Reunion in Eden
Kyubey's eyebrows twitched briefly, as if Dahgon's reaction intrigued her, but she didn't press the matter. "Your back must be hurting for more than just sitting, I imagine? Hohoho."
"Haha. Nothing escapes your eyes, sister-in-law."
"You've become quite close with Jadin."
"Treat him well. He's a good man. And you, young master, take good care of my sister."
"Rest assured. Elisha is someone I cherish deeply."
After a brief exchange of small talk, they moved on to the main topic.
"Is the atmosphere in Tarykin really that bad?"
"It's a complete cauldron of madness. If anyone so much as looks like a capitalist, their entire family gets wiped out."
"They don't even spare children?"
"They're killing pregnant women. Why would they make an exception for kids?"
Killing even innocent fetuses... Humans consumed by madness are no different from monsters. How cruel.
"Do you know what that delegation said when they came? They openly claimed that Eden should embrace socialism and become a paradise for the workers."
"That's going too far. Every nation has its autonomy, and there's such a thing as international courtesy and mutual respect."
"Oh my, our Elisha speaks so well. You seem sharper somehow?"
"I'm steadily upgrading the AI."
"Is it all right to say that in front of him?"
"Jadin already knows I'm a doll and an AI. I told him as proof that we're close."
"Yes, we've shared quite a bit about each other."
Jadin, who had been quietly listening, wrapped an arm around my waist and spoke. Responding to the signal in his gaze, I gave him a quick kiss.
"Since I've formed ties with sister-in-law, who is Lord Havid's wife, and with Elisha, my sister, I consider myself part of Eden now. You can trust me."
"Huhu. You seem quite reliable."
"You can speak casually. You're my woman's older sister, after all."
"Oh my~ Shall I?"
The two laughed and chatted, their relationship growing noticeably more comfortable. From Kyubey's reaction, it seemed she had deliberately sent Jadin along with Havid to forge a connection with me. It was only a guess, but given Jadin's bloodline as the prince of Daviwana, I couldn't help but wonder if there was some ulterior motive.
"So I told that shameless delegation straight out. As a neutral nation, Eden has the right to autonomy and freedom. I warned them not to meddle in another country's internal affairs so presumptuously."
"As expected, you're straightforward."
"I wish you could've seen their faces turn red as they trembled, unable to respond. What a shame."
"So the delegation left quietly?"
"They got angry, calling us a reactionary state. Said we were an evil nation that doesn't recognize workers' rights? Ridiculous."
"Do they not know how Eden treats its workers, or are they pretending not to?"
In Eden, workers have the legal right to fair compensation for their labor, medical support for work-related illnesses or injuries, and guaranteed rest so they don't work more than ten hours a day. Compared to other nations, Eden has relatively well-established legal and institutional protections for workers. Hearing such accusations against a country like ours was absurd.
"Anyway, since we can't communicate with them, we have no idea what they might do. If they go mad enough to declare war on Eden, we'll need to prepare. That's why I called you back in a hurry."
"You should understand why we returned so quickly, given how well things are going in Xenuma."
"I already explained the situation to Maria's beloved husband. Lord Teo understood."
Come to think of it, not being able to meet Lord Teo before leaving was a bit disappointing. Before he became Maria's husband, he was someone I rather liked. I had wanted to see him in person and ask how he was doing.
"Still, from Xenuma's perspective, they might actually welcome Tarykin's current situation, as it secures their rear. Thanks to the Tarykin incident, neither Kensers nor Ryuzan can focus on Xenuma."
"Our Elisha really has gotten clever. Coming up with thoughts like that on your own."
Kyubey looked at me with a proud gaze and marveled.
'Strange. Does the difference feel that big to you?'
'I've told you over and over, I don't feel any difference. Think of the pre-upgrade Elisha and the post-upgrade Elisha as different beings. It's easier that way.'
'But the memories are the same?'
'I regularly organize the memory data, so even the memories aren't completely identical. Just accept it comfortably.'
'Hmm, well, I'm still me, so it doesn't matter.'
Elsa said the pre- and post-upgrade versions were different beings, but in the end, both were still me. So I decided not to overthink it and turned my attention away.
While chatting with my sister about this and that, the topic of the orc, Dahgon, came up.
"So how did you tame that orc? You can't even communicate with him."
"With this magic ring, communication is possible."
I lifted Jadin's hand to show the ring on his finger. When I briefly explained what had happened in the intermediate village, Kyubey looked incredulous.
"You called me lewd and all that, but you're the one having sex with a monster?"
"Come on, I don't sleep with just anyone like you do. Dahgon is a precious partner to me."
