The next day, Luke checked Raham’s location on the computer.
Seeing that he remained still in one place, it seemed that he was still in shock and had not come out of his home.
Indeed, it must have been quite shocking for him.
God had commanded him to kill his son, and he had harbored doubts about it.
It must have been a huge shock both as a priest and as a father.
Thinking like this made Luke feel unbearably guilty.
If he could, he would want to erase that memory, but it was already far too late for that.
Unless the memory of him seeing the angel was erased, the same history would be bound to repeat itself.
However, the memory of the angel’s form was already far too old, and intertwined with many other memories, so it would not be easy to erase.
Memories tend to influence one another, after all.
Don’t people often reflect on things that Renie liked or disliked and project them onto the present?
In this way, living beings have memories that form the basis of their actions.
And if those foundational memories are removed, a person cannot think properly.
Raham already had such deep faith that he had become an apostle solely through his own strength, without any revelation or aid.
So if forced to sever those memories, issues were bound to arise.
‘From now on, I need to pay attention to ‘Raham’s house’ too.’
Since he didn’t know how Raham, a priest who had fallen into doubt and lost his divine power, would react to his facility, he would need to observe for a while longer, but for now, he had concluded his thoughts on Raham.
This meant that he could finally set aside time for the things he truly needed to know.
“Now it’s really time to prepare.”
For what could be the final battle.
However, before Luke began to prepare, he started to recall the things he needed to know.
By knowing the enemy, he could understand how to prepare for them.
‘First, I need to find out three major things.’
First, the identity of the mist that is blocking the circle by demonizing the surrounding mana.
Second, the being that created that mist and the doppelgangers, along with their power.
Third, the true meaning of the word Nidhogg.
Luke took out the vial of drugs he had confiscated from Seyeo from his pocket.
‘It seems like it can be attached to a cane and fired…’
At a glance, it didn’t seem like a regularly distributed item.
The reason such an item was necessary was probably to operate along with that ‘demonization gas,’ but in a modern society where magic is used everywhere and actions that hinder magic within the city are categorized as a form of terror, it seems unlikely that such a thing would generally be needed.
And this small symbol drawn here.
Luke couldn’t be sure, but this seemed to be a very important clue.
And while he didn’t know what it was or what it meant, there was one person he knew who would.
Seyeo.
That child had some knowledge about illegal activities and back alleys.
Even if Seyeo didn’t know, that child might at least know whom to ask.
“Alright, I need to take this to Seyeo.”
One problem, though, was that Seyeo would likely be in class at the Academy right now.
Well, it’s an urgent matter, so if he calls Seyeo out quickly, Seyeo would definitely come out, but there was really no need for that.
He had one more place to stop by before Seyeo’s Academy was over.
——
In the city, in a certain laboratory.
There, authorities in the field of monster studies had gathered together for a fervent discussion, summarizing the topics they had been sharing.
“So, James. What you’re saying is that the current taxonomy cannot explain monsters and the demon realm, and that we need a different perspective?”
At those words from one of the monster researchers, the monster researcher with her long hair tied back nodded her head in agreement.
“That’s right.”
James Tyner, a monster researcher and scientist, was currently the central figure of this meeting.
He had created a theory capable of explaining the demon realm’s environment based on Luke’s description of ‘Zephyr.’
The Zephyr Theory.
In fact, the study of monsters began in earnest only about 200 years ago, which is very short in history.
Before that, there was little support, and attempts to properly study fossils were not particularly active.
This was largely because, unlike magic, there was a widespread perception that such research was useless.
And rightly so, since monsters neither significantly impacted nor were influenced by the environment of the material realm.
They were simply beings that had suddenly fallen from a completely different environment known as the demon realm.
Moreover, the time monsters appeared in history was far too short, and studies on the demon realm—now detached from this dimension—were not very active, thus further deepening their rejection in the academic community.
However, after it was revealed that the pages of this world’s history had been completely erased by someone two hundred years ago, that perception began to change entirely.
