Ch.73Restraint

A subtle undercurrent flows through the air.

Rustila met my eyes briefly before looking past my shoulder. Though invisible, she was likely engaged in a staring contest with Zernya.

Hmph. I heard a snort near my ear.

“Eidel…”

“You mean Zernya? She got badly injured by an avatar. That’s why I carried her all the way here.”

Zernya bit my shoulder again. She must consider even this a weakness. I couldn’t tell if the intensity had decreased or if my senses had dulled, but it didn’t hurt much.

I set Zernya down on a nearby bench and asked, “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m fine.”

Both girls answered simultaneously.

Zernya and Rustila frowned at each other. Please, you two. Don’t fight here.

I first checked Rustila’s complexion. She seemed to have recovered from her Aether depletion, as her color had returned significantly.

The serious case right now was Zernya, not her.

“What do you mean ‘fine’? Give me your right arm.”

I lifted Zernya’s arm and rotated it. Though the swelling in her hand was gradually subsiding after the avatar’s death, it still needed careful attention.

Just as I was about to examine it more closely, Zernya yanked her hand away.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Why?”

“Being in contact with you makes my condition worse.”

She’s really talking nonsense.

Maybe I shouldn’t have saved her? But then again, I probably would have regretted it forever.

“If you’re fine, could you move? I’m tired.”

“What’s that, sparrow? I’m more tired than you. There are plenty of other benches, so go over there.”

“Don’t you see the inspectors resting on the other benches? You’re really selfish. You don’t have even a speck of consideration for others.”

I had been closing my eyes to organize my thoughts when I looked up at the sound of them arguing. The kind and polite Rustila was picking a fight with Zernya.

“You need to learn some humility.”

“…Humility. Ha!”

This is driving me crazy.

I stood up, unwrapping a candy Rustila had given me before, and gestured to her that she could sit in my place.

Yes, both of them need rest, so I should be the one to get up. I still had mountains of tasks to complete anyway.

[— Quest completion reward has arrived.]

I’ll start with this.

[— Although one was directly eliminated by the ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity,’ we would like to reward you for defeating three avatars and for your donation of 30,000 coins with the following package.]

[— <Cartesia’s Spine-Tingling Neural Set >3<]

What is this?

I checked the contents with equal parts expectation and nervousness.

There were four items in total.

[1. Calipers of Wisdom(A)]

[2. Organization]

[3. Irregular Polyhedron Flavored Star Candy(X3)]

[4. Star Charm containing Cartesia’s Hair]

First, the ‘Calipers of Wisdom.’ Originally C-grade, it had jumped two levels to A-grade. When I briefly summoned it, I noticed it had grown longer with improved ruler precision.

It could now measure down to the picometer level, and I could confirm that both physical and mental damage when attacking avatars had greatly increased.

Next, ‘Organization.’ Simply put, it’s a magical item that resets Fron levels to zero. This would definitely be useful.

Then, ‘Irregular Polyhedron Flavored Star Candy.’ It contained three pieces, each increasing the consumer’s maximum Fron capacity by 500.

Finally, ‘Cartesia’s Hair.’ It’s actually a charm… but I’m not sure what it’s for. It’s even sealed, so I can’t tell what color the hair is.

[— Notice: Outer Gods have a habit of gifting parts of their true form contained in objects to those they favor.]

Come to think of it, I think there was such a setting. It was mentioned just once and quickly passed over.

Well, why would an Outer God favor any human?

“We’ve made contact with Ship 4!”

A communications officer shouted. Far away, Ship 4, which had deviated from its orbit, had been located and communications established.

“Tell me the details. Naiere, my wife, is she safe?”

“Yes, Naiere is reported to be safe. Everyone else is relatively unharmed as well.”

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

“However, the ship has sustained serious damage. The avatar was one that possessed the ship itself, so they had trouble destroying its core. Apparently, an android that was with them played a crucial role.”

“An android? Well, I understand. So we have no choice but to go rescue them directly.”

Soon, crew members were recruited to rescue the refugees from Ship 4. Isaac and Kibel were among them. Several inspectors, including Enabet, would watch over us.

Meanwhile, doctors treated Zernya, and I was preparing myself mentally.

With the inspectors gone, a long bench was now vacant. Thanks to that, I could sit more comfortably.

For about a few seconds, that is.

“Eidel, let me borrow your shoulder.”

Uncomfortable being with Zernya, Rustila moved close to me and rested her head on my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes and looked at the bench where Zernya was. Having gained a spacious bench, she had completely laid down and was glaring at me.

“You look like a homeless person doing that.”

Rustila burst out laughing.

