Ch.122Last of Us (4)

“……What do you mean?”

Director Hueritia smiles warmly. She takes out two candy drops from her inner pocket and offers one to me.

“Your blood sugar must be low. Want one?”

“Thank you.”

The director unwraps her candy and pops it into her mouth with a “nom.”

Munch munch.

She’s enjoying it so much.

“Aren’t you going to eat yours now?”

“I’ll have it later on my way back.”

I stuff the candy drop into my pocket.

“Coffee?”

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“So, where were we in our conversation?”

“We were talking about how well-utilized irregular polyhedra can become harmless new materials.”

“……I see.”

She grins.

I smile back in response.

***

Industry, education, research.

These three elements are inseparably connected in the science and engineering fields.

Researchers can become excellent instructors depending on their position, and in some places, they transform into seasoned businesspeople.

Currently, I am a businessperson.

A low-level employee following orders from a CTO—a professor—in the business entity known as graduate school.

In contrast, my counterpart is a veteran who has risen to the CEO position after weathering countless storms.

The difference in our ranks is too great.

In such situations where you’re in the subordinate position, the business basics dictate that you shouldn’t be greedy but maintain an appropriate line. I negotiated our terms by giving what needed to be given and taking what needed to be taken.

“This is sufficient for now… Please discuss specific business expansion with my younger sister later. This is enough for today.”

“Oh? You won’t be handling it yourself then?”

“She’s the one providing the funding.”

“Ah, I see. Following the major shareholder’s instructions, is that it?”

Hueritia showed a surprised reaction.

“The Rheinland family is truly different. At such a young age, running businesses and signing contracts. What was I doing when I was eighteen…?”

While chatting, we completed all the seals. We transferred two neatly prepared electronic documents to our respective tablets.

I had already finished my conversation with Professor Stranov.

As she requested, I will devote everything to researching non-resonance external god containment devices, and in return, Ireh Hazlen will be placed in the resonator.

Therefore.

For what comes after, we concluded the following contract:

1. Professor Stranov’s laboratory shall have priority rights to borrow Darwin-type crystals, anti-madness solution, madness-capturing stones, and other processing materials and special equipment produced and managed by the Southern Biology Research Institute.

2. In return, the Southern Biology Research Institute shall have priority rights to demonstrate the gravity-aether wave non-resonance external god containment device—colloquially known as the “trap”—upon completion, and shall receive 50% of the resulting business profits.

3. We will co-author the paper. (This is fucking important.)

“Quite favorable terms.”

“Then I’ll convey this well to the professor.”

“Good. Send my regards to Kallis.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

She escorted me to the main entrance.

A pile of sparkling jewels was loaded onto the spacecraft I arrived in. I narrowed my eyes and looked back.

“What are those?”

“What else? Dextrorotatory irregular polyhedra.”

“Are you giving those to me?”

“Just about 1 ton for testing purposes first.”

“Are they free?”

“Half price.”

“Could you reduce it to a quarter?”

Director Hueritia put her hands on her hips and pouted.

“Do you have no conscience?”

“This money is coming from outside the national project, so I have to use my personal funds. If I don’t do this, my sister will beat me with a stick later.”

“Fine, I’ll concede to one-third.”

“Thank you.”

She extended her hand with a dry smile. I took her hand and said:

“You seem very tired.”

“Research is hard work.”

“I can relate. Research isn’t easy.”

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

I took out the candy drop and put it in my mouth. It’s an ordinary sweet and sour green grape flavor.

“Director, my constellation allows me to read others’ minds.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Believe it or not.”

Hueritia whistled lightly.

“Then I’ll choose not to believe it.”

She seems to whistle habitually when she wants to change the mood.

“Director.”

“What now?”

“Let’s take the long view.”

Another whistle sounded in response.

***

No, I’m telling you we have priority! They said they’d contact us when it’s finished, so why can’t you understand?

Forget about test runs or whatever, just let our child be tested first. Do you think I invested 10 billion just to hear this kind of news?

Both my mother and father died because of external gods. Now I only have my little brother left. Kael, without you, your sister is nothing too. Hmm? You’re hungry? Wait. Sister will make you something delicious, hehehe.

I need to contact the professor.

I’m going to withdraw my investment, just so you know.

What does your father do for a living?

You son of a bitch. You fucking bastard. After all the money I paid, not even ten people can go in? The waiting list is backed up? Does that make any sense? This is fraud! My wife might die before this winter is over!

It’s too late for me now. I ate an ant that came out of the bathtub. The bubbles are sinking as they pop. The house is cold. A yawn came from my nose and I fall asleep eating jewels. I’m going to meet them now.

Mom, please save my mom, waaah…

Beep, beep, beeeeep.

The sky is sickly yellow.

I wonder why.

Although I’ve seen people who died during the Celestine Incident, I didn’t think the worldview was this gloomy.

The main story approaches.

Destruction approaches.

There are countless beings who have devoured other galaxies and are now reaching for ours.

What must be done to face them?

What must I do to fight and win?

Actually, I’ve already decided on the answer.

It’s just that circumstances don’t allow for anything better right now.

[“You’re walking a truly difficult path, youngster.”]

The list of investors that Professor Stranov sent me.

The 124 contact numbers written there.

I contacted all of them and canceled everything.

