Chapter 61
[You goddamn bastard. Even if physical phenomena work similarly in a world where mana exists, you should have considered that your scientific theories might apply a little differently!!]
“Um.”
The Heavenly Lord had given a scathing, emotionally charged response to Akion's lousy coding question.
Of course, from Akion's perspective, he had only been grumbling for a perfectly valid reason….
‘Honestly, perfect code doesn't exist, does it?’
His lab-slave classmate from computer engineering had said that programming code could never be perfect.
[Do you think that, as a scientist, you're right to blame me mindlessly for every bug without considering new variables?! Don't call something I've adjusted to work as well as possible a bug─!!]
From the Heavenly Lord's perspective….
Akion had effectively used an unauthorized external program to inflate the efficiency of mana and holy power.
Yet that unauthorized external program was engineering, and its operation had been perfectly normal, filled with the Heavenly Lord's intentions from the very beginning.
[In gaming terms, you slapped on mods willy-nilly and then cursed the game developer while saying, ‘Huh? Why is it working so well?!’ Can you still call yourself a scientist or engineer after doing that, you son of a bitch─!!]
‘I mean, you didn't even give me any talent for magic….’
But Akion did feel a little aggrieved.
Then at least give me mana detection. If he had that, he could have sensed and analyzed mana variables for himself.
[I can already see your future self whining that I took away your talent for magic, so I'll tell you in advance. I sacrificed it to preserve your extraordinary brain exactly as it was, so don't whine about it!]
“What.”
“What is it? What does it say that you're reacting like that?!”
“Ahem, Saintess!”
Akion was so flustered while reading that he even let out an exclamation.
So he had sacrificed Enersis-level magic talent to transfer the engineering brain from his previous life intact?
To put it another way….
‘Was my engineering brain from my previous life really worth that much?’
[Your engineering brain is valuable enough to warrant that. Be grateful that losing your magic talent was the end of it, you bastard.]
Akion's engineering brain was valuable enough for the Heavenly Lord to exchange it for his magic talent.
‘You could've told me that beforehand. Hehe.’
[P.S. Don't smirk. I spent ten years without rest, somehow coordinating scientific theory, mana, and holy power so you could do well. Do you know how many times I almost shoved divine punishment down your throat for cursing me and calling it a bug every day?]
‘I'm sorry!!’
[And of all the things written here, keep your reincarnation a secret for the rest of your life. It will be better for your safety.]
The response seemed to be reading Akion's thoughts, and it appeared that the Heavenly Lord had simply read his mind with his foresight.
Separately, Akion had many questions about reincarnation, but….
The Heavenly Lord seemed unwilling to reveal anything more.
Putting his disappointment aside, Akion continued reading the next answer.
[Anyway… here is the answer to your second question. Regarding your question of whether it is my intention for your engineering to benefit the world, the answer is yes.]
“Hmm.”
Akion's second question.
As for whether the reason the Heavenly Lord had reincarnated Akion and guided him toward spreading engineering was the same as Akion's own intention….
[Of course, I share your opinion, so develop technology in whatever direction you wish. Honestly, even I think firearms are absolutely out of the question. Knights and mages might be able to deal with them, but ordinary people would have no way to defend themselves.]
‘Just as I thought….’
Affirmation.
Even the Heavenly Lord agreed, saying, ‘They absolutely aren't suitable as offensive tools.’
Even a god supported restricting technology from being directed toward offensive purposes.
Akion wondered where he could find a more reliable supporter in this world,
[I know well what concerns you. Human hearts are fickle. And there have been many cases where good intentions produced terrible results. Like Nobel and Gatling in your previous life.]
That was also why Akion had been about to forgive Goldie for making the coilgun, and why he felt the same way about other people.
Human hearts could be incredibly devious at times.
[Therefore, I shall bestow a token upon you.]
- Shhhh….
“Ah, ah?! On Saint Akion's hand…!”
At that point, Akion noticed something seeping into the back of his left hand.
When he startled and examined it, a white Möbius-loop mark glowing with sacred white light was shining on the back of his hand.
“Good heavens… on the saint's hand….”
[It is the Möbius Mark. If you present that mark during a contract, I shall serve as its witness.]
God would serve as a contract witness?
In a world where a god truly existed, that would make for an incredibly trustworthy contract.