“Are you done talking?”

Zernya frowned, got up, and staggered over to our bench.

Plop.

“What are you doing?”

“Borrowing the other shoulder.”

“Didn’t you just say you were fine?”

“Being tired is a separate issue.”

“Then lie down here. Rustila and I will go back to that bench.”

“I don’t want to be called homeless.”

This situation has become strange.

Both of them were truly exhausted and soon fell fast asleep. While snoring sounds came from both sides, I heard the sound of military boots approaching from the front. It was Inspector Enabet, an EX-class inspector.

“You’re really crazy.”

“Pardon?”

Suddenly?

“You, you, you youngster with the ink barely dry behind your ears, how can you already be so popular with girls? When you’re at Academia, you should just study, just study. Time flies when you’re dating.”

“…”

“Seriously.”

What on earth is this person talking about?

Isn’t that how it should be?

***

The crew members who had left on the relatively intact Ship 2 for rescue operations returned. It had been about 40 minutes since their departure.

As I was nodding off, a shadow fell over me.

“Young master.”

A familiar voice. A chilling tone.

I slowly raised my head. An apron stained with what looked like black ink, but was actually avatar blood. Next, colorless eyes. Finally, my personal android with a navy blue bob cut.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

Sonia was standing there.

Sonia slowly detached the deeply sleeping Rustila and Zernya. Then she grabbed my wrist and yanked me hard. She pulled so forcefully that I almost dislocated my shoulder.

“Your personal android has been fighting desperately to keep your sister alive, and this is what you do? Creating a cozy atmosphere with two girls? Do you think you’re a king or something?”

Her words were several times sharper than usual.

In truth, I didn’t send the two girls away because I was also tired.

I thought this level of closeness with Rustila, my close friend, was fine, and I didn’t want to wake her up since she must have been exhausted.

As for Zernya, she was already self-centered, so I didn’t want to fight by provoking her.

But if I said this, Sonia would—

—just tell me to stop making excuses.

And then beat me up.

She sighed and spoke.

“Since the situation is urgent, I’ll save the discipline for later. Right now, we need to worry about Miss Seti.”

Bella, my sister’s personal android, stood in front of Sonia holding Seti. Bella hung her head like someone who had committed a crime, tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m sorry, young master. I’m so sorry…”

“Doctors examined her on the way, but her Fron level is too high to go to the Spirit Sanctuary. To be frank, it’s time you start preparing yourself.”

Looking at my sister’s pale face, I clicked my tongue.

“Who decides that?”

Who are they to say whether my sister lives or dies? She’s only sixteen. A vibrant youth with more days ahead than behind.

[Seti von Rheinland: 990/1000]

I’m really glad Rustila is asleep right now. Otherwise, it would have been another flood of tears. I need to end this before that happens.

Among the items I received as quest rewards, only two were useful.

The ‘Organization’ item that could reduce a person’s Fron level to 0.

And the ‘Irregular Polyhedron Flavored Star Candy’ that increased maximum Fron capacity by 500.

Looking at my sister’s face, the former would be the right answer, but I chose the latter and let it dissolve in her mouth. The star candy began to take effect as it melted in her mouth.

[Seti von Rheinland: 990/1500]

Breathe in, breathe out.

Her labored breathing began to stabilize.

“This is, how…”

“What are you doing? Hurry and take her to the Spirit Sanctuary!”

The paramedics hurriedly left with Seti. At the sound of people bustling about, Rustila and Zernya rubbed their eyes and woke up almost simultaneously.

“Uncomfortable.”

“Just a little longer.”

Thud, thud. The two attached themselves to my shoulders again.

As I was sighing, Instructor Isaac and Deputy Kibel, who had successfully completed their mission, approached me.

And beside them stood a man clearly dressed as a legal professional. He carefully asked Isaac and Kibel:

“Is this the person?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then I’ll prepare.”

Swoosh.

Something was presented before me. Even without reading a few lines, I could tell what kind of document it was.

“Eidel von Rheinland. The Federal Government considers you a suspect of being possessed by an Outer God, and judging there is a risk of flight, we are placing you under arrest in accordance with the Federal Criminal Procedure Act.”

As soon as those words fell, Rustila and Zernya’s eyes snapped open. Both girls jumped to their feet.

“What do you mean by that?”

Sonia also looked at the man with displeasure. Her tone was colder than any voice I had heard before.

Regardless. The man continued reading the official document bearing the seals of the executive and judicial branches, adding:

“You’ll need to come with us to Planet Alcatraz.”

So it’s finally happened.

But it didn’t matter. No, it was actually good.

Because.

This was the best possible situation I had been hoping for.