~The Next Morning
After checking out from the hotel, Kanda and Aoi noticed the receptionist glaring daggers at them as they left, though Kanda merely shrugged it off. During the trip home, Kanda explained his origins to Aoi, just as he had to Eris. Aoi, however, only smiled warmly and said, "No matter who you are, I will always love you."
When they arrived at the gate of Kanda's house, they found Kio, Maya, and Manami waiting anxiously outside.
Kanda approached them with Aoi and asked, "What are you all doing standing out here, Kio?"
Kio scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Ichijou-san... Maya-san here said we needed to see something important, so she brought us out."
"Maya, what exactly are we waiting for?" Kanda turned his gaze toward her.
Maya bowed slightly and replied, "Please wait just a moment, Kanda-sama. They should be arriving any second now."
"They...?" Kanda muttered, feeling a strange premonition.
~Moments Later
Suddenly, the ground trembled slightly — faint at first, then growing stronger.
A low rumble echoed through the air, and in the distance, an entire fleet of massive, luxurious trailer trucks rolled into view, engines growling like beasts. The polished chrome of the trucks gleamed under the morning sun, reflecting dazzling light across the neighborhood.
The convoy stopped with perfect synchronization in front of them, causing a small gust of wind to sweep past. The trailers' panels hissed open with a mechanical flourish, releasing bursts of misty vapor.
From the mist, squads of impeccably dressed maids marched out in perfect formation, their uniforms pristine and shining as if brand new. In their midst, like a general leading her army, stood Antonia, beaming brightly.
"Kanda-niisan, everyone, good morning!" she called out cheerfully, as if this entire overwhelming spectacle was perfectly normal.
Everyone — Kanda, Kio, Maya, Manami, even Aoi — could only stand there with their mouths slightly agape.
Kanda managed to find his voice first. "G-Good morning, Antonia-chan... What's going on here?! What is this... this parade? Are you already prepared for the relocation!?"
Antonia nodded with a proud smile. "Of course, Kanda-niisan. I have decided to make this entire neighborhood our new headquarters! The main building will be the house directly in front of Kio-san's house."
"You… bought the house across the street?" Kio blurted out in shock.
"Well…" Antonia said, tilting her head playfully. "We offered the previous owners a certain... incentive to leave. They accepted quite enthusiastically." Her mischievous grin hinted that the so-called "incentive" was not exactly small.
"And the security?" Kanda asked, still trying to process the sight of dozens of maids bustling around them, unloading equipment with military precision.
"Don't worry," Antonia said smoothly. "I have purchased several other houses throughout the neighborhood. My maids will occupy them and establish a surveillance perimeter. The control centers will be based in my house and your house, Kanda-niisan." She then added lightly, "Also, I've assigned a special team of maids to assist Maya-san with your household needs."
Kanda quickly waved his hands. "That's not necessary, Antonia-chan! You really don't have to go this far!"
Antonia, however, shook her head firmly. "It's not my decision alone. The maids you saved from the crystals insisted. They said you freed them, and now they wish to serve you as a way of repaying that debt."
As she spoke, a group of maids approached. At their lead was a striking young woman — a maid with long, silver hair braided into elegant twin-tails, and sharp yellow eyes that gleamed with devotion. Her classic black-and-white maid outfit flowed gracefully as she stepped forward.
The silver-haired maid bowed deeply and said in a clear, sincere voice, "Kanda-sama. Thank you for releasing us from our long imprisonment within those crystals. We owe our lives to you."
She lifted her head, her expression filled with emotion. "Thus, with Antonia-sama's permission, we have come to offer our service to you. We humbly ask that you allow us to stay by your side."
Kanda felt a lump in his throat. Her heartfelt words and the earnest gazes of the other maids behind her touched him deeply.
He bowed slightly in return and said, "Although I never helped you expecting anything in return… after hearing your sincere feelings, I would be honored to accept your service. Please, take care of me."
"Gladly, Kanda-sama," the silver-haired maid said, her face glowing with happiness as she bowed again — joined by the five maids at her side.
The surrounding maids erupted into a low, enthusiastic cheer, and Antonia quickly turned to her subordinates, ordering them to begin unloading an absurd array of belongings — everything from luxurious furniture to state-of-the-art equipment.
As the bustle continued, Kanda and the others went inside.
The silver-haired maid and her team seamlessly followed Maya's instructions, swiftly preparing refreshments as Kuune, Chaika, and Durel arrived to join the gathering.
While the group talked, Durel suddenly leaned toward Kanda with a serious look.
"Ichijou," she said, "do you know what has happened to Eris? During our routine crew health checks, I found a slight blockage in her genetic data flow. When I asked her about it, she wouldn't tell me anything."
~Flashback, while Kanda and Aoi are on a date.
Eris goes to Catia's main ship with Manami and Melwin. There, Eris sends Manami off for training while she and Melwin undergo their regular medical check-ups to ensure the health of all Earth-based crewmembers.
When it comes time for Eris's examination, Durel notices something unusual — she cannot access part of Eris's DNA, much like what happened when she examined Kanda previously. Although the analysis shows Eris's capabilities have doubled, Durel cannot determine the cause behind the sudden enhancement.
Curious, Durel asks, "Eris, why can't I access certain segments of your DNA, similar to what I encountered with Kanda? According to the data, your strength has increased significantly, but there's no clear genetic marker explaining the change."
Hearing this, Eris bows her head slightly and says, "I'm sorry, Dr. Durel. I can't disclose the reason for that yet, but you will be informed in time."
