But this time... the situation was different.
The "power of Ifrit" was likely only a small part of Rhine Lab's research into Gods.
Even, before the Ifrit Project, Ifrit might have been experimented on by Madam Director.
What made Madam Director interested in Gods earlier, what made the "Gods" of this world more active than in the original work?
Goki felt... it had something to do with him.
An Old Hunter who fell from another world had stirred up the entire divine realm of Terra into a mess!
[After I go back, I'll talk to Titi and Kaltsit. By then... I might even need their help.]
Saria, meanwhile, seized the last moment of listening device interference to tell Goki her request.
"Rhine Lab has a public storage warehouse for experimental Materials, and some information I recently accidentally found shows that some hidden areas are only accessible with Madam Director's direct order—our daily movements are monitored, but Goki, you might not be. I hope you can find something there."
Hearing Saria's suggestion, Silence hesitated for a moment but still shook her head.
"Ptilopsis and... Mayer should be able to create a temporary key—but this is very dangerous. Once betrayal is discovered, the crime of commercial espionage in Columbia is very serious, Saria. This is not something Goki should do. I can go in under the pretext of retrieving experimental Materials."
"It's fine! It's no big deal—"
Seeing that the two ladies in front of him were about to argue again, Goki quickly waved his hand and accepted the job without hesitation.
In fact, this information about the warehouse... was secretly placed by Goki where Saria could see it.
He had, in fact, coveted Rhine Lab's secret storage for a long time—his prey was stored there.
The aura of the kin was so obvious; Goki was constantly attracted by those auras.
The entirety of Rhine Lab stored an unknown number of God-related artifacts.
"I can't say it's just for Ifrit, but if I can also do something for you, Saria and Silence, I'd be very happy."
Shrugging, Goki rubbed Ifrit's head and stood up.
"Alright, my shift is over—I have two little mouths waiting to be fed at home."
However, then, seeing that the listening device had not yet been activated, Goki suddenly thought of something and looked at the two handsome and lovely women.
"Honestly, maybe we have an easier path to take. Since Rhine Lab is so dangerous, have you ever thought about... quitting?"
Goki thought it wouldn't be bad to poach some people for Kaltsit in advance.
"Alright, it's just a suggestion. See you tomorrow, bye-bye—Ifrit, the mother...s of the child?"
Waving at the two somewhat surprised "mothers" and the cute Little Fire Dragon, Goki quickly walked out of the room.
Having stopped the release of Originium Arts, the listening device no longer produced static. Saria turned her head, exchanged a glance with Silence, who had an equally strange expression, and showed a somewhat peculiar smile.
Could it be that the two of them really guessed correctly? This guy Goki, with such good academic results, came to Columbia, one of the top research institutions—to pick up girls?
"Bye-bye! Brother Goki, no, Daddy Goki! Really, always saying things I don't understand, you guys are so troublesome..."
And Little Fire Dragon, still bewildered, swallowed the last crispy piece of apple.
However, she didn't care about these boring things at all. Instead, she grabbed the hands of the two people beside her and excitedly shook them.
"Silence, Saria, will Goki really be my daddy? I read in a storybook, are you two going to be my mamas too—are you going to get married?"
For this child, who didn't understand much, intimate people close at hand were more important than vague and ethereal Gods.
"No, Ifrit, it's not like that, Goki is just kidding..."
With an awkward expression, Saria hesitated for a moment but decided to tell Ifrit the truth.
Although it now seemed that Goki's active cooperation with their work might have some impure motives, love was a concept far more distant to Saria than Gods.
However, looking at Ifrit's expectant, exceptionally excited little eyes, Saria's words faltered.
"Yes, that's right, Ifrit, get along well with Goki—of course, no junk food allowed!"
But immediately after, a firm voice suddenly came from the side, from Silence.
"Eh? Silence, why are you too—"
With a somewhat astonished expression, Saria looked at Silence, only to find that this Liberi was glaring at her with a threatening gaze, as if Silence would tear her apart if Saria dared to speak the truth.
As long as Ifrit was happy, Silence didn't care about saying things that went against her true feelings.
Moreover, if the person was Goki... Silence didn't feel like she was losing anything.
"Hmm, that's how it is... probably."
Helpless, Saria could only nod.
Anyway, it was Goki, and Saria didn't feel particularly awkward—she just treated it as playing house!
"Yay!"
Upon hearing their confirmation, Ifrit immediately cheered excitedly, pulling the two sitting on the bed closer to her.
"Then, that means—Mama Saria, Mama Silence! Hehe..."
Affectionately hugging the two, Ifrit felt exceptionally happy at that moment.
And watching Little Fire Dragon continuously wagging her tail, Saria and Silence both fell into thought.
Rhine Lab was not a place where one could simply "quit." Once you intended to leave, the entire Rhine Lab would become your enemy.
This option had never even occurred to them.
But... if Rhine Lab was truly hiding something, even touching their bottom line—
"Then that is... not impossible."
Patting Little Fire Dragon's head, Saria seemed to have made a decision internally.
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