My machine combat simulator has come true

However, since it is something that will interest my old friend, then there is no harm in going with him——

For Yu Xiao, who has almost no desires or desires, this is his way of dealing with the world.

***

the other side.Penglai Island, under the "One Man Mountain".

Howling... (wind sound)

As shown above.

Today is obviously sunny and fine weather.But I don't know why the wind is blowing.

Although it doesn't feel cold, it will always make people feel disturbed after a long time.

But standing at the junction of the foot of the mountain and the seashore, looking at the endless line of sea and sky in front of him, Bu Qing repeatedly lowered the brim of his hat.

Beside him, he was still tied with simple stakes and ropes—a small boat?

"…call."

And watching the windy waves repeatedly slapping the shore, he sighed softly.

The turbulent sea is indeed like his mood at this time.There is neither peace nor stability.

"...Ninja Girl. A Xiao. I've prepared the stage for you."

While talking to himself, Bu Qingzhang's gaze towards the distance gradually became dignified.

As if some child was the obvious behind-the-scenes pusher in the animation, he shook his head and muttered:

"... Next, whether you can succeed or not. It depends on your own...!"

***

at the same time.Deep below Penglai Island, in the command room of the underground facility "Alves".

"...applying for leave?"

Scanning the application submitted by the red-haired ponytail ninja girl in front of him, Kalinin frowned as if thinking about something.

"Yes. Because, what about... I was asked out. After all, today is a lantern festival... or something?"

Standing in front of the desk that was empty except for documents, Kaizaka Kaiya scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

Probably because he felt that this behavior was detrimental to his professional ethics as a so-called "ninja" who hung up the signboard of "24 hours a day! Come and go when you call".

"Ah, but no! The subject is also the target of this surveillance mission!...From a formal point of view, it is also a continuation of the mission. So there is no problem...right?"

So she then put on a convincing look and began to find excuses for her actions.

"...um."

However, Kalinin still put on a pensive posture.

…Oops.Could it be that I, after all, still can’t convince my employer——?

Seeing Kalinin like this, Laiya couldn't help but predict pessimistically.

"Ahaha... If it really doesn't work, let me continue to be on duty normally—or something. I don't have any complaints..."

[To be honest, I have been using the source-changing app recently to read and update books, switch between sources, and read aloud with many timbres, both Android and Apple. 】

But looking at Lai Mi who was speaking in such a dejected way, Kalinin showed a chuckle instead:

"No... You may have misunderstood something, Lai Mi. I have no intention of stopping you. Rather, you have such thoughts and activities, which made me feel a lot more at ease."

"...Huh. Huh? Really?"

"Really. I've always worried that in order to protect this island, children like you will sacrifice precious time that they should have... It's great to see you so lively now."

"—And. I also have one thing that I would like to entrust to those who participated in tonight's event..."

"...Then, no matter what, please leave it to me!"

"That's as good as it gets. . . . Look. Here it is."

Opening the cupboard under the table, Kalinin took out something not too huge.

At the same time, he also showed a slight distressed expression.

"...I originally wanted to release them myself. It's just that there are new documents to be processed that day...Since you are going, can you release these two lights into the sky for me?"

"Of course—no problem! Leave it to me, Mr. Kalinin!"

Commit first and then act.Lai Mi took the thing that Kalinin held out with great care.

I saw that it was a Kongming lantern.

Although the workmanship is rough, judging from the traces of repeated repairs on it, its owner must have spent a lot of effort on it.

And on both sides of the outer layer of flame-retardant paper, the characters of Winter Kingdom are written in black ink.

Generally speaking, it will be obscure and difficult for people of the Fusang family who grew up in a Chinese character environment...

But for Lai Mi, it is quite leeway to understand it.

After all, even though she is a "ninja", she has actually experienced quite modern spy training-naturally, learning other languages ​​is also part of it.

And even if it is a ninja, it cannot have nothing to do with the winter text.It might be better to say that there is a lot of karma.

It is said that during the Warring States Period in ancient Fusang, the once-prominent ninja family of the "Fengma" family was the descendant of the Cossack cavalry of the future Winter Kingdom——

Far away.

In short, after walking out the door, Lai Mi tilted his head, driven by curiosity, trying to read the names of the characters corresponding to these words from the man's neat ink marks.

One is "Yin Lina Karenina".

