I don't want to be his wife. Even the Rheinland surname was too much for Ireh, who came from a frontier planet.

Instead, I thought I could remain as his office wife for life.

That made sense, since we shared the same field of study.

The job market for physics, especially particle theory, is narrow. Nine out of ten graduates must abandon hopes of working in their field. Most available positions are limited to professors or researchers.

That's right.

If I could reach the upper echelons of the industry, I could continue working with Eidel.

Discussing theories, writing papers together.

Could there be a more wholesome and satisfying relationship?

I wouldn't even need to worry about Zernya and Rustila's disapproval. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.

"This way, please."

After being seated at the table, we ordered our meals. Though quite expensive, Eidel told me to order whatever I wanted. After hesitating, I chose the cheapest option.

While waiting, I casually brought up a topic.

"Do you have your paper with you?"

"Of course I do. Why?"

"I'd like to ask you about a few things."

At these words, Eidel's eyes sparkled like crystals.

"You're always welcome to. What are you curious about?"

"Nothing special, just wondering if my thoughts are correct."

The topic Ireh raised was about the Aether Belt.

If gravitons decay into aether and pron, then according to conservation of momentum, the two particles must move in opposite directions.

This means that when gravitons in a certain space simultaneously decay, one particle should gather outward while the other gathers inward.

Assuming prons concentrate at the galactic core while aether gathers at the outer rim, this would explain the current aether-pron distribution in the Federation galaxy.

"That's a sharp deduction."

Eidel smiled after hearing my argument.

"This theory certainly explains perfectly why outer gods inhabit black holes and why the Aether Belt exists."

That wasn't all.

By simultaneously applying CP violation phenomena, we could also prove why pron levels are high in border regions.

"This essentially solves a series of cosmological challenges that have remained unsolved until now."

Ireh felt a thrill at Eidel's confirmation. It was the satisfaction of having her deductions validated.

"I think we could publish another paper with this."

"Then you should do it right away! Before someone else takes it!"

"Yes, but this isn't something I should do."

Eidel pointed at Ireh.

"Ireh, you should make this your first thesis topic when you enter graduate school."

"Me...? You're not going to do it?"

"It's an interesting topic, but it's unrelated to graviton bomb production. I can earn academic achievements in other areas, so I'll leave this part to you. It will definitely help your career."

I'll leave it to you.

It will help your career.

Eidel's words pointed to a single possibility.

"...del."

"Yes?"

"Do you really think you can secure a professorship by next year?"

Tap, tap. Eidel drummed his fingers on the table and shifted his gaze.

"I'll have to make it happen somehow."

"I really hope you do. That's the only way I can... work under you."

"..."

"Why are you looking at me like that? You promised before."

"No... it just feels new hearing you say it."

Eidel's expression brightened. He poured wine into a glass and declared confidently.

"I will definitely secure the position next year. I'll take full responsibility for bringing you along, Ireh. So don't worry."

"...Okay."

Taking full responsibility for me—could there be any words more joyful than these?

As I thought about this, I couldn't help but laugh. Somehow, I seemed to be becoming more like Eidel.

"Your order has arrived."

"Thank you. Is there anything else you're curious about?"

"Many things. The second is..."

The heated discussion that began continued until the end of our meal.

This was enough for me. I could talk with Eidel without interference from other women, laugh, and feel strong satisfaction and happiness.

Truly, I believed this was the perfect position for me.

However, she overlooked one fact.

She wasn't the only woman by Eidel's side right now.

[— Warning: The God of Wisdom and Curiosity shows discomfort toward you.]

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity uses "Faint" on the God of Patience and Integrity.]

[— Your pron resistance is weakened (+50%), and you will receive additional mental damage (+25%) from Descartes' Forces attacks.]

"Ugh!"

"What's wrong?"

"Suddenly, my head..."

In the middle of cutting meat, my vision blurred. It felt like my mind was thrown across the galaxy while my body remained here.

Like a sailboat wandering distant worlds, Ireh's consciousness momentarily touched a space before being pulled away.

["Insolent woman."]

A warning voice pierced my ear.

Ireh pressed her temples against the sharp, throbbing pain.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah... just a moment."

Fortunately, the pain subsided quickly.

Ireh gathered her thoughts. The outer god that had just attacked her was the God of Wisdom and Curiosity, Cartesia.

Strange. Even though Cartesia was an outer god, she had been a neutral entity who never harmed humanity until the very end in any timeline.

Why would such a being suddenly harm her like this?

Ireh could only wonder about this unprovoked attack.

***

["Our mental bodies are composed of massive prons. That's why we're vulnerable to aether. Just as you humans are vulnerable to antimatter."]

Why? Cartesia had suddenly become talkative.

Unlike usual, Cartesia was specifically pointing out her species' weaknesses. This was practically revealing classified information.

There was so much new information that I needed to concentrate. She raised her voice, changing her intonation.

["Consider using this for that weapon you're making. It will surely yield interesting results."]

I couldn't understand this constant flow of information. Was she saying I should hurry up and kill her since I had my doctorate and sufficient ability?

Even so, I was worried. Even if I made the graviton bomb, I wasn't sure if I could fire it at Cartesia.

