Ptilopsis: How Many Sisters-in-Law Do I Have?!

"Um."

"Of course I know. While it may not be entirely correct, most of it should be."

The world has changed considerably, but the Doctor's innate advantage remains. She had already gone through the process while on Rhodes Island, and this world is indeed quite different from what she remembered. Rhodes Island has gained many operators who were originally supposed to join later, such as Surtr.

Just now, after listening to Exusiai's description, the Doctor could even guess who the sister of the Mizuki she met was. Speaking of which, Goldenglow has already come to the island at this time, which is much earlier than I remembered, at least half a year earlier.

According to Amiya, these were all recruited by Rhodes Island over the years based on a list left behind by the Doctor. Doctor even noted down the most effective ways to persuade them, such as using ice cream and free travel to persuade Surtr, since that girl's memory was confused and traveling around would be quite expensive.

Therefore, even if the story takes an unexpected turn, the overall direction still follows a certain pattern, making it easy to predict.

"Your name is Mizuki, and you come from a poor family in the Higashi. A band of bandits attacked your village, and a deep-sea bishop named Cicero saved you. Do you remember me?"

Now Mizuki remembered it. Although he didn't know where the Doctor had learned all this, he did recognize the name Cicero.

[Mizuki, if humans could have become better people, what has hindered their evolution? Is it time? Or is it their environment?]

[I hope that when we meet again, you can tell me how to become a better human being?]

A slightly stubborn and weathered voice, accompanied by the somber yet kind face of an old man, appeared in Mizuki's mind. He suddenly remembered that the old man was someone very important to him.

Bishop Cicero of the Deep Sea returned to his laboratory, deep in thought. He couldn't understand why Mizuki had become Firstborn the Brood the Seaborn so quickly, and according to Amaia, Mizuki had even reached an unprecedented level.

But this shouldn't be the case. Mizuki is indeed very strong as Seaborn, but even someone stronger, like Cicero himself, if he used the Heart of Deep Blue, couldn't possibly assimilate and accept it completely in such a short time. He doesn't even dare to say whether he can maintain his human mind after that.

Becoming Firstborn is equivalent to connecting your consciousness to the entire the Brood, which means you will hear the voice of the Brood all the time. Imagine ten million voices endlessly whispering in your ears, "You're sure to get the pity system when you draw cards," "You're sure to get the wrong multiple-choice question," "Your graduation thesis will definitely have a high plagiarism rate," and so on. If you don't go crazy, you're going to be in a real mess.

"What's wrong, Grandpa Cicero? You look very tired."

Cicero rarely showed such an expression, except when he was being chased by that Abyssal Hunters. However, each time, Cicero would help Hai Mo lure the man away to ensure his little follower's safety.

"Hai Mo... it's nothing, child. I just learned some things about Mizuki."

"Brother Mizuki?"

Although they have no connection other than being both Aegir, Hai Mo and Mizuki were both rescued by Cicero. The only difference is that Mizuki received Seaborn's cells and became Seaborn, while Hai Mo did not.

"Yes, he's growing faster than I expected; perhaps he's already found the answer he's been looking for."

"Grandpa, can I also become part of the Brood like Brother Mizuki?"

Hai Mo's eyes revealed expectation and pleading. Cicero knew what the child was thinking. In fact, the lower-level believers of the Church of the Deep were just like Hai Mo, suffering discrimination in Iberia because of their Aegir identity.

During her childhood, Hai Mo's father was taken away by the Inquisition under the pretext of investigation Aegir identity. He never returned. Her mother gradually lost her voice due to grief during her short remaining life and died in depression. Even after her mother's death, the townspeople tried to break down the door and take away her body, shouting, cursing, and claiming that the drought was her mother's curse and that they would purify the remaining poison by burning her body.

From that moment on, Hai Mo lost all faith in humanity; she even loathed herself. But the appearance of Cicero seemed to show her another path.

Seaborn, what a perfect species! Different individuals are not ranked; every fellow human is equally important. There is no backstabbing or infighting; they exchange ideas and understand each other.

