Chapter 31 – 31 – Scientific Problem Solving
Looking back, it was suspicious from the outside.
The downtown area of the pantheon city is full of splendid temples.
Churches compete in auctions, pouring in gold to move into this street. And then they compete for pride again by building a temple as splendidly as possible in the spot they have secured.
Just as noble ladies judge each other by their makeup and dresses, and Dukes compete with each other by the splendor of their tail feathers. It is a civilized battle taking place in peace.
Whether or not the denominational finance managers’ wallets are bleeding thanks to this, third parties like us are just having fun. Thanks to this, there is something great to see. Some people stop by this city purely to see buildings that boast religious beauty.
Block 1 is a blacksmith shop and church building shaped like the anvil of the blacksmith god Vulcanos. On the next block is a brilliant glass-pillar worship sanctuary dedicated to Mithras. On the other side of the river, the colorful cobblestone walls of the Amitabha Temple, which teaches meditation, are pleasing to the eye.
And amidst the fierce artistic competition, there is a very disparate building.
To put it in a good way, it is heterogeneous and, in fact, has no basis. The neighboring buildings are all wonderful temples.
Because I built a monster of unknown origin by myself.
“Is this… Where Villena lives?”
Ominous black steel fences, gray bricks, green flickering gas lights and pipes connected in a strange manner.
Beyond the gnashing gears of the roof, a gloomy pile of lightning rods occupied by crows.
It seems like artistic competition has been abandoned, and it just seems strict, rigid, and eccentric.
It seems like they are claiming that this has nothing to do with the frivolous beauty contests of the temples.
···No. That’s not it. It’s a building that just seems to have ‘no entry to new people’ written on it. It doesn’t really say that on the door, but it feels that way.
Eshen mutters.
“It’s both a laboratory and a den of evil.”
“It’s a place where people live, but it’s a den of evil. Isn’t that a harsh statement?”
Nidroga scolded, but I had no choice but to agree with Eshen.
“Looking at the way the building was built, I think I know what it means to be a scientist.”
“It’s not a scientist. It’s a ‘crazy’ scientist. I don’t really know what a scientist is, but the problem isn’t the job, it’s the guy called ‘Billena’ himself.”
[I can’t believe you’re gossiping like that in a place where the owner can hear. Her heart breaks, yes, Eshen Taiga.]
An old-fashioned tone of voice is heard booming from the building. Eshen’s hair stood on end as if she was about to faint.
“How did he hear this again? Is he a ghost?”
Dragon Nidrogar pushed Eshen’s back into the door and said a word.
“You may have even heard people ask if you are a ghost. That’s why I told you not to curse at the party members.”
“Oh my god, don’t push me! I’ll just stay outside!”
“We are in the same party, so if we pass nearby, we should say hello.”
When I suddenly followed them in, the sight inside was even more spectacular.
The first thing that caught my eye was a huge pile of books. It might be difficult to find the book you want there.
It was a mess because it was mixed with all kinds of household waste and used laboratory tools.
It’s almost a miracle that the smell isn’t that bad. Had I sprayed some perfume on it?
“It’s not even a temple, so why on earth did you set up a laboratory on this expensive land? Why is the organization so messed up?”
“This is a temple, new porter. It is a temple that worships the only god who is honest, omnipotent, and presides over the laws of all things, and who is not a fool swayed by emotions. That god’s name is ‘Science.'”
···I just muttered it in my mouth, how did you hear it? How do you know me?
“And scholars have their own systems, porter. I know which books and reagents are where, as if I had a map in my head. I don’t want you to interfere with the organization.”
As I looked around to see where the sonorous voice was coming from, I saw someone on the second floor spinning a chair on wheels and looking down as if I was here.
Thanks to the dim light beyond the window, only part of the body is visible. White cloth pants and white shoes. Even the slightly exposed ankles were pure white. I guess I’m someone who usually enjoys the sunlight.
And…Eyes as red as a white rat inside a pair of glasses, shining with a very dangerous brilliance.
The rest are still shrouded in darkness. Is he really crazy, or is the concept too much?
“Welcome, dear comrades of the Special Monster Extermination and Removal Party.”
“I’m sorry for coming by unexpectedly, Villena. How is your research going?”
Nidroga grins and waves his hand. With an attitude of not caring at all about such a gloomy atmosphere.
Villena spoke quietly.
“Is it going well? Right. Did it bear fruit? No. There is no end to the path of pursuing the truth.”
What on earth are you talking about?
“Actually, I haven’t been able to focus on the search for the truth these days. Our little world is fast approaching destruction, and I feel like I’m the only one who’s truly worried about it, so my shoulders feel heavy with responsibility. Until yesterday, that is.”
What kind of bullshit is this really?
“Now, inspiration and ideas are flowing directly into my head, lighting up my head. Where should I put this passion that pours like an electric current?”
What kind of crazy talk is this? I vaguely feel like I know what kind of person Villena is. I feel like a genius living in a world far away.
Tena is like that too. She talks about things that only she, who knows a lot, can understand, but when she senses that they are not reaching a consensus, she shuts her mouth and turns her head away.
