Chapter Index





    Ch.306Iron Fortress Sturm (6)

    Miraculously, I had obtained permission from Rustila and Zernya, but my relationship with Sonia remained unchanged from before. Except for occasional moments, she still called me “Young Master” as usual.

    Of course, I had properly proposed to her.

    “Will you be my exclusive companion for life?”

    “But of course.”

    That day, I saw Sonia’s bright smile for the first time.

    I’m not sure how Sonia fell for me, or how I fell for her. Does falling in love need any special reason?

    I could only say that she was certainly worthy of respect, considering all her efforts to become human and to protect me.

    “I don’t wish to interfere between you and your two wives because of me. We can formally marry later, so please focus on your affairs with them for now.”

    After Sonia said that, even Zernya stopped grumbling.

    That concluded my romantic entanglements. Resolving to draw the line with any woman who might approach me in the future, I returned to university.

    ***

    A doctoral degree marks a new beginning.

    Researchers who receive their degrees typically enter universities or various research institutions as contract employees called “Postdoctoral Researchers,” or “postdocs” for short.

    I was no exception. Since there weren’t many places where particle theory specialists could find employment, my first workplace naturally became a university research institute.

    And today was my first day as a postdoc.

    Walking down the corridor that had become so familiar I could navigate it with my eyes closed, I came upon a door. A vulnerable door without any security devices.

    As I narrowed my eyes and reached for the doorknob, I heard three voices from inside.

    “It’s nice that Rheinland junior has graduated. Honestly, it was too scary while he was here…”

    “Hey, how can you say that about the family head? You’ll start rumors talking like that.”

    “Research was genuinely difficult, wasn’t it? I felt inadequate. Outside, we might be called geniuses, but being with a real genius made me feel powerless. I mean, who graduates in less than a year after entering?”

    “A monster, that’s what he is. Is he really human?”

    “The god of papers and graduate school.”

    “Heh, heheh. Oh my god.”

    “By the way, didn’t they say a new postdoc was coming?”

    “Should be today, right?”

    “I hope they’re nice.”

    They were clearly waiting for me. After composing my expression in the OUI-made mirror, I pushed the door open in an instant.

    The unlocked door opened as smoothly as if I were skating.

    “Hello.”

    “…”

    Ian, Frans, and Mercury. The three graduate students froze like statues when they saw me.

    One of them dropped their tablet pen. The fallen pen rolled toward me along the slightly tilted laboratory floor.

    “Hello.”

    “Ah, hello. Why is Junior Rheinland here…”

    “I’ve come as a postdoc. Let’s get along well from now on, shall we?”

    I had originally planned to go to a different research institute for experience, but couldn’t find a suitable place. As a theorist, the laboratory environment didn’t matter much anyway.

    Above all, I was worried about Ireh. If she started looking for another lab while I was elsewhere, it would break my heart.

    “Seniors.”

    I approached the three and put my arms around their shoulders.

    “There’s no need for formalities between us. Let’s be comfortable with each other and ask questions freely like before. Okay?”

    “Uh, huh?”

    “I look forward to working with you all.”

    I was dismayed to see the lab entrance without any security devices. When I asked what happened, they said it had suddenly malfunctioned and had to be dismantled.

    “Why didn’t you replace it?”

    “The lab needs m-money for that…”

    “I see.”

    To commemorate becoming a postdoc, I installed a new door lock for them. A high-end model this time.

    It was satisfying to see my former seniors so delighted.

    ***

    For a postdoc to evolve into a professor, achievements are necessary. At minimum, to avoid being rejected during document screening.

    So I began compiling the research I had accumulated thanks to Stuterm into papers.

    More than ten works were completed this way.

    I reviewed them and published them at intervals of a few days.

    The academic world’s response was fervent. Two of the papers exactly matched data recently released by the Eastern Basic Science Research Institute.

    The two papers were based on modeling the characteristics of gravitons and the physics inside black holes.

    The conclusion was simple. The phase change of paired gravitons could completely strip away residual entropy remaining in spin ice and similar systems.

    [This might not only trap aliens but potentially kill them as well.]

    Hopeful scholars began to offer such interpretations.

