Ch.199Polygamy (4)

The research results were successful.

Researchers, of course, enjoy the process of writing papers, but they feel true pleasure when they see the world developing in a better direction because of their research results.

Especially if someone they care about benefits from that research.

Just like now.

“I love you.”

Rustila Kersil emphasized repeatedly.

“I love you, Eidel. Really.”

Saying “I love you” was the most universal expression of affection.

It was a cliché expression like boilerplate code, but being short and simple, there was no ambiguity in the meaning it conveyed.

Especially when a young woman says it to a man her age.

It was nothing less than a phrase as sweet as sugar and as thrilling as salt.

“Eidel, I like you. I’ve loved you all along. I really wanted to tell you this…”

Rustila’s eyes alternated between scanning me and the empty space. Soon after, she let out what seemed to be a sigh of relief. She must have been checking the reaction of her virgin constellation.

She continued speaking.

“I’ve been anxious. What if you go to someone else instead of me? What if I’m left alone?”

She rambled.

“Oh, s-sorry. What am I saying? I don’t even know myself! Ahaha…”

Rustila trailed off, scratching her flushed cheeks.

“Anyway, what I want to say is… if you’re okay with it! You know!”

Even this stammering appearance was cute and lovable.

The way she rotated her ankles or twirled her side hair with her fingers while nibbling on her cherry-colored lips made her look like a maiden on her first date.

I smiled and stood up.

“Rustila.”

At this point, when we already knew everything about each other, what was there to hide?

“I love you too.”

Right after saying those words, I grabbed Rustila’s waist and pulled her close.

Rustila didn’t reject my touch. Rather, as if drawn by a planet’s gravity, she naturally leaned her upper body against mine.

Thump.

Our chests touched.

“Ah…”

At the same time, Rustila exhaled hot air.

I could feel two contradictory sensations along with a warm and cozy feeling.

Firm, yet soft.

The body of a soldier who had trained diligently had elasticity, yet also had the appropriate amount of body fat as a woman, making it soft like pudding.

Additionally, the plump feeling against my pectoral muscles stimulated my instincts as a man.

I had been in a half-asleep state due to lack of sleep for at least a few months. Just this slight embrace made my blood rush and my mind clear up.

This was enough.

It was time to say what needed to be said.

“Rustila.”

“Yes, Eidel.”

“Be the co-author of my life.”

***

Despite confessing, having the confession accepted, confirming each other’s feelings, and pressing their bodies together, there was no complaint from Virgo.

The only penalties given were a slight pleasant pain in the heart and quickened breathing.

“Co-author?”

“When I get older, I’d like to write an autobiography or memoir. I want to write it with you.”

“That means…”

Eidel answered with a smile.

What was there to say? It meant he wanted her to stay with him for life.

For other women it might not mean much, but for Rustila, who had been writing papers with Eidel, it was a heartwarming confession.

“Of course, Professor!”

Rustila smiled broadly and hugged Eidel.

My man.

He’s my man.

I won’t give him to anyone.

I absolutely won’t let anyone scoop him away.

“Hold my hand.”

Eidel interlocked his fingers with Rustila’s without hesitation.

Even though Eidel was a bookworm, he had a basic physique. The roughness and hardness she felt when holding his hand confirmed it was definitely a man’s hand.

Along with that, she felt the ring.

The ring that came with his engagement to Zernya.

How nice it would have been if this ring were her wedding ring.

Though she felt regretful, she didn’t show it. For now, don’t think about anything else and just focus on Eidel in front of her.

As she fiddled with the hand of the man who had just confirmed his feelings for her and become her boyfriend, Rustila casually asked.

“So we’re day 1 from now on?”

“What are you talking about?”

Rustila was surprised.

She hadn’t expected Eidel to question this.

“We should count from the day you contracted with the virgin constellation.”

“…Ah. Right.”

Eidel was correct. Originally, Rustila had planned to confess to Eidel then, and if necessary, go all the way.

“It’s already been over half a year.”

“Indeed.”

“Time flies.”

Back then, Eidel had asked her to wait for 8 years. But she never expected that in just half a year, he would complete research that could offset the disadvantages of the 12 constellations in this way.

Honestly, it’s an impossible speed.

Come to think of it, when she first examined him with “Mind’s Eye,” she confirmed that Eidel had an outer god attached to him…

Could it be.

“Eidel.”

“What?”

“Do you still have an outer god in your head?”

“Uh, um?”

Eidel scratched his head as if troubled.

“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“No, it’s okay.”

Eidel sighed and confessed.

“Since it’s between you and me, I’ll tell you specially. Yes, it’s there. But it’s a good kid that doesn’t give dirty quests. It’s close to a constellation, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

“R-really?”

“Really.”

“Let me check for a moment. Ugh!”

The result of observing with “Mind’s Eye” after a long time was devastating. The outer god was still coiled around Eidel’s head. Rustila grabbed her throbbing head and staggered. Her occipital lobe felt like it was about to burst.

“Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine. I can handle this much.”

Looking into the mind of someone contracted with an outer god using Mind’s Eye is essentially self-harm. It’s like directly observing the outer god’s main body.

Fortunately, thanks to the protection of the constellations, Rustila’s mental strength wasn’t greatly reduced.

“By the way, a good kid?”

Rustila looked at him in disbelief. Eidel stared blankly into space. After a while, his expression slightly frowned.

“The kid is a bit annoying though.”

“D-don’t tell me. A quest?”

“No.”

Eidel waved his hand.

“It’s throwing a tantrum.”

“Outer gods throw tantrums too?”

“Actually, it’s more like a threat. But not very threatening.”

What could the outer god be saying that made Eidel laugh it off? And what kind of being was Eidel to be able to coexist with an outer god?

