Sweet Delusions
Leaving behind the bleak landscape of the broken city, a sigh of relief escaped me the moment the Ark's gate opened.
I feel like I'm gonna die...
Every muscle in my body throbbed as if screaming in pain.
My legs were shaking, and my head felt like it was going to split open any second now.
The aftermath of enduring two days and one night outside without proper camping gear was more severe than I had anticipated.
The insane night air of this world, the chill piercing through the bone—putting even winter survival training to shame—was one problem, but the unidentified, bizarre noises echoing from the darkness now and then didn't even allow for a shallow sleep.
And then...
"……."
The short but intense sex with the Hachishakusama had also taken far more out of me than I thought.
I didn't realize it at the time, but once night fell, I could definitely feel the toll.
In martial arts novels, there are many descriptions of people turning into mummies and drying up when their essence is depleted by the Soul Absorption Method or Dual Cultivation Arts. I guess those descriptions weren't just for show.
Should I say I can actually feel what it's like for one's essence to be drained?
Of course, the 15,000 cash I gained in exchange was felt sweeter than honey in the current scenario.
"Commander. Why do you look so terrible...? Your light is fading."
As I passed through the gate, I heard Noah's voice, filled with worry.
Looking into her eyes, I felt a sudden urge to dive into Noah's embrace, fumble with her breasts, and just get some deep rest.
"...Really?"
Anyway, it seemed my condition looked quite serious from the outside.
"Hey, the way you put it makes it sound like the Commander is actually dying."
Just then, Pomen snapped a blunt remark and quickly approached to support my arm.
As her soft, voluptuous body pressed against me, her sweet scent wafted sharply into my nose.
"I'm okay. It's just that it's been a while since I camped outside, so I'm a bit tired."
I forced a smile and leaned slightly on Pomen's shoulder.
The exhaustion was real, but since I was a man, it was inevitable that desire would bubble up within me after getting touched by such a beautiful girl.
As I did this, I saw the corners of Pomen's mouth curl up in satisfaction.
"I can support you too, Commander. Wouldn't I be better than Pomen?"
"More importantly, Noah, could you prepare a pla..."
"Ah—! I understand. Then I'll head to the Commander's quarters first and get everything ready so you can get some deep rest."
Before I could even finish my sentence, Noah blurted out her response and dashed forward with incredible speed.
"Sigh..."
"What is it, Commander?"
"Nothing. I just feel like I need to start exercising soon."
To think my body would end up like this just from killing a few zombies and sleeping outside for one night...
I definitely had to find a way to solve this problem of frail stamina.
I wonder if there's a solution in the Money Compass?
As I thought, my gaze landed on Arva, who was silently following behind.
"Arva, you worked hard too; dismantling materials you aren't familiar with all by yourself must have been burdensome."
At my words, Arva merely shook her head.
"It is nothing compared to your hardships, Commander."
"Oh my, Commander. Aren't you going to worry about me too? My shoulders and legs are swollen from standing guard all day while carrying this heavy machine gun."
"……."
"Besides, my breasts are so big that they feel a bit stiff..."
Pomen spoke as she subtly pressed her breasts more firmly against my arm.
"I think I'd feel better quickly if our Commander massaged them gently. Hehe..."
A chuckle escaped me at that blatant seduction.
In my heart, I wanted to act like a man and firmly knead Pomen's breasts while heading to the office, but...
Sorry, Pomen.
I felt like I really needed to get some proper rest today.
Hearing Pomen's conversation, Arva tilted her head and spoke.
"Pomen, ECHOs do not experience muscle stiffness, so massage is unnecessary."
"……Ah, this clueless ECHO, seriously!!"
"Furthermore, your sexual harassment toward the Commander is becoming excessive. At this rate, the Central AI Wanderer may soon designate you for a one-on-one interview."
"...Tch."
I smirked at Pomen's attitude as she pouted at Arva.
A one-on-one interview with the Central AI...
I became quite curious about what that would be.
Still, before resting this battered body, there was something I had to do first.
When we arrived at the Commander's office, Karen was already waiting for us, likely having received a notification of our arrival.
As soon as she saw us, she ran over like a squirrel and snatched the material bags from Arva and Pomen.
"Uh, huh? What's with the state of these discharge batteries? It feels like they were practically ripped apart by force. Uh, the internal circuitry on this one is damaged!"
"...I worked as carefully as possible. Is there a problem?"
Arva replied bluntly.
It seems the task wasn't easy.
Her voice was filled with an irritation that clearly said, Why don't you try doing it yourself.
"It almost became a problem... Well, I guess I'll just have to work a bit harder. Anyway, good job. Now, what about the titanium alloy and the modified silicone?"
"Here."
As Pomen handed over the bag, Karen's eyes sparkled like a child's. She poured the parts from the bag onto the floor and began inspecting them one by one with a professional eye.
"……."
I was worried that if there was a problem with the materials, I'd have to go on another expedition...
"I think I can manage to start the work with this much."
Fortunately, it seemed they passed the requirements.
This meant I wouldn't have to spend precious cash to buy the missing materials.
"Then you can make the Synchronization Device, right?"
