Ch.251The Great Invasion (4)

Ireh trembled. She covered her mouth with her hand.

“Midhruma already…?”

Midhruma was the Queen’s direct avatar. Though considered weak among the Queen’s forces, it ranked among the strongest avatars overall.

A moist light glistened in Ireh’s eyes. Seeing her excitement made me feel elevated too.

“Is… is that an avatar corpse?”

“Did that person do it?”

“Can’t you see the rank insignia on the shoulder? It’s black! That’s an Omega-rank knight!”

“Impossible. She looks so young!”

The researchers chattered endlessly. This was the moment Rustila’s name began to spread.

Rustila’s eyes suddenly grew anxious. She seemed to be searching for someone. I stepped forward with my hand raised.

“Rusty.”

“Ah, Eidel!”

Rustila rushed to me in a single stride. The coldness in her eyes instantly vanished. I embraced her and spun around in place. People’s gazes were drawn to us.

Rustila looked up at me with concern. Her beauty remained stunning.

“I heard the lab was attacked too. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine. Thanks to Sonia and Ireh’s help, nothing dangerous happened.”

“Sonia and Ireh…”

Rustila’s gaze shifted beyond me. When I turned around, Ireh was smiling and waving her hand.

Rustila waved back. They still seemed to get along well.

“Anyway, I’m glad you weren’t hurt.”

Rustila and I shared a brief kiss before separating.

“I’m still on duty, so I need to go. See you later.”

“Okay.”

I sighed as I watched her leave. I wished we could have stayed together longer.

Just then, I overheard soldiers whispering.

“Is that really the same person as before?”

“Her demeanor is completely different…”

“She only shows that side to her husband. I’m jealous.”

No matter how fierce she might be, this was surprising. How exactly did she fight to make her fellow soldiers react like that?

“Is anyone injured or in discomfort?”

Military doctors filled the space the soldiers had vacated. Medical volunteers were also visible. They checked the research staff for injuries.

Among the doctors was a familiar face. Her beauty was particularly striking. Not just her prettiness, but her white hair and grape-like eyes set her apart from others.

It was undoubtedly Zernya.

“That person, Adelbein…”

“Shh.”

Everyone seemed to avert their eyes as soon as they saw Zernya. The Adelbein image had been in ruins for a long time. Only very distant relatives had escaped punishment.

I was concerned. Whenever people avoided those purple eyes, I worried Zernya might become dejected.

I quickly moved toward her.

“Honey.”

“…Is that you, darling?”

Zernya remained expressionless upon seeing me. That was just at first glance, though. The corners of her mouth were subtly quivering.

“I heard the lab was attacked too? Not that you’d be hurt, knowing you.”

“Not really, nowhere.”

“Still, I should examine you just to be sure.”

Zernya felt around my body.

“Look, your palm is a bit swollen.”

“Now that you mention it.”

I had frantically beaten a monster to save Professor Feynman. My palm must have been strained from that. Still, it wasn’t serious enough to need treatment.

“This will heal on its own.”

“But it’s better to heal faster. Here, take this.”

Zernya handed me an ointment.

“Apply it three times a day. Use a cold compress if it swells too much. If it doesn’t improve, come find me. You know there’s a general hospital over there, right? I’ll be doing my practicum there for a while.”

“Thanks, Zenya.”

“Oh, and I think there’s another place that hurts.”

“Where?”

“Seems like it’s around your face. Come closer.”

I did as Zernya said. Closer, closer, closer. She urged me to reduce the distance. We were so close our noses almost touched.

And then, the next moment. I felt something soft like jelly.

Zernya wiped her lips and smiled mischievously.

“Lovesickness treatment complete.”

Zernya waved goodbye and left. She was still on duty too. She couldn’t just stay looking at me.

Watching her disappear into the crowd, I felt a lingering sense of regret.

“Well, well.”

Seti chimed in.

“Kissing both your wives in public like that. Did you have to rub salt in our wounds to feel better?”

“I can’t help it. We can’t even be weekend couples. At least let me have this much.”

Seti shrugged.

Meanwhile, Ireh rubbed the bridge of her nose and avoided eye contact. Her cheeks were flushed red. She seemed embarrassed.

Finally, Sonia’s expression was frozen like plaster.

***

Several days passed.

The Queen’s forces attempted invasions daily. However, Rustila and other knights joined forces to repel them. In just one week, she alone had taken down ten avatars.

