#46. An Unexpected Figure

About three days passed.

As I was engrossed in research, as usual, Rachel arrived with a letter.

I didn’t have to think deeply about what it was.

“A reply has arrived.”

“Let me see.”

After it was confirmed that we would leave for Aylon, we immediately sent an official dispatch through the Imperial Household.

The contents, of course, pertained to the theft of technology and the impersonation.

It was more than a mere dispatch, as it largely placed responsibility on Aylon. Considering the somewhat overbearing tone we took, I was doubtful a response would even come.

I tear open the letter. At first glance, the contents are short. I quickly peruse it.

“This is perplexing.”

In summary, it reads as such:

You are welcome to come directly. Aylon will actively offer an explanation, blah blah blah…

We received a formal invitation from the Kingdom of Aylon.

Dazed, I showed the letter to Rachel.

“What could they possibly be thinking…?”

Rachel also seems unable to understand.

Of course. Even though they haven’t announced the developer of Penicillin, all research data and records are well-protected by the Imperial Household.

When the theft of the technology was first confirmed, the first thing we checked was the state of the documents.

The original documents were all intact, as if the perpetrator had only made copies. Therefore, proving the origin itself isn’t difficult.

In other words, our goal was simply to create an official setting for proof.

But it’s being resolved this easily?

“I think there’s definitely something more to it.”

“Although we don’t know what that something is.”

It’s the nation of geniuses, no less. No matter how poor the relations, they wouldn’t act like this.

“I feel a bit uneasy…”

“What can we do, eh?”

The invitations are received, and now it’s time to depart.

“Let’s move as swiftly as possible. I’ll narrow down the people we’re taking.”

“Am I coming along?”

“Of course. Weren’t you the one who helped secure the penicillin certification? Professor Felliana is joining us for the same reason.”

And…

“Ivan.”

“……”

“You’re coming too.”

“Why me……?”

Someone has to handle the odd jobs.

*

The sweltering days have finally faded, and the season for scattered leaves is slowly arriving.

A cool wind, perfect weather for a leisurely outing. And the professors are leaving at such a time…

The students will be absolutely delighted with the sudden two-week break.

Of course.

“How should I handle the make-up schedule……”

The missed classes will have to be made up somehow, but.

“Professor.”

I know the students’ hearts well. After all, I’m a student too.

Attending make-up classes in their free time is truly a hellish task, so I decided to help the poor students.

“Let’s not make it too brutal. The students will have a hard time.”

“Hmm, then should I give them an alternative assignment?”

“Oh, that’s good.”

“Rain, what do you think would be best?”

I pondered for a moment before answering.

“It would be good to have an assignment that can be completed quickly, is simple, yet substantial, I suppose.”

“Wouldn’t it?”

“Then how about having them write a research paper?”

“A research paper……”

“Have them write a research paper on the content they’ll be learning about. It’s simple and good, don’t you think?”

Rachel nodded.

“Well, I finish research papers quickly too…… That’s good!”

Satisfied.

I prevented the make-up classes. If the students knew this fact, they would be grateful to me.

They may not be thrilled with the assignment, but well, research papers are finished quickly.

“Then I need to announce it now. Just a moment, I’ll head to the faculty office.”

“Go ahead.”

Rachel hastily headed to the faculty office. It can’t be helped, as it was a hastily decided matter. I decided to wait.

Right, today’s the day to depart for Aylon.

A luxurious carriage, provided by the Imperial Family, awaits right at the main gate.

“It’s going to take ages again…”

Carriages are just so inconvenient for long-distance travel.

I really want to create a proper teleporter… but the material acquisition is just too difficult and dangerous. I keep hesitating.

Isn’t there some other way to get them? Something safer, perhaps.

“Maybe I should just create a new magic that requires less power…”

Once I reveal my identity, there’ll be many places to go. I don’t fancy relying solely on carriages even then.

“Or just build an engine…”

Come to think of it, it doesn’t have to be a teleporter.

Anything with a new power source for transportation would be fine, wouldn’t it?

“Ah.”

I think my next invention has been decided.

“Did you wait long?”

