The journey to find the mathematician Lot was arduous. Inquiring about his location from survivors of the university, discovering the address of Lot’s apartment, and repelling attackers who were crazed enough to assault them. Only after all of this could Bennett and Niore locate the mathematician.

 

On the 4th floor at the very end of an apartment with a corridor.

 

From here, it was apparent that he was an extraordinary person. The door was fully welded shut, making it impossible to open from both inside and outside. Reinforcements suggested he was prepared to die inside if necessary.

 

[Should we cut through the door?]

 

From Noble mtl dot com

 

“First… let’s knock.”

 

Knock, knock, knock.

 

When they knocked three times in a regular rhythm, a voice suddenly came from inside. A sharp and clattering voice. Just by hearing the tone, one could sense that the person inside was eccentric.

 

“Try multiplying 42 three times. How much is it?”

 

“⋯⋯⋯⋯?”

 

[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]

 

Caught off guard by the sudden math attack, Venet and Niore stared at each other. What does this mean? Did I hear it correctly?

 

After about 3 seconds of silence, the mathematician Lot spoke.

 

“It seems your brain performance is not up to par, judging by the delayed response. Think of me as kind enough to converse with a monkey. Now, why have you come here?”

 

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

 

With a kindness that seemed to nurture newborns hidden in each syllable, a vein bulged on Venet’s forehead. Niore patted Venet’s shoulder.

 

[Hold on, Venet.]

 

“Observing monkeys picking each other’s fur suggests good sociability. Even if intelligence is lacking, sociability should compensate. But over there, still unable to speak? It’s been more than a month since birth, right?”

 

[Should I not endure, Venet?]

 

“⋯⋯We have to endure. We are the ones who came to make a request.”

 

But if scratched a bit more, the welded door or whatever it is would split in half and let them in. Venet made up his mind.

 

“In case you forgot, let me remind you. Why have you come here?”

 

“Do you know astronomy professor Abraham?”

 

[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]

 

Niore loaded spells from the side. If any harsh words about Abraham came out, they were planning to breach the spell-door and get in immediately.

 

“He was the only person we could communicate with. Too soft-hearted for a person, though.”

 

“We’ve come to request calculations related to the research left by Abraham.”

 

“At a time when time screams, creatures resembling beings that make biologists want to commit suicide are flying around? Are you crazy or a physicist? Just in case you didn’t know, those two words mean the same thing.”

 

“Tell me whether you’ll do it or not.”

 

If you don’t want to die, that is. I barely swallowed those words.

 

“Hmm… Give it to me for now. The crossword puzzle magazine was about to run out anyway. I was going to jump off if I got bored, but luckily, my lifespan will be a bit longer.”

 

Click.

 

Under the welded door, a small gap intended for receiving mail opened. Bennett slipped Abraham’s research materials through the gap. He didn’t bother to think about what to do after receiving them.

 

If he smashed through the ceiling or floor, gave himself a good night’s sleep, retrieved the research materials, and came out.

 

Fortunately, Bennett didn’t have to waste any magic.

 

“This is… quite interesting. Is this alpha value what you want?”

 

“Can you calculate it?”

 

“Not even a day. Let’s use our lovely brain cells for a change. Now, go back.”

 

“How should I receive the results?”

 

No response. Bennett frowned and banged on the door. Roth shouted irritably.

 

“You barbaric monkey! You’re disturbing someone concentrating!”

 

“I asked how to receive the results…”

 

“355!”

 

Swiftly, a walkie-talkie was thrown through the gap. Bennett picked up the walkie-talkie and cradled it in his arms. The number Roth shouted was probably the frequency to receive communication.

 

Considering he was a quirky and strange human, but acknowledging that a skilled magician has its own quirks. Bennett was not entirely surprised by Roth’s behavior. Abraham didn’t mention his name for no reason; his abilities were more than sufficient.

 

However, with an uneasy feeling in his heart, Bennett firmly declared through the door.

 

“If I don’t hear from you by the end of today, I swear, I’ll blow up this house. In the process, I’ll engrave humility and reverence into your head.”

 

There was no response.

 

[⋯⋯Is it okay?]

 

“All we can do is hope for the best⋯⋯. Even if this turns out to be a failure, there must be another way somewhere. Don’t worry.”

 

[⋯⋯⋯⋯.]

 

Bennett and Niole quickly decided to return. The chances of something happening in the short time they were away seemed low, but Tara was in a vulnerable state.

 

—–

 

“⋯⋯That’s how it turned out.”

 

“So, we just have to wait⋯⋯.”

