Chapter 228: Skadi: Are there more "partners" of "blood relatives"?

[In fact, your plan to take a leave to go out and meet Eden affected more than just Mobius... Especially when this news was "accidentally" leaked by Danzhu, almost half of the "Fire Moth" was furious.]

[The most important one is of course Vill-V... Facing Eden, she was much more vigilant than when she faced Mobius. It can be said that she really made a fuss for a while...]

[And Vill-V's parents, who were called by the engineering department to comfort her, stopped comforting Vill-V after learning the details. They just stood there with their arms folded, watching Vill-V's fuss, their eyes full of gloating and "she deserves it."]

[Of course, Vill-V is their daughter after all, so they still have to help her... Although they don't know whether Vill-V's attention and care for you is "love" or something else?]

[Anyway, after negotiating with you and asking for Vill-V's opinion, you also said that you could let Vill-V come along... but isn't the situation becoming more and more subtle?]

[Elysia, realizing that something special might happen to you, gave up her original plan to go with you... For some reason, she always felt that she was not suitable to participate, so she could only pat your shoulder, looking at you with a little helplessness and amusement in her eyes, and wished you a pleasant journey, and hoped that you could make a choice that you would not regret.]

[...Really, Elysia is a little too sensitive in this regard, but… it doesn't matter, this scene will come eventually.]

[Of course, because Eden originally invited only you, and now due to special reasons, two more people have been invited. This situation naturally needs to be explained to Eden, so you also contacted her specifically and told her and Sakura about your special situation.]

[Eden and Sakura don't mind this... Just come, just come and see what those two girls who are always by your side are like.]

[You thank them for their understanding, and after thinking about it for a while, you say that you will bring some "gifts" to them, and hope they like them.]

[In addition, the news that you were going to listen to Eden's concert was naturally known to the fans in "Fire Moth"... Although they had heard that you have a good relationship with Eden, and you even sang a song for Eden.]

[But since nothing noteworthy has happened between you and Eden since then, they don't care that much.]

[But now... they have changed their minds a little bit, and all of them come to you, asking you to bring back some autographs from Eden.]

[Especially Kevin. When he came to see you, he was so excited that he couldn't speak. He could only carefully take out the disc he had treasured and sincerely ask you to help get Eden to sign the disc. His attitude once made Mei, who came with him, speechless.]

[You naturally agreed to this kind of thing, and you also said that you would remember it. After all... no matter what, there is still some time before the date Eden told you, so there is no need to rush.]

[Before that, you have to take care of your own affairs first.]

[First of all, of course, there are problems in the laboratory... There is too much work to do, especially Cang Xuan and Danzhu, these two lazy people, who like to add burdens to Klein whenever they have time. This is not acceptable, they need to be properly disciplined.]

[As for the two little guys' wails? 'Ahhhh...' the background noise is too loud, YOU can't hear it~]

[Anyway, they have to give back all the fish they touched before, and let Klein relax a little.]

[Of course, in order to prevent the two little guys from quitting and to make up for the work you missed before, you also worked at full capacity. After working hard for four days, you barely finished some of the backlog of work... But if you want to complete it completely, it will probably take some time.]

[But you don't have the leisure time now. You have to leave these finishing tasks to Cang Xuan and Danzhu. You also have to go to the coastal areas... After all, due to various things, you have been delayed for a long time. You promised to meet your "blood relatives", you can't break your promise.]

[After all...blood relations are important.]

[The two little ones are naturally happy and sad about your departure... They are happy because there is no one to take care of them after you leave, and they can touch the fish a little; they are sad because there is no one to help them after you leave.]

[Of course, they can also ask Klein for help, but considering that if you knew about this, it would add burden to them, so the two of them didn't dare to ask Klein for help in everything.]

[When Mobius found out what you were going to do, she looked at you with some confusion, as if wondering why you were so anxious.]

[But then, she let you go... She originally wanted to go with you, after all, she also wanted to bring back some samples of the Honkai beasts in the sea.]

[But unfortunately, since she has decided to follow you to meet Eden, she has to deal with unnecessary things in advance and shut up those guys in the "Fire Moth" to prevent them from causing trouble for her.]

[And you were going alone, and you also said that you were going to investigate ocean anomalies and collect samples, and no one else was following you, so she didn't say much, but just hoped that you could bring back more samples.]

[Then, you followed the team of "Fire Moth" and went to a certain coast... There happened to be some Honkai beasts crawling out of the sea there, suitable for you to investigate.]

————————

Crash——

It's the sound of waves hitting the beach.

Tick-tock

It is the sound of drizzle falling.

The rain fell gently on the beach full of Honkai beast carcasses, quietly wetting the beach and dyeing it from bright yellow to dark brown.

