章 83: Returning to the Roots, Getting Grounded
Thousands of kilometres above Earth, space rippled and expanded, creating a rippling circle before forming into a wormhole.
Slowly, an airship passed through, entering into the planet's orbit.
Marcus' group walked to the edge of the bridge and looked at the blue planet below them.
"Amazing. Look how blue it is." Atalanta tried to sound nonchalant, but she could barely control. This view is something else.
"It is—one of the reasons why I want to move to space," Marcus said with crossed arms. There was a thin smile on his lips. He loved this view, and he knew that others were feeling the same way.
Even the Gods who were travelling with him were not that different. They don't see this view often either.
"Now that I am seeing for the second time, the planets are identical," Sirin said with a slight frown. She expected some differences. The Herrscher was from a different reality. There have to be some differences!
"You won't see that much of a difference, Sirin," Marcus replied as he turned his head to the side towards her location.
He then looked at the girls operating the vessel.
"Begin the test—contact spaceport. Activate the tunnel. We shall begin docking sequences." The Inventor instructed the crew.
"Roger! Contacting spaceport!"
~~~
On the surface, the megastructure had a massive circular fence. Well, calling it a fence is a gigantic stretch as, at precise distances, there are sharp towers which are graviton projectors.
Initially, they were mana projectors, but Marcus swiftly adjusted them to hold graviton technomancy. The diameter is enormous, and regular people noticed this when the faction stopped hiding.
They got the shock of their lifetime. A city of around 200 thousand people is not far from the megabuilding. They can see it in the distance. It became part of the horizon when they looked towards the west.
They were distressed, and chaos followed when they saw it. The government promised they would do something. But quickly, they went silent about it.
The reason was that the inspection got roadblocked. Marcus was building all of it, and he was allowed to do it—privacy laws.
There are no laws which discuss the creation of megabuildings, spaceports or airship ports. It's common sense! No one even discussed building any of this! It's sci-fi stuff.
On top of all that, they can't change any of it because new laws were in place a while ago.
That means the buildings will stay, and perfectly honest, no one has the balls to say anything to the guy. Those canons are a good deterrent.
Instead, they created a temporary base some distance away! Of course! And some scientists came to observe what this building was.
From a distance as well! Still, it's maddening that some hidden faction could build something secretly with unknown technology.
The sheer workforce needed for this. People around the world come to study and do some basic maths on manpower, energy, materials, all of those things required to build something like this.
It's simply absurd.
"Hmm, what is that!?" One of the scientists pointed at the megabuilding. He was using binoculars to observe the sharp towers surrounding the central tower.
As of now, they still wonder why there are towers like these.
At first, they thought it was to satiate Marcus' megalomania, but soon enough, they realised they served a purpose.
Segments of the sharp towers started to glow. It was as if a tremendous amount of energy was rushing upwards—the tips of the sharp towers released beams of light, which poured into the sky.
They are creating a corridor, wavy-like layers formed between the pillars, creating a properly sealed corridor!
The guy holding binoculars dropped them in disbelief at what he was seeing. His brain concluded that this was some sort of gate or a road or something— a tunnel!
To space!
"...But the amount of energy! T-T-This— is a waste! Why! There are different means to negate the atmosphere! By this point, this kid is just showing a middle finger to the rest of humanity!" The scientist started to rant about how pointless this was!
"What are you saying?" one of the clueless scientists didn't quite understand.
"Have you seen a billionaire buy something for a couple hundred million and never use it?"
"...I do. Some TV shows show those people on TV all the time." He replied with a 'duh'.
"Then this is it! This tower is it! Only on a mega scale! That tower wastes more energy per second than several nations combined use per year!" The rant continued.
"...And why do you care?" The other one just rolled his eyes at the outburst.
"Because Marcus Goldman could be using all that energy for better things!" The scientist snappily answered.
"Then go and ask. I am sure one of those heavily armoured men would happily waste his time humouring you." The other scientist sarcastically replied.
*Tsk!*
As the pair were bickering, a vessel descended and docked with the central tower. At that moment, the sharp towers finished emitting beams of light, and everything returned to normal.