"Not yet, child." Cicero shook his head. "Once you become part of the Brood, you are no longer yourself. Not everyone can maintain their individuality as clearly as Mizuki, and neither can I."

"Perhaps when you meet Mizuki, you'll understand what I mean."

As he spoke, Cicero couldn't help but laugh, a smile that, while kind, held a hint of pride, but mostly joy.

"Perhaps, this world has found a good path to salvation."

Chapter 109 Goldenglow: How many sisters-in-law do I actually have?

"I... sob..."

In Mizuki's dormitory, Goldenglow could feel that this was Mizuki's room just by sitting here. It wasn't for any other reason than that the decoration style was exactly the same as it was back then. He woke up in the middle of the night and thought he had been drowned in the sea.

Besides Goldenglow and Exusiai, Skadi and Specter are also here. After hearing that Mizuki actually has a younger sister, Skadi, who has always considered herself "Mizuki's only family member," feels that her position is threatened.

However, when she saw Goldenglow, this timid little cat whose real Susie, her first reaction was exactly the same as Exusiai's.

Is this child really not Mizuki's half-sister? How come she looks so much like Mizuki?

Especially those big, watery eyes, filled with a weak and pitiful innocence. As for Mizuki... well, because he's always smiling, his eyes always hold an unfathomable smile. Although he hasn't shown much yet, Skadi knows very well that her younger brother is a complete schemer, while this cat in front of her is much more docile.

"Cute little cat, what are you worried about?"

Reaching out, Specter gently touched Goldenglow's ear. She wasn't polite at all. Ever since Laurentina and Specter's personalities reconciled and unified, she rarely fell into that crazy state, unless in certain special circumstances, like when she was on top of Mizuki, Specter and Laurentina would have some arguments.

Laurentina prefers to take things step by step, slowly building up the atmosphere, while Specter... is more direct and straightforward.

"Oh! I... I..."

A static electricity ripped through Goldenglow's ears when touched, causing Specter to instinctively withdraw her hand. She was somewhat surprised; having spent so much time on land, she had come to know Cheng Shan to some extent. Goldenglow's talent in Originium Arts seemed exceptionally high; she was a promising talent.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, it's just that sometimes I can't control the current."

Goldenglow touched her hair. She remembered that this was why she got lost and ended up in Mizuki's city. After all, the compass would only ever point to her.

"I was just slightly startled. Has Mizuki been electrocuted by you before?"

"... Yes, my brother often helps me with my hair, and I've been shocked by his electricity many times."

When this was mentioned, Goldenglow blushed visibly, after all, it was something like a dark history, and it was hard not to feel embarrassed to talk about it.

However, the most unpleasant thing to mention was the first time she shocked Mizuki. Goldenglow was thinking of apologizing, but Mizuki's eyes lit up and she took out her game console and asked her to help charge it, and she actually succeeded.

He'll definitely smile and say he envies your abilities.

Exusiai, as Suigetsu's girlfriend, and Skadi, as her older sister, both knew Mizuki's character well and couldn't help but nod in agreement with Specter's words.

"Cute little kitten, do you really only see Mizuki as your older brother?"

"Yeah, a brother is a brother, what else could he be?"

Facing the pure yet questioning eyes of Goldenglow, Specter, who had asked the question, felt a pang of guilt. Skadi felt even more guilty; she swore that she had initially only seen Mizuki as a younger brother! Really! Ishar-mla was the one who climbed into her bed at night; Skadi usually did it during the day!

Although she's the only one around her so far, she hasn't even had a sip of soup.

But this is for the best. It's better for Goldenglow to be a peaceful little sister. She already has too many rivals. If this continues, she might not be able to win over even one round of them even if she throws parties all day long.

The girls are currently negotiating the allocation of Mizuki's time, but they didn't bring Muelsyse because that guy was the first to sneak a bite.

"So cute, Mizuki must really like you."

