Ch.230Graduate School (2)

I claimed they installed the door lock for efficient study environment, but there was another real reason.

“For security reasons, you mean?”

“You’re asking the obvious.”

I put down my research notebook. I had just bought it recently and spent the last three days organizing all my theories on graviton bombs in it.

I shrugged while waving the notebook.

“This kind of stuff is confidential, only shared among our lab members. It would be troublesome if someone came in and stole it.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to prevent being scooped.”

“Exactly.”

In theoretical physics labs, information is life. If a useful idea gets leaked, that’s equivalent to losing a paper.

Of course, such things don’t happen often.

After all, who in their right mind would break into someone else’s lab to steal research materials?

“The key point is that I’m the head of the Rheinland family.”

“Since you’ve become so famous, you might have made enemies without realizing it.”

I nodded.

Flans, Ian, and Mercury looked like they would die of frustration, but Ireh would understand. Sure enough, when I turned to look at her, she was smiling bitterly.

Ireh stood up and approached me. She lowered her voice to a whisper.

“Do you think that ‘scientist’ will come after you?”

“I’m not certain, but there’s a high possibility.”

With Brian sent into distant exile, it was time for the next villain to appear.

Bruce Izoff.

A mad scientist who frequents frontier planets.

Usually, he’s the type who locks himself in his room, completely disconnected from the world.

But when he finds a scientist who seems more brilliant than himself, he torments them by any means necessary—a complete scum of a human being. Thanks to him, about twenty scientists have either died or given up their careers.

In short, he’s a creepy guy.

“I think he’s started moving by now. Since his base is in the southern frontier, he might come after me directly.”

“…That sounds dangerous. He’s one of the Five Kings.”

The Five Kings.

Five demon lords who betrayed humanity and sided with the outer gods.

That’s how they’re described, but in reality, they’re closer to five villains.

Bruce actually does side with the outer gods.

His reason for betrayal is simple. As a scientist exploring nature, he wants to better understand the existence of outer gods.

That’s just how mad scientists are.

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity snickers.]

By the way, there are people who slander me as an insane scientist, but that’s a completely absurd misunderstanding.

I’m perfectly normal. I have common sense too.

My hands and feet start trembling whenever I see people calling me crazy.

“Oh, by the way, young master. The Chairman of Stronium would like to see you.”

“Really? When?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Then I should go right away. Seniors, please take care of the lab while I’m gone!”

Beep beep beep beep.

I entered the 23-digit random password to open the door and left with only Sonia. As soon as the state-of-the-art automatic door closed with a whirr, laughter erupted from inside.

Hee, heeheeheee! Eeheeheeheeheee!

I’m so glad our lab has such a good atmosphere.

Happy lab! Graduate school that feels like home! Seniors and juniors who are like family!

I think I made a really good lab contact.

Because it was closest to the ultimate lab environment I wanted.

***

Stronium Industry.

After the collapse of Adelbein Corporation, it became a mega-corporation. They undisputedly controlled the most capital and affiliates in the Federation.

The chairman of such a company should naturally exude dignity.

Yes, that should be the case, but…

“Oh my, our little Lily! How did you get so cute!”

“A-u!”

Bell Stranov.

Even an iron-blooded businessman becomes a fool in front of his granddaughter.

“Chairman, we’re here.”

“Hmm? Ah, yes. I understand. My little one, grandpa has to work now. Okay?”

“Ta-u!”

Oh, is it because she’s the child of physicist parents? She already knows one elementary particle.

This child—no, baby—has a promising future.

“It’s been a while, Rheinland. No, I should call you the head of the Rheinland family now. I should speak formally too.”

“Please continue as before.”

“Then I’ll keep this up in private. But in front of others, you need to maintain your dignity, don’t you?”

I answered with a smile.

“Have you met Callis?”

“Yes, I just saw her on my way here. She looked very well.”

This was why I hadn’t seen Professor Stranov for a while. She was recovering at the maternity ward.

“Callis told me that if her daughter decides to major in physics, she’d consider sending her to your lab.”

“I’m honored.”

The daughter’s name was Lily, wasn’t it? Lily. It means a lily flower. Okay, that’s easy to remember.

Good, that’s the second one.

“I hope you stay strong and see your second and third grandchildren too.”

