Ch.173Zernya’s Melancholy (2)

To create a friendship between the two people, I brought up a common interest.

“Do you know about Ireh’s background star?”

“No?”

“It’s Altair.”

Altair, the Cowherd Star.

Along with Vega, the Weaver Star, and Deneb, the Magpie Star, it forms one of the three stars of the Summer Triangle.

“You’re familiar with the concept of constellations, right? The stars in constellations aren’t independent but networked together. When they’re bound by ‘central stars,’ they form stronger alliances…”

“I know about that. The three stars form a ‘triple star system.’ I heard they receive additional buffs when fighting against incarnate bodies.”

“That’s right.”

Rustila Kersil looked at Ireh Hazlen with curiosity.

“I can’t believe you were Altair all along.”

“…Didn’t I mention that before?”

“No? I never heard about it.”

Ireh tilted her head.

“Ah, that must have been in the previous cycle.”

“Previous cycle?”

“It’s nothing.”

Ireh muttered and sighed. Sometimes she couldn’t remember which information she had revealed in which cycle.

“Excuse me, Hazlen.”

“Please call me Ireh.”

“Ah, yes. Ireh, your constellation’s response is faint. My Vega barely seems to react either.”

This was the problem.

Stars that form a central star system should strongly recognize each other and interact. Yet Altair wasn’t responding to the aether waves emitted by Vega.

“It’s probably because the ‘Stelline’ is broken.”

“Stelline?”

“The line connecting stars. It’s a powerful communication network between constellations. Central stars are always connected by strong Stellines.”

In mathematical terms, a Stelline would be equivalent to an edge in a graph. The stars themselves are nodes.

Ireh’s constellation could be compared to an isolated node. The outer god had cut all the edges, completely severing all means of communication.

“How did that happen…”

“I was born and raised on a frontier planet in the east, teeming with outer gods.”

Ireh calmly unfolded her past.

The story of how she obtained her constellation. How she was soon infected by an outer god. How she struggled as much as she could, but ultimately failed and was imprisoned in Alcatraz. And finally, how she met me and was dramatically cured.

Rustila’s expression softened as she learned the details.

“That must have been difficult for you.”

“I’m fine now.”

Ireh looked at me as she continued.

“From now on, only good things will happen.”

“Yes. I hope so.”

Seeing the two girls smiling, I felt relieved too.

Yes, as long as the protagonist is happy, that’s all that matters.

Rustila asked, “Is there a way to restore the Stelline?”

“There aren’t many known methods at the moment.”

“You never know. If we maintain a good relationship, it might return to normal.”

The two hypothesized that the edge could be restored if they remained close friends for a long time. This was good news. We were gradually gathering cards to counter Laplace’s Forces.

“Shall we get to work? Please sit here.”

“Is that really okay?”

“Yes, I prefer the window seat anyway.”

Ireh gave up my adjacent seat to Rustila. She was aware of the subtle relationship between Rustila and me. In other words, she tactfully stepped aside to help us become closer.

Naturally, Rustila began to look at Ireh with favorable eyes.

I stepped back a bit to observe the laboratory.

Rustila diligently reading the manual, Ireh helping her, and Mezulen Hueritia just beginning to learn how to write papers.

“Everyone’s working hard.”

A smooth start.

Those who work hard deserve to be paid.

“Mezulen, thanks for creating the equipment manual.”

I decided to pay Mezulen first, who had started working earliest. I placed an envelope of money on her desk.

Mezulen’s eyes widened as she opened the envelope.

“Is this really for me?”

“Of course.”

“Wow, I… I’ve never earned money before!”

[— ‘Mezulen Hueritia’s’ Frown value has decreased by 50.]

“It’s best to earn money doing what you love.”

Money is the best short-term motivation. This will make Mezulen more interested in research.

But I didn’t have much money.

At this rate, my personal assets would soon be depleted.

I needed a sustainable source of income.

Fortunately, I had someone I could ask for help.

***

Seti von Adelbein Rheinland enrolled in the business department.

She was broadening her knowledge base by studying various disciplines.

She created portfolios for stock investments, managed real estate, and had already started building her own company.

And then.

“Hey, I paid it all off.”

She handed me a bill.

“What’s this?”

“Read it.”

Upon checking, I found it was the debt Eidel had accumulated from frequenting casinos.

It was all gone.

She had paid it off on my behalf.

For a moment, my thoughts froze.

“…Are you an angel?”

“Ugh, gross. Stop saying disgusting things.”

“No, it’s strange. What’s so good about me that you’d pay off all my debts?”

