NIKKE, When the Milky Way Blossoms

The venomous snake, filled with remorse, stood up from the low stool, waved to Anis, and then led the way out of the power distribution room through the iron gate.

……

"Let's make this short."

Outside the door, the wicked woman, her face full of jealousy, began discussing serious matters and plans.

"My dear is privately investigating two criminal activities within the Ark involving Niki, and has also made it clear that he wants to kill the Commander."

I've already explained all of this to you in detail on the way here, and now I'd like to hear your thoughts.

"My opinion?"

Sensing that the viper wanted to test her, Anise smiled broadly.

"It seems that some loser still doesn't believe in the brains of this stupid female lead. Alright then~ now it's my turn."

Under the virtual sun's rays, the girl's smile grew even brighter and more charming; however, the words she uttered were enough to keep the Ark's leaders on edge.

"Actually, I don't think there's much to say. Since the Commander is willing to help even the mass-produced Niki, he must want to overthrow the Ark, otherwise he'll only face death."

And we...

Well, for now, I'll consider you an ally.

What we need to do now is to help the Commander take care of the details and design a solution that, in terms of logic, allows mass-produced Niki to barely bypass the NIMPH limitation.

And to expand the types of allies as much as possible in secret.

Since the topic had turned to rebellion, the viper was no longer sleepy. She immediately crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes like crescent moons.

"For example?"

"For example, the family whose daughter was made into Niki; the civilians oppressed by the mob; the stray dogs in the outer district."

Anise's thinking was very clear, which showed that she had spent the past dozen or so hours analyzing the situation and devising solutions for her commander.

"In short, anyone oppressed by the Ark will be our potential ally."

"Oh~"

The venomous snake, its eyes revealing approval, nodded in agreement. The two seemed to have grown closer because of the topic of rebellion.

"Not bad. Although there aren't specific implementation details, the strategic framework is there. It's a pity it's not enough."

“Of course! Something like this that could cost you your life would take at least several years to plan.” Anise’s smiling face suddenly fell, and she looked speechless.

"Wait... don't tell me you can come up with a ready-made solution right now."

"Hey~ don't think of them as so reactionary, okay~"

Hearing Anise's questioning, the wicked woman puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction and defended herself:

"What I'm trying to say is that simply overthrowing the Ark is useless! We also need to consider the future development of the Ark and a plan to resist Lecher."

"Hmm...you're right." The girl glanced at him, pretending to think. "From what you're saying, you have a follow-up development plan."

"No, no, no, it's not a follow-up development policy, but a long-term strategic direction that needs to be implemented from the beginning to lay the groundwork for the future."

"For example?"

Under Anis's suspicious gaze and tone, the serpent's eyes gleamed with a faint blood-red light. She parted her lips slightly, and five horrifying words flowed from her moist, cherry-blossom-colored lips.

"For example."

"Creating gods".

Chapter 84 Isn't this bullying an honest child?

I'm actually an honest kid. I would never do something as risky as rebellion unless absolutely necessary.

Phoenix shamelessly patted himself on the back in his mind, completely ignoring Anick's increasingly human contemptuous gaze.

D's thinking is a bit extreme; it's not my style at all. However, I can understand her, since she's not close to me. If it were Anise or Mihara...

Just as someone was about to continue making excuses for themselves, unexpectedly, a strange tingling sensation arose from the tip of their nose, then flowed into their nasal cavity like a gushing stream, and then followed the breath...

Chapter 85 I have a girlfriend

The artificial, cold sunlight pierced through the classroom windows, casting a brilliant yet dappled glow throughout the room, making the girls' delicate faces appear like roses bathed in morning dew.

However, this oil painting, which should have been incredibly beautiful, was forcibly etched with eeriness and oppression because of the girls' strange behavior.

Ein, constantly shaking his leg and pressing the ballpoint pen repeatedly; Tswai, forcing himself to step on the right side of the gap between the classroom floor tiles with every step; Nadya, silent and preoccupied with repeatedly tying her hair; and Tia, whose laughter grew more and more frequent and intense.

