The stars, but they become the gray wind

"Yes... yes!" Under pressure from Peebles, Mary could only pretend to agree.

Looking at Mary who wanted to talk to him but couldn't because of the presence of Peebles in front of her, Aze, who was sitting on the cabinet by the wall, rolled up a strand of long red hair with his index finger and thought about a solution.

"It seems like... there's no way to communicate directly with words? It's a shame that the mind network only exists between nano-aggregates of Gray Wind or other sufficiently advanced life forms. It would be great if there were a way to communicate with ordinary humans through their minds..."

"How about... asking Renlong who is still on the island with Cabot?" Thinking of this, Aze connected to the thought communication and perception channel of Renlong on Taylor Island on the other side of the earth through the thought network, but then Aze showed a puzzled expression, because she suddenly felt a positive emotion coming from Renlong, which was as refreshing as heaven.

Aze knew very well that the thinking network provided by Cabot could not only transmit various information in the brains of several people like a brain-computer interface, but also convey something similar to emotion and emotional perception. When a person in the network felt some sufficiently positive or negative emotions and emotional fluctuations, other people who had direct mental communication with her at this time could also feel as if they were there in person and experience the other person's emotions and thoughts firsthand.

"Renlong, what are you doing? Why are you... so... so excited?" After thinking for a long time, Aze finally found a more accurate word to describe this emotion.

"Oh, it's Aze. It's okay. I'm having a great time!"

At the same time, on Taylor Island on the other side of the earth, Renlong glanced at the giant fusion hydropower platform rumbling on the distant sea, turned around and listened to the rock music playing on several speakers on the beach, as well as Cabot busy at the barbecue grill, and the hundreds of giant bluefin tuna over two meters long that were almost piled up like a mountain by the barbecue grill. At this moment, Renlong felt unprecedentedly happy.

"What are you doing? I feel like you are going to have a high." Aze, who was in Mary's room, asked Renlong on the thought network.

"Oh, you're talking about this. Cabot said he wants to have a beach barbecue party. I'm on the south side of the island now, enjoying the sea view and the spectacular hydroelectric platform on the sea, while listening to rock music. And Cabot caught hundreds of bluefin tuna from somewhere, and they're all huge. None of them is less than two meters long. Now the two of us are cooking these bluefin tuna in various ways!" Renlong on the thinking network communication channel conveyed a sense of excitement to Aze.

"Uh" Aze was speechless about this.

"What's the matter?"

"Um, let me confirm, are you having a beach barbecue party?"

"correct."

"And while watching the sea view and the wonders?"

"Yes."

"And listening to rock music?"

"Um...what's up?"

"And while tucking into bluefin tuna?"

"Uh...yes, what...is wrong?" Renlong felt that something was not right with Aze on the other end of the phone, and was a little hesitant to answer.

"I'm working so hard as a counselor here, helping people solve their problems. I'm exhausted, and you're having a beach barbecue party?!" An emotional Aze yelled at Renlong who was on the other side of the world.

"I'm working my ass off here, and you're having a party over there???"

"F*ck me$$%$**^+^*!!!!" The emotionally excited Aze sent out a communication message that turned into a mess of garbled characters in his anger.

Renlong, who was far away on Taylor Island, felt the endless anger coming from the other end of the thought network channel, and suddenly felt something was wrong.

(Assuming Richard is the young general who launched the coup, then you might as well guess who is Zhang Taiwan who shouted "Look at me using tanks to send you all to the sky one by one"? ????)

By the way, please give more blades and rewards.

Chapter 75: 0.50 caliber anti-material weapon attack? (5000 words)

When Aze was venting his frustration to Renlong who was happily barbecuing on the island beach, Renlong, who was caught in the crossfire, had to divert his attention by looking at Cabot who was processing tuna in front of him. On the chopping board next to the grill, Cabot cut a huge bluefin tuna into small pieces of tuna steaks with a knife, sprinkled various seasonings on them, and spread them on the already heated grill.

"Okay, now we just have to wait for it to be cooked. Has my other subordinate calmed down?" Beside the grill where the aroma of fish was emanating, Cabot asked Renlong in a joking manner.

"So you knew that she was angry with me, why didn't you try to persuade her?" Renlong rolled his eyes at the unreliable boss in front of him.

"Of course, I gave you your thought network. How could I not know what's going on inside?" Cabot said as he used a spatula to flip the fish fillet that had been cooked on the grill.