It was suspicious, but she couldn’t jump to conclusions. There was an unpleasant aftertaste. What if something serious suddenly happened? Outer gods are untrustworthy beings.

Still, there wasn’t much she could do right now. Rustila felt helpless. She tried to change the subject back to the original topic to lighten the mood.

“Anyway, today is our 181st day, right?”

“Looking at the date, it’s a little less than 200 days.”

“So let’s say 190 days?”

With Eidel agreeing to that, the period they had been dating became well over six months. This was earlier than when Eidel got engaged to Zernya.

Rustila inwardly rejoiced.

I won.

From now on, she would forever be Eidel’s first woman. Yes, his first and last woman.

But even with this, she couldn’t help feeling dissatisfied.

In other words, they had been dating for nearly 200 days, but all they had done was hug and hold hands.

Meanwhile, Zernya had been carried like a princess and received a kiss on the cheek at the engagement ceremony.

While rolling around in bed might still be too much, she needed to progress at least further than what Zernya had done.

“Eidel.”

Rustila called her boyfriend’s name with a nasal tone.

Eidel seemed to understand the subtle difference in tone and smiled gently.

“Rusty, I have a gift for you.”

“A-a gift?”

Not only had her name changed to a nickname, but he had even prepared a gift.

Her chest fluttered as if she were riding off-road.

Could it be a ring?

“Wait a moment.”

Eidel went into a separate room and soon appeared with a large box.

The elongated rectangular box made it somewhat predictable what might be inside.

“Want to open it?”

Rustila tried to calm her pounding heart as she unwrapped the packaging layer by layer.

And what appeared was.

“A sword?”

It was a Plasma Sword with an impressive sea-blue blade contrasting with its ink-black handle.

The entire blade had crystals deposited on it, and the guard section was equipped with the latest combat assistance module.

It was clearly an expensive item.

“H-how much is this?”

Quite shocked, Rustila unconsciously asked a materialistic question.

The answer was unexpected.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“It’s not on the market. Currently, this is the only one that’s been made.”

“That means…”

Eidel nodded.

“It’s a Plasma Sword made by directly applying what I researched this time. It should have about 50% more output than regular high-end products? Testing is complete, so you don’t need to worry about stability.”

Eidel added.

“By the way, it’s from the Stronium brand.”

“I-is it okay to give me something like this?”

“Rusty, I’m giving this to you because it’s you.”

Eidel smiled kindly. Rustila blushed with joy but desperately shook her head.

“No. I didn’t confess to you to receive something so grand! I just, purely like you…!”

“So you don’t die.”

“…”

“The ‘End’ is approaching soon. If you die while fighting, I can’t live either. That’s why I’m giving you this gift.”

Eidel gestured for her to take the sword. His kindness was so warm that she couldn’t refuse.

Rustila slowly lifted the hilt of the sword.

It’s light.

Whether it was made with new materials, it felt sturdy yet put much less strain on the wrist than what she had been using before. Even in such small details, she could feel Eidel’s consideration for her.

She liked it more than any gift she had ever received.

“Thank you, Eidel. Really, thank you.”

Tears welled up. It was true that love couldn’t be valued. She would cherish this Plasma Sword until the day she died.

Eidel shrugged and said.

“Want to try it out?”

“Here?”

“Just putting in some Aether.”

Rustila nodded. She concentrated and lightly started the sword.

Woooong!

As soon as the charging process began, the Aether on the blade surface began to polarize with fierce momentum.

“Wow…”

The output felt different.

The Aether trapped in the crystal was creating reinforcing interference, emitting a more intense roar.

“How is it?”

“It’s amazing. Light. Fast charging time. High maximum output, and the waveform is stable too.”

“Lifetime A/S, customer.”

Eidel joked. Rustila, who had stopped the operation, put down the sword. Then she dove straight into the space between Eidel’s chest.

An attack faster than light.

Eidel froze in place, unable to move.

“Rustila?”

Eidel was flustered.

And so was Rustila.

Why did I suddenly dive in?

Even while having such awkward thoughts, her three-inch tongue unconsciously rolled, combining the necessary words.

“I have a wish. Can I tell you?”

“Anything.”

“Then…”

Rustila placed both hands on Eidel’s collarbone. Eidel, who had regained his composure, didn’t even blink.

Only then did Rustila consciously understand her actions.

What she was about to do.

Rustila slowly stood on her tiptoes.

Timidly, yet proudly.

Smooch.

She pressed her lips against Eidel’s mouth.

It wasn’t a sensual or brain-melting atmosphere like mixing tongues. Really, just touching and rubbing lips.

It was innocent. Since both were virgins, they had no experience coming this far.

She was clumsy, but Eidel was even more so, which made Rustila feel relieved as she inhaled Eidel’s breath.

Carefully separating her lips, Rustila said.

“Allow me.”

“What?”

“To call Seti ‘miss.'”

At that moment.

Thud, thud, thick books fell and rolled on the floor. The sound came from right behind.

Rustila was still holding onto Eidel’s shoulders. In that position, she just turned her head to the side.

There stood Zernya.

“…”

“…”

Her expression looked unprecedentedly stupid. Rustila flinched for a very brief moment but soon smiled leisurely.

Eidel also discovered Zernya. He seemed to have frozen in thought. At that moment, Rustila carefully interlocked her fingers with Eidel’s left hand.

Slip.

With skillful hand movements, she removed the ring with the purple diamond. Carefully placing it on the desk, Rustila violated both of Eidel’s cheeks in turn.

Smooch, smooch.

After stamping kisses on the left, right, and center in a 3-step pattern, Rustila flicked her tongue and glared at Zernya.

After a few seconds of silence.

Zernya’s lips parted.

“What the hell are you doing.”