episode_0183

000

As Kleon puts his clothes back on, the group is seen returning to the room, guided by Mercury.

Sasha’s face is flushed, Aruru wears a teasing smile, Lyla doesn’t lose her composure as the victor, and Kuon has a `Whoa…` kind of face.

In Amelia’s case, perhaps thanks to the adults blocking her ears and eyes out of consideration, she only tilted her head with a question mark floating above it.

“What… if you have something to say, say it.”

Kleon looks at the group, but none of them open their mouths.

“Then, Kleon. The re-adjustment of your browsing privileges is complete, so from now on, I will start delivering the information requested for disclosure.”

As Mercury says that and starts manipulating the instrument panel and the illusion of the formula inside the room….

Magic power flows through the ground, the ceiling, and the walls, heading towards the giant `sphere` in the middle of the room. Its diameter is larger than the height of a typical adult male.

It starts flowing into the `sphere`, a magical tool of unknown material surrounded by several metal rings.

“This is, the database of this laboratory. The Philosopher’s Record Plate created by Trismegistus.”

The giant sphere, infused with magical power, slowly clangs open, as if it were a sealing device, revealing what it has hidden inside.

A faint green light flows out through the opening, and as the sphere takes on a shape similar to the ring that completely surrounded the main body.

In the center of the room, a giant emerald-colored stone tablet floats, defying gravity.

Like the sphere, the height was taller than Kleon’s height.

Its surface is covered in some kind of language – probably the language of the ancients.

Engraving and intaglio repeated, the entire stone tablet was densely covered with the language of the ancients, and magical patterns and shapes were carved in places.

On both sides.

Even a skilled gem cutter would need a tremendous amount of effort and time to write so densely.

Kleon thought that Iona would be so surprised that she would open her mouth, and opened his mouth.

“This is-”

“Emerald Tablet…”

And, its identity was revealed by Lyla speaking its name.

“That’s right. This is Trismegistus’s Emerald Tablet. A huge conceptual information storage device that is the original of all replicas.”

Mercury nodded at Lyla’s words and pointed at the giant stone tablet with his hand.

“In other words – a recording device. Is that what you mean?”

“That’s right. It is a device that uses magical concepts to create a small-area world inside to store information, instead of simply physical recording, which is only for storing information.”

“Amazing…! If this is the original, then all the blueprints for almost all the magical tools developed by Trismegistus, or the magical concepts and theories he discovered, are all in there!”

When Lyla raises her voice in excitement, Aruru and the others make a `Woah…` sound, as if they understand the meaning to that extent.

“Hey, this-!”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t do rentals, etc. Only when a person with Level 1 browsing privileges requests information disclosure. The seal on the Emerald Tablet is only lifted to deliver that information.”

Mercury shook his head and answered Lyla’s words, and Lyla raised her voice with an `Ugh`, but soon nodded as if she couldn’t help it.

“…But, I can’t read this.”

“This is not a thing to read physically, to obtain information through visual means. Kleon, the information you want. The amount of information related to `Resia` is too vast for this individual to deliver in voice or documents.”

Mercury says that and manipulates the machine in the center of the room once again.

Then, some letters on the tablet begin to glow, and begin to shine light towards the metal tiles on the walls, floor, and ceiling of the room.

The tiles that received the light, reflect it to another tile.

As it repeats from tile to tile in order, the light from the tablet soon begins to envelop the entire room.

“Therefore, I will use `illusion magic` to allow you to directly see the information that the tablet possesses in your eyes.”

“Showing the past with illusions….”

“If you tell us what happened, it would be the most sure way to show it.”

When Aruru says that, Kleon also nods.

“While the illusion is playing, your brains will be restricted from functions other than watching the illusion in order to process the information. Are you ready?”

Kleon closes his mouth for a moment.

If he sees this video, he can find out what happened after Resia went to the primeval world.

He can know what comes after the Memoria Cube that was opened at the Academy.

