Ch.246The Universe’s Strongest Maid (4)

I woke up and was checking my mailbox when Sonia appeared.

With a constellation in tow.

Looking completely disheveled.

“What’s this?”

“I picked it up on the way. It’s a fragment of Virgo. Oh, you mean my clothes? To explain, it’s a long story.”

I don’t even know where to begin with this.

Sonia told me the truth without hiding anything.

It was lengthy, but to summarize in one sentence:

“You made a contract with an outer god to protect me?”

“That’s correct.”

“Why didn’t you discuss this with me?”

“Because I thought you would oppose it, young master. It’s fine. This outer god seems different from others. It was concerned about your well-being.”

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ frowns at the unilateral actions of its avatar.]

Cartesia had made Sonia its avatar.

My head hurts.

If there’s any silver lining in this misfortune…

If she had been enthralled by an outer god other than Cartesia, the situation could have become unimaginably serious.

Sonia knelt before me.

“If I, Sonia, ever become a burden to you, please dispose of me promptly. The head of the household ordered me to take good care of you, young master, and if I cannot do that, it would be better to abandon me here.”

In my anger, I flicked her forehead.

“Ouch.”

“That didn’t even hurt. Anyway, just try mentioning being abandoned in front of me one more time. Then I’ll use you solely as a graphics card until the end of your lifespan.”

“You’re already doing that plenty.”

“You always have to have the last word.”

I sighed as I looked down at Sonia.

Her maid uniform was covered in sand, and her hair was stiff in places. Her face, hem of her skirt, and ribbon showed burn marks. She looked terrible.

“What kind of avatar did you fight against…?”

“Its body was like a crane with ostrich legs, and it had a beak split vertically. It had territory-claiming abilities and threatened to fillet me, but thanks to the constellation here, it ended up becoming the chicken instead.”

The constellation.

Virgo of the Virgin.

Its second fragment, ‘Devotion,’ was standing right behind Sonia.

This fragment specializes in electric techniques and is particularly good at roasting Darwin-type avatars to a crisp.

An unexpected gain. I never thought I’d obtain this before the Great War.

[— The ‘Fragment of Devotion’ looks at you in bewilderment.]

[“This is impossible. How can a human coexist with an outer god?”]

“Well, I suppose it’s possible.”

[“No, it’s not possible.”]

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ shows signs of discomfort.]

The fragment continued.

[“This, this is truly impossible. Normal humans can’t even withstand being possessed by an outer god!”]

“I guess I’m not a normal human.”

[“This defies analysis. I need to develop a theory to explain this anomaly as soon as possible…”]

“Theory? Theeeeory?”

I rummaged through my drawer and pulled out several sheets of paper.

Research on the neural networks of constellations and outer gods.

It was the only unpublished paper among the four I had written while researching Darwin-type crystals.

“I’ve already formulated a hypothesis that comes closest to that theory. What do you think? If you can read human writing, would you like to take a look?”

[“What? What do you mean…?”]

“Please review it.”

In other words: getting my paper peer-reviewed by a constellation.

After somehow reading my paper, Virgo repeatedly asked if I was insane, and I nearly got struck by lightning, but Cartesia gave a warning look and I survived.

Not that it calmed Virgo’s anger.

[“You dare, you dare to do this to Spica? This is atrocious! You deserve the judgment of the stars!”]

“But she prevented me from marrying Rusti.”

[“So what?”]

“She got wrecked.”

[“The alpha star of Virgo?”]

“Yes.”

The Fragment of Devotion grabbed the back of her neck.

[“…You, a human, really did that to my sister?”]

“Whether constellation or outer god, it doesn’t matter. I can do such things for the one I love.”

It might have been delusion or nonsense.

But to put it differently.

Devotion.

This fragment couldn’t help but be confused.

It was caught in a dilemma between the value it holds most dear and sisterhood.

The Fragment of Devotion literally values devotion to others. In other words, only the Fragment of Purity was obsessed with purity.

“Young Master Eidel was hospitalized for two weeks after inventing that technique. It was because he had been overworking himself for months. Constellation, will you still view the young master negatively after knowing this?”

[“T-that…”]

Devotion didn’t answer.

Instead, she changed the subject.

[“First, I need to meet this person you call your wife.”]

