Chapter 43
“…!”
The Dimension Research Institute! The organization mentioned in the journal from the Slime Dungeon! I thought he was unusually knowledgeable about the Cosmos Empire, but to be this deeply involved!
“Tell me, President Martin. What connection do you have with the Cosmos Empire?”
‘A bold move.’
If he came out like this, I couldn’t just back off.
‘But it’s what I wanted.’
“I want to correct all the chaos and disasters in this world.”
I didn’t want to die in someone else’s novel.
“I want to find a breakthrough from the predetermined apocalypse.”
I’d change this world’s ending and survive.
“I’ll protect my people and my home. That’s my only wish. I’m not connected to the Cosmos Empire. I’m merely using it as a means to my goal.”
If this was a war of attrition, giving information bit by bit, I welcomed it. Since Nerjin questioned me, it was my turn.
“As a member of the Cosmos Empire’s Dimension Research Institute, you must know. What connection is there between the Time Chaos Dungeons that swallowed the Cosmos Empire and began appearing worldwide?”
***
Nerjin’s hands trembled as he gripped his coffee cup.
“How… did you know that? You said you weren’t the Peacemaker…!”
So it was true.
‘How’s that for a third-rate novelist’s instinct, Recola?’
In the journal’s final experiment, they opened a dimensional gate and observed Earth. That would explain the causality behind the Time Chaos Dungeons’ emergence.
By analyzing the power balance of the setting, I pegged the Dimension Research Institute as the prime suspect. Meeting a related figure was just a chance to confirm.
My guess hit the mark.
“I stumbled upon the Dimension Research Institute’s journal. Let me be clear. I bear you no grudge. I have no intention of exposing your past. I only want to end the disaster that swallowed the greatest empire in human history and threatens the world. Will you help me?”
I didn’t know how this old man spent his youth. How he became a manager at the Dimension Research Institute, how he escaped the collapsing Cosmos Empire, or how he settled in the Imperium Empire’s slums.
His life must’ve been as tumultuous as the wrinkles on his face.
But if he had any conscience, he’d help me.
“President Martin… Do you have a way? A way to erase this original sin?”
“Of course. It’s a distant goal for now.”
In truth, Gilbert would do it. The fallen crown prince would personally wash away the original sin. He’d storm the heart of the Cosmos Empire, fully consumed by Time Chaos Dungeons, and seal the fractured dimension.
A feat achieved only in the original’s final act.
“If I invest the rest of my life in you, will it work?”
“Invest or not, I’ll make it happen. It’ll take time. Maybe you’ll meet the real Peacemaker you’re seeking faster.”
“He’d kill me on sight.”
I sensed a strange thread in the old man’s words.
“…Didn’t you ask if I was the Peacemaker earlier?”
“I came to die. To beg for time to say goodbye to my granddaughter.”
The relationship between the Dimension Research Institute and the Peacemaker wasn’t just bad—it was dire.
“I’d have no regrets dying. I’m sorry to Bianca, but… it’s atonement I should’ve faced decades ago.”
There seemed to be a deeper story tangled in him.
“But if there’s a way to wash away the original sin… I can’t die yet.”
Nerjin’s eyes were different now. I could sense the depth of his longing.
That longing became my trust.
“Then we’re partners.”
“Indeed.”
We exchanged glances, confirming our trust.
That was enough. Information. Now I needed to extract it all.
“Who is the Peacemaker?”
Dr. Keren, Princess Adela, and protagonist Gilbert—all mistook me for the Peacemaker. Who were they, and how were we so similar?
“I don’t know how much you know, but the Dimension Research Institute had the full support of the imperial family and the church. Its purpose was to correct past mistakes.”
Past mistakes. My novelist’s instinct guessed what that meant.
“History revision?”
“Correct. A sensitive topic. Regardless of research progress, there were factions debating whether it aligned with cosmic providence.”
“Were the opposition all killed?”
“Yes. Purged. With the emperor and pope allied, nothing was impossible.”
A research project to alter history. Some might think killing was fine since they could revive them by changing the past.
“With no restraints, the Cosmos Empire raised taxes and poured all resources into the Dimension Research Institute. You can’t imagine how much wealth was consumed.”
Nerjin took out an old scroll and unfurled it.
Two crossed guns were depicted, with a hooded figure behind them.
“But the anti-research faction, surviving the purge in secrecy, swore to stop the research. That’s the Peacemaker, their precursor.”
“Precursor? So it’s different now?”
“The empire fell. Now, they reportedly travel the continent, extinguishing the Cosmos Empire’s lingering evils. Above all, what was once a plural term is now singular.”
“Only one survived?”
“Yes. It was a catastrophic disaster. That person…”
Nerjin’s recollection carried a hint of reverence.
“The Star Child of the Cosmos Church. The first and last Gun Master. The creator of the Diamond Bullet. That’s the Peacemaker.”
***
The Imperium Academy wasn’t always peaceful, but with elites gathered, there were few reckless students like in regular schools.
No cutting in line, no whining for more food, no troublemakers.
