Ch.144I am the Chairman and You are (7)

The day of the major experience fair had arrived. The council members sacrificed their precious time and came to Academia.

Perhaps because of that, Zernya’s face looked completely sullen.

“Why the long face?”

“Nothing.”

She stared at me with narrowed eyes.

“…Do you really not know?”

“Know what?”

“Your feigned ignorance is impressive. Ugh. Forget it. It’s nothing.”

“How can I respond if you don’t tell me what’s wrong?”

“I have nothing to share with you, Vice President. Just follow me without complaint. We need to work hard for the next two days. And don’t you dare leave my side.”

Zernya replied with a pout and started walking. She’s just following me around and being irritable. The president could have skipped this event if she wanted to.

“Junior Rheinland, it’s time for our appointment.”

“Understood. From now on, the president and I will be at the physics department booth. If you need anything, please come find us there.”

I followed after Zernya.

“Phew.”

It’s been a year.

Last year I was experiencing the fair as an attendee, but now I’m in the position of providing the experience. Time really flies.

“Senior Rheinland, you’re so cool!”

“Look over here, please!”

Two female students squealed and waved their hands. I waved back. Their piercing voices echoed all the way to our booth.

“Hello, juniors. Are you interested in the physics department?”

“I’m interested in you, senior!”

“Oh my god, she’s gone crazy!”

The other female student threw a quick jab at her friend who had made the sudden confession. The two bickered before turning their attention back to me.

“Senior, rumors about you have spread throughout Academia.”

“They say stories of your heroism have spread all over Stellarium. We heard you were in Kendra’s class. That teacher brags about you so much that our ears hurt from hearing it!”

Even if it was just flattery, it was nice to hear.

I smiled warmly and began introducing the department.

“…So that’s everything you’ll learn during the three undergraduate years.”

“Wow, that’s less than I expected?”

“Yes. The amount of study is actually less than engineering or medical departments. This is just considered the basics. If you want to learn properly, you need to go to graduate school.”

“Wow, wow. Graduate school?”

The expressions of the two female students changed. They began to back away hesitantly.

“Graduate school is mandatory for physics majors.”

That wasn’t me speaking. Zernya, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, offered advice to the students.

“If you don’t plan to attend graduate school, it will be difficult to follow Senior Rheinland’s path. Even after graduating from college, you’ll need to study for a minimum of 2 years to a maximum of 8 years or more. Your health will deteriorate, and your youth will slip away.”

“Oh no.”

Hey, why are you scaring these kids?

“You can ignore what that senior said. Graduate school is a wonderful place. They teach you, pay you a salary, and help you build your career.”

“R-really?”

“Yes, it’s true. If you find a good professor, there’s no place more comfortable. It will be a choice you won’t regret.”

“Can I join your research lab, senior?”

“Yes, if it suits you.”

At that, one of the female students’ eyes lit up again.

The other student’s expression showed complete distaste. A 50% success rate. Not bad for my first hit.

As the sun rose higher, more students appeared. The number of attendees had noticeably increased compared to last year.

I displayed a poster featuring my resonator research prominently. I used it to attract interest, then told scientific stories like fairy tales to the students who came to the booth.

Behind me, Zernya kept sighing heavily.

“Why are there so many girls?”

“I know, right?”

The ratio of female students is definitely high.

When I was on Earth, the physics department’s gender ratio was 1:0.

“Well, who do we have here? My friend, my confidant. Isn’t it Eidel von Rheinland?”

A familiar friendly voice I hadn’t heard in a while.

Male students with refreshing appearances approached. The one standing at the front removed his sunglasses and grinned.

“You don’t mean to tell me you don’t recognize me?”

“Well, if it isn’t Welton.”

Welton Yusoford. My classmate at Academia. Owner of a carefree and eccentric personality. Welton got along well with almost all his friends, including me. Except for Zernya.

Next to Welton were Mathers and James, also our classmates.

