In the middle of a corridor in one of the cabin sections.
A pair of eyes poked out from the trash can.
Seeing no one around, Zeig finally crawled out.
He patted his clothes and sighed:
"Sigh, life is so unpredictable. Even someone as clever as General Peppy can have an off day."
Compared to Zeig, Peppy had it much easier.
After Asta tossed her into the trash pile, she immediately regretted it. She had Arlan pick her out right in front of Himeko and take her to get a bath.
Himeko glanced at Zeig, who had just been thrown into the trash by her own hand, thought for a moment, then decided not to fish him out either and silently walked away.
"I never imagined that Teacher Himeko's love for me isn't even one ten-thousandth of Asta's love for General Peppy!" Zeig wailed in grief, roaring like a resentful woman.
Why?
Why does the dog get rescued, but I don't!
This world truly deserves to die.
"Huh, you crawled out?" March 7th walked over and raised an eyebrow:
"We saw the disciplinary notice and followed the location from the video. Sure enough, here you are. Where's Peppy?"
"General Peppy got fished out on the spot right after they finished filming the video. But Teacher Himeko didn't fish me out—look at what kind of nonsense this is." Zeig waved his hand.
Dan Heng said in a low voice:
"So you and Peppy went after the Heavenly Father? How did it go—can it fly now? Last time you took it out, three Doomsday Beasts stepped all over it."
March 7th clenched her pink fists, her little face puffed up in anger as she fumed: "The moment you mention that day I get mad! They didn't fight fair—three against one! We got smashed flat and couldn't even stand up."
Zeig said helplessly:
"That was a surround ambush, you know? Who could've guessed two more sneaky bastards would pop up and kick us over? Every time we tried to stand, we'd get interrupted. The mech's agility just can't compare to a living creature's."
"That's exactly why I said we needed to add a flight system!" March 7th crossed her arms and huffed, turning her head away:
"Look at those Gundams—don't they all have thrusters so they can fly around? No one can even hit them. That's the meta answer right there."
The two stood in front of the trash pile, chattering away intensely.
Dan Heng watched as their words grew more and more heated, more and more heated.
Zeig and March 7th were still furious about being repeatedly trampled by the Doomsday Beasts. The more they cursed, the more their resentment built up—it was like they were about to spawn an evil sword immortal!
So Dan Heng spoke up to interrupt:
"Zeig, March, they're already part of the statues now. Let's just let this go."
"But it's still so frustrating!" March 7th pouted and furrowed her brows:
"Do you know how suffocating it was for us in the cockpit? The whole cabin was shaking like crazy—bang bang bang! I almost got a concussion! The two of us were yanking the controls like mad. The Heavenly Father's arms had just braced up when they got kicked down again. Its chest had barely lifted before it got sat on. Do you know how we survived those ten minutes? Do you?!"
Dan Heng: "…"
Zeig laughed:
"Heh, looks like we won't be touching the Heavenly Father anytime soon. Even General Peppy failed. The space station's stance is pretty firm."
Asta wasn't short on money. Normally, letting Zeig and March 7th take it early wouldn't be a big deal.
It seemed the space station really had something serious going on this time—if they didn't cooperate, no departure allowed.
"Wasn't the Simulated Universe fixed ages ago?" March 7th asked in confusion:
"Could it be that Herta wants to keep testing even more dangerous universes? So she's holding the Heavenly Father hostage—until the job's done, no leaving?"
After a long while.
Zeig shoved his hands in his pockets and leisurely walked off in another direction:
"Sigh, what's the point of guessing? We'll find out when the time comes. Life is like a drift—full of unknowns everywhere."
Seeing Zeig leave, March 7th muttered:
"Fine then. I'll go find somewhere to eat too. See you later, Dan Heng."
March 7th left as well.
Leaving only Dan Heng behind.
"…"
He watched the staff members coming and going, his gaze calm.
They seemed especially diligent today—particularly when it came to hygiene. Everyone was actively cleaning.
Desks were wiped spotless.
Some people who usually looked disheveled were suddenly paying attention to their appearance. A few even put on ties.
"I think I heard Asta say a very important guest is coming today," Dan Heng murmured.
From the staff members' reactions, this guest must be quite heavyweight.
Important enough that even Wen Shiling had taken off her T-shirt printed with Zeig's giant face, changed into something more formal, and then pinned on a small brooch printed with Zeig's giant face.
"…" Dan Heng was silent for a moment, then left the area as well.
…
At this time.
Zeig had already arrived at the master control cabin section.
Peppy, freshly bathed, was being held in Arlan's arms—he was personally guarding her.
Asta stood up ahead.
The moment Zeig walked up behind her, she turned around in disgust, frowning:
"Eww~ You just crawled out of a trash can and you don't think to take a shower? Even Peppy is cleaner than you."
Zeig waved his hand:
"What's the big deal? You get used to the smell after a while. Didn't you say a very important guest is coming today? When are they arriving?"
Asta took a few steps back and said in disgust:
"Still early. If you go shower now, you'll definitely make it in time. Hurry up, go go go."
"I think…"
"Look at all the staff in the space station today—every single one cleaned up nice and neat. Don't you feel ashamed?" Asta said with disdain.
"But I think…"
"I don't care what you think. I only care what I think."
"…Hehe."
"Stop hehe-ing. I already had Arlan prepare a set of clothes for you. Put them on after your shower."
"Huh?"
"Hurry up and go." Asta raised her hand in a shooing motion.
…
Half an hour later.
A man stood in front of Asta, dressed in a gorgeous robe.
His long black hair was tied up, his dark golden pupils slightly narrowed as he looked down silently at the outfit.
The main color was black, accented with many golden patterns. They had even pinned an expensive-looking golden brooch on him!
He touched his black gloves and asked Asta:
"Do I really have to wear this? I feel like these clothes are more expensive than I am!"
Asta looked him over and nodded:
"Of course. Everything here is top-quality. How does it feel?"
"I feel way too good for showing off."
"But I still have one question—this outfit doesn't match the space station staff vibe at all. Isn't this place business casual? Why not give me a suit and tie?"
Asta explained:
"No can do. You need to look domineering. That guest specifically requested to see you."
"See me?"
"Yes. You're the one who attracted a pursuit from the Destruction Aeon and got saved by the Elation Aeon once. Of course he wants to meet you."
Seeing Zeig's eyes widen, Asta continued: "Of course, if he needs your help, just cooperate properly. If you manage to please him, forget just adding a flight system to the Heavenly Father—he could probably mod it into a full Fruit Treasure War God for you!"
"Fruit Treasure War God?" Zeig paused, then asked: "They're not even from the same world—how could they be combined?"
"I'm just making an analogy, an analogy!"
Asta put her hands on her hips and frowned:
"Anyway, he's incredibly capable and highly respected. Just lick him—got it?"
"Lick?"
…