···But Villena is a little different. She keeps looking at us as if she knows what I’m talking about.
Her white teeth and red eyes shining in the shadows.
Fortunately, Nidroga, who seemed to be close to Villena, came up with an appropriate answer.
“Does this mean you’re coming up with a lot of good ideas? That’s great!”
“It went well. It went well.”
The ending of Villena’s words becomes sinister and cloudy.
Nidroga trots up the stairs to the second floor, and Eshen sticks near the door, wincing. So I was the only one left in the middle of the first floor lobby.
Thanks to you, I was able to find out. For some reason, Villena keeps glaring at me.
Come to think of it, I forgot to introduce myself. Feeling pressured, I quickly opened my mouth.
“Hello, senior. My name is Ran, the new porter. Nice to meet you.”
“First?”
Villena laughed softly and horribly. She has never seen anyone smile like that. Should I call it a ‘scientist’ laugh?
For some reason, the smell inside the room seems to be getting more fragrant.
“Yes, the first time. It could be the first time for you.”
“Yes?”
“Aren’t relationships relative? I feel familiar with you, as if I’ve seen you every day.”
“Ha, haha, uh, are you saying that I feel at home like an old friend?”
“Perception is also relative. If you want to think that way, feel free to do so. I don’t care. Tan Bantai.”
“Yes?”
What did you just say?
“No, Lan Bantaiji. I’m sorry for the confusion. Did you say your aptitude is a porter?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Villena Nitro. My aptitude is ‘inventor’. Are you interested in ‘exoskeleton technology’?”
Do you have any idea what an exoskeleton is? I shook my head.
———-
“This…Is a miracle.”
Now I am also very interested in exoskeletons.
I am wearing a pouch filled with iron as instructed by Villena. It’s about 100KG, but it’s not heavy at all.
The steel skeleton that holds me tightly from my waist to my fingertips is supporting my weight while moving in response to me.
“Sit down and then stand up.”
That’s easy. Very easy. My aptitude reduces the load from 100kg to 10kg. And if you have this equipment,
“It feels like it weighs less than 1kg!”
“Because that’s true, porter! You’re only carrying about 1/100th of your actual weight!”
Villena applauds and likes it. Her joyful face, jumping up and down at the success of her experiment, is free of the wrinkles that tend to appear little by little after becoming an adult.
Seen from the bright first floor, the pure and friendly face is impressive. Combined with the white curly hair, she looks as good and harmless as a lamb.
…It’s not just the impression. In my experience, people who love their work like this never treat others carelessly.
I don’t know why Eshen is afraid of such a good party member.
“So a scientist is someone who creates these cool things?”
“That’s too much praise. I just occasionally make products that can be helpful for parties. What do you think when you try it? Doesn’t it seem like something that will revolutionize the logistics industry?”
“This is an item that can turn everyone into a porter. Uh, then you will be pushed out by the golem, and then you will be pushed out by this item and become unemployed-“
“No! Not at all! When an ordinary person carries 10 kg as if it were 1 kg, can’t a porter like you carry 100 kg as if it were 1 kg?”
Oh, really?
“Think about it. You will be able to carry several tons of weight and hundreds of people’s worth of supplies on your own! Imagine a human being who can replace twenty pack mules, ten wagons, and three golems by himself!”
···It’s crazy.
“That item might usher in the age of porters again. I’ll give you the exoskeleton equipment as a gift.”
“You’re giving me something this good for free?”
White clothes, white hair, and even a white heart. While I was suspecting that it might be an angel, Villena added something meaningful.
“Don’t carry too much weight because it might break. If a part suddenly breaks somewhere and you’re carrying a ton of luggage on your back, you might just get crushed and turn into a pizza on the street… That might be fun, too.”
“···Uh···Yes?”
“It’s just a joke, just a joke. Lighten up your face.”
“Vilena took her original words a little too far. Get used to it.”
The dragon Nidrogar, who had been searching the shelves on the second floor, was suddenly sitting in an armchair and giggling. Holding a large bottle of alcohol in one hand.
“Sometimes he says things that are scary to hear, but they’re all just telling you to do well, so don’t be scared. I’m sure he put that on because he wanted to put down the new guy.”
···Nidroga’s tongue is twitching. When I shyly approached Eshen and asked what was going on, Eshen explained in a low voice.
“Whenever you get the chance to go to Nidro, visit Villena. It’s rare to find a liquor that can make her dragon drunk, and Villena knows how to brew a liquor just as strong.”
“Don’t dragons get drunk easily?”
“The amount of alcohol consumed is proportional to the size of the liver when in dragon form.”
…To saturate a liver of that size with alcohol, I don’t think it would be enough to fill this house with pure alcohol, let alone that bottle. What kind of poison is in that bottle of alcohol?
And, why is Eshen…?
“Why are you hanging upside down?”
“Just in case, I tried to open the door we came in through again, but it was locked. Then a trap came out from the ceiling and tied my hands and feet.”
Eshen whispers desperately. Hanging upside down and struggling like a cat caught in a fish net.
