Nikke, something’s seriously wrong with this evacuation point! Chapter 171 171: Who would refuse to live if they can?

"Is this stuff really that good?"

In a corner of the farm, Scarlet stared at a cup of transparent liquor with a puzzled expression.

"Big sister's taste is so strange."

Hearing this, Charon, who was helping Andersen sort the harvest, raised his head.

"That's not quite right."

Scarlet tilted her head. "Any advice, Lieutenant?"

Even though he was already a commander, Scarlet and Rose still preferred calling him "Lieutenant." That was one of the differences between them and the other Nikkes–perhaps they were simply nostalgic.

Charon walked up to Scarlet and picked up the glass, drinking it all in one go. The burning sensation spread down his throat into his stomach, making him let out a satisfied sigh.

"This isn't just about taste. How should I put it… If we only judge it by flavor, it's actually worse than most juices. But the real power of alcohol lies in the 'feeling' it gives after drinking it–whether it's euphoria, or a hazy illusion–it temporarily makes you forget your worries."

"Often, alcohol isn't a hobby, but a tool to numb one's nerves. Otherwise, if a person is constantly subrged in imnse pressure, their mind will break before their body does."

"Of course, I'm not encouraging drinking. Alcohol must never be overused–slight intoxication is enough. Excess will cause serious damage to the brain and body that takes a long ti to recover. And if anyone dares to cause trouble while drunk in the Other Shore Base, I'll personally throw them out to sober up."

By the end, Charon's expression had turned sowhat intimidating.

Scarlet stared at him, her eyes widening slightly, as if recalling sothing.

"I see… so that's why Big Sister used to drink so often?"

Rose was never an alcoholic Nikke, but during a certain period while working under Barnes, she had submitted supply requests containing large amounts of alcohol.

It was clear just how much pressure she had been under back then.

Then Scarlet thought of sothing else and looked at Charon suspiciously.

"Then why does she still drink now?"

Charon froze.

Damn it. I explained all the philosophy, but forgot that alcohol itself can be addictive.

"Uh… maybe… maybe it's because the feeling of slight intoxication is addictive…" Charon chuckled awkwardly.

Ah… the aftereffect is kicking in. This stuff really does hit.

"I see." Scarlet stared at the bottle of alcohol, falling into thought.

"Alright, I'll try this so-called 'slight intoxication' as well."

"Maybe that's not a good idea…"

"Why not?"

"Like I said, drinking isn't good for you."

"It's fine. I don't actually like drinking. I just want to experience this 'slight intoxication' once, and then I'll never do it again. To stop Big Sister, one must first understand her. That is my belief."

Charon opened his mouth, then hesitated, not knowing how to refute her.

Forget it. They're Nikkes anyway.

That was all he could tell himself.

At that mont, Unit 03, who had been bouncing around the farm helping, suddenly popped out.

"Lieutenant! Lieutenant! Where should I send these things?"

She pointed at the crates of harvested goods behind her. Although the quality wasn't as good as what Charon had scavenged before–and so of it wasn't even that great in appearance–well, you can't expect luxury here.

At this stage of the first attempt at transplantation, just being edible was already good enough.

"Send them directly to the kitchen," Charon ordered. "Scarlet, I'll leave this place to you. Rember to co back for dinner on ti."

"Yes, sir."

The farm still needed ti for processing, but three people were enough. Andersen was also unusually interested in experiencing farm work, so Charon had no hesitation in making full use of him.

As they were leaving, Charon noticed from the corner of his eye that Scarlet had already started frowning while drinking the alcohol.

Hopefully this is just a coincidence… probably.

"Lieutenant~ Lieutenant~"

On the way to the cafeteria, 03 softly called out.

"What is it?" Charon responded casually.

"Hehe, nothing. I just felt like calling you." 03 looked very happy. "It's really nice. Really nice… having you here, and having the Goddess Squad here, the Other Shore Base feels much more lively than before!"

"It's still not enough," Charon shook his head. "The base is still too empty. Even the dormitory area still has several floors unoccupied."

The dormitory area had five floors in total, and even the first one wasn't fully occupied yet.

"And the Goddess Squad… at least until they complete their final mission, they won't treat this place as ho."

Operation Guardian of the Ark. As long as that mission remained unfinished, the Goddess Squad would remain trapped in it, unable to be freed.

The only good thing was that Liliweiss and Dorothy, the most influential mbers, had already accepted the legitimacy of the Other Shore Base. And judging from Dorothy's growing disillusionnt with the Ark governnt, it was uncertain whether she would even choose to enter the Ark in the end.

For the Goddess Squad, protecting humanity and entering the Ark were not necessarily the sa thing.

That said, Charon couldn't openly recruit humans either. Once the base truly opened its doors, refugees would co endlessly. The base's capacity was limited–at least for now–and until it reached Ark-scale infrastructure, competing with the Ark was impossible.

At that mont, Charon found himself missing Abe and Ana. Would they be able to co here soday?

For now, however, to take the Second-generation Fairytales would probably require going head-to-head with the human governnt.

He would have to think of another way.

The kitchen arrived almost instantly. Unit 06 was already at a large iron pot cooking frantically. As the only mber of the close-combat unit with exceptional culinary skills, she had been responsible for nearly all als before this.

However, most of the ingredients for that breakfast had been scavenged by Charon; she only handled preparation. The results, however, were excellent.

Unit 04 was assisting her. Unit 03 joined in imdiately, pushing a cart full of ingredients into the kitchen.

"Lieutenant, y-you're going to cook as well?" 06 asked after hearing his intention, both shocked and delighted. "That stove is still free–please use it!"

Fried tomato and eggs was simple enough that even a glance at a recipe made it easy. Charon cooked efficiently, and soon the entire kitchen was filled with steam and aroma.

The starving 04 couldn't hold back any longer–but didn't dare eat the finished food, instead eyeing the raw ingredients.

Maybe just a little wouldn't hurt…

Three minutes later–

"Ugh… ughhh–"

While peeling potatoes, 04 suddenly shook her hand and collapsed, clutching her stomach.

"?!"

06 imdiately turned off the stove and rushed over. She glanced at the crate of devil peppers and her mouth twitched.

How did she manage to steal and eat that of all things?!

"Lieutenant! Lieutenant!" 06 cried, carrying 04 and rushing to Charon, who had just finished cooking and was washing his hands. "I still need to cook–could you please take her to Lady Rapunzel to have her stomach treated?"

Charon opened his mouth, then hesitated.

What the hell is going on today?