[I shall bring down divine punishment upon anyone who breaks the contract.]
‘You mean kill them?!’
[If necessary.]
But that meant staking their lives.
Akion thought that was a bit excessive,
but thinking carefully, weren't there always people who wouldn't stop even if they had to risk their lives?
Fanatics, mages obsessed with rising through the ranks, or dark mages who ignored all such things.
“The authority the Heavenly Lord bestowed upon the hero…. It resembles that.”
“H-heh, hehe…! A power said to be granted only to the hero, in Saint Akion's hand…!!”
- Swish….
Considering that, this was like a brake the Heavenly Lord had given Akion.
From the level of a god overseeing the entire world, he had given Akion—effectively the founder of engineering in this world—a brake on the level of the power of creation itself, so that Akion could control it.
[As you fear, engineering technology will one day be used to make weapons. But now, at the starting point, you can at least minimize its effects by personally tuning and regulating it. They say a good beginning is half the battle, do they not?]
‘Hmm….’
Of course, this also placed immense responsibility on Akion.
Akion had much to think about in many ways, but
[I cannot tell you more about your reincarnation, but if your worries ever deepen, ask to consult me at any time. If you cover that mark and pray, I shall always answer you.]
“……Thank you.”
At least he could take comfort in knowing that the god who had reincarnated him was on his side and would always support him.
He was a little surprised that the Heavenly Lord was more approachable than expected, though. Anyway.
[And now I shall answer your final question.]
The final question Akion had thought of was….
[Can the Riemann Hypothesis be proved? Regarding this….]
The legendary Riemann Hypothesis—the one said to drive anyone who proves it insane!
Since science and engineering could fundamentally be established through mathematics, Akion had been incredibly curious whether the Riemann Hypothesis was true or not.
So he had asked because he wondered whether the Heavenly Lord knew,
[I see… You do not know… Is that so… You shall learn in time as well… Let us discuss this another time.]
“You son of a—!”
Akion swallowed the curse that had been about to escape his lips through the greatest effort of his life.
But it felt awkward to curse him too, because
“He must be beatified! The Heavenly Lord even bestowed power upon him—what would we be if we didn't beatify him!!”
“Calm down, Saintess. If this power became widely known… how many things would Saint Akion be dragged into?”
“I suppose we'll have to convene another meeting….”
With the three authorities of the Vatican standing before him,
and honestly, hadn't the Heavenly Lord been incredibly offended by Akion constantly cursing him and calling him a bug?
Of course, Akion had done it thinking even the Heavenly Lord couldn't hear him, but still.
“I've read it all.”
“Saint Akion! Saint Akion! Saint Akion! So what does it say?!”
“Young Master Akion. What sort of power is the authority residing in your hand?”
“Saint Akion!”
“One at a time, please, one at a time….”
Now it was time to satisfy the curiosity of the three authorities waiting for his answer.
“First, let me explain this mark….”
“Ohoho.”
“Ohhh……!”
An impromptu Akion lecture (not really) was held in the cathedral.
*
After the lecture ended, the group moved elsewhere.
Among them, the Saint spoke first.
“It truly is a divine power.”
Saint Ray had been the healer of the hero's party a thousand years ago.
He was a living witness who had seen the power bestowed by the Heavenly Lord beside the hero many times.
“It was identical to the power he used when the hero wielded the Power of Courage….”
“You mean the way it works is different?”
“Yes, the authority granted to him was specialized for combat….”
The Saint rubbed the Möbius pattern on the back of Akion's hand, as if reminiscing about old memories.
“Yours must carry compulsion regarding contracts. Since it is part of the Heavenly Lord's own power, bestowed directly….”
Then, with a blond, tanned delinquent's grin, he gave Akion's shoulder a few pats.
“The Heavenly Lord must have had his reasons for placing this power in your hands. And I shall trust you as well, since you made the Holy Light Sword for me….”
“Yes. But should I bow a little?”
“Remain standing as you are.”
“Yes, sir.”
Of course, since he was shorter than Akion, the scene looked somewhat comical.
* * *
If so, they would need to test it in practice to see its true impact.
“Young Master Akion. As you requested, I have gathered everyone, but….”
“Then let's get to the point.”
Akion summoned everyone from the academy-uniform development department and the exosuit-development department.
“If you wish to participate in this project, each of you will have to sign a contract with me.”