“I told you you shouldn’t have come here, damn it! Take that off while you still can!”
“The reason Eshen was tied up for a while is because he made a mess of my lab last time.”
The rising doubts and fears are quickly extinguished by Villena’s voice.
I feel relieved, like I’m hypnotized. No problem. I must have tied it up for no reason.
“···Back then, you tried to give me a medicine that would turn my fur blue! When I said I wouldn’t take it, they tried to burn me with electricity!”
“I swear by the great science that I have never treated a test subject unfairly. Eshen, the total cost of the experimental tools you broke would be a thousand gold.”
“Eshen was wrong.”
“It was fair resistance! Hey, porter! You too!”
“Calm down, Eshen. Honestly, I don’t know why you’re overreacting.”
I pointed to Nidroga upstairs.
“Villena is not a bad person. And with Nidroga watching, do you think she would eat us?”
“Good point, newbie. Yes, I’m watching and Villena is going to eat you… Hehe. Hiccup.”
“Go Nidro?”
“The world is spinning. This is why she comes looking for me. She wakes me up in a little while.”
The happily drunk dragon lay down on the sofa and fell asleep. In some way, his shameless attitude seemed to be exactly like that of Eshen. Is it because they have in common that they are a race that is unlikely to get hurt?
Villena suddenly erased her smile.
“If Nidroga is watching, Villena will not eat her. Let her seek the ‘this’ of that proposition.”
“Propositional Lee? What is that?”
“Let me explain with an example. Imagine that there is a proposition: ‘If you breathe, you can live.'”
“Yes, Senior Villena.”
“The ‘this’ of the proposition would be ‘If you stop breathing, you will die.'”
“Ah, so that’s how you reverse it. So if you reverse ‘if you run, you’re fast’, does it mean ‘if you don’t run, you’re slow’?”
“For a conniving, stupid, and evil porter, you are very understanding! Now, try to find the one I told you about at the beginning.”
···I think I heard something strange.
What was the meaning of the proposition you said at first? It’s so hazy it’s hard to remember.
The ‘propositional tooth’ of ‘If Nidroga is watching, Villena will not eat it’ is…
“If Nidroga isn’t watching, Villena will eat him?”
“That’s the correct answer.”
The exoskeleton suit suddenly moves randomly. I was forced to stand at attention.
And then the limbs suddenly bent back and moved as they wanted, taking me somewhere…
————
And so, for now.
After waking up from the hallucinogenic substances that were filling the room, I screamed and protested.
“What did you make me breathe? Holy shit!”
“It’s a drug that makes you naive. Sometimes, when you miss your childhood innocence, you fill this room with that gas. You, who are smart and cunning, also trusted me like you follow a bad adult who gives you candy. Isn’t it amazing?”
Villena says, turning the ventilation pump hard. It seems better to open the window than to sweat like that.
Shit. I feel like my intelligence has been diminished because of the weak energy.
It was strange. I can’t believe I’m wearing something suspicious like an exoskeleton or something.
Thanks to this, I ended up hanging onto a machine I didn’t know what it was.
“Then what on earth is this machine?”
The huge pile of books and trash was actually a clever trick. Inside was a strange machine prepared just for me.
It looks like a Nepenthes monster that grabs its victim with vines and stuffs it into its mouth.
From above, they are suspending me with mechanical arms, and from below, they are bringing a suction cup closer to my body.
It’s something that seems dangerous in many ways. It looks even more so because of Villena’s arms crossed as if showing off.
“It’s a healing tool.”
“Healing tool? I’m not in any pain, damn it! Take this off!”
“There is only one letter difference between man and patient. If you are a pervert who sneaks into a party where all women are present, it seems reasonable to classify him as a patient.”
Uh…?
“What is that look on your face? Are you going to deny that you are a man? I have been watching you for so long?”
“I don’t know how they monitored him, but it’s true that he was a man. But there were circumstances.”
“There was an ejaculation? Approximately how many cc was the volume?”
“That’s not the case…”
Why the fuck are you asking about the capacity?
“···Let’s not talk about it. If that trumpet-like thing down there touches my thing, what kind of treatment will happen?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot do anything about your personal safety. My employer, Tena, hired you, and it seems that the party members already trust you.”
···Thank god.
Thank you, Thena. It was like that when Sister Monica carried me when I was young when I had a broken leg, it was like that when she hired me, and it’s like this now, and the debt just keeps growing.
Is a mess. He came to me when he was drunk and said something was strange ever since I signed the contract!
“So, we are trying to eliminate just one potential problem. That is the job of science. For everyone’s safety and convenience, we fight against the forces of nature to prevent inconveniences and dangers.”
Villena’s smile gets bigger than before. Her mouth splits into a laugh that almost reaches her ears.
Her mouth is really big. Her innocent face now looks like a complete villain.
“What I’m trying to cure is your lust, porter.”
What?
“Once this is over, you will have a legitimate reason to join our party. Isn’t it better for her to be a woman than to be unemployed?”
“···Kaaaaak-! Let go of this!”
