The journey to find the mathematician Lot was arduous. It was only after asking survivors from the university about his location and fighting off the crazy people who attacked them that Bennett and Niolle were finally able to find him.
They found themselves at the end of the 4th floor of an apartment building.
It was evident from here that he was no ordinary person, as the door had been welded shut from both inside and outside, making it impossible to open. The reinforced windows also suggested that he had no intention of leaving, as if he was prepared to die inside.
[Would it be better to cut out the door?]
"Let’s⋯⋯ knock first.”
Knock knock knock.
After he knocked on the door three times at a regular beat, a voice suddenly rang out from inside. It was a bright and clear voice. Just by listening to the way he spoke, they could tell that he was an eccentric person.
“Multiply 42 times 3, what is it?”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯?"
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]Taken aback by the sudden math question, Bennett and Niolle looked at each other. What does he mean by that? Did I hear that correctly?
After about 3 seconds of silence, mathematician Lot opened his mouth.
"Seeing that an answer didn’t immediately come to you, I can guess the performance of your brains. I’ll consider you monkeys and converse with you in kind. Why. Are. You. Here?"
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
The condescending kindness dripping from every syllable as if he was soothing an infant caused Bennett's forehead to vein. Niolle gently patted Bennett’s shoulder.
[Calm down Bennett.]
“Looking at you monkeys grooming each other, I speculate you possess some social skills. I mean, if your intelligence isn't up to par, at least your sociability should be. In addition, have you not learned how to speak? You look like you’re at least a month old.”
[Should we not hold back, Bennett?]
"⋯⋯We need to. We’re the ones who are asking for a favor.”
B if he gets on our nerves one more time, I’m breaking that welded door in half and teaching him a lesson. Bennett resolved to do as such.
“In case you forgot, I’ll ask you once again. Why. Are. You. Here?”
“Do you know Abraham, the astronomy professor?”
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
Niolla prepared a spell on the side, ready to cast Spell 「Door Breaching」 if Lot spoke ill of Abraham.
“He was one of few that I was able to actually get along with. His only flaw was being too soft-hearted.”
“We’ve come to ask you for assistance to calculate the research left behind by Abraham.”
“In this era where time itself is screaming, and monsters that make biologists despair are flying around? You have to be either crazy or a physicist. In case you didn’t know, those two words mean the same thing.”
“Just tell us if you’re going to do it or not.”
Bennett nearly added “If you don’t want to get fucked.”, but held it in
“Hmm⋯⋯ hand it over then. I was about to run out of crossword puzzles anyways. I thought about jumping out if I ran out of things to do, but luckily, it seems I'll be living a little longer.”
Click.
Under the welded door, a small gap, used to receive mail, opened up. Bennett slid Abraham's research through the gap. He didn't worry about what would happen if he just went silent after receiving it.
If that was the case, he was going to break through the ceiling or the floor, get in, smash his head in, and leave after retrieving the research.
Fortunately, Bennett didn’t need to waste his mana.
"This is⋯⋯ quite interesting. So you want the Alpha value?”
“Could you calculate it?”
“It won’t even take a day. I would be using my lovely brain cells for the first time in a while. Now leave.”
“How would we receive the results?”
There was no answer. Frustrated, Bennett pounded on the door. Lot shouted irritably.
“You’re like a savage monkey! Disturbing a person that’s concentrating!”
“I asked how we’re going to receive the numbers⋯⋯."
"355!"
Swish. A walkie-talkie was thrown roughly through the gap. Bennett picked up the walkie-talkie and secured it within his grasp. The number Lot shouted was probably the radio frequency for further communication.
Lot was undeniably a strange and eccentric person, but considering that all great wizards had some screws missing, his actions were understandable. Abraham wouldn’t have mentioned him without good reason, so his capabilities must be sufficient.
However, Bennett felt some uneasiness in his heart, and firmly warned Lotbeyond the door.
“If you don’t contact us by the end of today, I swear we are going to blow this house up. And I am going to carve humility and modesty in your skull as well.”
There was no answer.
[⋯⋯Will it be alright?]
“We can only hope for the best⋯⋯. Even if this fails, we’ll find another way somehow. Don’t worry.”
[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]
Bennett and Niolle decided to return in a hurry. They thought it was unlikely that something would happen while they were away, but leaving Tara unprotected was a risk they weren’t willing to take.
===============================================================
"⋯⋯That’s what happened.”
“So that’s why you said we just need to wait⋯⋯."
Tara stared at the walkie-talkie on the table. When it rings, the final challenge would begin. A challenge she can’t take part of.