"Such a waste! Things like these should be built close to the equator! The lack of fundamental efficiency! Ugh!!!" The man continued to nag about the wasted things.
They are not realising that when Marcus doesn't care, he doesn't care.
~~~
As Confiscator docked at the main Space Port, the group took a train. Marcus was returning home to get grounded.
For now, they stopped at the main base where the maids would be leaving. The inventor instructed them to train Tiamat. The Dragon King needs to be trained. Solomon's Successor insisted that they train her properly. His maids seriously acknowledged his request.
Once the maids left, Gu Yuena, Sirin, his two ship girls, and Athena and Nyx followed him to his home.
However, Marcus can already feel that Nyx will swiftly return to the base as it will be boring for her with his parents all the time.
He does know that she doesn't have much patience when it is required of her to act nicely.
Her sadism has her periods, and his parents could end up grossed out.
'It's cute how she cares about such mundane things. Considering she is as old if not older than humanity.'
As Marcus was thinking, the train arrived at his garage, and the group left the train and proceeded to walk upstairs.
"Well, Enti, what do you think? We just won one of the most significant conflicts in human history. What are you feeling at this moment?" The Inventor grabbed Enterprise's hand and started to speak with his favourite aircraft carrier.
"...Umm… I would say– pleased? I did my duty as a war vessel." She tried to explain and ignore the semi-cuddle from her Admiral.
"Good~ my Enti is great~."
Marcus started to tease the beauty. That was when Sirin finally saw how he acted around the Aircraft carrier! It was beginning to make her feel jealous!
He was acting like a pampering boyfriend!
Regardless, a few minutes later, they all got out of the garage and into the yard.
Marcus walked to the front doors and entered his house.
"Mark! Is that you?"
"Yes, mom. I finished the whole war thing." The inventor said with a sigh.
"Good! Then, mister, you are grounded for a month!" His mother walked over with a frying pan in her hands.
Enterprise looked at Marcus with a raised eyebrow.
"Kay~" He raised his hands in defeat.
"Fantastic! You can start with firewood~." She said that with a bright smile.
"Firewood? I thought we installed an automated heating system?" He asked with a slight frown.
"Nope. I declined that thing. I like the smell of firewood~" Rose said with a bright smile.
All of Marcus' girls looked at him. Will he go outside and swing that axe to get some firewood?
"Don't we have over 12 million labour bots for such menial tasks?" Solomon's successor massaged his temples while complaining.
"We do. But they are not grounded; you are." She walked over and gave him gloves. He looked at the gloves. They looked used and had some oil and small wood bits sticking. These were his dad's working gloves.
"Fine."
"And no superpowers, no special weapons or tools, no assistance from your robots either~ I will be watching you~," She said while pointing her two fingers at her eyes and then at him.
It was the classic 'I am watching you' moment.
"As you wish. I will go and get changed." After saying that, Marcus proceeded to walk to his room.
His girls looked at each other for a second.
"Athena, can you help me with food preparations? Since you all came back, I will need to do more." Rose then asked her future daughter-in-law.
"Of course! Leaving it to me."
"I will help, too." Tirpitz took a step forward.
"Me too." Gu Yuena joined as well. They are starting to feel self-conscious. If their creator is doing such a menial task, they want to help.
"Good, good. That leaves Enti. I want you to make sure Mark is doing my assignment without cheating. Can you do it?"
"...S-Sure."
'Since she is the admiral's mother, does it make her higher in the hierarchy?' For a second, Enterprise pondered to herself.
With girls spreading out with tasks, Nyx and Sirin were the only ones who didn't know what to do!
"You two can help with preparing the table and utensils!"
The pair slowly nodded at Rose's words. The mother of the inventor showed them where all the stuff was.
After showing, she returned to cooking, leaving the pair with the task.
"This is the first time I am doing something like this," Nyx said with a perplexed look.
"Same. I only have memories of my counterpart preparing a table for three. That's all I know." Sirin recalled Kiana's memories when she prepared a table—nothing on this scale.
They both feel as if they are about to face a big enemy.