There was the infamous trash Martin of Ulvhadin, but that was fine. Justice prevailed, proven by the Four Great Ducal Families.
Anyway.
“What’s for lunch today?”
“Hmm, maybe a salmon salad.”
“Then I’ll have a chicken salad?”
“Eek, sounds good!”
The Spring Dining Hall, especially popular with female cadets, was the epitome of elegance and grace.
Over half the academy’s cadets were nobles, royalty, or imperial kin. Even the rest were often heirs of prominent merchants.
Among them were ‘special existences’ who drew attention.
“Oh my, look. Lady Elisha is there.”
“The Harmadun Lady? Really! I haven’t seen her much lately since she’s been with the other ducal heirs.”
Elisha sat gracefully, her posture straight, taking her meal with elegant steps.
Every action was like the wingbeat of a swan.
“Shall we go greet her?”
“Yes, let’s!”
Several cadets were already greeting Elisha. The Lady accepted all their salutations with poise and elegance.
But few were close enough to join her table.
“Cadet Elisha! It’s been a while!”
“Cadet Elisha, good to see you.”
The two ladies who’d been chatting earlier naturally joined Elisha’s table.
“Cadet Helaine, Cadet Luri. Nice to see you.”
Luri, with her short pink twin-tails, exuded a lively charm that added to her wholesome appeal. Elisha liked this side of her.
“Cadet Luri, is Marquis Arnold well? I heard his new venture was a big success.”
“Haha, yep. It was with the Harmadun Ducal Family, so of course.”
Luri was the heiress of one of the empire’s mere 20 marquis families and the next in line for the Imperium Bank, a multipurpose administrative body.
In contrast, Helaine, with her ivory hair and drooping eyes that gave a gentle impression, had a different charm. She was the epitome of warmth and kindness.
“Cadet Helaine, I heard your class rank rose last time. You must’ve studied hard. As expected of a scholarship student.”
“Hardly. I just got lucky.”
Her slow speech harmonized with her atmosphere, earning her praise for being lovable.
Helaine, a commoner, had entered the Imperium Academy on a scholarship due to her exceptional intellect.
Luri’s vibrancy and Helaine’s gentleness were opposites, yet their chemistry was famously good.
Luri leaned forward, her twin-tails swaying.
“Cadet Elisha! You’ve been busy lately. What’s up? The other ducal heirs seem busy too.”
“Thanks for your concern, Cadet Luri. We’re all searching for something.”
Helaine tilted her head, her ivory hair swaying prettily. Her drooping eyes widened slightly as she covered her mouth with a delicate hand.
“Oh my, is it something we could help with?”
“It’s fine. I appreciate your kindness, Cadet Helaine.”
“Of course, if you ever need even a small bit of help, Cadet Luri and I are here.”
Elisha’s heart warmed.
“Hehe, thank you. Both of you. Oh… and be careful. You know? The news is full of serial killer stories.”
“Oh, right! I saw that!”
“Me too.”
Elisha was genuinely worried about these two.
“Everyone, go home early. Especially you, Cadet Helaine. I feel like you’d scream in that gentle tone even if someone grabbed you.”
At her concerned advice, the two ladies giggled. Luri said—
“It’s fine! Helaine and I teleport to school.”
Helaine nodded slowly.
Elisha gave an awkward smile, as if she’d forgotten.
“Haha, right. You both teleport. Then you’re safe. Still, just in case, Cadet Luri, please look after Cadet Helaine.”
“Heh! Of course! Leave it to me, Cadet Elisha!”
“Thank you for looking out for me.”
Patting Helaine’s back, Luri whispered to Elisha.
“Be careful too, Cadet Elisha! You’re in the same class as trash Martin, right?”
“Ah…”
Elisha paused before answering.
“…It’s fine. He might not be that bad. No, he’s bad, but… he’s gotten a bit kinder.”
“What?! That Martin of Ulvhadin?!”
“Just a little. He’s still a jerk… Ahem, never mind. We’re working on this search together, and… he’s gotten better in many ways. So please don’t badmouth him too much.”
“If Lady Elisha says so, alright!”
Elisha smiled, feeling a weight lift from her heart.
“I’ll head out then. Enjoy your meals, ladies.”
“No dessert?”
“As I said, I’m a bit busy. Bye.”
Elisha left.
Luri and Helaine, still praising how cool Cadet Elisha was, stepped outside to head home.
“Helaine! Let’s go!”
“Yes, Cadet Luri.”
They stood on the teleport gate, entering their destination. And—
They appeared in a dark basement, filled with patterns drawn in blood, brain matter, and bone dust.
“Phew, today was fun too.”
Helaine turned to Luri.
“Right, Lady Luri?”
Luri’s body was like an empty shell, unresponsive. Her eyes were hazy, like those of the dead.
“What shall we do today? Play drawing or house with the slum folks like usual? Or…”
Helaine smiled, plunging her hand downward. Blood and brain matter splattered, staining her face.
“Torment the filthy hound pretending to be good while keeping its mouth shut?”