NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59
《Neon City City Law Consultation Bulletin Board》
[Inquiry about Marriage] (Response Completed)
Here’s the question.
It’s not for me, but someone nearby might be considering it, so I’m asking.
Is polygamy possible in Neon City?
ㅡ(Respondent) To put it simply, yes, it is possible. If you look it up, you’ll find hologram ads that tout slogans guaranteeing freedom of religion and system, you know? This was from when the city’s mayor was… (omitted)
ㅡ However, to legally marry multiple partners, one must pay a ‘polygamy tax’ to the city. Most citizens are unaware that polygamy is even possible because of this.
ㅡ Compared to regular marriage tax, you must pay about 5 to 100 times the credits as tax depending on the number of marriages.
ㅡ Given that, if you are thinking of marrying several people, I recommend contacting our office for detailed legal tax-saving advice. Thank you.
ㄴ (Inquirer) I’m not the one.
A luxurious van cruises down the road.
In the back seat sits an elf woman.
Andrea spat out her irritation.
“Ugh, seriously. I’m not!”
“…Is something wrong?”
Hearing the voice, the female manager driving glanced into the ‘hologram rearview mirror’ to check on the back seat.
Andrea waved her hand without taking her gaze off the visual interface.
“No, it’s just me talking to myself.”
Even so, it was clear to anyone that she looked unhappy.
Seeing Andrea like that, the manager refocused on driving.
From her years of experience as a manager, she knew that saying even a single wrong word in such a situation could lead to complaints from Andrea (the employer) until they arrived.
Of course, the fact that Andrea was still an active ‘professional mercenary’ helped maintain the manager’s silence.
But anyway.
Andrea ignored the manager’s wary tactics and read the answer to the question again.
Calmly, she thought.
‘…Well, it’s possible. The difference in numbers means it’s okay to have multiple partners.’
Having thought that much, Andrea shook her head in denial.
“No, what am I thinking?”
As she moved, her long red hair tied on both sides swayed chaotically in the back seat.
Did the manager realize she was looking at her like a crazy person?
Still, Andrea’s gaze remained glued to the visual interface.
‘…Why would she send such a message to upset me?’
Andrea manipulated the visual interface.
She wanted to reread the content of the message from earlier.
Sender: ‘Neon City, Best Freelancer’
– I’ve decided.
– If I can’t do it alone, then several should be okay.
Reading up to this point, she was suddenly left wondering what nonsense had been sent.
– So, by the way.
– Is polygamy legal in Neon City?
After reading the last message.
It was utterly undignified, but she had no choice but to spit out the coffee she was casually drinking.
Just seeing that content made her understand exactly what Catherine, the person who sent the message, was thinking.
With a nervous twitch, Andrea turned off the visual interface.
The message screen shut down.
With that movement, the manager, who had been sneakily glancing back at her, also turned her attention to Andrea.
It was obvious why Catherine had messaged Andrea. She knew herself, unlike anyone else.
“I’ll be doing this.
What about you?”
It must have been something like that.
‘…I’ve already given up, so why bother?’
That was why.
Despite not needing to move, she had moved to a distant upper-class area from ‘that place.’
It was also why she had used hologram calls to give Catherine advice so they could be together.
“…….”
But to think this was the result.
Andrea’s head began to ache.
Her gaze shifted toward the window.
The tall buildings of the city swallowed by clouds.
Shimmering holographic billboards swam within it, and all that scenery flew by, unable to keep up with the speed of the car.
‘……So.’
Andrea thought.
‘Does that mean I don’t have to give up either?’
Just then, something escaped her lips.
“Hmm─.”
She hummed without realizing it. That pleasant melody substituted her mood.
Hearing that humming, the manager let out a sigh of relief and focused on driving.
‘Looks like her mood has lightened up a bit. Seriously, was her nickname ‘Devil’? Whoever named her sure did a good job.’
The manager increased the van’s speed.
Usually reliable toward her employer, but when Andrea’s mood swung like this, she wanted to quit at any moment.
—
17. The Reason for Coming (2)
This is my personal opinion.
At that moment, it felt like the world had ‘thumped!’ and shook.
And the reason was naturally.
Catherine’s shocking declaration.
‘……I want to live together too.’
She had been prepared to endure and just listen to whatever was said.
Yet, unexpectedly, a question slipped out of her mouth.
“What?”
If you ask why I was speaking formally.
I don’t know either.
When faced with an unbearable reality, one tends to spiral into confusion.
Did I misunderstand?
Once again, Catherine spoke to me.
“I’m going to live with you.”
The moisture in her eyes had vanished by some unknown time.
Her golden iris, reflecting light, gazed directly at me.
“…….”
I couldn’t respond immediately. I was lost in thought.
I mean, naturally, I would welcome it─ but no.
It was right to reject it first.
“There’s a saying in where I lived, ‘men and women should not sit together at seven.’ What it means is─.”
“I’m just from the same landfill as you, what about it?”