"Hmm~ Hmm~"

While Nozomi was collecting the remains of the Honkai beast, he was humming an unknown ballad. His every move was filled with ease and casualness, completely dispelling the atmosphere that should have been serious and cautious.

This is understandable. As the most beloved child of the "mother," Nozomi already knows from the "mother" which places of these Honkai beasts that crawled onto the land from the sea are worth collecting and which places will attract the attention of Mobius.

Ah... Really, it always feels a bit too much to say this. After all, even if it is the "ocean" that gave birth to the Honkai beasts, people would resolutely give up those Honkai beasts for the sake of Nozomi, a child... Isn't this a bit too biased?

But... what a pity, who made him loved by his "mother"?

"Mr. Nozomi..."

A gray-haired young warrior was standing behind Nozomi. She couldn't help but speak as she watched Nozomi skillfully and quickly collect samples and seal them in the "box" he was carrying.

"Are you... happy? And... are these samples you collected really okay?"

"You don't need to use such a respectful title, Hua."

Nozomi sealed the last sample in the "box," reconnected the "box" to the device on his back, put it on his back, and spoke at the same time.

"Just call my name."

"Um... Okay."

Hua hesitated for a while before she agreed with Nozomi and nodded.

"As for what you just said... Indeed, I am in a good mood."

Nozomi turned around and explained to her with a smile.

"After all, I collected the samples the doctor wanted, so I am naturally very happy."

"…You seem to have a good relationship with that Dr. Mobius."

"That's true... Of course, more importantly, it's raining today~"

"Do you like rainy days very much, Mr. Nozomi... Ahem, Nozomi?"

Hua quickly adjusted her address.

"Yes, rather, I like water, so the ocean is my favorite thing."

Nozomi said with a smile.

Crash——

The waves gently lapped on the beach, as if in response to his words.

"Hmm~ Hmm~"

"Nozomi first... Nozomi, please be more vigilant... The captain said that although an Honkai beast just climbed ashore here, we should be able to rest now, but there is no guarantee that another Honkai beast will climb up..."

Looking at Nozomi humming a song and looking extremely relaxed, Hua couldn't help but remind him.

"Although I know you are stronger than most of us, it is still very dangerous to face the Honkai..."

"Thank you for your concern, Hua, but you are wrong about one thing... We can go back to the base now."

"...ah?"

Hua blinked in confusion.

"I have collected all the samples I wanted to collect. As for the abnormality in the ocean... it would be better to wait until it is not raining to investigate. It would be safer that way, isn't it?"

Nozomi first glanced at the endless sea. Due to the rainy day, the whole sky looked a little gray and the scenery was not very good. However, Nozomi seemed to sense something. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise, and even his tone became much lighter.

"…Indeed."

Although she didn't understand why Nozomi completed the sample collection so quickly, it seemed different from the sample collection conducted by researchers she had seen before... but since Nozomi said it was completed, she naturally wouldn't say much.

She is a [Soldier] and just needs to follow orders.

"…, I have a question, Hua."

"Please go ahead."

"Will you fight the Honkai to the end for humanity?"

"...certainly."

Hua didn't quite understand why Nozomi would ask such a question... After seeing the disasters brought about by the Honkai, after witnessing the tragic situation after the Honkai erupted, isn't it natural to fight against the Honkai?

"Devote everything to protect humanity?"

"…This is our duty, and the reason for the existence of the Fire Moth."

Hua didn't quite understand the weight of this sentence, so she just responded in a formulaic way.

"Hmm... That's great."

Nozomi clapped his hands gently as if to praise her and to encourage her.

"I believe you will be able to do it in the future."

"Next... well, your mission is over, so go back to the team first. Please thank Himeko for taking care of me. I specially asked you to look after me."

Nozomi arrived at the base, waved, and said goodbye to Hua with a smile.

"It is my duty,... Nozomi."

Hua saluted Nozomi, then trotted off to find her team.

"Hmm... Hua... You will be a very good 'beacon' in the future..."

Looking at Hua's leaving back, Nozomi narrowed his eyes and whispered to himself.

"The consciousness that has been polished in every possible way is enough to bloom with its own brilliance... Well, she will be a competent 'soldier' in the future."

"Well... one 'chess piece' has been reserved, and next up are... Kevin and the others."

"Ah, no, no, we came here to see our 'blood relatives' and we can't let other things delay us."

Nozomi patted his face, gathering his scattered thoughts, and walked into his resting place. He put away the "box" behind him and arranged the sealed samples in it one by one. Then... he took off his special combat uniform and changed into a simpler set of clothes.

Tick-tock

At this moment, the rain outside the house had quietly gotten heavier.

