Chapter 122

Chapter 122

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 122: The Last Of Yours (4).

“I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

Director Whiritia smiled warmly and reached into her inner pocket, pulling out two pieces of hard candy. She offered one to me.

“You must be low on sugar. Want one?”

“Thank you.”

The director unwrapped her candy and popped it into her mouth, letting out a satisfied “yum” that clearly conveyed her enjoyment.

“Not eating it now?”

“I’ll save it for later.”

I shoved the candy into my pocket.

“Coffee?”

“I’m fine.”

“So, where did we leave off?”

“We were discussing how an irregular polyhedron can be used to create a harmless new material.”

“I see…”

She smiled broadly.

I smiled back in the same way.

Industry, education, and research—these three elements are inseparable in the realms of science and engineering. A researcher can become an excellent lecturer, depending on their position. In some cases, they can evolve into a seasoned entrepreneur. Currently, I find myself in the role of a businessman.

I came here under the orders of a professor, the CTO of the business entity known as the graduate school. In contrast, my counterpart is a veteran who has navigated countless trials to ascend to the role of CEO. The disparity in our levels of experience is stark.

When occupying a subordinate position like this, it’s standard business practice to avoid excessive ambition and maintain a balanced approach. I carefully moderated my opinions, negotiating a middle ground.

“This is sufficient for now. Please handle the specifics of the business expansion with my younger sister later. Today, this will suffice.”

“Oh? So you won’t be handling it directly?”

“She’s the one funding it.”

“Aha. So, you’re following the major shareholder’s lead, then?”

Whiritia’s surprise was evident.

“As expected, Reinhardt is different. Running a business and drafting contracts at such a young age. What was I doing when I was eighteen…?”

As we exchanged casual banter, we completed the necessary seals. We transferred the two meticulously prepared electronic documents to our tablets. I had already concluded my conversation with Professor Stranov. At her request, I would dedicate myself to researching the non-resonance method for trapping Outer Gods, and in return, I would place Ire Hazlen in the resonator.

Thus, we signed the following contract:

Professor Stranov’s laboratory will have the priority right to borrow Darwin crystals, sensitizing solution, photo-goldstone, and other processed items and special equipment produced and managed by the Southern Life Research Institute.

In exchange, the Southern Life Research Institute will have the priority right to demonstrate the non-resonant method of the Outer God containment apparatus—commonly known as the ‘Trap’—once it is completed and will receive 50% of the resulting business profits.

The paper will be co-authored. (This is fucking important.)

“Quite a decent arrangement.”

“I’ll relay this to the professor.”

“Great. Please send my regards to Kallis.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

She saw me off at the main gate, and my gaze was drawn to a pile of glittering jewels on the spaceship I had arrived in. I squinted and turned back to her.

“What is that?”

“What do you mean, ‘what is it’? It’s a right-handed irregular polyhedron!”

“Are you giving that to me?”

“About a ton for testing purposes.”

“Is it free?”

“Half price.”

“Can you cut it down to a quarter?”

Director Whiritia placed her hand on her waist and pouted.

“Don’t you have any conscience?”

“Since this money is outside the national project budget, I have to use my own funds. If I don’t do this, my younger sister will hit me later.”

“Alright, I’ll concede up to a third.”

“Thank you.”

She extended her hand with a dry smile. I took it, noting the weariness in her eyes.

“You seem very tired.”

“Research is exhausting.”

“It doesn’t seem like someone else’s problem. Research isn’t easy.”

“There are many things in the world that are even harder than that.”

I pulled out a candy and popped it into my mouth, savoring the typical sweet and sour green grape flavor.

“Director, my Constellation can read other people’s minds.”

“Oh, really?”

“Believe it or not.”

Whiritia whistled lightly.

“Then I’ll choose to believe it’s a lie.”

It seemed like a habit of hers to lighten the mood.

“Director.”

“What now?”

“Let’s look at the long term.”

Another whistle escaped her lips.

No, I’m telling you, we have priority. They said they’d contact us once everything was ready. Why can’t anyone understand that?

Forget the trial run or whatever. Just let our kid take the test first. Do you think I invested a billion credits just to hear this kind of news?

Both Mom and Dad died because of the Outer Gods. Now, I only have my little brother left. Kael, if he’s not here, neither is his sister. Huh? Are you hungry? Just wait a bit. Your sister will make you something delicious, hehe.

I should contact the professor.

I’ll withdraw my investment, so take note of that.

What does your father do?

You bastard. You son of a bitch. I paid so much, and less than ten people get in? The waiting list is delayed? Does that even make sense? This is a scam, a scam! My wife could die before this winter is over!

I’m too late now. I ate the ant that came up from the bathtub. The bubbles burst and sank. The house is cold. A yawn escaped my lips, and I fell asleep while eating jewels. I’m coming to meet you now.

Mom, save our mom, waaaah…

Beep, beep, beeeep.

The sky is yellowish. Why is that?

Even though I witnessed people die during the Celestine Incident, I never imagined the world would be this bleak.

The main story is approaching. Destruction looms. Countless beings are trying to devour all other galaxies and reach ours. What should we do to face them? What must I do to win this fight? In truth, the answer is already decided. It’s just that I can’t take action due to the current circumstances.

You are walking a truly difficult path, kid.

