episode_0076

A volcanic region in Iceland where tectonic activity is still active to this day.

The foundation’s facilities are located there.

There are two reasons.

One is that it is easy to disguise it as a geological research institute. The Foundation’s research facilities are kept highly secret from the public. The location, its purpose, and everything that happens within the facility. The majority of humans are not even aware of the Foundation’s existence.

second is… .

Rattling-!

Robin came out of his thoughts.

I just followed an intuition I heard at some point, and before I knew it, she was sitting in the passenger seat of the van.

Departing from the small coastal town of Vik-i-Myrdal, this old van travels to the slopes of Katla Volcano along the roads that are still drivable.

The interior of the van could be considered a small research facility.

Not only filming equipment, but also heat detection devices and complex research facilities. Isn’t it too unfortunate to have this level of equipment just for show?

Robin once worked in academia.

I was completely crazy about physics.

Her disguised identity still belongs to the Royal Society of England.

“There are a lot of new people coming here these days.”

The driver, who knew nothing, hinted.

Is it because they guessed that the other person is from England, or is it because they just decided to speak English to everyone they meet? The driver spoke awkward English.

“Professor, do you know? The volcano is bubbling, and it seems as if it will explode on a gloomy day. It’s the same with people and the surrounding environment. These days, I keep having a feeling that something is happening.”

It’s a premonition.

Robin became nervous without realizing it.

A good driver will not even know what he is talking about.

At best, what if the volcano erupts? Or, what if volcanic ash covers the sky and planes can’t take off? It must be a worry.

The truth of the world is much more terrible than that.

“I will let you know when the time comes. Leave enough time to evacuate.”

“I am relieved to hear you say that. Actually, everyone who rides here talks about it. It may be a little dirty, but I have to live with it for now.”

Rattling-

The body of the car shook once again.

As the volcano got closer, the condition of the roads became increasingly worse.

“By the way, Professor, what are you doing here? no. I mean, of course you came to do research. Even among the professors, each one had a different field. These days, I live with the joy of hearing stories like this.”

I’m so curious.

Robin answered calmly.

“NULLIUS IN VERBA.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s Latin. This is the motto of the London Society. It means to doubt everything and find out through experiments, but I’m not sure if this is enough to answer the question.”

The driver thought for a moment and smiled.

“It looks like something suspicious has happened. Is this a new theory that will overturn the existing paradigm? haha. This is it. I might be carrying a future Nobel Prize winner.”

While we were talking, the vehicle arrived at its destination.

A mixture of dust and gravel was strewn across the road, and it seemed like the road ended here.

“Okay then. I hope that you will achieve academic results.”

“Thank you. See you next time.”

Robin slammed the van door shut.

Volcanic ash and rock debris crunched beneath her feet.

To reach the research facility, you have to hike for about 30 minutes.

Climbing a mountain at this age?

In the past, this would have been unthinkable, but the Foundation does not allow the performance of its precious ‘resources’ to decline.

It was in the 90s that the existence of the Foundation became known. Over the years, Robin’s body actually regained its youth.

This was thanks to special ‘reinforcement measures’ given to the foundation’s leadership.

Many drugs and procedures were administered to her, some of which she herself accepted, that allowed her to transcend her physical, mental, and psychological limitations.

[Iceland Geological Research Association]

Being proficient in languages from around the world is one of them.

Although it was the first time he had seen the letters, Robin was able to read what was written on the sign without difficulty.

[Visits by unauthorized outsiders are prohibited.]

[Please send your request for coverage to the email or postal address below and we will respond.]

On the outside, it completely disguised itself as a research facility, but Robin could see numerous devices.

On the exterior wall of the building.

Between the glass doors.

About the information on the sign.

These are the foundation’s certification procedures that filter out ordinary people.

After waiting for about a minute in front, Robin was able to enter the correct door.

A space that is unreasonably large compared to its size seen from the outside.

The foundation’s research facility has a neat exterior wall, like a factory.

The professor was leading an experiment there.

A middle-aged man with a beard.

Except for the fact that the wrinkles around his eyes are deeper than others, the professor has an extremely ordinary appearance.

However, Robin was more suspicious of that ordinary person than anyone else.

“Robin.”

“Weren’t you doing research in your apartment? I’ve never heard of an experiment like this.”

“I had an urgent schedule.”

The professor answered calmly.

“According to what we found out in the apartment, a disaster will happen here soon. So, rather than an experiment, it would be more correct to call it a measure to prevent disaster. Of course, I plan to report this to the foundation once this is finished.”

“It’s hard to believe. You, who can see the future, only discovered the future disaster after checking something in the apartment?”

“There are always variables. All I can see is the future on our timeline.”

Robin reaffirmed his answer with an expressionless face.

“Can we take that to mean that an external entity intervened?”

“Yes.”

They are beings outside the timeline. I have a few guesses, but there is a more important question than that.

Robin changed the question.

“There is another one. How did you get here? As far as I know, the location of the apartment is,”

“As the issue was urgent, we took advantage of the spatio-temporal characteristics of the apartment. I will organize this separately and let you know later.”

There are no too many gaps in your answer.

Robin finally gathered his thoughts.

Her intuition was still telling her about the professor’s crime. However, the professor’s explanation was so neat and eloquent that even if she deliberately tried to find fault with it, there seemed to be no place to point out.

Right now.

Of course, additional evidence may come out later.

No matter how much you are a member of the council, you cannot hide your whereabouts forever.

Especially if the Foundation is the opponent.

but.

