Chapter 218: "Box"

"So..."

In the Engineering Department, Nozomi crossed his arms over his chest, glanced at the excited members of the Engineering Department who were surrounding him, as well as Vill-V who was standing in the center, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Is this what you call 'equipment'?"

"How is it? Nozomi, this is the culmination of our technology! Well... at least it is now!"

"And then? What do you want? Have someone carry this thing on the battlefield?"

"That's right!"

"...Alas, Vill-V, Fire Moth didn't give you the funding to do this kind of design."

Nozomi looked at the "big iron box" behind Vill-V with a headache... It looked like a coffin. Would anyone really carry this thing to the battlefield?

And if they really have to take this thing with them to fight Honkai beasts... the amount of exercise alone would be exhausting, how could they possibly fight normally?

"No, no, no, you are wrong, Nozomi!"

Vill-V patted her chest proudly.

"As the design I am most proud of at the moment, how could I not take all other aspects into consideration?"

"Watch carefully!"

As she spoke, Vill-V took a step forward, stretched out her hand, and pressed the side of the "iron box", causing a handle to pop out, and then... she lifted it up with one hand!

"Surprise!"

Vill-V shouted in a high-pitched voice.

"...Did you use all your previous 'Soulium' to make this thing?"

Nozomi immediately realized what Vill-V had done, and asked in a calm tone with his eyes rolled up.

"That's right! It's 'Soulium'! This is a special weapon made entirely of 'Soulium'!"

Vill-V spoke in a high-pitched voice, like an announcer on the stage, announcing the next "performance".

"Since its heavy weight cannot be resolved, let the entire weapon move on its own!"

"A mature weapon must learn to cooperate with its user! Reducing its own weight is the foundation of the foundation! Therefore, this entire weapon, under the control of the central terminal, is actually composed of countless tiny 'Soulium' weapons that will automatically adjust their own weight, or in other words, allocate some energy to perform 'floating' work to reduce the burden of the user carrying the weapon!"

"And when necessary, the user can also interrupt this part of the energy distribution and transfer the 'Soulium' originally used for [Floating] to other uses, such as... building some simple weapons."

As Vill-V spoke, she entered a series of commands on the operating panel, and then... the "iron box" that she had originally lifted with one hand suddenly fell to the ground, creating a large crack in the floor.

The handle that Vill-V was originally holding had an extra section, forming a dagger-like shape.

"Or combine other parts to form some more powerful weapons!"

As Vill-V spoke, she inserted the dagger in her hand back into the "iron box", twisted it and fixed it, and then entered a series of commands on the operation panel.

A lock popped out from the bottom of the "iron box", fixing the bottom and locking it to the ground, while the "box" itself began to deform rapidly... Vill-V also lifted and pulled the handle, causing the "box" itself to deform.

Finally, a strangely shaped [crossbow] appeared in front of Nozomi.

It was a crossbow that looked somewhat like a "dragon hunting crossbow" or "siege crossbow" designed in some games. It was in the shape of an X. The energy light flowed along the crossbow and finally gathered at the intersection in the center, making it emit a dazzling light.

At the same time, because it extended to both sides, this special weapon, which was originally the same height as Nozomi, now appeared even larger.

No... that's not right. Considering that the energy reaction emitted by this thing itself is very abnormal, this thing... should just be a [cannon] disguised as a [crossbow].

"Look, just pull the [bowstring] like this..."

Vill-V stretched out her hand excitedly, hooked her fingers on the auxiliary device on the bowstring that was especially used to "pull the bow", and slowly pulled the bowstring.

Then, everyone could clearly feel the energy flowing and gathering, the feeling of being in danger and being killed by some kind of attack... But even if someone couldn't feel it, the increasingly shining energy light on the [Bow and Crossbow] could tell everything.

"I can launch an extremely powerful attack! This time I am confident that I can directly penetrate the base of the 'Fire Moth'!"

"…So you're planning to wipe us all out now?"

"How is it possible? You are my dearest Nozomi and my most lovely helpers. How could I do such a thing?"

Vill-V had a strange look on her face as if she was wondering why Nozomi would say such a thing, and then she seemed to remember something and quickly said with a smile.

"Don't worry, I've taken precautions. And... as long as you don't release the bowstring and let the firing pin trigger the arrow, this thing won't attack!"

Vill-V slowly loosened the bowstring, allowing it to slowly return to its original position, and the energy glow shining on the crossbow gradually dimmed and returned to its original appearance.

"At the same time, in order to efficiently cooperate with this weapon, I also specially prepared an extra combat uniform!"