    This was my intention. Developing graviton bombs requires massive resources and manpower beyond even particle accelerator construction. Since I couldn’t do it alone, I needed to find many collaborators.

    Meanwhile, I also had to keep an eye on Stuterm’s movements.

    “Hello! I’m back!”

    On my way home from work one day, Matonica, who I thought would never appear again after fleeing that time, showed herself once more.

    She had occupied my spaceship and was sitting inside. This time she was holding a stringed instrument that resembled a violin.

    Rustila wasn’t there, but it wasn’t a problem. I now knew that Sonia was immune to the <Steel Orchestra>.

    As Sonia drew her calipers, Matonica adjusted her strings.

    KAANG!

    A majestic metallic sound pierced the dawn sky.

    “This isn’t necessary. I have no intention of fighting today.”

    “But the Young Master and I do.”

    “Don’t be so hasty. Killing me here won’t change anything. I’ve only come to give a warning.”

    Matonica deflected Sonia’s attack with natural force control, then used that instant to play her violin.

    As an ominous tone flowed out, the space gradually solidified. The spreading sound began freezing time from the periphery, eventually stopping all places except where we stood.

    “I’ve stopped time around us to prevent interruptions. Now, shall I tell you the shocking news?”

    “What, did you aliens form an alliance with the Queen I released?”

    “H-how did you know…?”

    “I expected it.”

    While the Queen is violent, she also has a simple and innocent side. I had considered that she might fall for Stuterm’s silver tongue and time repetition.

    The reason I still sent her away was because it was better than war breaking out.

    Currently, the aliens under the Queen were scattered across research institutes at various universities. If Stuterm invaded and turned even one university into a wasteland, there was a high possibility that Darwin’s forces would also cause chaos.

    Face two armies simultaneously?

    That would be suicide.

    Rather, it was safer to let the Queen and Iron Fortress form an alliance between themselves. As long as they maintained the form of an alliance, Stuterm, who had backstabbed her, would have to restore Aurore’s forces to some extent.

    Darwin’s forces and Maxwell’s forces didn’t get along anyway. Their relationship was like that of Shu and Wu in the Three Kingdoms period; before long, they would bicker among themselves and fight again.

    Therefore, it was better to bluff with Matonica here.

    “So what if they’ve allied?”

    “Aren’t you surprised? What could you possibly do if Stuterm and the Queen both storm in here at once?”

    “Let them come. This time they’ll be trapped together.”

    “How reckless. Anyone with a functioning brain would know that resonators and fish traps can’t block attacks coming from multiple directions. Oh, perhaps I’ve overestimated you?”

    “You’ve underestimated me.”

    Saying that, I casually boarded the spaceship. Sonia shouted something, but I had already taken the front seat.

    Matonica’s eyebrows twitched.

    “You… aren’t you afraid of me? I could kill you right now if we’re this close.”

    “Go ahead. Nothing changes if you kill me.”

    “Your family will wail in agony, and your blood relatives will die in a pit of fire. That’s enough.”

    “No, my family will be enraged, and my children will follow in my footsteps to create graviton bombs to destroy those who killed their father. That’s enough.”

    I started the engine and brought my face close to Matonica’s. Without blinking, I leaned in until the incarnated body recoiled in shock.

    She gritted her teeth and pointed her strings at me. Simultaneously, Sonia aimed her calipers at Matonica’s nape.

    Despite the tense atmosphere, my mind remained as calm as a lake.

    “Do you have any idea what situation you’re in right now?”

    “You’re the one who doesn’t understand.”

    I whispered in a low voice.

    “Even if I die, the research will continue.”

    “…You’re insane.”

    “To deal with madness, one must become mad too, don’t you think?”

    And finally, I warned her.

    “Tell Stuterm to be careful. What you gain by backstabbing can be taken away by getting backstabbed.”

    ***

    As Eidel had said, Matonica had no intention of confronting him today. She had planned to make him feel scared, then take revenge slowly later.

    But that smug feeling was gone by the time she returned to headquarters.

    “Stuterm!”

    Matonica reported everything that had happened to her alien without omission.

    After hearing the story, Stuterm finally reached one conclusion.

    “…We need several more years of preparation.”

    The needle of causality was pointing. If they disturbed him now, they would be sealed away along with Aurore.


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