Ch.336Setting Up a Laboratory (2)

I came to my senses after Ireh Hazlen had already entered the house. And with a lot of household items, no less.

“Honey, what’s going on here?”

Zernya von und zu Trisha Adelbein snapped harshly. Perhaps because she had just heard what Sonia said, her tone was as cold as frost.

“Why did Ireh bring her luggage to our house? Don’t tell me she’s planning to live here?”

“W-wait, just a moment.”

This is strange. I clearly told her not to come. Why did she?

Still, she was a guest, and I couldn’t turn her away at the door. Even if I had to send her back, I needed to show at least minimal hospitality to avoid disgracing the family name.

“Sister, I told you not to come here. Why did you?”

“I wanted to commute with my little brother.”

“Is that really the only reason?”

Ireh Hazlen twisted her body as she spoke.

“Actually, it’s because of the research. The world has become dangerous again lately. East, west, and even here in the south… Just a week ago, you almost died.”

Ireh’s words could be summarized in one word: the greater good.

“I know it’s shameless to impose myself here, but I feel anxious if I’m not with you. When I think that humanity could face extinction if I don’t complete my research as soon as possible…”

She wasn’t wrong. In terms of efficiency, this made sense. The gravity bomb needed to be created as soon as possible.

If Ireh stayed at our house, we could save on living expenses and food costs, and she could protect me. Above all, we could discuss our work even right after waking up.

It’s a difficult decision. Regardless, Ireh is an outsider. If she commutes from here, unfavorable rumors will eventually spread.

Ireh blinked her eyelashes and asked.

“…Is it not okay?”

Rustila Kersil and Zernya sighed. They looked at each other and began whispering. Soon, both wives answered in unison.

“If it’s just for research… we don’t mind.”

“Really?”

“Normally this wouldn’t be acceptable either. But the country is in such chaos, and since it’s you asking, we’ll allow it. Yes… we believe you’ll keep your word, Ireh.”

Feeling guilty, I silently observed their reactions. At the same time, I was afraid. The resistance from my two wives was less than I had expected.

Zernya was one thing, but Rustila was usually sharp about these matters. There’s no way she wouldn’t have noticed.

“Honestly, why hide your true feelings over something so trivial?”

That’s when Cartesia emerged from the bedroom. She yawned and glanced at us. Then she pointed directly at Ireh.

“Black-haired woman, stop pretending.”

“What did you just say?”

“Stop pretending. I can hear everything you’re screaming inside: ‘I want to mate with Eidel too.'”

“Y-you, you just…!”

Ireh’s face turned bright red. My wives and I were also too shocked to speak. Cartesia chuckled.

“Humans are truly entertaining. They’re so fun to observe.”

Cartesia slithered over to my side. She wrapped her hands around my neck as if to strangle me. I felt a soft touch, but it was also chilling.

“Youngster.”

“W-what is it?”

“Congratulations on becoming a professor.”

Whoosh.

Cartesia blew into my ear. A warm, sweet scent like melted sugar tickled my nose.

“You haven’t forgotten that I saved your life last week, have you? It’s time to pay the price.”

The sin of owing my life to a foreign god was heavy. What she said next severely disturbed my wives’ feelings.

“Hey, youngster’s wives. Let me tell you something interesting. Ireh Hazlen and your youngster have progressed further in their relationship than you think.”

Watching Rustila and Zernya’s expressions distort in real-time, I thought:

Ah. I’m definitely going to get hit.

***

I was kicked out of the house.

“My son.”

“Yes, Father.”

“So you’ve gone and caused trouble again.”

“I’m sorry.”

“How did your cheek get so swollen?”

“My wife hit me.”

It all started with Cartesia. She suddenly exposed what had happened between Ireh and me.

– “They did the first step of baby-making at school. Of course, this was after the curse of lust was lifted.”

– “Shut up, foreign god. Stop lying. How could Ireh do something like that with our husband?”

Zernya and Cartesia began arguing. At first, Zernya didn’t believe it. She growled, trying to trust me.

But then.

– “It was a rainy evening. I saw it myself. Miss Ireh seduced the young master, and he succumbed to her advances and kissed her.”

– “Is that true?”

– “I have evidence.”

The situation changed drastically when Sonia projected the data from her memory onto the wall. That embarrassing scene from that day was vividly recreated. The expressions on Rustila and Zernya’s faces at that moment were truly remarkable.

