The "Fairy Tale" Nikkes were an improved model approved after the higher-ups saw Liliweiss's test data, and her fatal flaw.
The goal was simple: maintain most of her output while extending lifespan as much as possible.
After all, pouring in that much money and technology only to end up with a one-time-use weapon that couldn't be reloaded… was simply too wasteful.
[As for the exact details, I don't know everything yet, but the Fairy Tale-type Nikkes won't be limited to just Liliweiss. Humanity plans to mass-produce "superhumans" to deal with future Rapture threats.]
[If the battle against Gluttony is taken into account, I'll probably be forced to rejoin the project soon.]
[But starting from the Fairy Tale model, there likely won't be another Nikke as strong as Liliweiss. Her power exceeds what most people can even imagine. Have you ever wondered why the government allows her to act freely instead of restricting her?]
"Because her lifespan is short."
[Exactly. That's the key. Because her lifespan is short, the government doesn't need to fear her. They only need to treat her well while she's alive. As long as she remembers that the government saved her life, there's no chance of betrayal before her time runs out.]
That was human instinct.
When facing something hundreds or thousands of times stronger than yourself, even if it appears friendly, the first reaction is to control it.
If you can't control it, destroy it or stay far away.
Otherwise, it's no different from keeping a ticking time bomb.
Liliweiss's current condition was like a damp fuse.
Even if lit, it would extinguish before reaching the explosive.
No real danger.
When talking about this, Rose was calm and completely objective.
That was precisely why she had been recruited into a key government department while still a student.
[Now, about the second thing you asked, my answer is: correct.]
[The relay station does indeed store a large amount of advanced materials that were meant to be sent to the space station for research, including the latest nanomaterials. At least, that's the intelligence I have.]
[That's why humanity is desperate to reclaim the space elevator. Most surface storage facilities have already been destroyed by the Raptures. There's very little left.]
[I don't know the intentions of the person who told you this, but they weren't lying.]
So far, everything Karen said was true.
That alone gave Charon some peace of mind.
Still, being cautious never hurt.
After all, this concerned Liliweiss's future.
[However, there's one more thing I want to say…]
[If you intend to repair Liliweiss's body, the greatest obstacle… may not be the Raptures.]
"…Got it. Thanks for confirming, Rose."
[No, that's what I should be saying. Thank you, Commander.]
After hanging up, Charon stared at the phone screen and silently made his decision.
Meanwhile, far away in a small rented apartment, Rose ended the call.
"Ah… there goes my bath-time ASMR from big sis…" she narrowed her eyes, her smile a bit… off.
"Tch, I shouldn't have hung up. Charon–Commander's voice is nice too. If only those two would just kiss already…"
She stood up, glanced at a top-secret file lying casually near her computer, picked it up, and read the title aloud:
"Fairy Tale Unit No.1 – Sleeping Beauty. What a cute name… though it doesn't suit me. I'm not some princess waiting for a prince's kiss to wake up."
She sealed the file and locked it away in a safe, then stretched.
"Time to watch a movie and relax."
That night, after returning the phone, Charon went straight to Andrew.
If I can't sleep, neither can you.
Unless Andrew figured out a way to solve the dorm problem.
Liliweiss did call during that time, but he didn't ignore it. He simply told her he'd be discussing mission details all night and wouldn't be back.
She clearly didn't believe him.
But believing or not didn't matter, if he went back now, it'd just be awkward for both sides.
Sleeping on the sofa wasn't comfortable, but at least it avoided complications.
He slept until morning, then went with Andrew to meet Liliweiss and head to the command center.
When they met her outside the dorm, she seemed like she wanted to say something.
But seeing Andrew there, she shut her mouth, puffed her cheeks, and silently followed behind Charon.
Andrew signaled with his eyes: Did you make her mad?
Charon shot back a look: And you're asking me?
That's how things were.
By the time the three of them arrived at the command center in that strange atmosphere, they saw Alex, his staff, and standing nearby, Abe and Karen.
VTC people too?
Alex barely glanced at Liliweiss before speaking:
"Recruit, your mission has been slightly adjusted. Next, these two from VTC will–"
"Researchers," Karen added with a smile when he faltered.
"Right. Researchers. They'll explain the rest."
And just like that, he got up and left, almost like he was fleeing.
"…?"
Both Charon and Andrew were confused.
"Did he really just wait here to say that?" Charon muttered.
"Technically, this place is mine now," Andrew shrugged. "He doesn't actually work here anymore. Without direct orders, he and I aren't that different. If he didn't show up at all, he'd probably be labeled incompetent."
Not that Charon really cared.
"So," Charon stepped forward, addressing the two in white coats, "has the mission changed?"
"No. Your task remains observation and recording," Abe replied.
It seemed Abe didn't know about Karen's private deal with Charon.
"However, as everyone knows, the chance of encountering Raptures on the way to the space elevator is one hundred percent. So I want Liliweiss to wear this."
She produced a belt.
It looked crude, with an eye-shaped device in the center.
"This will monitor Liliweiss's condition in real time. I need her to wear it during combat and bring back the recorded data."
For some reason…
Charon wanted one too.
And judging by his expression–
Andrew felt exactly the same.
That kind of design…
was simply irresistible to men.