above them, were so rotten that it was understandable that they could not do counter-reconnaissance well.
But the scene where Bu Liren and Tiewei were caught forming a battle array at the same time was just perfect...
The moment he heard the word "formation", Kong wanted to laugh - not because Yuyun was being so flowery, but because although the Buli people's herd of beasts didn't behave like an army in the normal sense, how dare they gather together under the eyes of Xingcha? Aren't they afraid of being sent into the sky by a plasma blast?