She considered stubborn only, but after recalling the recent ordeal—how she was nearly overpowered and subjected to a horrific situation by just one man—she realized that staying behind might actually be more helpful.
Even if I go, I’ll only become a hindrance.
Crouching down, Tara stole a glance at Bennett out of the corner of her eye. Tara hadn't realized it at their first meeting, but now, observing Bennett resting against the wall, she found him more attractive than she initially thought.
His sharp eyes and the shape of the bridge of his nose made him look a bit like a wolf.
Bennett turned his head towards Tara. He must’ve felt Tara's gaze,
“Do you have something to say?”
Tara's heart skipped a beat. What should I say? Was I staring at him too openly? Amidst her panic, Tara spoke carefully.
"⋯⋯Hey, uh, did I ever say thank you… To you?”
“I don’t remember hearing it.”
She was in such a panic that she probably didn't even thank him yet. Tara hastily picked words out of her head. How should I thank him? Would using an honorific expression convey a little more gratitude?
I just need to speak as usual⋯⋯But how did I typically interact with Bennett again?
Her initial interactions had been devoid of any real thought Even when they first met, she had the impression that his ‘scar was disgusting’. Her feelings began to gradually change as she got to know him little by little.
All the times he jumped into battle at the forefront. His leadership that provided direction when everyone else seemed lost. He was the first to clean up if someone spilled food during mealtime⋯⋯.
Yes, he’s been like that. The man named Bennett, contrary to his appearance, was actually kind hearted. Although she once thought he was cold-blooded⋯⋯she now knew that it was his own way of making an effort.
When she thought of the comforting hand he extended to her after grieving for Abraham, her cheeks flushed with warmth.
Recalling him getting angry for her just a moment ago.
Now, her heart pounded and she felt dizzy just by looking at Bennett. It was as if she was sick. Her body wouldn’t listen to her, and she ended up staring at him if she let her guard down for even a moment.
Tara knew what these symptoms were called.
The mountains of romance novels she read as a form of rebellion all pointed to one conclusion. That it was a fever called love.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯!!"
Tara's face turned red as if it was about to explode. She buried her face between her knees to hide her expression. Then she spoke in a mumble,
"⋯⋯Thank you for saving me, Bennett.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“⋯⋯I mean it. I’m really grateful that you saved me.”
“I’ve never doubted that.”
Bennett’s casual reassurance confused Tara even more. Have I been too blunt all this time? I should’ve been softer or kinder. What should I do?
Now, there’s going to be a difference in status between us.
Losing her position as a Saintess due to the depletion of her divine power would likely result in her expulsion from the academy.. As long as the church didn't confiscate the little money she had, she would have enough money to spend the rest of her life living leisurely in the capital⋯⋯.
However, it would be very difficult to meet Bennett again. Academy students are treated like semi-nobles. He would no longer be someone that Tara, who would’ve returned to being a commoner girl, could easily meet.
That meant this time.
These might be their last moments together. The last time that she could be with Bennett.
I need to tell him. My feelings, I need to tell him before our time runs out. Even if he doesn’t accept them.
Tara resolved herself.
===============================================================
First attempt. Operation ‘Rooftop Reconnaissance With Just the Two of Us’.
“H-hey Bennett. Let's go to the rooftop to scout for a bit⋯⋯."
[There are monsters flying around. It might be best if Tara didn’t go up.]
"⋯⋯⋯⋯!"
“Niolle is right. I’ll go with Niolle, so you stay here.”
Failed due to safety issues.
Second attempt. Operation ‘Meal With Just the Two of Us’.
“Hey, there are some canned tomatoes⋯⋯."
[I found packed lunches on the way back with Bennett. I think we can eat those today.]
“Hooray! I finally get to eat something similar to meat⋯⋯! Can I have some too?!”
[Of course, Sally.]
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
Failed due to packed lunches.
Due to the successive failures, she even had a suspicion. Is Niolle intentionally sabotaging me? She would never, but⋯⋯.
Third attempt. Operation ‘Faking Illness’.
“Bennett, hey. My stomach really hurts from being hit earlier⋯⋯could you take a look at it?”
Bennett immediately called for Niolle.
"⋯⋯Niolle!”
“No, wait! Yo-you can look at it too! Don’t make the innocent Niolle do all the work⋯⋯!"
“Is it really appropriate for a girl to show her stomach to a guy⋯⋯?"
Bennett seemed shocked, but Tara grabbed his wrist to make him sit down next to her. Shewas successful in dragging him into the situation.
However, Tara had overlooked one crucial fact about her Saintess attire: it was all in a single piece. If the top and bottom were separated, simply lifting the top would suffice. But to expose her stomach while wearing her Saintess attire, she would have to roll up her skirt all the way.