While Vill-V was inputting commands, allowing the [crossbow] to gradually change back to its original "iron box", she waved her hand, and her fingertips moved slightly, activating the special device on her knuckles, as if she was inputting some commands through the air.

Soon, Nozomi could hear the sound of gears turning and something being moved slowly around him.

Finally, Vill-V readjusted the "iron box" to its original settings, then moved it aside, turned around again, slightly raised the special "magic hat" that she had designed according to Nozomi's original design and that she had modified beyond recognition, and saluted Nozomi quite gracefully.

"Then... please take a good look at it! Nozomi, this is the [gift] I prepared for you."

As Vill-V spoke briskly, the curtain behind her was slowly drawn open.

"Tada~"

She took brisk steps and then snapped her fingers lightly at Nozomi.

Then, the "gift" that Vill-V mentioned, which was originally hidden behind the scenes, seemed to be impatient. Before the curtain was fully opened and before Nozomi could see the whole picture, it rushed out directly.

It lifted up the curtain, making it fly, and then fell quietly, bypassing Vill-V's body, surging forward from her sides, outlining a stream-like shape in the air, accompanied by dense, metal collision sounds, it flowed in the air like water, and finally gathered on Nozomi's body, putting on a special coat for him.

At first, it was dark, which was the color of metal, the original color of "Soulium". However, after it stuck to Nozomi's body and outlined the shape of the clothes, its color turned into light white.

Nozomi looked down at his combat uniform which had a unique aesthetic, and at the hem that fluttered like a windbreaker. He then turned his head to look at his lower back, at the gear-shaped component that looked a little special... It seemed to be some kind of fixing device?

There are also parts on both sides of the shoulders that seem to be able to connect to something.

In addition, Nozomi also had gloves on his hands, and his right hand, like Vill-V, had some special device on the knuckles. It was connected to the gears on the back of his hand and seemed to be used to control something.

"...You used all the Soulium you had to make these two things?"

After moving his body slightly and feeling the combat uniform to confirm that there was no problem and that it would not affect his daily movements, Nozomi asked this.

"That's right! As this is the design I'm most proud of right now, I'm naturally going to use all the resources I have at hand!"

"...Vill-V, you should know what problems this will cause."

Nozomi covered his head with his hands as he felt a headache.

"And... why are you guys joining in the fun with her?"

"Ahem, anyway... Nozomi, are you satisfied with this [gift]?"

An engineering manager nearby coughed lightly and then asked in a friendly voice.

"Although I don't know what the combat uniform I'm wearing is used for, other than matching that special weapon..."

He moved his fingers, especially his right hand with a special device, and felt a slight blockage when his five fingers moved. He also felt the faintly visible thin lines under the light, and the gears on the back of his hand that reacted differently to the movement of his five fingers. Nozomi spoke slowly.

"But this should be designed to facilitate the control of that special weapon during war. The fixing device on the back waist and the parts on both shoulders should be designed to make it easier for people to carry that huge weapon, um..."

Nozomi moved his legs slightly, bounced lightly, and found some clues.

"It should be able to assist in activities, or have some properties of exoskeleton armor? When did you start researching this, Vill-V? And..."

Pulling his collar, Nozomi frowned.

"There should be an additional supporting device that can be linked to this part... What do you plan to make? A mask? With some combat panels to improve the information analysis capabilities on the battlefield?"

"That's right! As expected of you!"

Vill-V quickly came to Nozomi's front, leaned into his arms with an expectant expression that also seemed to indicate that she was doing this on purpose, looked up, blinked at him, and asked with a smile.

"How is it? Do you still like it?"

"This is a product that we have worked so hard on. With this, you will be able to work more easily on the battlefield in the future. In other words, you can get more data when you want to test something on the front line."

"...so?"

Nozomi first slightly turned sideways, blocking the view of others with his body. When no one else could see, he gently rubbed Vill-V's brightly colored fluffy hair, as a way of giving her some encouragement and comfort... When she squinted her eyes happily and even shook her head slightly, Nozomi withdrew his hand and asked calmly.

"Ahem↘Ahem↗! So~ Nozomi, it's time to escape from that old woman's sea of suffering! Come on! Join us! Throw yourself into my arms... It hurts!"

"Where did you learn these nonsense words?"

Before Vill-V could finish her words, Nozomi slapped her on the forehead.

"What's wrong? I was serious..."

Vill-V covered her head and spoke aggrievedly.

"I am seriously trying to [save] you!"

"I'm not a princess captured by a dragon, nor am I a miserable person who has strayed into a magical realm and can't leave. Why do you need to [save] me?"

