Honkai, but Spirit Simulator

Although Einstein seemed detached from worldly affairs, focusing solely on her experiments, as the face of Destiny's scientific endeavors, how could she truly be oblivious?

The current head of the North American Branch had a rather poor relationship with "that person" in Destiny—namely, Otto.

The European Branch had been openly and secretly competing with the North American Branch.

As for the headquarters in Vienna, it seemed to be sitting idly by, even encouraging this competition from the European Branch… even targeting.

"Otto has no reason to attack me." Mentioning Otto, a hint of disgust flashed across Edison's face. "The North American Branch wouldn't be unable to function without me, and since you've used such a clumsy excuse as researching mechs to invite Planck, I'm also very interested in the experiment you're really planning to do."

Planck and Schrödinger nodded in agreement; they didn't believe a mech could stump the two people before them.

"It's not a clumsy excuse."

Einstein didn't care at all that her actions had been seen through.

"The current mech is only a preliminary framework… Believe me, if you want the mech to truly enter the battlefield, even with all of us working together, it would probably take fifty or sixty years, or even nearly a hundred years."

"Oh?" Einstein's answer made Edison pause slightly.

She didn't quite believe this answer. Although she and Tesla had conflicting ideas, she still acknowledged Tesla's talent.

"Hmph, my project is preparing to replace the Valkyries on the Honkai battlefield in the future. Do you think it's as simple as a tank used for fighting?"

Tesla said indignantly.

If it was just a mech that could move, why would it be so troublesome?

"...I remember, you mentioned this idea to me before, but I judged it as impossible to achieve."

That's right, if Anti-Entropy hadn't discovered the Pre-Civilization ruins in North America in the future, the Titan, which could truly rival the Valkyries, would really not have been created without a hundred years of dedicated research, as Einstein said.

In some ways, Edison's judgment was not wrong.

"Otto agreed?"

"Just making grand promises... He probably has an indifferent attitude towards this experiment, after all, Destiny's real main force is the Valkyries."

There was a reason why Destiny was weaker than Anti-Entropy in the field of mechs other than Divine Keys in the future.

"You're both not short on money, so why does someone… tsk, tsk, tsk." Tesla said sarcastically towards Edison.

"I can't explain it to someone like you who has no business acumen." Edison twitched her lips.

Fine, you just keep making grand promises to Otto.

See how Otto handles you when he realizes it.

However, Edison continued to think, glanced at the people around her, and suddenly fell silent.

Well, if this group of scientists and herself were to deceive Otto together, Otto might really not realize it.

After all, whether theoretically or practically, this project was definitely feasible. Even if Otto was highly intelligent, he could only conclude that this project was relatively expensive and time-consuming.

If only Liu Bai knew what Edison was thinking, he could even add a sentence—even if Otto found relevant knowledge in the Imaginary Archive, what he saw would also be feasibility.

After all, this thing was also feasible in the Pre-Civilization era...

"Let's go, let's go eat first."

Edison was very curious about what Einstein was trying to hide by playing so big, but she couldn't ask too much now.

"I will personally explain the situation to Otto and denounce your plan as infeasible."

Edison decided to cover for Einstein.

If a technology that Otto thought was feasible but relatively difficult was judged as infeasible by Edison, who would Otto believe?

Otto who doesn't believe in himself is not Otto.

What's more, the one who said this was Edison, who was at odds with him.

At the same time, this could also dispel Otto's possible suspicions.

After all, now that the nominal head and the actual head of North America had come, there really couldn't be no statement...

"Thank you."

Einstein nodded somewhat coldly, "Come with me, I'll take you to the restaurant."

"It's not some dark cuisine like stargazy pie, is it?" Edison joked, having decided to stand on Einstein's side, "Allow me to refuse fish and chips as well."

"If I knew you were coming, I would definitely order you a portion."

Tesla retorted unhappily, but her tone wasn't that harsh anymore.

...Although she still looked quite cowardly.

"We have booked a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, does Miss Edison have any objections?"

"Of course not, I've wanted to try Chinese food for a long time."

After watching this group of people eat the familiar food, Liu Bai deeply felt that this life couldn't go on.

Watching others eat big meals every day, even a ghost would be depressed and commit suicide, okay?

After returning to the research institute, Edison and Planck first went through the formalities—which was actually writing a letter to Otto—before returning to Laboratory 42.

"Alright, my little Lieserl, what does teacher need to help you with?"

Planck sat on the sofa, asking with curiosity.

"Before I reveal the research project... I hope everyone can swear not to disclose any related information to outsiders."

"Seems like it's a big deal indeed."

Seeing the solemn look on Einstein's face, Edison and the others also looked serious.

"I swear on my dignity as a scientist that I will never disclose any information related to this project to outsiders—is that enough?"

