Because of the suspicion that had arisen in his heart, Luo Shu asked Lacus directly, "So, what dangerous thing did Echidna do that made you bring me along as well?"
Luo Shu never considered himself a clever person, but he thought Lacus was. Therefore, with a certain level of trust established, Luo Shu didn't bother to guess Lacus's meaning and asked her directly.
It was more straightforward and avoided potential misunderstandings.
However, Lacus's answer was somewhat unexpected.
"I don't know."
That simple "I don't know" left Luo Shu stunned.
And just as Luo Shu was wondering, Lacus said with a thoughtful expression, "I just feel that, given Miss Echidna's personality, the fact that she hasn't brought back the young lady called Betty after so long, and has been cooped up in the base this whole time, is a little strange."
Hearing this, Luo Shu also felt something was off.
Given the relationship between Echidna and Betty, that is, the artificial spirit Beatrice, making her self-created daughter a member of her Familia would probably only take a few words.
Under these circumstances, Echidna's delay of several days without any feedback was indeed strange.
Considering the high authority of the Divine Pantheon's internal chat system, which would be difficult for ordinary powers to block, this lack of feedback was most likely Echidna's own doing.
So, from this perspective, Echidna's behaviour was indeed rather suspicious.
"So... why did you bring me here?"
Lacus thought seriously for a moment, then tilted her head and said to Luo Shu with a smile, "To put it simply... it should count as asking you out on an adventure?"
"An adventure?" Luo Shu's expression became a little peculiar.
Exploring the base of one of his own subordinate Familia?
It felt a bit strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on why.
Seeing Luo Shu's subtle expression, Lacus couldn't help but say with a laugh, "Getting back to our earlier topic, I believe I said I wanted to tell you about the things I like, Luo Shu?"
"Exploring the bases of researchers is, I suppose, one of my hobbies."
At this point, Lacus said with a mix of amusement and helplessness, "Whether it's Tabane Shinonono, Dr Verde, or even Ania, they all like to secretly research things they're interested in alongside their assigned work. Sometimes, for the sake of this research, they spend their entire salaries, to the point where they can't even guarantee their three basic meals a day."
"Although it's not like I haven't advised them to apply to me directly for research funding with their projects, in reality, the number of applications is always smaller than what they hide away."
"So, gradually, I got used to occasionally visiting their bases for an inspection."
Hearing this, Luo Shu had a moment of realisation and retorted to Lacus, "So you're basically the client coming for a surprise inspection!"
When Lacus heard the term 'client', she couldn't quite keep a straight face and said with a hint of embarrassment, "Although using a term like 'client' that simply describes a cooperative partner isn't entirely wrong, if possible, please use a more relaxed adjective."
"Then... a friendly visit to raid the house?" Luo Shu said tentatively.
"Aren't those two terms antonyms that can't be combined?" Lacus looked at Luo Shu, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
A friendly visit between relatives and friends, and raiding a house to confiscate property, were, in Lacus's view, words that absolutely could not be combined.
However, seeing Lacus's predicament, Luo Shu couldn't help but laugh. "But in fact, doesn't this combination perfectly suit what we're about to do?"
They were about to both visit Echidna and confiscate her secret research. From a behavioural standpoint, the term Luo Shu used was indeed not wrong.
Seeing Luo Shu say this, Lacus didn't know how to refute it. In the end, she could only sigh and say, "I think I'd rather stick with 'client's surprise inspection'."
Seeing Lacus's helpless look, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle.
In response, although Lacus knew Luo Shu was teasing her, she had no way to counter it. Or rather, no matter how she countered, Luo Shu would probably just laugh happily, right?
Faced with a slightly sulky Lacus, Luo Shu found it hard to hold back his amusement and tried to change the subject. "But speaking of which, why did you want to come and inspect Echidna's place?"
"Because I've already checked on everyone else," Lacus said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Did you think I was just travelling back and forth between America and Copernicus recently, Luo Shu?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu's expression turned strange. "So you were touring the research bases of Tabane Shinonono and the others?"
Lacus nodded and explained, "Yes, so now only Miss Echidna is left."
After a pause, Lacus added, "Although saying this sounds like I'm bad-mouthing her behind her back, for my first visit to Miss Echidna's place, if I didn't bring you along, Luo Shu, I suspect unnecessary trouble might arise."
Hearing this, Luo Shu immediately understood Lacus's meaning. "So you brought me here to back you up?"
Lacus added, "It's also to prevent Miss Echidna from hiding any dangerous research."
"Judging from my personal experience, seekers of knowledge like Miss Echidna often inadvertently conduct extremely dangerous research experiments."
Seeing the deeply felt, almost post-traumatic fear on Lacus's face, as if she'd been bitten by a snake once before, Luo Shu suddenly felt that, besides putting pressure on Echidna, Lacus had also brought him along to stabilise her own state of mind.
So, just what kind of research had Tabane Shinonono and the others conducted to make Lacus feel fear, to the point where she needed to drag him along for a sense of security?
Somehow, it felt like a topic he shouldn't ask about.
A series of thoughts flooded Luo Shu's mind. Finally, he said to Lacus, "Since that's what you think, let's go and see Echidna."
"It's never good to keep the host waiting."