Since there was not a shred of evidence to pinpoint that period in this world, studying monsters had become the only way to understand history.
Consequently, late-developing monster studies had yet to break significantly from the bounds of current biology.
Thus, the ‘Zephyr Theory’ was quite an innovative concept.
To consider the environment of the demon realm and devise a completely new classification system and research method…
“There indeed remains much to be uncovered in the ‘Zephyr Theory’, but… if we can prove it, we might be able to amend much of our history.”
“It’s a shame that we are struggling due to corporate interference.”
Regarding the statements of the two monster researchers, James shook his head.
“… However, if we utilize the knowledge gleaned from these fossils and necromancy, we might be able to prove it much sooner than expected.”
Yes, surely, that would happen someday.
“I’ve listened well, Tyner. Then, let’s consolidate the opinions that arose from this discussion to supplement the theory… We have work to do, so let’s start wrapping up.”
As one monster researcher said this, other monster researchers began to rise from their seats one by one.
“Thank you for your efforts today, Doctor Tyner.”
“James, you did a great job. Thanks for the discussion.”
Receiving the farewells of the monster researchers, James soon got up as well to bid farewell to his fellow researchers.
“Ha ha, I’m the one grateful for your long journey. Oh, the exit is this way…”
But at that moment, someone blocked his path.
“Ah, Doctor James Tyner! I’ve been waiting for you to say something for quite a while!”
“Huh?”
The person who had jumped out in front of him was a well-dressed beast-like woman.
She had lush platinum hair neatly combed to the sides, with a gentle smile on her face, appearing to be beautiful yet somewhat youthful.
With a bright smile, she pointed to the paper bag in her hand and opened her mouth.
“Hahaha, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it? I brought some hand-made tea leaves since I couldn’t come empty-handed. We can drink them while chatting.”
At her appearance, James momentarily lost focus.
No matter how he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with a reason for such a woman to be waiting for him.
“… What? Me?”
Why on earth would she?
As James stared blankly at her, she perked up the large animal ears on her head and continued speaking.
“Was that too sudden? I see why you’d think so. I’m sorry for just dropping by suddenly. I tried contacting you, but you didn’t respond, so I just came.”
“… What?”
She claimed to have contacted him?
Who on earth was this young woman, and how did she know his contact details?
“Hm, James. Do you know this woman?”
“No, not at all.”
As James was in confusion, she seemed to catch onto the conversation he had with his colleagues, and with a slightly disappointed expression, she said.
“James, did you already forget me? How could you be so harsh! Were you not the one who promised to contact me first?”
Her voice clearly revealed her feelings of disappointment, and his colleagues began to cast him piercing glances.
“What does that mean, Tyner? You were supposed to contact her first?”
“James, I never thought you were that kind of person. Are you the one sending flirty messages to such a young woman?”
“Ha, you’re really reckless. Act your age.”
In a flurry, James hurriedly waved his hands and shouted.
“No! That’s not it! What are you talking about! I really don’t know that woman!”
At that, she only displayed an even more disappointed expression.
“James Tyner, what are you talking about? No matter how much I’ve grown, I’m not someone you could easily forget! Besides, we’ve met alone and talked many times. We even exchanged contact details…”
Goodness, she seemed to know him accurately.
The phone she pulled out truly had his number saved in it.
But he certainly had no recollection of having met this young woman alone!
“… Grown? No way, you mean, when you were younger?”
“… Is she completely out of her mind?”
James began to feel a cold sweat trickle down as he sensed the contemptuous glares directed at him growing sharper.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to endure any longer.
He was starting to wonder if she had indeed picked up a discarded business card of his from the street, saved his number, and was now trying to make things awkward for him.
With all his strength, James shouted.
“But I really don’t know! Who exactly are you? Please, explain properly!”
“James, it seems you truly forgot me.”
She sighed and spoke.
“Ha, it’s Luke Irushil.”
At that response, James was taken aback.
“What? You are that Luke!?”
