Ch.174Zernya’s Melancholy (3)

Stronium Industry.

A major corporation established by the Stranov family. It plays a pivotal role in the Laniakea Federation’s economy, with a reputation rivaling that of Adelbein Corporation.

I knew the head of this company.

Well, not directly. Through connections.

“Thank you for making time for us.”

I bowed my head while shaking the middle-aged man’s hand.

Professor Callis Stranov’s father, Bell Stranov. He opened the conversation with a friendly smile.

“Good to meet you. First saw you at the wedding, and this is our second time?”

“That’s right.”

“Thanks to you, my daughter’s face has brightened up these days. She wasn’t like that before. I’m grateful.”

“You’re too kind.”

Even as the head of a conglomerate, a father is still a father. He was the typical doting father. Chairman Stranov’s gaze soon turned toward Seti.

“Since you brought your sister along, I assume this is about money.”

“I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to meet my sister.”

“No need for thanks! I cleared my entire afternoon schedule for this. Let’s go.”

We entered the main hall of Stronium’s southern branch.

The reception room featured luxurious interior design. It was the complete opposite of the minimalist style preferred by the Rheinland family.

“You want to create a medical transport company?”

Chairman Stranov skimmed through the contract Seti handed him, nodding with interest.

“The company name is ‘MAIDoc.’ It means a business combining medicine with artificial intelligence.”

Seti quietly nodded. She had a rather serious look in her eyes. Chairman Stranov continued.

“These kinds of companies are very common. Medicine and AI are fields that have stubbornly survived through the ages. They’re staple industries, like steel manufacturing or clothing.”

“In other words, it means the company is common.”

“You understand well. Then let me ask from a businessman’s perspective. Miss Seti Rheinland, does your company have anything that differentiates it from others?”

“Yes, it does.”

“Tell me.”

“I’ll use constellations for medical transport.”

Chairman Stranov’s eyebrows arched upward. It was a reaction showing interest.

“Using constellations, you say. How?”

“I’ll use Stellalines.”

I was a bit surprised.

How could she come up with such an idea?

“My constellation is the ‘God of Wealth and Investment.’ It has connections to the economic sector. If you follow the celestial sphere along the constellations, you can create a massive transport network connecting the southern and eastern regions.”

Stellalines themselves are structural concepts.

There are people who understand the concept, but no one would have thought to use them as “roads” for economic development.

Let alone using constellations as delivery services.

Watching her actions, I was reminded that she truly is my sister.

“Transport using constellations doesn’t use electricity or light. Since information is stored in Aether form, it’s more efficient. This leads to savings in transportation costs. It will definitely play a visible role in the medical industry.”

“…Did you think of all this by yourself?”

“Yes.”

Chairman Bell let out a helpless laugh.

“My judgment was right after all.”

He muttered as he put down the proposal.

“Constellations and foreign gods tend to approach people with similar values. You’ve contracted with a perfectly matching constellation.”

We live in an era where even constellations count as credentials.

When such words come from the mouth of a corporate chairman, it’s as good as being accepted.

Seizing the advantage, Seti delivered the finishing blow.

“Currently, I plan to provide services only in the medical field, but if investment capital becomes abundant, I plan to expand the business elsewhere. Creating an integrated cloud service using constellations.”

I couldn’t help but be tempted by my sister’s words.

Imagine if we could instantly move and assemble particle accelerator components through constellations. Then accelerator construction that would normally take years could be completed in days.

This would accelerate the production of graviton bombs.

“Oh ho.”

If even I’m thinking positively about this, there’s no way a corporate chairman wouldn’t smell the money.

Seti said her constellation could connect the southern and eastern constellations.

But what if consumers with constellations joined her MAIDoc network? The distribution network could extend throughout the galaxy and even the entire universe.

If possible, it would be an achievement greater than my research.

“The Rheinland family is known for medicine. With that brand value, the chances of success are high… But expanding into other fields is something to seriously consider.”

“I know. I need the ‘consent’ of other companies.”

“Consent? Consent, you say?”

Chairman Stranov began to laugh heartily.

“You need consent, is that right?”

“If you would consent, I believe we could maintain a ‘good relationship’ going forward.”

“Good, very good!”

He exclaimed, rising from his seat.

“As a sign of consent, I should give you some investment money!”

Stronium also held significant shares in the transportation business.

Startups can only operate comfortably with the consent of such major corporations. The corporate ecosystem was much harsher than one might think.

***

We finished an unprecedentedly luxurious dinner thanks to Chairman Stranov’s hospitality. Currently, we were taking a short break in the waiting room.

“Mr. Eidel von Rheinland, the Chairman would like to see you alone.”

What’s this about?

Seti and I looked at each other, rolling our eyes.

“Go ahead.”

Whatever it is, it’s certainly confidential.

I prepared myself mentally and moved.

“This way, please.”

Following the android’s guidance into the chairman’s office, I faced Chairman Stranov.

He emanated a different aura from his friendly demeanor earlier.

His thinning white hair reminded me of a battle-hardened veteran.

He opened his mouth.

