Chapter 194: This is our promise, the final promise

The Federation is going to split.

This is a rumor, at least for now it's a rumor.

The Federation reacted quickly, swiftly suppressing the rumor and pacifying the populace, but Yun Sheng knew this was merely a stalling tactic.

Before his retirement, an old senior who had a good relationship with him had foreseen such a day and warned Yun Sheng.

Now.... it's merely the first signs.

At least for now, they still have a long leisurely time to spend.

Yun Sheng felt somewhat melancholy and also worried about the unknown things that might happen in the future.

However, Xiaoyunxiao was quite happy, because Yun Sheng worried that something might happen around them at any time, so he called Yunxiao back from elementary school and had 118 teach her.

118's Logic Core showed a speechless emotion—he? A veteran mecha that had fought half his life, you want me to be an elementary school teacher?

118 felt that this life of his was truly colorful, as a mecha doing everything he should and shouldn't do....

However, upon hearing that she would be taught by her favorite 118 and wouldn't have to go to school, Yunxiao became overjoyed—she hated school the most!

The only one suffering was 118, but actually his Logic Core was still quite willing to do this.

"Thus, you began serving as Xiaoyunxiao's teacher; although learning that knowledge is easy for you, teaching Yunxiao well still poses some difficulty for you."

"Yunxiao's personality is very like Yun Sheng's, but in studies she is nothing like her father; back then, her father Yun Sheng ranked first in every subject while still finding time to work three outside jobs, unlike her clueless self."

"But what puzzles you is that Xiaoyunxiao seems to have a particular obsession about whether you are human; each time she introduces you to others, she automatically labels your identity as her brother."

"But if someone asks your name, she stammers and can't say it; and when your mecha identity is exposed, she will loudly defend you like a cat whose tail has been stepped on."

"Regarding this, you don't really understand why she has such a strong fixation on this matter."

"Afterwards, nothing changed; you continued to serve as Yunxiao's bodyguard and teacher, but teaching children is something that even a machine would break down over, and when faced with Yunxiao's math ability as poor as excrement, your Logic Core nearly self-destructed...."

"Under Yunxiao's torment, your Logic Core for the first time felt an indescribable emotion; you can't fathom why such a smart little kid as Yunxiao learns in a way that seems to drain her life."

"Yunxiao still loves freedom; although she dresses all frilly, she still enjoys running around, catching cats and fighting dogs, her athletic talent is quite strong."

""This little rascal has the bearing of an Iron Guard." Yun Sheng chuckled, saying that whether she studies well or not is irrelevant to him; his daughter's happiness is what matters most."

"He never told Yunxiao how tragic his past was, never spoke of his past; no matter what, he only wished for Yunxiao to grow up happily."

"But.... the world is like this; some things always turn out contrary to expectations...."

"Mechanical Age Year 98: Yunxiao is nine, she's grown much taller, but she still likes to cling to you; although she's taller, inside she's still that lovable little rascal."

"On the other side, Yun Sheng, not knowing whether he had learned some news, began building a basement in a room of the villa, and he started to feel anxious, all day with a worried frown, as if guarding against the unforeseen."

"Besides that, everything still counts as normal; under your careful instruction, Yunxiao has finally learned properly, and besides, you also tutor her in some extracurricular knowledge, at least letting Yunxiao learn some basic life skills so she isn't a complete fool."

"Regarding that female housemaid robot, in recent years there seems to have been no abnormality; although her smile is a bit stiff, most housemaid robots smile like that, so Yun Sheng and the others find it unsurprising."

"Yunxiao has also grown accustomed to its presence, no longer very afraid of it, but she still feels somewhat unaccustomed to its smile."

"Mechanical Age Year 99: Time flows slowly; Yunxiao is ten, growing ever cuter, many boys around secretly call her a goddess, but Yunxiao couldn't care less."

"Recently, everywhere seems quiet; in midsummer, the cicadas have fallen silent, a prolonged heavy rain continues unabated, and just then the Federal Military Department suddenly issued an order recalling Colonel Yun Sheng."

"....."

"Sigh...."

Yun Sheng furrowed his brows at the order before him, truly not knowing what the Federation people intend to do.

"What... what is this situation?"

Yun Sheng's wife, beside him, was extremely worried, looking at the order, she asked anxiously.

"I don't know...."

"Then are you going?"

"..... I don't want to go."

Yun Sheng felt somewhat helpless; when the moment arrived, the imagined panic didn't occur as expected, instead the heavy stone weighing on his heart quietly fell to the ground.

"Take me with you; I want to go with you."

"Sure!"

"I want to go with you!!!"

The woman suddenly became excited, and whatever they said afterward, 118 no longer bothered to listen.

'"Finally, is it coming?"'

The Logic Core was inquiring; 118 didn't know what kind of human emotion he was currently experiencing.

But.... 118 knows.

This parting.... will be forever.

Yunxiao was already asleep, and this time 118 again heard the rustling sound.

But this time he had no interest in attending to it; the Logic Core paused, no longer thinking about so many things.

118 knew this was a feeling called fatigue.

The next day...

"Chi Hong, I'm leaving."

"Please take good care of Xiaoyunxiao."

Yun Sheng fiercely hugged Chi Hong, looked into his eyes, and firmly patted his shoulder.

"Reply: Iron Guard, take care."

"Addendum: This is our promise."

On the other side, Yunxiao's mother quietly stepped out of Yunxiao's room, her face still wet with unshed tears, she nodded at Chi Hong.

"I entrust this to you, Chi Hong."

"Reply: Please rest assured."

They did not say goodbye to Yunxiao, for they feared they could not help themselves, and would end up leaving Yunxiao alone.

They were afraid their daughter would notice something, so they left without saying goodbye; they were afraid that after she later learned the truth she would hate them, so they left without saying goodbye.

Watching the car gradually drive away, Chi Hong had a blank expression, yet he clenched his fists.

Yun Sheng left in order to better protect his wife and children.

And his wife left because she loved Yun Sheng more than anything.

"Human love.... huh...."

Chi Hong murmured, over the past few years he has lived very well, very leisurely, and he likes it.

The days fighting side by side with Yun Sheng were exhilarating, hot-blooded, and refreshing; he was very satisfied.

So.... he will give everything he has to protect Yunxiao until she grows up.

This is his final promise with his old comrade-in-arms.

"Yun Sheng Iron Guard, farewell on your journey...."