“My son-in-law says his back hurts, so it might be difficult for a while.”

“Oh dear…”

I made a mental note to gift Professor Feynman free passes to our family hospital soon.

“Let’s end the small talk here. Now, follow me.”

Sonia and I rode in Chairman Bell’s car.

The place we arrived at was a factory.

No, it was too massive to be called just a factory.

A magnificent facility stretched all the way to the vanishing point beyond the horizon. It looked like a scene from a movie.

“This is one of the largest industrial facilities in the west.”

The chairman pointed down with his finger.

“That line makes Plasma Swords, and that line over there makes counter-storm antennas. Since the two manufacturing processes overlap significantly, we’re running them simultaneously.”

That’s right. To prepare for Darwin’s Legion’s major invasion, I was borrowing Stronium’s power.

Usually, the top 10 families tended to check each other. But in the face of a common crisis like the outer gods, they had no choice but to join forces.

“How many finished products do we have?”

“300,000 antennas, 3.5 million swords. We’ve made all twelve zodiac versions of the swords too. There should be an opportunity to supply them to the front lines soon.”

“That’s less than I expected.”

“Hey, my friend. Isn’t it too much to expect more when you only gave us two weeks? We’re running at maximum automation right now!”

Actually, it’s enough.

With 3.5 million upgraded Plasma Swords, we can supply all the southern elite forces.

And 300,000 antennas can defend hundreds of base planets.

There will be casualties, but we won’t be completely helpless.

The chairman changed the subject.

“By the way, have you heard the news? I heard there was a massive layoff at Alcatraz Correctional Facility.”

“…First time hearing about it.”

The chairman patted my shoulder and smiled bitterly.

“They’ll probably shut down soon. Because of someone’s trap.”

“Is that so?”

“My goodness. Aren’t you interested in your own affairs? These days, if you go to the newsroom, they’re talking about nothing but you.”

I didn’t say that I didn’t have time to watch the news. The chairman seemed to have already noticed.

The chairman sighed, “Ehyu.”

“They say a hero doesn’t know he’s a hero. I’ll be honest. I respect you.”

“You’re too kind.”

“I mean it. You must have known you could make a fortune with that trap, but you gave up the patent without a moment’s hesitation. Usually, those who already have wealth become even greedier. But you didn’t. You prioritized human ethics over money. If I were you, I couldn’t have done that until a major crisis hit.”

“Saving lives comes first.”

“That’s the right principle. So you are of Rheinland blood after all…”

The chairman’s gaze drifted toward distant mountains.

Sonia and I also looked far away. The twilight sky with dusk settling gently was projected onto our retinas.

Chirp, chirp. The concert of insects began beyond the twilight.

“When the sun sets, a deep, dark sea approaches. A sea named outer gods. According to your prediction, we have about a month left.”

“Yes, they’ll come like a tsunami.”

“So humanity must learn to swim. Even if the result is just dog-paddling… isn’t that much more meaningful than ending without doing anything?”

I agreed that he was right.

Perhaps it’s because of people like Chairman Stranov that humanity has hope.

If the Stranov family had been an evil organization comparable to the Adelbeins, it would have been difficult to decide who to entrust this situation to.

“Head of Rheinland.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Is your graviton bomb plan progressing well?”

“Only the planning part.”

“Meaning you need the nation’s support and backing. Very well, when the time comes, I’ll do my best to lobby for you.”

“Thank you. I owe you one.”

After discussing more business matters, I returned home.

Oh, by the way, my home means Professor Feynman’s lab.

I entered the password and walked in to find a cozy space. And of course, inside would be my lab colleagues who are like family… wait.

“Where did everyone go?”

“Maybe they ran away?”

“Don’t say such nonsense. Our seniors wouldn’t do that.”

Ireh was sleeping at her desk, probably tired.

She’ll catch a cold.

I covered her with a blanket and thoroughly searched inside and outside the lab.

“Seniors, where are you?”

“That was just a joke. It seems they’ve gone home.”

“Well… can’t be helped then.”

I rushed back hoping to see my seniors, but it was all for nothing.

I sat down next to Ireh and read papers. There was truly an endless amount of studying to do.

It was around dawn when I received messages that Rustila and Zernya were heading to the southern frontier for field training.