[Outside the waters of Gibraltar, Shakespeare revealed the world's crisis to them and pointed out the path forward.]
"What the heck is this kind of development, like a classic RPG… Dragon Quest?"
Tian Shi had been feeling this way for a long time.
And as Durandal said before, what she said was actually quite superstitious.
[Then, you found a stranded person off the coast of Gibraltar: a pilot, drifting aimlessly in the sea with his plane, or rather, the wreckage of what was once a plane.]
[If you hadn't met him, this pilot would have died of exhaustion in a few days, I'm afraid.]
[You rescued him, and from him, you learned his name and the reason why he was drifting in the sea.]
[His name is Manfred von Richthofen, the German ace pilot who shot down up to 80 enemy planes in World War I.]
[He tried to fly the plane through the Honkai barrier from above, but obviously, he failed. In the sky, his plane encountered a space curvature glitch, and he was the only one of all his companions to survive.]
[After being rescued by you and receiving guidance, Manfred became one of you.]
"This is a classic RPG where all your friends join one after another..."
"And speaking of which... not even planes can cross that barrier... I'm not surprised, but this 'scenario' is a bit shameless."
In the cabin, Shakespeare expressed her discontent.
"Well... although it's impossible to cross that barrier, in conventional combat, that kind of plane is still quite valuable. Besides, Mr. Manfred is also a very good pilot. I'll try to reverse-engineer it."
Watt, the weak boy with a monocle, said faintly.
"You don't need to do that kind of thing, Watt." Schrödinger looked at Bianka and Rita.
"Hey, don't tell me you want me to do it! The Valkyrie course is, at most, about vehicles; at most, about emergency repairs of armored vehicles. There's no way you can ask me to repair a plane."
Bianka waved her hands quickly.
The most she could do was keep a broken-down car moving for a little while longer.
"I can't do it either," Rita also refused.
"No, I'm not talking about you. I know exactly what Valkyries learn," both Bianka and Rita heard the pouting voice from under Schrödinger's mask.
Her best friend is the most powerful Valkyrie Schicksal ever had, okay?
"I'm talking about the Alliance Leader... you should be able to repair this kind of aircraft, right?"
[As long as there are enough materials, it won't be a big problem], Tian Shi replied.
With the eighth-level engineering and mechanics she learned from Tesla, as long as she studied for two days, she would have absolutely no problem repairing this old fighter.
By the way, the reward from the Einstein meeting allowed her to max out her basic subjects like physics. If she were to rejoin Tesla, her mechanics would probably be at the maximum level as well.
"You know a lot of things..."
Bianka pursed her lips and said, "You can even repair planes. Are you really a ghost?"
"Who dares to go out without two trades these days... By the way, who will accompany me?"
If she wanted to do restoration work, she had to have someone with her.
"I'm quite interested in repairing planes," Bianka said first.
"Me too. Besides, the two of us can't help much with navigation, so it would be fine to watch some plane repairs."
Rita replied with a smile.
"Tsk..." A woman with an iron mask made a sound of disgust.
"By the way, what is our next destination?"
"Hmm... Alexandria, didn't we accept some refugees who wanted to leave that island before? Why don't we let them settle there?"
Shakespeare thought for a moment.
"And the distance isn't great, and we can restock our supplies."---
-------------
"Mmm..."
"Even though Rita reminded me, this sleeping posture..."
Tian Shi's eyelids twitched as she looked at the blonde girl lying in bed in her pajamas.
Bianka's little head had no idea what kind of "life-and-death struggle" she had with the pillow, but it was obvious that the pillow had won and had successfully suppressed Bianka's little head.
The quilt had been kicked to the floor... Well, it was kicked off five times last night. Tian Shi heard the sound and covered her up again five times. Rita came here a moment ago and put it back on.
Now it was kicked off again...
And there was drool... it seemed to have soaked the sheets.
Bianka's sleeping posture can no longer be described as just bad; "terrible" is an understatement.
"It would be fantastic to have a camera. Such a precious image should be broadcast forever."
This is the dark history of the future S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal...
Tian Shi has become more and more aware of the importance of carrying a camera with her; unfortunately, she is a ghost, and there is no such thing as carry-on luggage.
"Wake up, dear Miss Bianka, the sun is on your butt."
"Well... no, don't, Rita... let me sleep a little longer... ten minutes will be fine..."
Bianka mumbled while pressing the pillow to cover her head like a quail.
"That's what you said when Rita came to call you before," Tian Shi complained.
How could it be her turn to wake Bianka up if Rita, who had arrived earlier, returned unsuccessfully?
"Mmm..."
Without making any attempt to reply, Bianka seemed to fall asleep again.
"I really can't do anything for you, forget it, just let yourself sleep for a while then."
Tian Shi sighed helplessly.
"I'm going to see if there are any cameras on board. A dignified A-rank Valkyrie in active service, a professional soldier, not only sleeps badly but also stays in bed. If everyone knew this..."
"Wait a minute!"
Bianka jumped out of bed with a whoosh.
"If you dare to do that, I'll fight you!"
"What are you thinking? You can't beat me. Be good and keep sleeping. I'll wake you up when I finish taking pictures," Tian Shi said as if persuading a child.
"Sleep my head!"
Bianka waved her fist in annoyance.
"But why are you waking me up today? Where is Rita?"
"Rita came once, but because you acted like a spoiled child, she didn't wake you. Do you need me to repeat it...? Rita~"
"Stop! The sound you make when you pinch your throat is so disgusting!"
Bianka finished speaking and then showed a guilty expression.
"Uh... has Rita really been here? I have no impression of her..."
"How deeply were you sleeping?" Tian Shi raised her forehead, "How deeply were you sleeping?"
