Chapter 1111 – #264_The Fruits Of Research (2)
#1105
1.
In Gehenna, the symbolism and importance of the ‘Gate’ cannot be overstated.
If there were no Gate in the first place, it would be impossible to travel between the current world and the city within the other-dimensional barrier.
Just look at Hexennacht; when the Gate broke down, didn’t they end up in an unwanted, forced consecutive stay?
Therefore, there have been numerous attempts to normalize the ‘Gate’ since Duke Keter’s passing.
Research projects commissioned by the Immigration Office, large-scale projects carried out by academic societies, and even consortiums formed by several combined societies have been organized.
However, no one has succeeded for decades.
Even Duke Erelim and the prominent elder witches under him have only managed palliative repairs, failing to achieve complete normalization.
“This stems from the unique nature of the Gate. Duke Keter’s masterpiece is governed by its own laws.”
“I see.”
The Immigration Director, at Siwoo’s request, submitted a request to the City Hall as promised.
In fact, research projects can be carried out in various ways, so there was no need to submit a request to the City Hall.
The Immigration Director could have directly contracted with Siwoo and used the Immigration Office’s funds.
However, the fact that they conspicuously posted the task order at the City Hall was, of course, for advertising purposes.
They needed to widely promote to potential future clients, ‘Oh! Has the Hessed Society repaired the Gate that no one else could?!’
“But… is it really possible?”
The Immigration Director willingly granted Siwoo’s request, but as they approached the contract, he asked with a somewhat worried tone.
This morning, the Immigration Director accepted the research proposal that Siwoo had hastily written and selected the Hessed Society as the research contractor.
In Gehenna, trust is as valuable as life, and the Count’s credibility was very high, so securing the advance payment was also processed smoothly.
Now, if they just sign the contract, half of the (estimated cost + fee) will be deposited into the Hessed Foundation’s account as an advance payment.
That amount is a whopping 2.5 million Gehenna pounds, which is roughly 2 trillion won in Korean currency.
Even though the research project commissioned by the Immigration Director is just a ‘repair job,’ it’s a 4 trillion won project.
Even with post-construction defect repairs, technology transfer, and a paid maintenance contract for the next 100 years, projects of this magnitude are rare.
“……”
“Count Shin Siwoo?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
He had handled quite a bit of money before, but the scale was still so unusual that his head was spinning.
It was just numbers written on paper, but he felt an urge to gobble it all up and run away.
“Hoo.”
Let’s get a grip.
Strictly speaking, it’s a magical civil engineering project, so a ‘trillion’ unit is considered minor.
Anyway, it’s not like he can pocket all this money even if he completes it.
The fee is less than 10% of the total budget, so a significant amount will go to research expenses, labor costs, and material costs.
However, the paid maintenance contract is actually very good.
If they outsource the maintenance of the ‘Gate,’ it’s like creating a regular source of cash flow.
“There’s also a way to give you more time. Six years seems a bit short. If you think it’s too much, we can extend it to about 10 years…”
The Immigration Director, not receiving an answer, seemed to interpret this as a lack of confidence.
Siwoo didn’t delay any further and scribbled his signature on the contract.
“Ah…! Is it really okay?”
“Our Hessed Society always honors its contracts.”
Actually, he knows everything because he’s been hearing things.
Now that Siwoo has established a proper force, he has many ears listening.
‘The Gate normalization project? There’s no way that’s possible without Keter.’
‘But it’s Count Shin Siwoo? And the Hessed Society?’
‘This is a slightly different area. Magical combat and large-scale project execution capabilities are clearly different.’
‘But wouldn’t that man somehow manage it?’
‘It’s reckless. Such a large project as the first research project for the society…’
‘It’s so absurd that it’s actually exciting, isn’t it? That man has always been like that.’
Even the reactions of the society members were split, so the Immigration Director’s concerns didn’t seem too strange.
“Could you guide me to the archive?”
“Yes.”
The archive was located in the underground vault of the Immigration Office, surrounded by a strict magical barrier.
The vault, about 100 pyeong in size, was filled with neatly organized documents.
“This side is the most interpreted version of the Gate’s ‘magic circle,’ and this side is where the logs have been written. Originally, even copies cannot be taken out.”
All information about the ‘Gate’ is directly related to Gehenna’s security, so access is impossible without certain qualifications.
In other words, this project was only possible because Siwoo became a ‘Count.’
The fact that minor societies, excluding the Truth and Name Academic Society and the Emerald Tablet, have repeatedly failed must have been greatly influenced by this.
Moreover, they were even allowed to take copies of the Gate-related materials to the lab until the end of the project, so it wouldn’t be strange to be criticized for receiving special treatment…
What can you do?
If you’re upset, become a Count.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“But you must be careful about taking them outside the research team.”
“Of course.”
