Chapter 40: Family love

T/N: Just found out that the Light novel has ended at Chapter 436 I think, sad to know its ended but we have a long way to go.

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Based on what Rudy heard earlier about Nina’s symptoms, he concluded that she likely had a tumor in her uterus. And the fact that she had started to suffer despite enduring it meant that the disease had progressed deeply.

Of course, Rudy had no acquaintance with Nina. However, she seemed to be Noemi’s savior.

From Rudy’s perspective, whether she was Noemi’s benefactor or not, there was no obligation to help a stranger by revealing his true identity. So, ideally, he wanted to leave her to her fate.

But now, Carl and Franz were bowing their heads towards Rudy, whom they had just met.

Being conceived through artificial insemination and raised without knowing the love of a family, Rudy couldn’t understand their actions.

“Shisho, you shouldn’t listen to their request, as it would expose your true identity,” Hal, who had been listening to the conversation, spoke to Rudy’s electronic brain.

“I know that even without you telling me.”

“Then you should abandon them.”

“Well… probably, what you’re saying is right. But can you see the two people in front of you? They are bowing their heads to me, a complete stranger, to save their loved one. And Carl even said he would sacrifice his life.”

“It’s highly irrational since if you die, you won’t be able to meet them anymore. It’s extremely illogical.”

“Maybe that’s what love is.”

As Rudy said that, Hal’s response was delayed.

“…As an AI, I cannot comprehend it.”

“Don’t worry, I can’t either.”

After ending the conversation with Hal, Rudy addressed Carl, who was still prostrating.

“Carl, you said you would sacrifice your life. Is that true?”

“Of course it is. I would do anything if it meant saving Nina’s life!”

In response to Rudy’s question, Carl lifted his head and answered.

“In that case, I’ll help you under certain conditions this time.”

“Is it true?”

While Carl and Franz’s eyes sparkled with excitement, Rudy’s eyes remained cold.

“Rudy, are you really okay with this?”

Noemi, who asked the question, received a sigh from Rudy.

“Is that what Shisho says? Well, this time is an exception. Carl, this house has a secret…gag…I mean, it’s strictly forbidden to reveal the secret of this house. If you ever speak of it, I’ll kill you. I’m dead serious about this.”

“I’ll assist you when that time comes.”

Noemi nodded in response to Rudy’s words.

“Understood. If you say it should remain a secret, I won’t even tell my family!”

“I won’t speak either!”

Franz followed Carl and made the same promise.

“In that case, let’s make a contract.”

“A contract?”

“Embed a bomb in Carl’s chest… no, that’s wrong. I mean, we’ll make the agreement.”

“What!”

Everyone was surprised by that proposal, but Rudy continued without hesitation.

“The bomb is a mechanism that will explode when certain words are spoken. If it detonates, Carl will definitely die. Are you still willing to be helped?”

Despite Rudy’s threat, Carl nodded without hesitation.

“Of course! I said I would give my life, and I will definitely keep my promise.”

“Father!”

Beside Carl, Franz shouted. But Carl’s determination didn’t waver, and he stared at Rudy’s odd-colored eyes with a serious gaze.

“Then I’ll help you. Carl… this time, I’ll make an exception and there won’t be a bomb. But remember, don’t speak about it.”

“I will never speak a word!”

“Rudy, thank you. I’m really grateful.”

“Express your gratitude after we save Nina’s life.”

Once again, Carl and Franz bowed their heads, and Rudy made them raise their heads.

After calming down a bit, Carl, who sat back on the sofa, spoke up.

“So, how are you going to cure her?”

“I’ll abduct Carl’s wife and bring her here.”

“It’s not abduction, just bring her along,” Noemi interjected, quick to catch Rudy’s joke.

“Indeed, you could say that.”

“What will you do once you bring her here?”

Franz’s question prompted Rudy to press his index finger against his own mouth.

“That part will remain a secret.”

