Endless Silver Machine

It has only been a few days since the investigation of the steel tower in the abandoned city by the Protoss investigation team began, and they have already encountered some difficulties.

Because Miche, who once used this place as a "workshop", seems to be a senior researcher in the northwest district of the Bisi Empire's imperial capital, the interior of this steel tower, originally built with a light fiber core, has been transformed into a completely different look using magic technology. .

The Protoss investigation team, which knew little about magic technology, was naturally unable to conduct an in-depth analysis, and the progress of the investigation was much slower than expected.

The mimetic magic suit that looked like a giant steel dragon once slept in the underground cavity of the tower, and broke out from the ground and penetrated the entire tower.

The reason why this tower has not collapsed yet is because the floating technology in the core of the light fiber is exerting its final effect, but this crumbling state is only a matter of time before it completely collapses. It is precisely because of this that the investigation team stayed here throughout the day to advance the progress of the investigation.

Although the entire tower is supported by the floating technology of the optical fiber core, the probability of the part above the ground collapsing in a short period of time is very small. But the underground part has become a mess due to the riot of the steel dragon, and now it looks like a mine that may collapse at any time.

Aika held Ruby's little hand and followed the tunnel formed when the steel dragon broke out of the earth, deeper into the underground cavity.

"The road is a bit steep, so be careful where you step."

"Thanks……"

Now the two of them are heading towards the deepest part of the underground cavity, with ruins and broken walls visible everywhere. Although the only tunnel was supported by tools that looked like robotic arms, the messy rubble on the ground still gave people an uneasy feeling.

In order to be alert to accidents that may happen at any time, Ruby has summoned the "Mirror of Mist". The slender staff with two big bells attached to the head was temporarily used as a crutch to prevent her from falling. The clear sound of the bells sounded from time to time in this gloomy cave, unexpectedly dispelling the cold feeling around her and bringing about... A touch of joyful vitality.

The energy supply system here seems to have been set up by Miche in order to debug the mimicry magic equipment. The lighting extends deep into the ground, so it is not difficult to distinguish the southeast from the northwest.

"Ruby, do you feel cold?"

"Me?" Ruby paused, then shook her head slightly, "Where's big brother?"

"The temperature underground is indeed very different from that on the ground. I feel that the temperature gets lower and lower as we go down there."

It can be said that Aika's outfit was specially put on to explore this kind of terrain.

But Ruby's outfit is completely opposite to Aika's. Her clothes were more suitable for an outing in the wild than in a ghost place like this, and her feet were still barefoot and wearing sandals, which was very unsuitable for walking in such a place.

Originally, Aika was worried that she would not be used to this kind of action, and wanted her to stay on the ground and be taken care of by the Protoss investigation team. But this approach failed Ruby's purpose of coming here in person, so Aika brought her here without any complaints.

In order to cooperate with Ruby, who had difficulty moving, Aika deliberately slowed down her progress.

The crisp sound of bells accompanied the two people's footsteps as they slowly advanced deeper.

Aika didn't know if she was just saying that she wasn't cold. After all, that summer strapless dress couldn't withstand the natural cold.

Aika thinks so because her little hands are cold now. This is the most intuitive feeling.

Perhaps because the light was not bright enough, it was not clear whether Ruby was holding back or not. Apart from the most basic exchanges, there was basically no other conversation between the two.

"ah!"

Suddenly, the little hand held by Aika grasped his hand tightly.

Ruby shuddered suddenly, her whole body shrank, and she pulled Aika's hand back.

"What's wrong?"

"It's so cold..."

Aika didn't let go of Ruby's hand and took a step to come to her side.

There was a drop of water splashing on his right shoulder, which was exposed to the cold air.

At this time, another drop of water fell on Aika's head. He looked up at the tunnel dome. Water seemed to be seeping from the cracked pipe, with a drop falling every few seconds.

"It doesn't matter, it's just ordinary water." Aika wiped off the water drops on Ruby's shoulder with her fingers. "The underground pipes here should be rebuilt like human cities. The previous battle caused the water pipes here to crack. It's not strange. Things, don’t worry.”