“Sorry for suddenly calling you alone. I have something private to discuss with you.”

The atmosphere was quite serious.

“Please sit here.”

“Thank you.”

I sat up straight, ready to listen attentively. Chairman Stranov sat across from me, interlacing his fingers and hunching forward. Just then, an android wearing rabbit ear headband approached and set down biscuits and lemon balm tea.

Wait a minute.

Rabbit ear headband?

“Ah, don’t mind that.”

“Chairman.”

“Don’t mind it.”

“It’s fine. I understand.”

“What do you mean ‘understand’? What nonsense is this?”

“I truly understand. My personal android wears a maid headband.”

“…”

We didn’t say anything for a moment.

“…May I ask why you called me here?”

“Hmm.”

The chairman stretched out his hunched body and took a biscuit. He mumbled while chewing.

“I heard from Callis.”

“…What did you hear, sir?”

“That you and my son-in-law will soon be researching gravitons together. Is that right?”

“Yes, it is.”

My current research is divided into two tracks.

One is the ‘Crystalline Trap’ research to stop the Darwin system.

The other is the ‘Graviton Bomb’ research to prevent universal destruction regardless of the type of foreign god.

However, I haven’t mentioned creating a graviton bomb to any professor yet. That’s because gravitons haven’t even been discovered.

“I believe science has paradigms. It takes time for scientific facts to transform into engineering applications. Some sciences may not be applied even after 100 years, while others transform into technology within a year. What do you think about this?”

“I think exactly the same.”

“So I’ll tell you this in confidence…”

He moistened his throat with the tea and continued.

“…I smell money in that graviton research.”

It was quite a shocking statement.

Could he have figured it out?

“Other businessmen overlook something. The misconception that theoretical science doesn’t make money. But I’m different. My daughter is a physicist. I’ve seen countless seemingly useless theories transform into engineering applications.”

There’s no doubt.

He definitely figured it out.

“All the research you’ve done so far has blocked foreign gods. The pattern is obvious. What’s your purpose? For instance, inventing technology to drive all foreign gods out of this universe.”

“Chairman.”

“I won’t ask too deeply. Just answer this one thing for me.”

Chairman Stranov subtly moved to the seat next to me. He brought his face close to mine. Then, in a whisper that no one else could hear, he asked:

“Is the discovery of gravitons related to capturing and killing foreign gods?”

I got goosebumps.

The chairman, a non-specialist, was having thoughts that no physicist or engineer had ever conceived.

Or perhaps it was a way of thinking possible precisely because he had a different perspective from scholars.

Just like how Seti tried to use Stellalines economically.

I once again realized the importance of interdisciplinary research.

“…Yes, it is.”

“I knew it!”

Clap! He clapped his hands.

“My intuition is never wrong!”

I was surprised too.

So this is what it takes to become the head of a corporation that manipulates the universe like dough.

The subsequent proposal from Chairman Stranov wasn’t bad for me either.

“My daughter Callis receives support from our group and the government for her research. If you just diligently write papers on this topic while working with our daughter and son-in-law, I promise maximum support through my daughter.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Naturally. Come to think of it, this is quite embarrassing. If you succeed, I’ll be piggybacking on your research.”

This changes everything.

10 years? 8 years? I might not even need that much time.

Support from the Stronium chairman.

Google, Amazon. There’s no reason to refuse when such entities offer research funding. More research funding is always better.

“Of course, we have our circumstances too. We can’t pour all the company’s capital into this. Still, I can accommodate requests as long as they don’t cause problems for the headquarters’ finances. In return…”

“Yes, I’ll make sure all papers are co-authored with Professor Callis.”

I answered quite boldly.

The chairman was rather surprised and asked:

“Really?”

“It’s the best I can offer. I’m sure Professor Callis will be pleased as well.”

I know the chairman is looking at me favorably.

But let’s look at the situation objectively, setting aside the people involved.

The one giving money, and the one receiving it.

It’s clear who’s in the superior position and who’s in the subordinate one.

If I’m in the subordinate position, and if the superior is signaling consideration for the subordinate…

Then the best courtesy is to please the superior. It’s also the key to getting what you want.

Currently, I only mentioned doing graviton research with Professor Feynman, not Callis. It was a paper we agreed to write before they got married. By including Professor Callis, I can share the honor I get from writing the paper with her. For scientists, honor is money.

“You’re a smart young man.”

His expression brightened. As expected.

Chairman Stranov personally poured tea into my cup. As I frantically waved my hands saying he shouldn’t do that, he cut me off.

“The reason I called only you here is simple. This matter should remain known only to you and me for now.”

“Are you concerned about information leaking?”

“There are many hyenas in this world. Wine tastes best when stored where no one can see it. Otherwise, it disappears quickly. Always remember that in this universe, there are many who like to take credit for others’ work.”

I nodded.

In any case, it’s certain that I’ve gained a strong patron.

Perhaps I can start full-scale research before Seti succeeds as an entrepreneur.

With a glimmer of hope, I tentatively suggested to the major shareholder:

“I’m currently working on another research project as well…”