Although Einstein appeared detached from worldly affairs and focused only on experiments, as a scientist who could be considered the face of Schicksal, how could she truly know nothing?
The person in charge of the North American Branch before them had a rather poor relationship with "that person" from Schicksal—Otto.
The European Branch had always been competing with the North American Branch, openly and covertly.
As for the headquarters in Vienna, it seemed to be standing by and watching, perhaps even encouraging the European Branch's competition... or even its targeting.
"Otto has no reason to make a move against me." At the mention of Otto, a trace of disgust flashed across Edison's face. "The North American Branch wouldn't become unable to function without me, and since you used such a flimsy excuse as researching mechs to invite Planck, I'm also very interested in the experiment you're really conducting."
Planck and Schrödinger nodded as well. They did not believe a single mech could stump the two people before them.
"It isn't a flimsy excuse."
Einstein did not care at all that her intentions had been seen through.
"The current mech has only completed its initial framework... Believe me, if we wanted the mechs to truly enter the battlefield, even if all of us worked together, it would probably take fifty or sixty years, perhaps nearly a century."
"Oh?" Einstein's answer made Edison pause slightly.
She did not quite believe that answer. Although she and Tesla had conflicting ideals, she still acknowledged Tesla's talent.
"Hmph, my project is meant to replace Valkyries on future Honkai battlefields. Did you think it was something as simple as a tank, built solely for fighting?"
Tesla said indignantly.
If it only needed to move, why would it be so troublesome?
"...I remember now. You mentioned this idea to me before, but I judged it to be completely impossible to achieve."
That was right. If Anti-Entropy had not unearthed the Previous Era ruins in North America in the future, Titan, which could truly challenge Valkyries, probably could not have been developed in less than a century, just as Einstein had said.
In a sense, Edison's judgment had not been wrong.
"Otto agreed to this?"
"We sold him a dream... That person probably had an indifferent attitude toward this experiment as well. After all, Schicksal's true main force is the Valkyries."
There was a reason Schicksal was weaker than Anti-Entropy in the field of mechs aside from Divine Keys in the future.
"You're both equally well-funded, yet a certain someone... tsk, tsk, tsk." Tesla spoke to Edison in a mocking tone.
"I can't explain it to someone like you who has no business sense." Edison curled her lips.
Fine, go ahead and sell Otto your dream.
Let's see how Otto deals with you once he realizes it.
But then Edison thought some more, glanced at the people around her, and suddenly fell silent.
Well then, if this group of scientists present, together with her, all fooled Otto, Otto really might not realize it.
After all, both theoretically and practically, this project was absolutely feasible. No matter how exceptionally intelligent Otto was, he could only conclude that the project consumed a great deal of money and time.
If Liu Bai had known what Edison was thinking, he could even have added one sentence—Even if Otto found the relevant knowledge in the Imaginary Archive, what he would see was still its feasibility.
After all, this thing had been feasible in the Previous Era too...
"Let's go. We'll eat first."
Edison was curious what Einstein was trying to conceal with such an extravagant ruse, but it was not convenient to ask too much right now.
"I will personally explain the situation to Otto and strongly condemn your plan as unfeasible."
Edison decided to cover for Einstein.
If a technology Otto considered feasible but difficult was judged impossible by Edison, whom would Otto believe?
Otto would not be Otto if he did not believe himself.
Besides, it was Edison, who was already at odds with him, saying it.
At the same time, it could dispel any suspicions Otto might have.
After all, both the nominal head and the actual person in power of North America had come. They truly could not remain without a statement...
"Thank you."
Einstein nodded somewhat coolly. "Come with me. I'll take you to the restaurant."
"It isn't some dark cuisine like Stargazy Pie, is it?" Having decided to side with Einstein, Edison teased, "I must refuse fish and chips as well."
"If I'd known you were coming, I definitely would have ordered a serving for you."
Tesla snapped back irritably, though her tone was not quite as harsh now.
...Though she still looked rather timid.
"We booked a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Miss Edison, do you have any objections?"
"Of course not. I've wanted to taste Chinese food for a long time."
After watching the people before him finish eating food he knew so well, Liu Bai deeply felt that he could not go on living like this.
Watching other people feast every day—wouldn't even a ghost get so depressed he wanted to kill himself?
After returning to the laboratory, Edison and Planck first handled some formalities—really, they just wrote a letter to Otto—before returning to Laboratory 42.
"Go on, little Liesel. What do you need your teacher's help with?"
Planck sat on the sofa and asked with great curiosity.
"Before revealing the research project... I hope everyone can swear not to disclose any related intelligence to outsiders."
"So it really is something major."
Seeing Einstein's solemn expression, Edison and the others grew serious as well.