"I don't sleep with just anyone either, you know?"
"If a man has a good body and stamina, you like them all. That's completely different."
I've had many men too, but they're all partners with whom I've shared emotional connections and relationships. Not like my sister, who picks men purely based on their bodies because she just likes sex.
After a brief staring contest, my sister backed down first.
"Aigoo, the kid's gotten more assertive, which is good, but she's getting bolder with her sister. Anyway, that orc named Dahgon is your man too, right?"
"Yes. He's such a sturdy male."
At my words, Kyubey glanced at Jadin for a moment before asking cautiously, "That... orc. Is it true they have great stamina? From the vital energy perspective, he's certainly impressive, but..."
"Hmm... I think he'd be more than enough to satisfy you too."
"Hoho~ I see."
Kyubey said this while staring intently at Dahgon, who sat upright. There was something in her gaze that made me speak up.
"Don't even think about having sex with Dahgon. He's an orc with strong pride. If you force it, he'll only dislike it more."
"What do you take your sister for? I'm not the type to steal my sister's man."
"Be careful with Jadin too. She's the kind of person who thinks it's fine as long as she seduces him into coming over."
"Ugh."
Jadin nodded with a reluctant expression. He had known, but seeing his sister-in-law's true nature so blatantly laid out seemed to leave him inwardly flustered.
"Hmph. The youngest's cuteness is gone."
Snap. When Kyubey snapped her fingers, the door opened silently and maids entered in a line, carrying trays of drinks and snacks. While the maids arranged the plates on the table and withdrew just as quietly, Kyubey pulled out a cigarette and tried to light it.
"Huh? Where did my lighter go?"
"Here's a flame for you."
Seeing her searching for the igniter, I used a spell to create a small flame fragment and sent it flying toward the tip of her cigarette. Kyubey watched the flame fly through the air on its own and land on the cigarette, then took a deep drag and spoke.
"You're the only one who'd use magic just to light a cigarette. Whew~"
"It's convenient not having to carry tools around. Want one, Jadin?"
"No, I don't smoke."
When I took out a cigarette from my spatial pouch and offered it, he waved his hand in refusal. I put the cigarette in my mouth, lit it, inhaled the smoke, and asked, "Now that I think about it, most Blackmen don't smoke, do they? Is there a special reason?"
"There are no cigarettes in Daviwana to begin with. I only saw them after coming to the Eastern Continent."
"Ah, I see."
Havid had been a smoker from the moment I met him, so I had assumed cigarettes existed in Daviwana too.
"Want to try one? It's good for the body and tastes nice."
"No thanks. I don't get what's so great about burning grass and inhaling the smoke."
He even shook his head firmly in refusal. Why did he dislike it so much? Aside from being slightly addictive, it was a beneficial herb for the body.
While Jadin and Dahgon ate, my sister and I smoked and drank. Once Jadin had eaten his fill, he spoke up.
"Sister-in-law, I'll be taking my leave now."
"Oh my, already?"
"I have people to meet, and I'd like to rest a bit."
"I can't keep someone who's traveled a long way and must be tired. Go and rest."
After Jadin left the reception room, I spoke to Dahgon, who looked slightly tired.
"You must be tired too. Go to your room and rest."
"Krrk. I will."
"Take this ring. Use it when you need to talk."
I handed him the ring and had a maid guide him away. Once only the two of us remained in the reception room, my sister immediately reclined and spoke.
"Whew, it was hard holding back my urges."
"It's not like you have constant estrus. How can you not control your sexual desire every time you see a man?"
"Sexual desire is a natural physiological phenomenon. More importantly, where did you pick up another weird creature to parasitize you this time?"
"This one?" I lifted the parasitic tentacle tail that had been acting as a cushion between my hips and the chair. "I found it by chance in Xenuma, and somehow it ended up living in my anus."
"You're still the same with these things. Doesn't it bother you?"
"It moves on its own without me needing to pay attention. It's very docile and smart. Earlier, since sitting was uncomfortable, it curled up like a cushion for me to sit on."
"Still, the fact that you always end up with docile creatures makes me wonder if your luck is good or bad."
As my sister said, the creatures that parasitized or symbiotically lived in my body were generally docile and kind, except for the Abaddon. I was an Abaddon myself, but honestly, from a human perspective, it was a bit hard to call Abaddons kind.
"Oh, by the way, didn't Maria say she was planning an operation to put Tarykin's revolutionary organization in her debt? What happened with that?"
"Ah, that? It failed. She said the people were even more unreasonable than expected, and there was nothing she could do."
"Hee, so Maria can fail too."
