Chapter 181

Chapter 181

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 181: What Happened At The Meeting (4).

I nearly had a heart attack. Instead of an android, Zelnya’s father had come in person – something I never expected.

I managed to answer calmly, maintaining my composure.

“Yes, I slept well, thanks.”

“You look rather tired for someone who claims to have slept well.”

“Actually, I went to bed later than usual. I got caught up reading a book…”

Jerome’s eyebrows rose as he began studying me intently. His scrutinizing gaze suggested he suspected me of causing mischief during the night or stealing Adelwein’s secrets.

“There was a commotion at the annex last night.”

“Was there now?”

“Yes. Apparently, a guest spotted a petty thief in the early hours. Did you perhaps hear anything or notice anything missing…?”

Jerome peered into my room.

“The android in the maid outfit is nowhere to be seen.”

“If you mean Sonia, she had to leave due to some family matters.”

Jerome nodded. Though he still suspects something, he couldn’t prove anything for now.

“Breakfast is ready. Let’s eat and then depart.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

I calmly made my way to the main building.

Zelnya, the newly appointed head of the family, sat at the center of the expansive table. Jerome and his wife, Trisha Adelwein, had taken their rightful places in the elders’ seats. I, along with other distinguished guests, was seated in a position of honor.

“I want to express my gratitude to everyone who attended yesterday’s succession ceremony. Though leadership has changed hands, the Adelwein family remains committed to maintaining our cherished relationships with all of you. For now, let us set aside business matters and enjoy this meal together.”

There was a noticeable change in Zelnya since becoming the family head. While she maintained her noble bearing, the irritating attitude she once possessed had mellowed, replaced by a more mature presence.

As conversations about Zelnya floated around the table, I focused quietly on my meal, methodically cutting my meat. Just as dinner was drawing to a close, someone addressed me directly.

“Master Reinhardt, if marriage seems too hasty, perhaps you might consider an engagement first?”

I looked up from my plate to find everyone, Zelnya included, intently awaiting my response to this unexpected proposal.

The atmosphere in the room grew peculiar. Everyone’s eyes darted between Zelnya and me, their gazes carrying more weight than mere well-wishes for a potential couple. These were the calculating looks of wolves, seeing far beyond a simple union.

Business interests likely drove their eagerness. A marriage alliance between the Adelwein and Reinhardt bloodlines would cause significant fluctuations in numerous stock holdings. The man continued his pitch:

“An engagement, unlike marriage, is both simpler to arrange and easier to dissolve. Moreover, like dating, it doesn’t require cohabitation.”

It felt odd having someone clearly more than twice my age address me with such careful deference.

“This would be an opportune decision for both families’ prosperity…”

An engagement.

The proposal had its merits. An engagement wouldn’t risk me being forcibly taken as a groom, and if anything were to happen with Zelnya, it offered more legal flexibility than an ambiguous romantic relationship. While the idea wasn’t terrible, I worried about how Rustila would react to such sudden news.

“What are your thoughts, Chairman of the Elders?”

“It’s not a bad proposition.”

“Shall we begin preparations soon, then?”

These old men were getting ahead of themselves, making plans without consultation.

“What does the young master Reinhardt think about this?”

All eyes turned to me. I knew that expressing hesitation now would contradict what I said yesterday and potentially raise Jerome’s suspicions. The act had to be maintained.

Feigning surprise, I turned to Jerome.

“Sir, would that be acceptable?”

“Well, engagements can be freely made and broken, so it’s not a bad idea. What do you say? We could set a date for next month…”

“Thank you, Father-in-law!”

I bowed to Jerome after careful consideration.

After breakfast concluded, Aidel departed on the shuttle while Zelnya changed her clothes after bidding farewell to the remaining guests.

Once everyone had left, Jerome’s diplomatic smile vanished, replaced by his characteristic stern expression. He gestured to Zelnya.

“Come here.”

Zelnya nodded and took a seat, feeling the tension in the air as her father spoke in his characteristically strict manner.

“You’ve performed well thus far, but now comes the true challenge. Aidel von Reinhardt’s influence will only continue to grow. We must secure him as our son-in-law to undermine the Reinhardt family’s spirit.”

“I understand.”

“Of course you do.”

Despite the arranged engagement, Zelnya couldn’t bring herself to smile. She comprehended the gravity of the situation better than anyone. Jerome continued:

“Remember one crucial thing during this engagement: ‘Absolutely prevent Aidel von Reinhardt from becoming the head.’ You understand my meaning, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Maintain vigilance for any ‘rumors’ they might spread about our family. If you discover actions that could potentially harm us, build a case and ensure their imprisonment. Is that clear?”

“Yes, I understand everything. Do you take me for a fool, Father?”

“Such a fiery response. Good – that’s exactly the attitude needed for a future head of the family.”

Jerome finally smiled, though it was a calculating expression. While Zelnya harbored inner discontent, she also felt reassured. With a father like this, she knew the family could be reformed without hesitation.

After our unexpected meeting concluded, Zelnya handed me additional contracts pertaining to the biological experiments she had gathered. Once I had properly printed them, I made my way to the Holy Spirit Hospital.

In the recovery room, I found Kashu Adelwein unconscious and restrained.