Only when I touched Ruby's body did I realize that not only her little hands, but also the exposed skin was indeed cold.

Now Aika is finally sure that she is just trying to be brave when she says she is not cold.

"Let's take a rest after we get to the area in front where there is no leakage."

…………

The underground cavity was not as deep as they thought. After walking a few dozen meters, we arrived at the underground center where lights gathered. The surrounding lighting facilities should all be tools of the investigation team, because this is where the focus of investigation should be.

There is a lot of space here, and various thick pipes extend to the center as if they were torn apart by violence. The now empty center should be where the mimicry magic outfit that originally looked like a steel dragon had occupied.

Aika found a slightly flat stone nearby. Compared with the surrounding gravel, its relatively normal shape could barely be used as a stool.

He took Ruby's hand and asked her to sit on it, then took off his coat and draped it over her body, which was exposed to the cold air.

Ruby seemed a little surprised by Aika's actions, but now Aika's attention turned to the huge space where the steel dragon once occupied.

Ruby, who moved her lips to say thank you, didn't say anything in the end. She just held on to the coat that still contained Aika's body temperature and sat quietly on the stone bench.

After confirming that there were no potential dangers worth noting in the surrounding environment, Aika returned to Ruby's side.

"It seems that this place has been thoroughly investigated by your people, and there is probably nothing particularly useful left. Otherwise, Miche and Komachi would not give up here easily."

"Don't you need to go take a closer look around? I just need to stay here and won't disturb you anymore..."

"What are you talking about, Ruby? The two of us came here together. Of course we can't leave you behind." He was like a knight protecting the little princess, looking at Ruby sitting on the stone bench. Squatting down in front of him, "Even if the investigation team has checked this place, there may still be a risk of sudden collapse. So we can't be too far apart here. When we really encounter danger, we have to rely on your 'Mist' This is the mirror."

Even if it was just comfort, Ruby would be very happy as long as there was a hint in Aika's words that she could help.

She walked with an uneasy mood all the way. Because I am onee-sama's younger sister, I don't want to be a drag and give Aika a bad impression. Otherwise, all the things I want to do for onee-sama will not be achieved.

Ruby had no idea that the place she was coming to was so dangerous, so she just wore the most ordinary clothes.

Even though she really felt her body was cold, she didn't say anything because if she were onee-sama, she would never talk about this difficulty.

"Is your foot sprained?"

Noticing Aika's gaze, Ruby consciously put away her feet.

"It doesn't hurt very much..." The bare feet in sandals hid in the shadow of the stone bench as if they were hiding out of Aika's sight. The slender legs seemed to be rubbing together uneasily. , "...I have never been to a place like this..."

"Sorry, I forced you. It would have been better if I had told you in advance that we were coming to a place like this."

Aika knew that Ruby had her share of responsibility for not being properly dressed. Instead of blaming Ruby, he apologized frankly to her, taking all the blame on himself.

But he still didn't say what he shouldn't have said, that is, "It would be better for you to stay up there."

Ruby took the initiative to follow him to a place where he could face danger at any time. And whether it was Teacher Letika's instructions before departure or Ruby's true intention, Aika knew that she had been looking for opportunities to help her.

If she said something that was just for efficiency but not for fun, it would be trampling on her sincere self-esteem.

"Can I have a look?"

"Eh?"

Aika's request seemed to be too much beyond Ruby's expectations. She looked at Aika who was sincere with a silly expression, her brain spinning crazily trying to understand what he wanted to do with such a request.

"My blood can probably alleviate the pain a little bit. You know Philly's physique, right? Because of everything that happened before, I'm a bit similar to her."

Seeing Ruby's delay in responding, Aika had no choice but to add the minimum explanation, and Ruby finally understood what Aika meant.

He couldn't refuse Aika's kindness, and he felt ashamed that everything he was thinking in his heart could be seen through. Ruby's inner defenses were completely relieved by the "gentle and strong" boy in front of her.

Still with a trace of hesitation, she pursed her lips tightly and slightly raised her right leg hidden behind her left leg.

Skin that can be broken by blows exudes an inviolable sense of sanctity. Aika carefully lifted her slender legs with her hands and untied the ribbon on her sandals.

