Absolutely not!
His suggestion received a response from Old Luo:
"Captain Cao, I understand the situation. In a couple of days, a highly knowledgeable expert will be assigned specifically to this matter. I'll inform her about it!"
Then Old Luo paused, his voice turning serious:
"Captain Cao, there's something I'd like to ask. I wonder if you would agree?"
Old Cao straightened his back and immediately stood at attention.
"Please, go ahead!"
"Captain Cao, I would like to hire you as an off-roster field operative for our base!"
"You and the Beast King have met several times already, so you could be considered acquainted. I want you to specifically handle errands related to this matter. Are you willing?"
"I'm willing!"
Old Cao's answer was equally resolute!
Meanwhile, after finishing his conversation with Old Cao and ending the call, General Luo also received a report from the fleet commander.
The report clearly stated that their fleet had made close contact with the Beast King and had even detoured to watch it leave. Throughout the entire encounter, the Beast King had shown no intention of attacking!
"What a blessing for the nation..."
After murmuring softly, Old Luo's expression changed. He began directing his aides to investigate the relevant folk legends and find out what this so-called "Guardian God Godzilla" was all about.
If this somewhat mythical legend was true, if that Beast King was really called Godzilla and truly was the Guardian God from Sakurajima folk songs, then...
Old Luo could not help laughing out loud.
Even if it really had once been Sakurajima's Guardian God, it was now the Guardian God of our great Celestial Dynasty!
After all, once the Mecha Base had fully taken over control of the Sakura Saber, Sakurajima had completely become an important link in the Celestial Dynasty's outer defensive perimeter.
Protecting Sakurajima meant protecting the Celestial Dynasty. There was no difference!
In the dormitory corridor, Luo Bing sneaked back to his room. Before opening the door, he deliberately glanced at the room across the hall. Only after confirming that he had not woken Koizumi Junko did he return to his room and sleep peacefully.
Within a single day, he had transformed twice, fought three battles, and slain four monsters.
Luo Bing had made a full circuit around Sakurajima's outer waters. Only after confirming there was no trace of monster presence did he return at ease.
This time, he could finally get a good night's sleep.
He closed his eyes and said goodnight to the entire world.
Tomorrow would be better.
The Truth Hurts the Most 1
Koizumi Junko stood outside Luo Bing's door, somewhat hesitant.
She was curious about what she had encountered last night and wanted to ask Luo Bing what he had been busy with.
At the same time, the intense sense of insecurity in her heart made Koizumi Junko wonder whether what had happened last night had really been a dream.
That dream had felt so real, as though she had truly experienced it herself.
But perhaps it had merely been an illusion born from her deep unease, during that hazy state between dreaming and waking?
Koizumi Junko was confused.
From her first real battle in a mecha yesterday, to being defeated by a monster, and then everything that had happened afterward, she had experienced more in one day than she had in the previous several months.
The Sakura Saber had not returned to its original Sakurajima Base. Instead, both mech and pilot had been packaged together and sent to the Celestial Dynasty Branch Base.
Although Koizumi Junko understood that they would all be comrades fighting shoulder to shoulder from now on, she still felt somewhat estranged.
She did not know those people, nor was she familiar with them.
Except for Luo Bing!
"Luo, how do you see me?"
Thinking of this, Koizumi Junko could not help becoming highly motivated for the training ahead.
As long as we form a deep synchronized connection with the mecha, then Luo will understand my feelings, and I'll know what Luo is thinking too, right?
A smile appeared on Koizumi Junko's lips.
Just as she was about to knock, the door opened from inside.
Luo Bing stood in the room and waved at Koizumi Junko.
"Junko, what a coincidence."
"Have you had breakfast? If not, let's go together!"
Before becoming an official pilot, Luo Bing had still had time to show off his cooking skills and make proper meals for his little sister.
Now that he was an official pilot, naturally, he no longer had that kind of time.
"Oh, okay, Luo, and Xiao Yun too."
In her daze, Junko forgot her original purpose and obediently followed behind them.
"Junko, after waking up today, I asked General Luo about your co-pilot."
Luo Bing spoke as they walked.
"The verdict is already out. Sakurajima had him carried to the Military Court overnight, chair and all, to be publicly tried!"
"In the end, he was sentenced to life imprisonment... Junko, are you satisfied with that verdict?"
Koizumi Junko pressed her lips together and nodded lightly.
Yet Luo Bing said,
"But I'm not satisfied."
