Commander: I Knew Lala's Inventions Had Side Effects!

Akashi pulled an instrument from a dusty corner of the workshop. It was a bit larger than the one Su Luo had seen Valkyrie use, and while similar in style, it had its differences. This one... looked a bit rough, and its exterior wasn't as refined as Valkyrie's.

"Commander, lie down, nya!"

Akashi gestured towards the instrument and called out to Su Luo.

Su Luo did as he was told.

"Akashi, this instrument, it's a bit like the one in the infirmary..."

"Looks similar, right? This instrument was made by Valkyrie and me, it's a sort of prototype verification machine. It was originally intended for checking the health of our companions in the port. The one in the infirmary, however, is a machine specially modified for the Commander, nya."

Akashi spoke as she operated the instrument. Su Luo lay to the side, watching her movements. It was clear that operating this machine was much more complicated than the one Valkyrie had used before.

"The infirmary was originally useless, nya. It was only set up after the Commander returned to the port, nya. After all, no one in the port gets sick except the Commander, nya. The instrument in the infirmary was also just recently modified and delivered by Miss Valkyrie, nya. The prototype's functions have too much overflow, and it's not needed if it's just for treating illnesses, nya."

Soon, the examination was over. Akashi signaled Su Luo to sit up, then went into a small room nearby. She took out some small tools and returned to Su Luo's side, gesturing for him to extend his hand. Su Luo recognized the items Akashi was holding and knew she wanted to draw some blood.

Akashi skillfully performed the blood-drawing procedure. After drawing the blood, she gave the Commander an alcohol swab and gestured for him to press on the needle point. Then, after storing the drawn blood, she spoke to Su Luo.

"If the Commander had come to me before, I might not have had any solutions. But, Commander, you've come at just the right time! Princess Lala's arrival has opened up a new technology tree for the port, including bio-gene technology!"

Su Luo listened to Akashi's explanation and nodded.

"Speaking of Lala, Akashi, where is Lala now? I haven't seen her for a couple of days. Nana and Momo have been frequently wandering around the small forest next to the port these days, one amusing small animals, the other planting Deviluke Star plants everywhere. Well... most of those plants are rather bizarrely shaped."

Akashi pointed to a door in the workshop and explained to Su Luo.

"Princess Lala has been in the laboratory conducting research these past few days. Her meals are delivered by Princess Nana or Princess Momo, nya."

Akashi tilted her head as she looked at the closed door of Lala's laboratory.

"Princess Lala says she's had another inspiration and wants to create a new Super Game Maker..."

"Wait, you're saying Lala wants to create a new Super Game Maker? Like the one that malfunctioned before and brought them to the port?"

Akashi nodded, then shook her head.

"Don't worry, Commander. This time, the Game Maker Princess Lala is creating won't traverse worlds. It'll just be a simple virtual reality game console."

"Even so, we need strict precautions! I don't deny Lala's research capabilities. But Lala's inventions... I can't be entirely sure!"

"The consensus among the ship girls who have used Lala's inventions in the port is that Lala's inventions always have some side effects! I imagine you, who repaired the Super Game Maker she previously created, know this, right?"

Akashi was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I understand, nya. After Princess Lala's new invention is created, I will inspect it thoroughly!"

"Is the inspection finished?"

"Yes, nya. Commander, you can leave now. Once I have the results, I will bring them to you, nya!"

Su Luo nodded and glanced at the cat-faced clock hanging on the workshop wall.

"It's already past one in the afternoon. Has Lala had lunch?"

Akashi blinked, looked at the clock, and a hint of confusion appeared on her face.

"Umm... is it that time already? Princess Momo was supposed to bring lunch to Princess Lala at noon today, but Princess Momo hasn't arrived yet. Is something delaying her, nya?"

As Akashi spoke, she rubbed her stomach. When Nana and Momo brought meals to Lala before, they would also bring her a portion, so she had developed a habit. Since Momo hadn't come today, she hadn't reacted.

"You haven't eaten yet?"

Su Luo looked at Akashi rubbing her stomach, clearly indicating she hadn't eaten. He glanced at Lala's laboratory, knowing Lala probably hadn't eaten either, and made a decision. He walked to the door of Lala's laboratory and knocked.

A moment later, the laboratory door opened. Lala, wearing a white lab coat just like Akashi, opened the door. Well... compared to Akashi, Lala's lab coat looked a bit tighter.