Looking at the surnames below, combined with the rumors about Mr. Kalinin that he has heard before, Lai Mi can probably understand it.

...that's probably it.It was the name of his late wife.

Flying this Kongming Lantern here today may be just a way to reminisce.

...Even if Laiya is not a loyal reader of romance novels, he can still feel a romantic atmosphere with a bit of mourning at this moment.

But, at the same time...

The text on the other side is strange no matter how you look at it.

Although the first and last names are written in Western style and written in Russian, no matter how Lai Mi reads it, it seems to be a——

A very typical, Fuso-style name.

...And, if it is transcribed into Chinese characters.

It can probably be written as——

"Sousuke Sagara"...?

Chapter 130 Six Home of the Lights

Western calendar 2305, August [-]st, at [-]:[-] p.m.

Yu Xiao arrived at the agreed place not too early and not too late.At the foot of the Mountain of One Man—

But I saw a scene that was somewhat different from what I expected.

"... Lai Mi?"

The person in front of him is not just Bu Qing.Also living here is the self-proclaimed ninja girl with red hair and ponytail.

"Why... are you here?"

And he took a few steps forward, asking questions without malice, just out of curiosity.

"This... this? It's because..."

"—Because I happened to meet you on the road!... That's it, it's very simple."

It seems to be hiding something.It seems not again.

In short, after Bu Qing took a few steps, he winked inexplicably at Lai Mi who was behind him.

And quickly changed the subject:

"...And. A Xiao, you shouldn't care too much about one more person and one less person? After all, they are all friends...all friends, right?"

"Ah. Of course."

In this regard, Yu Xiao showed a natural smile.

It's a holiday, after all—and it is.The more people there are, the more lively it will be.

"Then no problem, everything is OK!...Then, Ah Xiao. Let's start now! Tonight's rides!"

...is there any fun in a place like this?Yu Xiao was puzzled.

But then, he looked in the direction Bu Qing pointed.

There really are.There's a... dinghy with a payload of around two people?

"——I specifically asked my father to do it. Hehe, on the island, going to sea without permission is not allowed, right?..."

While talking, Bu Qing hooked Yu Xiao's shoulder.Said in a wicked tone:

"...As a young man, let's take advantage of tonight. When the adults are all gathered at the holiday party, let's do something that can only be done now!...Ah. Of course. It must be just walking around the coast. It's over... I don't want to be arrested and preach after the Dongchuang incident..."

--I see.Yu Xiao was relieved.That's why I specially called him...

After all, he is this kind of person.There seems to be nothing to be surprised about.

"I see. Let's go, brother step."

So he nodded in agreement.But how crisply he answered, the other party was confused:

"Hey... ah?"

"...What. Don't you want to go to sea by boat?"

"Ah... oh!"

After finally turning the corner, Bu Qing quickly retracted his movements.His eyes wandered a little bit.

"...This. I can't do it."

He then scratched his head.

"Because I'm a little seasick... or something. At first, I just wanted to give you alone, but... oops! Look, there's another person over there who can be your accomplice! Just go with her—" —!”

Whether it was serious or joking, Bu Qing pushed Yu Xiao's back and made him face Lai Mi's direction.

…Why.Anyway, it's all taken over...then there's nothing we can do now.

So Yu Xiao took a few steps forward.After coughing lightly, he said seriously:

"...Then. Lami."

Then he held out his hand.

"……let's go?"

Regarding this, the red-haired girl hesitated for a moment.

But in the end, he also gently entrusted his palm to the other party.

"Ah...um! Okay, Mr. Yu!"

***

After a few minutes.Under the propulsion of the wind and waves and the light swing of the oars, cruise on the small boats around the coast.

"...Yu Jun?"

"Yeah. Kami... What's the matter? If you feel dizzy, take a rest. I'll be in charge of rowing the boat back..."

"No... just. Don't you want to say something?"

"Ah...haha. I don't have anything to say, right?...Now..."

Yu Xiao scratched his head.Then he looked around - the boat sailed on the shore of the night.

Although there may be a bit of wabi-sabi elegance in saying this, but the surrounding scenery is really nothing to praise...

There is no way.Penglai Island is such a small remote place.Not only are there no scenic spots, but the scenery can be seen almost everywhere.Even the information is far behind. Newspapers will be two days late, and magazines will be three days late...