With the shoes as the last line of defense removed, the naked pink feet held in the palms felt as cool as the little hands they held not long ago.

In this coolness that seems to be assimilated with the surrounding environment, there is a completely different sense of comfort.

The skin that had never been touched by a man was exposed to his eyes for the first time. Ruby closed her eyes tightly to endure the overflowing sense of shame, and pressed hard with her other hand to cover almost all of her body. Aika, who was squatting down, looked at the bottom of her skirt and turned her head as far as possible to the side.

"Still...are you okay yet?"

Ruby urged Aika in a low voice and glanced in Aika's direction with her eyes secretly opened a slit.

Aika ran her fingers over her tender calf, inspecting the injured area. The fresh, tingling feeling of her fingers across her skin forced Ruby to hum in a dull voice.

In the empty underground cave, the sweet moans can be clearly heard in the huge space.

When caressing a part where the temperature is slightly higher than the surrounding skin, the sweet tone is mixed with a hint of pain.

"Here..."

With the unclear lighting, you can notice that the fair skin on the ankle is slightly red and swollen.

It was probably scratched by the gravel on the road here, but fortunately there was no obvious wound that was open and bleeding.

Aika used the generated magic power to draw a thin mark on her finger, and bright red blood beads emerged from the wound.

Seeing this, Ruby's eyes widened in surprise.

"You don't have to go to this point!" Ruby panicked and tried to pull her little feet away from Aika's grasp. "As long as, just take a rest and it will be fine..."

Ruby didn't expect that Aika would hurt herself to get blood. When Aika said that he and Feili's physiques were somewhat similar, Ruby just thought that he could freely manipulate blood like a vampire.

But Aika held the soft little paw firmly in her hand, and it was impossible for Ruby to break free with her strength.

"I'm sorry, is it a bit annoying because it's my blood?"

"That's not it..." Although the unexperienced girl was already unable to resist the current scene, "It's not because you hate your big brother's blood, but you got hurt because of me... I originally thought you didn't have to hurt yourself. You can also get blood, I didn’t expect it to be like this..."

"This level is nothing for a boy. Did you see that I frowned just now?"

"That...didn't see it too clearly..."

"It's because I've never done this before that you didn't see it. However, I clearly saw you frowning when we were walking along. Otherwise, how would I know that you were injured? So, and your Compared with the pain, my little injury is nothing at all."

In fact, Aika only guessed that Ruby was injured from her dress and coy attitude. The reason for using this statement is just to make her believe in herself.

"I'm sorry, big brother..."

"Just be patient for a little bit and you'll get better soon."

It seemed that Ruby was finally relieved, and Aika evenly applied her blood drops to the red and swollen area on her ankle.

Aika received a large amount of half-vampire blood from Tylua-senpai, and human blood was assimilated into the characteristics of the vampire blood. But all in all, Tylua-senpai is only half a vampire, and the blood in Aika's body is still overwhelmingly human.

It was blood that had been diluted through multiple layers. In addition, Ruby's sprained ankle was not a direct open wound. Just smearing your own blood on the surface of the skin would not leave any sequelae for Ruby.

"How's it going? Apart from the slight pain when my fingers touch it, are there any other uncomfortable feelings?"

When applying the blood, Aika had to run his fingers across the red and swollen skin, and he also noticed the discomfort that occasionally flashed across Ruby's face.

"No, it's not uncomfortable...it's just a cold feeling..."

"Really? It feels like water drops dripping from the ceiling, right?" As she said that, Aika finally let go of Ruby's feet. "After handling it like this, you should just rest for a while and it will be fine."

The little feet that had always been held by Aika were finally freed. Ruby hugged her knees and sat stiffly, as if she wanted to hide them quickly.

Aika was vaguely aware of Ruby's current thoughts. He just pretended not to see it and prepared to sit down in the empty seat next to Ruby.

However, just as Aika sat down, his hand accidentally touched the "Mist Mirror" lying behind Ruby. The two bells made a crisp sound, which was infinitely amplified in this empty underground cave.

Ruby, who was a little nervous, was naturally startled by the sudden sound from behind, and even forgot that it was the sound coming from her magic costume.

