Miss Bianka Wants to Know What Love Is

Bianka clicked her tongue in amazement, forcing herself to forget about the computer cases in front of her.

"Let's go see what that guy and the mastermind are up to."

"It's not exactly playing tricks... how should I put it, it's more like a typical case of being both pitiful and hateful."

Liu Bai chuckled softly beside Bianka.

"I really hate your charlatan-like way of talking... although Rita often says things I don't understand."

"Yeah?"

Liu Bai and Bianka went upstairs to the base's main control room. Bianka, lacking patience, blasted the door open with a shot and saw Jimmy inside and a girl lying in some kind of pod.

"Huh—!?"

"Hmm... It's been a while, Mr. Jimmy? Could you tell me in detail what happened here?"

"Well, to put it simply—don't be surprised, Schrödinger hacked into the other computers here."

Shakespeare's voice came through.

"This place was once the base built by a mad scientist, Dr. Faust, after he was expelled. He researched supercomputers assembled from human brains here—and you have seen the AI with human consciousness that he created—this is the girl in front of you."

"Completely devoid of aesthetic appeal."

Liu Bai objectively commented that the most aesthetically pleasing AI he had ever seen was Aida —although her image was created according to the preferences of that blond Finn man.

But this isn't just about appearance; from a technical design perspective, and even in terms of design philosophy, the girl in front of us is clearly inferior to Aida.

"So what exactly happened here?"

Bianka frowned and asked the computer.

"Hmm... what happened... it's probably that this AI—Miss Alice— deliberately misled and tricked the real 'kidnappers,' right? Although the kidnapped ones were also tricked, of course, it's undeniable that she also saved Jimmy."

The five corpses at the entrance...

"And what about Dr. Faust, who created her?"

"Died three days ago."

A female voice came from the computer next to the cabin; it was clearly Alice's voice.

"Sudden death."

"..."

Whether it was a sudden death or not is no longer worth investigating, after all, no one has any pity for this kind of mad scientist... although the death is still inexplicably bizarre.

"... So, in fact, this matter was already over—before we arrived?"

Bianka suddenly seemed a little disheartened.

"No, Faust actually left behind an attack program—if Schrödinger hadn't been there, this city might really be doomed!"

Shakespeare spoke in a flippant voice about important matters concerning the entire city.

"It's just very basic attack code," Schrödinger's calm voice rang out. "Even if I weren't here, the city should have figured out a solution when it was about two-thirds destroyed."

It's hard to tell whether Schrödinger was boasting or simply stating a fact.

"That guy..."

Bianka glanced at Jimmy with a bored expression.

"Oh~ my crew, just think about it, a cute mechanical doll, alone in a room, and also a savior... Hahahaha~~"

At this point, it's reached the point where "those who know, know."

"However, even so, she still needs to go through a trial—after all, it's a fact that this guy caused the gas leak and failed to help, even though she claims that he threatened her safety—that clearly doesn't count as self-defense."

Because everyone who could prove she was telling the truth is dead.

Combined with the other person's name "Alice," it's like a dark fairy tale.

But this is no longer something they need to worry about.

Once they had the Gem of Reason, it no longer mattered how they decided to deal with Ms. AI, who was both the perpetrator and the victim.

Chapter Ninety-Six: Miss Bianka Wants to Know What Love Is

"... So, our ship's only pilot and aviator are both stuck in this city?"

Five days later, after attending a series of trials, Bianka crossed her arms and concluded in complete bewilderment.

"Anyway, the two of them get along well... As for the airplane, those old-fashioned airplanes were originally limited in their function, so it doesn't matter whether we have it or not."

Liu Bai's indifferent voice came through.

He didn't have as many thoughts Bianka... or rather, he wasn't as sentimental?

However, it's hard to say whether Bianka is as perceptive as she is now.

For him, obtaining the Crystals of Reason was enough.

"At least it was their choice, not someone forcing them... But according to the plot of a classic RPG, teammates who leave the party midway always come back when fighting the big boss."

"Tsk, why do you use this analogy every day... Isn't an RPG a rocket launcher?"

Bianka scratched her head in frustration.

"There's a genre of games called RPGs—that is, role-playing games," Liu Bai explained with a smile. "It's about playing as a hero, fighting dragons, and things like that... although I don't think your personality is really interested in that kind of game."

"Of course, the training alone is deadly enough."

Bianka nodded in agreement at first, then looked somewhat puzzled.

"But speaking of which, putting Manfred aside for now, it's obvious to everyone that Jimmy staying there has absolutely nothing to do with filming with the two of them, right? It's all for that AI, isn't it? Why?"

"It's very simple, this is love~ my dear crew member, Miss Bianka."

Shakespeare, in a voice reciting poetry, and Rita, carrying Durandal, came from behind.

Haven't you read my book, Romeo and Juliet?

"No, I'm not interested in these kinds of love tragedies," Bianka said without hesitation.

"Ugh... this, this really hurts." Shakespeare clutched his chest, making a pained expression. "But it's alright, I also have romances that aren't tragedies. It's a big mistake to think of me as a tragic writer! Hmm, have you read 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?"

