Mecha Chapter 49: March

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo

 

Luo XiaoLou looked at the lush greenery in front of him; the soft grass beneath his feet; the tall trees in the distance. For the first time, he felt a hint of Earth’s shadow. He smiled. It was as if something that had been pent up deep inside his heart suddenly dissipated.

He knew the chances of returning to four thousand years ago were slim. But he could at least try to live… wherever he was. He would try to live.

Each team leader would receive a probe and they would be able to detect the approximate location of the data collector. Once off the ship, the team leaders would distribute the ship’s supplies then gather together for a meeting. From now on, there would be no teacher to accompany them.

Luo XiaoLou was not alone in his amazement. Many of the other students were walking out of Planet Anse for the first time, out of a place surrounded by skyscrapers. Unlike a city full of high tech and high wages, what they saw on the ground was an old, simple atmosphere of the wilderness.

There was no bustle, no lights — just fields, woodlands, rivers, or even the yellow sand. But it was full of astonishing life. It was powerful; peaceful and beautiful, and unconsciously shocking.

After the shock, the students began to walk around and many started to carefully collect specimens of vegetation, while others were recording videos.

Luo XiaoLou tapped on his communicator and recorded the scene around him. He saw a small river not far away, at the edge of the woods. The water, that was dyed green, was easy to miss.

Luo XiaoLou lifted his feet and walked to the river. He first took a small amount of water and tested it with a device. After discovering it was drinkable, Luo XiaoLou tasted it. There was a sweetness to it. He then filled his canteen.

It seems that… even without food… Luo XiaoLou contemplated the forest. Natural food was hard to come by but there must still be something to eat here. Was the no man’s land better than the living conditions in their cities?

Just then, Luo XiaoLou suddenly felt something at his feet. 

It was warm.

He was shocked and when he looked down, he saw a small dog by his feet. It was yellow and white, its black eyes staring at him in a pleasing way. It kept licking his ankles with its tongue.

Luo XiaoLou’s mouth twitched. He loved animals, but… But there was already a cat-like person in the house… And 125. It would be burdensome to have another one. But… It’s so clumsy and sweet. Luo XiaoLou was already thinking about what it would take to adopt a dog.

As he thought about it, he reached out and touched the dog’s head. At that moment, Luo XiaoLou heard a yell from behind him. Tian Li was shouting his name.

Luo XiaoLou turned around in surprise. Immediately, he found the people staring at him in awe. Then he even saw Yuan Xi launch his huge white mecha in a few seconds, jump in and rush all the way — to his side.

Luo XiaoLou was slow enough to realise that something was wrong, and that’s when he saw a huge shadow on the ground in front of him, spreading rapidly. It was clear that the main body of the shadow was standing behind him.

Luo XiaoLou, though stunned, was ready to take a few steps forward. But Yuan Xi’s mecha was too fast and was in front of him in an instant. He grabbed Luo XiaoLou with one hand; roughly but not forcefully. As Luo XiaoLou closed his eyes, a blast of wind swept past him, and his body was already in the air.

Then the other arm of Yuan Xi’s mecha pulled out a high frequency energy dagger, and bright lines of light rose up. It was like it shredded the air and after a swing, the white mecha quickly moved backwards.

Luo XiaoLou was not released until he was back in the area where the students were gathered. Then Yuan Xi jumped down from the mecha with a cold face.

Luo XiaoLou didn’t even get to see the huge monster behind him. He stood still on the ground and only just recovered from the shock. Looking over at the river, all he could see was the foul-smelling pieces of flesh scattered around. They were thick tentacle-like whiskers.

After a brief moment of silence… the people around him exploded into a frenzy.

Someone exclaimed, “That’s right, he’s number one in the Mecha Department! That speed and footwork was fantastic! I wish I had that kind of speed…”

“So it seems bug beasts aren’t that scary.”

“Geez. How is it possible to cut the bug beast to pieces with just one slash?”

“Are you nuts? That’s because he was too fast. You just can’t see it but that was at least a dozen strokes.”

“……!”

Yuan Xi didn’t pay attention to the compliments. He was furious. “Didn’t I tell you to stay behind me?! Don’t run around! If something happens, I’ll be there to clean up the mess and protect you!” Yuan Xi scolded with a black face. The moment he saw Luo XiaoLou almost get eaten by the giant bug beast, his heart almost stopped. Ever since he met this idiot slave, he had experienced every emotion and it was so unpleasant.

“I didn’t notice… I didn’t notice it. It looked like a puppy. What the hell was that?” Luo XiaoLou was still in shock as he whispered the question.

The grumpy master looked at the frightened, watery-eyed slave. He couldn’t say anything harsh at all, and could only hatefully answer, “It’s a bug beast. A weak creature. Probably can only bully fools like you who are even weaker than it.”