~~~
"I was certain I ordered Quinella to remove most menial tasks with the house upgrade!" Marcus complained as he entered his room, went over to the wardrobe, and selected to create some easy-to-move working clothes.
[Quinella followed all of your instructions. She enquired what your parents wanted. Your mother insisted on keeping the fireplace.]
The inventor's eyebrows twitched for a second. He realised that his mother had played him.
He was sure that she would ground him. So he wanted to ensure the grounding was as simple as possible, him staying in his room and tinkering away until he was free.
But his mother still was able to sneak in some menial chores to do!
"She still knows how to make me do something like this even when I have all those assets." He sighed out loud as he opened the wardrobe and pulled out his newly created clothes.
"I would say it's because she is your mother, Admiral. Genetics do play a part in such situations." Enterprise said to him as she walked into his room.
She took off her captain's hat and her leather coat before walking over to his side.
"Make a set for me too. I will come with you." She said with a small smile; his mother said nothing about biological models helping, so she would chip in!
"Sure thing. Put your hand on the touch screen." His eyes sparkled. He is about to see Enterprise in autumn-season clothes for the outdoors! It will be glorious!
He pressed a few things on the touch screen, and a palm image appeared on the screen.
Marcus then moved aside and allowed her to scan herself.
"Okay."
With a nod, she placed her hand on the touch screen, and a light scanned her.
Once the scan was complete, she could see herself on the screen.
Now she can design her clothes!
"...What now?"
"Let me see~" With a smile, he started to see some clothes for her according to the season.
"What do you say for a pair of jeans?" He showed her dark blue jeans with a big belt.
"I don't mind. If you think that it will look nice on me, then I accept." Enterprise doesn't save opinion towards things like that. If her admiral thinks it suits her, she will put it on just for him.
"Alright." he selected the jeans. He then went for the top ones and found a nice woolly sweater with an extended collar. To top this up, he chose a simple raincoat jacket.
"For shoes, we will go with sneakers."
After doing all that, he pulled her clothes from the wardrobe.
The silver-haired beauty didn't even bother inspecting them. She proceeded to change her clothes immediately.
Marcus wasn't surprised by her blunt behaviour. So he followed after her and proceeded to change. Once they finished changing, the inventor checked her out.
"Beautiful. However, you lack one thing~" As he commented on her beauty, he went over to make one more thing.
She waited for him; once done with his selections, he pulled out something from the wardrobe.
Once he had it, he motioned for her to turn around. Enterprise didn't question him. Instead, she turned around. She then sensed that he was doing something with her hair; moments later, she felt he had finished.
"There. Now you have a ponytail~." He spoke with a pleased tone.
Enterprise turned around and looked at herself in the mirror.
"Interesting."
"Yes. Ponytail gives you a more strict and serious aura, while loose hair makes you more regal." He commented on her hair while observing her inspect herself in the mirror.
"...Which is better then?" She asked him curiously. The ship girl wants to know what hairstyle he prefers for her to have.
"All. I think a hairstyle like that depends on the occasion. Everything suits my Enti~." His honest reply made her slightly blush. She swiftly grabbed her sneakers.
"We should head outside. We still need to finish the mission your mother gave you." The ship girl proceeded to walk towards the doors with hurried steps.
Marcus shook his head in amusement. He was thinking about how cute she was. He then selected another set of gloves for her before walking after her.
~~~
"Brother, what should we do? How are we going to approach him?" Gabriel asked with a concerned voice. They appeared in Cracow, the second-largest city in Poland. It was one of the biggest and oldest Christian cities under their control and close to Marcus Goldman's lands.
"I have some ideas about what we can do. We have only one shot at this." Michael said with a small smile. All he needs is perfect timing for him to get this right.
"I trust you." The blonde Seraphim slowly nodded. It looked to her that he had a plan of some sort.
"Good. First, we need to get aeroplane tickets. Thankfully, this city's airport flies where we want." With a small smile, he walked towards the already waiting priests and men in black suits.
The Leader of Heaven already had everything prepared beforehand.