 

Tara gazed silently at the radio placed on the table. When that rings, the final challenge will begin. Tara won’t be there.

 

She contemplated following them forcefully, but remembering the recent incident. Thinking about the horrifying experience of almost being overpowered by one man, staying here seemed more helpful.

 

It would only be a hindrance if she went.

 

Tara, crouched down, sneakily stole a glance at Bennett. Resting against the wall, Bennett, who she didn’t notice at first, seemed surprisingly handsome. Sharp eyes, a nose shape. It seemed a bit wolf-like.

 

Sensing Tara’s gaze, Bennett turned his head towards her.

 

“Do you have something to say?”

 

Tara’s heart suddenly stiffened. What should she say? Did she stare too much? In that confusion, Tara cautiously managed to speak.

 

“⋯⋯Um, did I say thank you?”

 

“I don’t recall hearing it.”

 

Puzzled, perhaps she hadn’t thanked him yet. Tara hastily selected words in her mind. How should she express her gratitude? Would using formal language convey a more thankful feeling?

 

Just speaking normally might be⋯⋯ Normally, how did she treat Bennett?

 

There was almost no thought, leaning towards ‘didn’t think much.’ Even on their first meeting, her impression was something like ‘the scar is unpleasant.’ The change in her feelings began gradually as she got to know him one by one.

 

Leading the charge into battle, or offering guidance when everyone else is in disarray. The kind of leadership that points the way when everyone is stumbling. When someone spills food during mealtime, the willingness to help clean it up, and so on…

 

Yes, that’s how it was. Beneath the exterior, Benedra was unexpectedly tender. There were times when she seemed cold-blooded, but now I understand that it was Benedra’s own effort.

 

Thinking back to the comforting touch she extended to me when bidding farewell to Abraham, comforting my saddened self. My face would flush with warmth.

 

And just a while ago, recalling her getting angry on my behalf.

 

Now, merely looking at Benedra makes my heart race and my head spin. It’s as if my whole body is afflicted with some illness, not listening to reason, and if I lose focus for a moment, I find myself staring intently at her side profile.

 

Tara knew what to call these symptoms.

 

A pile of rebelliousness I had read about in heaps of romance novels testified to it universally. It was the fever they called love.

 

“…”

 

Tara’s face turned as red as if it were about to burst. To conceal her complexion, she buried her face between her knees. Then, mumbling as if to herself, she said,

 

“Thank you, Benedra, for saving me.”

 

“You don’t need to worry about it.”

 

“…It’s not an empty expression. I’m genuinely grateful for saving me.”

 

“I never doubted it.”

 

Benedra’s casually uttered response left Tara’s mind in turmoil. Have I been too blunt all this time? It would have been better if I had been gentler and kinder. What should I do?

 

Now, there might be a difference in status.

 

If the loss of sacred power is exposed, she will lose her position as a saint in the academy. As long as they don’t confiscate her dowry, there is enough money to lead a comfortable life in the capital. However…

 

Meeting Benedra again would be extremely difficult. Admission to the academy had treated her as quasi-noble. Tara, who had returned to being a common girl, wouldn’t easily meet someone like Benedra.

 

So, what should I do?

 

This moment might be the last. I have to convey my feelings before time runs out, even if they aren’t accepted.

 

Tara had mentally prepared herself.

 

—–

 

First Attempt. Rooftop reconnaissance, just the two of them.

 

“Um, there, Bennett. We’ll be on the rooftop for a moment, for reconnaissance…”

 

[Flying monsters are flying around. It might be better for Tara not to go up for now.]

 

“…”

 

“Niole is right. I’ll go with Niole, so you stay here.”

 

For safety reasons, it failed.

 

Second Attempt. Meal operation, just the two of them.

 

“Um, canned tomatoes…”

 

[We got lunch on the way back with Bennett. I think it’ll be okay to eat this today.]

 

“Yahoo! It’s been a while since I had something like meat… Can I eat too?!”

 

[Of course, Sally.]

 

“…”

 

Overwhelmed by lunch, it failed.

 

After consecutive failures, I even began to suspect if Niole was intentionally interfering. It’s unlikely, but…

 

Third Attempt. Cunning operation.

 

“Bennett, there. The ship we met earlier is hurting so much… Can you take a look?”

 

Bennett immediately called Niole.

 

“…Niole!”

 

“No, wait a moment! Yes, you can watch! Don’t make poor Neo suffer⋯⋯!”

 

“Is it appropriate to show your stomach to a man like that⋯⋯?”

 

Despite Bennett’s uneasy expression, Tara sat next to him as she pulled his wrist. Success in pulling him forcibly.

