Noah had never been under any illusion of an ideal world. He was lucky to have started his adventure in this universe by meeting someone like Morgiana and then landing in Oz. However, it would have been just as easy for him to start his journey in this universe by meeting slave traders or some other horrible monsters that roamed these planes.

  — We would have just eaten them. Thinking about what-ifs is nothing but a waste of time and energy. Focus on the present and how we are going to catch that Slippery Crocodile.

  Eve’s words helped Noah chase away some of the depression that had settled into his mind. Thinking about it, that was how they usually muscled through all their problems. Though their relationship in the past might not have been the best, there was no doubt in Noah’s mind that the only reason he did not go completely insane on that lonesome planet was due to Eve’s presence.

  — Do not misunderstand. I was not doing this for you. I do not know what would happen to me if you were to die. This was nothing but pure selfishness.

  Even if it was nothing but selfishness on your part, thanks to you, I am still alive and sane. For that, you have my gratitude.

  — Humph!

  It seemed like his sincere words had been too much for the Queen and she sunk back into the depths of his consciousness, refusing to answer even as he called for her.

  Inwardly, Noah could not stop himself from cackling. Eve was becoming more and more expressive after she started determining her sense of self. Though he would have never guessed she would be the shy type.

  What did Capricornus call them again? Tsundere?

  A gentle smile formed on his face. One that was very much unlike him. So, it did not come as a surprise the Karnax immediately noted the shift in his expression.

  “Some good memories?” He asked quietly.

  “Was thinking about some joke one of my comrades loved to make.”

  “Ah… War? Age? Sickness?” He did not miss the hidden meaning behind Noah’s words.

  “War. He was one of the most timid and introverted men I knew, and yet when the moment for the ultimate sacrifice came, he had the brightest smile I have ever seen on anyone plastered across his face. He was a good man, better than I could ever be.”

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  “An honorable warrior. May his soul rest in peace.”

  “I do not believe in the afterlife but, if something like heaven truly exists. Then few people are more worthy than my friends.” He grinned and lifted his drink high causing a new round of cheers as the mercenaries pushed away the gloom in their heart and resumed drinking.

  Just as the atmosphere seemed to take a turn for the better, the door to Noah’s room beeped before opening. Immediately, a woman in a bunny outfit entered with measured steps.

  “Oh! B-54. Happy to see you are alive. Wanna get a drink?” Noah did not seem surprised by her arrival as he pointed his drink in her direction in a welcoming gesture. What really surprised him was that it took her so long to visit.

  “VIP, I have come in search of you. Would you kindly follow me?” B-54 swept through the room with her gaze with a certain indifference before settling on Noah as she asked, a smile adorning her face. It was as if she simply was unable or unwilling to care about the people Noah inwardly called space orcs.

  This is the game she wants to play, huh?

  He understood very well that B-54 was in no way or shape forced to act or treat them with the same deference she was giving him. But some decency would have been welcome.

  “Well. I don’t really mind. But, what about my friends here?” Noah asked with a small smile. His words were short but he hoped she could decipher the intent he wanted to convey to her.

  Thankfully, she did not disappoint. An even wider smile stretched her lips as she spoke, “Do not worry, sir. They are recognized as your companions and can enjoy all the services here even in your absence. Furthermore, in recognition of their hard work and sacrifices, all of them will be given a 724 system hours VIP subscription.”

  This time the cheers that echoed with a booming reverberation were simply on a whole other level. A month might be only a short amount of time, but this was without knowing just how expensive even a night as a VIP could be on this ship. Furthermore, since the subscription was given in hours. This means they could stretch it out for a long time if they were careful.

  Noah nodded. Dealing with intuitive people was always a pleasure. He jumped down from his chair and patted Karnax on the back. “Give me an instant. I am going to work on something with the lady here.”

  “Do not worry my friend. Good music, alcohol, and peace. The things that could satisfy me are not expensive and they are all gathered here.” He smiled at Noah. He understood that his new friend had made sure to give them some benefits. But he also wanted Noah to understand that they were not gold diggers and simply appreciated his company.

  Noah did not insist and after a second tap on his friend's shoulder to show his understanding, Noah went away, followed by the sexy bunny woman.

  “Thank you.” B-54 bowed once they were outside and the door closed behind him. “In the name of our crew, I would like to thank you greatly for resolving the most dangerous part of the equation. Our survival would have been compromised if you were not there.”

  Not impossible but only difficult, huh?

  His eyes narrowed as he observed her quietly. He was becoming more and more interested in this ship, its crew, and more importantly, the woman in front of him, with a tantalizingly enticing gait.

  They continued in silence and entered an elevator bringing them to the highest floor.

  Only after they walked out of it did Noah ask,

  “So, what's the big deal? I doubt you asked me to follow you just for that.” Noah queried the android bunny girl. He was wondering what the play here was. He already noticed that B-54 was definitely not a simple woman. Noah had long since understood that meddling in problems that weren’t his in the first place was the best way to attract even more problems to his doorstep.

  B-54 looked around, even though she knew that there was no one to observe them. The words that followed though, were quite the shocking ones.

  “Would you like to join Geppeto, the Father of Myriad Machines?” She proposed.

  He had expected many things. But, he certainly did not expect that.

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