Ch.156Meow (2)

[To DM : Physics Pervert]

[Hey]

[Hey]

[Heeey]

[Oppa]

[?]

[What]

[What is it]

[Say something]

[You’re dead]

[Rustila unnie is coming to find you today]

[?]

[She’s coming to our house?]

[Yeah]

[That Adelbein girl shouldn’t be there]

[Get rid of her if you can]

[Just make her stay somewhere else for today at least]

[ㄴoOoㄱ]

[Hmm]

[No]

[Actually, this is perfect]

[?]

[I’ll use this chance to make them meet and reconcile]

[I’m coming home with Zernya today]

[???]

[Ah]

[Bullshit]

[Absolute bullshit]

This was the decisive reason why Seti bought popcorn.

***

“Rustila is coming to our house today.”

Right after college classes ended. Upon hearing these shocking words from Eidel, Zernya froze like a stone.

“We agreed to have a big party once you come of age. Today she just wants to come over and hang out casually.”

Eidel spoke about the schedule with a casual face.

“Seems like she took an express shuttle? She’ll be here soon. We should go home first to welcome her.”

His expression was very bright.

When Rustila was around, Eidel’s face became like that. A smile he had rarely shown to her. Zernya felt an emptiness as if there was a hole in her chest.

She knew exactly what this emotion was.

It was envy and jealousy.

“Do I really have to go in no matter what?”

“She’s a guest. We can’t leave her out in the rain as a matter of courtesy. Besides, she’s coming to see me.”

“To see you…”

Her words got stuck.

The more she thought about it, the more she regretted everything. If she had been gentle from their first meeting, maybe he would be smiling at her like that by now.

Zernya had no right to stop Eidel from going home. At this point, she had no choice but to go with him.

She would apologize to Rustila for what happened before.

And then, make a new declaration.

That Eidel von Rheinland is a man I’ve claimed for myself.

***

Rustila stepped lightly off the shuttle. Seti followed behind her, munching on popcorn.

“Welcome.”

Sonia and the other androids greeted the two.

“The young master is preparing a party. Would you like to go in quickly?”

“Really?”

“Haha.”

Rustila and Seti laughed simultaneously. Rustila because she was pleased, Seti because she found it ridiculous.

It seemed like Sonia wanted to rub salt in the wound.

And then.

Finally.

The two met.

“Huh…?”

As they entered the foyer beyond the dock, they saw Zernya mopping the floor. She wore a headband and a white apron. She looked exactly like a maid.

“W-what? Why are you here?”

Rustila’s expression immediately soured.

“Hello? It’s been a while.”

Zernya straightened her hunched back and greeted them casually.

For a moment, Rustila’s thoughts froze. She turned her head to look at Seti, shooting her a glance that demanded an explanation.

“Ahaha, right. I don’t know why she’s here either. I think oppa brought her today…”

“I’ve been living here for almost two months. Because of, you know, certain things.”

Zernya cut in while lowering her eyebrows suggestively.

Two months.

Living together.

Because of certain things.

Every word was like a precious gem. If this were a love triangle fight, she was clearly throwing down the gauntlet.

And it actually was a love triangle fight.

Otherwise, why would Zernya be here, looking like she knew Rustila was coming, wearing a maid outfit, and mopping the floor like she was the lady of the Rheinland house?

Rustila’s face contorted. Thinking about each detail made her angrier.

“You.”

Fuming with anger, Rustila stepped forward with a thud.

“How much have you tormented Eidel while I was gone?”

“I’m not tormenting him. Look, as you can see, I’m cleaning the house. Is that tormenting?”

That’s right.

Zernya had created a favorable situation for herself and was waiting.

She wasn’t even picking a fight with Rustila, so there was no reason to lash out first.

Above all, she was in a good mood. She didn’t want to raise her voice on the day after exams ended.

That’s what she was thinking when—

“Sister, Rustila! You’re here. Did your exams go well?”

A low, deep voice. Rustila’s lips instantly curled upward. It was a reflexive smile.

“Eidel!”

She ran toward Eidel, forgetting even to take off her coat. It was a swift movement. Zernya, whose reflexes were a beat slower, clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“Did your exams go well?”

“Yes. I did really well. Looks like I’ll be able to attend college with you next year?”

Zernya’s face turned pale blue.

“By the way, Eidel. Now that I see you after so long, you seem taller?”

Rustila stood on her tiptoes to compare her height with Eidel’s. Since they weren’t adults yet, both were still growing.

“I did grow a bit. You seem taller too?”

“I’ve been exercising hard. You have no idea how much my master pushed me to make sure I’d pass. But thanks to that, I was able to contract with four more constellations.”

“Oh. So you can shoot the Multi-Star Sword Technique in five streams now?”

“Of course. I’ll show you later.”

It was a subtle appeal. Even if he were targeted by foreign gods, she could protect him.

In reality, Rustila had reached the full EX rank. An achievement before she even turned twenty. At this rate, she might become the youngest Omega-rank swordsman by her sophomore year of college.

