Splash, splash~~
Kai washed the bloodstains from his hands under the faucet, his eyes full of regret.
“Gosh!
Why isn’t there a bottle or something?
All my blood has gone to waste!
What if I’m not around in the future and one of you gets corrupted?”
The Nikkes all gathered around Kai, listening to his nagging.
They had been terrified when they first saw his face covered in blood.
Fortunately, it was just a hit to the nose, nothing too serious.
Rapunzel had already cleaned Kai’s injury.
When she asked how he got hurt, he just stammered and refused to say.
Kai finally finished washing away the blood.
Seeing Scarlet covering her mouth to stifle a laugh, his old face turned red, so he decided to make things difficult for her first.
He touched the gauze Rapunzel had wrapped around his nose and asked, “Scarlet, I recall you always carry a wine bottle with you, don’t you?
I just saw you drinking a cup earlier.”
Scarlet stammered, “Ah?
That—I was so worried about Young Master that I didn’t think of it!
Besides, our mission is almost complete.
Once we return to the Ark together, we won’t have to worry about corruption anymore.”
Sigh!
Truly silly and naive.
Having successfully diverted everyone’s attention, Kai stopped talking nonsense.
They briefly cleaned up the battlefield but found no useful loot.
Thus, they waited under guard until Snow White and her group of Nikkes returned safely.
Snow White reported, “We’ve discovered the best route to retreat to the Ark entrance and found some supplies along the way.”
“As the Commander wished, there were no casualties.” Then Snow White saw the injured Kai.
“Was the outpost attacked today?
Is the Commander injured?”
Dorothy glossed over it briefly.
“A group of blind Raptures attacked, but with the Commander’s leadership, they were easily dealt with.”
“As for the Commander’s injury, you can ask him yourself.
Haha.”
Later, while organizing the weapons, everyone noticed the gun the Commander had used.
It was obvious he had shot and injured himself.
Dorothy couldn’t understand how the Commander could lack such common sense.
To maximize damage against Raptures, the weapons Nikkes used were incredibly powerful and not meant for human use at all.
Even a rookie should have known that.
It was a relief there wasn’t a bigger accident.
However, the Commander had taken up arms to protect them, so they really shouldn’t laugh.
But they truly couldn’t help it.
Perhaps as those meant to protect humanity, they were genuinely happy to be protected for once.
It was a good feeling!
Dorothy laughed a few more times.
In fact, no one had really stopped; they were just hiding it from the prideful Kai.
Snow White actually intended to ask the Commander what happened.
Seeing Snow White being so stubborn and lacking a sense of humor, Dorothy quickly announced an important piece of news.
“Ahem!”
“Listen up, everyone.
Rapunzel:!!!
Scarlet: “Really—?”
Snow White: —The Mass-Produced Nikkes also waited quietly for what came next.
“Yes, let’s listen to it together.”
The multi-functional robot serving as a communication tool rolled out from behind Dorothy.
Robot: “Audio file received from the Ark.
Play now?”
Dorothy nodded.
“Yes, please.”
After a burst of static from the robot, a man’s voice began to play.
“The Ark to the Goddess Squad.”
“First, we express our deepest condolences on the passing of Major Liliweiss, the leader of the Goddess Squad.
She was humanity’s supreme and perfect guardian deity.”
“Many in the Ark are also mourning her deeply after hearing the news.”
“Secondly, thank you very much for completing the ‘Ark Guardian’ project.”
“On behalf of all the citizens of the Ark, I thank you.
You have all worked hard.”
“We are attempting to push forward with supply and troop reinforcements through various channels, but because many problems have also arisen within the Ark, this matter has been temporarily postponed.”
“We ask for your understanding on this point.”
“Additionally, the sealing of the Ark is nearing completion.
However, some issues have occurred, and work is currently at a standstill.”
“The problem comes from the Surface.
To this end, we earnestly request your assistance.”
“The Goddess Squad possesses the strongest combat capabilities and is currently the only unit remaining on the Surface.”
“If you can help us resolve these issues, the Ark will be successfully sealed, and humanity will return to peace.”
“Please make a decision after listening to the details.
Thank you.”
“Of course, the final decision lies with the acting leader of the Goddess Squad, Dorothy.”
“We humans have received many favors; we owe you all far too much.”
“So please, do not feel pressured when making your decision.”
Rapunzel: —Scarlet: —Mass-Produced Nikkes: —Kai: (▼dish▼#)
“Is it over?” Snow White broke the silence.
Dorothy shook her head.
“No, there’s more.”
Scarlet sighed.
“Let’s keep listening.”
The robot continued to play the audio.
“First, please destroy the avira particles generation device.
This was originally built to interfere with Rapture communications, but because its effect is too strong, it has affected parts of the Ark, causing the sealing project in those areas to stop.”
“Second, please eliminate the large-scale Rapture forces at the specified coordinates.
The sealing project at these coordinates is very close to the Surface.
The noise from the construction is likely to attract Raptures.”
“Third, please destroy the large elevator dedicated to transporting supplies.
This elevator is the passage for sending various materials and food to the Ark and will no longer be used after sealing.
Considering that Raptures might use it, it must be destroyed.”
“If you decide to carry out this mission, please start with the first objective: destroying the Alva particles device.
Once destroyed, you will be able to restore real-time communication with the Ark.”
“Transmission complete.
We await the Goddess Squad’s decision.”
“…Also, I don’t know if the following words will be of help to you.”
“The Ark is waiting for the Goddess Squad.” (Not really)
“The Ark has prepared ample rewards to repay your sacrifices and efforts.”
The audio playback ended.
“Well…” Scarlet started to speak but hesitated.
Rapunzel also seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
“So there was a problem with the sealing of the Ark.”
“Let’s move out,” Snow White said concisely.
Scarlet teased, “That was a quick decision.”
“Are you not going?” Snow White countered.
“No way,” Scarlet replied with a shake of her head.
Rapunzel looked at Dorothy.
“Dorothy, what do you think?”
Dorothy replied with a smile, “I want to go.
Of course, it depends on the Commander’s decision.
What is your decision, Lord Commander?”
All the Nikkes turned their gaze toward Kai; they would obey the Commander’s orders.
You guys are way too easy to fool!
However, Kai didn’t plan to restrict them.
It was time for them to see the Ark’s true face and stop harboring illusions about it.
Besides, this mission wasn’t dangerous for the Goddess Squad, so he would let them go.
“I respect your opinions.
However, this mission is simple.
You in the Goddess Squad can easily complete it by pairing up.”
“I’ll wait here for you to finish.
The Mass-Produced Nikkes and I will hold the rear for you, so go ahead and act without worry.”
Kai himself didn’t want to participate in the mission; it was better to stay here and think about future development.
“Very well.
As the leader, I should lead by example.
Let Rapunzel and me go on the mission first.
Scarlet and Snow White will protect the Commander at the outpost, and we’ll rotate when we return.”
Rapunzel, Scarlet, Snow White: “Okay.”
Seeing Dorothy eagerly preparing to head out to destroy the avira particles generation device, Kai still worriedly urged, “Dorothy, Rapunzel, you must protect yourselves.”
Dorothy looked back and smiled.
“Yes.
I understand, Lord Commander!”
“I feel like I’m invincible right now!
We will definitely be able to return to the Ark together.
I’m really looking forward to living with the Commander.”
Hearing Dorothy say this, Rapunzel thought of something and turned so red she couldn’t even speak.
Scarlet, who was closer, only heard her muttering something about ‘Brother, you smell so good.’ The brute Scarlet didn’t understand what she meant.
And so, the two of them walked together toward the entrance of the Ark.