There are also things like using artificial flower petals to tell your fortune, drawing infinity symbols back and forth on a tablet, and tidying up your desk over and over again...

Everyone was relieving their stress in their own way; in other words, everyone was gripped by extreme anxiety after hearing the news that the exhibition match would be held tomorrow.

"Diesel, are you scared?"

Standing in front of the one-way glass in the corridor, Phoenix observed the students in the classroom with a furrowed brow.

Upon hearing the commander's question, the train conductor habitually adjusted her military cap, a subconscious action that undoubtedly proved she was also uneasy about heading to the ground the next day.

However, by comparison, Diesel's tension is more realistic.

"commander……"

After holding her breath for a few more breaths, the train conductor finally decided to confide her innermost thoughts to Phoenix.

"The training I was assigned to do with the commander hasn't even started yet."

If we have to go to the surface tomorrow, I... I'm afraid I'll be a burden to everyone.

From both a logical and emotional standpoint, Diesel's words are perfectly reasonable.

However, for a Nikki, refusing to go to the ground with the commander is no less serious than a commander rebelling.

"If you really lack confidence, you don't have to participate in the exhibition match."

Sensing Diesel's concerns, the person who was still pondering glanced at the approachable girl, his long-furrowed brows relaxing slightly, and said:

"After all, you're not a member of the school, so there's no problem with your refusal to participate in the exhibition match."

"This won't do, Commander!"

Phoenix's answer was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, truly startling Marianne who was not mentally prepared.

“If the commander does this, Diesel’s life will likely be ostracized in the future, and even Niki’s own staff will use passive-aggressive tactics against her for various reasons.”

"Ok?"

If Phoenix's words were too rare for Niki and the others, then Marian's reminder also surprised the commander.

"What do you mean? Are there unspoken rules in the process?"

"No, it's not."

Seeing the commander's "naive" appearance, seemingly oblivious to the ways of the Ark, and then looking at the sincere inquiry in those emerald eyes, Marian couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth in her heart for some reason.

"Many people should already know that Diesel has been sent to the front lines. If the commander doesn't take her with him when he goes to the ground, then no matter what the specific reason is, Diesel will definitely be considered a failure by some humans."

Within Niki's ranks, a very small minority privately believe that Diesel and the Commander reached some kind of deal, allowing Niki to avoid ground combat.

"..."

With Marianne's explanation, how could anyone not understand what the other person meant?

Just like a beautiful woman who gets out of a luxury car, she will inevitably be slandered in private by some people of low character, whether they are of the same or opposite sex.

If they get it right, they'll be smug and add a few more vulgarities to feel better.

But if they're wrong, they don't care. They'll just keep looking for the next target to slander. As long as they slander enough times, they'll eventually get it right.

In this way, one can continue to enjoy this easily acquired sense of superiority, which one believes to have seen through the ways of the world.

Don't expect them to care about the feelings of the person involved.

"I'm okay!"

Not wanting to put Phoenix in a difficult position, Diesel, after hearing Marian's well-intentioned advice, hurriedly took over the conversation from her.

"Don't worry about me. The commander thinks I can help, so I'll participate in this exhibition match."

If you think I'll hold you back, then I'll stay.

"it is good."

Since Diesel and Marian had put their point to this, the man, who disliked being coy, stopped arguing and readily agreed, turning his attention back to the classroom.

To be honest, Phoenix isn't very good at that kind of deliberate comforting.

Therefore, he naturally had no idea how to alleviate the students' seemingly stress-induced stereotyped behaviors.

So, the man angrily took out his phone and sent a message to Shu En.

Phoenix: Send me the details of the exhibition game, and explain your impatient pre-game actions.

【…】

[Shuen: Go check your email yourself.]

[Shuen: And what do you mean by "eager"? Do you really think I can find an excuse to get you into Missilis's research institute with your current meager status?]