Nozomi also quietly opened the window, jumped lightly, and walked silently into the rain.

With the help of the cover of the rain curtain and the information conveyed by the rain, Nozomi nimbly and silently circled out of the base, and after leaving the base... he instantly burst out with an abnormal speed.

After all... it's a rainy day, and it's on the coast, so this is his home court.

Far away from the camp, Nozomi came to the edge of a pile of rocks and jumped down lightly.

The waves were surging but instantly became calm when he fell, like a mother who sees her child jumping from the air and nervously opens her arms to catch him. The waves gently caught Nozomi's body and let him step on the calm seawater.

Nozomi just let the rain flow on his body. He bent down, and gently stroked the calm seawater, with a slight smile on his face.

"It's been a long time, 'Mother.'"

Crash——

The calm sea water gently rippled with small waves, gently and tenderly touching his palm in response.

Then, Nozomi also raised his head and looked not far away.

There… there, there she was.

The rain cannot block each other's induction, and the rain curtain cannot block each other's sight.

On the seawater and in the rain, that touch of bright red is so conspicuous, and that touch of silver is so dazzling.

Listening to the sound of the figure constantly tumbling in the water, Nozomi smiled, opened his arms, and embraced the figure in his arms.

Then...

"puff--"

The huge impact force directly knocked Nozomi to the sea surface. The originally calm sea water quickly surged and created waves to reduce the impact force on Nozomi and prevent him from suffering more injuries.

"Blood relatives?!"

Skadi quickly stood up, nervously grabbed Nozomi's arms, and carefully checked his condition.

"Sorry…"

"Ahem... it's okay, it's okay."

Nozomi waved his hands. He did not resist her hands that were touching him randomly. He just looked at Skadi who was riding on him and stretched out his hand.

Skadi also quickly withdrew her hands and gently held Nozomi's hands, allowing him to touch her face, let him feel her presence, and let herself feel the warmth of his palms.

"It's nice to see you again, my blood relative."

"Well, I'm glad to see you, blood relative."

Feeling Nozomi gently caressing her face, Skadi narrowed her eyes happily and responded to Nozomi's words.

"What's wrong with 'Blood Relatives' this time? Do you need my and 'Mother's' help? The people that 'Blood Relatives' specially 'marked' have been dealt with."

As she spoke, Skadi lowered her body, laid on Nozomi's chest, and asked obediently.

"Well, Skadi did a great job. Skadi is amazing."

Nozomi rubbed her head casually. Even though her white hair was wet with water, he could still feel its softness, making him unable to let go.

"Hehe~"

Feeling the touch of her "blood relative," Skadi narrowed her eyes and hummed happily twice... With the praise from her "blood relative," she felt even happier.

"But this time there's nothing to do, I just came to visit you and 'Mother'... Although there may be something I need your help with later, but not now."

"Well, then... if my blood relatives call me, I will come."

Skadi said seriously.

"Anytime, anywhere."

"Yes, I know."

Nozomi reached out, gently touched Skadi's forehead with his finger, and then hugged her tightly.

"After all... we are blood relatives."

"Um."

Skadi squeezed into Nozomi's arms again and responded to him softly.

No matter what, blood relationship is important.

only...

Sniff——

Skadi leaned close to Nozomi's neck and sniffed gently as if she sensed some scent.

Therefore... she supported herself on the sea surface with her hands and moved her face in front of Nozomi so that her scarlet eyes could look into Nozomi's strange three-color pupils. Her long silver-white hair flowed down, blocking Nozomi's vision on both sides.

"'Blood relatives'…"

Skadi blinked a hint of curiosity in her steady tone.

"Are there more 'companions' of 'blood relatives'?"

"Ah, this…"

For some reason, when facing Skadi, Nozomi felt a kind of embarrassment for the first time... a feeling that he had never felt even when facing Elysia and Sakura.

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(TL:

Hi~ guys~

I've been mulling over the idea of starting a Patreon where you could get exclusive stuff like early access to chapters. I've noticed other translators doing this to make a bit of extra cash, and while I'm tempted, I'm also feeling a bit guilty since I'm translating this fanfic without the author's consent. Is that even okay? I'd love to hear your thoughts~

For now, I'm planning to finish this current fanfic before diving into Patreon. I might look for a new fanfic to translate and, if it's a good fit, make it Patreon-exclusive for advance chapters and other perks. That's more of a future plan though—just wanted to get your input~!

Honestly, I just love translating fanfic, but when my parents ask what I get out of it, saying "for fun" isn't the best answer. If I could tell them I'm making a bit of money from it, that might help~

Anyway, that's my little rant~ I hope you enjoy the chapter, and thanks for sticking around~

Bye for now!)