Chapter 47: Welt: Trembling, Lighting a Cigarette

"Mr. Yang..."

"Mr. Yang?"

"Mr. Yang!"

Angel stood beside Welt Yang, holding the homework she had just collected. She puffed up her face in annoyance at being ignored.

Welt turned his eyes away from his unresponsive phone, looked at Angel, and smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry, my family promised to talk to me over the past couple of days, but there's been no response. I'm a little worried. Thank you, Angel, for collecting the homework. I'm sorry to bother you."

"You're welcome. I'm the class representative."

Angel said calmly. At first glance, it didn't sound like anything, but seeing her put her hands on her waist and puff out her chest, she was obviously very proud.

Welt shook his head and laughed. He liked this cute little student but couldn't help worrying.

'This child is also an orphan in Nagazora. If he, Mei, Bronya, and others... Alas, why is fate always so cruel to innocent and kind people?' Welt sighed inwardly and took out a box of cookies from his drawer.

"My salary is low, far less than your B-level Valkyrie. I can't afford anything good, but I have this box of cookies. Thank you for your help these days."

"Thank you, Mr. Yang!"

Angel held the cookies, trying to keep a serious expression, but her eyes shone uncontrollably.

Obviously, the little girl couldn't refuse delicious snacks.

Welt laughed again and gently watched Angel's joyful steps as she left.

Then, in the now-empty office, Welt picked up his phone again and frowned.

'Tesla and Einstein said they were going to check the situation. How come there's no news? It's been several days. Could it be that Cocolia really dared... No, don't think too much. Einstein is very cautious; she must have taken defensive measures. At the very least, she would ask me for help. Well, it should be that the situation is more complicated than expected. Wait a little longer. If there's no news today, I'll contact them tomorrow.' Welt hesitated for a while, finally deciding to trust his close friends.

After all, if it were only Tesla, he might have to worry about her occasional carelessness, but with the reliable Einstein accompanying her, he wouldn't have to worry, right?

The phone didn't ring that day.

Welt sat in his room until dawn, finally deciding to call Tesla's communication line.

"Hello! Who is it? I'm busy!"

"Tesla, who else would use this channel? Of course, it's…"

"Ah, right, right! Jump! Chop him! That's right! I'll finish him off! Combo combo… Woohoo! We won! Little Ninti, you're awesome, you're a genius, hahahaha!"

"Beep~~"

Welt listened to Tesla's passionate and noisy voice and watched the phone go dead amidst her heroic laughter. He tilted his head, looking confused.

"???"

Welt was stunned for a moment, then gave up wondering whether Tesla had deliberately turned off the phone or had hung up. He contacted Einstein instead.

"Hello, is this Yang? What's up?"

"Of course, I am..."

"Hey, wait a minute, the apple pie is almost done. I'll take it out for Little Ninti first, and I'll contact you later if there's anything."

"Beep~~"

Welt stared blankly at the screen as it went dark again. For some reason, even though there was no wind in the room, he felt a cold breeze blowing into his heart, so cold!

Who is Little Ninti?

Am I no longer your most beloved child... ah, the most trusted and cherished family member?

...

Half a day later, Welt held the cigarette that Siegfried had left behind many years ago, listening calmly to Einstein and Tesla telling Ninti's story.

"It can be concluded that Ninti is a child born after a series of adjustments and modifications based on Joyce's genes. It's hard to say whether she's a clone or an offspring. But in short, Ninti is a good child, and she's absolutely innocent."

"Yes, yes, she is super cute!"

"Joyce was the original Herrscher of Reason after all. Some of his special characteristics may have penetrated into his genes. This is probably why Ninti retains a small amount of Joyce's memory. But Ninti is not Joyce. If you meet her in the future, remember this, and don't let this child feel troubled."

"She learns games very quickly and is a perfect match for me. I like her so much, hahahaha!"

"Now, this child is like a blank slate. Some of Joyce's memories and thoughts flow into her, causing confusion about the world and herself. We have to guide and take good care of her."

"By the way, she even shares her apple pie with me! Ah, she lifts the pie into my mouth with both hands raised high, looking very serious. So cute! Anyway, she is a thousand times cuter than you were as a child, no, at least ten thousand times!"

Einstein shared some basic information about Ninti.

Tesla happily kept stabbing Welt in the heart.

After a while, Welt put out the stale cigarette, sighed, and said:

"So, you two have been guarding this child and even forgot to contact me?"

Einstein: "I thought Dr. Tesla had contacted you."

Tesla: "I thought Chicken-Coop Head would contact you!"

They almost said it in unison, confidently shirking responsibility. Even after realizing the situation, they still had no apology, as if they didn't care about Welt's feelings.

Welt covered his face, unable to express his feelings at that moment.

Could he still tell them he was jealous because of a little girl?

But it's really sour!

I, Welt Yang, was also brought up by you since I was a child, but I have never seen you treat me so well!

But Welt is a mature adult. After a brief moment of resentment, he quickly adjusted his mood and said seriously:

"So, the child's condition is stable?"

"Yes, her physique is very good, her abilities are very stable, and her control over Honkai energy and gravity is excellent. She has perfectly inherited Joyce's strengths."

"Hiss! I don't understand why those scientists would transform a little girl from Joyce's genes?"

"I've thought about this too. I think it's based on the fact that women's Honkai energy adaptability is generally stronger than men's. They probably thought that a woman with Joyce's genes would be stronger and more worthy of study."

Einstein answered Welt's question seriously.

Just as Angel had expected, as long as the setting is rough and vague enough, smart people will automatically apply various interpretations.

Welt nodded in agreement, approving Einstein's rigorous and reasonable conjecture.

Just as Welt was about to continue discussing Ninti's situation, a cute little blonde girl appeared behind the screen and said in a soft voice:

"Sister Liesel, Sister Frederica, what are we going to do today?"

"Ah! Cute little Ninti, today the sisters are going to take you skiing, hahaha!"

"Little Ninti, I have prepared the skiing gear. Come, let Sister Liesel teach you how to put it on."

"Beep~~"

The communication was abruptly cut off, catching Welt off guard.

They were too lazy to even say "goodbye" to him!

Welt's hands shook as he tremblingly lit another deteriorated cigarette for himself.

Cigarettes will deteriorate, and so will love, right?