Shining, Liz, and Margaret got invited inside the research facility that has done pretty well. It started in just the apartment of the two founders nearby their college.
But now it's one of if not the largest research facilities in Columbia.
"Rhine lab has multiple directors. With myself as the top, labelled control." Kirsten explained and Shining looked around for anything of interest.
"I approve of experiments or maintain the general affairs of the different departments. Our main ones are the energy, ecological, scientific investigation, arts, and structural departments." Kirsten led them to different places.
"They have the top of the line equipment here, but Ash's research department has cutting edge technology." Liz mused as she looked at their tech.
"Of course it's incomparable. He creates the equipment of our R&D department on his own." Margaret likes to watch him build stuff.
"R&D department of Asmodeus enterpise?" Kirsten raised a brow at that and her curiosity was piqued.
'Sucker, that was such an easy bait if I saw one.' Shining smirked and puffed her chest in pride.
"As you know, Dokutah Kirsten. Adele Naumann, the leading researcher in catastrophes has a brother. Asmodeus Naumann, he is the lead researcher for the products of his company." Shining explained with a smug look.
Kirsten went wide eyed at that. Columbia's research facilities were dying to get a hold of him. Especially his groundbreaking tech like the AOS that was actually really outdated according to him.
"Asmodeus Biogen tech is the leading researchers in oripathy treatment. You mean that the chairman himself is the lead researcher?" Kirsten's curiosity was piqued.
"Yes, very much so. He basically did all of it on his own. The AOS, the most in demand anti oripathy product in the market was made by him in the basement of his house." Shining smiled.
Kirsten squinted her eyes and thought that a researcher of such caliber shouldn't limit themselves in doing business.
"He also developed the most effective originium suppressants." Liz chimed in as she thought it was relevant, she got treatment after all.
"Yes, Leithanien's mortality rate because of oripathy dropped sharply after their reveal of Paradiso. Basically a mobile research center." Kirsten bit her lip and wanted to check the technology there.
'It must be filled to the brim of bleeding edge technology. Nowhere to be found in Terra, it's a must to learn about it for my space program...' Kirsten's desire was leaking out.
Liz was even able to notice her apparent desire on her face and Shining gave Margaret a meaningful look.
"And Asmodeus sent us here of his own volition, Dr. Kirsten. He was interested in partnering up with one of the best research facilities in Terra." Shining patted her on the back.
"Is that so? Then Rhine lab would love to accept your proposal." She smiled with delight.
"See Liz here? She's actually an infected that had a very bad case of oripathy poisoning. Her limbs were basically crippled from it. Now she's a picture of health. That's the power of Asmodeus Biogen tech." Shining showcased Liz's body.
"Interesting, interesting, can we give her a scan so that the structural department that deals with biology can check the changes in her?" Kirsten requested.
Ash approved of it from beforehand already, saying that they can study it all they want. But they won't ever copy his work.
"Sure, Liz. If you can go to the structural department. We'll go and talk with Dr. Kirsten about our partnership." Shining nodded at her.
Liz understood the assignment and the structural department was the department of Rhine lab with the highest chance of a hit of human experimentation.
They dealt with biology and oripathy research there. So Liz set this up so she can infiltrate the department and observe the scientists there herself.
After their separation, Shining and Margaret were led to the office of control. Where the co-founder was waiting for them already. The chief of defense, a vouivre like Liskarm. (pic)
"She's strong Shining." Margaret knew immediately in just one look. "Un, she's quite capable." Shining had an interest in the vouivre woman.
"Ahhh, this is Saria. She's the co-founder of Rhine lab. She's the chief of the defense department." Kirsten introduced her.
"I see, nice to meet you. But let's cut the chatter shall we? Let us talk about business, Kirsten Wright." Shining smiled and she slid a thick ass contract on the table.
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Back at Paradiso, Ash called for Penguin logistics because Margaret left and they needed more staff to teach the soldiers.
"Hi~ leader!" Exusiai clung instantly to Ash and he sighed. "Hello to you too Exusiai."
"Listen, listen. I'm able to snipe monsters in no man's land with this baby! Thank you so much for this!" Exusiai waved around her bullpup and he nodded at her.
"So, boss man. Whatchu got for us this time?" Croissant smiled and won't turn down easy money. Ash's operations were high tension, but it didn't really have any confrontations.
"He would get into it if you didn't bother him." Texas gave them the side eye and they smiled wryly.
"Oops, sorry. And why is Sora with us?" Exusiai looked at the blonde girl behind them that was wearing an idol uniform. (pic)
"Sora desu~ I'm the magical idol Sora from Monster siren records you know?" She winked at them while making a v with her fingers.
"Ahhh, she's here as a magical idol as you know already. Because Degenbrecher has been quite high strung with the recruits. We'll be giving them an idol show." Ash shrugged.
