Chapter 24: Embracing Uncertainty

Narumi leaned in closer to Christina, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and uncertainty. "And that is the end of the last volume that I had read before being transported to this world. It means the end of our guideline. From this point forward, we will need to rely only on our own ingenuity and resourcefulness to navigate the challenges."

Curiosity piqued, Christina narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, a mix of frustration and intrigue evident on her face. She leaned back slightly and raised an eyebrow, questioning Narumi with her tsundere demeanor. "Narumi!! Why didn't you tell me about this information regarding the ancient secret weapon of the Aurestear Royal Family earlier?"

Narumi's expression turned serious as he clasped his hands together, his voice steady as he explained his four main reasons. "Christina, I didn't share the information about the ancient secret weapon for a few reasons," he began.

Christina shifted her weight, her arms still crossed, waiting for Narumi's explanation. She tapped her foot impatiently and let out an annoyed huff, trying to hide her genuine interest in his response. Deep down, she secretly wanted to know his reasons, even if she wouldn't admit it.

"Firstly," he began, "the information we have is too vague. We don't know where or what the weapon is. It's highly likely that the Autestia Kingdom wasn't destroyed as depicted in the Loli Princess Novel, making it even more challenging to locate. Therefore, I believe it wouldn't be worth our time and resources to search for it."

Rolling her eyes and with a tsundere gesture, Christina retorted, "Tch, like I even care about some vague weapon. It's not like I wanted to find it or anything."

Narumi continued undeterred, his pride as an engineer evident, "Secondly, as an inventor, I prefer to use weapons I have created myself rather than relying on unknown or other people's creations. I am confident that the weapons I design will be superior."

Christina's cheeks flushed slightly, and she averted her gaze. With a huff, she muttered, "Well, I guess if your precious inventions are so great, I can't argue with that."

"Thirdly," Narumi added, contemplating the nature of their situation, "if we take this novel series as a basis, it's highly probable that only the protagonist can discover or activate this ancient secret weapon. There might be traps, dangers, or even the need to sacrifice someone. It's a risky endeavor."

Christina's eyes softened for a moment, a rare glimpse of concern flickering across her face. She cleared her throat and scoffed, "Hmph! I suppose it would be foolish to risk our lives for some ancient secret weapon. Not like I care if you get hurt or anything."

"And lastly," Narumi's voice trailed off, his expression softening. "This reason is incredibly important. I didn't want to spend precious time away from you, Christina, pursuing something uncertain. It could also lead to my own demise due to loneliness... Oshhh!"

Narumi didn't get a chance to finish his sentence as Christina suddenly pinched him with all her might. A mixture of surprise and pain flashed across his face, causing him to wince. He quickly realized that his heartfelt confession had earned him another tsundere gesture from Christina, a reminder that she wasn't going to let him off the hook so easily.

Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Christina's tsundere facade slipped completely. She released Narumi's cheeks and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. Her voice trembled slightly as she whispered, "Idiot! Don't you dare talk about loneliness! I... I don't want to be alone either."

With determination shining in her eyes, Christina pulled away, her expression resolute. "I'll inform my father about the information we've discovered. Ultimately, it will be the king's decision on how to proceed with this newfound knowledge. But, you better be prepared, Narumi. We're in this together, whether you like it or not!"

After that, Narumi working tirelessly on his giant mech upgrade plan until sunset, his muscles ached and he felt the fatigue weighing him down. Just as he was about to call it a day, a young maid approached him with a gentle smile.

"Lord Narumi, it's time to take a rest," she said softly, her voice carrying a soothing tone. "I have prepared a warm bath for you. Please allow me to assist you in bathing today."

Narumi, grateful for the maid's thoughtfulness, wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded appreciatively. "Thank you for your kind offer. I could really use a relaxing bath right now."

He followed the maid to his private bath room, unaware of the subtle, mischievous smile that played on her lips. The warm water awaited him, steam rising gently from the tub, inviting him to immerse himself in its comforting embrace.

As Narumi began to undress, the maid stood by, ready to assist him. Her movements were graceful, her gestures gentle, but her eyes held a mysterious glint, hinting at something more beneath the surface.

Narumi, lost in his own weariness, didn't notice the subtle change in the maid's demeanor. He trusted her presence, finding solace in her assistance, unaware of the darkness lurking behind her smile.

As he entered the bath, the warmth enveloped his tired body, soothing his muscles and easing his fatigue. The maid poured water over him, her touch light and delicate. Yet, with each passing moment, her smile grew more devious, her intentions hidden from Narumi's unsuspecting gaze.

Unbeknownst to Narumi, an unforeseen arrangement lay ahead, and the true motives of the young maid remained concealed in a veil of mystery. In his state of vulnerability and relaxation, little did he realize that this moment could be a perilous opening, and the consequences of his trust would soon unravel in unexpected ways.