Having been in contact with Lilith, one of Vegapunk's satellites, for several months, I've noticed that with each meeting, the trouble seems to increase. However, being one of Vegapunk's brilliant minds, Lilith is highly capable, and despite the trouble, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
As promised, I improved the clothing and delivered it within five days, enhancing its strength threefold. Further, within less than 30 days, I improved it even more, creating clothing with strength exceeding ten times that of the previous version.
Apart from not being able to absorb shocks, it is extremely effective as armor, with excellent flexibility that matches my movements perfectly. There's no denying the perfection of the work.
Due to this, I hold Lilith in high regard. However, I received a personal request for escort from Lilith.
Formally sent through official channels, it is within CP's jurisdiction to provide security for Lilith, who is undeniably a significant figure for the government.
Though it's an assignment that would be more suited for other CP members, if they requested me and the higher-ups have approved it, there's no issue with me undertaking it.
Arriving at the specified location with the Iron Claw guiding me, I landed before Lilith on the deck of a ship, where she was waving her hand.
"You're here, Panda. As expected, you arrived early."
"It's a job, after all. So, what are you doing in the first half of the Grand Line?"
Lilith has started calling me "Panda" at some point, but I don't really mind how she addresses me, so I let her be.
In response to my question, Lilith grinned and replied, "In simple terms, it's a continuation of the research from when we first met. But since then, aside from creating your requested items, I've been gleefully studying your data and got scolded quite a bit to stop."
"I can see why. You've been neglecting your work for months."
"Anyway, I've decided to resume the delayed research, but I need to gather some items necessary for the research. It takes time to travel around various islands. Even if I have high-speed mobility covering land, sea, and air like a super-fast Panda... Adadadada! Ouch, that hurts!?!"
I decided to use an expertly measured Iron Claw because her conceited expression was getting on my nerves. I lifted Lilith's body lightly after applying the right amount of force.
"Wait, wait!? I'll explode! My head might explode like an overripe tomato!! If my head goes 'boom,' it will be a great loss to the world!?"
"Isn't there six of you?"
"It's not a respawn system!? Just because there are six of me, doesn't mean you can let one of us explode and it's fine! That's not how it works!!"
After releasing her, Lilith held her aching head and crouched down, muttering.
"I didn't think you'd miscalculate your strength, but still, it's scary that even 0.1% error could make my head physically explode."
"By the way, your attitude has changed quite a bit since we first met."
Expressing my exasperation, I commented, and Lilith lightly shook her head, then stood up and opened her mouth with an utterly natural expression.
"In the beginning, I couldn't grasp where your tolerance line lay. But now, I've almost perfected it. Whether we interact jokingly, call you Panda, or whatever else, you won't kill me, will you? At least, as long as I remain beneficial to you."
No matter what, Lilith is a genius, and I have to acknowledge her intellect. Indeed, she has almost completely understood my tolerance level in a short time. While she occasionally teases me, she never crosses the line that would lead me to kill her.
"Well then, any other escorts?"
"Having you, Panda, is enough. There's no need to bring along someone who would be a burden."
"And the destination?"
"There are about three locations, and I've prepared Eternal Poses for each."
Saying so, Lilith handed me three Eternal Poses... Well, can't be helped. If it's just three islands, it won't take that much time to finish.
"Well then, I'll prepare and depart."
"Ah, by the way, I've completed the item you requested before. Do you want to receive it first?"
"Is it already done?"
"We already had something similar, so... here you go."
Lilith took out a rectangular box that could fit in one hand, and upon opening it, I found the item I requested inside.
"With this device, you can register the signals of 500 Den-Den Mushi, and its range is about the same as a Den-Den Mushi. Once you register the numbers, you can make calls, and I've designed it with your handling in mind, so it shouldn't break as long as you don't do anything reckless."
"What about the power source?"
"It generates power internally, so you won't need to worry about charging for regular usage. However, if you continuously talk on it, it'll run out in about three hours, but it can be reused after an hour of rest."
"I see, it's more than I expected."
What I had asked Lilith for was to create something like a mobile phone. In this world, Den-Den Mushi are the norm for communication, but they are not very suitable for carrying around.
While the Pocket Den-Den Mushi is small, its signal range is limited. The regular Den-Den Mushi has a longer signal range, but it's too large to carry and requires care when moving at high speeds due to it being a living organism.
So, having a communication device like a mobile phone would make my daily work much easier. When I mentioned this to Lilith during our last meeting, she responded with, "I can make that right away." And now, as promised, she brought it to me... She's seriously capable.
I've also modified my brain, and I might be on par with her in terms of thinking and calculation speed, but the sheer volume of knowledge she has... and most importantly, her inventive sense, or you could say her creativity, is far beyond mine.
Edison once said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration," but it's because she can possess that one percent inspiration that she's a genius...
"Hmm? There's one more."
"Yeah, that one is for Chelsea. Since she's also your assistant, I thought it would be good for her to have the same thing... By the way, she's not here today, as she's in charge while we're away. I'll give it to her later."
When I met her for the second time, Pochi and Lilith had already met, and they got along quite well... They seemed to hit it off immediately when I talked to them, and Lilith was quite fascinated by Pochi's muscle fibers. Pochi, being the amiable person she is, cooperated with her, so this communication device might also serve as a thank-you gift.
"Did Pochi's data help?"
"Quite a bit. Chelsea's data is much more complicated, but it has some reproducibility, and it could be beneficial for various studies."
"What about mine?"
"Yours is still a complete mystery. My brain feels like it's getting destroyed every time I look at your data. I even wonder if it's appropriate to classify you as a human, considering how many abnormal mutations you have... Also, you barely provide any data. Even with that small amount of data, it took me months to recover. If I had a large amount of data, I might end up slacking off for years..."
As Lilith said that with a wry smile, I couldn't help but smile wryly as well. She truly deserves the title of a mad scientist, but she's also exceptionally talented. As she promised, she always prioritizes my orders and takes them on immediately, which is highly beneficial for me.
Thinking about it, being used as a substitute for a taxi is acceptable within these boundaries. Well, I'm sure Lilith knew that when she specifically requested me...
"Alright then, shall we depart?"
"Yeah... but wait, I need to put on protective gear."
"Protective gear?"
"Don't compare me with a monstrous brute like you. I specialize in brain work, so there's no way I can withstand high-speed movements in my regular body. It's a precaution against wind pressure and other things..."
"I see, then let's take the opportunity to do a durability test."
"...Seriously, go easy on me, okay? I mean it. I wouldn't want my neck to snap from the wind pressure..."
Muttering this, Lilith, wearing a spacesuit-like protective gear, was lifted up with one hand. I looked at one of the Eternal Poses and kicked the ship's deck, launching myself, and began moving with the Iron Claw.
***
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