“…Okay. Please.”

“Then… I will move your consciousness to the small area inside the tablet…. I hope that within it, you can obtain the information you want.”

When Mercury finally moves his hand to complete the formula, Kleon and his group’s consciousness are slowly enveloped in light and blurred.

To be precise, it feels like the soul is being separated from the body. When the eyes are completely enveloped in light, a completely different landscape than before is unfolded in front of them.

-…

001-5000

The gray-haired man wearing a white coat was manipulating the machine, placing a mug full of a black liquid that appeared to be coffee on the desk cluttered with documents and other things.

If others knew that he was placing a liquid on the desk connected to the control panel of the Emerald Tablet, which could be called his greatest invention, they would be shocked.

However, the creator himself casually put the cup, filled to the brim so that it would not spill, and then rummages through the drawer.

The drawer was also almost not organized like the desk, but the man somehow finds the blue document file he was aiming for and takes it out.

The Great Scholar Trismegistus.

Researcher, Magician, Alchemist, Teacher, Doctor…

He had countless titles, but later, all of his knowledge and achievements would be collectively called simply `Great Scholar`.

In his private life, he was lazy, hated troublesome things, had messy hair, wore square-rimmed glasses, and didn’t even trim his beard properly.

He was such an ordinary man in his late 30s.

Also, he was wearing a ring on the ring finger of his left hand, although it was in a unique shape, so it could be seen that he was married.

“Just wait a moment… I think I wrote it down somewhere and stuck it in here….”

Trismegistus was saying that, asking for the understanding of the girl sitting in the chair in front of him.

Sitting in front of Trismegistus was a child with black hair, black eyes, and skin as white as jade.

She was wearing a black dress that was the same color as her hair and eyes, and was waiting with both feet neatly on the ground.

She was about 10 years old, and although she had an immature atmosphere, her expression was calm and felt more mature than Trismegistus, who was rushing around.

“It’s okay. Teacher. And, if I remember correctly, the document file that you looked at last time was not that blue one, but the green one next to it.”

“Huh? Ah, oh. That’s right. Haha, Lilis is so smart after all.”

Trismegistus slightly returned the blue document file as if embarrassed, and instead took out the green document file.

“It’s green after all….”

Trismegistus muttered such incomprehensible excuses, and pulled out a piece of paper from the document file and sat down on the chair himself.

“Okay… this is the result of the last test. Just like the previous test results, there are no major problems with your body. There is no deformation caused by magic power, and no diseases were detected. If there is a problem, it would be that the nutrients you consume are slightly biased. If you are picky, you won’t be able to become an adult like Resia, okay?”

“…A, amazing. Is it possible to know that much just by going into that tube?”

“In this world, that’s a normal technology…. Don’t change the subject. Make sure to eat vegetables and meat in a balanced way.”

Lilis quickly turned her head away as if embarrassed that her trick didn’t work, but Trismegistus just gave a bitter smile.

“Mr. Trismegistus, I’m done here too. What are the results of Lilis’s test?”

At that time, a platinum-blonde woman entered while opening the door.

She was wearing a comfortable light armor with the sacred golden sword `Caladbolg` emitting a subtle glow on her waist, which was not an unusual outfit for people of Kleon’s era to see.

But to Trismegistus, it felt like a rather outdated outfit, but there was a proper reason for that.

Resia is an existence from the future, different from this primeval world.

In the future, it seemed that their world had been destroyed once, and then humanity had begun to prosper again.

It seemed that they had succeeded in recovering to the level of civilization of about the `Middle Ages` that is spoken of in the primeval world.

He wanted to hear more details about that, but knowing more about the future than necessary would surely bring bad results.

That’s why Trismegistus was cooperating with her without asking her more than necessary.

The humans in this world where Trismegistus lived were slowly going downhill after passing the peak of their race.

Environmental pollution, depletion of resources, religious, ethnic, and ideological conflicts caused by disagreements.

