Endless Silver Machine

The originally scheduled "lateness" did not materialize, so Luoluo woke everyone up one by one early in the morning.

None of the girls at the breakfast table looked like they had not slept well all night. They probably used special "magic" during the time when they were changing clothes.

Like a lie, the tension from last night disappeared at this morning's dinner table.

Luoluo also told Aika what Ling conveyed to him last night on the way to the classroom.

Only Luoluo herself knew whether she was forcing herself or not, and her mood was always controlled to a level that would not be sensed by Aika.

The short trip to the ruins did not attract the attention of the students in the twin classes, and the classes after the weekend continued as normal.

It's just that Aika's mind is still not focused on the books at this time, she is just waiting for the free time between classes.

Although Luoluo seemed to be paying attention to the lecture, her peripheral vision occasionally wandered away from the podium.

"..."

Just like this, I would occasionally make eye contact with Aika who was sitting next to me, and then look at the podium as if nothing had happened.

As soon as the scheduled recess time arrived, Aika stood up and left his seat. None of the girls who knew what he was going to do stopped him.

"Aika...huh? Why did you disappear just after class?"

Qiu Ke had already learned from senior Tiluya that they were together on weekends, and he just wanted to gossip.

"Brother just said that his stomach felt a little uncomfortable..."

"Oh, there are often people around me who feel this way recently. Ever since 'Moonlight Bath' launched a new menu."

"New menu?"

"'Moonlight Bath' has recruited several very creative freshmen. Recently, they often make things that are not on the menu. As the saying goes, new products always come with risks!"

"It seems like they weren't here when we went last time?"

Some time before exploring the ruins, Ling and Qiu Ke had lunch at the "Moonlight Bath".

"Because it is a new product that will be launched only one or two weeks apart, if it was not advertised when we went there, someone must have been tricked."

Even though it was food that might be bad for the stomach, the girls still had a lively discussion. In fact, Qiu Ke started the atmosphere.

"If this continues, the reputation of 'Moonlight Bath' will decline..."

Compared with whether the new products can be successfully put on the counter, Wei Xi is more worried about the future of the restaurant, where she has received a lot of care...

If you think about it carefully, there seem to be many embarrassing things...

"Humph, it's a limited product after all. No matter what it is, I'll buy it first!"

"Well, this is taking advantage of customers' psychology."

"Don't be so realistic, Luoluo..."

"So, Aika hasn't come back yet? I also want to know what happened to her and Xiao Yaya."

Luoluo was startled by the sudden change of topic. The incident during the ruins exploration was asked by Principal Phyllis to keep it secret.

"Brother and Tirua-senpai? Nothing happened, right..."

"Little Yaya said the same thing, but I always feel like there is something hidden from me."

Of course, it is a topic that can only be confused in the past.

"By the way, Qiu Ke, the recent event organized by the Discipline Team and the Student Union..."

Ling induced the conversation to shift to work, and Wei Xi, who relaxed, covered her mouth and let out a small yawn.

While Luoluo was chatting, he was also thinking about Aika, who had not returned for a long time. After Ling and Qiu Ke began to exchange work, she quietly left the classroom.

…………

Aika left the classroom and walked to the stairs leading to the roof. Basically no one would come here.

The girls like to eat lunch on the outdoor stairs, and it's still early lunch time.

——Let me guess your purpose for coming to me. Do you want to know the circumstances of Princess Lan Ming’s arrest?

"Liuyin, this matter should have spread throughout the Holy See by now, right?"

——As expected, I think you would take the initiative to contact me probably for this kind of thing.

"I believe Lan Ming would not do the kind of thing reported in the news. She was indeed wronged, right?

——The emperor was assassinated in the Tebiri Kingdom. Whether it was planned by Princess Lan Ming or not, there is currently no evidence.

"There should be no need for Lan Ming to assassinate the emperor specifically to inherit the throne. No matter how you think about it, it can only be a frame-up."

——But have you ever thought about it, is it just your wishful thinking?

"...That may indeed be the case, so I want to confirm with him directly."

As Senior Lilith said, it's not that no one stands with Lan Ming, but that there is no evidence to vindicate Lan Ming.

——As far as the current situation is concerned, it should be impossible to meet Princess Lan Ming directly.

"Can't I see her in person even if I go to Augustus?"

——Although the Senate gang said it was 'to be investigated', according to the Holy See's insider report, Princess Lan Ming has been imprisoned.

