Chapter 189: Dream of Joy
None of Gu He's group were certified friends of the Alchemists Guild. When they reached the "Science Grounds"—an abandoned construction site repurposed into a surface and underground mall—Lorna had to bribe the guards to send word to Wilbur inside. Fortunately, Wilbur remembered them, clearing their verification so they could head down into the underground mall.
Wilbur's small alchemy workshop was as messy as ever. Various mechanical parts cluttered the workbenches, robotic arms extended from the walls, and a faint smell of steam lingered in the air.
In the middle of the workshop stood a massive water tank where the modified Shelter-Species Dolphin swam.
"Shoving whatever you want into my brain! You humans will get your retribution sooner or later!" the dolphin cursed.
"No need for sooner or later—the retribution is happening right now," Lorna said, standing by the tank with her arms crossed as she watched it.
On the way here, Gu He had reclaimed the dominant personality of the Legion, ending Sakai Huaqing's turn at roleplaying. Pandora's striped clothes were inherently androgynous; as long as he left off the large black bowler hat, the outfit didn't look out of place on him.
"Lorna, drop it," he intervened. They still needed the dolphin to inspect the goods.
"Getting to be human again, it's hard to say whether that's a blessing or retribution," Lorna added.
"Retribution. Of course it's retribution." The dolphin let out an electronic, synthesized sigh that sounded remarkably human.