"Fine. I approve your research."
Setsuna generously agreed to Ruan Mei's request. A rare flicker of joy and excitement flashed through her eyes as she nodded.
She sat to one side, watching Setsuna and the girls clinging affectionately to him.
Countless strings of complex code and symbols flashed across the holographic interface before her.
"In that case, Commander, please continue."
"I will observe the changes in their physical parameters while they are beside you, record them, and conduct a comparative analysis."
"Reproduction between an Aeon and other species is one of the most valuable research topics in the field of life sciences."
"Huh?"
Tingyun, Firefly, and the others had absolutely no idea how Ruan Mei could sit nearby and watch without the slightest change in expression or heartbeat.
Her eyes truly contained nothing but experiments and research. There was not a trace of unnecessary emotion in them. She simply wanted to study them and Setsuna from an academic perspective.
She was a mad scientist in every sense of the term.
"I agreed, but I can't let you conduct your research for free."
Setsuna smiled and beckoned. Ruan Mei stepped forward twice.
"Do I need to pay a price? You don't appear to need credits. What would you like me to use as..."
Before she could finish speaking...
"Ah."
With a soft cry, Setsuna pulled her directly into his arms.
Her elegant clothing could not conceal her graceful figure. No matter how many problems Ruan Mei's personality possessed, there was no denying that she was beautiful and had an excellent figure.
"Since you're so interested in life sciences, wouldn't it be better to use yourself for the research?"
Setsuna gently wrapped an arm around Ruan Mei's waist and applied a little force to keep her from breaking free.
"Me?"
Ruan Mei was startled at first. After realizing she could not get up, she shook her head.
"Commander, I... would prefer to observe as a researcher. Besides, I am not as unique as the others."
"Your humanity is far too faint. You'll cause trouble in the Starsea Empire sooner or later."
Setsuna gently pinched her chin, his fingers brushing across Ruan Mei's delicate, fair cheek.
"Many people have raised similar concerns with me. Unfortunately, I have no way to properly understand such emotions."
"Love, familial affection, friendship, and other such things are nothing more than fluctuations and changes in biological parameters to me. I cannot understand the meaning behind them."
Her voice remained steady, as though she were presenting an academic report.
"Then we'll try a different method."
Setsuna reached around the back of her qipao and climbed toward the snowy peak.
Trying to move Ruan Mei through ordinary daily interaction, as he had done with others, was not particularly realistic. The most direct approach was to administer a stronger stimulus.
"Mm!"
"What do you mean?"
Ruan Mei shuddered, experiencing a sensation she had never felt before.
Perhaps because of his extensive experience, his technique was rather subtle.
"Conducting the research firsthand will always be more intuitive than sitting in a laboratory calculating data."
Setsuna spoke.
"This is also the price for allowing you to remain by my side and conduct research. You need to become a little more human. I don't like the way you are now."
"Mm..."
Ruan Mei normally did not care what others thought of her, but Setsuna disliking her would be a serious problem.
The Starsea Empire offered a rare opportunity for scientific research, with countless mysteries waiting to be explored.
"But..."
She still wanted to say something, but Setsuna gave her no further opportunity.
Setsuna liked the qipao Ruan Mei wore. It was tailored in a shorter style, exposing the graceful line of her legs from the base of her hips all the way to her feet while preserving her refined elegance.
It was also extremely convenient. With the fabric between her thighs kept to a narrow panel, all he had to do was lift the front hem.
"Relax."
"Mm."
Ruan Mei was laid flat, her refined eyebrows knitting together from the pain.
She had studied the propagation and birth of life at the genetic level countless times in the laboratory, but this was her first time directly experiencing the process.
Rustle—
At first, Ruan Mei still wanted to record data and parameters, such as the changes in her body and the duration.
However, her consciousness soon became hazy.
Instinct broke through scientific reason and obsession, leaving the scientist no room to think about anything else. All she could do was try her best to endure the violent storm before her.
Like a small boat tossed amid raging waves, she was turned over again and again, rising and falling until the storm finally subsided and temporary peace returned.
...
The next day.
Sunlight spilled into the room.
Ruan Mei slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling in a daze for a while.
She sat up, gathered her disheveled black hair behind her head, twisted it into a bun, and secured it with a golden hairpin.
Yesterday's clothes could no longer be worn, so an Angeloid had thoughtfully prepared a new outfit for her.
"Mm..."
"Is my body somewhat excessively fatigued?"
Ruan Mei examined her body and discovered that something had been added to it.
She shook her head. She had been completely unprepared for this.
And yet, she did not dislike the sensation. No matter how lengthy an academic paper might be, it could never compare to the body's genuine response.
"The Commander is incredible..."
A strange thought inexplicably appeared in Ruan Mei's mind.
Pure stimulation had overwhelmed her rationality and brought her an entirely new experience.
"Morning."