"She was stressed about it, so I gave her a little education and touch after a long time."
"The charm skill is really useful at times like this."
Maria was under permanent brainwashing, so even a slight adjustment from Kyubey made her easily forget stressful matters. Was that the reward for trusting a succubus and dedicating everything to her? Thanks to that, she could live a joyful life with both body and mind healthy.
While chatting casually with my sister over cigarettes, the door suddenly opened and a girl entered. She had light brown hair tied in pigtails, a small frame wearing a white gown—Elisa.
"If you've arrived, shouldn't you report to your master first?"
"Ah, Elisa, you're here?"
"How did you know to come without being contacted?"
"Elsa told me."
Elisa, wearing a white lab coat tailored to her small body, walked over with small steps and sat down.
"Elsa told you?"
"Haah, wireless communication exists for a reason, you know?"
Elisa tapped the wireless communication device attached to her ear with a look of exasperation. Oh, right. Since we're in Eden, wireless communication should work. To think I only realized such a simple fact now—I was still so absent-minded.
"Anyway, I'm glad you returned safely, miss."
"Thanks, Elisa. How's the airplane development going?"
"Hohoho. I was itching to brag about it. Ta-da!"
Elisa took out a holographic projector on the table and activated it. The high-precision hologram, which even reproduced colors, showed the interior of a large factory where a machine of extraordinary size was being assembled.
"The first and strongest airplane in this dimension! Elrad No. 1! While referencing aircraft structures from the Earth dimension, it's a monumental masterpiece built entirely with Eden's science and technology!"
"Uh, yeah. Congratulations."
With an extremely excited expression and gestures, Elisa began explaining the development process and applied technologies of Elrad No. 1.
'Oh no, Elisa's going on a rampage again.'
'I wish Mother would fix that habit.'
'But it's cute, isn't it? Watching her makes me feel good too.'
'That's because you're Mother's doll, so you automatically think it's good. Normally, people find it troublesome.'
'Hmm~ Is that so? I've been like this since before becoming a doll, so I wouldn't know.'
I had a naturally easygoing personality and liked listening to others, so it wasn't because Elisa was my master that I liked her. I just liked her.
"Stop, stop. Elisa. We can't understand even if you explain."
"Then I'll stop here, though it's a shame."
"Did you come all the way here just to brag about Elrad? You could've just called."
"Actually, yes, I did come to brag about Elrad. Since I've seen your face, I'll head back to the lab now."
"Okay."
Elisa left with a refreshed expression. Kyubey stared at her retreating figure with a dumbfounded look.
"That kid gets more eccentric by the day. More importantly, what are you going to do now?"
"I'll stay in Eden for a while, then go to the Earth dimension to meet my family."
"Right, you should rest after working. I've prepared a room for you at City Hall, so just ask the maids to guide you."
"Yes, sister."
Leaving Kyubey, who was returning to work, I exited the reception room. Hmm, maybe I should change clothes first. What I'm wearing now is a military uniform, so it's conspicuous and uncomfortable. I called over a maid passing nearby to ask for guidance.
"Excuse me."
"Yes, Lady Elisha."
The maid answered with a bright smile, but her eyes were lifeless and dead, immediately revealing she was a former angel.
"I'd like to change clothes."
"I'll guide you."
The maid bowed slightly and walked ahead with practiced steps. The City Hall building, which served as both a workplace and Kyubey's residence, had lower floors for work and upper floors for residence. On the way from the reception room on the lower floor to the upper residential floors, I encountered a familiar face.
"Oh my? Isn't that Elisha?"
"Huh? Oh, Bella."
When I turned at the voice calling me, Bella, the madam who had run the bar called Angels' Haven where I worked during my angel days, greeted me with a bright, welcoming face.
"It's been so long. How have you been?"
"I've been well. How about you, Bella?"
"Hohoho. I'm still working as a madam."
With the change in Eden's ruler and the start of the angel training program, all young women in Eden had been modified into angels, but women like Bella who were excluded due to age limits had only undergone simple brainwashing. She had probably gained her freedom after just the brainwashing, so it was strange that she was still working as a madam.
"Are you still running the bar? The role of madam has officially disappeared, hasn't it?"
"The only thing I learned and mastered while living in Eden is being a madam. Might as well make use of that experience, don't you think?"
"I suppose so. Then, are you still in the Underground City...?"
"Angels' Haven. It's still operating under that name. Thankfully, Lady Kyubey helped so I could continue working."
Bella described the now larger and more luxurious establishment and invited me to visit sometime. After seeing her off as she left, saying she was busy with the bar, I followed the maid who had been waiting quietly and headed up to the residential floors.