"Ah! Commander!!"

"It's me, Lala. Akashi said you haven't had lunch. That won't do. Come on, let's go to the mess hall..."

Before Su Luo could finish speaking, Lala pulled him into her laboratory.

Akashi tilted her head, recalling what the Commander had just said. Considering the inherent dangers of Lala's inventions, and the fact that the laboratory, filled with Lala's creations, should be even more dangerous, Akashi followed them inside.

"Ta-da!"

Lala released Su Luo's hand and picked up a bizarrely shaped instrument from the side, holding it up to Su Luo as if presenting a treasure.

"Commander, look quickly! This is my new invention, the Super Game Maker II!"

Su Luo looked at the instrument in front of him, which was identical to the Super Game Maker Akashi had repaired before. He took a step back and looked at Lala expressionlessly, asking, "This... what's the difference between this and the first one?"

"Ah! Commander, why are you backing away? Don't worry, they just look similar. There definitely won't be any problems this time! I've already tested it!"

Seeing Su Luo's still hesitant expression, Lala puffed out her cheeks and shouted, "Pai Kai!"

"Yes, Lady Lala!"

The hat on Lala's head responded. It was Lala's self-made transformation robot, which changed Lala's clothes. Considering Lala's inventions, Su Luo carefully examined the transformation robot. Upon seeing the cat-faced logo on it, Su Luo nodded. Yes, Akashi's modified version. Expensive, but safe and trustworthy!

"Play the recording of my previous test for the Commander!"

"Understood, Lady Lala!"

As Pei Kai finished speaking, a projection screen unfolded before Su Luo. The screen displayed the entire process of Lala personally testing her new invention. Seeing that Lala had indeed learned from past mistakes and considered the game production machine more comprehensively this time, Su Luo was somewhat relieved.

Noticing Su Luo's relaxed expression, Lala let out a soft hum and handed him the instrument she was holding.

"Commander, are you relieved now? There definitely won't be any problems this time!"

Su Luo examined the instrument in his hand and compared it, finding it indeed identical to the first-generation Super Game Maker. However, thanks to the video Pei Kai had just shown, Su Luo felt much more at ease with the game production machine in his hands! After all, Lala had already verified it.

"So, Lala, did you call me over to show me your newly created invention?"

"Mm, not exactly, Commander. I want you to help me test the game content!"

Su Luo thought for a moment. He didn't have much to do that afternoon. The work he was supposed to be handling as Commander had temporarily been "usurped" by Shibai and the flagships of other factions!

"I can, but Lala, you haven't eaten yet. Let's test it after we eat!"

"It's okay, it's okay. Momo just sent me a message on Juus. She said she was delayed today due to special circumstances and will be here shortly!"

As she spoke, Lala looked at Akashi, who was standing behind Su Luo.

"Akashi, why don't you try it too! Momo brought you lunch today as well, and she said to make up for her mistake, she specifically brought extra delicious food for you today!"

Su Luo looked at the anticipation in Lala's eyes. He exchanged a glance with Akashi and, seeing that Akashi was indifferent, finally nodded. The main reason was that with Akashi present, any problems could be dealt with promptly. Although she was a shrewd businesswoman, her research capabilities were beyond doubt!

Following Lala's instructions, they turned on the instrument. After setting themselves and Akashi as game players, Lala pulled over two lounge chairs. Su Luo and Akashi lay down as instructed and put on the special helmets.

Then, Lala pressed the switch for the game production machine. At the same time, Momo, carrying lunch for Lala and Akashi, walked into the laboratory.

The next instant.

The figures of Su Luo and Akashi lying on the lounge chairs vanished. The game production machine that had been between them, which Lala had just pressed the switch for, also disappeared with their disappearance.

Lala's expression instantly turned somewhat confused.

"Huh!!! I designed it as a virtual reality game, where only their consciousness enters the game!!!"

Momo looked at Lala's troubled expression, then glanced at the lounge chairs where Su Luo and Akashi had disappeared, and sighed.

It seemed her previously revised plan would need to be revised again! Before strengthening the Commander's physique, she would have to find the Commander first!

("I'm so foolish, truly!"

Su Luo raised his vacant eyes and continued.

"I only knew that most of Lala's inventions had side effects and caused this or that kind of trouble, but I never expected that even after confirming an invention had no side effects, Lala could still grab the wrong instrument and continue to cause trouble!"

"I'm so foolish! Truly!")