I had a list of sponsors sent by Professor Stranov. The contact details of 124 people were listed there. I reached out to all of them and canceled their support, citing insufficient safety verification. I completely postponed the scheduled resonator usage and spread the news via email and phone. As a result, I got thoroughly cursed out.

Gritting my teeth, I focused on one person—the one who suffers the most: Ire Hazlen. She was the girl who tried to save everyone but couldn’t even save herself. If we were to consider the order of suffering, she would be at the top. It felt selfish to think this way as if I were weighing the value of lives. But that was exactly it; I was assigning a hierarchy to suffering. After all, she was the protagonist—the character I had become most immersed in while reading the novel. It was illogical reasoning, considering she wasn’t the only one in pain in this world.

Hello? Is this Aidel?

“Professor, is your back alright?”

Yes, I just got discharged and am on my way to the academy.

“Please be careful. It’s sudden, but when can you start the resonator?”

Hmm, it’s almost completed. It just needs a little adjustment.

“Then please start it right away.”

A bitter sigh echoed through the phone.

“I’m sorry.”

It’s alright. I can start the trap research right after. Actually, that might be the best approach.

Originally, they had no intention of following my suggestion. It wasn’t until Professor Feynman made the same proposal that they changed their stance.

How did it go? You probably received a lot of complaints while making calls, right?

I found myself indebted to Professor Stranov.

The bitterness of society is just like that. I think I made the right judgment, but from the other person’s perspective, I look like a complete bastard. You have to endure that to earn a doctorate, become a professor, and climb higher and higher.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Click. The phone call that felt like it lasted three days finally ended. My fingers were numb from fiddling with the tablet, and my throat was sore from talking too long. I was exhausted, having hardly slept at all.

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ is watching you closely.

The world is not easy. It’s not enough to simply pursue the research you want; it’s not always about hearing and seeing good things.

“Sigh…”

What am I doing right now? I was struggling to use a woman I had hardly seen, hidden away like an ace in the hole, at a decisive moment. It felt disgraceful, even foolish at times. But what choice did I have? A scientist must do science. And science is a discipline meant to benefit the world. If I wanted to save even one more person, the right answer was to develop one more line of formula instead of wallowing in guilt.

Tring, click.

“Oh, Sonia.”

Young master, there’s big trouble. There’s a warship in front of the Holy Spirit Hospital

When I finally came to my senses, the promised ‘next week’ had arrived.

The professors had been discharged, but time was fair to everyone. Once again, officials from the Outer Gods Management Bureau arrived at the Holy Spirit Hospital. This time, however, it was different. They came with a battalion of inspectors aboard their warship.

“This is Captain Leopold Padrmont of the Zodiac 12 Troops’ Leo Division. And this is Captain Yehu Malcram of the Scorpio Division.”

Two of the Federation’s elite forces had appeared. How desperate were they to take her that they would go to such lengths?

“You must be Aidel von Reinhardt. I’ve heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you.”

Leopold extended his hand. His grip felt as solid as steel.

“Nice to meet you, yawn…”

Captain Yehu rubbed her eyes and merely waved, but the Ether radiating from her was palpable. Both were formidable contenders in the Zodiac 12 Troops.

“Have you been well, Aidel?”

“Of course.”

Mr. Rockdalman, an official from the Bureau, extended his hand. We exchanged a perfunctory handshake as he twisted his lips into a smile, though his eyes were deeply sunken.

“As I mentioned last week, we are here to escort Ire Hazlen.”

We are back.

“To prevent any damage from madness during transportation, we have prepared two Great Omega-level inspectors and the latest warships.”

If you don’t like it, try to stop it. But are you truly stronger than the inspectors here?

“Aidel, please cooperate as well.”

Your test subject is impressive.

“…There is something called the Madness Phenomenon. An Outer God can devour another Outer God and temporarily regain power.”

“We are aware of it. This is the force gathered to prevent that.”

“It’s not a simple matter. If the leader devours multiple entities at once, the true form might manifest.”

I cautioned, drawing on my scientific expertise.

“That’s quite an interesting hypothesis.”

Scientific advice rarely gets heeded, even if it leads to disaster. It’s a cliché.

“Aidel, there has never been an instance where an Outer God’s main body has appeared. If such a thing were possible, wouldn’t our Federation have perished long ago?”

So, you guys are really going to fall.

“If you’re truly anxious, you can come along.”

“Then I’ll take you up on that.”

Sonia and I began to walk. Leopold Padrmont of the Zodiac 12 Troops led the way and opened the door. Ire, clad in a restraint suit mandated by the Federation’s Outer God management laws, was startled and began to struggle.

“You people…! Mmph!”

They didn’t give her a chance to resist. They gagged her, blindfolded her, and tightened her restraints. It was the exact method I had experienced when I was taken to Alcatraz.

Heh. Sonia poked my side and whispered.

“What will you do now?”

“Wait.”

The cart carrying Ire began to move.

“What will you do?”

“Follow. And wait.”

The cartwheels clattered as they boarded the battleship.

“Right now…”

“Wait.”

Atmospheric stabilization and additional restraints were underway. Under the watchful eyes of dozens of Omega-class inspectors, three ships emitted a low-frequency hum as they glided through the cosmos. Thus began our long voyage.

Outer God, ‘Flowing Steel Like the Earth’ stretches.