182: Chapter 182 Glory Meta

"Just as Helena said, you have changed quite a bit..."

Central Control Area, Top Floor.

"Everyone says I've changed a lot, but in reality... I've actually always been this way."

"Actually, your changes are greater than you imagine." Glorious... or rather, Glorious Meta, poured another cup of black tea into his already empty cup, then gently set the teapot back down. "You said we were once a game, so I won't bring up memories from that time for now. Let's start from when Helena first met you."

"Uh-huh..."

"Our group has seen you three times in total. Because the opportunity was rare, we used our memories to record precious information.

"The most important change among them is your proactivity."

"How so?"

"From the first time groping in the dark, to the second time actively searching, to this time, where you have already begun to achieve your ends through hunting. Your progress is very significant."

Li Ming rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Glorious's expression didn't change. "But just as Helena said, you need time to rest. So, while you might be curious, I don't intend to tell you what we've been doing during this time or what the situation is. What I can say is that everyone we've found is safe, and that's that."

"As long as they're safe." Li Ming nodded in agreement.

"Furthermore..." Glorious's grey pupils looked into Li Ming's eyes, "Commander, you are in a very bad mood."

"Uh... I'm alright?" Li Ming blinked.

"Your expression betrays you, Commander. Tell me what happened." Glorious clasped her hands together, resting her arms on the table as she looked at him.

"Fine..." Li Ming gave in. "Actually, it's not a big deal. Anshan... I mean the one I just built, she kept it from me... and the others, helping Alert go to a sensitive area to investigate."

"Did something go wrong?"

"Although the surveillance was hacked by Zheng-chan, due to protocol restrictions—and the fact that her security clearance for others is much lower than for me—they were still photographed by the crowd. If Gang Yishawa hadn't reacted in time and contacted the Communications Bureau, Alert probably wouldn't be able to go out for a while."

"What are you angry about?"

"Anshan shouldn't have kept it from everyone, and certainly shouldn't have lied to hide Alert's whereabouts."

"I see. Your dissatisfaction is justified; this matter should be handled seriously," Glorious said. "This isn't just about your authority; more importantly, she hurt the feelings of others and... encouraged a colleague to do something potentially dangerous."

"Actually, that's just what Alert wanted to do..."

"The nature of the act is the same, Commander," Glorious interrupted him. "No one can always be infallible in their calculations, just as I once thought I was."

"Mm..." Li Ming fell silent. He knew about Glorious Meta's past, even if it was only from the game.

"Don't worry about me, Commander, those are things of the past." She saw through his concern. "Regardless, you have reason to be upset, even if the other party acted under the banner of doing it for your own good."

"I understand..."

"Naturally, I trust you, but I hope you can think carefully about this matter. The... home you've built in the world you're in—this incident is a minor test."

"...Thank you, Glorious."

"Commander, between us, I don't think such solemnity is necessary."

Watching him drain his tea in one gulp again, Glorious added: "Though you might still want to try being a bit more refined..."

"Uh, my bad..." Li Ming rubbed his head.

Pouring him more tea, she continued, "Besides that, it seems you also need rest. If I recall correctly, when you come here, you're using up your sleep time, right?"

"Uh... yes."

"Then what do you do the next day?"

"...Sleep in class?"

"..." Glorious closed her eyes; she didn't want to deal with her Commander for the next five seconds.

Five seconds later, she opened her eyes again. "Commander, that is not right."

"But..." Li Ming rubbed his head, "I'm actually used to it."

"It's best to change that habit..." Glorious said with some helplessness, then she stood up. "Commander, although you mentioned that you don't feel tired or drowsy in this space, I still hope you can rest for a while."

"But..."

"Just take it as my request, Commander." Glorious looked down at him. Under the light, her golden... actually brownish-orange hair appeared very smooth, yet also looked somewhat withered; the sense of conflict was quite peculiar.

But Li Ming knew; he remembered the normal Glorious. He had another Glorious at home, with bright golden smooth long hair and blue eyes, looking very soft.

"...Alright."

Li Ming finally nodded, letting her lead him to the base's Residential Area.

Looking at the decor in the room, it was obvious at a glance that it had been renovated according to the member's own style.

"Is this your room?"

Li Ming suddenly felt a bit hesitant to enter.

"Yes," Glorious replied, walking into the living room and heading straight to open the bedroom door. "I don't have permission for anyone else's room, and your room hasn't been prepared yet, so... please bear with it."

Does this even count as 'bearing with it'? It's more like a reward...

With half-hearted resistance, Li Ming still walked into Glorious's room.

She somewhat forcefully pressed him down to sit on the bed. Li Ming watched as she went to the dressing table to remove her headpiece, then took off her high heels, before turning back to look at him.

...To be honest, her black gauze dress was almost indistinguishable from a nightgown, one could even say it was of an adult-toy grade.

Through the black gauze in front of her, Li Ming could see her graceful figure.

He swallowed hard, watching her approach him, and then submissively let her lay him down on the pillow.

Then, she lay down beside Li Ming. Even though this was the first time Li Ming had met her in person, he couldn't say a single word of refusal now.

How many Ship Girls had waited so long for such an opportunity?

Li Ming questioned himself in his heart, not rejecting her as she leaned against him.

Her legs, clad in black silk stockings, rubbed against him, making Li Ming realize she wasn't joking.

Can I really fall asleep like this? Li Ming thought to himself, not realizing his thoughts were becoming slower and slower.

Finally, amidst the rich fragrance of the tower's roses, Li Ming lost consciousness for the second time, falling into a deep sleep within a dream.

The Rose looked at him; he had once crossed the thorns to reach her heart, and therefore she would have no reservations toward him—except for necessary matters.

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