Seeing Junko's startled expression, he continued:
"That guy named Nakamura is supposedly the direct heir of some big Sakurajima family? I don't care about that, but I think the punishment he received was far from enough."
"Your ability determines the responsibility you can bear. Even one step beyond that, and the pressure will be enough to crush you."
"You can muddle through other things by slacking off or fooling around, but there is no room for luck when piloting a large mecha!"
"Once something goes wrong, the safety of hundreds of thousands of civilians is at stake!"
Luo Bing sighed after saying that.
"Perhaps in the eyes of some people in Sakurajima, the lives of those beneath them are merely bargaining chips, not living human beings."
"All they have to do is bow."
Before the monster crisis erupted, Sakurajima had already been said to govern through bowing.
Now, it seemed the root of the problem had not changed.
Luo Bing looked at Koizumi Junko and continued.
"Junko, you should not have backed down yesterday... Of course, none of us expected that Nakamura would be so bold."
"This case of usurping another's authority is the first in Asian history!"
"The last similar case happened at Lighthouse, and it ultimately resulted in an entire region falling..."
Koizumi Junko lowered her head very, very low.
"I'm sorry, Luo. I was too weak!"
Before Luo Bing could say anything, a voice came from beside them.
"The difficulty of simulated training and real combat training has always been different!"
"Especially after forming a deep connection with a large mecha, the subtle differences can only be understood through personal experience!"
The path to the cafeteria was not narrow. Li Chuyi approached with his younger sister.
Li Shiwu looked over with wide, clear eyes, her gaze carrying a trace of curiosity.
Li Chuyi glanced at the silent, deeply remorseful Koizumi Junko. His words showed no mercy as he continued:
"Maybe that co-pilot had good results in regular simulation training, so he got too full of himself."
"Or maybe Sakurajima's mecha pilot training system is simply flawed..."
At this point, a faintly mocking smile appeared on Li Chuyi's face.
"That guy's Spiritual Connection Index was only 95. That barely met the passing line for piloting a large mecha. I have no idea who gave him that confidence."
"Does Sakurajima not have any other talent?"
Li Chuyi's tone was rather unpleasant.
But he was telling the truth.
Because Sakurajima truly had no one left.
If there had been any other qualified pilot, Koizumi Junko would never have become the primary pilot. Her personality was only suited for being a co-pilot.
Sakurajima had no other talent left.
Even if they repaired the Sakura Saber, there would be no suitable pilot candidates.
Rather than leaving it in storage to gather dust, they might as well send it away as a bargaining chip.
Who knew? When the nation was truly on the verge of destruction, perhaps some invincible high school students would appear to save the world.
"Brother, think about how to phrase things more tactfully before you speak. After all, my Spiritual Connection Index is only 96, and Sister Junko's is higher than mine."
Li Shiwu spoke up and shut down her brother.
She usually did not speak, but whenever she did, she could reliably stop Li Chuyi from talking nonsense.
Li Chuyi did not dare argue with his little sister and simply admitted his mistake.
"I was wrong, little sister!"
Watching how decisively he said it, Luo Bing seriously suspected that Li Chuyi had the sort of personality that said, I was wrong, but I'll dare to do it again next time.
Luo Yun looked at Li Shiwu, her eyes faintly shining.
"Hello, Sister Shiwu. I'm Luo Yun. I want to become a pilot like you too!"
Li Shiwu calmly asked,
"What was your Spiritual Connection Index assessment score?"
Luo Yun answered honestly.
"86."
Li Shiwu froze for a moment, then looked very puzzled.
"Your brother's Spiritual Connection Index is 99. I've also heard about Uncle and Auntie's accomplishments. Logically speaking, even if your aptitude isn't as high as your brother's, it shouldn't be this low, should it?"
Luo Yun had been looking at Li Shiwu with anticipation, ready to hear what she would say.
After hearing that, her little mouth pouted, and her eyes filled with tears.
She had only one thought in her heart right now:
Sister Shiwu, you reminded Brother Chuyi to speak more tactfully, but you should probably tell yourself the same thing!
Beside them, Li Chuyi had already covered his face, unable to bear watching.
They said the truth hurt the most. Looking at Luo Yun's aggrieved expression right now, it really made sense.
Koizumi Junko bent down slightly and pulled Luo Yun into her arms.
"Don't cry, Xiao Yun. You're still growing, still improving."
"Before you become an adult, you'll reach the point where you qualify to be a pilot."
But Luo Bing did not comfort her.
Before you continue