"My status in the thought network, according to your understanding, is probably that of an administrator responsible for supervising the operation status of the entire network. Although I usually don't speak and don't actively interfere with the network, I still have the authority to supervise and rewrite the entire network when necessary." Carbon explained to Renlong while fiddling with the fish fillets on the grill.

"Uh... So you've been deliberately watching me get scolded since the beginning..." After realizing that Cabot could actually see all the information transmitted on the entire thought network, Renlong's evaluation of Cabot's unreliability rose to a higher level in his heart.

"Oh, that's not the point... There are still so many tuna here. At worst, I can just hold a beach barbecue party for my other men after they come back." Cabot tried to divert the attention of Renlong in front of him.

"Forget it, forget it. Since you know all the information on the entire network, you should also know the solution to the problem Aze wants to ask, right?"

"Oh... this, is this a method of transmitting information directly into the brains of ordinary humans? This is actually very simple."

"So what to do?"

"In principle, the human brain has thousands or even trillions of brain cells, and the synapses in the human brain are more numerous than the stars in the universe. The human brain is like an incomparably complex handheld terminal with thousands of buttons on it. As nanomechanical aggregates, you only need to press countless buttons on this handheld terminal in a specific way to establish a direct brain-level dialogue with ordinary humans." Cabot explained to Renlong in front of him and Aze on the other end of the thought network.

"Wait, according to what you said, is it also possible..."

Renlong placed his right hand on his chin and thought of another way to apply this technique.

"That's right. The human brain is essentially a handheld terminal with countless buttons. Pressing some buttons allows you to communicate with it, while pressing others can have other effects, such as creating an extremely real but non-existent illusion or hallucination in front of the other person."

"Or by pressing a specific button, it is also possible to achieve complete mental control over a human individual or group."

"The simplest and most rudimentary method is to isolate a tiny amount of nanomechanical units, smaller than nitrogen and oxygen atoms in the air, and allow these tiny nanomechanical units to be inhaled into the body through breathing. As the body's metabolic cycle progresses, these controllable nanomechanical units will spontaneously move to the core parts of carbon-based organisms, such as the brain and heart."

"And these nanomechanical units in the opponent's brain are the hands responsible for pressing buttons on the complex handheld terminal of the opponent's brain." Cabot raised his right index finger and explained in detail to the subordinates in front of him.

"Manipulating the magic button on this gesture terminal in your brain, doesn't it sound like a magic trick?"

"Haha, speaking of magic tricks, isn't the entire material universe we live in the same?"

"For me and my fellow comrades in the Combined Fleet, the entire universe is just like pressing countless buttons on an extremely complex computer, which has since defined the various laws and structures of the universe."

"For beings like us (United Ship Girls), there is actually no essential difference between calculus and amoeba, or monkeys and Mozart." Having said this, Cabot suddenly looked up at the sky meaningfully.

"But even so, there are still things that make us curious."

"Oh, what is it?" Renlong, who was sitting on a chair next to the barbecue grill, asked curiously.

"The civilization is coming to an end." Kaber only answered briefly with two words.

"Civilization is a wonderful thing. From countless civilizations, beings like us were finally born. Everything in the universe originally had no meaning, but civilization gave it definition, making the meaningless universe finally meaningful. This is perhaps the most unique thing about civilization."

"Well... it's true. Compared to the cold, empty universe, which is nothing, civilization is like the flame that gives it meaning."

Renlong also expressed his feelings about this.

"From our perspective, civilizations in the universe are like flowers, often blooming briefly, beautiful but short-lived. But from countless such short-lived flowers, there will eventually emerge a magnificent flower that will bloom long-lastingly throughout the universe."

Cabot opened his right hand and raised it toward the blue sky above his head. Then Cabot clenched his open right hand, as if he wanted to hold the endless blue sky above his head and the starry sky even higher in his hand.

On the other side of the world, in London, after getting the answer he wanted, Aze, who was still sitting in the corner on the cabinet in optical invisibility, began his own attempt.

A wisp of silver nanomaterial appeared at the tip of Aze's index finger and was split into atomic-level nano units.

It was spread into the surrounding air like a wisp of smoke.

Mary, who was sitting behind the desk and listening to the lecture, also inhaled these nano-mechanical units the size of oxygen atoms scattered in the air with a normal breath. After the nano-mechanical units were sucked into Mary's body along with the air, they moved to Mary's brain in a harmless way. Aze, who was sitting next to her, also manipulated the nano-mechanical units that entered Mary's brain and began to press specific buttons on the brain terminal.

