Xyrin Empire
Chapter 536: New Life, Reunion, and... Nonsense

Chapter 536: Chapter 536: New Life, Reunion, and... Nonsense

"Ilya is going then~~~"

"Alright already, it’ll definitely be done in no time."

"Once it’s checked, I can stay with big brother for the whole day, right?"

"No problem at all—I’m telling you, you better go lie down in the life support pod now; Taville’s face is turning green over there."

"But..."

The little girl who had been dallying in front of the ecological maintenance pod finally said with a mournful face, "But this thing really looks like a coffin, and it even has a cross and a photo of Ilya on it..."

Me: "..."

Hey! Taville, that’s a bit much!

"Because it’s Miss Ilya’s special design pod, the addition of a three-dimensional portrait just makes it easier to identify."

A certain bespectacled big sister pushed up her purely decorative glasses and said matter-of-factly—I completely believe her explanation, but I am more inclined to think that no sane person would willingly lie down in a black box painted with a cross and their own black and white photo... Ilya, this time you really got Prophet-level treatment.

With a twinge of helplessness and a headache, I forcibly removed the cross and the three-dimensional portrait device from the pod cover under Taville’s resentful gaze and then pushed the reluctant Ilya into the pod. The little girl was obviously uncooperative, and seeming to be ticklish all over, she flailed and giggled as I pressed her in, drawing the stares of everyone in the big hall. After a full five minutes, I managed to sort out this slightly over-clingy loli, wiping the cold sweat from my forehead.

A soft, smooth synthetic female voice rose from the mountain of carbon-based biological recombination devices, the latest research of Taville’s subordinate team: "Receptor intervention in the maintenance pod confirmed, unique identity code recognized successfully..."

"Receptor ecological characteristics stable, entering deep sleep, consciousness backup procedure begins, transferring to soul extraction progress, control authority sequence upgrade in progress—control authority promoted to level two, continuing processes under the direction of the World Tree Temple..."

"Welcome to the 627th generation World Management System Canglan Happy New Year Cracked Edition, current version number v1.1, preset body template loaded successfully—Pantheon Canglan Studio, easy office, cheap era, you deserve to have—importing information for life forms twenty-second to thirty-sixth, restructuring basic body framework, extending ’Tiered Life Hierarchy’ details—faster, more reliable, more stable, you don’t need the cumbersome ’Chaos Language’, ’Great Will’ rule generator, let us free your brain—reservation for spirit interface complete, importing and locking external soul successfully, life rank situated at high tier Divine-made Creature, the exalted immortal—still worried about time disorder? Still struggling with convoluted history? Still going crazy over the arcane depths of causal law systems? You’ve come to the right place! ’Good Helper’ causality adjustment kit, for just 998! Such an irresistible price, such precise adjustment performance, now only for 998! Hurry up and pick up the—soul fusion begins, estimated to complete in 180 minutes, system enters low operation standby mode, real-time monitoring uploads in one minute—let your creativity soar! Genesis can be easier..."

Me & Taville & Passerby A, B, C, D: "..."

After a long, somber silence, I turned my head with a stiff expression and hehe chuckled to the twitching-faced bespectacled big sister: "The Divine Race’s pirates are really f****ng dark, look at this aggressive ad placement, ah ha, ah hahaha... so many, right?"

Taville meant to habitually push his glasses but ended up pointing a finger on his own chin: "Er, um... Probably because it’s a freebie, Dingdang said the operating system came with the purchase of the world management terminal, maybe the Divine Race also has unscrupulous merchants—theoretically."

Then came a mutual silence that lasted a long time, until at last, for who knows how many times in my life, I was speechlessly looking skyward.

Dingdang, oh Dingdang, it’s hard for you to find the world’s control window among all these ad pop-ups, but I still want to say one thing: you should cut down on sweets, at least get a green version installed for next year! A world that’s on the brink every second is more than any of us can handle!

Miss Ilya’s body examination didn’t take much time, and a few minutes later, the scan of her current physical condition was displayed before us—a shocking sight.

The forcefully altered body structure through artificial means, the magic-constructed neural network entirely unsuitable for biological use, and the fatal damage to vital organs such as the heart, any of these issues alone would be enough to lead a healthy adult to an untimely death. If it weren’t for the sustainment by magic power, an artificial human like Ilya wouldn’t have lived past three years of age, and even having survived until now, I find it hard to imagine how this little girl has endured the torment of those magic circuits to this day.

"It’s a mad and stupid technology," Unlike my moral criticism, Taville was more scornful of the Einzbern magicians on a technical level, "Even morons in mysticism can see how unreasonable these structures are; they do too much damage to the host! I really don’t know how that human little girl has managed to hold on until today."

"But after today, it’s all over," I casually flipped through the data of Ilya’s new body, "This body is supposed to be modeled after Lilina’s body, isn’t it? But it seems to be slightly inferior?"