“Well, I’ve been following your exploits in the news. It was fascinating.”

James nodded with a satisfied smile. Mathers agreed and bowed slightly before me.

“…Thank you. For saving the people in the frontier.”

Mathers was from a frontier planet. He spent his childhood in a place infiltrated by the madness of the outer gods.

“It’s thanks to your research on restoring the Aether barrier. The perception of frontier people is gradually improving. I’m truly grateful. I’m ashamed that I once thought of you as someone who grew up privileged.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s been so hectic that I haven’t been able to meet everyone, but it’s really good to see you all.”

I patted Mathers and James on the shoulders and offered them tea and snacks. After watching Rustila and Zernya fight, seeing these guys is healing. Men really need to have two or three good friends.

“So. Do you have anything to ask? Want some career counseling?”

“Career? That sounds good. But I’d like to postpone that.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s not the issue right now.”

I noticed something strange. Behind Mathers and James stood a tall female student. A familiar face.

Kristin Heresset. Another Academia classmate, the distinguished daughter of the famous Heresset family in the legal world, and someone who would eventually rise to become the Prosecutor General.

She stood before me with a grave expression.

“Rheinland, p-please help me.”

***

Kristin Heresset and Mezulen Hueritia were childhood friends.

They were often described as having a deep bond despite their constant bickering.

Kristin’s parents were both prosecutors, while both of Mezulen’s parents were xenobiologists.

Was that their misfortune?

“The elders of my family have requested an arrest warrant for Mezulen’s mother. She’s currently being investigated. I don’t know if it’s because of that… but Mezulen didn’t come to school today.”

The dreaded situation had occurred.

Mezulen would eventually follow in her mother’s footsteps to become a xenobiologist. She would grow into a leading figure in the Darwin faction, conducting uniquely eccentric research.

Without Mezulen, humanity’s victory would be difficult to guarantee.

Since I’m not well-versed in biology, I absolutely needed to help.

“Rheinland. I heard you know Hueritia’s mother. I briefly saw a paper with both your names on it. I won’t call you corrupt or anything, so please meet with her mother and talk to her!”

The urgent voice and pale complexion. Evidence that Kristin truly cared for Mezulen.

“But what can I do?”

“You’re a scientist. There must be something my family is missing!”

“You want me to investigate the unequal-faced polyhedron, right?”

Kristin nodded vigorously.

“With my connections right now, you’re the only one I can turn to…”

“What if Hueritia’s mother is truly guilty? What then?”

“W-well, that’s…”

“I don’t know much about how right-oriented unequal-faced polyhedrons are created either. What if my investigation reveals something different from what you expect?”

“We have to try first! I’ll, I’ll pay you a consultation fee!”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Eidel…! Please!”

I shook my head.

“Why would I take money from a friend?”

“Oh, Eidel?”

Kristin’s expression turned to bewilderment. I smiled and took a sip of tea.

“Just to be clear, I believe people should face consequences for their wrongdoings. If she really was involved in human experimentation, I’ll submit the evidence as is.”

“Y-yes. That’s enough.”

Angela Hueritia is guilty anyway. I read her mind when we signed the first contract. It was the heart of someone carrying guilt.

Even she was just Adelbein’s bait, though.

“…Hey.”

I turned around. Zernya was frowning intensely.

“Your great-uncle has passed away.”

She expressed her hostility by keeping it brief.

I had already told her much more. The Adelbein family history. The outer gods mimicking constellations. My relationship with Zernya.

There was no need to repeat all of that in front of everyone. Silence was the answer here.

I left the follow-up to Professor Feynman and Professor Stranov and boarded the shuttle heading to the Southern Central Detention Center. Zernya accompanied me.

“Madam President, are you upset?”

“…Don’t know.”

“If you’re having a hard time or feeling bad, you can tell me anytime. I’ll help you no matter what, even if the world falls apart.”