Specter showed no regard for the fact that this was their first meeting, gently scratching her chin in an unusually intimate manner, even exuding a peculiar aura. Goldenglow Exusiai shivered, feeling that Specter was becoming increasingly terrifying.

"My brother said that if he could, he wouldn't mind taking care of me, his sister, even if he were Infected."

"Really? That's great, I can't help but feel a little jealous."

(This guy, maybe the old one was better?)

Skadi couldn't help but frown. She and Specter had only known each other before, and their relationship was barely that of friends. But Specter was notorious among the Abyssal Hunters for her flirting, especially targeting women. The key was that she only flirted; she enjoyed seeing other girls blush and become shy because of her teasing.

The timid cat Goldenglow naturally piqued Specter's mischievous interest. Of course, she had considered teasing Mizuki in the same way, like flirting with her, but considering that if Mizuki took it seriously, the outcome of pinning her to the floor wouldn't be pleasant, it seemed... not impossible?

In short, Specter still really wants to tease this little sister who looks similar to Mizuki but has a completely different personality. At least seeing this little cat blush makes her unable to help but smile. Hmm, delightful~~~

"Um, I already know that Exusiai is my brother's girlfriend. What are the relationships between Specter and Skadi and Mizuki -nii?"

Skadi and Specter are both Aegir. For Goldenglow, who has little contact with this race, she really can't tell the difference between them. Even the Feline race has many branches, so she really doesn't understand the Aegir.

So she subconsciously felt that the two people in front of her might be her brother's family, but her brother Mizuki had said before that he was an orphan, the kind who wandered alone.

"Skadi is like a sister to Mizuki, but of course she's not content with just being a sister. As for me... I'm her biggest lover?"

Specter's eyes crinkled slightly, her charming smile carrying a hint of mischief and a touch of wickedness. With her figure and demeanor, she was indeed the larger one.

Miss Skadi felt a surge of resentment, wishing she could travel back in time and slap herself twice. Couldn't she have been more direct? Why was she so shy back then? Couldn't she have just gone for it? Why did she have to be the older sister? Now look what happened! A bunch of sisters-in-law!

"Lover!?"

Goldenglow was so startled that she released static electricity again, making her already messy hair even more unkempt, turning it into a hedgehog. If she dyed it blonde, she could cosplay as a Super Saiyan. Oh, or maybe she could leave it as is.

"Yes, it's not just me, I think Miss Exusiai over there knows even better than I do."

"... hehe..."

Exusiai didn't answer, but her face darkened considerably. How could she not know? In fact, she had a vague premonition that Mizuki probably had more than just these emotional entanglements.

Even Exusiai herself came to the conclusion that lovers are like cockroaches; by the time you see one, there's already a whole nest.

But unexpectedly, after a brief moment of surprise, Goldenglow quickly accepted the fact, speaking in a resentful and helpless tone.

"After all, he's my older brother. I should be used to this kind of thing by now. Back in Caladon City, it was the same way. Ninety-nine percent of the customers were women, and ninety percent of them specifically asked for Mizuki -gege's treatments."

"For example, Miss Aiselflei, who is Skyfire Operator, always likes to hug her brother whenever she comes to the store, saying it helps cool him down. And Miss Mint always talks to her brother about all sorts of things, using cats as a topic."

"Mizuki has ever owned a cat?"

"They raised me, so it's about the same."

Goldenglow relaxed a little, because everyone present could be considered family. Although Mizuki had a lot of contact with that group of women, he always kept his distance and friendship because he knew he would leave sooner or later. This meant that even after he left, those in Caladon who had dealings with Mizuki were still willing to provide Goldenglow with various kinds of help.

However, Goldenglow couldn't help but count on her fingers. It had only been a little over a year since she last saw him, how did her brother find so many sisters-in-law? There were three here alone, and they were all very beautiful. Exusiai's chest was relatively flat.

I have a feeling you're thinking about something unpleasant.

