Ch.278Bioroid (1)

The First Step to Creating a Graviton Bomb.

The discovery of the graviton.

The reason why gravitons, which had been predicted long ago, hadn’t been discovered yet was simply due to money.

The capital and technology required for discovery didn’t justify the economic benefits.

Of course, with so many social problems in the world needing solutions, spending money to find a single particle would have been madness.

But now things are different.

A legitimate reason for discovery has emerged.

“In this recent war, we learned one thing: to defeat the Outer Gods, we must understand them well. Understanding the Outer Gods means understanding black holes, and the starting point for understanding black holes begins with gravitational theory.”

I was currently making my appeal to the National Assembly.

“I petition you to allocate budget for the construction of an interplanetary circular particle accelerator to discover gravitons.”

I was essentially asking for research funding.

And a lot of it.

“At least thousands of trillions?”

“It could cost even more.”

“No matter how you look at it, that amount of money…”

The representatives collectively groaned.

“The war just ended, and there are many places where money needs to go. This requires careful consideration before making a decision.”

The representatives were politely refusing.

I understand.

But this research absolutely must proceed.

To prevent humanity’s extinction, and also for my doctoral dissertation.

I had prepared a response anticipating this answer.

“Stronium and several other companies have promised to support the development of commercial particle accelerators. With government subsidies, we could proceed more efficiently.”

“Are you saying you’ll assign it as a corporate project?”

“If it’s difficult to make it a national project, that’s the plan.”

Research led by private companies is similar to government-led research but with a different texture.

It’s focused on maximizing profits.

Historically, corporations have an excellent nose for money.

“Hmm.”

“Well, this is…”

Several representatives caught on and rolled their eyes.

“Even though the war has ended, the Outer Gods haven’t disappeared from this universe. Humanity can only persist if we completely eradicate them.”

“Can that be accomplished within a generation?”

“We must begin in our generation to make any progress. Please remember: strengthening basic science is the way to take care of people’s livelihoods.”

“…Hmm.”

After calmly expressing my opinion, I left the assembly.

A few days later.

I received news that the first R&D budget for graviton discovery had been approved.

***

After that, I spent an incredibly busy time.

I visited Stronium to explore sites for building the particle accelerator and reviewed Ireh’s research papers.

My discussions with Professor Feynman also increased.

“…We just need to find a particle with spin 2 that satisfies the following conditions. The methodology itself has already been established.”

“So with enough capital, we can discover it quickly?”

“Of course. Experimentation has lagged far behind theory until now.”

The paper I’m going to write is simpler than expected.

Discover, organize the data, and report.

“There will be thousands of co-authors.”

In cases with many authors, a primary author is sometimes not designated. In such cases, credit for the research is shared among all participants.

“Using this for a graduation thesis seems a bit insufficient.”

“No, student. This is more than enough.”

Professor Feynman waved his hand.

“Because you’re special.”

I mentally reviewed my schedule.

The year was already entering its second half. If I discover gravitons this quarter, I can graduate next year and devote myself fully to graviton bomb research.

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity sparkles its eyes.]

However, currently only Ireh and I know about the existence of graviton bombs.

To inform everyone, I need to hint at the related theories to the world in advance.

“Let’s end today’s discussion here. Eidel, read this paper and let’s talk again tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

I returned to the Rheinland main residence after a long time. I had dinner with my family there and then went to the master bedroom.

“Eidel.”

“Honey.”

Rustila and Zernya wriggled their way onto the bed. The three of us lay together on the bed for the first time in a long while.

Rustila and Zernya glared at each other with disapproval but said nothing. They rested their heads on my arms.

“Zernya, you said you applied for leave, right?”

“Yeah. It’s getting hard to move around. Ah, it moved!”

Zernya giggled as she caressed her belly. Rustila made a sulky face and said:

“My child should be growing well by now too.”

“You mean the one in the artificial womb? How pitiful. Separated from its mother.”

“That’s not true! I visit every day these days!”

“Oh, is that so? But isn’t the bigger problem after birth? The baby needs to be breastfed, but not a drop will come from your ‘virgin’ body.”

“T-that’s…”

“Can’t be helped. I’ll have to take responsibility and nurse your child too.”

