Reboot: Mechanic

364  Feigning Ignorance n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

After teasing Vanessa for a while, Shi Tian's expression turned solemn. The joking phase was over, so now they needed to focus on another important task ahead. "Mary, I've noticed you were standing in a daze previously. So have you figured out a way yet?" Shi Tian asked softly. Mary nodded her head. "Yeah, I've figured it out pretty much around the same time you detected the problem." "What way?" Vanessa interrupted, and as usual, looking confused at their conversation. The conversation between Mary and Shi Tian was always cut abruptly. Yet they both still managed to understand each other. It was something that she was somewhat jealous of because she wanted to have that kind of connectivity with someone as well.

Back in Chronosworth City, she would never be able to converse with people naturally and without any status being in the way. They would either address her as the Young Heiress or Lady Vanessa or other formal name. It was never a casual conversation between friends who could speak their minds whenever they wanted, without having to worry about troubles. After all, offending her in Chronosworth City was equivalent to asking to be deported, killed, or demoted. "You explain to her, Nathan." Mary patted Shi Tian's shoulder and said, "I'm going to return to the Iron Sentinel and instruct Gerald." As Mary excused herself, Shi Tian was left without a choice but to clarify things again for Vanessa. However, he suspected that she wasn't actually ignorant of their conversation. Instead, he had a feeling that she was just trying to get involved in their conversation and be included, almost as if she was scared of being an outcast. After all, there was only one conclusive information that she should have known, and that was regarding the underground being dug by Moles that conceal the Gilaso variants. He had mentioned this to Mary while Vanessa was following closely behind them, so she should have heard it as well.

"Are you really ignorant or are you just pretending?" Shi Tian narrowed his eyes and asked directly. He was in no mood to beat around the bush with her.

Beating around the bush was only necessary for people that he needed to be cautious about. Of course, that doesn't mean he wasn't wary of Vanessa, but he was merely treating her as a temporary ally and not an enemy. Being confronted all of a sudden, Vanessa was caught off-guard, seemingly trying to avoid the question.

However, that reaction alone was enough for Shi Tian to confirm the fact that she was indeed playing stupid all along. She really wasn't ignorant and understood the conversation, but it seemed as if she was acting this way for a reason.

Sighing softly, Vanessa also understood Shi Tian would sooner or later catch on to her act. "Are you mad that I'm always feigning ignorance?" She asked somewhat nervously. "If you are, then I can explain myself."

"No need, I was merely confused that you would not be able to understand when you were able to fool us quite amazingly." Shi Tian shook his head. Although he did say he would pry for information whenever possible, this wasn't something important that he would need to know. In fact, Shi Tian believed that if he truly listened to her explanation, then he might get himself involved more in her life, which he does not want to.

"The battle is starting to turn in Theobold's favor, and with the current momentum, Theobold's soldiers shouldn't struggle further. So let's just leave before we get into another word game with him." Shi Tian then said, calmly leaving the scene.

Nodding her head in agreement, Vanessa swiftly followed Shi Tian. They were going to return to the Iron Sentinel to meet up with Mary, but an unexpected soldier cut them off.

The soldier was dressed in a different military uniform from Theobold's soldiers and Shi Tian recognized the emblem on the uniform. "A Scarlet Ruby emblem…" Shi Tian muttered and stared at the soldier.

"You're under Commander Phoebe's military team?" He then questioned, seemingly confused about Phoebe's soldier appearing here. The soldier nodded his head in response. "Yes, I was ordered by Commander Phoebe to bring Sir Nathan to the battlefield on her side. Can you please follow me?" The soldier asked respectfully, not daring to underestimate Shi Tian.

A person that their commander wished to meet was surely not simple, especially when their commander highlighted and emphasized the matter of respecting this individual. "Why does your Commander Phoebe want to meet with Nathan?" Before Shi Tian could even think of a response, Vanessa stepped forward, standing in front of him, and asked. With her identity, these soldiers were surely going to be even more respectful and fearful. Just one wrong move by them and they would suffer an unimaginable amount of punishment. Thus, the soldier dared not disrespect Vanessa and responded politely despite the hostile tone. "I'm not sure either, but Commander Phoebe said it was important and that Sir Nathan will regret it if he doesn't follow me." Hearing that, Vanessa believed the soldier was trying to be funny in front of her. She asked a question, but this soldier was clearly beating around the bushes and not telling her anything.

She was about to unleash her wrath at him but was stopped by Shi Tian.

"Relax, Vanessa." Shi Tian held her arm and said. "The soldier is merely a messenger, so it's natural that he might not know much either."

"Are you really going to follow him there?" Vanessa turned around and whispered, a tinge of worry and concern could be detected in her tone.

"You worry too much, Vanessa. What is Commander Phoebe going to do to me when you know I'm going to be there?" Shi Tian flicked her forehead and chuckled. It was clear that Phoebe did this on purpose and made sure the soldier would ask him in Vanessa's presence. This was her way of telling that she meant no harm and that there wasn't anything fishy.