"Well, it's not my fault that the recruits have been having problems in trying to keep up." Degenbrecher didn't quite understand their low pick up rate on skills.
"Not everyone is like SilverAsh or Margaret that are fast learners Degenbrecher. I guess this will be a pretty foreign concept for the Sarkaz. Though I wish they'd enjoy it." Ash looked at Sora and she was confident.
"Un, of course I'm gonna heal their souls. I'm an idol after all." She nodded sagely and was prepared for a performance anytime.
"So I'm guessing that this will be a pretty long mission?" Texas was in a good mood because Paradiso looked like a nice place.
"Yeah, Texas you'll be teaching the recruits how to fight, alongside Degenbrecher. Croissant will be on how to be shield users. And Exusiai will teach gun safety and etiquette." He gave them their assignments.
"Okay, everyone! Let's start." Sora started to use her arts and they got motivated by her support arts.
"Ohhh!" Exusiai and Croissant were pumped while Texas got a bit more perky due to it.
Ash then called Adele and his ward so they could train alongside them.
"Hmm? Why are we here with the recruits Ash?" Adele was perplexed and he flicked her on the horns.
"You've got a pretty good arts adaptability. Your arts are pretty strong. So you have to control it if you don't want to lose control of it." He smiled at her and Adele understood.
"Us, how about us?" Narcissa looked at him blankly and the twins blinked.
"You'll learn how to fight. Using arts can be exhausting right?" He rubbed her ears and Narcissa nodded softly.
"Then you learn how to beat enemies up with your bare hands!" He flexed his bicep and she smiled a bit.
"Ohhh." The twins were excited to learn how to fight. "You two, it's nice to exercise too. So you'll turn out healthy alright?" He patted their heads.
"Yes! We'll beat up the bad guys!" The twins got a fire in their eyes and remembered their time in Kazdel.
"Good, good." He nodded at them and watched the team preparing to train the military. He heard a chuckle besides him and Mudrock was there.
"You're pretty good with kids, aren't you Ash?" The pale woman knew he was fond of them, but dealing with them is another thing entirely. Not seeing how he interacted with them in Kazdel because he left the camp to Shining.
"Hmph, leading the new generation is always a skill you should have. How about you, how are you settling in?" Ash was concerned about their opinions.
"Never better, this is the city that we've always dreamed of. Infected aren't ostracized, you don't see them turn into crystals after their death... It's a pretty nice place." Mudrock looked melancholic.
"Lost some men huh? It's okay, you're here now. I can't promise that you won't see any conflicts or casualties again. But it won't be like Kazdel anymore. Where every waking hour is a battle." Ash smiled at her.
"Yeah... You're blunt Ash, thanks for being honest. I know we'll still fight other people. But it's for the citizens of Paradiso now. Not just ourselves and for survival." Mudrock looked at the others who were enjoying themselves.
"Pretty nice sight right?" He joined in with her. Exusiai and Croissant goofing around Texas to get a rise out of her.
Degenbrecher teaching Narcissa, Alastor, and Astaroth some cool moves.
Sora dancing around while singing with her arts to make their moods get better.
"Yeah, I've never thought there will be days like this in my life. Just enjoying the times, not worried about food, money, and our lives." Mudrock smiled fondly at them.
"Then you're welcome. You should take off your helmet more often, you're pretty you know?" He patted her on the head and she didn't dislike it.
"Then I guess I'll try to." Mudrock chuckled and they began their military drills while Sora cheered them on.
He got a call from SilverAsh and Ash was quite surprised about that. The leopard woman doesn't really contact him after all.
"Yes? What's up?" Enciades then sighed heavily. "My sister Ensia... She got into an accident and broke her legs. Got oripathy too."
Ash raised a brow at that information. "How's her legs?" He started walking towards the lab to cook up a serum like what was used on Liz.
"She was hiking as usual, the girl's a hiker you see. And while she is doing so. She got unlucky and stabbed her hand on an orirock. Lost her grip." SilverAsh explained what happened.
"Is the fracture that bad?" Ash got a bit worried. "Open fracture, her shins are broken. We managed to stabilize her. Thankfully her femur only has cracks."
"On my way then, gotta introduce myself to the family at some point anyways." Ash sighed and he prepared the treatment for her.
"Thank you Ash." Enciades' sounded calm, but her voice was shaky and he understood that her sisters meant a lot to her even if they had a falling out.
He set out towards Kjerag. "Hmm, now that I think about it, I don't know what Ensia and Enya look like." Ash shrugged and SilverAsh isn't really the type to share that much.
After a quick flight, he arrived at Kjerag and went to the hospital where SilverAsh told him to go.
Entering the room of Ensia, he saw three silver haired individuals.
"I'm here, how's she doing?" Ash looked towards Enciades and she looked like she was quite shaken by things.
"Ahh, Ash. She's just fine. Come on, say hello Enya, Ensia." She urged her sisters. One was on the bed and the other wore something like what a priestess would wear.