"Is it related to Ichijou?" Durel presses, narrowing her eyes.
Eris only remains silent in response.
Seeing that Eris refuses to explain further, Durel sighs and leans back in her chair. "Fine... I'll wait. But if it's classified even to me, then I assume it's something far beyond our usual parameters."
"Thank you, Dr. Durel, and I'm truly sorry for the inconvenience," Eris says, bowing again. Durel just waves it off casually.
~Back to the present.
Hearing Durel's question during the current check-up, Kanda speaks up:
"Well… it's because of me, Dr. Durel. Although I can't fully explain it yet, I can tell you that my girlfriends will undergo the same transformation. Their limits are unlocked, allowing their potential to soar beyond ordinary humans."
"So… Futaba, Kinjou, and Melwin will experience the same phenomenon as Eris?" Durel confirms, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes," Kanda nods, then adds, "Aoi has already begun her awakening as well. You'll notice it when she undergoes her next training session."
Durel spends some more time questioning him, but Kanda only gives vague and careful answers, clearly unwilling to reveal deeper details. Eventually, Durel relents with a tired sigh, understanding that some secrets are not yet ready to be shared.
Later, Manami and Aoi leave with the Catian girls to the mothership for their training, leaving Kanda behind with Antonia and the maids, as Kio had excused himself for club activities.
At the house:
"Kanda-niisan, what are we going to do now?" Antonia asked, smiling gently.
"Hmm..." Kanda thought for a moment, then said, "I guess we'll visit your new house. Your people should be about done unloading everything."
"Yes! I'd love to show you around!" Antonia beamed.
(Author's Note: Antonia will not enter Kanda's harem. She sees him as a caring big brother figure; the only other male figure she trusted before was her grandfather.)
"Let's head out, then," Kanda said, rising to his feet. He turned toward the silver-haired maid standing nearby and asked, "Sorry, what's your name again?"
"I'm Claris, Kanda-sama," she answered, bowing slightly.
"Alright, Claris. From now on, you'll lead the maids here, except for Maya. You'll act as my personal assistant — sort of like a secretary," Kanda explained.
"Understood, Kanda-sama," Claris replied firmly.
"Good. Now, Claris and Maya, you'll accompany me to Antonia's house. The rest will stay here and manage the place," Kanda instructed.
"Yes, Kanda-sama!" the maids chorused, bowing.
They arrived at Antonia's new house, noting that all the moving trucks had already departed — the work seemingly complete. Greeted by the maids stationed there, Kanda exchanged greetings and followed Antonia on a tour as she eagerly explained the functions of every room.
Afterward, they sat down for lunch.
During lunch, Maya, who had been quietly listening, leaned in closer.
"Kanda-sama, if I may," Maya began, "I've been formulating a basic defense strategy for this place."
"Let's hear it," Kanda said, intrigued.
Maya pulled out a folded layout of the estate. "First, we'll establish two surveillance grids — one internal using micro-drones, one external with infrared and motion detectors. Claris will oversee the shifts."
"Sounds thorough," Kanda commented.
Maya continued, "Additionally, I propose outfitting our perimeter fences with non-lethal deterrent systems — shock traps and gas dispensers that activate on unauthorized entry. It'll delay enemy movements without causing unnecessary casualties."
Kanda nodded, impressed. "You're pretty serious about this."
Maya smiled slightly. "It's basic counter-insurgency. If they're willing to attack civilians, we have to expect they'll use underhanded tactics."
Antonia listened quietly, her respect for Maya growing.
"Good. I'll approve it. Draft the equipment list later," Kanda said.
"Understood, Kanda-sama," Maya said crisply.
They spent a long time refining their plans, sometimes laughing lightly when Maya jokingly included overly exaggerated ideas like hidden underground bunkers "just in case."
Finally, after saying their goodbyes to Antonia and the others, Kanda left the house with Maya and Claris.
==At Madam J's place==
Inside a large, dimly lit warehouse, Jens stood on a raised platform overlooking the production floor. Rows of partially assembled Assistroids lined up like an army of metal statues. Nearby, a separate assembly line produced sleek, long-barreled weapons.
"How long until production is fully operational, Michael?" Jens asked, her tone sharp and business-like.
Michael — a man in his late thirties, wearing a crisp white shirt and round spectacles — adjusted his glasses before answering.
"In approximately seven days, all current orders will be completed. Weapon production will finish first — estimated within the next seventy-two hours," he reported without hesitation.
Jens nodded but pressed further, "What about the new generation talismans? The enhanced models?"
Michael pulled a small data-pad from his coat pocket. "We've integrated the revised quantum resonance circuits as you requested. The prototypes demonstrated a 40% increase in efficiency when synchronizing with the host's bioelectric field. Furthermore, the mass production line for the talismans will go live tomorrow."
"And the emission rates? Any instability?" Jens asked, voice cutting through the hum of machinery.
"Minimal," Michael assured her. "The prototypes maintained a stable mana-field resonance over continuous operation trials lasting forty-eight hours. Only a negligible loss in efficiency, about 0.8%."
Jens smirked. "Good. I don't want another fiasco like last time."
Michael bowed slightly. "This generation will be different, Madam J. Once we deploy them with the Assistroids, even the Catian forces won't be able to counter easily."
Jens gave a sharp nod and turned to leave, Michael escorting her respectfully.
Their preparations neared completion — and soon, a new phase of conflict would begin.
END OF CHAPTER.