At the same time, because she was not used to sitting with her knees clasped, Ruby immediately lost her balance when her posture tilted a little, and fell towards Aika next to her.

"!"

As a result, it looked like Ruby was lying on Aika's legs, curled up like a cat trying to keep warm. In order to protect Ruby from hitting something, Aika reflexively reached out and hugged her body, and her own hand also touched a certain part that belonged only to the girl.

Ruby's face instantly turned red, and she even forgot the point of leaving Aika first, and just apologized with trembling lips.

"Yes... I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"

"Me too, I'm sorry..."

Only Aika reacted immediately and moved away his hands that touched the girl's private parts.

Even if it was only for a moment, the softness unique to girls was left in the hand, as well as the delicate feel that seemed to break at the touch of a touch.

After a beat, Ruby also sat up holding on to the edge of the stone bench.

Although the original posture was restored, the subtle atmosphere that had just been brewed still slowly flowed between the two.

Not sure if it was to break the awkward atmosphere, Ruby spoke slowly.

"Ever since I was a child, I have always admired onee-sama. Such a gentle and strong onee-sama... As long as there is anything she wants to do, there seems to be nothing she can't do."

This is somewhat different from what Aika heard from her seniors and classmates at Shimozuki Academy about the image of Teacher Letika when she was a student. Teacher Letika, who is well-known in Shimozuki Academy, seems to be more of a simple and natural person.

"Until now, this idea has not changed. Although onee-sama sometimes feels dull, even that is not seen in me, so I have always envied her."

Perhaps during the time between the Protoss Palace and Frost Moon Academy, people with different relationships focused on the different sides of Teacher Letika, and Aika, who was lucky enough to be so close to Teacher Letika, knew the truth of the combination of these two sides. appearance.

"Teacher Letika is really an excellent tutor. Just like Ruby said, she is very gentle and very strong. To this day, I am very lucky to have the first person I met after entering Shimozuki Academy. She is the mentor.”

However, Aika's compliments to Letika's mentor only made Ruby feel even more frustrated.

"I can't be like onee-sama... Although there are many things I want to do, I don't persist until the end. Even if I make up my mind to leave home and find onee-sama, I just want to be comforted by her shadow. The sense of pride and satisfaction you get from looking at the person you admire. It's obviously something that doesn't belong to you, but when you look at onee-sama, you'll have the illusion that one day I will become just like onee-sama. .”

"But in my opinion, you are much stronger than you think." Aika supported her legs with both hands, smiled and looked at Ruby who lowered her head and said dejected words, "Even if My body is very cold and my feet hurt, but you followed me here without saying a word of complaint. If I didn't notice it, you were going to keep it secret from me, right? Although this The behavior is not worthy of praise, but it is strong enough."

"But anyone can do this kind of thing!"

"Does something that anyone can do must be ordinary and not worth mentioning? Or can it be called 'remarkable' only if you accomplish something that others cannot do?"

"That kind of thing..."

In fact, Ruby's real thoughts were not the literal meaning of her words, but she just didn't know how to express the inexplicable and complicated feelings in words.

Aika only responded to the literal meaning of her expression, and did not really resolve the part of her heart that she did not recognize. But with his words, Ruby, who couldn't refute, was finally able to calm down and think.

What is the part that I don’t recognize? She couldn't help but start to think about this problem that she had never faced head-on before.

Just like Aika questioned herself repeatedly, Ruby also questioned herself in her heart.

"Teacher Letika..."

Do we want to break the dreamy longing for onee-sama in the girl's heart? Aika thought for a moment.

I originally wanted to say, "Actually, there are many things that Teacher Letika can't do," but in the end, I didn't tell her in such a direct way.

"You must have heard most of what Teacher Letika and I said that night, right?"

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to eavesdrop at first, I just felt that I couldn't interrupt you and my sister at that time..."

"When did you start hearing it?"

"When I saw onee-sama going out, I was already there..."

Ruby calmed down and answered Aika honestly. She did not have the courage to continue lying in front of Aika.

"Then you heard everything." Aika chuckled unconcernedly, and the hearty voice echoed in the underground cave, "Since you have heard everything, you should also know that Teacher Letika actually has A lot of troubles, right?”