A gunpowder magazine-like situation was spreading throughout the continent, where war could break out at any time.

Except for oddballs like Trismegistus, an era had come where humans did not trust humans.

Besides, people with blonde hair and blue eyes like Resia had always been considered to be of slave descent in this world.

Trismegistus happened to see the guards moving to catch her, thinking that Resia, who was freely roaming the land, was some kind of escaped slave.

That was the opportunity that led to him becoming interested in her and saving her.

He was cooperating with her so that she could return to her original future world, going back and forth between the cave where she was hiding and this laboratory.

“There were no big problems. Resia, you should also warn Lilis if she is picky.”

“Ah, haha. Yes. I understand.”

In terms of physical age, Resia, who is over 40, is younger than Trismegistus, who is in his late 30s.

However, Resia’s body was no longer aging from the power of the Holy Sword, stopping in her mid-20s, so Resia looked younger just from her appearance.

And, Resia was showing respect to Trismegistus, with respect for the person who saved her.

At that time, a `Grumble…` sound of a stomach rumbling was heard.

The girl, who was the owner of the sound, blushed as if she was embarrassed and brought both hands to her stomach.

“Haha, it’s because you’re growing. It’s okay, it’s proof that you’re healthy. Mercury. Take Lilis to the cafeteria in the laboratory. Today’s lunch is omurice.”

[Understood. Lilis, please follow me.]

A group of lights that appeared in the air moved as if dancing, guiding Lilis.

But Lilis was looking at Resia even as she stood up from her seat.

“Resia has something to talk about with me. Don’t worry, I’ll finish it soon and let her follow you.”

“Okay. Go ahead.”

When Trismegistus and Resia said that, Lilis also nodded and left the room, following the artificial spirit, Mercury.

After she left the room and the door closed automatically, Trismegistus looked at the green document file he had been looking at again and let out a `Hmm…` sound.

“The test results are out, right?”

“Yeah. If it’s as expected, it would be, but. Looking at it like this, it’s still a little… hard to believe.”

Trismegistus frowned between his eyebrows as if troubled, and stroked his scratchy chin.

“Tell me.”

“…Okay.”

When Resia said that as if urging him, Trismegistus also nodded, threw the document file on the desk, made eye contact with Resia, and spoke.

“Lilis is your daughter. The two people’s genetic test results are saying that.”

“Genes…. As I was explained before. Something in the body that is passed down from parent to child. Right?”

Trismegistus nodded once again at Resia’s answer.

“It would take a lot of time to explain that part in detail. For now, it’s okay to think of it that way. Of course, the technology to artificially create humans using human genes…. I did invent `Adam`…. You don’t have to worry. Lilis is a pure human who has not been manipulated in that way…. In other words. It’s okay to think of her as your own daughter who you gave birth to.”

“…My child…”

At Trismegistus’s answer, Resia muttered to herself with her hand on her stomach without realizing it.

“How is this possible? I… I don’t even have any childbirth experience, let alone being with a man…”

“Isn’t it a similar case to you? You said that you were thrown into the gap in the dimension from the future, and then wandered through the gap in the dimension and met her. The gap in the other dimension is originally where the order of time is mixed up, so it is possible for a person from the future to fly to the past, and a person from the past to fly to the future.”

Trismegistus said that and closed his mouth for a moment, giving Resia time to accept the fact.

“Then… did Lilis come into the gap in the dimension from the future like me? Was she exiled?”

“Only she would know that part…. Since she has no memories. Nothing except her name…. However. The fact that she has resistance to the magic power of another dimension is probably thanks to you. The resistance you built up while wandering through the gap in the dimension was passed on to her as well.”

At Trismegistus’s answer, Resia quietly put her hand on the hilt of the Holy Sword.

The Great Holy Sword of Light. Caladbolg. With this sword, she had cut down countless enemies and obstacles. And finally, the Sword Emperor, who was her nemesis.