"... Do I really have to say I'm not interested in theater, Captain?"

"Hmm... Miss Bianka, as A-rank Valkyrie, your cultural literacy still needs improvement..."

Shakespeare conceded, "I'll go and make arrangements for the newcomers first, after all, we've been here too long."

"A newcomer? Who?"

Bianka was about to ask a question when she discovered that Shakespeare had already slipped away from this "place of sorrow."

"That guy is really something... But... um, Rita, have you ever read Shakespeare plays?"

"I've read a little bit, but in terms of literary cultivation, I'm afraid I can't even come close to Captain."

Although Shakespeare seems unreliable all the time, he was still a great writer, and Rita wouldn't dare to claim to "know a little" in such a place.

"I see... Rita, what do you think love is in Shakespeare's plays?"

"It is a tragedy, but it is also a comedy—everything has two sides. Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy, but that does not prevent A Midsummer Night's Dream from being a comedy—Lady Bianka, why do you ask that?"

"Hmm... I just feel like there are too many troubles in the world—if everything were like fighting, no, fighting doesn't seem simple either. If only things were as simple as exercising."

Little Bianka remarked from the bottom of her heart—it turns out that Bianka could still be sentimental at this stage of her life.

"As long as you exercise, you will reap the rewards. This is perfect for someone like me with an empty mind."

"But not everyone can do that," Liu Bai chuckled. "Bianka, do you know that there are actually three types of people in the world, and three types of things as well?"

"... three kinds?"

"The difference is very simple: you may not get anything even if you try, you may get something even if you try, and you may get something even if you don't try."

"...What is this?" Bianka tilted her head, clearly not Bianka.

Rita, on the other hand, listened very attentively.

"It means exactly what it says... but if we go into too much detail, it would be too cruel—like how the heroine doesn't have to worry about things like future mortgage payments during her adventure."

"Strange and unusual metaphors."

"You'll understand someday. After all, this isn't Thales' convoluted and incomprehensible philosophy, nor is it some kind of wicked riddle."

The smile in Liu Bai's words only made Bianka more dissatisfied.

However, since she couldn't hit Liu Bai, Bianka had no choice but to swallow her anger.

"So, Liu Bai, what do you think of Jimmy's so-called love? Does it mean that effort will always pay off? But since the other person is a robot, shouldn't effort be considered something that won't pay off?"

"Hmm... Bianka, you really know how to get stuck on things. This kind of thing isn't so easy to talk about—or rather, it's a goal?"

"Target?"

"For example, is 'being in love' enough, or does it necessarily mean 'having sex'? Or even going further and 'having children'?"

"Even... even the baby is born?" Bianka's face flushed slightly.

"Um, to avoid any misunderstanding, Miss Bianka, what do you think of the act of having children?" Liu Bai asked very cautiously, as if he had thought of something.

"Who do you think you are! Schicksal teaches basic physiology!"

Bianka seemed to understand Liu Bai's meaning, and blushed as she became angry.

"It's just that... uh... stab..."

"Really, Mr. Guardian Spirit, it's very rude for a lady to say such things."

Rita stepped half a step in front of Bianka, ending the conversation.

Oh, I really hope that in the future, the one asking me about experience points won't be you, Rita.

Liu Bai twitched the corner of his mouth, then got back to the main topic.

"In short, your understanding of this isn't just about holding hands or kissing—it's a matter of personal preference. I think Jimmy must be in love, right? That would be an effort with some reward, wouldn't it? Although taking it a step further and sleeping together isn't necessarily out of the question..."

Giving birth is at least a bit difficult for the biology here, but getting into bed is a completely easy task that only requires adding parts.

"Now that you mention it, I feel like I can no longer look at Jimmy and Alice with conventional eyes."

"This is what you need to hear—I have absolutely no interest in what happens between the two of them."

Our Ghostly Gentleman shrugged—though no one could see it.

"Liu Bai, what are your thoughts on love?" Rita suddenly asked.

"... No, is it really appropriate for a lady to ask me such a direct question?"

Liu Bai stared speechlessly at the maid in front of him, but it was clear that although she hadn't fully developed yet, the maid didn't care about Liu Bai's gaze at all.

"At least I don't think this is a rude question—discussing views on love, is it rude in any way?"

After Rita finished speaking, she covered her mouth in "surprise" as if she had realized something.

"Or is it that your thoughts are too filthy to be spoken aloud?"

"..."

Rita's attack power is surprisingly high at all times.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Guardian Spirit...?" Bianka felt a little confused, but she also seemed to vaguely understand something.

"Just kidding."

"Oh... I knew it..."

Rita & Bianka compatibility +10%

"By the way, Rita, the newcomer you mentioned earlier is..."

Bianka changed the subject; it was something that was really beyond her comprehension.

Hmm... it covers all aspects.

"The newcomer is Miss Champollion."

Rita answered decisively.

"Because Jimmy disembarked, although Mr. Guardian Spirit could also serve as the pilot, it was ultimately inconvenient. So Miss Schrödinger temporarily took over the pilot position, and Miss Champollion took over as the first mate because she demonstrated extraordinary talent in this operation."