In the original story, even after Eidel was exiled to a frontier planet, Seti didn’t pay off his debts but was busy securing her own money. Plus, without a constellation that helped with economics, she couldn’t have accumulated this much.

“You think I did this for you? How funny. I’m doing this to become the family head.”

I see.

The family head takes most of the authority and assets of the Rheinland family.

It was her strategy to win favor with our father and the council of elders.

“So, why did you come looking for me, brother? Do you need to borrow money?”

“Something like that.”

“Oh, please.”

Seti scratched her head vigorously, messing up her hair.

I quickly added before she could get up.

“Sister, do you think I’d be irresponsible enough to just borrow your money? I’m here to make a deal with you.”

“A deal? You came for a deal? Should I hit you?”

“Now, now, sister. Let’s resolve this like civilized people. We’re both adults now, aren’t we?”

“You bastard. I’m still a minor.”

“Hey! ‘Bastard’? You shouldn’t use such bad language.”

“You’re making me use it!”

I understand why Seti is having a fit.

It’s not just because I asked to borrow money.

By now, Seti should be starting a major business venture to establish her position within the family.

“You started a company, right?”

“H-how did you know?”

“It’s written all over your face. ‘I’m the CEO, ahem.'”

Seti’s face turned pale.

Her secretly initiated plan had been exposed in an instant.

“Let me guess what kind of company it is. First, it must be in the medical field. The Rheinland family is renowned for medicine. If I were you, I’d be planning a speedy business item that encompasses the medical system.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“I just deduced it?”

I smirked as if I knew nothing.

“Don’t tell me I’m right?”

Ripples spread in Seti’s pupils.

How cute. She’s still a child after all.

“Anyway, you must need a lot of money. I understand. I’m not irresponsible enough to keep whining and asking you to lend me money one-sidedly.”

“But you were irresponsible!”

“I haven’t spent money frivolously since entering Academia.”

“Well, that’s true…”

Seti’s tone softened.

Now’s the chance to press further.

“Think about it, sister. For the past two years, I’ve been conducting research as a student. Research costs a lot of money. Especially at the beginning, when there was no government support. In such circumstances, could I have come this far without you?”

Seti closed her mouth.

It’s important to praise my sister more here.

I poured out my words, building momentum.

“Absolutely not. In the end, you’re practically the benefactor and major shareholder of my research. You might not know because you haven’t properly read my papers, but I always included your name in the acknowledgments. Thanking you for your investment.”

“Acknowledgments?”

“The page where we express gratitude to people who contributed externally to the paper.”

Seti let out a scoffing laugh.

“So you do know something.”

Good. She’s halfway convinced.

“But I really don’t intend to help this time. This year, with the family head selection, I don’t have any leeway either. You’re also aiming for the family head position, aren’t you?”

“Actually, no.”

“You’re lying.”

I really am not.

Why would I bother with something like becoming the Rheinland family head? I barely have enough time for research.

There are only a few benefits to becoming the family head. At most, my children would become direct descendants, and most of the family assets would be deposited into an account under my name.

And there’s also this saying:

With great money comes great responsibility.

“If I become the family head, I’d probably spend all the money quickly. The only difference is that my spending would shift from gambling to research.”

“So it’s right for me to become the family head?”

“Exactly.”

I, Eidel Rheinland, desire pleasure (research) without responsibility.

It might seem like a trashy mindset at first glance, but this is the best solution. I don’t want to be the family head, but I want research funding. Seti wants to be the family head and has the ability to grow money.

If we both get what we want, it’s a win-win.

“Even if I become the family head, I’ll give you the property rights.”

“…Are you serious?”

“The first thing I hate is gambling, and the second is lying. You know that?”

“What bullshit.”

She chuckled.

“So, you’re suggesting we join forces?”

“Exactly.”

“It’s not up to us to decide who becomes the family head. That’s for the adults to decide. Whether we like it or not, you and I have to compete as family members throughout this year. The discussion about asset distribution comes at least after that.”

“I suppose so.”

When the competition for the family head begins, the eldest son, Brian, will be the biggest obstacle.

He graduated from Stellarium Medical School and participated in the southern front as a medical officer, hoping to follow in our father’s footsteps.

He’s been building the credentials to lead the family business for a long time.

He’s bound to have strong support from the council of elders.

“If you want to turn the situation around, you’ll need as much investment capital as possible.”

Seti nodded.

“I can help with that.”

“How?”

“If you need investment capital, you should find someone who can invest, right?”

Cooperation? We can start that from now on.

Seti had the ability to grow money, and I had connections gained through research and student council work.