Mary looked at the old woman in front of her whom she hated the most, Peebles, who was still chattering incessantly, telling her about the rigid knowledge and regulations such as what kind of qualified character the next heir to the queen should have. Mary could only pretend to listen to Peebles. Compared to the old woman in front of her whom she hated so much, she hoped to be with the angel sister hiding by the wall or her sister Charlotte.

"Oh, I don't want to stay with her at all. It would be nice if Sister Charlotte could be here too, or if I could be alone with Sister Angel." Mary thought as she looked at the old and conservative woman, Peebles.

"Oh... It's a pity that Angel Sister can't chat with me when outsiders are around. I don't like this annoying old woman at all. I really want to chat with Angel Sister." Mary thought of this and secretly glanced at the wall.

[If it's just chatting, that's fine, Mary.] Suddenly, a familiar and gentle voice sounded in Mary's mind.

[Oh… Angel sister? Is that you speaking?]

[Yes... I've come up with a new communication method for this situation. I call it "Direct Spiritual Communication."]

[In other words, Angel Sister, can you speak directly into my heart from now on? ]

Bingo! You guessed it right. Mary, if you need me in the future, just say my name silently in your heart. I will be able to hear it and communicate with you directly on a spiritual level.

[Really? That’s great! !] Mary was so happy that she couldn’t even hide her excitement, and a smile broke out on her face.

"Your Highness Mary, please concentrate and don't be distracted." Seeing that Mary, who was sitting behind the desk, suddenly smiled at the blackboard where she was writing, Peebles knew that Mary was distracted again. She picked up the pointer and knocked on the blackboard, scolding Mary harshly.

"Yes... yes!" Mary was frightened by the pointer hitting the blackboard and answered Peebles with some stammering.

Afterwards, Mary secretly reminded herself not to show her emotions, and continued to communicate with Aze in her mind.

Angel Sister, to be honest, I don't like this kind of life. Being forced to learn how to be a ruler every day? But I don't want to be a ruler at all.

[I also know that I am not fit to lead Albion at all. Sister Charlotte and Brother Richard are more suitable to be the queen or king.]

[Sigh... I certainly understand this, Mary. I promised before that I would help you escape this life you hate, but it will take some time. Please don't be impatient and be patient for now. I promise that soon you won't have to live this way anymore.]

[Angel sister?] Mary asked Aze in her mind with some confusion.

[I still need some time to prepare and find a suitable time, and there might be a lot of noise by then, but don't worry, I will give you a truly free and happy life, as well as an endless, vast world and sky.]

Soon, some people will lose their patience and reveal their true colors. That will be the perfect time.

[It might be a little exciting, Mary, but don't worry, I'll protect you.]

In his mind, Aze gently comforted the little Loli in front of him with words.

In the evening, after finishing a full day of classes, Mary flipped through the three-dimensional fairy tale book that Charlotte gave her, and continued to communicate in her mind with the invisible angel sister standing behind the sofa where she was sitting.

[This is my favorite storybook. It was given to me by my sister Charlotte.]

[Well, Charlotte really cares about you because of her past experiences.]

[Charlotte's sister's past? ]

[Hmm, maybe...she doesn't want her past bad experiences to happen to you again?]

[Huh?] Just as Mary was about to ask further questions, a maid knocked on the door.

"Your Highness Mary, it's time. It's almost time to get ready to attend the kingdom's diplomatic and political evening party." The maid standing at the door reminded.

Urged by the maid, Mary had no choice but to close the pop-up book in front of her and temporarily put aside the questions in her mind about her sister Charlotte.

.........

In front of the dressing table, the maids were dressing Mary in front of the dressing table, preparing for the diplomatic and political evening party that Mary was about to attend.

Through the reflection in the mirror, Mary saw Olivia outside the door whispering something with the Duke of Normandy's female secretary.

Olivia, who was outside the door, had a somewhat surprised look on her face after talking with the female secretary. Mary, who had been with Olivia for a long time, was keenly aware that what was going to happen next might be troublesome.

"Regarding today's ceremony for the Imperial Palace III, Her Highness Charlotte suddenly has an urgent matter." After talking with the female secretary, Olivia hurried back to the room and said to Mary apologetically.

"So my sister can't come with you?" Mary showed a look of regret.

"It seems so, Your Highness Mary. I'm sorry... Sheriff Flint and I will accompany you on this trip."

.........