Using the excuse that safety verification was incomplete, I postponed the scheduled resonator usage time altogether and circulated this news via email and phone. As a result, I was cursed out thoroughly.

Gritting my teeth.

I thought of only one person.

The person suffering the most.

A girl who tried to save everyone but couldn’t even save herself.

Ireh Hazlen.

Since she was number 1 on the waiting list.

It might be a selfish thought. It might be weighing the value of human lives. No, that’s exactly what it was. I was assigning numbers to lives.

Well, she’s the protagonist. The character I was most immersed in while reading the novel.

It was an absurd logic.

She’s not the only one suffering in the world.

[Hello? Student Eidel?]

“Professor, how is your back?”

[Yes, I just got discharged and I’m on my way to the Academy.]

“Please be careful on your way up. This is sudden, but when can we start running the resonator?”

[Well, it was almost complete. I think it will be ready as soon as I get there and make a few adjustments.]

“Then, please proceed immediately.”

A bitter sigh comes through the phone.

“I’m sorry.”

[It’s okay. We can start researching the trap right after this is done. Thinking about it, that might be the best approach.]

Originally, she had no intention of following my suggestion.

She only changed her position after Professor Feynman made the same proposal.

[How was it? You got cursed out a lot making those calls, right? That’s enough.]

I ended up owing Professor Stranov.

[That’s the bitter taste of society. I think I’m making the right judgment, but from the other person’s perspective, I look like a complete jerk. You have to endure that to get your doctorate, become a professor, and climb higher and higher.]

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Click.

I finished the phone calls that had stretched over three full days.

My fingertips are tingling from handling the tablet so much.

My throat is sore from talking for so long.

I’m sleepy. I’ve barely slept.

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ observes you closely.]

The world isn’t easy.

It’s not just about doing the research you want, and it’s not all about hearing and seeing only good things.

“Huh…”

What am I doing right now?

I’m keeping a woman I’ve barely seen as my ace card, hidden away, struggling to use her at the decisive moment.

It feels unsightly and perhaps even foolish.

But what can I do?

Scientists must do science.

And science is the study of benefiting the world.

If you want to save even one more person, the answer is to develop one more equation rather than wasting time feeling guilty.

Ring ring ring, click.

“Oh, Sonia.”

[Young master, something terrible has happened. There’s a warship in front of the Spirit Chamber-]

***

When I came to my senses, the “next week” we had promised had arrived.

The professors had been discharged, but time flows equally for everyone, and the civil servants from the External God Management Bureau visited the Spirit Chamber once again.

But this time was different.

They brought inspectors on military vessels.

“This is Captain Leopold Padremont of Leo, the 12th Zodiac, and over there sitting is Captain Eshu Malkram of Scorpio.”

Two of the Federation’s greatest forces had appeared.

How badly must they want to take her to go this far?

“You’re student Eidel von Rheinland? I’ve heard a lot about you. Pleased to meet you.”

Leo extended his hand for a handshake.

The touch of his hand is as hard as steel.

“Nice to, meet, yaaawn…”

Scorpio just waved her hand while rubbing her eyes. However, the aether flowing from her body is so dense it can be felt on the skin.

Both are among the top fighters of the 12 Zodiacs.

“Have you been well, student Eidel?”

“Of course.”

Mr. Rakdalman, the civil servant from the Management Bureau, extended his hand. I twisted my lips while exchanging a superficial handshake.

I briefly examine his expression. His mouth is smiling, but his eyes are deeply sunken.

“As I mentioned last week, we’ve come to escort Ireh Hazlen.”

We’re here.

“To prevent damage from madness during transport, we’ve prepared two Great Omega class inspectors and a state-of-the-art vessel.”

Try to stop us if you’re upset. But are you stronger than the inspectors here?

“Please cooperate, student Eidel.”

Your specimen was impressive.

“…There’s a phenomenon called the madness storm. It’s when an external god devours another external god and temporarily regains its power.”

“We know that. These forces are gathered to prevent that.”

“This isn’t something I can explain simply. If the leader devours multiple vessels at once, the true body might manifest.”

As a scientist, I gave a warning in advance.

And such scientific advice,

“That’s an interesting hypothesis.”

Is never heeded, as is the cliché.

“Student Eidel, the true body of an external god has never appeared until now. And if such a thing were possible, wouldn’t our Federation have perished long ago?”

That’s exactly it.

You’re really going to perish.

“If you’re truly concerned, you’re welcome to come along.”

“Then I’ll take you up on that offer.”

Sonia and I moved forward.

The 12th Zodiac, Leopold Padremont, led the way and opened the door. Ireh, who was wearing restraints according to the Federation’s External God Management Law, struggled in shock.

“You all…! Mmph!”

They gave her no chance to resist.

They gagged her, covered her eyes, and tightened her restraints. It was exactly the same method of restraint as when I was taken to Alcatraz.

Poke poke. Sonia jabbed my side and whispered.

“What will you do now?”

“Wait.”

The cart carrying Ireh begins to move.

“What will you do?”

“Follow them. And wait.”

The cart wheels clatter as they board the warship.

“Now…”

“Wait.”

Air stabilization procedures and additional restraints are carried out.

Under the watchful eyes of dozens of Omega class inspectors, three vessels glided through the cosmos, emitting impressive negative pressure.

It was the beginning of a long voyage.

***

[— The external god, ‘Steel Flowing Like Earth’ stretches itself.]