Siwoo packed up the materials and headed to the research building.
2.
“Hey, still, two weeks is a bit of a bluff.”
“Ahaha… Right? Our society president is a bit young and doesn’t know anything. If it could be done in two weeks, why would they have suffered so much until now?”
“Wait, does that mean we’re doing the basic course curriculum and the Gate repair project at the same time?”
“It’s the beginning of hell… But the latter should be more relaxed, right? They gave us six years, after all…”
“It’s not six years, it’s two weeks, remember?”
“No, seriously, do you believe that?”
The basic course research building looked like a brokerage firm right after a historic big short.
Rationally, they understood what was going to happen, but their emotions were refusing to accept it.
The door burst open, breaking the commotion, and Siwoo entered.
Behind him were materials floating in boxes.
“Everyone, let’s work.”
Denial of reality is an unproductive escape.
Siwoo smiled brightly and reminded the researchers of reality.
-Thud thud thud thud thud
The amount of materials piled up by telekinesis was twice the amount stored at the Immigration Office.
While bringing out the materials, he also stopped by the secretary’s office and received all the research materials related to the Gate so far.
The librarian, Gremory, readily gathered the materials at the mention of research for public interest.
“Thiscan’tberealthiscan’tberealthiscan’tberealthiscan’tberealthiscan’tbereal.”
“Daphne! Get a grip! The society president’s assistant researcher, Daphne, has lost consciousness! I’ll take her to the hospital!”
“You guys are still good at joking. It was fun.”
“Fun, you say…?”
Anyway, they’re all so witty.
Siwoo smiled nonchalantly and gathered the researchers in one place.
They are all excellent witches, though they are usually a bit boisterous and noisy.
Therefore, he had no intention of using them like slaves.
He’s only pushing them a little hard, but he’s giving them a very reasonable amount of work, isn’t he?
He gives capable people fair treatment and provides additional incentives based on their performance.
He also makes sure they are fully aware of what they will be doing and what it means.
If they work all night, he doesn’t just throw them work, but he always stays by their side, providing accommodation, meals, and even late-night snacks…
It’s a bit self-praise, but where else would you find a society president like this?
As they say, the position makes the person, and this is the dignity of the Hessed Society president and Count Shin Siwoo.
“Through the above process, our basic course research team will rewrite history. We will perfectly restore the Gate that has been neglected for decades.”
After the general explanation, all twenty-five researchers had the same expression.
Their mouths were agape, and the light in their eyes was dim.
“Do you have any questions? If not, we’ll go straight into task assignments.”
“I have a question. Are you really going to set the deadline for two weeks? In two weeks… it seems like it would be difficult to even check all these materials.”
Daphne, who had fainted a little while ago, regained consciousness and asked.
“In the worst case, it might be delayed. But I believe in you all. Just as you believe in me and join me.”
“The society president believes in us… We must show that we can live up to it…”
“No, get a grip! We still have to say what we need to say!”
A researcher who was about to nod her head as if hypnotized by Siwoo’s refreshing smile, and Daphne shaking her to bring her back to her senses.
Haven’t they fallen for this pattern until now?
This time, they must say what they need to say.
“I understand proceeding with the project. But isn’t it a bit much to do that while also creating the pilot semester curriculum?”
The framework of the curriculum was roughly set during the last hellish march.
However, revising the curriculum while the pilot semester is in progress is something that needs to be done from time to time.
Doing such a large-scale project and curriculum at the same time is, by any measure, an excessive workload, close to exploitation.
“It’s possible.”
Siwoo stated definitively in front of the skeptical researchers.
He was so full of conviction that it was persuasive even without any explanation.
Who is the man in front of them?
If it’s the pioneer of magical history who turns countless impossibilities into possibilities, he might really make it possible.
“Well… witches don’t need to sleep, right?”
“……”
“The spirit bodies are strong, so they don’t need rest either.”
“……”
“I remember when I was in school. I was trying to prove the Millennium Problem, and I only slept for two hours for two months straight, then I coughed up blood and went to the emergency room… Oh man, with medical privatization and all, the hospital bill was astronomical. It would have been great if I had been a spirit body back then.”
“…Was the professor in charge of you back then… like you? Kind of pushy…”
“No one made me do it. Back then, it was fun, so I failed to pace myself. Exploring the unknown is always a fun thing to do.”
“Then, why are you trying to shorten the schedule to two weeks?”
“? If there’s something left to solve, wouldn’t it be uncomfortable to rest? It was a consideration for you all.”
“……”
Watching Siwoo, who was lost in a hazy memory and emitting a clear madness, the researchers were convinced.
The society president doesn’t understand the human heart.
“We’ve wasted too much time. If there are no more questions, let’s get straight to task assignments. Let’s have fun researching together until we all collapse.”
Well, he’s a monster himself.