At night, a drizzle fell throughout London, and flashes of lightning flashed from time to time in the clouds in the sky. A convoy carrying Mary and others left the palace and drove onto a bridge in London.

Sitting on the soft seat in the back of the car, Mary looked at the water droplets slowly dripping on the window glass and the night view of London outside the window, and touched the three-dimensional storybook given by Charlotte in her hand.

"Do you want me to read to you?" Olivia, who was sitting next to Mary, noticed Mary's love for the storybook given by Charlotte, and asked very considerately.

"Yeah." Mary nodded and handed the book in her hand to Olivia while glancing at the seat opposite her inconspicuously. Her angel sister was sitting on the seat opposite her. Only she could vaguely see a figure there. To Olivia beside her, the seat opposite her was completely empty.

[Angel sister, do you like listening to sister Olivia telling stories?] Mary asked in her heart after Olivia took the storybook.

"How should I put it? I think it's somewhere between dislike and dislike, right? But... Mary, be prepared for later." At this point, Aze's tone suddenly changed, and he reminded Mary.

【What's wrong? Angel sister?】

[It looks like some people are already showing off. This might get a little exciting, so be prepared, Mary.]

[Huh?] Mary seemed a little confused.

At this time, the convoy was about to reach the other end of the bridge. On the shore at this end of the bridge, several furtive figures were hiding behind a car parked by the bridge. Each of them had a loaded pistol hidden under his black coat, and one of the leading men even had a grenade in his coat pocket.

When the few people hiding behind the car saw the convoy with royal license plates about to arrive at the shore of the bridge, they all tightened their grip on the pistols hidden in their coats. The male leader took out a grenade hidden in his coat pocket, pulled the fuse, and threw the grenade at the passing convoy.

The cylindrical grenade bounced on the ground and slid under the car that Mary and Olivia were riding in. There was a violent explosion, and the entire car was overturned in an instant.

Inside the car, as early as when the grenade was thrown, Aze, who was sitting in the back seat, had instantly deployed an invisible electromagnetic shield and a kinetic energy neutralization field constructed by nanomachines in the car. The activated electromagnetic shield withstood the fragments produced by the explosion, and the kinetic energy neutralization field absorbed almost all the shock waves of the explosion. Mary and Olivia in the car only fell because the car was overturned, and neither of them was injured by the explosion.

In the convoy, the driver of the car at the back saw the car in front being overturned by the explosion, and subconsciously stepped on the brakes. After sliding sideways on the slippery ground after the rain, the car finally stopped steadily.

The female secretary sitting in the car at the back looked on in shock as the car in front carrying Princess Mary was overturned.

"Her Highness Mary!!!" The female secretary shouted in fear at the overturned car, hoping to confirm Mary's condition. At this moment, a burst of gunfire suddenly came from behind a parked car on the side of the road. The assassins who had been hiding behind the car finally showed their teeth and took out the pistols hidden in their coats, continuously shooting at the car carrying Mary that had been blown over to the ground.

The continuously flying bullets penetrated the roof of the overturned car and passed by Olivia who was huddled in the car and Mary who was in her arms at supersonic speed. Fortunately, the two were not hit by a single bullet.

At this time, Olivia didn't know that the invisible electromagnetic shield deployed by Aze caused every bullet shot into the car to deflect at a slight angle, accurately avoiding the two people hiding in the car.

"Don't worry, I told you I'd protect you. Don't worry, I've deflected every incoming bullet so it won't hit you or Olivia. Stay here with Olivia. My companions will take care of those who want to endanger you." Aze, still invisible, reassured Mary in her mind.

Not far away, the assassins were still pulling the triggers of their pistols at the overturned vehicle, and the female secretary and the security personnel of the convoy who reacted also took out their weapons and launched a counterattack against the assassins.

The female secretary pulled out the pistol from the holster on her waist and fired several shots at several assassins hiding behind the car on the side of the road. However, due to the long distance, the female secretary's hasty shots did not hit the assassins, but only hit a beam on the vehicle parked behind them.

"Don't let them get close, go and make sure His Highness is safe!" Amid the chaotic gunfire, the female secretary shouted orders to the bodyguards around her.

"Yes!" Two of the bodyguards immediately followed the female secretary and ran towards the overturned vehicle, while the remaining bodyguards continued to suppress the firepower of the assassins on the opposite side with their weapons.

"Mary, it's best not to rush out. The scene that's about to happen might not be suitable for a child like you to see." Aze's voice rang out in Mary's mind.