We've been together for five years already. That's more than enough time to grow attached. It would be right to part ways for humanity's safety, but well... I'm not sure.

"Sigh."

"Are you still dizzy?"

"I told you I'm fine."

I supported Ireh as we left the restaurant. She kept staggering, making me think all her accumulated exhaustion had hit her at once.

After letting Ireh rest on a bench, I received a call from Seti.

[Hey, did you get it?]

"...I did. From now on, address me as Dr. Rheinland."

[Oh, Dr. Rheinland.]

I heard snickering over the phone.

[Is this really the same delinquent Eidel I knew? You've changed so much. You really never know where life will take you.]

"Anyway, did you make the Sonia dummy?"

[Somehow. I made it identical in every detail, so absolutely no one will notice. I'll send it over soon, so give it to the government people when they arrive.]

After this, Seti and I discussed various matters. Most were about money and degrees. Seti also asked for academic advice.

Apparently, some professors were trying to persuade him that a master's degree would be enough, so he asked my opinion.

I advised him to pursue a doctorate.

I'm a good brother.

After hanging up, I checked on Ireh's condition.

"Are you still feeling queasy? Should we go to the hospital?"

"I'm much better now. I'm fine. I don't think we need to go to the hospital."

"That's good. Let's buy some headache medicine just in case. And you don't have to do the maid cosplay anymore."

"...Right."

After giving Ireh headache medicine, I laid her down on the lab's cot. She said she was fine, but resting well at times like this prevents major illness.

[— 'Rippling Rage' wishes to speak with you.]

Ah, this one again.

Rippling Rage, also known as Iron Fortress Sturm.

Since capturing the saint, Sturm had been trying to contact me more frequently. Of course, I never accepted.

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity blocks external messages.]

When one outer god already occupies your mind, no other outer god's polyhedron can form without the resident god's permission.

This makes conversation difficult. Dual contracts are also impossible without the territorial outer god's approval.

In such cases, outer gods sometimes dispatch avatar bodies.

"Hello?"

Just like now.

My head turned at the mechanical, alien voice. A girl sat by the window with her legs crossed.

She had an overall dark, rigid appearance. She wore a flagpole on her back and held trumpets in both hands. Her impression was like steel.

"You've been ignoring my telepathic messages, so I came to find you in person!"

The girl smiled brightly and raised her trumpet.

Toot toot toot.

With each floating musical note, the girl's form leaped. From the window to inside the lab. From inside the lab right in front of me.

She had stopped time and teleported.

A chill ran down my spine.

"...Matonica."

"Oh? You know my name?"

Of course I do.

This one is a named entity. An avatar body that fought evenly with Phosphorus, who burned Sonia. A terrifying monster who manipulates time through sound.

"Just as Lord Sturm said~! You recognized me immediately and even knew my name. You shouldn't be able to know that causally."

Matonica approached with a slithering motion.

Click.

Ireh, who had suddenly risen, pointed her gun at the avatar.

"...Get away from Eidel right now."

"Whoa, whoa, calm down. I didn't come to fight. I just want to talk."

Matonica is strong. She's on a completely different level from those who fall with a single slash from an Omega-class swordsman. Realistically, we'd lose in a direct confrontation.

The one fortunate thing is that, unlike the Darwin Forces, Maxwell's Forces can be negotiated with.

But conversely:

"Just because something isn't beneficial to your species doesn't mean you have to be hostile. Aren't we all part of nature? Let's respect each other and resolve this through dialogue."

They specialize in behind-the-scenes manipulation and betrayal.

I quickly organized my thoughts.

Fighting here means losing.

No, before losing, the lab would be destroyed. I'd rather become impotent for life than see my lab collapse.

The only answer was dialogue.

"What do you want?"

"I just told you. Our Lord Sturm personally sent you a message, but you didn't respond. Is it because of that half-baked moron parasitizing your head?"

"Half-baked moron?"

"Cartesia, of course~!"

Matonica changed her expression. Her tone dropped significantly.

"A woman abandoned even by her own kind."

"I'm sorry, but my patron deity is not a half-baked moron. Could you stop this pointless provocation and get to the point?"

"My, my, listen to how harshly you speak."

Starting a conversation with slander—this is why Maxwell's Forces are difficult to deal with. You need to stay more alert than with Darwin's Forces.

"Anyway, prepare to receive Lord Sturm. You took the human we were raising, didn't you?"

"I don't know who you're talking about."

"The saint, I mean the saint."

"Saint? Ah... that terrorist? I couldn't understand because you called her something different. So should I assume you were the ones interfering with my research?"

"Look at you talking back."

Matonica snorted.

"Let me restate the proposal. First, have a conversation with our holy one, along with the woman behind you. Then, return the saint to the Manus planetary system."

"And if I refuse?"

"A terrible calamity will befall you."

Tooooot.

As Matonica blew her trumpet, her figure vanished.

I remained seated and sighed.

Calamity, she says.

I've already endured all sorts of hardships. I wasn't sure what would happen, but I was confident I could withstand anything.

I informed Sonia and Rustila of this before trouble arose. Then, under their protection, I waited near a military base for my degree certificate to be issued.

However, even after half a year, I never reached my graduation ceremony.

"...Time."

It was being rewound at regular intervals.