Her lower body would be completely exposed.
Tara's hands were shaking as she held the hem of her skirt. Is this appropriate? I might die of embarrassment. Should I just close my eyes and go through with it? Aside from the embarrassment, what if Bennett feels too burdened?
As a war raged inside Tara's mind, the hand holding the hem of her skirt moved up and down the middle of her thigh.Observing her almost dangerously fluttering skirt, Bennett quietly looked at the ceiling and asked.
"⋯⋯What are you planning.”
"⋯⋯Eung, eung?! Wh-what do you mean by planning?!”
“What are you trying to achieve by seducing me? Social execution⋯⋯?"
"⋯⋯⋯⋯!?!"
Tara realized how visible her inner conflict was from the outside, so she pulled down the hem of her skirt and curled back up. Embarrassment surged through her so hard she felt steam rising from the top of her head.
“I-It doesn’t hurt anymore. Go away, shoo, go away Bennett!”
"Stop kicking! I don't understand what’s up with her⋯⋯."
Operation failed due to the embarrassment.
Still, since Bennett told me he was tempted, so wasn’t it a half-success? She then hit her own head with her fist, berating herself for her thoughts.
===============================================================
How should I approach him? Should I ask him to go into the bathroom together?
While Tara's brain was trying to come up with strange plans due to her series of failures, Bennett sat quietly next to Tara, whose mind was wandering off all throughout the day.
She almost went through something so terrible for a woman, so even though Tara was a brave person, the trauma must’ve remained deep in her heart. Her strange behavior was probably due to the stress. That was what Bennett thought.
He quietly called Tara’s name out.
“Tara.”
“Uh, eung?!”
"There's no need to push yourself like that. You've done your job well already. Without you⋯⋯ we wouldn't have come this far. Perhaps the world would’ve already been destroyed."
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
He’s comforting me. Tara felt both happy and distraught. Although she knew there was no chance that Bennett would suddenly confess, it was human nature to imagine absurd things that have no chance of happening if they hoped for it hard enough.
Still, isn’t this a good chance?
Tara quickly looked around. Sally was curled up like a shrimp and slept, and Niolle was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she went to the bathroom. Okay, now’s the time.
"⋯⋯Be-Bennett!”
“I’m listening.”
“Hey, you know⋯⋯ I mean. Uh, that⋯⋯."
“Tara, you can speak slowly. I’ll listen to whatever you say, after all.”
Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Tara's heart was pounding uncontrollably. It was pounding so hard that she was worried that Bennett could hear her heart beating. She caught her breath, pushing away the hesitation and anxiety. Then, these feelings…
⋯⋯These feelings will!
"Bennett, I lo──."
BEEEEP-!!
The walkie-talkie placed on the table blinked with a red light and beeped. Bennett jumped up and headed towards it.
Tara laid down on the floor. She felt so cheated that tears came to her eyes. Why? Why right now⋯⋯!
It’s fine. It won’t be too late by the time Bennett returns⋯⋯.
Tara comforted herself and wished that she had better luck next time.
===============================================================
Everyone in the party gathered in front of the walkie-talkie. When they tuned in and connected to the frequency, they were greeted by several bursts of static before Lot's voice came through.
-⋯⋯’ve⋯⋯⋯⋯longer.-
[I can’t hear it.]
“If we change the direction of the antenna⋯⋯."
Static crackled and hissed.
-I’ve lost the will to live any longer.-
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
-I’ve realized that the end of humanity is nigh. There’s not even enough time to build and launch a rocket. We won’t be able to escape even if scientists from all over the world combined their efforts.-
-The pace of our current scientific advancement simply cannot keep up. Humanity will be erased. Even my intellect could not conceive of a way to prevent this cosmic extinction. Everything will end. Perhaps if I hadn't known this, I could’ve died in peace.-
-The truth is unbearable. This message was pre-recorded and serves as a will. The Alpha value is as follows⋯⋯.-
The mathematician recited a lengthy and intricate string of numbers. He repeated it five times in case the listener might’ve forgotten.
-At the very least, I wish to choose the manner of my death. Rather than becoming dust scattered in the crevices of space-time, I will die here first.-
The sound of footsteps. Click. The sound of a bullet being chambered. Bang. The sound of a gunshot.
Dead silence.
And then, the recording began to play again..
-I’ve realized that the end of humanity is nigh⋯⋯-
Bennett solemnly turned off the walkie-talkie.
“⋯⋯We’ve got the Alpha value. Let’s move.”
[Yes, Bennett.]
In an eerie silence, Bennett and Niolle finished their final preparations.
***
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