"I swear on my honor as a scientist that I will never disclose any intelligence related to this project—will that suffice?"
To Tesla and Einstein's surprise, Edison was actually the first to swear.
"...I swear on my honor as a scientist that I will never disclose any intelligence related to this project."
"I swear on my honor as a scientist that I will never disclose any intelligence related to this project."
Following Edison's lead, Planck and Schrödinger also made the oath with solemn expressions.
There was no such thing as a confidentiality agreement—this was originally an experiment that could not see the light of day, so the existence of a confidentiality agreement would only be laughable.
Therefore, the only thing they could trust now was character.
Fortunately, although the scientists present did not entirely share the same values, they all possessed excellent character.
"Now, can you tell us what the experiment is?"
The beautiful woman in menswear straightened her back and prepared to listen.
Einstein took out a small blackboard and spoke as she wrote. "Our experimental project is—ghosts."
After Disappointment Came Surprise
"Gho... sts?"
Edison, who had been ready to listen to Einstein's lengthy explanation, tilted her head. The capable beauty in menswear now wore a somewhat adorably blank expression.
"Do you mean a project called Ghost? Something like optical camouflage?"
It was not that Edison was slow-witted. Einstein's words were simply rather... difficult to accept.
"No, I mean ghosts in the occult sense." Einstein corrected her very calmly.
"...If I remember correctly, Newton began pursuing theology in his later years, didn't he?" Edison sighed and glanced at Planck beside her. "In any case, if this is something with such pointless mystical overtones, don't waste my time. Of course, I will still keep your secret."
Edison revealed a disappointed expression and rose to leave.
It was not unusual for scientists to pursue theology in their later years. It was simply rather rare considering Einstein's age.
Still, considering that she had proposed a theory this year like general relativity, one that could be said to change the perspective of science, researching theology was not entirely incomprehensible.
But Edison had no time to accompany Einstein in researching such illusory things.
"Liesel... do you need to see a doctor?"
Big sister Planck's face was full of concern.
Einstein was not surprised by their reactions. She only said softly, "Mr. Liu Bai, please hold Miss Nancy back."
Liu Bai?
Who?
Einstein's inexplicable words made Edison pause, and in the next moment, Edison felt an unseen hand seize her arm.
Planck and Schrödinger's pupils shrank as they watched Edison stop.
No, they were not looking at Edison. They were looking at the grip marks on Edison's sleeve.
"This is..."
Edison stopped preparing to leave and carefully examined the grip marks on her sleeve.
Seeing Edison stop, Liu Bai instinctively tried to withdraw his hand.
There was no other reason. In his eyes, Edison's gaze was simply far too heated.
"Don't move!" As the grip marks on her sleeve gradually returned to normal, Edison shouted with curiosity, "Ghost... Mr. Liu Bai, was it? Please keep holding on."
"...All right."
Liu Bai tightened his grip around Edison's arm.
"Ghosts... are real?"
Shock appeared on Planck's composed face. This completely unexplainable phenomenon, combined with her student Einstein's words and form of address...
...Although she, as a scientist, was unwilling to acknowledge supernatural existences such as ghosts, faced with the scene before her, it seemed she had no choice but to believe.
The evidence was irrefutable.
At that moment, Edison, whose arm Liu Bai was holding, slowly began to pull her arm back. Liu Bai did not stop her.
After all, the woman before him was a professional scientist.
When Edison pulled her arm free, the two ended up holding hands.
"...Yes, it really does feel like a palm."
The beautiful woman in menswear lightly brushed her slender fingers across Liu Bai's palm.
...Liu Bai felt like he was being teased.
"I can't feel skin, or even any sensation at all. There's clearly a sense of solidity, yet no tactile feeling... Fingerprints... seem to be absent as well."
After a brief examination, Edison withdrew her hand.
"It seems... it really is a ghost."
"...You adapted far too quickly, didn't you?"
Edison's shift in attitude stunned Tesla, who had been preparing to watch Edison embarrass herself.
"I'm merely pragmatic."
Edison extended her hand again. "Nancy Thomas Alva Edison, scientist."
Edison seemed entirely too lazy to mention her identities as chairman of Universal Group and controller of the North American Branch.
"Liu Bai, ghost."
Edison felt her hand being grasped. It was very polite, though; after three or four seconds, he released it.
—Liu Bai had learned that from Rita.
"He said, 'Liu Bai, ghost,'" Einstein said flatly. "This is a good start."
"Tch, why does this guy only scare me?"
Tesla suddenly recalled being frightened a month ago and could not help sulking.
"Look at the bright side. He has only scared you."
Einstein offered a perfunctory consolation.
But Edison revealed a surprised expression. "You and Tesla can hear the ghost... Mr. Liu Bai's voice?"
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