“Hmm, this might actually work.”

The Memory Sifter was pouring over some documents with Isabelle, regarding an artefact that could replicate the ‘heads-up display’ Solaris had. Gaius and Isabelle had been working on something like an eyepiece to replicate such a function when they were bored at night, which had turned out to be a rather fruitful experience for his learning.

That said, he still didn’t understand why the foundations of artefacts and sigils worked the way they did. Why did channelling energy in a particular manner produce vastly different effects?

It was a question he had held for a very long time, almost from the very start of his journey here. Isabelle, who had also overcome the blind spot in this area, was also beginning on her long journey to understand the whys behind the simplest of artefacts.

Of course, it would not do for them to bamboozle the Memory Sifter and Lia, so Isabelle hadn’t brought up that issue.

“It’s something we came up with after we saw the Solaris Museum,” Isabelle explained. “Wouldn’t it be useful in the upcoming war?”

“I’m not sure if we can put this into mass production by January next year, though.” Her mother narrowed her eyes. “I do, however, have the ability to make one or two prototypes quite quickly. The issue lies in the main control unit. You’re making an artefact, but you’re expecting the Internet’s main control unit to adapt to your product.”

“Pinnacle Kolya will probably work something out,” said Isabelle. “It runs on the same foundational basis as the latest Displays.”

Gaius felt his heart quiver slightly at that last bit. Isabelle had taken apart one of the Displays the two had bought in the Republic for her research. It wasn’t about the money, however. No, it was the means in which she had taken them apart; Nakama wasn’t the only one who had the habit of breaking things down into their basic components.

It would have been fine if it all ended there, but she then spent the rest of the night rebuilding the Display, which naturally meant that Gaius had a sleepless night too. Granted, he was mediating the whole time, but watching her burn the midnight oil was a somewhat painful feeling.

“I really want to ask how you and the ruler of the Mortal Light Dynasty are on speaking terms.”

“It’s a very complicated story,” Isabelle replied, glancing at Gaius. Her mother picked up on that immediately, and the Lost Star trembled under her gaze.

“Oho.”

“Y-yes?” Gaius asked. “Do you need anything? Just putting it out here, but I am not on the North’s payroll. As far as the Mortal Light Dynasty is concerned, I’m just a resident in Upper Elysium and nothing else.”

“Yes, yes. Of course. Naturally. Why would I think otherwise?”

“You don’t sound very convinced,” Gaius replied.

“I enunciated my acceptance of your claim in no less than four ways,” the Memory Sifter replied. “Why would you think that?”

“I-I wonder…” Gaius slid behind Isabelle once more.

“My son-in-law can be rather cute, eh?” She shook her head. “Anyway, regarding this heads-up display…your idea is bold, but it’s impossible to fit it on a single eyepiece.”

“What do you suggest, mother?” Isabelle asked.

“There are two ways we can go from here,” the Memory Sifter replied. “First, we can design a helmet to go with it. The helmet can bear most of the passageways, while…”

Gaius zoned out at the two continued to chatter on, and after a while, he decided to walk around the place. The interior of the Memory Sifter’s dwelling was full of interesting gadgets, gadgets that he hadn’t had much time to pay attention to. As an illustration, the two humanoids that had grabbed Lia earlier was now dancing with each other on the spot, in the middle of the room.

A small replica of Earth’s solar system floated away at the side, orbiting the sun at a snail’s pace. Isabelle’s sister was looking at it with interest, but from the looks of it, she didn’t quite understand what the replica was.

He stared at the small blue orb that represented Earth, and wondered what year it was there now. From his memories, which had been recovering over the past few years, Gaius could confirm that he had passed away in the early 2010s. What year was it now? Or did summoning really transcend the limits of time and space, as evidenced by the Cardinal Champions?

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, and he returned back to Isabelle, who was now drawing enthusiastically. To her side, completed drawings was stacked up, and Gaius reached out for one of them.

“This helmet panders to my sense of style,” Gaius muttered.

“It does?” Isabelle looked up. “Yes! You’ll be wearing one, then.”

“Wait, I didn’t say that I would be wearing one,” said Gaius. “There’s no point in me wearing something like a helmet, right? Armour doesn’t really do anything for fights on my level.”

“But it might save your life,” Isabelle replied. “No arguments. You promised me that you’ll prioritise your safety.”

“Guh!”

“Now, now.” Isabelle reached out and rubbed his head.

“Sometimes,” said the Memory Sifter, “it feels like you’re doting on him, like how an older sister would do. Just what kind of dynamic does your relationship run on?”

Gaius and Isabelle exchanged glances.

“That, I think, is a very good question,” Gaius replied. “We spoil and coddle each other on a regular basis, so…”

“A relationship based on head pats?”

“You two…my head is beginning to hurt, for some reason.” The Memory Sifter shook her head. “Fine, whatever. We’ll finish this up, and then have some lunch. Do you know what Ark City’s specialties are?”

The two shook their head.

“Excellent.” She clapped her hands, a small smile on her face. “I’ve been walking around Ark City and leaking out some great recipes. Since I can do that, it naturally means that I’m able to cook them myself too. Let me show you some of the States’ trademark food.”

“The States?” Isabelle asked.

“I’ve combined it with some French — or Southern, in Orb’s terms — cuisine, so you should feel right at home.” The Memory Sifter rubbed her hands. “Let’s wrap this up quickly.”

“Okay!”