And this was the result. I rubbed my stinging cheek and looked up.

“Congratulations on becoming a professor. But that’s one thing, and this is another. You already have two wives, yet you dare commit adultery? Did you truly not realize that what you’ve done could tarnish the Rheinland family name?”

“I was wrong.”

“Enough. There’s no point in scolding a grown man.”

Father waved his hand dismissively.

“I won’t scold you further, considering your past achievements. It’s your business, so handle it yourself.”

I could never tell Father that Sonia and I were already promised to each other, even though we weren’t married yet.

After leaving the medical school building, I returned to the science building. When I entered my personal office, Sonia and Ireh were standing there like folding screens.

“Young master.”

“Sonia, why did you do that?”

“Are you reprimanding me now?”

“No, it’s my fault.”

Sonia replied while pouring coffee into a mug.

“I judged it better to reveal facts that couldn’t be hidden forever. You need to focus all your efforts on the gravity bomb research, and I worried you wouldn’t be able to concentrate properly if you were constantly anxious about your relationship with Miss Ireh.”

“Hmm.”

She had a point. This was an issue I had been worrying about throughout my appointment interview. I let out a long sigh.

Ireh glanced around nervously, then placed something on the desk. It was an ointment. The packaging had a white daisy drawn on it.

“Zernya gave this to me. She said to apply it three times a day. And she’s sorry for hitting you so hard…”

“I’m the one who should be sorry. Please tell her there’s no need to apologize.”

Strangely, getting hit once seemed to clear the air. Ireh hesitated, then sat down in the chair opposite me and continued.

“Brother, I’m sorry.”

“You too, Sister. You don’t need to apologize.”

“But… I seduced you first.”

“It’s the fault of the person who gave in.”

“No…”

Ireh fidgeted with her fingers and lowered her head. Her voice dragged slowly.

“Ah, really. How did it come to this… I’m so strange, aren’t I? I put up such strong walls against other men, but then I do this with a married man… It makes me seem like I’m being cunning. I’m sorry.”

“Sister.”

No matter what, she was the protagonist of the novel I had read. I knew well how much she had suffered. I had always wanted Ireh to find some happiness.

To think that the condition for her happiness would be a relationship with me.

“Honestly, I’m flattered. No man would dislike knowing that someone as beautiful and steadfast as you has feelings for him.”

“Then…”

“But if my wives don’t allow it, our relationship can’t progress further.”

Ireh nodded. I continued.

“Let’s talk about this after everything is over. Until then, let’s maintain a teacher-student relationship. You are you, and I am me.”

“Y-yes.”

Dark clouds gathered on Ireh’s face. Still, she nodded repeatedly. I could see disappointment and sorrow in her expression.

Knock knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the office door.

“It’s the person we scheduled to meet. Open the door.”

When Sonia opened the door, a tall woman with chestnut-brown hair entered. An android that appeared to be her assistant supported her from behind.

The woman’s eyes were lifeless, like those of a ruined person. Ireh carefully stood up and made way for her.

“…Lord Rheinland.”

“Welcome, Lady Leblen.”

Imyur von Leblen.

The head of a major western family appeared before me in a miserable state. She looked so undignified that one could hardly believe she was part of one of the ten great families.

I seated Imyur and quickly exchanged greetings. I already knew why she had come here from our previous communications.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Please kill the foreign gods who murdered my son.”

“I will certainly do so.”

“You said it would require significant capital, right? Our Leblen family will provide support. We’ll inject funds through the Callisto Academy, so please use it when creating the gravity bomb or whatever it is.”

Imyur and I discussed specific amounts and schedules. Some details were originally classified, but I couldn’t withhold information from such a major investor.

“Thank you.”

After finishing our conversation, Imyur gave a decadent smile and stood up unsteadily. She left with the support of her android.

Knock knock.

“Excuse us.”

Next, two men in black suits knocked and entered. One was tall with solid muscles and a square jaw, while the other was an elderly man with suspected hair loss.

I knew who they were.

People from the government. The elderly man extended his hand first. As I shook it, he began to speak.

“Dr. Rheinland… no, Professor. Congratulations. I never dreamed you would become a full-time faculty member at Stellarium at such a young age.”

“Thank you. But your presence here means…”

“Yes. We have an urgent matter to discuss regarding the gravity bomb.”

I closed the door and seated the elderly man. He began to speak.

“By order of His Excellency, you are to be appointed as the chief director of gravity bomb development.”