"Why? Haven't you been convicted yet?"

——Whether she is convicted or not is determined by just one sentence. Now it is equivalent to the Senate to have determined that Princess Lan Ming has committed treason. The best result will only be life imprisonment.

The worst outcome Liuyin did not say was undoubtedly the death penalty.

Once the guilt is publicly determined, the best outcomes can be even more brutal than the worst outcomes.

Aika's mind flashed to the shining princess who put the country's priority on something more important than herself.

He grew angrier inside him if she was going to spend her life in a dark prison because of an unwarranted conviction.

"Liuyin, do you know where Lan Ming is being held?"

——Of course it is impossible to know this kind of information. It is originally a sneaky behavior of the Senate. Conservatives are basically under surveillance, and the empire's internal affairs are now in chaos.

"...In other words, the only people who can save her now are outsiders who have nothing to do with politics."

——Well... If you are now involved with Princess Lan Ming, I don't need to say that you will make many enemies... Xiao Xi will also follow you, right?

"Well, she has agreed."

——Are you going to drag her and your family into danger again?

"Liuyin, the demise of Setia Principality has nothing to do with Wei Xi, right?"

——Of course it has nothing to do with her!

Wei Xi has told Liu Yin about the past she recalled, and it is no longer a secret.

"She only saved you in that war. Will you thank her or resent her?"

——There is no need to ask this kind of question. Besides, does it have anything to do with you?

Liuyin was aroused by the question about Wei Xi, and her tone towards Aika became rude.

Perhaps in her heart, Wei Xi and her secrets were known to others, and she also developed feelings similar to jealousy.

"Now I want to repeat what Wei Xi did. To be honest, I don't care what happens to the country. As long as I can save the people I know, that's enough."

——Don’t use Xiaoxi as your excuse.

"Sorry, it sounds like an excuse. I also need an excuse to accept it."

Liuyin's breathing could be vaguely heard on the other side of the PDA, but she stopped mocking Aika's rough determination.

"I can't expect Ling, Wei Xi, and Luo Luo to think that what I want to do is right, nor do I expect Lan Ming to thank me for saving her. At least I don't want to regret it in the future. "

——...I don’t think your choice is right, but if they can’t persuade you, my words won’t have any effect either.

"Sorry, I know you will object to me. After all, I am still Wei Xi's guardian, so I have hesitated for a long time since I was about to contact you last night."

——…It’s not just Xiao Xi…

The sound connecting from Shimozuki Academy to the Sanctuary was covered in noise.

"Liuyin, can you hear it?"

——…His Holiness the Pope has already thought that you will make a move. If you decide, come to the sanctuary.

"Is that what Thetis said?"

——Hmph... Your contact with the Holy See is only through me, right? Cocona is here now.

"No wonder I haven't been able to contact Professor Cocona."

Speaking of which, whether it is the Holy See or the Empire, everyone thinks that they are closely connected, but in fact, very few people can really connect with them.

——But there is one thing you need to figure out a solution for yourself.

"What?"

——The empire's entry and exit are now strictly monitored, and airships in neutral areas will definitely not be able to enter the empire.

"Is this also affected by the incident..."

——It’s more just to prevent accidents, such as for people like you.

"Haha... I understand. I will contact you after this problem is solved. It may bother you for a while."

——…This is not the first time.

After finishing communicating with Liuyin, Aika turned around and was about to leave, but was blocked by someone who unexpectedly appeared.

…………

Brad Rossi walked out of the shadow of the corridor and looked at Aika with a somewhat fierce look.

He just stood leaning against the corridor, and this action also blocked Aika's only path.

"I'm sorry. I saw you walking here in the corridor, so I followed you here."

"Eavesdropping on other people's conversations is not something worth showing off to."

Aika didn't force her way past him. What she just said had already been heard by Brad.

Facing the son of the Fu family from the Bisi Empire, he could only scold himself for being too careless.

"Are you planning to intervene in the third princess's case?"

"...What if it is?"

The "Roxi" family must be a famous family in the Bisi Empire, but Aika knows too little about it.

If their family stood opposite to Lan Ming, this would become a fatal mistake.

"Let me tell you first, 'Luo Xi's' family is still safe now."

Senior Sister Lilith and Liuyin both said that the nobles who support Lan Ming have been monitored to varying degrees.

Brad's "well-intentioned explanation" was just to express their family's position to Aika.

"Radical" and "conservative" are just private terms for the factions, and these terms have not yet been put on the table.

