Zelnya entered triumphantly, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the expansive chamber before her. It was a stunning spherical structure made of steel, with wires cascading like tangled noodles throughout the space. A supercomputer connected an array of control devices, including coolers and transformers, alongside other equipment valued at tens of millions of credits each. Just the sight of it was overwhelming.
“Wow, look at the size! It’s massive.”
Zelnya was astonished. Aidel shared her awe.
“The inside of the sphere is designed like an empty pupil because we need to accommodate a person inside. We paid careful attention to the dimensions.”
“Is the frequency generator over there?”
“Yes. Would you like to take a closer look?”
“Excuse me, but wow—setting it up like this can really increase the Q-factor. The integration of the 4D Macro-comb technology is quite innovative.”
As they continued their vlog, the conversation shifted into more technical jargon, making it increasingly difficult to follow. Zelnya noticed that the woman conversing with Aidel was a professor, and realizing Aidel might not provide a thorough explanation, she decided to step in.
Seizing the moment when the filming paused, Zelnya approached Professor Stranov. After exchanging belated greetings, she eagerly invited the professor to elaborate on the intricate apparatus surrounding them.
“It’s a resonance device that traps Outer Gods. The principle is similar to a laser, but instead of light, it captures the waves emitted by these entities.”
Zelnya tilted her head. “If you keep trapping them, won’t the waves accumulate and eventually explode?”
“That’s right. That’s the problem we face.”
“Then isn’t it impossible to trap the Outer Gods? I mean, can any ordinary mirror withstand its insane pressure? Is there a solution to this?”
Professor Stranov’s expression shifted, a hint of intrigue lighting up her features. “That’s an excellent question.”
She smiled broadly, and Zelnya suddenly felt a twinge of regret. The professor was licking her lips, her gaze fixed on Zelnya.
“Once we resolve that issue, the resonator will be nearly complete. Most of the theoretical groundwork was laid by Reinhardt. We’re collaborating with him to tackle this problem.”
“So, that means…”
“Exactly. Reinhardt’s contribution is enormous. While I may have designed the concept, establishing the theoretical foundation isn’t something just anyone can accomplish. I’m considering naming him as the first author.”
If this project succeeds, Aidel’s credentials would soar even higher. Zelnya felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
“Ms. Adelwein, are you interested in joining our lab?”
Just as she feared. Zelnya needed to escape. “I—I’m from a different department.”
As she backed away, Professor Stranov approached with a sly smile.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re from another department. We explore various topics related to Outer Gods and welcome students from all fields. We even have a friend from the medical school working in our lab. What do you say?”
“No, no, no…”
Zelnya continued to retreat until her back hit the wall. She was trapped. Cold sweat trickled down her spine as the professor’s expression grew more predatory. Damn it, she shouldn’t have flaunted her knowledge. She regretted it. Aidel had warned her to watch her words. The Incarnate had advised her to remain humble if she was just a mortal. Yet here she was, entangled in this mess due to her careless chatter.
“Professor, I’ve set up all the equipment. Could you come and take a look?”
Aidel’s timely intervention pulled Zelnya from her predicament. At his words, Stranov’s interest shifted, and she turned her attention to the equipment with Aidel, leaving Zelnya momentarily relieved.
A large crystal adorned with several devices drew Zelnya’s curiosity, prompting her to interrupt.
“What is this?”
“Are you curious too, Ms. Adelwein?”
“Oh, no. I just…”
“It’s the raw material for the mirror we’ll install inside the resonator. This crystal was processed from a Darwinian Incarnate we defeated. It’s incredibly expensive.”
Stranov placed particular emphasis on “incredibly expensive.” Zelnya turned away, smacking her lips in disbelief. Was she losing her mind?
“So, why are we doing this?”
“When the Inspector who fought the Incarnate died, a Constellation clung to this crystal—much like an Outer God possessing an object.”
“Wait a minute. Isn’t that extremely rare?”
“Yeah, but—”
“We should sell this for a fortune! Do you have no sense of money?”
“Enough—!!”
Aidel’s sudden outburst startled Zelnya; it was the first time she had seen him so angry.
“This is just an impurity. It’s a residue that lowers the quality coefficient.”
“You said there’s a Constellation inside!”
“Constellation or whatever, it’s a hindrance to our research. We have to remove it.”