Since the project was still in its early stages, few people knew the details.
The three Imperial Mage Corps mages who had been with Ben Montefiora.
The Saint and Saintess.
And….
“I hear young Akion has received a divine power… Hah, seeing the dense holy power in that hand, it must be true. So how do I sign the contract?”
“Your Majesty, although I was the one who requested it… are you truly all right with this?”
“What else can I do? The Heavenly Lord says he is on your side. And I know well that you are not the sort of person to use this to blackmail me. Come, let us sign.”
“Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your consideration.”
Only the Emperor, who had heard the detailed news, was there as well.
First of all, the Emperor gave in to Akion, who had brought even the Saint and Saintess.
“But make the armor a little… hmm? Make the muscle-assistance enhancement magic high-output too, hmm?! And make it look a little sharper and more imposing!! You know what I mean, son-in-law?”
“Ahem, ahem, that much is of course possible, Your Majesty. But the title ‘son-in-law’….”
“That is an imperial command. Accept it!”
Still, so the Emperor would not feel slighted, Akion promised to give the armor outstanding defensive and support functions.
It was a little frightening that he had been given the title of the Emperor's son-in-law, though. Anyway.
“You must sign this contract to participate in the project. Take one each.”
The contract, which set out the terms of mutual trust, looked ordinary to those hoping to participate in the project.
“Let's see… A nondisclosure agreement.”
“Don't carelessly leak the technology, and don't use it outside this project as a means of producing offensive weapons? Hmph, how strict.”
They were basic clauses for conducting a secret project.
From the mages to the blacksmiths present, none of them were unfamiliar with signing contracts like this.
But this was no ordinary contract.
“What is this faint holy-power emblem…?”
“It brings to mind an endless loop….”
“It is a mark Young Master Akion had inscribed through the Saint and Saintess. It cannot be forged.”
“Oh ho. So that's how it works….”
The contracts had been stamped with the Möbius Mark.
Of course, Akion had to write every contract by hand for this, and his wrist had nearly broken.
“Furthermore, this project is being undertaken in cooperation with the Vatican… the Saint and Saintess will serve as witnesses. So this contract is meant to tell you not to do anything wicked.”
“In that case….”
“Understood.”
Even if they had to tolerate that inconvenience, they had to prevent the technology from being used for lethal purposes.
This was a place that had not even experienced the First or Second War.
Could people who did not know the horrors of war really be expected to restrain themselves?
Meanwhile, the final clause caught everyone's eye.
“What does this final clause mean?”
“‘Anyone who breaks the contract will receive divine punishment.’…?”
“Exactly what it says.”
“Heh heh, what, the Heavenly Lord will personally punish us?”
Everyone who was about to sign the contract laughed heartily and looked at Montefiora.
“Exactly what it says.”
“……….”
Seeing his grave expression, without a hint of laughter, they began to understand that this was at least somewhat true.
“Only participate if you can bear that. However, if you do participate, at least… a mage should be able to rise one rank.”
“Damn it, how are we supposed to refuse when you put it like that!!”
“I'm not a mage, but… I want to learn Young Master Akion's magi-engineering techniques. I have no choice….”
“And as with what Young Master has been doing, there are no restrictions on developing magi-devices useful in daily life, right? Then there won't be a problem!”
Even so, Akion's engineering was an irresistibly desirable field to them.
Some signed while reluctantly swallowing bitter herbs, while others readily signed the contracts.
*
That day of contract signing ended with the project plan and an explanation of its operating principles,
along with a brief orientation session about doing their best going forward.
The next day they welcomed,
“Young Master Akion! Young Master Akion!”
As soon as Akion arrived at the Imperial Mage Corps research institute, Montefiora hurried over to him.
“What happened for you to come rushing over like that…?”
“Please hear me out before getting angry. Three mages belonging to the Imperial Mage Corps became unconscious last night.”
“Good heavens.”
The Heavenly Lord's contract mark had worked incredibly quickly.
Honestly, because of the words ‘divine punishment,’ Akion had not really felt it was real….
“They were nearly charred black by holy power. Fortunately, their lives are not in danger… but I never expected divine punishment to actually descend.”
“Good heavens….”
“For now, I have ordered everyone to keep this matter confidential, but we must hurry and bring the Saintess here!”
Now it felt real.
The effect was simply too definite, which was the problem.