The Airheaded Angel Doesn’t Understand Love

Three days later.

Vrrr—

With the hum of engines starting up, the Eternal Snowfall officially departed from Synapse.

This time, there was no need to conceal their presence. After Daedalus became Synapse's second-in-command, the expedition team was granted honorary citizenship.

They could now move freely within Synapse.

Of course, to Setsuna, this identity only made it more convenient to send future scientific expeditions.

—Research on the Wishing Stone Tablet would be a long-term endeavor and needed to be handled carefully.

Abusing its power would bring nothing but the risk of becoming a second Synapse.

If they could further deconstruct it and try to understand how it worked, perhaps one day they could wield a power that encompassed all others.

After all, the ability to realize one's wishes bore similarities to certain godlike beings in other worlds.

Purifier and Observer assigned several Siren girls to monitor Minos' condition around the clock and periodically switch out his virtual worlds.

Titles like Fallen Girl, Slave's Sword, Magical Girl Celesphonia were already scheduled well into the next 500 to 600 years.

Seeing such responsibility, the Synapse council was overjoyed and gladly handed off the burden.

Aside from a few who remained behind to handle Synapse's minimal affairs, most couldn't wait to dive back into their daydreams.

Whoosh—

The starship cruised through the atmosphere.

As with every conquered world, Setsuna granted the expedition team—and himself—a short vacation.

Time to explore this world.

Led by Belfast, Daedalus toured the interior of the Eternal Snowfall in amazement.

From the bridge to the ship's quarters, then to the weapons module and the power core at the bottom.

The more she saw, the more astonished she became.

Synapse had once possessed starships too. Even if they could no longer build them, records still existed.

But a ship that could freely switch between humanoid and cruiser forms, and one that combined technology from multiple worlds—this was her first time seeing such a marvel.

Magic and science from different realms gave this scientist of a super-civilization a freshness she hadn't felt in ten thousand years.

"Since you can build a ship this massive... let me guess, you must have at least one spaceport?"

"Hmm... Your industrial base looks solid. That's good—it should meet the production needs for artificial angels..."

As she examined the Eternal Snowfall's internal systems, she was already trying to reverse-engineer the Starsea Alliance's technological capabilities based on the craftsmanship.

"No, we don't have the kind of mass-scale industrial clusters you're thinking of. The ship was built by Bulins. If you have questions, ask them."

The head maid spoke plainly.

The capital's industrial system was centered around Bulins, with only a few rough processing units.

As for photolithography machines, CNC machining tools, and the like—they weren't needed. Bulins took care of everything.

"What are Bulins?"

Daedalus was puzzled.

"You can think of them as our workers and technical experts. The Eternal Snowfall and our other ships were all handcrafted by Bulins."

Belfast explained.

"???"

"Wait, are you saying your starships are handmade?!"

Daedalus was stunned.

On Earth, small handicrafts often came with labels like "handmade" or "artisan-made" to boost prices.

But a handmade starship? How was that even possible?!

"That's right. Every single screw was hammered in by a Bulin herself."

The head maid remained calm.

"I might need to relearn your engineering and physics..."

Daedalus held her forehead.

She felt like she had just discovered a new continent.

...

In the bridge.

Setsuna was enjoying the company of his companions.

During their time in Synapse, there hadn't been much opportunity for intimacy. Now that the mission was complete and it was time for a vacation, there was no need to hold back.

Kurumi Tokisaki sat on his left leg, dressed in her usual JK uniform with a short skirt and black stockings.

Her head rested gently on his chest, and she traced circles with her finger on his chest.

Her breath fragrant, she spoke softly:

"Setsuna, you've brought back so many girls again..."

"We only just made our relationship official, and you're already being so unfaithful, tsk..."

Her tone was flirtatious—less accusatory, more coquettish.

"Did I, though?"

Setsuna gently wrapped his arm around her waist, enjoying the soft, warm texture of her stockings.

"Daedalus is just our research lead, okay? Her brain is full of new tech stuff—does she look like someone who even knows how to fall in love?!"

He had arrived early, and after showing Synapse's greatest scientist the wonders of interdimensional tech, she had essentially become a tireless research machine.

Aside from hurrying to the capital to study and begin new projects, Daedalus wasn't thinking about anything else.

"Being too possessive will make people dislike you, Kurumi-chan—"

Mio, standing behind Setsuna massaging his shoulders, reached forward to gently ruffle Kurumi's hair.

"Am I? Do you dislike me, my—dear—husband~?"

Kurumi reached out to hug Setsuna's neck, whispering into his ear.

Warm breath tickled his ear, sending a shiver down his spine.

She was really too good at this, Setsuna couldn't help but admire.

Kurumi Tokisaki's elusive allure paired perfectly with her charming beauty—it was a lethal combination.

"How could I possibly dislike you?"

"Then do you love me the most? More than anyone else? Don't you want to devour me right now, husband~?"

Kurumi leaned closer, exhaling lightly into his ear.

A jolt ran through him like electricity.

"..."

"Kurumi, maybe tone it down? There are others around..."

"How about we talk tonight?"

Setsuna's throat was a little dry.

This Spirit really was like a succubus.

"What's the big deal? Teasing Setsuna once in a while is fun too..."

Kurumi was just about to escalate things when—

A cold, emotionless voice cut in from the side.

"Master said, stop."

Smack—

Ikaros grabbed Kurumi's wandering hand and pulled her off of Setsuna.

Then gently placed her aside.

"Eh?! What are you doing?!—"

Kurumi Tokisaki was stunned. She struggled, only to realize Ikaros was incredibly strong.

It felt like she was actually being serious.

Kurumi frowned, glaring at the airheaded angel.

Ikaros's face remained emotionless as she calmly spoke:

"Please respect Master. Do not do anything inappropriate to him."

"??"

Pfft—

Nymph, who was munching on snacks nearby, couldn't help but snicker.

Ikaros had absolutely no concept of romance—she only knew to follow Master's orders unconditionally.

"Uh, Ikaros, that wasn't inappropriate just now."

The fire just kindled in Setsuna's heart had been instantly doused.

A bit disappointing.

"We were just playing around. You don't need to stop her."

"Is that so, Master?"

A hint of confusion appeared in the pink-haired angel's eyes.

"I heard her say she wanted to bully Setsuna. Protecting Master is my duty. I won't let anyone harm you."

"..."

Kurumi was completely thrown off by Ikaros.

"Come on, Setsuna bullies me all the time, doesn't he? What's wrong with me teasing him just a little?!"

"Master is allowed to bully you. But if you bully Master, I will respond accordingly."

Ikaros remained expressionless.

"????"

Kurumi Tokisaki felt like her brain was breaking.

It really seemed like if she said the wrong thing one day, this airheaded angel might actually beat her up.

"Uhh... we were just playing around, Ikaros."

Setsuna stood up and gently rubbed the angel's head.

"This kind of thing is an expression of love and affection—it's not what you think."

"Is that so?"

Ikaros lowered her head, thinking for a long time.

"Love... affection?"

"So Master means Kurumi Tokisaki did that because she loves you? And you love her as well?"

"Mm... yes."

Setsuna nodded after a brief pause.

Clearly, there was still a long way to go in educating Ikaros.

"...I see..."

Confusion and uncertainty filled Ikaros's eyes.

She moved a bit closer, tilting her head up, and her eyes briefly flashed from green to red.

"...Master, I don't understand what love is, or what it means to like someone."

"What does it really mean when someone says 'I love you'? Can you teach me?"

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