"Yes. I'll make a prototype first, discuss it with the Central AI, and then produce it so it can be deployed in the field immediately. But you're truly amazing, Commander! How did you get all these precious materials in just one expedition...?"
"The girls from Arclight worked hard. I didn't do much."
That was the truth.
All I did was stand guard, fuck the Hachishakusama, and suffer through the cold weather.
"Aw, that's all thanks to you, Commander. We're just ECHOs who move according to your brilliant orders, aren't we?"
I glanced briefly at Pomen, who cut in slyly, and then looked back.
"Anyway, how long will it take to produce the Synchronization Device? What’s your estimate, Karen?"
At my words, Karen fell into thought for a moment, then replied with a confident smile.
"I think I'll need some help from the Arclight Squad... but if I can put them to work, I'll work day and night and have it finished within three days."
Karen's eyes burned with the confidence of being able to do it and the expectation of being praised.
At that sight, I chuckled and lightly patted her head.
"Good. I'll trust you then, Karen. You're the only ace engineer of our Ark 69, after all."
"Y-Yes!"
At my praise, Karen's face turned red as a beet, and she dashed toward the workshop, creaking like a machine that had overloaded.
Watching her, I shrugged inwardly.
What an easy ECHO to handle.
Anyway, now that the work was done, I felt like I could finally rest.
And so, when I arrived at the Commander's room...
"Welcome, Commander."
"……."
"I have warmed your bed for you."
I could see Noah lying in the bed where I was supposed to sleep, with only her head poking out.
"Ummm..."
"To relieve your fatigue today as well, I will provide a lap pillow for you."
Naturally, I could not refuse Noah's offer.
In the end...
Mommy—!
I fell asleep while sucking on Noah's breasts.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Alright, this should be enough."
Karen checked the materials in her bag once more.
Although a few arc batteries were scratched due to Arva's rough handling, this was within the range that she could easily fix with her technical skills.
The important thing was that she could now start the heart called the Quantum Entanglement Communication Module.
[Good. I'll trust you then, Karen. You're the only ace engineer of our Ark 69, after all.]
The Commander's gentle voice echoed in Karen's ears.
Ace... ace engineer...
The touch of the Commander's large, warm hands.
Just recalling the sensation of that hand stroking her head caused the temperature of her Core to rise sharply, making her face flush.
Calm down, Karen. Now is not the time to be sentimental.
The item the Commander wanted was the Synchronization Device.
Karen intended to create this Synchronization Device perfectly to let the Commander know her utility and existence.
"What can I help with?"
While she was lost in thought, Pomen, who had received orders from the Commander, entered the workshop and asked.
"Move this over to the workbench. Ah, carefully. It absolutely must not break."
"……Anything else?"
"You see this titanium alloy, right? Can you cut it to this size? Since I'm creating the space where you guys will fit, the size needs to be generous."
Karen spread out the blueprints and gave instructions to the Arclight Squad.
Pomen grumbled but lifted the heavy titanium alloy with ease, and Arva began precise cutting with a vibration blade.
"Are you using this for the exterior? Then can I decorate it a bit?"
Pomen asked in a playful voice.
"I don't mind, but what are you going to do?"
"Just... write a word."
Pomen scribbled something with her finger on the titanium exterior.
Curious, Karen stepped closer to check, and the moment she did, she was struck with horror.
"...Sex? Hey, you crazy ECHO—! Erase this right now!"
And so, Karen continued to build the Synchronization Device together with the members of the Arclight Squad.
Using the Quantum Communication Module as the central processing unit, she had to stably amplify the energy coming from each Ark discharge battery using the Cores.
Of course, the work was not easy.
"Ah—!"
First of all, the environment of the production room was far too poor.
As a result, minute errors frequently occurred during the energy distribution process, causing circuits to burn out.
Sigh, Karen. Don't give up. The Commander trusts me, doesn't he?
But every time that happened, Karen rekindled her fighting spirit by recalling the Commander's voice.
She reviewed the circuit diagrams and repeated simulations dozens, hundreds of times.
In this nearly ruined production room of Ark 69, she wanted to create a perfect Synchronization Device and receive all of the Commander's praise.
If... if I complete this, how will the Commander praise me? Will he stroke my head again? Or... since the achievement is great this time...
Suddenly, a stray and sweet delusion bloomed in Karen's mind.
A vision of him hugging her with a bright smile.
And then, telling her she did a great job while kissing her forehead...
"U-Uwaaaa!"
Karen shook her head violently to drive away the delusion.
A human kissing an ECHO?
It was impossible.
It was even more so when she traced back the memories of the original Ark 69.
The Chinese fleet commander, who took immense pride in being a pure human, loathed the very idea of ECHOs entering the headquarters.
The attitude of the subordinate commanders and humans was not much different.
To them, ECHOs were merely tools that had to be used out of necessity, or consumables to be used as bullet shields in emergencies.
"...But our Commander is different."
Unlike the previous humans, the Commander who became the new fleet commander of Ark 69 didn't seem to dislike ECHOs.
No, it wasn't just that he didn't dislike them.
Though he didn't show it openly, he treated them as individuals, worried about them, and even praised them.
Was that why?
Once the expectation bloomed, it did not easily fade.
Imagining the reward of a kiss, she felt a strength surge through her fingertips that hadn't been there before.