Ch.208Polygamy (13)

Brian appeared, wearing a wrinkle-free gown and accompanied by Erica.

“Brother, are you feeling better?”

“I’m fit as a fiddle, brother.”

“You look much thinner since I last saw you. How about getting admitted for some tests?”

“I’m fine.”

“Even so.”

Would you please listen when someone is talking to you?

Of course, this sly fox probably isn’t just worried about me and trying to hospitalize me; he definitely has some scheme in mind.

“You were in the ICU just the day before yesterday. What if something serious happens?”

“Brother, I know my body better than anyone.”

“Don’t be stubborn. What are doctors for, then?”

“I’m backed up with research. I’ll get a health checkup on my own after I finish this.”

“Brother, you’re going to drop dead at this rate.”

Brian sighed, tapping my shoulder repeatedly.

“Let’s get you admitted for just one week. We’ll run some tests, and if there’s nothing wrong, I’ll discharge you right away.”

“One week?”

“I’ll let you read research papers.”

“…If you insist that much.”

It was obvious he’d keep pestering me if I refused. I might as well do it since it’s annoying.

A few hours later, I was admitted for testing.

“This way.”

“It’s quite spacious for a regular room.”

“I personally requested this room for you. What do you think? Clean, right?”

“Yes. It’s surprisingly clean inside.”

So that was his plan—lock me up here and monitor me 24 hours a day. What touching brotherly love.

After unpacking in the hospital room, I stacked papers on the side table and lay down. This would keep me busy for a week.

“What’s all this?”

“Research papers.”

“You could read them on a tablet. Why print them out like someone from the old days?”

Brian reached for the papers. I swatted his hand away and shook my head.

“Tsk, don’t touch them, brother.”

“Can’t I just take a look?”

“I haven’t read them yet myself, so you shouldn’t read them first.”

“Why not?”

“Would you feel good or bad if someone put their hands on your girlfriend?”

“…Fine. I get it.”

Brian turned his head with an expression that said he’d been had. Currently in the room besides me were Sonia, Zernya von und zu Trisha Adelbein, and Rustila Kersil.

“Who’s this friend?”

“Ah, this is Rustila Kersil, Seti’s friend.”

Brian’s brow furrowed. He whispered in my ear.

“With the evil bride here, bringing another woman into the room… Well, brother.”

Glancing at Zernya, I saw her face was several times more serious than usual. Brian nodded, but I cut him off.

“I know what you’re saying, brother. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything so there won’t be any problems.”

I immediately checked Rustila’s expression.

Thank goodness.

With her excellent hearing, Rustila must have heard what I said, but she remained calm without changing her expression.

She probably sensed something strange and was using her “inner sight” or “mind’s eye” to read Brian’s thoughts.

Then Brian handed me my previous EEG test results.

“See this? Last time, the conclusion was that your EEG patterns are closer to Descartes’ type. From what I can see, you seem to be mentally breaking down.”

“I’m not.”

“After visiting Alcatraz, you might not have external spirits, but there’s a high chance you’ve accumulated prons. If left untreated, it will definitely develop into a serious illness.”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“How can you be fine with test results like these?”

“The testing equipment must be broken.”

“For someone who does science, blaming equipment failures…”

“Because I do science, I blame equipment failures. Brother, do you know about lasers? Even a 1/100,000 second misalignment prevents lasing, so how would more precise equipment be any different?”

“Fine! I get it!”

Brian sighed, removing his glasses and rubbing them vigorously with a handkerchief.

“Anyway, we’ll retest you with better equipment.”

“When?”

“Well, the equipment is so good that it’s hard to book. Even I don’t know when a slot will open up.”

“I’m a royal. Don’t I get any perks?”

“Royal? Where did you learn to talk like that?”

“From Dad.”

“…”

“Actually, I heard it from my wife.”

I looked at Zernya with an exaggerated smile. Zernya shrugged. Brian held his head.

“Anyway, there are no special privileges, no matter whose son you are.”

“My partner says that’s all lies. She says people get to use it first under the table. Isn’t that true?”

“No. Absolutely not.”

He spoke so seriously that I pretended to believe him. There are many uncomfortable truths in this world that should never be spoken aloud.

Buzz.

A vibration sounded then.

Not mine, but Zernya’s.

“What is it?”

“Ah, my father wants me to return home immediately. Brother-in-law, would it be alright if I leave first?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Then excuse me.”

Zernya packed her bag and left. The timing was impeccable. Just as I arrived here, Zernya received a message.

I’m starting to get the picture.

Brian and Jerome must be working together, probably racking their brains trying to make me Adelbein’s son-in-law.

Right on cue, Brian checked the time and put on a serious expression like someone in a hurry.

“Sorry, brother. I need to go somewhere else. I’ll leave Erica here, so make good use of her. She’ll help you right away if you need anything or have an emergency.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Then I’ll be going.”

Now only I, Rustila, Sonia, and Erica (Unit 1, surveillance camera) remained in our room.

I gave Erica a meaningful look.

“W-what is it? Do you need something?”

“Unit 1.”

“My name is not Unit 1, but Erica…”

“Want to join our lab?”

“What?”

“New graphics cards are always welcome.”

Erica shook her head desperately, startled.

