Chapter 300 : Work
"No, please! I was wrong! Master Elucia, give me another chance!!!"
Watching Candel being dragged away while still wailing, Lonis felt triumphant but also somewhat shaken... Thank goodness Elucia had become her wife, otherwise the one being bullied like this would definitely be herself.
......
But before Lonis could relax.
Her fox tail was tugged again.
"Stupid fox, I'm going to inspect the entire ship."
"Eh?"
"As a little pet, quickly get down and be my mount!"
......
......
Between being used as a mount and being sent for punishment, which was better?
Lonis wasn't sure, but fortunately Elucia didn't make her kneel on the ground and crawl on all fours... She just had to carry the little loli on her shoulders, and that was acceptable.
However, her fox ears couldn't escape being thoroughly molested.
"Idiot, turn left now, why are you slowing down?"
"Wah..."
"Moron, I want to check the cleanliness of the master bedroom bathroom now. You're running so fast, do you want to clean it with your tongue?"
"I'm sorry!"
......
......
What put Lonis at ease was that the ship was generally in good condition, and supplies were abundant—everything was almost exactly as it had been when they left.
In the third-floor pilot house, Lonis also encountered Luozhi Sheng, who was preparing to give a report.
Like Candel, she hadn't recognized Elucia's true identity either:
"Lonis, have you seen Captain Elucia?"
"Eh?"
"Well, it's not extremely urgent, but it would be best to report now. We encountered some strange things when we infiltrated the underground world."
"I'm right here."
Elucia didn't hide it and spoke directly.
Seeing the little loli on the silver-haired girl's back, Luozhi Sheng was also stunned... because in her memory, although Elucia wasn't exactly a steady personality, she at least appeared mysteriously shrewd.
How could she be like this now, as happy as a child at an amusement park?
(No... judging from Lonis's reaction, this is undoubtedly Elucia. Hmm...)
......
"Captain Elucia, are you alright?"
"Of course I'm fine, I just got smaller. My wisdom is the same as before. Speak quickly, what's the matter?"
"Well... actually it's..."
It turned out that after everyone was trapped underground, Yicheng and Luozhi Sheng had rushed to provide support.
They activated the Time Shuttle, planning to reach the underground world via the ancient elevator.
But they hadn't expected that along the way, an enormous number of plants would appear to block them!
Not only was the entrance to the ancient elevator entangled by sticky vine tentacles, but even after the Time Shuttle descended to the underground world, they were attacked by many plants.
There were sticky plants like seaweed, explosive plants that could shoot seeds, and even mimetic plants that could disguise themselves as rocks!
Fortunately, the Time Shuttle had plenty of power and an incredibly hard shell, so they weren't stopped.
......
"When we flew over Zone 7, we discovered a pitch-black forest in the side passage there."
"A pitch-black forest?"
"That's right!"
Luozhi Sheng nodded, worry appearing in her expression: "According to Yicheng's observation, that forest seems to be the source of the plant forces that have been attacking us. But we were pressed for time and didn't have the opportunity to investigate thoroughly."
"Where is Yicheng now?"
"Well... she's working the night shift, so she's sleeping and resting now. Should I wake her up?"
"No need..."
Hearing Luozhi Sheng say this, the little loli also showed a thoughtful expression: "How could a forest appear in the underground world... When things are abnormal, there must be demons involved. Perhaps we need to go there again."
"Eh?"
"However, that's not something we need to do now. In fact, you and Yicheng have done very well, thank you for your hard work."
"N-no need to thank me! This is what I should do..."
Luozhi Sheng straightened up with honor, just like a soldier receiving praise from a commander.
"Hehe, well then, Luozhi Sheng, go rest now~~"
"Rest?"
"Yes, as a reward, that's only natural. I also want to investigate things in the pilot house, so just leave this to me for now."
"Understood..."
......
......
With that, Luozhi Sheng left.
Only Lonis and Elucia remained in the spacious pilot house.
"Alright, little fox, put me down."
"Oh..."
"You've done well enough, go play."
"!"
"You don't understand piloting ships or analyzing materials anyway, what are you standing here for?"
Elucia yawned and sat at the pilot station... Though the loli's hands were small, they could always hit every button with perfect accuracy.
And Lonis noticed...
The smile on Elucia's lips had disappeared.
Though it couldn't be called dejected, the little loli's expression now was clearly not as lively and cheerful as before...
So that meant...
Was Elucia forcing herself to smile?
After all, the danger from General Caster was so imminent. No one knew what other deadly moves he might unleash.
Perhaps, it could be the very next second.
That bullet from the darkness would shoot toward Elucia's brow, and could she, as a hero, really protect Elucia?
(No... perhaps she couldn't?)
(Because all along, it had been Elucia protecting her?)
As a princess of a fallen kingdom, as their group's leader, no matter what happened, Elucia needed to be the first to bear it.
Because of this, the teenage form of Elucia rarely showed genuine smiles. No matter when, she needed to maintain a serious expression, seemingly to maintain the situation.
And after becoming a loli?
Though it seemed she could finally relax a bit, Elucia was still playing her role, using a lively manner to boost everyone's confidence.
Such an Elucia was really working too hard.
So herself...
(I-I want to become stronger, I want... to protect Elucia more!)
With that, Lonis moved closer, pressing her head against the little loli's head.
"Ah... ah? Lonis, what are you doing?!"
Elucia clearly hadn't expected Lonis to be so proactive, becoming somewhat flustered.
"Helping Elucia look at documents!"
"I told you, you can't understand them at all! Many of these are written with advanced functions, how could you possibly comprehend them?"
"Understanding a little is better than nothing, and doesn't Elucia need the little fox's tail to fan the air?"
"......"
"You might also get thirsty, so if I bring water over, efficiency will improve a lot too."
"Fine, I really can't do anything about you..."
The little loli slumped in her chair and smiled sweetly: "But even if you want to help me, you'll still be bullied at night, you know?"
"Eh?"
"Because I'm working so I can finish early and bully you, little fox. So don't think about escaping."
Grabbing the little fox's big tail, Elucia said happily.