"Say what now?!"

Ollie immediately leaned forward, his eyes widening in bewilderment as he stared at his brother for a good long moment.

"A truly one-of-a-kind build, brother!" Luca declared with a smile so bright it would seem villainous to distract him from whatever was causing his genuine excitement.

"If we do it like that, then you can take as much time as you need and even show them everything!"

The youngest licensed mechanic clasped his hands together.

"That should work, right?"

"..."

"..."

The blonde could only stare.

Really.

It wasn’t a question of whether it would work.

Theoretically, it absolutely would.

After all, how was anyone supposed to copy a mecha when the very first obstacle was the simple fact that they would never possess the materials required to build it?

That part made sense.

The problem was everything else.

Because realistically speaking...

A mecha so unique that it was practically unrecognizable?

Would someone like him actually be capable of building something like that?

See, even the biomechas they had now were still recognizable to a degree, at least to the select few who knew of the existence of guardian mechas such as Sid.

It just so happened that, aside from Luca, everyone else would be hard-pressed to find the now nearly extinct materials required to properly build and maintain such mechas.

However, if they looked hard enough, they would still be able to make sense of why the mechas had been built the way they were.

At the very least, they’d learn something.

And if someone was willing to throw an exorbitant amount of money at acquiring every tiny fragment of the required materials, then building one wasn’t actually impossible either.

Assuming, of course, they were prepared to go through one hell of a trial-and-error process first.

But now his unstoppable brother was talking about creating something even stranger.

Something that was meant to shamelessly and proudly stand out.

In Luca’s genuinely sincere words to the gawking blonde, "We’ll make something that can shine as brightly as you, brother!"

Apparently, that wasn’t a threat.

It just happened to sound like one.

Maybe it was the really kind smile paired with the faintly crazed look in those golden eyes, but Ollie definitely felt goosebumps crawl up his arms.

But honestly, if Luca had announced that he would personally build such a thing, Ollie wouldn’t have doubted him for even a second. He would’ve simply started making supportive signboards with D-64 so they could cheer with gusto.

The problem was that the examinee wasn’t his genius of a brother, Luca.

It was him.

Him.

As in Ollie.

The same Ollie whose lifelong ambition had never been becoming the greatest mechanic in the Empire.

His goal had simply been to become the cutest one.

A perfectly respectable career objective.

Heck, even that was already a stretch when his original plan had been to become a mecha designer who leisurely designed mechas based on the available materials rather than the mechanic who actually had to build them.

Unfortunately, that objective seemed increasingly difficult to maintain these days.

Then again...

There had been a period in his life when he’d confidently declared that he would build the coolest mecha for his good brother.

"..."

The blonde frowned.

What exactly had possessed him back then?

Maybe temporary insanity?

Or probably unfounded pride?

Because looking back now, that level of confidence felt deeply suspicious.

Still.

To be fair to himself, he had already accomplished things that should have been impossible.

Under Luca’s guidance—or perhaps regime was the more accurate term, though one that really shouldn’t be revisited for the sake of everyone’s sanity—he had already worked on mechas that most mechanics would consider career-defining achievements.

And some people would spend their entire lives chasing opportunities like that, yet he had somehow stumbled into several and was still fortunate enough to be living them.

So how was he really supposed to feel about this whole experience?

However, even if Ollie wanted to ask his brother to reconsider, it was already too late.

Because Luca looked happy.

Not normal happy.

Not "I harvested a new vegetable" happy.

Not even "I discovered a new manufacturing technique" happy.

No.

This was the look reserved for whenever the little money-grubber encountered something so absurdly valuable, rare, or interesting that he tended to look a tad bit crazed.

Then again, who wouldn’t react like this when faced with the most spectacular trading post?!

__

To be completely honest, this entire idea nearly got canceled the moment everyone learned they’d have to visit the bridge again for the Resource Exchange Program.

Sure, their first vending venture had gone surprisingly well, and as it was, Luca was already preparing to capitalize on that success while eagerly getting ready for whatever they would try to sell next, since they couldn’t possibly offer honey consistently just yet.

