Published: February 12, 2025
“The clan leader wants you to go back.”
On the hilltop, a not-so-large mechanical figure stood there. It resembled a mechanical battle beast but looked rougher than those manufactured by the Tarros Red Dwarf, lacking any glow or markings from its creator.
The battle pet moved slightly, giving a bit of response.
The life form that had spoken earlier slowly walked over, casually tossing a long axe onto the ground before plopping down beside the mechanical battle beast. Two stubborn braids on her head pointed straight up into the sky. Below those braids was a face dotted with freckles, which, if one overlooked the specks, would be considered a cute girl by Earth’s standards.
“I know you are definitely a top figure on your home planet, but you need to understand that this is not your home planet. No matter how much pride or resentment you have in your heart, you must restrain it. Here, you are no longer the strong one. On the contrary, you are the weak one, and most people in this clan can easily defeat you.”
The little girl sighed as she tried to persuade him.
Noticing that no sound came from the mechanical battle pet, she shook her head slightly and said, “Being proud and having spirit is fine, and I even think your arrogance isn’t wrong, but it doesn’t match your strength. If you were a grand master, or even a peak expert, no one would say anything about you. But now, dear Meow, that’s not the case.”
“I’m not called Meow, and I’m not your dear!”
A sharp and angry voice finally came from the mechanical battle pet.
“No, you saw me bathe, so you are my Meow, my dear.” The little girl insisted stubbornly.
“I’ve said it a thousand times before! That time was an accident! It was the aftermath of my refining battle dolls that knocked down your house. It was completely, completely an accident!”
It was hard to imagine that this usually silent little brat could string together so many words.
“An accident doesn’t change the fact that you saw my body, you know. Among us Ferrosong People, that is a condition for bonding.”
The girl was persistent and firm, looking at the Mechanical Genius beside her in confusion.
“It’s just a condition, not a necessary one. The clan leader has already said this is an old custom of the Ferrosong People, not the current one. There’s no need to take it to heart!”
“But I’m a traditional Ferrosong person!”
The little girl replied to the Mechanical Genius without any pause, as if it were a matter of course.
“You don’t have to be!”
“No, I am!”
The mechanical battle pet began to emit heavy panting sounds, clearly indicating that some genius was in an extreme state of anger.
“Do you know? You remind me of a feudal era in a certain country on my home planet. They used to do just that. How about I introduce you to a guy I can’t stand? Let him find someone from that country who shares your views. What do you think? You know, only when worldviews align can people be together; we clearly are not suited.”
After his anger, the Mechanical Genius tried for the ten-thousandth time to persuade the girl again, but with a completely new reason.
“Why not? Aren’t we doing well right now?” The girl’s big eyes were filled with confusion.
“You are doing well; I am not. This is coercion!” The Mechanical Genius suppressed his emotions.
“But you saw me bathe, so you are my Meow.”
“I…” The Mechanical Genius knew he had failed again.
The little girl smiled, stood up, picked up the long-handled axe that was as tall as her, and then patted the side of the mechanical battle pet, saying, “Alright, no more fussing. Be good, and let’s go back to the clan. It’s time for the next hunt; you need to earn more merits.”
“I won’t!” The Mechanical Genius stubbornly replied.
The little girl sighed, “Be obedient, okay?”
The Mechanical Genius replied, “Why should I listen to you?!”
The girl said, “Because you’re afraid you can’t beat me.”
The Mechanical Genius fell silent.