"Yes, Lilina’s body was gradually cultivated in the World Tree, possessing high divinity, and could even possess law talents like a typical member of the Star Domain Divine Race. But because Ilya is an artificial human, such a blasphemous technology against life cannot be recognized by the World Tree. Her soul cannot achieve a high degree of compatibility with a body like Lilina’s, so we had to settle for the second best. However, this body is still beyond the reach of mortals and can self-improve as Ilya’s soul recovers—in theory."

"Meh, I’m not concerned about that," I shook my head, "All I want is for Ilya to have a healthy new body. It’s not like we’re preparing her to go to war with us."

The 180-minute soul fusion process was neither long nor short, just enough time for me to feel sleepy but too embarrassed to actually find a place to nap. After painfully small talking with Taville, the rigid researcher, for three hours (can you understand the feeling of being a leader yet every single word spoken by one of your female subordinates leaves you stunned?), I felt myself getting so dozy it felt like I might let go of this mortal coil. Maybe it was because she rarely received attention, but seeing me "enthusiastically" discussing research with her, Taville entered some sort of excited state, murmuring non-stop by herself, and in the end, I even vaguely started to have illusions from the second half of my senior year in high school.

Back then, I was mired in confusion, dubbed along with Qianqian as the ’exam room nightmare duo,’ until by sheer luck, a down-on-his-luck old man with a white beard gave me a magic watch that opened up my energy channels and boosted my intelligence value... Sorry, Taville’s hypnosis was so potent that my thoughts went on a runaway again.

Fortunately, just a second before I fell asleep, a lifesaving sound rang out: "Ding~~~"

Just like the sound of the microwave at home when the timer goes off.

"Soul fusion complete."

Me: "...Taville, couldn’t you have picked a different notification sound?"

What Ilya underwent was a complete body transfer; her soul was moved to a brand-new body, and the original one—teetering on the brink of collapse and potentially ceasing function at any moment—was naturally of no further use. However, how to handle it specifically would still be up to Ilya to decide. What I needed to do now, as per the agreement, was to be the first to visit and bring the little loli out.

Since it was a soul infusion, Ilya’s new body wouldn’t be in the maintenance pod in the hall. The infusion device was underground, in an independent small room below the hall.

Although I knew Xyrin Technology wouldn’t make a blunder on such a matter, it wasn’t until I entered the soul infusion room, doubled as a physical cultivation room, and saw a lively, bouncing Ilya, that I truly felt at ease.

"Yay—giggle, big brother, is this Ilya’s new body? It’s really... it’s really great! So this is what it feels like to be healthy? How strange~~~~~"

A newly reborn little girl was joyously running around in the empty infusion room. The new body brought her an unprecedented sense of lightness and comfort, making this little girl with a tragic fate consider it an extremely novel experience. Her small silver-haired figure was bursting with energy, almost as if to exhaust all her vitality running around, and in a corner of the room was a green oval pod that looked like a plant’s seed pod. It reminded me of the time when Lilina emerged from a flower bud. Having witnessed the little fairy born from a flower bud twice, it seems that every real-life little fairy is crazier than the last...

"Ilya," I suddenly called out to the little girl who was merrily frolicking about, my face unsure whether to cry or laugh, "Don’t you think you’ve forgotten something?"

"Eh?" Ilya paused and tilted her little head, puzzled, "What do you mean, big brother?"

"I mean..." With an expression torn between laughter and tears, I pointed at the other person’s body, then turned my face away awkwardly, "You’re not wearing any clothes."

A few seconds later.

"AAaaahhhh!!!" The little girl’s scream pierced the skies!

Such a familiar scene, when Lilina evolved for the second time she wasn’t wearing clothes either. That Fake Lolita called it the unforgettable shame of her life and absolutely prohibited mentioning that dark history. Now, her spirit in heaven can rest in peace: another Fake Lolita has followed in her footsteps.

"Huff huff—Big brother is really too naughty!" On our way back to the hall, Ilya was still mumbling displeasure, pouting all the way, "I’ve been seen completely—You’re going to take responsibility!"

Me: "..."

I mean, you’re a little girl who hasn’t even started developing, and you have an even flatter chest than Pandora, so in what way exactly am I supposed to take responsibility?!

Ah, right, speaking of flatness, why can Pandora, who is just one meter twenty, have a (hardly noticeable) curve, and Ilya is just flat as a board?

As Ilya complained discontentedly, she suddenly noticed my silence, completely unaware of what wicked thoughts the big brother beside her was having. The little loli tentatively touched my arm, "Big brother, it’s not really a big deal, you know. If you spend an extra day with Ilya, I’ll forgive you, okay?"

"Ah, Your Majesty has returned," Taville’s voice interrupted my thoughts. It turned out that we had already arrived back at the hall, where Taville was waiting for us at the end of the corridor, "It seems that Miss Ilya has adapted well to her new body—I heard a scream earlier and thought that..."

"Ah ha, ah haha..." I quickly covered Ilya’s mouth, which was about to tattle, "The sun is really round today!"