"..."

"At that time, I did say that she could rely on us as students. But just as you, Ruby, have always longed for Teacher Letika who is closest to you, the person who should be the most reliable person for Teacher Letika should be It's you who are the sister."

"But I'm not like your sister, big brother..."

"Since you have heard everything about Luo Luo, I will tell you the truth. Comparing what happened this time, you should know what a clumsy sister she is. She is obviously regarded as my most solid support, but she It’s caused me so much trouble.”

"But the big brother doesn't look angry."

"Yeah, why should I be angry? I knew from the beginning that she was such a clumsy sister, and I regarded her as my support on this premise. If I don't have Luo Luo by my side, I can't become Strong, then Luoluo has to be strong to make up for what I lack because she has a useless brother like me hanging around her all the time."

Now, Aika no longer knows whether to tell Ruby specifically or to herself. It's just that the words I want to say are pouring out like an unstoppable spring.

Ruby stared blankly at Aika's eloquent words, describing with love and hate her "clumsy yet strong" sister that she had never seen in person until now.

"Ruby, you and Teacher Letika are family members. There must be something in you that can make up for each other's shortcomings. This is the privilege that only those who are born into a family have. So cheer up, Ruby, you are completely You are not as weak as you thought. Besides, you are the mainstay of the Haiwu Fleet. The entire fleet is named after your magical equipment ability."

Aika stroked Ruby's little head with a loving smile, and Ruby opened her watery eyes.

She seemed to have forgotten the pain in her feet, and her whole body and mind were attracted by the boy's every move.

After a few seconds, Ruby showed an imperceptible sweet smile.

It was the smile that came from the heart unconsciously as Aika held her little hand and walked into a world she had never seen before.

Seeing the change in Ruby's expression, the serious Aika's expression softened.

"Does the injured area on your foot still hurt?"

Ruby shook her head, put on the sandals she had taken off, stood up from the stone bench, and spun around in circles.

Although the ground under her feet was still rugged and her delicate skin was still exposed, her body became much lighter.

"That's good. It doesn't look like there's anything to gain here. We can't see the specific situation just by taking a few glances here. Let's go back to the ground and listen to what the investigation team has to say after we get out."

"Yeah, big brother."

Ruby was about to turn around and return to the ground along the tunnel she came from, but Aika stood there and stretched out her hand to her.

"Big brother?"

"I'll carry you on the way back."

"Eh...how is that possible!"

"The way up is harder than the way down. If you still walk by yourself, won't you get hurt again?"

"But but... I'll trouble you to carry it on my brother's back, I still..."

Ruby still shook her head, but her attitude gradually began to soften.

Probably realizing that if he didn't accept Aika's proposal, he wouldn't let himself leave here. Ruby began to consider Aika's proposal hesitantly.

"For this one time only, please consider it as your permission to serve Miss Ruby to the end."

With this reason, the last resistance fell, and Aika finally made Ruby, who had been overdrawn from shame, accept her proposal. She took Aika's outstretched hand with a trembling hand.

When she leaned her body against the solid back, Ruby's face was filled with a shy blush that she absolutely didn't want anyone to see, and she hugged Aika's neck tightly with her hands.

"Hold tight, we are ready to go back."

"Okay, okay...yeah!"

Aika said and stood up. The moment her eyes suddenly raised, Ruby's heart seemed to stop beating for half a beat.

Even Ruby realized that she had made an inelegant, slightly off-key high note, and she immediately buried her face into Aika's back with a shameful "plop".

Aika laughed heartily. Although his original intention was probably to show that he didn't mind Ruby's nervousness, it made Ruby's fair neck turn pink.

Finally, Ruby was carried all the way back to the ground by Aika. Feeling the large body that was clinging to her without any wavering, a sense of security that she had never felt before suddenly penetrated her heart.

I just pay a little attention to the arms holding my thighs. Is this what humans call skin-to-skin contact? But it was definitely not a physical feeling of disgust, it just brought a feeling of excitement in the chest.

The young girl who has never experienced this new feeling still doesn't know the emotional reality that makes her body unbearably hot.

…………