Downstairs, Setsuna and the girls were eating breakfast. He casually greeted her.
The Herta stared at Ruan Mei with a strange expression.
"What were you doing yesterday? I discovered several strange life-forms here and tried contacting you for ages, but you never responded."
"I... had something more important to do. My apologies."
"What?"
Herta's gaze grew increasingly suspicious as she inspected Ruan Mei from head to toe.
She had the distinct feeling that Ruan Mei had changed. A faint aura of warmth now surrounded her. Although it was extremely subtle, it was worlds apart from the cold research fanatic she had been before.
A faint blush still lingered on her face, and even her skin seemed rosier.
No matter how Herta looked at her, something seemed strange.
"How do you feel?"
Setsuna gently stroked Ruan Mei's cheek.
"Mm... I have developed several new thoughts, but I am uncertain whether they are biological instincts or a form of emotion. Please give me some time to verify them."
Ruan Mei appeared slightly conflicted.
She discovered that her attitude and thoughts toward Setsuna had subtly changed as well, but her many years of emotional indifference left her unsure how to face the situation.
"Also, next time, please be gentler and communicate with me beforehand."
"Commander, you should pay more attention to your health as well. This consumes a great deal of your energy. Should you require it, I can perform an examination for you."
"???"
With a sharp crack, Herta crushed the cup in her hand and stared at Ruan Mei in horror.
Did I hear that correctly?! You're actually showing concern for someone else?! Has the sun risen in the west?!
And what do you mean, next time?! Huh?!
Grey nodded solemnly from the side.
"As expected, my theory was correct. No matter how indifferent a woman is, she will become a little gentler toward the Commander after he injects her with humanity."
"You can always board first and buy the ticket afterward."
As she spoke, she looked toward the Herta.
"Why don't you join us next time? Bring your little Herta puppets too. Even if they lack the necessary functions, they can still push from behind."
"What?!"
...
"Tell me, are you dating the Commander?!"
A little later, the Herta found an opportunity to speak with Ruan Mei alone.
She stared wide-eyed at the elegant and aloof woman before her.
She simply could not understand what had happened to make this eccentric scientist become a member of Setsuna's harem immediately after arriving in the Starsea Empire.
"Am I?"
Ruan Mei paused, looking somewhat puzzled.
"I cannot confirm whether this feeling is love. My dopamine and hormone levels have indeed increased to a certain extent."
"When I am beside the Commander, I experience comparatively pleasant and expectant emotions. I anticipate what he might do and how he might treat me."
"I am willing to assign a higher priority to requests made by the Commander and do my best to avoid actions that might displease him."
"?"
Herta listened in dumbfounded silence.
Ruan Mei's answers were always so logical and academic, yet if one examined them carefully, certain clues became obvious.
This woman was simply that awkward.
"Isn't that exactly..."
"The Commander is an Aeon, but he still retains a human body, so interacting with him is no different from interacting with a human."
Ruan Mei nodded.
"He is the most human and emotionally expressive Aeon I know. Judged according to human standards for selecting a partner, he is also the highest-quality male in every respect across all currently known universes."
"I would not object to cooperating with him on additional levels."
"This conclusion is based purely on data and logic. I believe you can understand that as well."
"???"
Herta was thoroughly defeated. She had discovered that someone capable of correcting Ruan Mei's personality truly existed. It was miraculous.
"Oh, right. You can join us when you have time."
Ruan Mei thought for a moment longer.
"The Commander said he likes you very much as well. I look forward to observing what will happen when you are beside him."
"He also asked us to contact members of the Genius Society in the future and extend invitations in the Starsea Empire's name, limited to female members."
"What? Me?"
Herta never imagined she would one day receive an invitation from Ruan Mei to participate in a party.
They were even supposed to recruit people from the Genius Society? The geniuses rarely interacted with one another, but given the Starsea Empire's research conditions and capabilities, accomplishing that would not be difficult.
Considering the circumstances, Herta suspected that Setsuna had other intentions beyond merely asking them to work in the Empire's Research Department.
"Is the Genius Society... going to become the Party Society?"
...
"Uh..."
"Seniors, are you saying the boss really came here just to relax?"
On the other side of the coastal city...
Topaz wore a bewildered expression as she sought advice from several Spirits.
Origami, Nia, and Kurumi all looked younger than her, but as a newcomer, Topaz treated everyone in the Starsea Empire with great respect, especially those close to Setsuna.
"Of course. What's wrong with that? My husband was away for so long. How could he return without properly spending time with me?"
Kurumi ate a pastry while looking over the schedule.
"Mm... My dear husband appears to be free tonight."
"I thought I was called here to submit a work report."
Topaz grew even more confused.
She tapped several times on the holographic interface and organized a thick stack of reports.
They contained summaries of her recent work and reflections on what she had learned while studying under the Northern Parliament shipgirls.