"Are you deliberately eavesdropping for so long just to blackmail me?"

In fact, Aika has no ill intentions towards Brad, but she is just in a bad mood every time she sees him.

This is not because of his relationship with Luo Luo, Aika argued many times in his heart.

Aika's slightly sharp words did not anger Brad, he just closed his eyes in front of Aika.

"I have said before that I don't care what happens to the family, and what happens to the third princess in the end has nothing to do with me. But I hope you don't run to the imperial capital with your head burning."

"Even if I decide to save Lan Ming in the end, it's definitely not because of my head fever. If Lan Ming can't prove it himself, we just need to find a way."

Brad opened his eyes again, but this time there was obvious sarcasm in his eyes.

"I know that you have many connections in the imperial capital, but now it is the Senate that controls the country's situation. Do you think that with your status, you can move around the Bisi Empire at will?"

"I already know all this."

Aika already has a rough plan in mind, but the initial problem has still not been solved.

If you can't enter the Bisi Empire, everything will be out of the question.

"So, after you said so much, do you just want to persuade me to stay in Shuangyue Academy and wait for the outcome of Lan Ming's trial?"

Now is not the time to talk sense here. Aika's questioning revealed his inner anxiety.

Brad was not setting him up, Aika could still see this.

So he didn't plan to argue with Brad, but took steps to walk past Brad.

"Classmate Luoluo will definitely follow you, right?" Brad did not give in to Aika, "I don't ask you to do anything, at least don't take her to take such a risk! This cannot be solved by children playing house. Once the problem is involved, it is difficult to get out.”

Brad's growl was not a deterrent, but it still calmed Aika.

Because this question directly hits the point where Aika is most troubled.

He didn't want to involve the girls at home, and he just wanted to seek their approval by telling them his ideas.

Probably because he was used to relying on their support in his heart, when Ling and Wei Xi said they wanted to go with him, Aika didn't say anything more.

Luoluo later changed his mind, perhaps just out of helplessness. As long as the decision comes from her own mouth, there is no guarantee that she will accept it with her true intentions.

Aika's troubles were directly reflected in her actions and expressions, which were all seen by Brad, who raised the corners of his mouth.

"Let's make a deal, classmate Aika. The 'Roxi' family has asked me to return to the Imperial Capital tomorrow, and an aviation magic ship will pick me up by then. I can help you smuggle into the Imperial Capital, but you can't solve this problem. question?"

This condition was timely, but Aika already knew the exchange he required.

"However, you can't bring Luo Luo with you. She must stay in Shuoyue Academy. No matter what happens to you, she can't leave. You need to convince her."

This is an extremely tough condition, especially coming from a man who once pursued Luo Luo.

But that aside, Aika has no reason to condemn him.

If it were him, he might ignore this emotion and forcefully demand Luoluo like this.

Ling has the Light Flame Sword and swordsmanship to arm himself, and his combat power is even higher than that of Aika, which is enough to ensure his own safety.

Wei Xi was the former Blue Knight of the Vatican, a magician who could stand side by side with Liuyin, and she also had a firm reason not to leave Aika.

Compared with Ling and Wei Xi, Luoluo's weakness is particularly obvious, which is Aika's excuse for not letting go.

Even if her magical ability is higher than Aika, Aika can make up for this shortcoming by relying on the gap between Eyes of Fiery Flame and Heart of Orchid.

Letting Luo Luo stay in Shuoyue Academy is exactly what Aika wants.

Therefore, there is no reason to refuse the "temptation" offered by Brad.

"I know, I'm going to convince Luoluo to stay in Shuangyue Academy..."

At this moment, a needle-like feeling flowed into Aika's heart.

It was just a second, but it was as painful as a cold sharp thorn.

"...On the contrary, you must ensure that we can enter the imperial capital."

Ignoring this strange feeling, Aika continued to make an exchange with Brad.

After Brad finished speaking his affirmative words, Aika rushed past him without even confirming.

There was a strong contrast between Aika's calm attitude in negotiating just now, and Brad frowned.

"What's going on with this guy..."

When Aika passed by him, even his breath was filled with anxiety.

Brad didn't stop Aika. Having said this, the negotiation between him and Aika has ended.

Thinking of this as a negotiation is just due to the education of the "Roxi" family. In fact, it is just a simple transaction.

"Next..."

If Aika keeps his promise and convinces Luoluo, then he must fulfill the deal with him.

…………