~~~~~~Meanwhile, in Underworld Aboard Axiom~~~~~~
Ravel was looking around; she was feeling out of place. The whole airship was technology overload for her. Automatic doors, floating holograms, the armoured men had suits with glowing parts that looked like tech and things like that. She saw robots walking too!
As someone who grew up in a traditional castle, this place was the complete opposite of what she was used to!
Seeing all of this made her question if what she knows will be good enough.
Eventually, that girl walked into the meeting room. The girl's dress was that of a teacher with sharp glasses and a wooden stick used for pointing at the blackboard.
"Let's begin, shall we~" Quinella pushed her glasses up. It reminded Ravel of the Sona Sitri style that the devil has glasses for some reason.
With her stick motion, a hologram appeared, adjusted to look like a blackboard.
"First, my name is Quinella Aurora. I am assistant to the Head Scientist and Researcher of Technocracy, Marcus Goldman. He holds the title of Next Solomon and Ruler of the Underworld.
Our goal as a Technocracy is to research and develop in peace. However, not everyone likes our methods." Quinella said that with a 'look' in her eyes.
That look reminded Reval of those people who don't care about consequences.
'This woman is dangerous.'
The blonde Phenex's back straightened as she started to pay extra attention. More specifically, what is this woman's angle!? That is essential so that she won't end up dead somewhere in a ditch!
"By that, I mean—the current world's situation. Your father said that you understand management. I shall test your governing skills. We will start with a nation, then a continental level and upwards to a bigger scale until I see your maximum capacity.
After all, our Technocracy shall rule everything in the cosmos."
'C-Cosmos!???'
Recall gulped down. Are these people planning total space domination!?
"Don't look surprised. It's only natural." Quinella's lips morphed into a borderline cocky grin.
"To run successful experiments, one must own a 'proper' laboratory and an appropriate institution. This institution has to have big enough testing grounds." Quinella smoothly explained to the Phenex Devil.
Sweet started to manifest on Reval's forehead.
'She is serious, isn't she? If this is what the assistant is thinking, then what is in the main researcher's head happening?'
"...But isn't Cosmos too big?"
"In a way, it is. However, at the same time, Marcus wants to have everything under control. If you own the entirety of the Milky Way Galaxy, then when a threat approaches, it's many lightyears away. We will know, and we will be able to prepare."
Reval quickly understood why.
"...So, a buffer zone?"
"Indeed." Quinella nodded before pointing at the 'blackboard'.
"Our Technocracy doesn't have issues with resources. It doesn't have manpower issues. Theoretically, we can expand infinitely."
The assistant pointed at the symbol of infinity, which was next to a barrel of oil, electricity and water. Then she pointed at the image of a soldier with Infinity next to it.
"I see…"
The blonde devil could work with these things.
"Yes. So, we will start with your foundational skills. You will manage a country for me." With an elegant hand motion, the assistant snapped her fingers, and the doors opened. A pair of soldiers brought in a device.
"This is a Realitus Projector. It creates a perfect simulation for you.
Your first assignment is to control a large territory with limited habitat zones and only 150 million people. Since it's your first simulation run, you shall have abundant raw resources."
With that said, particles consumed the whole room. Before Ravel can understand what is happening, the particles transport her to—
"T-This is!"
"Kremlin," Quinella said with both hands behind her back as she started to pace back and forth.
"Russia serves as the perfect test for you. It has a lot of land, a lot of useless land, and a lot of resources. I will watch as you rule this massive piece of territory. Once you satisfy me, we shall move to a more difficult one."
Reval gulped down as she looked around. She saw people lined up for her. This—
It was seriously awesome and, at the same time, terrified her to no end. But at the same time, she was having positive goosebumps thinking that this Technocracy has technology like this!
"Exciting, isn't it? People call this the Entertainment Dome. One can relive their fantasies. Others insert themselves into movies, books, mangas and so on. But the best part is that we can simulate millions, if not trillions, of scenarios.
You are part of it now. All these people here have personalities, ambitions and things like that. Of course, you shouldn't be worried. At this moment, the entirety of this simulation is configured to be on basic difficulty, and these people are easy to read." As Quinella said that, she stopped pacing and looked at the devil girl, listening patiently.
