Chapter 1115 – Faith

000

What could be seen between the burning remains of the machine were fragments of objects whose original form could not be clearly identified, and the ‘flesh’ of some kind of life form.

Crackling, crackling.

In the noisy screen, the blazing flames seemed to indicate the size of the explosion, engulfing even the surrounding trees.

It happened in the blink of an eye, and the companions must have had no choice but to momentarily stop thinking as they saw it.

“Are you satisfied?”

The person who brought the group back to reality was Old Burn, who was sitting underneath the unfolding video.

He didn’t look excited at all, just breathing normally and nodding.

Now, I couldn’t imagine this man turning his companion into ashes with a single movement of his finger.

“What-“

“What have you done?!”

Before Cleon could say that, it was Attis, who was standing next to him, who spoke first.

Quite a violent attitude.

The raised voice and anger in her eyes must have surprised Fleur, who had known Artis for a long time and had always seen her relaxed attitude.

That’s right.

She was thought to be dead, and even then, she was hiding a strong flame of hatred within her.

Now that he has confirmed that his father has become like that, it is natural that the fire has grown even bigger.

The conversation she had in the elevator may have been somewhat playful, but Cleon knew that it was just an act she was putting on to hide her own feelings.

“As you can see, Darwin has been dealt with. He is an obstacle to all of our goals.”

However, despite Artis’ attitude, Oldburn just responded calmly.

“An obstacle…? With what kind of mindset did I come here…!”

Artis seems to be swallowing his anger as if he can’t easily understand Oldburn’s answer.

On the other hand, Oldburn continues speaking with a leisurely laugh, saying ‘heh, heh’.

“You’re talking a strange story, Professor Artis. I had a good impression of you because I thought you were close to Fleur and a friend who helped you with various things… But if you were a scholar and an intellectual, you would also value ‘reason’ in your actions. You have to know how to do it.”

“The opposite sex?”

Oldburn spoke as if he was criticizing Artis’ attitude, then screeched and turned the chair he was sitting on, showing his back.

I don’t know if they are looking down on themselves, or if they are confident that they will trust them because of what they just said.

Seeing the gap-filled appearance, Cleon ponders what to do, while Old Burn continues her words.

“Yes. Reason. Do you know how important Darwin is to Adam’s plan? Madam’s existence and technology must be at the foundation of Orpheus’ plan, as well as the production of clones to be used as vessels. How can we stop it? It’s a shame, but the surest way is to kill Madam.”

“I know that. But even if it’s not your hand-“

“If you know, I hope you’d be grateful. If Madam had stayed here and fought with you instead of running away, it would have been difficult for everyone to survive unscathed…”

In other words, the reason Old Burn disposed of Darwin in a way that completely betrayed her trust was to preserve the strength of Cleon’s group.

“I know Darwin is a dangerous guy, but he’s a scholar after all, right? There are guys who have already fought against the guy who used the elixir of evolution.”

When Schrödinger says that, Oldburn grins.

“I’m sorry, but this is her workshop, her castle. And Madame is the lord of this castle. There are many hidden devices and weapons that you don’t know about, and she, too, will drag some of you away as companions if she is prepared to die. It’s not difficult at all.”

“…”

That may be true.

Therefore, those with knowledge of tactics or strategy, including Cleon, could not really refute it.

Looking at the party’s reaction, Oldburn was speaking in a somewhat exaggerated manner.

“Alas, if she had been able to abandon her vain faith in Adam, I would not have gone this far…”

As he placed his hand on her forehead, he seemed genuinely sorry – for someone who had taken her life, he was somewhat broken.

In a situation where his duplicity is clearly displayed, the group watches as the screen showing Darwin, who has met a somewhat depressing ending, disappears.

“Anyway. With this, ‘Darwin’ has disappeared. Now, about the next ‘goal’─.”

“… Wait, before that.”

Layla, who was barely able to keep her cool, seemed to interrupt Oldburn’s words.

“Lila Flamewatch. One of the most talented wizards since the history of the Academy began… It is an honor to meet you face to face. There are many questions I would like to ask you, too.”

Then Oldburn doesn’t get angry and says something praising Laila.

There were a lot of adjectives that made it seem okay to feel a little flattered, but Lila asked him a question without changing her expression.

“You had a different plan than Darwin and the other regressors, right?”

“Everyone has a hidden goal in their heart. Isn’t that why I decided to deal with Darwin and attack Adam with the magic swordsman?”

It was Old Burn who nodded and confirmed Laila’s words.

Lila took another step forward, raising her voice as if to challenge him.

“Adam Kadmon. Those machines in the blueprints you hid. What are they? What are you planning?”

“—Indeed. It looks like the letter left behind was delivered properly.”

Old Burn nodded at Lila’s words and silenced her for a moment.

The moment when Lila tried to urge him in response to his hesitating attitude.

