By using quantum teleportation, Kain could create a physical duplicate of himself, with each body equally qualifying as the original.
Further testing allowed him to identify the technology's limitations.
When both bodies remained inside their Kataphrakts, they could operate at the system's maximum range. Once Kain climbed out, however, the distance he could travel was reduced to roughly one-tenth of the maximum separation between the two Kataphrakts.
Both bodies also needed to remain within the overlapping operational range of the two Orbital Knight Kataphrakts. If either body traveled beyond that area, the quantum duplicate would collapse, leaving only one Kain behind.
Even so, the effective range was almost exactly large enough to encompass an entire Landing Castle.
In other words, if Kain activated the quantum duplication system inside a Landing Castle, he could freely operate two separate bodies anywhere within it.
When both bodies first left their Kataphrakt cockpits and entered the outside world, Kain needed some time to adjust. Controlling two bodies simultaneously demanded true mental multitasking.
This was completely different from operating machines with control systems. He was directly controlling two flesh-and-blood bodies as if both were his own.
It was like holding a pen in each hand and writing two entirely different articles at the same time.
No, it was even harder than that.
The two bodies possessed four arms and four legs between them, and every limb had to move independently.
If he lost concentration, he looked like someone who had forgotten how to walk, staggering sideways and stumbling all over the place.
Kain could already make both bodies move as naturally as ordinary people. Using them simultaneously in combat, however, would be considerably more challenging.
Learning to divide his attention and control two bodies in battle would clearly become a mandatory part of his training.
If the quantum duplication technology could eventually be improved and its equipment miniaturized enough to fit inside powered armor, while also allowing him to create more than two bodies, Kain alone would effectively become an army.
Of course, the more bodies he created, the more tasks his mind would have to handle simultaneously. It would demand an even greater degree of precision and control.
For now, though, Kain had found a rather improper application for the technology.
Asseylum had originally invited Yuki Kaizuka over so she could obtain Aldnoah activation privileges through their private transfer ritual. Before they could begin, another person asked to join them.
It was Asseylum's younger sister, Lemrina.
Lemrina already possessed the Aldnoah activation factor, so she had no need for Kain to grant her permission. She openly admitted that she was joining for entirely personal reasons.
The situation then developed in a direction none of them could honestly call technical research.
Asseylum and Lemrina remained with one Kain, while Nina and Yuki accompanied the other.
What followed was a complicated private ritual involving all four women and both of Kain's bodies. Once everyone had taken their turn and the required transfer was complete, the rest of the night was best left behind closed doors.
The next day.
Atlantis, the City in the Sky.
Numerous aircraft patrolled the surrounding airspace, making the city appear to be under extremely tight security.
A closer look, however, revealed that this was not purely a military lockdown. The patrols were protecting a grand ceremonial route prepared for the day's festivities.
Countless decorations lined the long, straight red avenue. Flowers in particular covered both sides of the road, stretching all the way to the castle at the heart of the floating city.
Nearly every surviving noble of the Vers Empire had come to attend the ceremony and was now entering the venue.
On the other side of the avenue stood a procession of dignitaries from Earth who had come to offer their congratulations.
"I can't believe Earthlings have become Her Highness's personal guards," one count remarked contemptuously.
He clearly resented the fact that several women from Earth had become trusted retainers of the princess.
"What do you mean, 'can't believe it'? Do you think you're somehow superior to them? The rightful heir to Aldnoah civilization recognizes them, so what exactly are you unhappy about?"
"Exactly. Take away your Aldnoah activation privileges, and what makes you any different from an Earthling?"
"And stop calling her Princess. From now on, you will address her as Queen."
Several nobles rebuked him in quick succession, leaving the count's face twisted with anger.
In truth, those nobles were not entirely comfortable with the situation either.
But what good would complaining accomplish?
Asseylum's ascension from princess to queen had received the approval of Aldnoah civilization's rightful heir.
On the largest balcony of Atlantis Castle, the new queen appeared in a magnificent pure-white ceremonial gown.
A young girl of twelve or thirteen walked behind her, carefully carrying the end of her long train.
Beside the crowned blonde queen stood a formally dressed man. Asseylum's arm, covered by a long lace glove, was linked with his.
Several steps behind them stood Lemrina and Eddelrittuo, both wearing formal attire.
Two other women accompanied the royal party. One was the helmswoman of the queen's personal warship, while the other served as her bodyguard.
After reaching the balcony, Queen Asseylum released Kain's arm and stepped forward, waving to the crowd below.
She drew a quiet breath before parting her delicate lips.
The young woman who had just become queen began to speak about the future she envisioned.
She hoped the people of Earth and Mars could move forward hand in hand and create that future together.
Once her speech concluded, the celebrations began. The scheduled events included several competitions in which representatives from Earth and Mars would compete against one another.
Meanwhile, the queen retired to a private room to change into clothing better suited for movement.
"W-Wait, Eddelrittuo!"
"Wait for what, Your Majesty? We need to change your clothes."
"I can do it myself!"
Asseylum panicked when her attendant stepped forward to help her undress.
Under ordinary circumstances, this would not have been a problem. Today, however, was different.
She had woken up rather late and had been forced to rush through her preparations. She had not had enough time to properly recover from or clean up after the previous night's private ritual.
Asseylum finally understood why Tessa had once been so terrified that someone might inspect her high heels after a similarly embarrassing incident.
"Princess Lemrina, what are you doing?!"
Eddelrittuo suddenly released a sharp, flustered cry.
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"You can't say it was nothing after doing that!"
The attendant puffed out her cheeks indignantly.
Lemrina had brazenly kissed the prince consort without the slightest concern for appearances.
Fortunately, everyone in the room was someone they trusted, namely Nina, Yuki, and Eddelrittuo. If word of this spread outside, it would cause an enormous scandal.
"Why not? Look, my sister doesn't mind."
"What?"
Only then did Eddelrittuo turn toward Asseylum.
Or rather, Queen Asseylum.
"Lemrina, please maintain some dignity," Asseylum said, deliberately adopting a stern expression.
Her younger sister truly was astonishingly bold.
In fact, Lemrina had been so bold during the previous night's private ritual that she had deliberately provoked both of Kain's bodies at once.
The consequences had left her completely overwhelmed.
Anyone unaware of what had happened might have assumed Lemrina had been poisoned. She had ended up dazed and limp, barely able to respond to anything around her.
Asseylum sighed inwardly and cast a resentful look at her prince consort.
Their planned two-hundred-hour stay was nearing its end, with only around forty hours remaining, when an unexpected distress signal arrived.
(End of Chapter)
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