"When you finish this simulation, we will move to a more complex country with worse conditions than Russia."
"...W-What are the winning conditions?"
"Hmm? You've never played Civilization games before, do you?" Quinella looked surprised that the blonde didn't grasp what was happening yet.
Ravel rapidly shook her head.
"You poor thing~"
The Assistant patted her head as if she suffered through her life.
"It's domination victory. You will have to conquer everything. Because other victories are for children." Quinella sweetly explained to the devil. She sounded more like a devil than a devil in question, which made Phenex more afraid of her than ever before!
"...E-Everything?"
"That's right, every city, every village, everything. I will watch closely how you manage your country from finances to the military-industrial complex."
*Gulp*
"I see."
"Indeed. Now, let's begin the story. Ms. President. You were recently elected President of the Russian Federation in the early 21's century. How will your story unfold~?" Quinella, with a bright smile, slowly disappeared, leaving Ravel behind.
The blonde girl slowly paled as she saw suit-wearing men and women walk over to her with papers. They all want directions from her!
~~~~~~Back with Marcus~~~~~~
The Inventor visited the shed and the adjacent building next to the garage. It was his grandfather's workshop. As a carpenter, he had all the tools to work on wood, like axes, hammers, wooden and metal, different types of knives, wrenches, nails, screws, etc. It was heaven for anyone who was obsessed with having a workshop.
"...This is—" Enterprise poked her head as she looked over this dusty place. There was a big table with a saw in the middle.
"My grandfather's place." He said with a small, strained smile. This place reminds him that even with all of his powers, certain things he can't change.
In a sense, it keeps him grounded and inspires him to keep going.
"Oh… He was a carpenter?"
"I would say universal craftsman through and through," Marcus said with a nostalgic voice. He had a flashback where he remembers getting stuffed with apples by his grandfather. Even to this day, he can't eat apples that often.
"See~ genetics, as I told you before." The shipgirl today saw two things that made Marcus, Marcus.
"I don't deny that." He shook his head before walking over to a door which never was finished. He placed his hand on it. He was feeling the oak—one of the sturdiest trees.
The inventor envisioned the house he was planning to build on Titan. The night sky there will be breathtaking.
Not just the night sky, depending on how the surface of the planet is, he is planning to make a couple of continents full of dinosaurs and ice age creatures.
'But most importantly, making the house a blend of old and new.'
After saying that, he looked around before spotting hanged tools. He walked over there and picked up an axe.
He swirled it briefly, inspecting the balance before nodding to himself.
"Let's go. I can chop up for a while before dinner is ready."
"Okay!"
With a nod, she followed him towards the side of the driveway, where wood piles were.
"At least my dad, this time, bought some high-quality stuff." Marcus sighed. He pondered if he should get a forest and genetically engineer some good-smelling wood that smells nice when burning.
"What's the difference? I don't understand things like that. Not my field of expertise." The silver-haired girl asked with a slightly embarrassed tone.
"Well, it depends on where you want to use the wood. For this, it's branches. The fewer branches, the easier it is to cut them up." He explained to her.
"...but since you can blow up a planet if you want, does it matter?" She questioned with a slightly confused tone.
"We are not discussing my powers here, Enti. My mother wanted the old fashioned, so we are doing it the old fashioned way." He explained to her as he grabbed the biggest piece of wood and used it as a stump. Then he placed another one on top of it.
"Right!" The ship girl put her gloves on. She was playing along. Part of her is very excited. Being outside doing such a menial task makes her feel– alive! The smell of nature, the gentle gust of wind. Slightly cool temperature, all of that played a big part in feeling like this!
Before long, Marcus got a few pieces ready for her.
"Let me show you how to store them." He grabbed the recently sliced firewood and walked to the shed where his father stored firewood.
"See the way my dad stored these? It's to make sure it does fall. It's like a wall. All you have to do is place it like this." He showed it to the girl before picking up an empty box.
"Understood."
Enterprise nodded at him as she took the offered box.
"You can place all the wood in the box before coming here to place it," Marcus explained to her before walking back to cut some more.
"Yes."