“Even if the world falls apart? That’s ridiculous. Who do you think you are?”

“Of course I will. We’re friends.”

“Friends? As if.”

I got her coffee from the shuttle vending machine to appease her. Zernya likes cappuccino or einspänner-type drinks.

“Zernya.”

“What.”

“What Rustila said about the outer gods is true. If you really need it, you should go to the Holy Spirit Center to rest.”

“Then who will handle the president’s duties?”

“You and I will, of course.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If you’re feeling okay, we’ll handle all agenda items at the Holy Spirit Center. By the way, the Southern Holy Spirit Center is currently under my family’s name.”

“…”

Zernya didn’t say another word after that.

Wondering what was going on, I read her status window. It said her feelings were complex and subtle. If you don’t understand your own emotions, what can I do? Ah well, I don’t get it either.

The visitation itself was easier than expected.

“Director.”

“Student Rheinland, how did you end up here…”

“I came to check on you.”

I slowly explained the situation. I informed her that her husband and daughter were worried about her, and also asked why she was detained.

“Suddenly, the house I was living in disappeared from the registry. It’s as if I’ve been a homeless person from the beginning…”

There are four main cases when the Federation issues arrest warrants for suspected criminal activities:

First, when there’s concern about evidence tampering.

Second, when there’s a risk of fleeing.

Third, when possessed by an outer god. (What happened to me.)

Fourth, when there’s no residence listed in the property registry.

“This is absurd. How could I not have a home? I have a husband and a daughter! Of course, my husband lives separately because he works in the north, but…!”

It makes no sense for Director Hueritia, who has a family, to be homeless. Above all, being a research director is not a position that doesn’t pay well.

“What exactly happened?”

“I, I don’t know. Maybe the Ministry of Justice didn’t process things properly…”

This is enough to make ghosts wail.

It can’t be an error. The Federation’s computer network is flawless.

[“It must have been manipulated.”]

Someone tampered with the entire registry system.

There’s only one group with enough power to do something like that.

The Adelbein Group.

They’re thoroughly cutting off loose ends. Seeing the news that Kashu Adelbein has died confirms it. Of course, I don’t know if that person is really dead or alive.

[Angela Hueritia: 350/1000]

[Mental state unstable. Experiencing confusion.]

Leaving her like this will only lead to bad outcomes. If we’re not careful, the director could become prey for the outer gods.

“Director, please calm down and listen to me.”

[— Paying 500 Pron to use <Mental Stability>.]

[— ‘Angela Hueritia’s’ Pron level decreases by about 100.]

“Let’s take a long-term view of our lives. My colleagues and I in the academic world will help you. So please don’t blame yourself too much, and try to keep your mind at peace.”

[— Paying 1000 Pron to use <Equanimity>.]

[— ‘Angela Hueritia’s’ Pron level decreases by an additional 120 (+ 10 per hour thereafter).]

“I’ll take care of comforting Mezulen.”

“Student…”

Director Hueritia began sobbing loudly.

Already, more than 20 related personnel have successively committed suicide, gone missing, or died in accidents.

If you take your own life too, the investigation will be closed. Then Adelbein will escape the law as they always have.

I couldn’t let that happen. While there’s still a possibility of making Zernya an ally, they were clearly villains.

So even if it was somewhat excessive, I needed to leverage my family name.

“Director Hueritia, our Rheinland family will support you.”

Father, I’m sorry.

But what else can I do?

“So please tell me just one thing. How exactly is the right-oriented unequal-faced polyhedron created?”

If there’s a process of dipping and removing an outer god from one’s mind, I’d be willing to be the test subject instead. Either way, we still need the unequal-faced polyhedron.

And.

The answer that came back was.

“…Ten…”

“Pardon?”

“U-using the d-divine body’s, ten-tentacles, in a way that involves… pregnancy…”

“…”

[— ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ shows interest.]

Damn it.

It seems I’ll need to find another method.