Exusiai's intuition was very accurate, and she kept a close eye on Goldenglow. However, because of her relationship with Mizuki, Goldenglow was also considered her younger sister. This girl had a lot of sisters-in-law and an extremely protective older brother. Anyone who joked with her in the future should be careful. Mizuki didn't like to eat people, but the tentacles weren't picky about food in this regard, as their digestive abilities were always excellent.

"No, that's not true. It's just... I thought my brother would travel like this for many years."

"There's something I'm actually quite concerned about."

Skadi may be simple-minded, but she's not stupid. Looking at Goldenglow, she recalled what Goldenglow had told them about her acquaintance and interactions with Mizuki, and she noticed something amiss.

"You said that Mizuki was traveling to investigate a problem. Did you hear him mention anything about the Doctor, Rhodes Island, or that he was going to Sami and Ursus?"

"Absolutely not."

Goldenglow carefully recalled the events. A year had passed, but the memory was still vividly etched in her mind. She remembered every breakfast Mizuki made for her every morning and every word he said when he combed her hair.

However, throughout the entire story, Mizuki never mentioned the Doctor, Rhodes Island, or planned to go to Ursus and Sami. Mizuki disliked overly cold weather, even though the low temperature didn't affect his activities, it would make him sleepy. This also meant that he slept very soundly every winter and needed Goldenglow to wake him up.

"Really not?"

I'm sure.

Goldenglow had no reason to lie about this matter, but Skadi couldn't help but frown. She still remembered that when she met Mizuki said that he would leave in the future to find someone.

Judging from the timeline, the interval between Mizuki leaving Goldenglow's side and finding her again was not long, possibly only a month.

What happened during that unknown month that led Mizuki to choose the Snowfield of northern Terra as her travel destination?

"Did Mizuki say where he planned to go after leaving Caladon?"

"Brother Mizuki from Columbia said he received an invitation."

"An invitation? Did he say whose it was?"

"Yes, he said a man named Mark Max invited him to visit."

The air seemed to suddenly become heavy. Skadi and Specter didn't know the name, but Exusiai seemed to have heard it somewhere before. She suddenly remembered that Ho'olheyak had mentioned that the Melnade Foundation always obeyed only one person.

Because Columbia's public image has always been that of the vice president, people have always been curious about the president, but they only know one thing: the name of the Columbia president is Mark Max.

"Bang bang bang."

Just as Exusiai was about to speak, there was a knock on the door, which was then opened and Mizuki entered. She first sensed the somewhat somber atmosphere in the room, then looked at Exusiai and the others, before finally focusing on Goldenglow.

A strange sense of familiarity welled up in her heart, and even though her memories hadn't returned, Mizuki still subconsciously blurted out Goldenglow's name.

"Susie?"

"Elder brother!"

Compared to the somewhat bewildered Mizuki, Goldenglow was much more excited. She tackled Mizuki to the ground, and then, due to her excessive excitement, she failed to control her electric current.

Then, Mizuki experienced what a certain Pallet Town Pokémon Master felt in his youth— Thunderbolt is really unpleasant.

Just as they were meeting here, in the Medical Department on the other side, the Doctor tiptoed out and happened to meet Kal'tsit was just about to make a cup of tea to work overtime.

What are you doing here?

"I just came to see you, is that not allowed?"

"You once said, 'Unsolicited kindness is either a treacherous act or a theft.'"

Kal'tsit said this in standard Great Yan, which made the Doctor quite embarrassed. She had no choice but to move a chair over and sit opposite Kal'tsit.

"Actually, I'm just curious. You've lived for so many years, you must know a lot of things, so Kal'tsit, do you know what's in the north?"

"... You really have amnesia?"

"If I hadn't lost my memory, I wouldn't have asked you. There are many things I only know, not understand." The Doctor waved her hand. "But judging from your expression, you probably don't intend to answer my question."

Given Kal'tsit's personality, she wouldn't change the subject in this way if she could answer something directly.

"Then let's try another one, Kal'tsit. You must have a wide network of connections, right? Do you know anyone in the Church of the Deep?" The Doctor rested her chin on her hand on the table.