In fact, it had gone well enough that, at night, they often found themselves having to dissuade him from endlessly sketching ideas for even cuter labels.

Which was probably for the best.

After all, what had supposedly started as a representation of Queen Lulu had somehow ended with the poor cow looking like she’d mutated into some manner of hellspawn.

But Luca was so excited about the whole thing that he would sometimes hide beneath the covers just to continue sketching; it became rather difficult to find the heart to stop him.

Still, while Xavier could always convince himself that such was really a cute and regal cow despite the odd addition of an extra horn, he remained considerably less flexible when it came to suspicious structures.

Some things were simply not open to just personal interpretation, so that didn’t change the fact that the bridge itself remained deeply unsettling, especially to the more cautious members of the group.

Unfortunately, there was very little anyone could do once Luca became excited.

And right now, the little chipmunk was practically glowing.

Combined with D-29 firing celebratory poppers left and right while loudly advertising the Resource Exchange Program, resistance rapidly became impossible.

Thus, the Imperial Crown Prince found himself once again following his curious wife.

The others trailed after them.

And before long, they were standing in front of the gate.

It was unmistakably the same structure.

Massive.

Ancient.

Imposing enough that it looked capable of swallowing entire civilizations.

Only this time, things were different.

Previously, the giant doors had opened onto a nearly empty room, and a trail ran from inside directly towards their group.

But now?

They were greeted by an open doorway leading into a room that looked distinctly different from what they had first seen, as if inviting them inside.

Naturally, proper safety procedures dictated that they thoroughly investigate the area before entering.

Several scans.

Environmental readings.

Potential threat assessments.

If they were being truly responsible, there should’ve been an entire checklist.

Unfortunately, there was no protocol in existence capable of resisting one excited yet suddenly timid chipmunk.

Because instead of marching directly into the mysterious room as everyone had expected—

Luca stopped.

Turned around.

And walked back toward Xavier.

"?"

"???"

The little mechanic hesitated for a moment before holding out his hand.

The tag-alongs collectively froze.

Even Kyle looked confused.

Then Luca quietly asked,

"Husband, can you please hold my hand?"

"..."

"..."

That was not what anyone expected.

The little chipmunk looked slightly embarrassed.

"If we go together, I think it’ll be less scary."

The silence somehow became louder.

Then Luca added, even more quietly,

"I promised I’d tell you or come with you whenever possible."

His cheeks reddened slightly.

"And I think it’ll be safer if you come with me."

The damage was immediate.

The normally rigid Xavier stood motionless for a moment.

Not because he was considering it.

Not because he was debating the risks.

But because his brain appeared to have temporarily skipped the situational matters.

Then, as though operating entirely on instinct, his hand moved.

Their fingers intertwined.

Effortlessly.

Automatically.

Without even a token attempt at resistance.

Just like that, they were holding hands.

Luca visibly brightened.

The little chipmunk looked completely satisfied, as though the matter had now been resolved.

Meanwhile—

Kyle, the Crown Prince’s actual adjutant, felt a chill run up his spine.

Bollocks.

The adjutant stared at his boss.

Then at their joined hands.

Then back at the supposed Imperial Crown Prince.

That was it?

No nothing?!

The next monarch had surrendered before a single argument could even be presented.

Not even one.

So what exactly was Kyle supposed to do with protocol now?

Pretend it never existed?

Honestly.

Fine.

Whatever.

Because the worst part was that, in truth, Kyle really had no right to complain.

Not when he was objectively worse.

At least Luca was still walking around on his own two feet.

Meanwhile, the respectable hypocrite that was Kyle Nox had already moved toward Ollie with the clear intention of carrying him.

"..."

"..."

Really.

With future pillars of the Empire behaving like this, perhaps everyone should start worrying.

Then again...

Scratch that.

Maybe not.

Because with excessively indulgent husbands disguised as brave explorers and responsible risk-takers, the Empire might also enjoy the benefits when they accidentally stumble upon opportunities they otherwise never would’ve discovered.

And judging from the mysterious room waiting beyond the doorway—

Perhaps today was one of those days.