-2: 99
While Hoopa took Syuen back to recycling center to pull off a miracle...
Back in Elysion HQ. A hidden underground bunker.
"...Ugh." Ingrid groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. "...What happened?"
Andersen's voice echoed from nearby. "What happened is that you should have mentioned Absolute was corrupted. Also, you need to stop lying about their specs. They are NOT up to par with the Grimms models. Matis might be after they're completed, but Absolute definitely are not."
Ingrid blinked, feeling a rush of embarrassment followed by indignation. She quickly sat up, opening her mouth to protest. But then sharp pain all over her body forced her to sit back down. And as she did, she took proper stock of the situation.
Andersen was standing nearby in her field of view. Next to him was...
"...Lady Dorothy? From the Goddess Squad?"
Dorothy gave a slight nod and said, "Indeed. And you must be the esteemed Instructor Ingrid. Quite a few Elysion Nikkes have spoken fondly of you." Her violet eyes shifted down. "...Though they also mentioned your stubborn streak."
Ingrid followed Dorothy's gaze. And then she realized that she was laying on a bed, covered almost entirely in white bandages. Some that were slowly turning red as she stared at them.
Andersen noticed and said, "I've sent for Mary already. Maiden and Guillotine mentioned that they found you after Absolute broke out of containment? A quick sitrep for now would be fine so I know what I'm dealing with."
Ingrid furrowed her brows. Then shame and guilt filled her face. "...I was reckless. Absolute went to retrieve the Heretic fragments. I'm not sure when it happened, but they were corrupted. I've been trying to cure them ever since, but they kept resisting." She sighed. "I guess they must have broken out... Wait." She blinked and looked at Andersen again. "...How are you here? Aren't you on life support?"
Andersen smirked. "I got better. Now... a few more questions... Like a hypothetical question of what your opinion is on curing Absolute at the cost of their NIMPH and inhibitors..."
===
Despite the chaos unfolding in the Ark, the combined political prowess of Andersen, Burningum, and apparently Aunt Dorothy was enough to pull everything back together.
Which was good, because I hated politics and would probably use the fact that the Ark citizens practically saw me as an infallible symbol of the future to purge the Central Government of the more power hungry individuals.
But that didn't happen, fortunately.
Fortunately for them, of course.
Instead, from what I could gather, my dear old pops was running the old propaganda machine with Burningum to slowly ramp up to launching the Third Surface Reclamation war. And to help with that, Anis would be throwing a concert with T.T. Star, where the finale would be me ending off with a musical number before everything shifted into full gear towards reclaiming territory for humanity.
I personally thought it might be a bit too soon for that... but considering the vibes were there, I guess it wasn't a bad idea.
Those guys knew better about how the Ark worked internally than I did, after all.
Maybe the situation in the Ark was more unstable than I thought to the extent that launching a Third Surface Reclamation War to unify humanity was better than leaving things to fester?
I didn't know, but it also didn't really matter for me.
Mostly because, as much as I would have loved to triple down on digging into the fun stuff and do research as well as war prep...
"Now that I'm looking at you, I can't believe I didn't realize you were Commander's son." Snow White gave me a once over and let out a frustrated sigh. "It's so obvious."
...I was trapped deep in the quagmire of relationships instead.
It was the day after the party.
Anis had recovered after a full night's rest... or so she said, and went back down to the Ark, escorted by Eternity.
I personally thought she just didn't want to face the inevitable ribbing and pointed questions by her idolmates, but I decided to not bring it up.
Anyway, she had gone back down to the Ark to finish rehearsing for the concert.
Rapi was hanging around Marian, giving off complete honeymoon wife vibes after last night. An atmosphere that Marian only magnified since she was pregnant.
I had a vague feeling they were plotting something ridiculous... especially since they had dragged Endless to escort them around the Outpost.
And as for everyone else...
To be honest, I didn't know. Apparently, for once, everyone had things to do and I was out of the loop.
Which, of course, made me completely free to be pulled INTO the loop of the Goddess Squad members still hanging out here at the Outpost.
