After Estin’s non-medical treatment was over, Logan willingly invited Dr. Brown to his research lab.
Dr. Brown was amazed by the young man’s extensive research work in front of him.
He felt a sense of wonder at how this young man, who seemed more promising than when he was young, would continue to conduct research and achieve so much as time went on. He had a desire to observe and see how much he would accomplish, as long as time allowed.
“Impressive, young man!”
“You flatter me.”
Logan, who knew better than anyone else how talented he was, didn’t show off in front of Dr. Brown, whom he respected as his past mentor. Even though he only studied mathematics with him for a short time.
If Logan hadn’t become involved with the underworld and worked under Baron Bruno, he would have continued his studies under Dr. Brown.
The scholars who respected each other shook hands once again.
“I can’t tell you how honored I am that you would want to work with me.”
“No, I’m sure I can learn more from you.”
“I’ll be glad to assist you.”
Logan, in a non-condescending manner, slightly leaned his upper body towards Dr. Brown with a serious expression.
“By the way, what were you thinking about earlier?”
“The god of the underworld, Yusa, and the snake-like demon.”
Dr. Brown listed meaningful words in response to Logan’s question.
Logan noticed that there was a significant thread connecting the three words listed by Dr. Brown, but the last word didn’t come together easily.
Logan pondered for a moment, then asked cautiously.
“Do you know anything about it?”
“Have you heard any stories related to the god of death?”
“Of course. It’s inseparable from the research on the god of the underworld. However, it’s an ancient god, and it was difficult to find information.”
“Yeah, well, I heard it from my grandmother who told me old stories.”
Logan realized that the stories that were about to come out of Dr. Brown’s mouth were not likely to be found in the literature he had read, so he hastily grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen from the other desk.
With an attitude overflowing with academic enthusiasm, Logan waited while Dr. Brown patiently watched him prepare.
“There was a snake that the god of death used to bring along.”
“A snake?”
Logan looked at Dr. Brown in surprise.
His hand reflexively wrote down ‘snake-like demon?’ on the parchment. Only then did Logan understand all three of the words Dr. Brown had listed earlier.
“That wretched thing was the god of death’s companion.”
“And of all things, the one that Grand Duke Estin killed was a snake.”
“Demons in the form of snakes are not very common.”
“Could the god of the underworld be imitating the god of death?”
Logan asked cautiously. Dr. Brown agreed that it could be possible and crossed his arms.
While agreeing with Logan’s words, Dr. Brown’s expression appeared more complex and subtle. Logan didn’t speak easily either.
“Or maybe they are the same.”
“The god of the underworld is none other than the god of death…”
Logan despairingly scribbled down his assumptions on paper.
“But!”
Logan finally slammed his pen down on the desk.
“The god of death is just… a figure that appears in literature, isn’t it? I thought it might be some sort of metaphor, like a plague that went around in those days.”
“Well, yeah, that could be possible.”
There was a time when natural disasters like floods and volcanic activities were considered divine judgments.
The existence of the god of death, which penetrated people’s fears like a snake, might have been a contagious disease after all.
Yeah, that snake that was said to be accompanying the god of death could also be the origin of the plague.
“And the god of the underworld was……. was more like a human being than a god.”
“Well, the concept of a divine being is created by humans, so it’s often depicted in a human-like form.”
“If he really is the God of Death, why is his temple so small and shabby? If he is the god of death, shouldn’t more people gather around him? Why doesn’t he make himself known?”
“As far as I know, the God of Death wasn’t exactly a welcome presence in the first place.”
“Well, he was the god of death after all…”
Dr. Brown tried to recall something her grandmother had said to him when he was very young.
Perhaps Dr. Brown’s grandmother also heard the story from her own grandmother.
Those stories are worn and fleshed out in some places, but they have bones, and if they dig deep enough, they might find the truth.
With a mix of hope, Dr. Brown said, “Maybe it’s possible to uncover the secret of Estin Conler’s sealed memories through that snake.”