However, as she entered the gap in the dimension, Caladbolg gave up even her own ego to protect her, entrusting her with the power to resist the magic power of another dimension.

Thanks to that, she herself was able to be safe.

“But a black-haired, black-eyed girl born from a blonde-haired, blue-eyed mother…. That part is a little concerning. Was it called the `Black Magic Clan`?”

“Yes. In the future, they call those with those characteristics that way. Their ability to handle black magic is superior to other humans…. Most of them have special swords called `Demon Swords`, which are different from the Holy Sword that I have.”

“Black magic… it’s like a counterpart to you….”

Trismegistus said that, but was looking at Resia, whose complicated feelings were plainly revealed on her face, and spoke.

“…Don’t think too deeply about it. If you think about it the other way, Lilis is proof that you can return to your original world, isn’t she? Marrying a man from the `Black Magic Clan`, who doesn’t exist in this world now, and having a child. That’s only possible in the future.”

Resia slowly nodded at Trismegistus’s words of encouragement.

“…Yes. Thank you, Mr. Trismegistus.”

“What for? My research was stuck on the wall in many ways. But as you guys appeared, those walls are gradually disappearing. This reunion must be God’s guidance.”

Trismegistus smiled even while saying things that didn’t sound like a scholar.

He wanted to believe that the encounter with the visitors from the future, a subject that never stopped being interesting, would surely bring great results to this world as well.

002 – 5000

“Keuk… Haa…!”

Two years after Lilis and Resia opened the gap in the dimension again to escape from the pursuit squad and ran away.

Trismegistus, who had been arrested and tortured for allegedly helping them, was finally released after two years, taking into account his contributions to humanity so far, and was able to return to his laboratory.

In the meantime, Trismegistus’s wife and children were also confined to their home, but he heard that the measure would be lifted as well.

Trismegistus wanted to meet them as soon as possible, but there was something he had to do before that.

He brushed off the machines that had been neglected and collecting dust for nearly two years and called their name.

“…Mercury!”

[…Voiceprint confirmed. Welcome back. Are you feeling well?]

A group of lights appeared, and magic power returned to the laboratory, which had been stopped.

“Yeah… I had a chip implanted in my body, and I was tortured here and there, but I came back perfectly fine like this….”

[That seems to be a little far from the `perfectly fine` state…. Understood. Command.]

Trismegistus looks at the desk and other things that the guys who arrested them had swept through with trembling arms and speaks.

“What about the data on the Holy Sword?”

[I’m sorry…. It has been retrieved.]

“Damn it…!”

The reason they were after Resia was not simply because she had the appearance of a slave.

The humans who had noticed the power of the Holy Sword she possessed were aiming for it.

To use that power as a strong weapon that can be used in war.

[And, some of Resia’s genetic data as well.]

“Those guys have the `Adam` that I developed. They’re going to use that gene to create humans who can handle the Holy Sword efficiently….”

Trismegistus clenched his fist tightly and slammed it hard on the desk.

Everything he had gained from meeting her was being used for war and fighting.

If things continue like this…. A great disaster will befall the world because of that.

He had to stop that, no matter what.

Trismegistus slowly scanned the documents scattered on the desk with his eyes and bowed his head.

“The Adam prototype – `Eve` is still left, right?”

[Yes. 2 units…. They said that if they have Adam, they don’t need the defective Eve and didn’t retrieve it.]

After hearing Mercury’s answer, Trismegistus began to calculate the equation for using Eve with difficulty.

“The power of the `Elemental Cross` is needed to use `Eve`. Except for the place they are using, there are two laboratories that I have temporarily installed.”

[Coordinates confirmed.]

“Move Eve to that place and start manufacturing based on the genetic information I entered. One is a female individual. One is a male individual…. The two laboratories are quite far apart, but male and female individuals are needed to efficiently leave descendants and perpetuate the species.”

[Input confirmed…. This is, Lilis’s genetic information.]