Zernya smirked.

Rustila trembled with frustration. Then, as if struck by a good idea, she linked arms with me. She blinked her long eyelashes and sent me suggestive signals.

“Eidel, it’s been a while…”

“Hey, stop that. What’s with the seduction?”

“Why not?”

“Did you already forget our rule about doing bedroom activities together, all three of us?”

“Then we can do it together, can’t we?”

“Can’t you see I’m pregnant right now?”

“You can still do what you can do, right? If you’re tired, just go to sleep first.”

“Tsk.”

The war ends, and this starts again.

Somehow watching the psychological warfare between my two wives feels more draining than fighting the Outer Gods.

“Fine, I’m sick of arguing with you like this anyway.”

“Whatever.”

Still, it wasn’t as extreme as before.

The effect of our triangle relationship, plus the mutual grudging affection they developed while enduring hardships together.

It was happiness enough to have these two, who once seemed as immiscible as oil and water, resting their heads against me.

I’d be a rotten person if I cheated on such wives.

I stroked both their heads and said softly:

“Let’s rest now. I’m tired.”

“Eidel, you’re the one…”

“Why are you still looking at papers even here?”

The two suddenly became prickly.

“You tell us to rest together, but all you do is papers, papers, papers. It feels like you spend more time looking at papers than at us.”

“No, I need to read this and discuss it with my advisor tomorrow…”

My words were cut off. Rustila and Zernya leaned in with frowning faces.

“The war is over, can’t you just look at us for one day?”

“Right. We feel neglected.”

“Do you know how much we struggled on the battlefield to protect you? Look, I was a major in peacetime, but now I’ve been promoted to colonel. How difficult must the war have been for me to become a colonel at this age?”

“I’ve treated over a thousand patients. I experienced Aether depletion multiple times while pregnant. I received lots of extra pay because of it, but my body isn’t comfortable, sigh.”

Rustila and Zernya exchanged glances.

“Hmm, thinking about it, you’re not getting away with this today.”

“Prepare yourself.”

I didn’t even have time to say congratulations on your promotion or thank you for your hard work.

My two wives dove under the blanket and started removing my pants.

“W-what are you two doing!”

***

Professor, I’m sorry.

When I came to my senses, it was morning.

I don’t think I can finish reading the paper.

I’ll just understand the abstract and conclusion before attending, so please be understanding.

“Ugh.”

My head hurts.

As a bonus, my lower body feels weak, as if my energy has been drained. Turning my head to both sides, I saw Rustila and Zernya sleeping soundly with satisfied smiles.

Just then, the door opened and someone entered.

“Young master, it’s time to wake… oh my.”

It was Sonia. She frowned and slowly approached.

“You look very tired. Are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine at all. Judging by the situation, I can guess what happened…”

“No… nothing happened…”

Sonia rolled her eyes.

I got dressed, leaving my two soundly sleeping wives.

Damn, going to work even on a holiday. What a wonderful job being a graduate student is.

“What about my parents and Seti?”

“They’re still sleeping.”

I went to the living room and sat down. Sonia started preparing food. Meanwhile, I read the paper. The sizzling sounds were pleasant to my ears.

Clatter.

Sonia put down a plate and sat across from me.

“Please eat.”

“Ah, thanks. But you’re eating too?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s not… but you used to say getting energy from food was inefficient.”

“Did I?”

Sonia smiled enigmatically.

After the meal, Sonia handed me my bag. Our hands touched. Her body temperature seemed unusually high.

“Sonia, are you sick?”

“No.”

“Then why do you feel feverish?”

“Perhaps you’re the one with a fever, young master?”

Sonia stood on her tiptoes and placed her hand on my forehead.

I wasn’t mistaken. Her touch was warm. At this point, I sensed that Sonia’s condition was different from before.

“You’re not malfunctioning, are you?”

“Who knows.”

Just as I was about to seriously question her, I noticed two large opened boxes in the corner of the living room.

“What’s this? Packages?”

“Yes, they’re mine.”

“What did you order?”

“Would you like to know?”

“Sonia, I’m your master. Shouldn’t a master know what his maid purchased?”

“Then I’ll show you.”

Sonia smiled slyly and lifted the hem of her skirt.