“Well…”

“But there’s a bigger problem. Where is Nina right now?”

“She’s in a village at the entrance of the forest. It would take a two-day walk from here.”

Upon Carl’s response, Rudy displayed the surrounding map in his electronic brain to verify. Then, he frowned upon realizing that the village was a distant 59 km away.

“It seems that walking there and back won’t make it in time. Solaris, prepare the aerobikes.”

Solaris, who was standing in the corner of the room, bowed her head at Rudy’s command and headed towards the basement.

Observing her departing figure, Rudy spoke to her through the electronic brain.

“…Come to think of it, you don’t say much.”

“I cannot agree with that, but the captain’s orders take top priority.”

“I see. That’s very much like you.”

“That’s my design.”

Ending the conversation with Solaris, Rudy addressed Carl.

“If I go alone since I have no personal connection with Nina, it will turn into a full-blown abduction case. So, Carl, you’re coming with me. Franz, stay behind and have fun with Shisho.”

“I guess I’m useless this time. Fine, I have time, so I’ll entertain myself with Franz’s magic.”

While Noemi nodded in agreement with Rudy’s words, Franz, upon hearing that he couldn’t come along, became flustered.

“Huh? Can’t I come?”

“Rudy, why are you leaving Franz behind?”

Franz and Carl voiced their doubts.

“The aerobike is a two-seater. It would be impossible to carry Nina back if we force it.”

“I don’t understand this aerobike you’re talking about.”

“I’ll show it to you. Just come with me.”

Rudy started walking towards the entrance, followed hastily by Carl and Franz.

When I went outside, I saw an Aero Bike that Solaris had delivered parked in front of my house.

The Aero Bike looked like a motorcycle without wheels. Instead of wheels, it hovered slightly above the ground in a low-gravity configuration.

As I approached the Aero Bike, Solaris, who had been waiting beside it, gently handed me a small box.

“Here’s an emergency kit,” Solaris said.

“You’re surprisingly considerate,” I replied.

“Haru told me to bring it to you.”

“Haru is indeed impressive.”

“It’s a feature I can’t replicate.”

“Don’t give up so easily.”

I gave Solaris a stern look and then put the emergency kit into the side box of the Aero Bike.

“Carl, hop on already.”

I called out to Carl as I straddled the bike. However, he seemed unsettled, not knowing what this unfamiliar Aero Bike was.

“Am I supposed to ride this?”

“What else would you ride?”

“Well, yeah, but… What is this thing? It has no wheels, and I have no idea how it moves.”

“It’s a vehicle Shisho made. Don’t worry.”

“Is it some kind of abyss?”

Of course, it was a lie to reassure Carl.

“What?!”

Noemi, who had been observing silently, suddenly reacted with a strange voice to the fabricated story.

“Abyss… You’ve changed a lot since we moved away from civilization.”

“R-Really?”

“Yeah, but it’s not a bad thing. You’ve become a fine woman!”

Carl replied jokingly, causing Noemi’s face to blush.

“You idiot. Go quickly and bring Nina back!”

“No need to tell me. Let’s go, Rudy!”

Wow, this is amazing. This is what it means to live it up…

Rudy turned around after hearing Carl’s remark and stared at him with a gaze filled with admiration.

“Rudy, what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. Just hold on tight… Taho. No, I mean, hold on!”

Rudy started the engine of the Aero Bike.

The Aero Bike trembled and lifted slightly off the ground, causing the surrounding plants to sway from the air pressure.

“Wow!”

Carl and Franz were amazed by the sight of the bike.

The Aero Bike changed its course in mid-air, heading towards the village, its destination.

“Shisho, I’m off!”

“Return safely with Nina!”

“I promise, it’ll be a smooth ride!”

Rudy twisted the throttle, and the Aero Bike raced through the air, skimming just above the ground.

“Whoaah!”

With Carl’s scream, the Aero Bike disappeared into the forest.