Torch gave DL-02 some time to process everything she had just learned.
This information had always been kept strictly confidential from both humans and Mecha Girls. The vast majority of pilots knew nothing about it. They had no idea that the various racetracks and their steadily rising tiers were actually a selection process designed to identify elite warriors.
Nor did they know that a powerful and terrifying alien race had set its sights on their world, and that war could descend upon them at any moment.
Human emotions were complicated.
Mecha Island, the Techmasters' Alliance, and the Human Federation feared that many people would lose their nerve and abandon racing altogether if they learned what awaited them in the future. As a result, all three organizations maintained the same official stance and kept the crisis hidden.
Mecha Girls would never fear war, but they were kept in the dark as well. The concern was that once a Mecha Girl signed a Core Contract with a pilot she cared about, she might reveal every secret to them.
Under such a strict information blackout, the human authorities devoted their full support to racing competitions.
In less than two years, racing replaced concerts, movies, and other forms of entertainment. The status of pilots and Mecha Girls rose with it, gradually surpassing singers, actors, and internet celebrities until they became the public's new idols.
The influencers and actors who had once made fortunes were forced either to change careers or retire from the public eye.
One era ended, and with the arrival of the Mecha Girls, an entirely new one began.
Only after pilots and Mecha Girls cleared the provincial-level racetracks, passed the national advancement races, and entered the national-level racetracks were they finally told their true mission.
By that point, the pilots had already survived so many dangerous races that their mental resilience far exceeded that of ordinary people.
Besides, anyone capable of reaching the national-level racetracks was at least a Techmaster.
DL-02 remained silent for a while.
There had been far too much information in Torch's explanation for her to accept it all at once.
Still, there was no reason to doubt that it was true. Torch was one of the leaders of Mecha Island.
She would not have spent so much time explaining everything just to play a joke on her.
Then DL-02 realized something.
She looked up at Torch and asked, "Since a Psychic Energy Mecha requires both a Mecha Girl and a human pilot, how did we fight the Void in the past? Were we defeated because we didn't have Psychic Energy Mechas?"
"No." Torch shook her head and raised two fingers. "First, we once had pilots who fought alongside us. They were the Spirit Race, the same race that created us. They also invented psychic energy and Psychic Energy Mechas. Unfortunately, the Void has already wiped them out."
"Second, there is Regulation Two of the Mecha Girl Restrictions: Armory. Every Mecha Girl possesses an innate weapon. Those weapons are extremely powerful and can be used for self-defense."
DL-02 knew about Regulation Two of the Mecha Girl Restrictions.
The regulation itself was the reason she could not use her weapon.
"Can our innate weapons defeat the Void?" she asked.
"No. They can only deal with weaker enemies, such as a lone Hunter."
Torch turned the screen around.
There was another image of the Void on the opposite side.
This creature was far smaller than the one they had seen earlier. It stood only about two meters tall, with a slender, elongated body and a hunched back. Its head resembled a goat's skull, and portions of exposed machinery protruded from both sides of its cheekbones.
"Hunters are the Void's main combat units. They usually travel in groups and operate as fleets. They're also the pilots of the Void Colossi, like the massive creature you saw earlier."
So the monster roughly the same size as the Psychic Energy Mecha was called a Void Colossus.
DL-02 nodded.
She was gradually beginning to accept all of this.
"I have two last questions.
"I can understand why pilots need to be trained, but outer space and racetracks are completely different. Why not train mech pilots directly?
"And you want to turn me into a warrior capable of fighting on the battlefield, but what does that have to do with becoming Derek Su's Mecha Girl?"
DL-02 was not an ordinary Mecha Girl who could be brushed aside with a few vague answers.
Respecting Torch's position as Governor of Mecha Island was one thing. Fighting for what she deserved was another.
"I'll answer them one at a time."
Torch paused to organize her thoughts.
"The most basic requirement for piloting a mech is being able to drive a race car proficiently. When a Void creature is close to death, it creates a temporary [Boundary Void Tunnel] to escape. You can think of it as a special type of [Dangerous Race Track]. You have to pursue the creature into the tunnel to kill it for good.
"More importantly, racing develops the bond between a Mecha Girl and her pilot. Without that level of coordination, they cannot operate a Psychic Energy Mecha.
"As for your second question, it has to do with the AI technology I'm currently researching.
"I'm trying to replicate Derek Su's technology and create an AI mechanical core that can take the place of a pilot.
"Suppose you installed that AI core in advance and used it to practice operating a mech. Wouldn't that be the same as adapting to Derek Su ahead of time?
"When Derek Su eventually enters the battlefield, the Mecha Girls under his command will only have just begun learning to operate Psychic Energy Mechas. While they're still struggling to become proficient, you'll already be a fully qualified pilot."
DL-02 quietly considered Torch's explanation.
She failed to notice the cunning and regret hidden in Torch's eyes.
Something told her that Torch had not revealed everything, but no matter how carefully she thought it through, she could not identify what had been left unsaid.
She imagined the future Torch had described.
It certainly seemed possible.
While Imperial Scale was still a rookie, DL-02 would already be a veteran. She would have trained in advance to improve her compatibility with Derek Su.
What could Imperial Scale possibly use to compete with her then?
DL-02 would have an overwhelming advantage in every respect.
"All right. I understand what you mean."
After thinking for a moment, DL-02 took a deep breath and met Torch's gaze with her dark blue eyes. The confusion and uncertainty in them had disappeared.
"Let's start now."
She still had plenty of unanswered questions, but none of them mattered anymore.
She had to become Derek Su's Mecha Girl.
Even if she could not replace Imperial Scale, she still wanted a place at his side.
"Excellent. You're a woman of action, just like me!"
Torch clapped her hands, a flicker of admiration appearing in her eyes.
"There are two things I want to study. First, how a Mecha Girl's Endurance affects Psychic Energy Armament. Second, how a Mecha Girl's traits enhance the characteristics of a Psychic Energy Mecha...
"Well, these things are complicated. You wouldn't understand even if I explained them.
"For now, let's start with a full-body examination!"
After plenty of coaxing and deception, Torch finally persuaded DL-02 to enter the nutrient chamber.
She watched as the girl inside slowly lost consciousness.
The smile on Torch's face gradually faded.
She stood before the nutrient chamber for a long time, as motionless and silent as a statue.
"I'm sorry."
Torch bit her lip and lowered her head. Tears slid down her face and dripped from her chin as she whispered, "But for Mecha Island to survive, I have no choice but to let you sleep here for a while."
When she raised her head again, the sorrow and guilt had been buried deep within her heart.
A determined flame burned in her crimson-gold eyes.
She turned and walked behind the Psychic Energy Mecha.
In a corner concealed by the mech's massive body stood a towering mechanical tree. It looked remarkably similar to Zuanka Tech, though it was much smaller.
"DL-02, the only choice besides Imperial Scale.
"She possesses both the absolute defense of the HB series and considerable offensive power.
"Right now, no other Mecha Girl is better suited to serve as the template for mass-produced AI Cores."
A sharp sword was not enough.
She also needed a shield that was sturdy without being cumbersome.
Torch gazed up at the mechanical tree resembling Zuanka Tech.
Then she silently took out a sodium-fiber crystal core.
Amid the interweaving light, she stepped onto the long staircase and slowly climbed toward the mechanical tree.
The sound of her boots striking the steps echoed throughout the vast hall.
From the dark shadows around her, more than a dozen Mecha Girls who resembled Torch watched coldly.
Their eyes were empty.
They looked like a group of soulless puppets.
...
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