“If we were to translate ‘Adam Kadmon’ into modern language, it would be ‘the prototype of Adam.’ … In other words, it is a word from the primordial world, meaning ‘a being who is the prototype of the original human being.'”

“Adam’s prototype?”

“The words Adam and Eve are the names of characters in a religion that existed in the original world. I don’t know if ‘Tris’, the scholar who created the two machines, was a believer in that religion. He took many of his names from the mythological system. It may have been a good idea to name the device that can artificially create humans ‘Adam’, the first human being and the father of mankind.”

‘Adam’, who was expelled from the mythical ‘Eden’, planted human roots in the human world with his wife, ‘Eve’.

Considering that the roots of humans who reappeared in the successor world after the destruction of the original world were also thanks to ‘Adam’ arranged by Triss.

Even if Triss did not wish for the world to fall, it may have been destined for this to happen.

However, the important thing is not the fact that everyone gathered here knows.

“… Then, what is Adam Kadmon (the prototype of Adam)— no way!”

When Attis said that, he couldn’t help but be shocked.

“I think you noticed it too… Adam Kadmon is, in other words, another Adam, created before Adam was created.”

Oldburn adds confidence to her guess.

“‘Adam’s prototype’…!”

The words that came out of Lila’s mouth greatly shook the spirit of Cleon and those who understood its meaning only belatedly.

“Now, wait a minute, do you mean such a thing exists?”

“No matter how much of a genius Tris is, she couldn’t have created such a ridiculous machine from scratch. There must have been countless experiments and prototypes before she could create the finished product called Adam. Adam Kadmon is one of them. “

That’s how Oldburn seems to answer Quon’s question.

“Well, that’s not what I meant-“

“Now, the question is whether that machine called Adam Kadmon exists in this world as well.”

Amelia also asked him a question with a sharp response.

Then, Oldburn laughs ‘huhu’—

“No. There is none.”

“──.”

The mood just now was one where I would have answered ‘yes’.

At his somewhat dejected answer, the group would sigh with joy.

Adam alone is crazy enough, but is there such a thing as an even more unstable prototype?

It’s scary to even think about it.

At the same time, Old Burn continued his speech by tapping his temples with his index fingers in a steady rhythm.

“To be precise, it would be correct to say ‘not yet.'”

“… Yet?”

Oldburn gives an ambiguous expression, and Sasha asks questions as if he doesn’t know.

However, if I thought about it a little, I could understand its meaning.

Why was there a blueprint for Adam Kadmon in his room?

What exactly was the reason why he rebelled against ‘Adam’?

By combining the gathered circumstantial evidence, a conclusion could be easily drawn.

“Are you really planning on making Adam Kadmon? Are you?”

Attis asked a question.

There was a certain degree of certainty in that question.

The fact that he betrayed Darwin at this time was also evidence to support his suspicions.

And, Old Burn.

The old man, entranced by the ancient machine, answers.

“I’m already making it. My own, new Adam. Not here, but in my own secret place. It will still take some more time.”

In response to Cleon’s question, Oldburn seemed indifferent and went beyond the level of saying ‘yes’.

Confidently.

Without fear.

Just state the facts as they are and say, ‘We’re already doing it.’

“What were you thinking when you did that?”

Sasha raises her voice in disbelief.

It was a natural reaction.

If it wasn’t Sasha, someone in her group would have done it.

However, in response to her reaction, Old Burn clicked his tongue and responded.

“It’s to create an ideal world. At the very least, to stop a crazy machine like ‘Adam’ from becoming a god, a corresponding power is needed.”

Your thoughts are the only unwavering truth.

There was such confidence in Oldburn’s words and attitude.

“Are you saying that in order to defeat Adam, you are making something similar to Adam…?”

Of course, there were those who opposed it.

“Is there a problem in theory? You, too, have come to dig up ancient artifacts that are considered dangerous out of necessity, so you cannot point a finger at me morally.”

With a snort, that opinion will be crushed.

If it’s a dangerous technology, he probably knows that the Leviathan sleeping in the Dragon Mountain Range is also like that.

But Old Burn stands up, spreads his arms, and speaks.

“Don’t worry, Adam Kadmon does not have an autonomous will like ‘Adam’. It is just a machine that constantly produces ‘humans’.”

In other words, do you want to say that there is no risk of becoming a machine that tries to dominate humans like Adam?

But the words that came out next were words that no one there could ignore.

“Furthermore, that is not the only part that is important. Unlike ‘Adam’, who has instability in his control over the humans he has created, ‘Adam Kadmon’ has the ability to ‘completely dominate’ the humans he has created. It’s true… But it’s limited to the first generation!”

“──.”

Speech becomes faster.

Raise your hands.

Open your chest and lean back.

Looking at the sky where only the dark ceiling spreads, Oldburn raises his voice as if praising Adam Kadmon.