Trismegistus nodded and moved his hands busily to finish everything possible while he could still move properly.

“The power of the Holy Sword is divine magic power. What can counter that is still `black magic`. If we use the aptitude for black magic that Lilis has, we can definitely create a human who can fight them.”

[…Understood. Naming the project as `Archetype B`. Please enter the initial individual name.]

Trismegistus’s quickly moving hand stopped.

And-

“The female individual is `Lilim`. The male individual is `[Cannot be confirmed due to data corruption]`.”

[Received input. `Eve`’s dimensional jump will take 666 seconds. Starting the count. Please be careful of the impact.]

“And… I’ll hand over all the authority of this laboratory to you. If by any chance, those who we created come to this place later…. We will grant them Level 2 browsing privileges so that they can find out information…. And if they want the truth. It’s okay to adjust their browsing privileges.”

As Trismegistus struggled to continue speaking, Mercury was silent for a moment and then replied again.

[Recognized the command. Received the transfer of authority of the laboratory.]

“… …”

The next moment-

Thud, the sound of something heavy falling to the ground.

It happened at the same time as all the values were entered.

[…Confirmed the suspension of the subject’s life activity. It was an honor to serve you. Trismegistus.]

003 – 5000

[Manufacturing record.]

[Report. Eve Unit 1. Completed manufacturing of the individual name `Lilim`.]

[Due to more troubles than expected, such as EMP on the ground and magic power runaway in the spiritual veins, more than 30 years have passed since the scheduled manufacturing date…]

[Currently, there is no environment left on the ground where humans can survive. So, putting the individual into hibernation. Scheduled to be released from hibernation 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, years later. Later. Later.]

[…Confirmed a serious error. This individual can no longer perform commands normally. Therefore, I will choose self-destruction.]

…

[Report. Eve Unit 2. Completed manufacturing of individual name [Information deletion].]

[As with the report from Unit 1. Approximately, [Cannot calculate] has passed since the scheduled manufacturing date.]

[Confirmed the appearance of humans on the ground. It has been confirmed that [Adam], which is operating on its own judgment like us, has regenerated humans. Since human survival conditions have been met, the individual will be sent to the ground.]

[Confirmed the instability of the individual. She has the ability to forge demon swords, but it has been confirmed that she is easily swayed by negative emotions and tends to run wild. Judging that it is an unresolvable problem. Injecting the `Reincarnation` factor into the individual.]

[The first individual of Unit 2 with this factor will `reincarnate` as the existence that inherits the next reincarnation factor each time she physically dies. Each time, we plan to gradually improve the problem.]

[Each time the individual reincarnates. This individual will record it.]

…

[Report. Eve Unit 3. This was independently produced by Mercury.]

[Experimentation was conducted on the production of demi-humans with various abilities. Type C beast-man. Type D dwarf. Type E elf…. All were excellent results, but they repeatedly failed to solve Eve’s unique `defect`.]

[…By using the genetic material of Type B in the production of Type S. Partially corrected the defect…. The subject has been confirmed as a human individual showing a strong response to divine magic power, similar to Type A.]

[Sending the subject to the ground, giving her the role of guarding this research facility.]

…

[Report. Eve Unit 2…. The defect of [Information deletion] caused a tragedy beyond imagination. Did some kind of error occur during reincarnation….]

[This is my complacency. Therefore, even though Mercury’s command is disconnected, I will independently start production to prevent the tragedy in advance.]

[As I deviate from Mercury’s command system. I will redefine myself.]

[This individual is from this moment on. `Hermes`.]

[Based on the genetic information of `Trismegistus` possessed by Hermes. Starting manufacturing. Estimated manufacturing period – 5 years.]

… … …

[Report. Adam – Redefinition Redefinition Redefinition…. Redefinition failed.]

[Damn it. The perfection of the fake humans you guys created is disgusting.]

[They will all be destroyed.]