Nozomi rubbed Vill-V's face angrily and helplessly.

"Mmmmm... Look! You look like you've been deceived by that bad woman!"

"You little girl... You know what kind of person the Doctor is. The initial misunderstanding should have been resolved long ago, right? Why do you still think so?"

"…So, you don't want to leave there?"

"It's simply not necessary."

Nozomi smiled, withdrew his hand, and raised his right hand, trying to analyze the special device he had put on his right hand, or in other words, to analyze the commands that could be input into this device.

"And... do you really want me to come to the engineering department to take care of you?"

"Well... not really... no?"

"Really?"

Nozomi glanced at Vill-V's thighs and then said casually.

"You've gained weight on your legs recently, which is obviously the result of sitting for too long... Apparently, after you led the engineering department to renovate this place, you have a new way of moving around, as can be seen from how you escaped from me last time."

"And... you designed this specifically."

Nozomi moved the fingers of his right hand and tried to input a few commands.

"It is used to remotely control the various devices here, so you don't have to run around. It can even take you to move... You have been staying in the laboratory designing drawings recently and have not moved, right?"

"And when you eat, you use this device to bring the food directly to you, right? This also includes transporting parts, moving blueprints, searching for information, etc., all in the same way, right?"

"Come to think of it, you seem to have been exercising at different times from me recently. But the last time we met, your fatigue and breathing rhythm after exercise were obviously different from what you said... Your body seems to have become a little weaker, Vill-V..."

"Uh... well..."

As Nozomi pressed forward step by step, Vill-V also retreated little by little, becoming erratic, and finally lowered her head in panic, with the index fingers of both hands constantly tapping in front of her body... Obviously, she was very nervous.

At the same time, she also realized... he discovered what she had concealed before... oh no, it should be a lie.

"Even if I ask you later, you will only answer me that you did practice, but with me and the Doctor around you, you are not used to it and therefore nervous... Yeah~ That's a pretty good excuse~"

Nozomi snorted softly.

"But now it seems... that's not the case~"

"Ah... this... that..."

"Vill-V."

"Yes! I'm here!"

"You lied to me..."

Nozomi stared into her eyes closely, then raised his right hand and snapped his fingers lightly.

"Right."

The special combat uniform on his body seemed to have received an order. It quickly disintegrated, outlining a river-like shape in the air, and quickly returned to where it was supposed to be, hanging there quietly.

"Sorry..."

"...sigh."

Nozomi sighed, reached out, gently hugged Vill-V, then gently rubbed her cheek through her hair, and finally, touched his forehead against hers.

"This is the last time. It won't happen again."

"Um..."

"As for this [gift], I like it very much, but... unfortunately, I can't use it now."

"..."

"But you have to keep it for me."

Nozomi stood up, distanced himself from Vill-V, and said with a smile.

"After all, I'll always need it."

"But this kind of [binding] weapon still has some problems. It will attract suspicion and accusations from the Fire Moth... Never mind, I will negotiate with them. You don't have to worry about it for now."

"Okay, I have something else to do at the Operations Department... Don't worry, if you really feel tired, come find me."

"oh..."

Vill-V nodded.

"I understand... I will keep the 'box' for you."

"'Box'?"

"The name of that special armed force."

Vill-V pointed at the "iron box" and spoke softly.

"I thought you were going to have a long, iconic name."

"I originally wanted to, but..."

There was a hint of confusion and contemplation in Vill-V's eyes as she looked at the "box".

"I think it should be called 'Box.'"

"This way... a concise name is not bad."

Nozomi rubbed Vill-V's head.

"Um."

Vill-V narrowed her eyes happily and said nothing more.

…

...

Someone from Engineering: Should we tell them... that we're still here? (whispering)

Engineering Manager: Shut up! If we are discovered, we are all doomed! Just enjoy it and pretend we don't exist. Don't do anything unnecessary! (whispering)

Another person from the Engineering Department: Am I the only one who is wondering if Nozomi is... a little too popular with girls? (whispering)

Another person from the Engineering Department: I won't talk about Vill-V, but there are some signs about Mobius. I heard that he has a good relationship with the big star Eden, and he also knows Sakura, a famous model under Eden... Damn, why are they all beautiful girls! (whispering)

Someone from the Engineering Department: It's because of people like Nozomi that we are still single! (whispering)

Others: That's right! (whispering)

Engineering manager: Keep your voice down! You're about to be discovered! (whispering)

Others: Oh oh oh… I don't exist… I don't exist… (self-hypnosis)