“I-I only serve Young Master Brian. Eidel, you already have Sonia.”

“Unit 2 follows me now.”

“I’m different from that one. Even if the sky falls, I only have Young Master Brian.”

What impressive loyalty.

Unlike Unit 2, she hasn’t been betrayed, so 25 years of devotion wouldn’t just disappear.

“Fair enough.”

“Thank you for understanding. Is there anything else you need?”

“Hmm, could you be quiet?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m going to study now, so please be quiet.”

Being hospitalized didn’t mean I couldn’t research.

I interacted remotely with professors while waiting for my examination time. Soon, Brian returned to inform me of the testing schedule.

***

Rustila, who had been watching Brian, felt a chill from his few words and used her “inner sight” and “mind’s eye” in succession.

And she could tell.

That Brian was a person whose outside and inside were different.

While pretending to care for Eidel, he was actually the one who guarded against and hated him more than anyone else.

He might fool others’ eyes, but he couldn’t fool Rustila’s.

“Your condition isn’t good. You should either rest at a spirit sanctuary or correctional facility for a while, or undergo pron removal surgery.”

Though his attitude was kind, his intentions were deeply impure. He was trying to diagnose Eidel as mentally ill to strip him of his position as family head.

It was shocking and infuriating.

The position of family head was already decided, but fighting like this would surely throw the Rheinland family into chaos.

As his future wife, she wanted to help Eidel.

It was then that she felt a vibration near her wrist.

[It’ll take about five days for me to return there.]

A text message came through her smartwatch.

The sender was… Zernya.

Five days? She has to stay that long?

Rustila, who was secretly happy at the thought of having Eidel to herself, came to her senses with the next message.

[Take good care of Eidel while I’m gone.]

Something was strange.

Take good care of him?

That proud Zernya sending such a message to her, of all people?

[What’s going on suddenly?]

[Didn’t you feel it earlier? The brother-in-law trying to get rid of Eidel. Something serious could happen if we’re not careful.]

[I felt it too.]

Through all their fighting, the two had come to know each other well.

Their personalities, weaknesses, and trigger points.

Especially regarding Eidel’s health and safety, the two became extremely sensitive and united.

[I’m asking you because it’s you. I won’t say much. If something is about to happen, protect Eidel.]

[I understand.]

After sending a brief reply, she organized her thoughts. Rustila repeatedly mulled over what Ireh had said before.

– If Eidel dies, both of you are done for.

That was right.

They should fight when there are no other threats, not constantly claw at each other when it would accomplish nothing.

Now was not the time for petty jealousy fights.

Paradoxically, it was time for rivals to join forces.

Buzz.

Another message arrived.

[If I’m right, the brother-in-law will suggest ‘pron excision surgery’ to Eidel. It’s a new surgical method that hasn’t been verified yet. If he suggests it, you must stop it.]

[How?]

[Resonator. If there are remnants left by Descartes or Maxwell system external spirits, insist on using a resonator. If that doesn’t work, at least try to delay the date as much as possible.]

After sending a message saying she understood, Rustila looked up. Brian, who had completed various tests, was explaining the diagnosis results to Eidel.

“Even after testing with the new equipment, we got the same EEG results. There’s no choice now. Let’s have you rest at a spirit sanctuary for a while, then decide whether to do pron excision surgery.”

“Brother, I’m telling you I’m fine.”

“Many people with mental illness say that. And what did I tell you? You might be fine now, but if you don’t get surgery in time, something serious will happen later.”

“Will I die?”

“Yes.”

“Then I should get married quickly.”

“You can do that step by step after surgery and recovery. You’re only around twenty, why are you thinking about dying young?”

Eidel’s brow furrowed.

“By the way, pron excision surgery? That’s craniotomy, isn’t it?”

“How do you know that?”

“My wife told me.”

“You’re misinformed.”

“So excision surgery doesn’t involve opening the skull?”

Eidel was indignant.

“If you open my head and make a mistake with the scalpel, I’ll become an idiot and won’t be able to write papers. I have four projects in progress, and if even one fails, you’d better be prepared to face execution from your professor colleagues.”

“The young master is right. If something happens to him, you’ll be making enemies of the entire natural science community.”

Sonia chimed in. Brian grabbed the back of his neck. He took a deep breath and tried to calm them down.

“It’s okay. Excellent surgeons will perform the operation. Who are you? The head of the Rheinland family. We’ll make sure there are absolutely no mistakes.”

From that statement, Rustila confirmed two things.

First, the selection process for the Rheinland family head was not yet complete.

Second, Eidel was currently in danger of potentially suffering severe brain damage. And at the hands of his own brother.

This was too much.

Even though they were brothers…

Of course, there was a possibility that Eidel was genuinely suffering from an external spirit attack.

If so, that external spirit must be removed at all costs.

A benevolent external spirit?

How could an external spirit ever be beneficial to humans?

After all, Rustila herself had lost her home planet because of external spirits.

Her thoughts spiraled.

Anyway, what she needed to do now was clear.

“Excuse me.”

Above all else, she had to prevent anything happening to Eidel’s brain.

“Rather than pron excision surgery, how about trying treatment with a resonator?”

Rustila raised an objection, just as Zernya had instructed.

[“What is that woman babbling about now?”]