And thus, the current situation: me sitting at the Maid Cafe on the Outpost while cornered by Snow White, Scarlet, and Rapunzel.
Scarlet stared at me with clear interest, her light brown eyes flitting here and there, observing my physique. "I had heard from my elder sister that you were a prodigious warrior... but to think that you are this incredible. The poise, the natural ease you carry yourself..." She reflexively reached her hand towards her side at a missing sword hilt. "...Dear nephew. Shall we spar?"
Rapunzel giggled and said, "Ooh, I'd like to spar too. And maybe take a closer look at your sword...?"
Snow White groaned. "Rapunzel. Could you not...?"
Rapunzel paused and said, "Right. Private affairs for private settings..."
"That's not what I- Never mind. I'll take what I can get." Snow White sighed and looked at me. "But anyway... I suppose we should do a proper introduction this time since yesterday was so hectic." She smiled and held out her hand. "I'm Snow White. The last time we met, I had some issues with my memories, so sorry if I came off a bit gruff."
I shook Snow White's hand and said, "No worries. Nice to properly meet you... again? I guess?"
Snow White let out a warm smile.
After that, Scarlet nodded at me and said, "Greetings. I am Scarlet... though I suppose you've learned quite a great deal from me from my eldest sister already, dearest nephew."
I blinked and said, "Uh, actually I haven't. Rose and I mostly just either spar or hang out to drink. She's not very talkative when it comes to the past."
Scarlet blinked. Then her expression dimmed a bit before she said, "Yes... I suppose that makes sense. Considering the circumstances, she must have believed I too had withered long ago." After saying that, she smiled and said, "Well, my eldest sister is quite mistaken. Many a years have passed and I have only grown the stronger for it."
Rapunzel giggled and then waved. "Hello! I'm Rapunzel! I thank the Creator for blessing us with the good fortune of meeting... and for your... very, healthy body."
I gave her a blank stare and shifted my gaze towards Snow White, asking a silent question.
Snow White let out a long suffering sigh and said, "Blame Red Hood. She introduced Rapunzel to porn magazines a long time ago."
Rapunzel gasped and said, "They are not porn magazines! They are works of cultured art, Snow! And perfectly natural!"
"In theory, yes. In practice... with how much time you spend reading them and-"
"Oh my!" Rapunzel blushed and placed her hands on her cheeks. "Do you watch, Snow?!"
"WHAT?! No!" Snow White turned a bright red and said, "It's just hard not to know what you're doing when you grab them and run off for- You know what? Never mind." She sighed and said, "Anyway. We're all very happy to meet you properly. All of us in the Goddess Squad saw Lilith as our big sister, so you can treat us all like your Aunts if you want." She let out a warm smile and said, "If you ever need anything, you can call on us to help."
I smiled back at her and said, "I'm glad to hear it. Though... haivng family is a bit weird to wrap my head around."
Not that I wasn't used to family. But more that it was odd to think I could have family after being dropped here in the Commander's role...
Rapunzel giggled and said, "Well, you should get used to it, Daddy."
Snow White visibly cringed at those words.
I reflexively scooted back. Just a bit.
And Scarlet let out a long suffering sigh. "Rapunzel..."
"What?" Rapunzel played coy and said, "Our nephew will be a father soon, yes? So Daddy is an apt title!"
I gave Rapunzel a blank stare and said, "...You are literally the corrupted lewd priestess type, aren't you?"
"O-Oh my! Lewd? Me?" Rapunzel waved her hand and said, "I would never! ...Although if you have sins to confess-"
Scarlet tilted her head to look at Rapunzel and said, "You realize that attempting to be intimate with our dear nephew will put you in the line of fire with a collection of very competent women, yes, Rapunzel?"
"IT'S WORTH IT!"
Snow White sighed and looked towards me. "...Sorry about her."
"No, I don't mind. I mean, I dig women who are like, crazy into me. But I'm also aware of the fact that Anis might literally try throwing me through a window at this rate if I even start to flirt with anyone else, so I'm drawing a hard line in the sand for now."