"Hello, venerable brother in law. I'm Enya Silverash, this is the first time we have met." The girl bowed at him and he nodded at her. (pic)
"Hi, big sis didn't have to call you here... I'm Ensia, I heard you're busy, I'm going to be fine, I swear." A thinner and younger looking SilverAsh introduced herself. (pic)
"Nonsense, I was able to meet you two here as well. Enciades here doesn't really talk about you two. She's a terminal workaholic." He smiled at them.
The sisters had a strained smile though. Their relationships clearly not that good.
"If only she would care like you did though." Enya glared at Enciades and the elder sister just stayed quiet.
"Hah, told you she'd hate you. Take that outside, I have to treat Ensia." He sighed and shooed them off, he wasn't a peacemaker after all.
"Sorry about that big bro." Ensia smiled wryly and Ash waved it off. "It's no big deal really. I already know that Enciades has a difficult relationship with you two."
He examined her bones first and saw that her fracture was nasty. Even if she got treatment at the best hospitals in Columbia that has the most advanced tech. She would still need years of physical therapy.
"You do? Then what do you think of her... Doing all of this." Ensia looked glum and he rubbed his chin.
"Her being unavailable to you two was the correct choice. You can only live like this right now due to the sacrifices she made. Though she could have done a better job communicating with you two." Ash stated his opinion and Ensia nodded.
"With Enya though? That's Enciades' fault, one hundred percent. She condemned her to the life of being the saintess of Karlan. And she did it for political power." Ash snorted, thinking that she's harvesting what she sowed.
"Really? I thought you'd think it's a logical move." Ensia was surprised and he rolled his eyes.
"It is, for her benefit that is. Look at me, I became the emperor of Leithanien without crap like that. Don't compare us though, I'm just built different." He injected her with a stim and began treatment.
Ensia got freaked out as she saw her cast get cracked open. Ash breaking her bones so he could get nice angles on it.
And her injuries started to get mended bit by bit. "T-that's freaky." Ensia broke into a cold sweat.
"Is it? Fascinating is I would call it. But I guess your interests are rock climbing." Ash chuckled and slapped her thigh, finished with the treatment.
"Good as new, try it out." He ordered her like he put some new legs on an action figure.
She looked at him weirdly and tried moving her legs that were mangled just earlier ago.
"Wow... That's insane, you're amazing big bro. What the hell's with that? It's like I didn't injure myself." Ensia got excited.
"Awesome right? Unlike your big sister who's grumpy all the time?" He laughed and Ensia chuckled.
Enciades and Enya entered the room again after hearing them laugh and the former was amazed once again.
"Your charisma is quite something. Ensia isn't really unsociable, but she warmed up to you quite fast."
Enya then stared at him and was curious about how he just healed her sister. "Thank you very much for healing Ensia."
"No, this isn't free you know?" Ash stared at her tail which was the fluffiest out of the three.
"Eep! Is he for real?" She looked at her big sister without any contempt and was worried about him assaulting them.
"Give it up Enya, he won't do anything weird." Enciades sighed and Ash smiled at her, beckoning her over.
"Come sit down here in front of me, turn your back on me." Ash ordered and Enya couldn't help but subconsciously follow his words.
"Hmm, well taken care of. Good fluff, healthy fur. SilverAsh, you should take notes from your sister. I'll give you some shampoo for your pitiful tail." Ash snickered at her.
"Yeah, your tail looks thin... It doesn't look good at all." Ensia commented from the side and Enya chuckled as Enciades glared at him.
"Like I have any time for that crap. Do you know how hard it is to dry our tail? You want me to brush it and make it all fluffy for you? Fat chance." Enciades snorted and he laughed.
"Well, you've got no choice punk. I'm gonna be the emperor of Leithanien. You'll be my concubine soon." Ash had a smug look on his face and SilverAsh looked like she swallowed a bitter pill.
"You'll be what?" Enya was shocked, here he was. The future emperor of Leithanien. Fluffing up her tail. It was surreal for her.
"Ahhh, you were training to be the saintess on mount Karlan. He's engaged to the twin empresses back at his home." SilverAsh explained and Enya just blinked dumbly.
"What? Won't I make to be a good emperor? I look the part no?" He gave a toothy grin.
"Shut up, you're embarrassing me to my family..." Enciades blushed as Enya and Ensia chuckle at his antics.
"Anyways, Ensia is all good here. How about you three go on a little play date eh?" Ash subtly advised Enciades to connect with them again.
"Thank you Ash..." She bowed at him and he left them to make up for now.
"He's quite... Unique." Enya looked at him one last time and smiled.
"Big bro is a riot." Ensia had a grin on her face and Enciades sighed. "He's younger than both of you though."
"He's what!?" The two sisters' eyes almost bulged out from the shock.
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Thanks for reading, ciao.