“…That’s true.”
“Well, let’s assume that’s the case. Then what about Eve? Isn’t she behind?”
“…….”
Now I have nothing else to say.
The ‘Confucian scholar within me’ tried to surface, but sank back down.
In fact, Catherine was right.
I was already the guy who had slept in a bed with Eve.
And it was true that we had only slept.
Still, I considered alternative excuses.
“It’ll be cramped for three of us to live together─.”
“Nope, there are ways. Besides, what’s wrong with being a little close?”
“…….”
Really?
No, snap out of it.
Three people living together like this?
My sanity couldn’t take it.
I drew up the final choice I had been saving as a last resort.
“Should I ask Eve about it first?”
That was right.
The last person I trusted was Eve─.
“It’s okay.”
However, Eve’s immediate reply came in.
Hearing that made Catherine’s smile widen even more, and she brightly said.
“Eve says it’s okay?”
“…Yes.”
…Since it has come to this, I guess I have no choice but to develop a transcendent patience.
At home, Catherine only wore Dolphin Shorts.
Whenever that happened, Eve, who felt competitive, began to take off her maid outfit.
Just thinking about that already made my head spin.
After wrapping up the conversation, Catherine briefly stepped outside.
She needed to pack her things.
And she had reasons to verify a few things.
“…….”
It felt as if a storm had passed through.
I slowly moved my heavy body and plopped onto the bed. I sank deeply into it.
I had felt it since the last time I slept— the bed’s elasticity was absurdly excessive.
“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
Eve asked, cautiously approaching me as I enjoyed the bed’s elasticity.
Her hesitant steps were unlike Eve at all, appearing almost shy.
I hadn’t realized it when she didn’t have a body, but Eve’s emotional expressions were much more pronounced than I expected.
Or maybe not?
Thinking back, even without a body, she might have expressed emotions strongly.
Anyway, I looked at Eve.
Eve briefly clutched her skirt. It looked like a reflex she wasn’t aware of.
Slowly, Eve began to speak.
“…Thank you.”
“?”
I tilted my head to the left.
It didn’t seem she was thanking me for allowing Catherine to live with us.
Baffled by my lack of understanding, Eve continued.
“I am an artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, I thank you for asking ‘me’ for my opinion.”
“Ah.”
What? Thanking me for something like that.
I waved my hand dismissively.
“It’s just natural. Don’t mention it.”
“…….”
“Besides, I owe you a lot, Eve. You don’t need to thank me.”
Eve glanced at the floor.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but it seemed like a hint of a blush appeared on her cheeks.
What was going through Eve’s mind?
What worries did the super AI with tremendous capability have about its identity?
I couldn’t tell.
But I could offer some comfort.
To ease the silence, I playfully asked Eve.
“By the way, did you mention earlier?”
“…….”
“When we succeed in a raid, you wished to receive a reward.”
At my words, Eve’s gaze met mine.
Those once transparent white eyes were now piercing through me.
“Well then.”
Eve gradually raised her arm.
“Please hug me.”
…….
Although that phrase might imply something else, it didn’t seem like the translation module was malfunctioning; it sounded like a straightforward request.
“…What’s so hard about that?”
I replied nonchalantly.
Of course.
It wasn’t like it was completely nothing.
Honestly, any man would feel that way.
Whether it’s body heat, sensation, or size.
They were all things I couldn’t handle.
gulp, I swallowed hard.
Yet, I couldn’t reject Eve’s request for help after everything she has done for me.
If I did, it would be more appropriate to go to a bioware surgery clinic and change my name to ‘Gender Fluid.’
Just the thought of that was embarrassing enough.
“Alright.”
I stretched out my hands just like Eve.
Slowly, Eve approached me.
Each step seemed very slow.
But step by step, she was definitely getting closer.
Time stretched on like gold.
Eve’s AI seemed to be almost at hand─.
Then it happened.
– Ding dong.
“Someone’s coming!”
A visitor had arrived.
—
It was someone I had never seen before.
He was wearing an elegant suit, but his sharp gaze beyond his black sunglasses was very impressive.
Clearing his throat, he said.
“Mr. Kojaka William sent me. I was going to send a message, but I thought it might be rude, so I came in person.”
“Hmm.”
“I will deliver the message. 《The ‘custom-made outfit’ we discussed then is ready, and I have more to discuss. Let’s meet once.} That’s all.”
Ah.
Now that I think about it.
That’s right.
When I dealt with the ninja in the sewage.
William Kojaka had said he would help me get new clothes because mine might get dirty.
Honestly, I was half-joking.
But I never expected he would take it seriously and actually provide them.
However, I couldn’t hide my joy. My lips tugged upwards involuntarily as I tried hard to maintain my expression.
I had no other reasons for this, except.
A strong presence loomed from behind me.
If someone else hadn’t appeared behind me, then there was only one identity.
It could only be.
‘Eve’ alone.
“…….”
At least, this wasn’t my fault.