Yuan Xi grabbed Luo XiaoLou and pulled him to his feet. At his size, Luo XiaoLou was almost covered in his arms. Then Yuan Xi picked up the file and coldly said to those around him, “Go on.”

There was a silence before the team leaders began to discuss the route they would have to take as well as the problems of finding the data collector.

Yuan Xi was used to his own feelings and emotions. Luo XiaoLou, on the other hand, was very uncomfortable. He keeps moving and trying to struggle his way out.

Luo XiaoLou moved a little closer to Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi stared at Luo XiaoLou’s flushed ears and his anger lessened. Never mind. A master protects his slave. Isn’t that the right thing to do?

The team leaders had finished their discussion and all set off in different directions.

After the bug incident, they realized that the beautiful and quiet wilderness was still full of dangers. No one dared to go off on their own.

Yuan Xi took a look at the probe. Pointing east, he said, “Straight ahead, there should be no surprises. We’ll be in the vicinity of the data collector in seven days.”

Considering the number of mecha warriors with mecha makers… they had to walk. This was not so bad for a mecha warrior but some mecha makers, who were physically challenged, had a hard time getting around.

In the days when hovercrafts were the only way to get around, no one had ever had to travel in a hurry on foot.

Luo XiaoLou barely had any weight in his hands. It was only then that the 125 dared to whisper in his ear, “Yuan Xi didn’t have to kill that bug beast,” he said. “The poor thing was just trying to show its submission. After all, the lower genes are naturally submissive and fearful of the higher genes. You know… the Blue Origin Star Exotic Beast’s bloodline is almost like that of the King of Beasts.”

Luo XiaoLou’s mouth was agape. If it was a dog, he could tolerate it. A lion, a leopard, or whatever, would also be cool to walk around with. But a bug beast? No. He definitely didn’t want a little brother like that! Besides, he was nothing like the King of Beasts! And neither did he want to be the King of Beasts! Did he look like a tiger!? 

“So… I didn’t warn you. Otherwise if it had been dangerous, I would have helped.” 125 said solemnly, as if under an oath, and then carefully asked, “You’re not going to stop helping me find restoration materials because of this, are you?”

Ever since it accidentally passed two books to Yuan Xi… Luo XiaoLou, who was always in a good mood, tried to strangle it. It was so sad — you know, it only did this all for their own good. Even Yuan Xi can’t deny it.

“How much have you repaired?” Luo XiaoLou whispered.

“Eighty percent. The rest of my repair can’t rely on energy alone. There are still several materials missing.”

“How many?” Luo XiaoLou raised an eyebrow.

“There aren’t too many… just nine types. Except for the pumice rocks that are hard to find,  since dangerous beasts guard the area, the others are probably available.” 125 said apprehensively.

“…I think you understand that I’m just a poorly trained mecha maker. If I have to fight beasts to get your pumice stone… I’m afraid that will be difficult. I don’t think I can pilot you. Maybe I should think about making my own mecha, one that a normal person can drive.” Luo XiaoLou said.

“Hey! What are you talking about?! How could you… You, you’re my master. From the day you adopted me, you’ve been responsible for me!” 125 shouted incredulously. It spoke louder and louder because it couldn’t be heard by others.

“Boy, what do you think you are, a puppy?” Luo XiaoLou was close to laughing. He was just trying to scare the mecha, who was always giving him trouble. After all, it was much easier to find all the ingredients than to carry out research to build a mecha himself.

“If… if you can find me all the materials… I’ll… I won’t mind being a pet.” 125 cried out in humiliation.

“……” You’re only an A.I., but can’t you have a little backbone?

Then Yuan Xi frowned and turned back to Luo XiaoLou, who wasn’t struggling to keep up. However, many of the other mecha makers were beginning to breathe unevenly. After checking the time, Yuan Xi ordered a break in place.

The two assistant team leaders found an open space. It was a good place to be in case of danger.

Luo XiaoLou breathed a sigh of relief, then sat down next to Yuan Xi and started to take out his food. Yuan Xi was right, the ship had prepared a month’s worth of food for them and it had now been distributed to everyone.

Yuan Xi clearly did not want to eat the food prepared by the school. He just let Luo XiaoLou take out what he had already prepared himself. The maximum time a lunch box could stay fresh was one week, so Luo XiaoLou only prepared one week’s worth of food. The rest was all nutrition pills. Just one small pill would last them an entire day. It was amazing to him.

The rice was heated slightly on a multi-functional device and the aroma of the beef stew became intense.

