Chapter 34

“Looking back now, Benny was quick to learn. In the case of arithmetic problems, she applied them immediately and solved them.”

“And memorization?”

“Her memorization was excellent compared to other children her age. However, she struggled a bit with application and creativity… Still, she was better than her peers.”

After the girl left the room, Alres, who was usually responsible for her education, spoke.

“So where is Benny studying now?”

Rene asked.

“She has been learning advanced education for a month now… But I also went through the same thing, so I let it pass.”

At Alres’s words, the researchers sighed. How could it be normal for a girl who had never even entered school to receive advanced education?

The researchers recalled that Alres graduated from a prestigious university at a young age and came here. In short, he was also a crazy genius.

“Director.”

Rene called Nergal, who had been silently observing the situation. Nergal’s expression was indifferent.

“Yes.”

Nergal responded in a nonchalant voice.

“Benny is… Did you know, Director?”

“No, I didn’t know.”

There was no emotion in Nergal’s eyes.

“Director.”

“Surprising.”

“Pardon?”

“That child likes cats. I like them too.”

“…”

“There was a cat, wasn’t there?”

Nergal was talking about something else entirely.

“When did you start keeping a cat?”

Rene was taken aback by Nergal’s question. It was surprising that Nergal only now realized the existence of the cat. With such a lack of interest… Of course, he wouldn’t know anything about Benny either.

“I know a professor. I’m thinking of taking Benny to see him over the weekend.”

Rene organized his thoughts and spoke.

“A professor?”

“Yes, I want to know exactly what abilities Benny has. He’s a competent professor, so there’s no need to worry.”

“I’m not worried.”

“So, can we go out over the weekend?”

Nergal nodded.

“Of course, do so.”

A decisive answer without any hesitation.

* * *

The black car provided by the laboratory drove smoothly forward. Rene glanced at the girl sitting next to him. Perhaps because it was her first outing, she kept looking out the window.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Going outside.”

Rene deliberately struck up a conversation so the girl wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. Her gaze didn’t leave the window.

“Little miss, what are you looking at out there?”

She shook her head.

“No, it’s just… when I first came here, all the trees were bare, but now the leaves have grown.”

“Ah, the day you first came here was very cold, wasn’t it?”

“It snowed. I rode in a car like this then too… I kept looking out the window, and gradually the buildings and people decreased. Only bare branches greeted me.”

There was no rise or fall in her voice.

“It’s clearly the same place, but it’s different.”

“Benny. Benny Galinne.”

Rene recited her full name. The girl, who had been looking out the window, turned her head to him.

“…Yes?”

“Are you scared?”

“…I’m different from others, aren’t I? I’m my father’s daughter, after all, right?”

Rene read fear in her tone. And he knew what she was afraid of.

“Benny. The world is vast.”

“…”

“And it changes quickly. But our researchers can’t see all of that. As you know, we’re confined to that laboratory, right? But you’re different.”

Rene took her hand.

“You’re young and healthy. And you have the ability to remember and store your memories. When you grow up and explore this world… will you share that with Tiago and me, who are thirsty for the world?”

“M-me?”

“Yes, you’ll be the link between us and the world. This is something only you can do. Because you have that ability.”

Benny, you’re not ‘different’ from others.

You’re a ‘precious’ child.

* * *

A precious child…

“Your scent… It drives me crazy.”

“Ah!”

She was dripping with sweat, and the strange, unfamiliar sensation made her moan involuntarily. As she shivered, he gently kissed her shoulder.

“You are… you are a precious person.”

“Hoo.”

He grabbed her wrist as she tried to escape. His lips, which had touched her shoulder, now touched her wrist.

“I will never.”

He breathed heavily and spoke.

“I’ll never let you go.”

* * *

A dim underground prison.

When the soldiers opened the iron door, a man with only skin and bones appeared. The prisoner, with round glasses, curly hair, and shabby clothes, was dragged out helplessly.

“Ugh.”

“The Chancellor is calling for you.”

Unlike the musty underground, there was a pleasant and spacious corridor above.

“Oh dear.”

As the prisoner passed by, he made eye contact with someone in a white priest’s robe. A beautiful man with silver hair and golden eyes. The priest smiled as he looked at the prisoner.

“Your Holiness.”

The soldiers noticed him and saluted. The man called as ‘Your Holiness’.

“This is the person the Chancellor mentioned?”

A holy voice came from the priest’s mouth.

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Hmm, just a moment.”

The beautiful priest approached the prisoner. The prisoner, who had been motionless, hunched his shoulders.

The priest, who stared intently at the prisoner, smiled.

“Oh dear.”

“…”

“I wanted to cleanse your sins… But they’re too deeply embedded. It’s unfortunate.”

The priest clicked his tongue as if truly regretting it. The prisoner’s face twisted more than ever. He opened his mouth in protest but could only shed tears.

“Still, atone.”

“…”

“Only atonement can lessen your sins.”

The priest prayed one last time before the prisoner.

“I’ll be going now.”

“See you next time, Your Holiness.”

“Take care.”

And with that, the priest disappeared. The prisoner watched his retreating figure before being dragged again by the soldiers.

It took a long time to walk the long corridor.

The soldiers stopped in front of a massive door. One soldier knocked a few times and cautiously pulled the door open.

A sturdy shadow of a man sitting in front of a large window letting in sunlight appeared. The prisoner squinted to examine the man’s form.

“Nice to meet you, Dr. Rydier.”

The man’s shoulders slumped.

“I am Isca Luson, the Chancellor of Toramde.”

The Chancellor was as imposing as the rumors said. Broad shoulders, thick eyebrows, long slanted eyes, and plump lips.

Dr. Rydier knelt before the Chancellor. Seeing him, everything he had endured felt futile. He wept.

“I-I’m innocent! I-I was just researching NOK One for Toramde…! I was just diligently researching!”

“You worked directly under Nergal Galinne, didn’t you?”

“But there was no interaction with the Director! As you know, the Director did everything alone! When the explosion happened, I was just resting in the west lab. So…!”

“Doctor.”

The Chancellor stood up. He looked down coldly at the doctor. With the sunlight behind him, the Chancellor’s shadowed face looked darker and more grotesque.

“Hoo…”

“Toramde is in a state of emergency. As you know, Rando is accelerating the development of a destructive weapon similar to NOK One.”

“I-I know nothing about Rando. The one who destroyed the weapon was N-Nergal. It was his unilateral decision. Please, please believe me!”

The doctor pleaded desperately, rubbing his hands. The Chancellor let out a long sigh, displeased with the response. The doctor’s heart sank.

“Doctor.”

“…But Nergal Galinne’s daughter, she might be different.”

Daughter?

The Chancellor’s eyebrows moved.

“Explain in detail.”

“N-Nergal’s daughter, she lived in the lab with him. But she wasn’t an ordinary child, as you’d expect from Nergal’s daughter.”

“It’s best to get to the point.”

“There was a rumor that she accidentally saw the destructive weapon’s blueprints.”