She had treated this trip to the Starsea Empire as a major occasion, like a company employee reporting directly to the chairman. Yet after arriving, she had not even seen Setsuna once.
Every day, she merely watched him enjoy himself with a crowd of girls.
She had wanted to approach him and start a conversation, but felt it would be improper to disturb him without warning.
"I don't think the Commander cares very much about those matters..."
Kurumi propped up her head and studied Topaz.
A trace of amusement colored her gaze.
"Still, if you wish to meet the Commander, I can take you with me."
"My husband promised to spend tonight with me. The situation may simply be somewhat different from what you imagined."
"Huh?"
A question mark practically appeared above Topaz's head.
...
Several hours later.
"Commander, you must spend plenty of time with me tonight~"
Kurumi pressed herself against Setsuna, her seductive voice curling through the air. Her slender, pale fingers traced across his face, slid over his neck, and continued downward.
"Should we need a few more people, I can think of a solution~"
"Are you referring to the Four Heavenly Kings of Kurumi?"
Setsuna freed one hand to tease Kurumi. Her time-manipulation ability was extremely useful.
Those with particular preferences could even have her reverse their bodies to the state of their first time. Unfortunately, Kurumi was unwilling to endure the pain all over again every single time.
"By the way, a newly arrived girl wants to see you."
She called out, and Topaz entered nervously.
Seeing the Spirit girls clinging to Setsuna, she had no idea where to look.
"What is it?"
Setsuna turned toward her.
"Boss... No, Sacrosanct, this is my work summary. Please review it."
Topaz respectfully handed over a document, addressing the Commander with the Xianzhou honorific.
"?"
Setsuna flipped through it. Every detail of her work at Pier Point had been carefully documented.
After the company's departments were reorganized, Topaz became a supervisor responsible for trade. Although she had changed positions, she appeared to be doing quite well.
Every report was arranged methodically, and neither the data nor her accomplishments revealed any faults.
She had also included reflections on what she had learned from the Northern Parliament shipgirls, displaying an extraordinarily serious attitude.
"You've done well."
Setsuna cleared his throat and tossed the report to Sophon.
He beckoned for Topaz to step closer.
"How has life in the Starsea Empire been?"
"Thanks to the Sacrosanct's care, I have already grown accustomed to it."
Topaz nodded.
She was extremely grateful for Setsuna's special consideration. Most of the company's department heads and executives had either died or been injured, while the survivors had largely seen their property confiscated by the Starsea Empire and been reduced to ordinary civilians.
Only Topaz, Jade, and a scant few others had retained their privileged treatment. She had even been allowed to keep her ecumenopolis ship.
However, she still did not understand why she had been chosen.
"I see."
Setsuna smiled as he looked at Topaz.
"Do you still remember how I explained it to you back then?"
"Huh?"
The girl froze and tried hard to remember.
"You said at the time... that you liked it, and that was all? What did you mean by that?..."
"There were two reasons."
Setsuna pulled Topaz into his arms, making the girl cry out softly.
"First, I liked it, so I did as I pleased."
"Second, I like you too."
"Ah!"
Faced with such a sudden, direct confession, Topaz instantly became flustered.
"S-S-Sacrosanct, do you mean?..."
"B-B-But I'm only..."
In her panic, she could barely speak clearly.
"That doesn't matter. You've probably seen plenty of ordinary people here over the past few days, haven't you?"
Setsuna rubbed her head.
Topaz was still wearing her usual uniform. Although she appeared tightly wrapped from the outside, undoing just two buttons revealed her immense sense of justice.
The curves of her body were exceptionally prominent and voluptuous.
In every respect, Topaz perfectly matched Setsuna's preferences.
"Mm..."
Topaz had not prepared herself for this at all.
Deep in her subconscious, Setsuna stood far too high above her. The difference between them was that of an Aeon and a mortal. In ordinary circumstances, she felt nothing but reverence toward him and did not dare entertain any other thoughts.
"This is the Starsea Empire's homeland. There is no distinction between high and low here."
Setsuna gently stroked her short silver hair.
"In the future, you'll also represent the Starsea Empire while expanding into other universes. I have high expectations for your abilities."
"Sacrosanct, are you still planning to promote me?"
Topaz was overwhelmed by the favor.
"Mm. As long as you perform well."
Setsuna gently embraced her. Topaz's body stiffened, but she did not refuse. A soft sensation pressed against her lips.
She knew she was facing the greatest opportunity of her life. Before her stood the most powerful man in both the Starsea Empire and the Star Rail universe, as well as the ideal partner countless girls dreamed of.
Setsuna would not waste much time on someone who rejected him. Many girls were already waiting in line for him, which meant this opportunity would come only once.
"Jelena. Commander, my real name is Jelena."
The company's former creed had been to offer everything to Qlipoth.
Topaz no longer followed Preservation. She offered everything she had to the Aeon of Trailblaze and the Commander of the Starsea Empire.