Ultraman: It turns out this is the easy mode.

Although I was prepared long ago.
But
"So, when are we going to have a baby?"

Looking into Hilda's earnest eyes, Cui Ming was prepared to face such a question, but when he actually heard the words, "So, when are we going to have a baby?", he couldn't help but be stunned.

He reached out and gently patted Hilda's head, his tone tender: "When you grow up a bit more."

He knew these girls were eager to prove their worth and find meaning in "staying," but they were too young, their bodies and minds not fully mature. He didn't want them to bear the heavy responsibility of "continuing the bloodline" before they had even enjoyed a stable life.

"Oh," Hilda said, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes, but she still nodded obediently and didn't ask any further questions.

Looking at her like this, Cui Ming felt a pang of sadness and couldn't help but ask again, "A healthy body is also very important. I've already done my job as a tool. Are you sure you're not resentful about this?" He always felt that these girls who had been used as tools should yearn for freedom more than actively jumping into another "tool" identity.

Hilda shook her head, her eyes fixed firmly on Cui Ming: "Why be resentful? Everyone is working hard." She looked up at the training grounds in the distance of the EDF base, where soldiers were training diligently, mechanics were repairing mechs, and everyone was busy protecting humanity. "What we hate are those guys who treat us like tools, who rely on us for everything. Here, everyone is working hard for the continuation of the race. Merchants are providing funds, the army is fighting fiercely, and yet we're being taken care of."

Her gaze returned to Cui Ming, her tone carrying a barely perceptible hint of relief: "So, this is the only thing we can do." In the past world, they were forced to give without receiving any recognition; but in EDF, they can use their own abilities to do things for "everyone," to be needed and valued, which is a rare salvation for them.

"I see, I understand. As long as you don't regret it." Hearing this, Cui Ming felt a weight lifted from his heart. He had previously worried that these girls were being coerced by EDF's "plan" and were forced to accept it, but now he realized that they genuinely wanted to contribute to this "family."

Hilda finally smiled when she heard Cui Ming's words, her eyes sparkling: "Of course I won't regret it. This way we can all be together forever—Chris, Rosalie, and Cui Ming. Isn't it wonderful to be together?" In her eyes, as long as she could be with the people she cared about and work towards a common goal, any sacrifice would be worthwhile.

"..." Cui Ming looked at Hilda's pure smile, but his heart was filled with mixed feelings—he knew very well that the Norma were all a little twisted.

They value "being with everyone" above all else, regard "being needed" as the only meaning of survival, and are even willing to use "having children" as a way to solidify their "sense of belonging." This is clearly an unhealthy mentality, but he can't bring himself to criticize them.

After all, these girls had never experienced normal warmth or had a real "home" since they were sent to the front lines. EDF was the first place where they found a sense of belonging, and Choi Myung and his companions were the first people they cared about.

Their so-called "distortion" is nothing more than a desire to hold on tightly to this hard-won "happiness," and a desire to prove that they "deserve to be kept."

Cui Ming gently patted Hilda's shoulder, his tone earnest: "Yes, we will always be together." He didn't know what the future held, or what the "Seed Project" would bring, but at least for now, he wanted to give these girls a promise, an agreement that would put their minds at ease.

Hilda nodded emphatically, her smile widening—to her, Cui Ming's words were more effective than any guarantee. Belial leaned back in the metal chair of the EDF lounge, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest. After listening to Cui Ming recount the Norma's experiences in their original world, his brows furrowed, and he scoffed, "Tch, what scum, those guys. Those girls from their original world were truly despicable."

His words were full of undisguised contempt—he had seen countless cruel civilizations in the universe, but he still couldn't stand this behavior of treating their fellow human beings as tools and trampling on them at will, especially those unarmed girls.

He looked up at the silent Cui Ming opposite him, his tone softening slightly: "Speaking of which, junior, you've had a tough time too." On one hand, you have to fight against the cosmic threat, on the other hand, you have to prepare to complete the EDF plan, and even take care of the sensitive feelings of these girls. This burden is far heavier than a simple battle.

Upon hearing this, Cui Ming simply sighed softly, but his voice remained remarkably clear: "That's just how humans are. As long as their race doesn't betray them, they're capable of anything for the sake of their continuation. Humans are a very cruel race to themselves, and of course, many animals are the same."

From sacrificing some individual interests for the sake of the collective, to forcing oneself to take on responsibilities one does not want to accept for the sake of the future, humans can always be ruthless to themselves in desperate situations. This "cruelty" is precisely the reason why they can survive countless crises.

Belial shrugged, his fingers pausing, a complex look in his eyes: "Well, yeah, but I don't dislike you guys, you're a bunch of adorable ones."

He genuinely loved the humans of the EDF world. They lacked powerful magic and overwhelming strength, appearing exceptionally weak in the face of cosmic monsters and alien civilizations. However, they never gave up the fight, willing to pay any price to protect their home and perpetuate their race. Such humans were worthy of his protection.

Che Belial muttered to himself, finally understanding Ken's meaning—that desire to protect a world, a group of people, was so genuine. However, his protection was always selective; only those worthy deserved his help.

"Speaking of which, I'm actually quite strong now with my Shining Form; I can even fight Abelard." Belial suddenly mentioned his strength, a hint of pride in his tone, but he quickly frowned. "However, I'm worried about things here."

Even with the power to rival the Dark Emperor, he couldn't completely leave the EDF world. The humans here were too weak. Even with Cui Ming and the Ultramen protecting them, countless unknown dangers still lurked. He feared that if he left, those hidden threats would take advantage of the situation and plunge these "lovable guys" into dire straits.

"Don't worry, we can hold on," Cui Ming comforted him. "Senior, if you have other things to do, you don't need to stay here any longer."

Belial waved his hand, leaned back in his chair, and said with a determined look in his eyes, "No, let's wait a little longer. I'll leave after you've resolved the necessary troubles."

He didn't want his negligence to plunge these humans, who had finally found hope, back into the abyss. After all, there weren't many worlds that Belial was willing to protect. (End of Chapter)