“We should find more information about the god of death and that snake first.”
Logan felt that it would be a much more challenging process than the research they had done so far. Logan made a painful sound, but his eyes sparkled.
To Logan, the unknown was a profoundly beautiful realm. As he hastily scribbled down a plan for the day ahead, he made a noise.
“Do you mind if I invite one more helper?”
“Lucas? Lucas is quite capable.”
“No, Lucas is too busy as it is. It would be difficult.”
Logan couldn’t burden Lucas, who was already helping with Estin’s duties in the Duchy and tirelessly searching for Mary Conler’s whereabouts.
“He’s a pretty smart fellow. Rex Bluea.”
“Bluea… Rex Bluea, huh…”
“Yes, he is the son of Duke Bluea.”
Dr. Brown, reminded of Morgan Bluea, was momentarily lost in his memories.
The child couldn’t bear the colors of the Conler family and was cast out of the family. When Morgan was born, the previous generations of the Conler family were furious and demanded Dr. Brown to find the cause.
Young Morgan Bluea underwent unbearable examinations. Well, calling it an examination or treatment would be an understatement; it was more akin to torture.
Was the child of Duke Bluea cooperating with the Conler family? Whether he knew Dr. Brown’s curiosity or not, Logan hurriedly left the room, saying they needed to quickly handle the matter.
“Morgan’s son…….”
If Morgan hadn’t been born as that person’s child, or if he only looked half like Estin, things wouldn’t have come to this point.
Dr. Brown let out a sigh. At that moment, Logan returned, accompanied by a child.
The child bore a striking resemblance to the time when Morgan Bluea was still Morgan Conler.
His eyes filled with fear upon seeing a stranger, and a hint of rebellion lingers…
“Good afternoon, Dr. Brown.”
“Rex Bluea…”
Dr. Brown cautiously approached the child and immediately got to the point.
“We are planning to conduct research on the god of death.”
“And also research the snake he raised.”
“A snake…….”
The expression on Rex’s face became peculiar upon hearing Dr. Brown and Logan’s words. It was cute to see the top of his head, looking at his toes, preoccupied with something.
And when Rex lifted his head again, his gaze was firm.
“If there are people who have turned into dogs, there must also be snakes that have turned into humans, right?”
*****
While reading the story about the god of the underworld that Logan had organized, I couldn’t help but wonder why such stories weren’t more widespread.
If he had shown his own miracles, not just miracles of this kind, he would have attracted many more followers. And with those followers, he would have become a much stronger being, wouldn’t he?
“Well, I wondered about that too but maybe it’s because he has come to realize that fate born out of fear doesn’t last.”
When I posed this question to Arsene, he gave me a cryptic answer. Perhaps instilling fear is not a good method…
“It would be nice if people knew the story of Arsene’s father and the god of death again.”
“Calling him father sounds a bit strange.”
“He is your father.”
“You can call your own father father.”
Left speechless by Arsene’s response, I turned my attention back to Logan’s notes.
Arsene’s father, who couldn’t accept the behavior of the god of death, started a war against him, and in the end, Arsene’s father narrowly won, or so they said.
I raised my head again and called Arsene, “It would be great if your father could help us!”
“You want me to ask my father for help?”
“Hey, my father received a curse because of that person!”
As I was arguing with Arsene, there was a sudden banging on the door.
Who could it be? Was Jenny supposed to come today? I was preparing various treats for Jenny, who occasionally visits, so I was happy to hear the knocking sound.
How did she know I had recently bought some delicious cookies?
“Isn’t the knocking sound stronger than usual?”
“…Looks like someone really wants to see me.”
Arsene tried to stop me, but I stood in front of the door without any suspicion. There was no one else who would visit this house besides Jenny.
Sometimes when her hands were full, Jenny would knock on the door with her foot. However, when I opened the door, standing there was…
“Demimore?”
It was my fiance with a face that seemed like he was about to cry.
