Even If I'm Reborn as a Cute Dragon Girl, I Will Still Make a Harem-Chapter 76Book 6: : Warm

“Dean, do you really want to release the results of this study?”

In the dusk of three suns setting together, the assistant caught up with the dean, who was striding ahead.

He spoke bluntly, clearly showing his dissatisfaction. “If you make these results public just like that, do you realize how much it will impact society as a whole?”

“Of course I don’t know.”

The old dean adjusted his glasses and stared at the anxious assistant who blocked his path.

“Woodman, you have to understand—no one in this world can predict the future with perfect accuracy. All we can do is make sure we’re moving along a path that seems correct.”

“But is your reckless decision really right for our society and civilization as a whole?”

“My decision is anything but reckless. I thought about it all night… and this is my final answer.”

“But—”

“No buts.”

The dean’s voice suddenly rose, loud enough to drown out the honking of the autopilot craft beyond the barrier.

“Woodman, did you know that just last month, the population of the Left Sea Sector surpassed five billion? The Falling Moon Sector surpassed eight billion! And the Third Satellite Survival Base has already issued a warning—their population passed one billion, yet its fragile ecology can’t even support hundreds of millions!

“And according to the main planet’s Gaea Core, the number of patients suffering from debilitation has now exceeded one percent of the entire population!”

“One percent, Woodman! Do you think that’s small? Use your head—one percent of two hundred billion is two billion! Two billion people are dying slowly, suffering extreme agony from organ failure and cardiopulmonary arrest. And eighty percent of them are children—children under ten years old!

“And that’s just the beginning. It’ll only grow worse, like a tiny hole in a dam that eventually bursts! Until half our population is afflicted with this incurable disease, it won’t stop. And when that day comes, our society and civilization will stand on the brink of collapse.”

“But those fools at the top? For colonial expansion, for manpower, to feed their endless greed… they’re still encouraging births! They saw our warning reports, Woodman. They threw them out the moment we submitted them. They don’t care! Because this disease won’t affect them!”

“But I care, Woodman. And those pitiful children suffering from this disease… they care too.”

The dean’s voice cracked from his rare emotion. His shoulders trembled as he gasped for breath. His eyes were bloodshot like an enraged bull.

“This is the only way to save them, Woodman. The only way to change policy is to pressure it with public opinion. If we can lower the population, we won’t even need to pillage dangerous star systems for resources. We can survive just fine!

“I’m retiring soon. As dean of this research institute, this is all I can do. So… are you going to stop me, Woodman?”

He slowly calmed himself, looking expectantly at his assistant.

In the end, Woodman simply sighed and stepped aside. “You’re the head of the study. You have the right to decide what to do with its results.”

“Thank you, Woodman.”

The old dean walked slowly into the fiery sunset.

“But, Dean…”

The assistant’s final words came from behind him.

“As you said, no one can predict the future. So when you claim we’re on the right path, isn’t that also an inconsistency? A fallacy? None of us can guarantee our path is the right one.”

The dean paused mid-step.

“Is that so? …Well, perhaps. But I have no choice.”

◆◇◆◇◆

“Daddy!”

The moment the dean stepped through the front door, a child with snot bubble threw himself at his leg, voice thick with grievance.

“Second Brother stole my toy again!”

“Nonsense, I didn’t!”

A teenager stood nearby, hands hidden behind his back, the corner of a toy peeking out as he tried to whistle nonchalantly.

“I wouldn’t take a toy from a crybaby like you.”

“Donnie!” The dean scooped up his youngest adopted son and glared at the teenager. “Is this how you act as an older brother? Snatching your little brother’s toys?”

“I was just teasing him…” The teenager pouted. Under the old man’s stern gaze, he obediently handed over the toy—a worn-out rainbow pony.

“And have you finished your homework?” the old dean asked.

“Ages ago!” The boy crossed his arms proudly.

“What about that test paper? I heard you had a test. Why didn’t you tell me? If Bernie hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have known.”

The teen’s confidence faltered. He clutched his head dramatically and wailed, “Ahhh, Bernie, how could you betray me?!”

“I’ll deal with you after I finish my work. For now, take care of your little brother properly.”

The dean patted the youngest boy on the head. “Go play with Donnie for a while, okay? Daddy has things to do.”

“Okay!”

Like a goldfish, the boy’s memory of the incident vanished the moment he had his toy back. He happily toddled off, following his older brother to repeat games they had played countless times before.

“What do you want for dinner?”

A girl leaned casually against the doorway. She wore her school uniform but also an old-fashioned apron that contrasted with her youthful look.

“Whatever’s fine.”

“Ugh, I hate that kind of answer.”

The dean chuckled. “Thanks for cooking, Bernie.”

“Save those words for when you actually remember to buy me a new dress.” She rolled her eyes.

“The prettiest girl in my class wore a plain white dress today. It was gorgeous. When will you take me shopping?”

“We’ll go when I’m free.”

“Mhm, sure.” She was clearly unconvinced, adorably wrinkling her nose. “You’re heading to little sister’s place again?”

“Yes.”

“How long will you be out?”

“Two hours. I need to make some changes to the data. You guys don’t need to wait for me—”

“We’ll wait.”

Bernie locked eyes with him, voice steady and serious as she reminded, “Two hours. Don’t be late.”

“…Alright.”

“I’ll make your favorite potato stew.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“And change your clothes, okay? It’s Donnie’s birthday today, and Big Brother’s rushing back too.”

“Ah, I completely forgot.” The old man slapped his forehead, embarrassed.

“That’s why I’m reminding you now.” She winked playfully. “Even though you’re the dad, you’re a mess without us keeping you in line.”

“True,” the dean admitted with a helpless smile, unable to come up with a retort to his adopted daughter’s teasing.

Behind them, children’s laughter echoed through the house as the hum of a flying machine settled outside.

“Ah, Big Brother’s back!” Bernie waved as she headed for the door. “Finish your work. I’ll go welcome him.”

“Alright.”

The dean smiled as he watched her go.

It was a warm moment.