To Tesla's and Einstein's surprise, the first to swear was Edison.

"...I swear on my dignity as a scientist that I will never disclose any information related to this project to outsiders."

"I swear on my dignity as a scientist that I will never disclose any information related to this project to outsiders."

Following Edison, Planck and Schrödinger also solemnly swore, imitating Edison.

There were no confidentiality agreements or anything like that—it was originally a shady experiment, and the existence of confidentiality agreements would just be a joke.

So, now the only thing they could trust was character.

Fortunately, although the values of the scientists present weren't completely aligned, their character was all top-notch.

"Now, can you tell us what the experiment is about?"

The lady in men's clothing straightened her back, ready to listen.

Einstein took out a small blackboard and said while writing, "Our research project is—ghosts."

Chapter 26: After Disappointment Comes Surprise

"Gho...sts?"

Edison, who was originally prepared to listen to Einstein's long speech, tilted her head. The capable lady in men's clothing now had a somewhat dazed expression.

"Are you talking about a plan called Ghost? Like optical stealth or something?"

It wasn't that Edison was slow, but Einstein's statement was just a little... hard to accept.

"No, I mean ghosts in the occult sense," Einstein corrected very calmly.

"...If I remember correctly, Newton started pursuing theology in his later years, right?" Edison sighed, glancing at Planck beside her. "Anyway, if it's this kind of thing with unnecessary mysterious colors, don't waste my time. Of course, I will still keep your secret."

Edison looked disappointed and got up to leave.

It wasn't uncommon for scientists to pursue theology in their later years, but it was quite rare for someone Einstein's age.

However, considering that she proposed the theory of general relativity this year, which can be said to have changed the perspective of science, studying theology was not unreasonable.

But Edison didn't have time to accompany Einstein in studying such ethereal things.

"Lieserl... do you need to see a doctor?"

Big sister Planck's face was full of worry.

Einstein wasn't surprised by their reaction, and just said softly, "Liu Bai, please hold Miss Nancy."

Liu Bai?

Who?

Einstein's inexplicable words made Edison pause, and the next moment, Edison felt her nearest arm being grabbed by a hand.

Planck and Schrödinger's pupils shrank as they watched Edison stop.

No, they weren't looking at Edison, but at the grip marks on Edison's sleeve.

"This is..."

Edison stopped her steps to leave and seriously examined the grip marks on her sleeve.

Seeing Edison stop, Liu Bai subconsciously wanted to withdraw his hand.

The reason was simple: Edison's eyes were too fiery in his opinion.

"Don't move!" Watching the grip marks on her sleeve gradually recover, Edison shouted with curiosity, "Ghost... Mr. Liu Bai, please continue holding on."

"...Okay."

Liu Bai tightened his grip on Edison's arm.

"Ghosts... are real?"

The composed look on Planck's face was now replaced by shock. This kind of thing that couldn't be explained by science at all, coupled with her student Einstein's statement and address...

...Although she, as a scientist, was unwilling to admit the existence of supernatural beings like ghosts, but facing the scene before her, it seemed that she had no choice but to believe it.

The evidence was irrefutable.

At this time, Edison, whose arm was being held by Liu Bai, began to slowly withdraw her arm. Liu Bai didn't stop this action.

After all, this person was a professional scientist.

Knowing that Edison had withdrawn her arm, the two turned into a hand-holding position.

"...That's right, it does feel like a hand."

The androgynous beauty's slender, jade-like fingers gently teased Liu Bai's palm.

...Liu Bai couldn't help but feel like he was being flirted with.

"I can't feel the texture of skin, or any sensation at all, really. It has a physical presence, but no tactile feedback... And no fingerprints, it seems."

Edison withdrew her hand after a brief examination.

"It seems... you really are a ghost."

"...You're adapting way too quickly, aren't you?"

Edison's rapid adjustment caught Tesla off guard, who had been anticipating Edison's embarrassment.

"I'm simply being pragmatic."

Edison extended her hand again. "Nancy Thomas Alva Edison, scientist."

Edison seemed to completely disregard her positions as the chairperson of General Electric and the controller of the North American Branch.

"Liu Bai, ghost."

Edison felt her hand being grasped, but it was done politely, and released after three or four seconds.

--Liu Bai had learned this from Rita.

"He said, 'Liu Bai, ghost'," Einstein stated calmly. "It's a good start."

"Tch, why does that guy only try to scare me?"

Tesla suddenly recalled the time she had been frightened a month ago, and couldn't help but feel a little disgruntled.

"Look on the bright side, he's only scared you,"

Einstein offered a perfunctory consolation.

However, Edison looked surprised. "You and Tesla can hear the ghost... Mr. Liu Bai's voice?"