Aidel dismissed the Constellation as if it were nothing of consequence.
Zelnya, utterly dumbfounded, had a sudden thought: Could this guy be an Outer God, too? It seemed like a reasonable deduction.
“So, to solve this problem, we’ve decided to apply alternating vibrations to the entire crystal using a high-speed terahertz wave generator. Just enough to preserve the crystal’s inherent properties.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Zelnya folded her arms, a sneer on her lips.
“We’ll wake it up with an electric shock.”
“You’re really dedicated to talking nonsense. Do you honestly think that’s possible?”
Then, to her astonishment, it worked.
As the electrical vibration intensified, cracks began to form along the crystal’s boundary, releasing streams of plasma energy that rose like steam through the fissures. The steam gathered, pulsating with the intensity of a woman’s scream.
In the midst of this turmoil, one of the Zodiac 12 Troops, Virgo—the god of purity and love—made her appearance.
She was a vision with waves of flowing blonde hair and eyes as blue and sparkling as sapphires. Her body was adorned with lavender silk, and she boasted three pairs of sky-blue wings made of plasma that fluttered in the air.
I turned to look at Zelnya, only to find her staring blankly, her eyes devoid of any focus.
Virgo, associated with the Virgin in the zodiac, was renowned for her stunning beauty in the novel, a beauty so profound that it was said to captivate even women.
Swallowing hard, I turned back again. There stood the crystal, left behind after the impurity was removed by the Constellation’s departure.
“Professor, we did it!”
I high-fived Professor Stranov.
Zelnya’s expression shifted to one of utter disbelief.
Virgo—a fragment of the Constellation—looked around, clearly confused.
“Your master is dead.”
“Yes, she fell while fighting the incarnate on Darwin’s side.”
The truth made Virgo’s face turn pale. After a moment of sobbing and gasping, she regained her composure and shifted her tone.
“She was a good master, but there’s no helping it now. This isn’t the first time such a story has unfolded. I must find a new contractor to stop the invasion of the Outer Gods. Ah, of course, I am merely a fragment, not the main body. To fully utilize my power…”
I zoned out, her speech dragging on too long. My attention turned back to the crystal.
“Professor, we succeeded regardless!”
“We’ve removed the impurities!”
“Now we can create the resonator!”
The excitement bubbled within me. I could complete the project in about a week. Publishing another paper would not only enhance my reputation but also prove my versatility as both a theorist and an experimenter. Securing significant research funding seemed almost guaranteed.
The development of the Graviton Bomb was indeed within reach.
My mind, previously engrossed in research, was suddenly yanked toward the Constellation. The attention of my professor, Zelnya, and the other graduate students was drawn to the Fragment of Virgo.
I felt a surge of annoyance as if something had been provoked within me.
Alright. This should do it.
At least I could resume my research alone. First, I needed to reanalyze the material properties. If the optical characteristics had changed because the Constellation left, that would be a significant issue in itself.
Eventually, the Constellation descended right in front of me.
Now, it was truly impossible to ignore.
“I don’t.”
What? Did she really just say that to my face?
“Are you really a Constellation?”
In the novel, it was simply mentioned as ‘died with the inspector,’ so I had thought little of it and moved on.
This Constellation was more abnormal than I had imagined.
Virgo began to stare intently into my eyes.
And after a few seconds…
“What?”
I licked my dry, cracked lips. Could it be that the Constellation discovered the Outer God scheme lurking in my thoughts?
No way, it can’t be. Cartesia is too skilled at hiding things. Unless it’s something like Rustila’s <Insight>, there’s no way I’d get caught.
Sweating coldly, I waited for the Constellation to move on.
Virgo then approached Stranov and the other graduate students.
Each of them had various reasons for not becoming her contractor. Some were already married, while others harbored impure intentions.
As she conducted this non-inspection inspection, filtering people out, it quickly became clear that everyone except one had been eliminated.
Virgo approached Zelnya.
📢 New! Donation Section - Support early translations!
👀 Seeking Korean Translators - Get paid per chapter!
Your support helps keep our chapters free. Consider subscribing, purchasing, or joining our Discord for updates and discussions!
Enjoying the series? Leave a rating or review on Novel Updates.
⚠️ Do not post a spoiler without a spoiler tag ⚠️
<spoiler>INSERT YOUR TEXT</spoiler>