As the pair were doing manual labour, Sirin watched them through the window. The girl realised that this was a bonding moment for them!
'Damn it all! I should have joined them!' She complained to herself as she bit a nail from frustration.
The thing was, she had nothing else to do after finishing preparing the table. Now, she was too embarrassed to join midway like this!
~~~
Around an hour later, the pair returned inside the house. Marcus washed his hands and changed his clothes.
Enterprise followed him, but the Inventor prepared another set of regular clothes for her.
Seeing him dressing up Enterprise like that made the other ship girl— stare at him.
Without waiting for her to comment, he motioned to come over. Tirpitz followed, and soon enough, she had another set of clothes.
Seeing him remove a military uniform like that makes Nyx get clothes, too! She wanted to ditch those military garbs!
She swiftly got a black hoodie and shorts! On top of that, she made herself warm slippers with cat ears!
By this point, Gu Yuena was back in her original hoodie as well.
Only Athena didn't change anything as she was already wearing regular clothes. Sirin was the only one left who went upstairs and changed into her previous clothes.
When Rose, Marcus' mother, saw everyone change like that, she clapped her hands in happiness.
"Marcus, they all look so cute! While I don't like the fact that you are manipulating life like that. I can, however, agree that they look cute!" She commented while looking at Enterprise, Gu Yuena, Tirpitz, and Sirin's clothes.
"Well, you told me you wanted a bigger family. So—" He shrugged while saying that.
"There will be even more girls later. I have recovered quite a bit of warship—"
She stared at him with a heated look.
"-including Titanic. That's a gift for you." The inventor swiftly used his 'trump' card.
Her eyes narrowed when she heard that.
"I know you are trying to bribe me. Sad to say, it is working." She replied with a sigh.
"It will be completely refurbished. Every single bolt of the ship will be just how it was before it sunk, from the paint job to the furniture.
It will be 100% authentic." Marcus proceeded to 'press on'.
"While it will have those chimneys, they will emit fake smoke. The ship will move with the technology I Invented. You will be able to sail anywhere you want with it."
"Sound's nice, but you forgot it's a big ship!" She pointed her fork at him.
"I would need sailors and— a captain."
Instead of saying anything, Marcus wrapped his hand around Enterprise and pointed his finger at his carrier ship's cheek.
"Did my mother dearest forget that I make those?"
Seeing how he was pointing at his creation, she finally realised this would work! More like it is working!
"Oh my gosh! I need to make a call!" Forgetting her food, she rushed away to make some calls.
"...Did your mother only now realise that you can do stuff?" Sirin asked with a confused look as she looked where his mother went.
"It took a while for you to realise what 'Ship Girl' is," Marcus commented as he recalled Sirin's and Tirpitz's spar.
"...Don't remind me of that!" The Herrscher bashfully replied!
She then noticed that Enterprise was feeding him with a small smile.
'Damn those Aircraft carriers!'
"What do you think she is doing?" Athena chipped in from the side, wondering what her future mother-in-law was doing.
"I am certain she is calling her co-workers and most likely will invite them for a cruise," Marcus replied after swallowing the offered food.
"Is the ship even fixed?" Athena recalled that drydocks don't have enough space to refurbish all the ships simultaneously.
"Aurora, you can begin Titanic's refurbishment." Marcus, with a smirk, ordered his AI.
[Certainly, sir]
"Is this your scheme to get off your grounding early?" Athena asked with a joking tone.
But seeing his smirk, she realised that he was serious.
"...There are far easier ways to do that! Get flowers and chocolate, or buy tickets to a theatre or concert! But your solution is refurbishing a nearly century-old cruise liner?" Athena commented with wide eyes as she pushed her glasses up.
"That's our Admiral!" Enterprise chipped in with a smile.
"I leave those small things to my father. It's his trump card when he returns from work drunk occasionally. If I use that card, it will lose its value. That is why I am doing this." He explained quite seriously to his Fiance.
"...You are taking a thousand hops for a single hop. But that's most likely why you developed technology like that." The Goddess of Warfare commented with a deep sigh.
Athena realised her future husband's brain was wired for complexity instead of basic and direct!
~~~
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