Unsuccessful Cooperation

In the Merlot Heavenly Court, within the Angel King's Palace, Queen Keisha sat solemnly on her throne. If nothing unexpected occurred, the future of the Angel Civilization would be decided by the conversation about to take place.

The location for discussing cooperation was a simple, makeshift hut, a suggestion made by Su Luo.

They were already at a disadvantage by not being on their home turf. If they were to go to the Merlot Heavenly Court, their disadvantage would be even greater!

Therefore, after a brief discussion, both parties agreed to meet in the hut. Angel Yan served as a human projector, bringing Keisha from the palace to converse with Su Luo.

"Before we formally begin discussing the cooperation we intend to undertake, perhaps I should introduce myself first."

Su Luo, using the dining table as a negotiation table and seated at one end, facing the projection of Keisha, spoke first, addressing Keisha, who was looking at him through Angel Yan's eyes.

The projected Keisha nodded, indicating she had no objections.

"My name is Su Luo. Of course, you already know that."

"As you heard from Akashi, I am a Commander."

"Yes, a ship girl Commander."

"Ship girl?"

Keisha questioned, not quite understanding the meaning of the term "ship girl."

"You heard correctly, a ship girl Commander. As for what a ship girl is..."

Su Luo glanced at Akashi beside him. Though he didn't speak, Keisha, seeing his action through Angel Yan's eyes, understood his intent.

"So... Akashi isn't actually human?"

Akashi nodded, sitting beside Su Luo. Azi was currently being held by her.

In the Merlot Heavenly Court, within the palace, a hint of realization dawned on Keisha's serious face. No wonder the Sacred Knowledge Repository had been unable to analyze Akashi when she had tried before.

"Then... what is Miss Akashi?"

"She is a 'girl' born from a Mind Cube, possessing the memories of a ship and special abilities."

Su Luo gave Keisha a general explanation.

"What is a Mind Cube?"

"It's a product derived from Dr. Anjie's research on the Energy Cube in the original world, or perhaps... a miracle."

Su Luo stopped there, not elaborating on what an Energy Cube was. Keisha didn't press further; a hint was enough.

"Can I assume that beings like Miss Akashi are not uncommon in your universe?"

Keisha's question to Su Luo actually had two layers: one inquiring about the number of ship girls, and the other about the number of married ship girls...

"Yes!"

Su Luo understood her meaning and answered directly and decisively.

Keisha in the palace nodded.

"No wonder..."

When they first saw Su Luo's Dark Plane information, she and Hexi had already speculated that Su Luo must have a partner, and judging by his physical condition, more than one.

Now, Su Luo had personally confirmed this.

The plan for the Guardian Angels seemed to have very slim chances.

Keisha sighed inwardly and continued her conversation with Su Luo.

After Su Luo revealed some more harmless information, and both sides had a better understanding of each other, the discussion about cooperation officially began.

"I don't like beating around the bush. Since the Angels proposed this intention to cooperate, please state it directly. What kind of cooperation do the Angels wish to achieve with us?"

The phase of increasing mutual understanding concluded. Su Luo's expression turned more serious as he looked at Keisha's projection and spoke directly.

In the Angel King's Palace, Keisha felt no resistance towards Su Luo's directness. They were the ones who had approached Su Luo for cooperation; strictly speaking, they were the ones in need of his help, so adhering to his rules was only natural.

"The Angel Civilization seeks a new future, and thus, we hope to receive your assistance."

Su Luo shook his head and said to Keisha's projection.

"Don't speak in such general terms... You wish to use our help to forge a new future for the Angel Civilization. Then... what kind of future are you seeking?"

"You might as well be more specific!"

In the palace, Keisha pondered for a moment before providing a more concrete explanation.

"The future universe will become extremely chaotic, and the Angel Civilization will be drawn into it. If possible... we would like to ask for your help when the Angel Civilization truly faces such a situation. The Angel Civilization has already sacrificed enough warriors. The current number of Angels in the Merlot Heavenly Court is less than a hundred thousand. If there are further complications, the Angel Civilization will..."

Keisha paused here, sighing. Angel Yan and Angel Zhixin beside her also lowered their heads silently, as if mourning their fallen comrades.

Keisha remained silent for a while before continuing.

"Or... perhaps, at that time, you could help the Angel Civilization find a new home where they can recuperate..."

"Queen..."

Angel Yan and Angel Zhixin were shocked by Keisha's words. Angel Yan even spoke out.

"Yan, there's no need to say more. The universe after the fall of the Justice Order will be very cruel to the Angel Civilization..."

"Queen, for justice, death is nothing to fear!"

Angel Yan replied reflexively.

Su Luo and Akashi glanced at Angel Yan, offering no opinion.

"Yan, you will understand in the future!"

Kaisha didn't say much to Angel Yan, who had interrupted her. She understood the young angels too well, which was precisely why she was worried!

"You hope that when that day comes, we can take the Angel Civilization with us? To the world I'm from?"

Su Luo narrowed his eyes, confirming with Kaisha.

"If there's no other choice, that's the last resort!"

Su Luo indicated he understood, but made no commitment to Kaisha's request. He simply looked at Kaisha's projection and spoke.

"You just said that if we help the Angels find a new home, they will recuperate there... You said 'they,' not 'you.' So, you're implicitly excluding yourself?"

Su Luo had been staring at Kaisha. When she spoke those words, he clearly saw a flicker of gentleness and what seemed like a farewell in her eyes.

Kaisha paused for a moment, then nodded.

"That's right, it doesn't include me."

"Then can I understand this as you actually entrusting your legacy to us?"

Kaisha remained silent, not responding for a long time.

Su Luo quietly watched Kaisha's projection. After her prolonged silence, he nodded.

"I understand!"

"Since this is a collaboration, and collaboration seeks mutual benefit, what can the Angels offer us?"

Su Luo didn't immediately comment on Kaisha's demands. He simply looked at her and asked.

"Anything that Merlot Heavenly Court possesses, you may take!"

Kaisha looked at Su Luo and offered a very generous condition.

Of course, this was generous from the Angels' perspective. For the port...

Tsk, this condition is really mediocre!

After all, in this universe, at least for now, there wasn't much that he and the port were interested in.

If he had to say one thing... ships would count.

As for protecting Angels or anything like that...

Compared to the ship girls of the port... it wasn't very appealing.

Especially after Su Luo had been exhausted by the constant "bombardment" from the married ship girls over the past few months, his worldly desires had diminished even further!

In a short period, Su Luo and Kaisha had exchanged many thoughts in their minds. Finally, under Kaisha's slightly nervous gaze, Su Luo spoke.

"It seems we still need to talk further."

Hearing Su Luo's words, Kaisha sighed inwardly.

Had the negotiation failed?