“Hello. Please wake up.”

“Ugh…”

Kashu’s eyes fluttered open slowly.

“You are… Ugh! What is this!”

“Ah, you’re awake.”

I returned to my seat with a smile. My gaze alternated between the desk and Kash. Before me lay the ‘Bubble Talisman’ and the document containing Kash’s criminal record from Zelnya.

“Aidel von Reinhardt, you wretched scoundrel. Can’t you end this now?”

“I apologize, but that’s impossible. It’s protocol to detain those possessed by an Outer God.”

Kash struggled violently against his restraints, seemingly deaf to my words. With midterms approaching and time running short, I cut to the chase.

“Why were you at the Adelwein treasury?”

“Pah!”

He spat on the floor. I had anticipated such behavior and positioned myself at a safe distance.

Summoning ‘Calipers of Wisdom (A)’ now.

I produced the calipers and placed them on the table with a heavy clank. The metallic sound drained the color from Kash’s face.

“Wh-what is that?”

“You know exactly what this is.”

Humans have an innate sensitivity to death. Just as one freezes upon encountering a bear in the wilderness, Kash became paralyzed when he heard the Calipers’ brain-rattling voice.

“I’ll ask again. Why were you in Adelwein’s treasury?”

“You bastard…!”

“For the third time, why were you there?”

“…If you’d kept quiet about the irregular polyhedron case, my life wouldn’t be this miserable! You have no idea how much money that thing was bringing in!”

“Don’t deflect. Answer the question. Why were you there?”

This wasn’t working. I gripped the Calipers and rose from my seat.

Then, letting my arms hang loosely, I approached him slowly. Since he refused to speak willingly, I would have no choice but to resort to ‘mental detection.’

“I’ll ask you one final time. Why were you there?”

I brought the calipers’ edge near his forehead. For accurate psychological detection, the blade needed to make contact with the head.

Preparing to use ‘Mind Reading’ in exchange for Pron.

Kashu burst out in panic.

“Ah, alright! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”

I canceled the skill I was about to use. Pron solidified.

“The… the Outer Gods told me. They said if I completed the quest to move their ‘talisman’ to specific locations, they’d quietly eliminate you. And help me return to the family.”

“Was the Adelwein family treasury among these designated locations?”

“Y-yes. Is that enough now?”

Those Darwin Legion operatives appeared to be attempting to create a ‘Field.’

The invasion methods had become more diverse than what I’d encountered in the novel. My presence as a variable had likely caused this shift.

This didn’t bode well. The ‘Field’ would enable distant Incarnates to communicate instantaneously. Once established, the conflict would escalate dramatically. A massive invasion would begin, one that ordinary inspectors couldn’t hope to contain.

I remembered a passage from the novel:

The queen tore the Ether Belt with her bare hands. She merged, burned, or shriveled countless tail Outer Gods to trigger the wind of madness. The madness spread like wildfire, consuming the south.

The tempest itself was unstoppable. It was occurring beyond the belt, and with humanity’s current technology, venturing beyond our galaxy was essentially suicide.

Therefore, the best course of action would be to recover all the ‘Bubble Talismans’ before the situation deteriorated further and destroy their communication network. Having reached this conclusion, I proceeded with my interrogation.

“Where are the remaining talismans located?”

“Concorp Planet on the southern front, the fountain at Kallisto Academy, and the main chapel of the Holy Spirit Church in the east.”

I jotted the locations in my notebook and tucked it away. I’d need to ask Ire to investigate these sites later. Just then, Kashu let out a hollow laugh.

“I have nothing left to lose now. My company’s been dismantled, my assets seized. My family acts as if I never existed. It’s over. Everything’s finished. Humanity is done for——!! Hahaha!!”

Kashu foamed at the mouth as he spewed his resentment. It was impossible to distinguish whether he was laughing or crying. A mild seizure indicated the onset of mania.

“Are you aware of how many lives your actions have destroyed?”

“I’m not to blame! Whiritia was in charge of field operations! That treacherous woman! She received my funding, and now she spreads these lies? Once I get out of here…!”

“You ordered and supervised the human experiments, Kashu Adelwein. Don’t deflect blame onto Director Whiritia. If you possess any conscience, start by mourning your innocent victims.”

“Innocent? Nonsense… Most were death row inmates! The others consented to the experiments! There were absolutely no ethical violations!”

I frowned.

Despite overwhelming evidence and witness testimonies, the chief officer persisted in dodging responsibility with lies.

“I considered showing leniency based on your behavior, but that’s clearly impossible now.”

I promptly contacted Christine.

“Yes, I’m at the Southern Holy Spirit Hospital. Hurry. No, it’s faster through your parents. Understood. I’ll wait here.”

“Who… who were you just speaking to?”

“You’ll find out shortly.”

I roughly calculated the distance to the hospital. Using the emergency line, they should arrive in 10 to 20 minutes.

My estimation proved accurate. Soon, black-suited individuals flooded the hospital, each wearing a gold badge emblazoned with scales.

“…So you truly are alive, Kashu Adelwein.”

“Th-this can’t be.”

Kashu’s face turned ashen.

“I-Inspector General Herseth…”