"Synthesizing Your Majesty’s usual behavior, consistent luck, and incident-initiating ability," Taville spoke in a neutral tone as he pushed up his glasses, "I’ve already deduced the truth."

Me: "...Taville, you’ve picked up some bad habits."

The rest was much simpler. After a few routine checks, the medical center’s Artificial Intelligence announced that our Little Princess had been reborn. Her synchronization rate with her new body reached a sky-breaking 400%, her Soul Strength recovery rate was at 98%, and the system suggested that before the subject’s physical age reaches 14, she should quickly go pilot a Gundam and EVA to save the world—it’s important to start them young... Sorry, I got a bit carried away due to being infected by Ilya’s good mood.

So, where to go and play?

Although I promised to accompany Ilya for a day, there really aren’t that many fun places in Shadow City. In my eyes, everything here has already lost its novelty. Perhaps Ilya would be interested in the local customs here that are so different from the human world.

How about taking the little girl to Avalon for a change? Compared to the steel jungle of Shadow City, I still think that such a Mortal Immortal Realm is more suitable for a loli’s physical and mental health, and besides, if Berserker is at home...

Walking on the streets near the city center, as I was pondering whether to let Ilya go play in Avalon, she suddenly stopped in her tracks, staring straight ahead.

A tall figure was slowly approaching from there.

"Berserker! It’s a Berserker!"

The silver-haired loli cheered and then ran towards the sunset... well, actually she ran towards a giant that was blocking the sunset.

Alright, speaking of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives indeed!

The great ancient mythical hero, a role model for many weird uncles, the most dedicated loli fan who, with his own blood and stubbornness, made him the only uncle character that legions of otakus recognized. His most important role was as Ilya’s past mode of transportation, Comrade Hercules, who was standing immobile as a mountain at 2.0833 Pandoras (to reiterate, the standard unit of length in the Empire) tall, as the Little Loli hurled herself towards him.

Beside Hercules stood a middle-aged man who was a stranger to me, curiously looking around at everything. When he saw a little girl suddenly pounce towards him, he was visibly startled, retreating repeatedly. Could he be another transmigrator?

"Berserker! It really is you!"

When I got close, Ilya was still holding onto the giant’s big hand, excitedly calling out to him. The latter revealed a gentle smile starkly different from his fierce exterior as he continuously rubbed Ilya’s little head, and then cast me an awkward, seeking-help glance.

At this moment, my attention was focused on Uncle B’s new look.

I had to say, finding a black suit big enough for him to wear was quite a tough task. Looking at Uncle B’s brand-new Men in Black style, I couldn’t help but sincerely sigh with concern that a motion too intense from him might burst his seams right there and then.

Meeting Uncle B unexpectedly had Ilya brimming with excitement. She held onto Hercules’ hand, continuously recounting her recent adventures. The tall giant attempted to chime in several times without finding an opportunity, and could only keep smiling and nodding in an embarrassingly awkward manner.

Ilya acting like this... how should I put it? Although there was a bit of the unpleasant feeling of having one’s homegrown loli snatched away by another weird uncle, I truly had to understand.

When Hercules was first summoned, Ilya’s function as the "Little Holy Grail" was not complete, and he was not yet the mindless Berserker. He often sought to talk to Ilya, perhaps only to let this lonely and pitiful little girl feel someone else’s care. Of course, that’s just my guess. However, Ilya didn’t appreciate it at first, repelled by the giant’s ugliness and distrusting all adults around her. She never paid any attention to Hercules at that time. I must say, Uncle B’s life as a loli fan was pretty bitter in the beginning.

As days passed, Ilya’s "function" became more and more complete, and her control over her Servants strengthened, Hercules’ sanity gradually faded until the once kind and approachable big guy vanished. In his place stood a qualified "machine," the Berserker who had even lost his ability to speak.

And then, Ilya wished to talk to this giant who had always protected her and accompanied her through all the tough training, but it had become impossible—an immense regret, to say the least.

Fortunately, it’s possible to make up for all regrets before me.

With Ilya’s insistence, Hercules had no choice but to carry her on his shoulders again with a helpless smile. The Greek hero who had been an honorary citizen of the Empire for half a month transformed back into the loli mount, while the little girl, perched on high, looked down at me, giggling, and began to tell Hercules all about "Big Brother’s" virtues. Seriously, I was feeling a little embarrassed.

Well, Ilya’s busy catching up with Hercules, so I guess I’d better chat with the middle-aged man who came with Uncle B. The guy’s outfit was curious, a bald head and a grey cloth robe patched over patches that could hardly reveal its color, his face etched with the marks of time. I really wondered from where he had traversed.

"So, you’re new here?"

The middle-aged man immediately put his palms together and nodded slightly in a bow to me. With that looks of it, he seemed like a monk: "This humble monk comes from the Eastern Tang..."

Me: "..."

(To be continued. If you would like to know what happens next, please visit www.qidian.com. There are more Chapters there to support the author and legitimate reading!)