Rapunzel immediately latched on and said, "For now?! Not forever!"
"...I will neither confirm nor deny that statement. Mostly because I'll need to run it through everyone first." I held up a finger and said, "First rule of having polyamorous relationships: ground rules. And the main ground rule we have is that everyone has to feel loved and not take away the feeling of being loved from everyone else. So you'll have to take a raincheck on-"
"I'M FINE WITH JUST BEING A BEDWARMER! Or you can just keep me in the closet! Or you can tie me up and whenever you need to MMPH?!"
Scarlet immediately clamped her hand around Rapunzel's mouth and then stood up. "It seems that you need more meditation, Rapunzel. Come. Let us reflect."
"Mmph! Mmmmmph!" Rapunzel flailed her arms towards me as Scarlet dragged her out of the cafe.
I was amused at seeing that happen. But also a bit concerned.
...Mostly because I had the vibe that Rapunzel was into being over the top lewd. Like, that it was fun for her.
...And I was also getting a vague sense I might find her in odd places in the future dressed in compromising attire...
Well, problem for future me, not current me.
Snow White let out a relieved sigh the moment that the door slammed shut after Scarlet dragged Rapunzel out. Then she looked back at me and said, "Again, sorry about that."
"And again, I don't mind. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't into it. I just have higher priorities at the moment."
Snow White gave me a blank stare. Then she laughed and said, "Well. There's no doubting you're Commander's son. Although Lilith would definitely scold you for talking like that... Commander too."
"I wouldn't doubt it. From all that I hear about her, she seems the type."
Snow White let out a soft smile. "...Yeah. She is."
At that time, the sound of a rolling cart echoed from the kitchen, and then a beautiful woman with blonde hair and green eyes walked over, wheeling a cart full of food. Wearing a maid outfit and round glasses, she looked every bit a refined maid from the Victorian Era... at least the sort portrayed in anime.
"Oh?" The maid looked at the empty seats and said, "Did we make a mistake in the orders?"
"Not at all. The other two just stepped out for a bit." I smiled at the maid and said, "Appreciate the hard work."
The maid smiled and said, "Of course, Master. Though, there is no need to thank me. As your personal maid, it is only natural to serve you properly when you have the chance to visit our humble cafe."
I blinked. "...Personal maid?"
The maid tilted her head. Then she covered her mouth and let out a soft gasp. "Oh my! Apologies, Master." She moved the cart off to the side and then did a proper curtsy, pinching the sides of her dress for a small bow. "My name is Ade, and I'll be at your service." She smiled and said, "I'm always here, so don't hesitate to call me if you need a hand."
"Wait. Hold up." I held up my hand and said, "...Since when do I have maids?"
Ade tilted her head again and looked confused. "...Did you not make the request for reinforcements at the Outpost, Master? Our CEO received them and sent quite a few of us at Tetra Line to help as auxiliary support for the Outpost." She placed a finger on her chin and said, "I believe Cafe Sweety, Prima Donna, Talentum, and Happy Zoo have also relocated here to the Outpost under your command? Ah, and from my understanding, CEO Syuen also moved a few squads under your command at the same time as Matis."
I slowly blinked. Then I said, "I HAVE MORE NIKKE SQUADS UNDER MY COMMAND?! SINCE WHEN?!"
Snow White facepalmed. "...Definitely Commander's son."
===
Back in her dorm room, Hana opened up another visual novel to unwind, huddling with a pack of snacks.
And then she paused, suddenly remembering something. "...Did I ever remember to tell the Commander that his requests for Outpost support went through?"
She fiddled with her light brown ponytail, feeling a bit anxious. "...I did, right? There's no way I would forget something that important. Especially after Nami left everything for me to run. ...Right?"
Silence.
Hana had the distinct feeling that she definitely forgot.
But...
"...Oh well. Too late to do anything about it."
...She shrugged it off and watched as the intro of Kanon started playing.