***

Purity and Devotion.

The two fragments met.

[“Sister, what on earth happened? Why has your way of thinking changed so much?”]

[“I realized that marriage has nothing to do with maintaining purity. Since my emphasis on virginity was meant to protect the contractor from Darwin-type outer god attacks… isn’t it enough just not to lose purity?”]

[“Sister!”]

The Fragment of Devotion couldn’t hide her shock at the changed appearance of the Fragment of Purity whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Of course, that’s all.

The two fragments cannot influence each other.

After all, each of the 12 zodiac constellations was formed not as a single constellation but as a coalition.

[“Sob… It’s okay now. I’ll be with my sister from now on.”]

Unlike Purity, the Fragment of Devotion was still within the bounds of normalcy.

I thought this would be good enough to give directly to Rustila.

Just as I was about to speak:

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ urges for data from the ‘Fragment of Devotion’.]

“Huh?”

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ believes the ‘Fragment of Devotion’ will be helpful for its research.]

Cartesia’s research, huh.

I don’t know what it is, but as a fellow researcher, I can’t ignore a colleague’s request.

“Rusti, I’m sorry, but would it be okay if I keep this constellation for about two days?”

“Why? Oh, are you worried something might happen like last time?”

“That’s part of it. I also just came up with a good research topic.”

More precisely, it’s Cartesia’s topic, not mine.

“Okay, I understand.”

Rustila gave her permission readily.

Well, when you’re married, you naturally pick up on these things.

[“Wait a minute, you’re going to use me as a research subject?”]

“Yes.”

[“Go ahead and try. I’m a free entity. The crystal is already broken, so what device could possibly contain a constellation?”]

“There is one.”

[“Of course it’s impossible. I’ll make a contract with your wife to protect both my sisterhood and observe your parasitic relationship. So stop talking nonsense… Wait, what did you just say?”]

“I said it’s possible. To contain you, constellation.”

Just in case, I had brought Eidel’s mini laboratory (carrier).

Click.

When I unlocked it, a bundle of papers and inventions were revealed.

[“What… is that?”]

“A fish trap.”

***

[— You have acquired the (Very Rare) title <Partner of an Outer God>.]

[(Benefit: -50% Pron consumption in transactions with outer gods)]

[— You have acquired the (Legendary) title <Are You Even Human Anymore>!]

[(Benefit: Always applies <Fear> effect to hostile targets)]

I wonder what someone from the Holy Spirit Church would say if they saw this scene.

They would probably point fingers at me, calling me insane.

But I understand.

The sorrow and grief of a researcher unable to pursue their desired research. The taste of cigarettes and alcohol that people drink when their government proposals get firmly rejected.

So I help someone conduct the research they want. Even if that someone is an outer god, if they share my intentions, I naturally extend my hand.

In the scientific community, there are no borders or species distinctions.

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ feels favorably toward you.]

[— The ‘Fragment of Devotion’ screams for help.]

No matter how high Virgo’s rank might be, it’s nothing compared to Cartesia, who is classified as a supermassive black hole.

“Is it really okay to leave the young master alone with your patron deity?”

“My patron deity enjoys bondage. It won’t go beyond that.”

“…Ah, I’ve experienced that.”

“You too?”

“You as well, young master?”

I sighed.

Having just returned to the laboratory, Sonia was in terrible shape. After recalling her account of fighting with Petel, I offered some advice.

“Don’t overdo it.”

“I will give it my all.”

“I just told you not to overdo it… Anyway, you need to wash up and change clothes first. What kind of state is this?”

“I’m ashamed, ah!”

Sonia exclaimed in surprise.

“W-what are you doing! Don’t hold me!”

“I’ll take you to the bath.”

“I can do it myself!”

“I can’t let a maid who fought so hard suffer more.”

Since Sonia had caused me worry, I was planning to tease this devilish maid. Sonia showed signs of embarrassment, struggling more than I expected.

She really seems human.

If she were a real person, I might have fallen for her.

“Ah…”

“What?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired.”

Is she running out of battery? That doesn’t seem to be it.

It’s obvious, but androids are waterproof. I brought Sonia a change of clothes and told her to wash up.

Then, Sonia made an unexpected request.

“If it’s alright with you, would you bathe me, young master?”