“What an ideal function this is! Being able to create humans at will and move them all as you wish? You will be able to create an infinite number of perfect soldiers! Once Adam Kadmon is completed!”

Like, a priest.

Or, the leader.

Seeing the joy on his face that bordered on madness, the group had no choice but to wince and step back.

However, Cleon, who is the only one who does not take a step back, actually takes a step forward and asks him a question.

“It’s not just that.”

As expected, it was a confident voice.

It is comparable to the fanaticism of Old Burn.

“─Hoo.”

Therefore, in response to Cleon’s interrogation, Oldburn briefly stops his exaggerated tone and gestures from earlier and makes eye contact with him.

“Why do you think so? Would it be okay to listen to your opinion in order to establish a cooperative relationship? All I’m saying is that I have to stop ‘Adam’, even if it means using Adam Kadmon’s power.”

Corner of the mouth.

From the corners of his mouth that are bent upward, you can feel that his words are sweet and sugar-coated.

Therefore, removing that ugly pretense, Cleon speaks with a firm voice and attitude.

“Your purpose does not stop at defeating ‘Adam’. You said it a while ago with your own words. It is to create an ‘ideal world.’ Is the world where Adam disappears your ideal world?”

Cleon shook his head, saying it couldn’t be what he said.

“What you are trying to do is simply to become ‘another Adam.’ Are you planning to rule over the created humans and become their king?”

“…”

At Cleon’s words, Old Burn closed his open arms and crossed them in front of his chest.

Without saying anything, without denying it.

“… Cleon is right. If that’s really what you’re trying to create… I can’t just leave it alone.”

Lila, too, agrees with Cleon’s opinion and takes out her own wand.

Negotiations, breakdown?

In the end, is it true that a regressor is a regressor?

“Hmm…”

Old Burn fell silent for a moment and adjusted his glasses.

“… What is the rebuttal?”

As that silence continues, Cleon will ask him once again.

The madness seen in the attitude he showed while coming here.

Feeling that its origin lies in this purpose.

According to the next answer, it could lead directly to battle, so Cleon’s hand was already touching the handle of the sword.

In contrast, Oldburn, who was asked to answer, seemed embarrassed or agitated.

Without showing such human emotions, just quietly.

“What? I’m surprised.”

“… What?”

So, she was expressing her own feelings.

It didn’t look like he was surprised at all.

Oldburn continues speaking in an explanatory tone.

“So, I was surprised that you were ‘normal humans’ more than I imagined. The members, the purpose, and… The beings who realized the truth in the darkness of the world called ‘Adam’ and were resisting it. Like this─ what should I say?”

An old man who paused as if choosing a word.

Oldburn soon pulls out the word that best suits them and evaluates it.

“I never thought they would be such sincere young people.”

“──.”

What should I say, is this… A compliment? Or, am I being treated like a fool?

Either way, I didn’t feel very good about the attitude.

As the cold atmosphere passed, Old Burn suddenly raised his head, looked at the group, and continued his speech.

“Ah. Don’t misunderstand. So, isn’t this what you’re saying? That this old man will defeat Adam and then abuse Adam Kadmon to create the world I want.”

And then he would laugh and shake his head, ‘Haha’.

“It’s different, it’s different. Creating ‘a world beyond what I want.’ Is that possible?”

The tone of voice does not waver.

Breathing is also stable.

It is conveyed that there is no lie in his words.

“Whose ‘ideal’ is the ‘ideal world’ that will be completed by Adam Kadmon? That part is important, after all.”

He mumbled as if he was talking to himself, then took off his sunglasses and put them in the pocket on his left chest.

When you look at those eyes that were hidden behind the lens, there’s something about it that you can’t feel in that atmosphere—

With eyes that look tired but full of confidence.

His gaze is directed towards the middle of the group.

“Fleur. My lovely granddaughter.”

A voice dripping with affection that makes you feel like you want to pull him in and hug you right now.

After all, the most sincere part of this man is his family’s love for Fleur.

“… Grandpa.”

However, Fleur looks at him with a somewhat nervous expression and squeezes her hand.

Something makes me feel uneasy.

Because.

I feel like I’ve seen it before.

One day, when he called his name.

Different from usual-

“The Returner is an apostle of Adam, working for the world he wants. But… Now I am free from his bondage and believe in someone else.”

A voice that seems to have some sort of determination deep in my mind.

I felt like I was retrieving a memory from some time ago.

And Oldburn slowly, the object of his ‘faith’ fell away from ‘Adam’ a long time ago.

The fact that we are connected to one girl through blood is expressed in another way.

“Fleur. My beautiful granddaughter. Precious, pure. My only remaining ‘proof’.”

The source of that madness.

Adam Kadmondo.

It wasn’t even ancient technology.

Rather, the person who believed in him the most and needed him the most.

That’s why.

“The world I want to realize with Adam Kadmon is, to her, nothing more than an ideal world.”

Everything in Old Descartes revolved around ‘her she’.