If she gives up further questioning and returns, the professor gets a grace period.

At least 12 hours to complete the experiment and report the results to the Foundation.

That is exactly the flow the professor wants.

Buying time by avoiding the eyes of the Foundation.

Even if it arouses suspicion, no solid evidence is ever shown.

Robin didn’t even think about what if the professor was really innocent.

Because I trusted my intuition that much.

It’s not just a superstition, it’s closer to a special ability.

This is neither an anomaly nor a superpower.

It is simply insight developed through acquiring and applying experience over a long period of time.

Robin could even risk his life on a hunch.

NULLIUS IN VERBA.

doubt everything.

Check it out for yourself.

And, do not blindly trust the words of those in authority.

“So, you were in the apartment. You have come here now. Is that correct?”

“You understood correctly.”

“Then let me ask again. What do you think I have been doing the past week?”

The professor didn’t answer.

“CREEP-201. Tracker.”

The professor let Robin speak for himself.

“I have personally contacted a tracer to track someone’s location. Even though I had to sacrifice my life, I was able to hide this fact until now.”

Cold, dry air flowed through the facility.

The Professor and Robin. The ‘office’ the two were in was isolated from other researchers, and the professor had remained silent for a while.

It was only Robin who was speaking.

“Professor. We tracked your location. What do you think was the result? A week ago from now. Shouldn’t you have stayed in the apartment?”

Robin lowered his voice.

The self who speaks in a cold voice and the other person who is silent. She suddenly remembered an old memory.

More than half a century ago, I was questioning my husband at the door about his infidelity.

Even back then, I changed my tone like this.

“You went to the apartment in the future. I was using my ability to see the future to communicate with another you.”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. that… … .”

“I know. That it was originally impossible. But the spatio-temporal anomaly of the apartment may have made that possible.”

Finally, after catching my breath,

Robin asked the question that had been filling his mind for a while.

“Then tell me now. What are you planning inside the apartment? Why do you have to hide your location and deceive the foundation?”

“… … .”

After a long silence, the professor spoke.

“Robin.”

“You talk like you know everything. In fact, you will realize that you didn’t know anything.”

“What?”

The professor checked his watch, and immediately after that the ground began to shake.

When the office’s security function was disarmed, Robin was finally able to see the situation outside.

“Is it just an earthquake?”

“No! This is an emergency caused by an anomaly!”

Deddd-

The vibration gradually grew louder.

Robin knew too. The foundation’s technological capabilities are far ahead of reality. If it had been a simple earthquake, not even a small shaking would have been felt.

Even if a volcanic eruption occurs, this facility is safe.

However, other researchers outside are busy protecting the data.

“Take care of any data that has not been backed up!”

“You must evacuate the facility quickly!”

The researcher quickly left, and armed personnel took his place.

Even in the midst of confusion, the professor did not show any surprise.

“Robin. You can’t figure out anything with vague intuition.”

“Hu… … .”

Robin pressed his knuckles with his clasped hands and sighed.

“Did you plan this?”

“That’s not it, I’m just saying that it was foolish to doubt me.”

“I know it’s a lie.”

Robin glared at the professor, but the situation was too urgent.

Outside, the sounds of other researchers shouting could be heard without filtering.

“A volcano is erupting outside! If we leave the facility like this… … .”

“Go outside first! Don’t be stupid and get moving!”

“But.”

“There are many ways to die. Remaining here is the most terrible way of all.”

“Let’s talk again next time.”

Watching Robin hurrying away, the professor smiled slightly.

If she’s lucky, she’ll die here. It is possible to be revived at the Foundation’s facilities, but it will take about a week. There is a high possibility that you will lose your memories here as well. It would be impossible to extract memories from a body buried in volcanic ash, and in the end, one would have to rely on backed-up memories.

Even if she somehow manages to get out of here, the outcome won’t change much. Robin will report this to the Foundation. The reported matter will be passed on to the council, which will then enter an investigation period to make a decision. All of those procedures are ‘time’.

… …

The professor recalled a memory from the future.

He was in the apartment and led experiments using the ‘mechanical device’ on floor [13A1].

A mechanical device that, instead of bringing what it wants into reality, puts human suffering in return.

“Ahhhh!”

One side of the black-haired girl’s shoulder and down her arm disappeared completely.

“Ugh. Mandible. Ahhh!”

“Insertion of recovery agent.”

And when the restorative agent was administered, the damaged body was restored incredibly quickly.

Repeat this process, but maintain the girl’s brainwashing state.

To keep wanting the links in the chain.

The professor leaned down and asked the girl.

“What is your purpose?”

“I don’t know, hehe! I don’t know.”

“What’s your name?”

“… … I don’t know.”

“Then tell me what you have to say.”

The girl’s blank eyes stare at the mechanical device.

“Chain… … .”

“A little more detail.”

“I want a chain to bind them standing behind the door.”

And at one time, it was really successful.

The professor was able to confirm that a link in the chain binding the fifth apostle appeared on the other side of the machine.

“Continue repeating the experiment. Seo Jin■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■

And then the story rewound.

Everything has become something that never happened, and something that can never happen again.

Perhaps someone took advantage of the end of this timeline.

But the professor’s memory survived. I didn’t think it would be that easy.

Since you already know the location of the chain, all you have to do is find it yourself.

Right here.

At Katla Volcano in Iceland.

Find and destroy the chains and free what was bound.

… …

Just now.

Part of the chains binding the fifth apostle were completely destroyed.