I was so engrossed in my own planning that Rachel had already returned. She looked like she’d just assigned a wonderful task.

“Let’s go.”

We immediately left the academy. The wind blew, causing leaves to fall like rain, and we walked through them.

Arriving at the main gate, Peliana, Ivan, and Meriel were already waiting.

…Meriel?

“Professor, what brings you here?”

“I, I was thinking of going too.”

“Why?”

“Well, um, it’s just…”

It wasn’t a question asked with malice.

Of course, I did coldly reject Meriel, but I don’t harbor any ill will towards her now.

So, the ‘why’ I’m asking now is purely about ‘why’.

Without being invited, for what purpose is she trying to join us?

“I… I just want to go.”

“Pardon?”

“Aylon Kingdom is a country I’ve always wanted to visit… it’s a dream for, for scholars.”

“Is that all?”

“…”

I know. Meriel wants something from me.

For some unknown reason, she’s still hesitating, but considering how persistently she’s trying, it must be an important message for her.

Perhaps she intends to join this journey in order to find a chance to speak.

“Alright, then. Come along.”

“Really?”

“Hurry and get in.”

And so, with one more person joining us, we boarded the carriage.

“By the way… What kind of place is Aylon Kingdom?”

“No need for a deep explanation, you see.”

It was Professor Felliana who answered the question.

“A treasure trove for scholars, a place where all knowledge converges. Everything there is accomplished after meticulous calculation, and not a single error is tolerated.”

“Sounds stifling.”

“Which is why as many geniuses flock there as flee. It’s not easy, even for the ‘average’ genius.”

‘Average’ genius, huh.

The combination of words felt forced, like they shouldn’t belong together.

Anyway, sounds like a demanding place. A certain level of tension will be necessary.

Well, tension is tension.

‘System.’

[ Did you call? ]

I’m not worried in the slightest.

Because I have a convenient AI that tells me everything.

‘Give me the imposter’s information.’

After a moment, an answer was produced.

“…Huh?”

[ I am unable to answer that question. ]

*

Drip.

Drip.

The sound of water dripping.

It rained recently, so it seems the water is leaking all the way here.

The woman gritted her teeth and placed a bucket to catch the water. It would be problematic if the water spread to her sleeping area.

Faint moonlight filtering through the bars illuminated her. Yes, this was inside a prison.

Looking rather wretched, the woman moved towards a desk. Her dragging shackles seemed intensely irritating as she walked.

She sat down. On the desk were papers covered in dense writing, and a pen. Across from it were various experimental tools.

Things that didn’t exactly fit with the setting of a prison. What was she doing here?

It was as it seemed.

Research.

“Shit…”

A small, muttered curse. She clenched her fist so tightly that the pen in her hand shattered.

Strands of her teal hair shook slightly.

“Ah.”

She let out a sigh.

How many is this now?

Damn it, they’re going to yell at me to stop breaking them, for sure…

Maybe I can fix it somehow and keep using it.

She fiddled with the pieces, but how could she glue something that was already broken without any glue?

She gave up.

“How did I end up…”

What to say?

To put it simply: ‘collapse’.

She, who had been in such a high place, fell in an instant, becoming a prisoner.

Those damned Aylon b*stards…

*Clunk.*

*Screech.*

Speak of the devil.

A man wearing glasses opened the prison door.

“Hello, Genius. Is your preparation going well?”

“Yes.”

“Good. This is a very important matter, so prepare well. Once you finish this task, you’ll be free.”

“…”

She knew it was a lie. Yet, the fact that she had no choice but to comply was utterly infuriating.

“You.”

“Hm?”

“I’m going to kill you.”

“Haha, still as fierce as ever.”

The man glanced at the desk and tossed a pen onto it.

“I hope you can kill me someday.”

The prison door closes.

As the sound of footsteps fades, the woman is left alone again.

For a few minutes, she glares at the spot where the man disappeared before returning to the desk.

“When is that b*stard coming…?”

The things she angrily scribbles on the paper aren’t research notes.

━

“Ah… I want to read a book…”

It seems.

The imposter was someone unexpected, perhaps.