"Um... okay, but don't tell anyone what happened today!"
Bianka threatened "viciously."
"Please wipe the drool from the corners of your mouth before you threaten someone."
"Uh..." Bianka blushed and quickly wiped the corners of her mouth with her sleeve.
"I think Rita will go crazy if she sees you wiping your mouth with your sleeve."
"Ahem..." Bianka turned her head guiltily, "I'll change my clothes, you go out and wait for me... Don't worry, I won't fall asleep again."
"After all, from a certain perspective, I still hope you, Bianka, can keep sleeping for a while," Tian Shi said with a half-smile.
"..."
-------------------------
"Ding-a-ling—!"
"What's that sound?"
Bianka, who had changed her clothes, folded her quilt, and was sitting at the table in the cabin, couldn't help but ask after hearing the shrill alarm.
"Shakespeare's alarm clock. According to yesterday's experience, Shakespeare should be able to wake up after the alarm goes off ten times."
"Ah... what a useless experience."
Bianka complained unenthusiastically.
"By the way, how many times has this happened?"
"The tenth time."
"Hello! Good morning! Miss Bianka! Is the Guardian Angel Sir around? If so, good morning to you too!"
Speak of the devil, and here she comes. Shakespeare came out of the room immediately after the tenth alarm sounded.
"Even though everyone is lazy, Shakespeare is surprisingly energetic."
"Well..." Bianka was noncommittal.
In a way, this was quite enviable: Bianka didn't think she could wake up normally and feel energetic.
"But of course, Bianka, you're still growing, so it's normal that you can't get up in the morning."
Bianka looked at Tian Shi and said nothing.
I hope I'm really growing and not like this redhead midget...
"Why do I feel like someone is scolding me?"
Shakespeare looked around suspiciously.
"Good morning, Captain."
"Cough, it must be an illusion... But Miss Bianka, you really have no spirit."
Shakespeare said it with a hint of sarcasm.
"Hmm..." She couldn't refute that.
"Excuse me, Captain Shakespeare, Lady Bianka, today's breakfast is ready: the main course is fried bread slices with whale fat, and the side dishes are fried eggs with bacon and apple salad..."
Rita held a plate in one hand and placed it on the table while reporting the name of the dish.
"It sounds very appetizing..." Although she was a ghost, it didn't stop Tian Shi from getting greedy.
"Unfortunately, Mr. Guardian Angel, you can't eat it," Rita put the plate on the table and laughed maliciously.
"I curse you."
"Well, everyone has finished breakfast, right?"
"..."
"Well, everyone has finished breakfast."
After breakfast, Shakespeare gathered the crew.
"The Caledonia has also successfully docked, and the weather was favorable, so I hope everyone can accept this temporary, ill-advised decision. Everyone, take a day off!"
"Wow—!"
Following Shakespeare's hand motion, the crew erupted in roars of excitement.
"Also, for those who wish to settle here, this captain will personally coordinate the procedures. Have fun today, everyone! As long as you don't gamble, this captain will reimburse all expenses, except for a certain first mate!"
"..."
This girl is quite vindictive too.
"Also, since there are many new crew members, the captain has specially prepared a lottery tool to form a team by drawing lots!"
"I think she's trying to cheat."
Tian Shi curled the corner of her mouth, and Bianka nodded.
"Seconded."
"So, who's going to draw first?"
"Let's forget about playing this kind of game that's full of cheating..." Bianka had no interest in it.
"Hmm... You really don't give the captain any face. Since you don't want to draw lots, you can find your own partners. But if you choose me, I have to go coordinate the registration, so I'll have to wait for a while."
Shakespeare angrily took back the signature box.
In the end, Cervantes decided to partner with Shakespeare. The old man had some feelings for the island residents, so he was ready to see if he could help Shakespeare with the procedures.
The pilot Manfred chose Jimmy, and the two had a lot to talk about on the subject of planes.
The only options left for Bianka and Rita are Schrödinger and Leila.
Fortunately, they both acted together, so there was no need to worry about anything.
After the team was selected, Shakespeare stuffed everyone, except the old man Cervantes, into several small boats.
All the way to the shore, they encountered no obstacles.
"The administration of this city is too lax, isn't it? There is not a single checkpoint on the way," Bianka commented objectively.
"Because that's how this city is governed... ah, it's already here."
"What's here already?" Bianka was a little confused.
But then, a red robot that looked like a fire hydrant moved in front of them and said in a mechanical voice:
"Unknown lady, this machine is a police officer in this city. Since you are here for the first time, please enter some basic information."
"To be honest, it's quite incongruous to see robots here," Tian Shi complained.
It feels a bit out of place with these times... But this is not a normal world after all, so there's no need to obsess too much about it.
"Is this the management method you mentioned, Leila?"
Bianka nodded and it seemed that, for some natural reason, she didn't feel that this was inconsistent at all.
"Name: Bianka Ataegina, 12 years old, birthday January 1... I don't know your exact calendar, but, anyway, I just need to take fingerprints, right?"
The whole process was very simple. After Bianka and Rita finished their work, the robot policeman left.
"Birthday on New Year's Day... that's really rare," Schrödinger said with some surprise.
"That's not really a birthday." Bianka spread her hands. "That was something the doctor at the orphanage recommended. Anyway, I don't know when I was born, so I might as well use New Year's Day as an example."
In the West, there is no lunar calendar, so there is no such thing as New Year's Day being the Gregorian New Year or the Spring Festival being the Lunar New Year.
"It's a very casual but reasonable statement." Schrödinger nodded in understanding.
"Right? It's quite convenient... So, what do we do now?"
"If you don't mind, how about we hire a robot tour guide?"