 

However, Tara overlooked one fact – the fact that her holy dress was a one-piece. If the upper and lower parts were separate, lifting the top would be sufficient, but to show the abdomen in a holy dress, she had to pull up the hem of the skirt.

 

Her lower body would be clearly exposed.

 

Tara held the hem and her hand trembled. Is this right? She might die of embarrassment. Should she just close her eyes and do it? Ignoring the embarrassment, what if Bennett feels too burdened?

 

As a war waged within Tara’s mind, the hand holding the hem repeatedly went up and down her thigh. Bennett quietly looked at the ceiling and asked,

 

“⋯⋯What’s your intention?”

 

“⋯⋯Huh, huh?! I, what intention?!”

 

“I mean, what intention do you have by seducing me? Social sacrifice⋯⋯?”

 

“⋯⋯⋯⋯!?!”

 

Realizing how the conflict in her heart might look from the outside, Tara quickly lowered the hem, lifting her leg. Shame surged, hitting her forehead.

 

“I, it doesn’t hurt now. Go away, go away, Bennett!”

 

“Don’t dismiss me! I can’t understand a single thing you’re saying⋯⋯.”

 

Unable to overcome the shame, she failed.

 

But since Bennett acknowledged it as seduction, maybe it’s half-success. Tara thought so and hit her own head with a fist.

 

—–

 

How should I approach this? Should I suggest going to the bathroom together?

 

As Tara’s brain, cornered by consecutive failures, was about to come up with a strange plan, Bennett quietly sat beside the vacillating Tara.

 

Even if Tara is a confident person, having experienced such a thing with a woman’s body would leave deep emotional scars. Today’s odd behavior is probably due to stress. Bennett thought so.

 

He quietly called her name.

 

“Tara.”

 

“Huh, what?!”

 

“No need to rush like that. You’ve already done your part well. If you weren’t here, the journey might not have come this far. Perhaps the world would have already perished.”

 

“…”

 

He’s trying to comfort her. Tara felt a mix of joy and exhaustion. She knew that Benedict wouldn’t confess suddenly, but people tend to hope even for the impossible when they desperately wish for it.

 

Still, maybe now is not the time.

 

Tara quickly surveyed her surroundings. Sally, like a shrimp, curled up in sleep, and there was no sign of Neore entering the bathroom. Yes, now. Now is the time.

 

“Uh, Bene, Benedict!”

 

From Noble mtl dot com

 

“I’m listening.”

 

“I, I’m here… So, um…”

 

“Take your time. I’m listening.”

 

Deep breaths. Tara’s heart throbbed uncontrollably. The sound of her heartbeat would be worrying if Benedict could hear it. Regaining composure, pushing aside hesitation and anxiety, and this feeling.

 

…This feeling!

 

“I, Benedict…”

 

Beep-beep-!

 

The walkie-talkie on the table flashed a red light and emitted a signal beep. Benedict quickly stood up and headed towards the walkie-talkie.

 

Tara collapsed on the floor. Tears welled up, making it hard to see. Why now? Why at this moment?

 

Okay. If Benedict comes back. It won’t be too late then…

 

Tara comforted her own heart and awaited what would happen next.

 

The group gathered around the radio. After adjusting the frequency and making the connection, a crackling sound filled the air before Lot’s voice came through.

 

-…is…not…-

 

“I can’t hear it very well.”

 

“If we change the direction of the antenna…”

 

Crackle. Click.

 

-I no longer have the courage to go on living.

 

-…

 

-I realized that the destruction of humanity is too close. There is not enough time to build and launch a rocket. Even if all the scientists on Earth put their heads together, there is no way to escape the impending doom.

 

-With the current pace of scientific advancement, we simply cannot catch up. Humanity will be wiped out. My intellect, too, cannot come up with a way to prevent universal destruction. Everything will come to an end. If only I hadn’t known this fact, even dying would have been more peaceful.

 

-I cannot bear this fact. This message is recorded and serves as my last will. The alpha value is as follows…

 

The mathematician recited a long and intricate sequence of numbers. Concerned that the listener might forget, they repeated it five times.

 

-At least I want to choose the way I die. Rather than turning into dust in the cracks of space and time, I will die here first.-

 

Footsteps. The sound of loading a gun. A gunshot.

 

Silence.

 

And then, the recorded file played again.

 

-I realized that the destruction of humanity is too close…

 

Bennett quietly turned off the radio.

 

“I’ve figured out the value. Let’s move.”

 

“Yes, Bennett.”

 

In the chilling silence, Venet and Niore finished their final preparations.