Rustila rambled on about this. Her last statement particularly irritated Zernya.

“I’m planning to go to military graduate school!”

“Oh.”

Eidel had mentioned before.

That his ideal type was a woman with a graduate degree.

If that wasn’t a joke, Eidel’s expression changed subtly.

Just then, a thin voice came from behind.

“I’m planning to go to graduate school too.”

Zernya said.

A check.

Rustila took it as both a check against her and a declaration of war.

***

Since there would be another event at the end of the year, today’s party was kept relatively simple.

While Zernya wiped the table, Rustila quickly carried out the food.

“I wonder what they’ll use us for.”

“We should prepare to be fired.”

“Eek!”

The androids exchanged silly jokes. Of course, they weren’t completely avoiding work.

“Ah, this is comfortable.”

Only Sonia was lying sideways on the sofa, yawning.

“I’m moved that you humans are taking the initiative in daily life, even if only occasionally.”

“Sonia, you’re going to be disposed of at this rate.”

One of the androids approached and told her.

Yet Sonia remained confident.

“I am exclusively assigned to Young Master Eidel. I won’t be kicked out for not doing what everyone else can do. Besides, with both of them working so hard, what room is there for a robot like me to interfere?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“By the 5th generation, we develop a sense of tact, Roland. What’s happening there is between humans.”

“You mean it’s a form of communication aimed at human-to-human interaction?”

“Yes. This is not the time for androids like us to interfere.”

“Then how about at least giving the master a shoulder massage?”

“…”

Sonia calculated for a moment before speaking.

“You have a point. Still, it would be better to wait a bit before doing that.”

Sonia rose from the sofa with a whoosh. Just then, the party preparations were complete. Luxurious food decorated the large table. There was enough to feed ten people with leftovers.

“Eidel, Seti. I didn’t know what you liked, so I ordered a variety.”

Zernya raised the corners of her mouth. It was aimed at Rustila’s mood.

“Come on, let’s eat.”

Eidel raised his glass. Not alcohol, but soda.

“To Seti and Rustila’s college admission!”

“Cheers!”

Clink!

The glasses collided.

As everyone gulped down their drinks, Rustila stared blankly at the bubbling carbonation. Her insides felt the same way right now.

Seti immediately started munching on popcorn.

“…”

She watched carefully.

A subtle but definite flash crossed the table. It would happen soon.

“Eidel, is it true that Zernya stayed at your house for two months?”

“Yes.”

Seti immediately poked Eidel in the side.

“I was going to tell you anyway. How this happened was…”

A coherent explanation followed. Rustila’s previously furrowed brow relaxed somewhat. Though she disliked Zernya, she had the clear vision to separate incidents and view them objectively.

“So it was because of the foreign gods.”

She pondered while cutting meat.

Using her mind’s eye, then her inner eye in sequence.

Her mental image certainly became clearer.

“I’m sorry for everything.”

Zernya put down her fork, stood up, and bowed her head.

“I’ve been reckless. From now on, I won’t pick fights with you or cause you any disadvantage. If you get into college, I’ll do my best as student council president to help with your school life next year.”

The “God of Truth and Falsehood,” newly contracted with Rustila, responded. That much at least was sincere.

It was perplexing.

“But there’s still something I can’t give up.”

That statement was also true.

Both girls’ gazes turned to Eidel. Eidel had a pleased look.

“Rustila, I really vouch for her. Zernya is different from before. I’d like it if you could at least not dislike her.”

“Oh, okay. For now…”

“Wow, that’s really great. Wow.”

Wondering what was going on, Rustila used her mind’s eye once more.

[— Cannot read mental image due to unknown barrier]

She couldn’t read Eidel’s inner thoughts. Rustila’s bewilderment swelled like a water-soaked sponge.

Meanwhile, Rustila was soon able to identify the constellation residing in Zernya.

[“Deneb? Is that really you?”]

[“My goodness. Who do we have here? It’s been a while?”]

Rustila’s main star “Vega” and Zernya’s main star “Deneb” were old friends. This is called proximity or star-knowledge.

[“What on earth happened? Deneb, you were always so picky about choosing contractors.”]

[“Yes. I’m still picky. Is it easy to find a child who’s skilled in medicine, has a good personality, and is perfect in everything?”]

[“This is really great, Rusti. Deneb and I have the crowd-star effect. You’ll be stronger when you’re with this girl!”]

Crowd-star, simply put, is a stacking buff.

In gaming terms, Vega is offensive, while Deneb is supportive. When acting together with someone who has proximity, you receive additional effects such as increased sword energy power or faster aether charging. This can be proven by modern physics’ “proximity entanglement effect.”

“Oh, really?”

Zernya received a similar message. She smiled and extended her hand to Rustila.

“Let’s get along from now on, Rustila.”

Rustila’s arm stiffened.

Crunch, munch.

Seti and Eidel chewed on popcorn.