Many people glanced at their side with envy. Luo XiaoLou had more common sense than them. They knew the school would prepare food so they didn’t bring much. Some of the girls did bring snacks. But at lunch… cooked food tastes better…

“Damn, XiaoLou’s cooking looks so good. We should have him cook for us.” Yates hated to say it but he wasn’t about to go over there and eat. No matter how slow he was, he didn’t want to take the meat from Yuan Xi’s mouth.

“But that doesn’t mean Luo XiaoLou made it.” Yates’s mecha maker was a girl from Class 5 who was put under his care by his sister. She heard Yates say this and retorted with a sour expression.

Ah… Why didn’t she think of bringing some for Yates? Oh, my God. It would have been a great opportunity. Yates’s sister even joked that she was hoping for good news after the training…

“Did you expect that to be Yuan Xi’s doing?” Yates looked in surprise at his partner.

“…Certainly didn’t mean that.”

Yuan Xi began to enjoy his lunch box with satisfaction. Those envious glances were too comforting. It was so nice to have a good, hardworking slave.

After lunch, Yuan Xi took out another small piece of cake from Miki’s, the most portable cupcake ever.

“Huh?” Luo XiaoLou looked at Yuan Xi with surprise. So he had prepared something himself!

Yuan Xi stared at Luo XiaoLou. He hesitated when he saw the envious stares of the people around him. Finally, he pushed the cake to Luo XiaoLou with a sour face. He said fiercely, “You begged me for half a day the night before last. I only brought you this. Eat it.” 

Luo XiaoLou endured and forced a smile on his face. Yuan Xi must be afraid that people will laugh at him.

Luo XiaoLou took the piece of cake, split it with a fork, and gave half of it back to Yuan Xi. “It’s too much for me,” he said. “You eat the rest for me. You don’t mind, do you?” Hopefully it wouldn’t offend his master’s dignity or anything.

Yuan Xi’s ears flushed quietly. He took it and quickly said, “I can’t do anything about you.”

A lot of people screamed inside, Luo XiaoLou, you bastard. It’s obvious that you’re a bully. You’re right! We’ll see. If you can’t eat the cake, why are you giving it to Yuan Xi to ruin his S-Rank Mecha Warrior image? You could have given it to us! Miki’s Cakes are the most delicious and it’s an expensive cake shop. Who… who doesn’t love it!

During his lunch break, Luo XiaoLou took a walk around the safe zone. Since 125 told him that it was okay to walk around, Luo XiaoLou was not so scared anymore.

Luo XiaoLou found all types of green plants but all of them had no fruit. Although he didn’t know many of the plants in this future, it was strange that there were no plants that bore fruit.

It turns out that natural food is really precious. No wonder the food is so painfully expensive.

Yuan Xi didn’t seem to need a break to stay energized. He sat against a tree and squinted around. Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Luo XiaoLou in passing.

Luo XiaoLou sauntered around a few more steps, then frowned and quietly asked 125, “Hey, don’t you feel anything?”

“What?” 125 answered in a moody tone, it wasn’t very happy. 

“I feel like I’m being watched. I noticed it when we first came here but I couldn’t figure out why. Now, I can feel it again. Can you detect anything?” Luo XiaoLou asked quietly.

Ever since he landed on the asteroid he had felt something… But because of the number of people around him, and Yuan Xi who was also beside him, it was not so obvious. However, everyone was now taking a break. And now that it was quiet and he was also a little further away from Yuan Xi, the unrest became apparent.

“…I checked. Except for the students from your school, there are no other humans within ten kilometers. And no animals that pose a threat.”

“Okay.” Luo XiaoLou said.

“But… If it’s your instinct, Blue Origin Star Exotic Beasts are natural born hunters and are extremely sensitive to danger.” 125 said.

At this time, Yuan Xi and his second-in-command started to call everyone out. It had been another afternoon of marching, and the Mecha Department had shown remarkable stamina. At the end of the day, they began to share the load of their own mecha makers.

Luo XiaoLou was impressed and was convinced that after this training, the pervert Yuan Xi wouldn’t even seem to consider doing it since they were now in a group full of mecha fighters. 

After dinner, Luo XiaoLou’s body ached all over. He didn’t even study the material Master Yan gave him. Instead, he got into his tent and rested.

Half an hour later, Luo XiaoLou’s team leader, Yuan Xi, also entered the tent. He took one look at the sleeping bag Luo XiaoLou had prepared for him, abandoned it and then entered Luo XiaoLou’s.

The nights on the asteroid was cold. Luo XiaoLou might as well sleep with him — he was a good master.

Luo XiaoLou was awakened by the movement and was confused. After finding out it was Yuan Xi, he didn’t bother arguing with him. He was used to it anyway.

Thinking about what 125 said earlier, Luo XiaoLou told Yuan Xi about the danger he felt.

 

Yuan Xi said, “Don’t worry. I’m here. You’ll be fine.”