It was an exceptional achievement. Rustila had now reached complete mastery.

People unanimously praised her. Her reputation was steadily building. Along with this came good news.

“Congratulations on your early commission, Major Rustila von Rheinland.”

Naiere Clarke installed rank insignia modules on Rustila’s suit. Rustila suddenly became a field-grade officer.

“The military academy has nothing left to teach you. You’ve proven you can fight in harmony with active-duty soldiers right away. With this, you’re now a proper knight and officer.”

“Th-thank you, Your Excellency.”

Rustila saluted. Seeing this, the corners of my mouth turned up involuntarily.

Everything was happening faster than in the original story. The great invasion. Rustila becoming an officer. Research progress.

I felt I needed to work hard too.

Naiere said:

“Omega-rank knights start their commission at field-grade. Not just anyone gets this, actually. Rustila, your case is very special. Just like how your husband will theoretically earn his doctorate next year.”

“Like Eidel… you mean.”

Rustila looked at me and smiled broadly.

I saluted Naiere.

“Thank you for always treating my wife well, Commander.”

Naiere was the defense commander of the Pastel planetary system. She was also the mentor who guided Rustila on the path of knighthood. I couldn’t thank her enough.

“Thanks to you, I can focus on my research with peace of mind. I truly appreciate it.”

“No, not at all.”

Naiere smiled bitterly. She fiddled with the sword at her waist as she replied.

“We’re the ones who benefit from scientists. The swords supplied this time are each exceptional. Without the improvements, we would have been in serious trouble many times. The head of the house has saved many soldiers’ lives.”

I nodded with a smile.

I had accomplished much during this time.

Weakened the momentum of the foreign gods with the trap.

Created a makeshift Aether Belt with crystal antennas to neutralize the madness as much as possible.

Upgraded the Plasma Sword to enhance the combat power of the entire unit.

None of this was done by me alone. I had help from numerous scientists. Without them, I couldn’t have done anything.

It wasn’t my achievement, but humanity’s accomplishment.

“Then the Major and I will be going now. I hope the head of the house conducts good research.”

I saluted the two returning to their unit. After experiencing wartime conditions, I understood. Soldiers were truly valuable.

Then I too should do what I can.

Just as soldiers have their duties, scientists have theirs.

“Sonia, has the central government made any announcements?”

“Yes, young master. The central government has established a restoration headquarters, pledging to focus all efforts on repairing the Aether Belt. Over 300 elite scientists and more than 500,000 companies have already joined.”

“They’ve already done that much?”

“Yes, they’ve even finished budget allocation. Besides the Rheinland family, there have been many private donations. Would you like to see?”

I took the list and checked it.

Sonia was right. Not just the ten great houses, but countless unnamed people had contributed what they could. The list ran to at least tens of thousands of pages.

After confirming the final amount, I felt a glimmer of hope.

This might actually be completed within three months. Sonia continued speaking.

“The chief researchers are coming here now.”

“…Why are the chiefs coming here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“What’s obvious?”

“Because you’re the director, young master.”

“What?”

“Pardon?”

Sonia tilted her head.

“You didn’t know? You’re the project’s chief director.”

“I’m just a graduate student though?”

“You’re also the head of the largest house in the south, aren’t you?”

Knock, knock, knock.

Hearing knocks at the door, Sonia hurried over. When the door opened, about a dozen scientists were standing there.

Coincidentally, all familiar faces.

“Hello, Rheinland boy~! We’re here!”

“Ah, Mom! I told you to stop doing that embarrassing thing!”

A mother and daughter greeted us cheerfully. Their distinctive dark green hair was characteristic. I froze stiff.

“Director Hueritia?”

“Director? I’m now a chief researcher for the restoration headquarters.”

Former Director Angela Hueritia. Someone who should have been in prison had somehow appeared here. And with her daughter Mezulen, no less.

“Thanks to you, Rheinland boy, I was released recently. I wasn’t supposed to be able to research anymore, but circumstances changed. From today, I’ll be helping with your research.”

Angela giggled.

“And I’ll also help build up my daughter’s credentials for graduate school!”

“Ah, Mooooom!”

A smile formed on my lips.

The Hueritia mother and daughter.

Being able to utilize these two, who were Darwin system specialists in the original story, could only be considered incredibly fortunate.