Chapter 63: S2. Resentment Wished Upon The Stars – 6
Miskatonic University was a large campus composed of several buildings, located an hour away by car from Abraham’s mansion.
The sight of students strolling down the streets with a book tucked under their arm was a common scene, even within the academy. However, the notable part was the loud missionary activities being carried out by individuals clad in white cowls.
“Everyone, the end of days is near! Repent for a meaningful finale!”
“We are only complete in the embrace of God! Instead of becoming mere specks in the universe, let us be reborn as a part of Him!”
Niolle blinked once and laid out the information.
[They are all young people. They seem like students. They are completely absorbed in their religion. They wouldn’t hesitate to go through fire and water for it.]
“It appears so to me as well. Apocalyptists are just as colorful, no matter where you look.”
“…Not every student is like that. Though the number of young people starting to harbor strange beliefs has risen, the majority are still well-meaning, intelligent kids.”
Abraham defended them like that, but the fact that no one stopped those loudly preaching and that there were quite a few students intently observing hinted at what the university’s future might hold.
They’d spread like mold on bread, oh-so-quickly.
Abraham parked the car in the faculty parking lot and led everyone to the university buildings. The astronomy building was one of the more run-down structures.
The three decided to audit a class while waiting for Abraham.
As time passed, students began to gather in small groups, filling the lecture hall. Among them were some in white cowls. Abraham started the lecture right on time, discussing the methods of observing stars, their movements, and their mathematical significance.
It was from the perspective of a scientist. Abraham didn’t add any religious significance to the stars; he simply did his best to explain the world’s appearance. The lecture was passionate, filled with vocabulary that was easy for the students to understand.
However, half of the students were bored, and those in white cowls seemed to be disregarding the class, chatting amongst themselves like they were in a café.
“This…!”
“Hold it in.”
Bennett spent his time trying to prevent Tara from bolting like a wild horse. After the class ended, the students left their seats. Abraham awkwardly smiled as he spoke.
“It seems my lecture wasn’t very interesting.”
“No, Abraham! It was truly fascinating! Really! Especially since you completely excluded theological perspectives…”
While Tara praised Abraham for various aspects of the lecture, Bennett interjected from behind her.
“Is that something a Saintess should be saying…?”
“Shut up, Bennett!”
===============================================================
The library of Miskatonic University was reminiscent of a labyrinth. The shelves were scattered chaotically, making it quite easy for first-time visitors to lose their way.
In fact, several students appeared to be wandering dazedly through the library. Bennett tried to memorize the distinctive structures to remember the way.
It was unclear whether this design was intentional or if it had naturally turned into a lazy labyrinth from neglect.
With a worried expression, Tara leaned over to Niolle and asked.
“…Did you memorize the way out, Niolle?”
[Yes!]
“Phew…”
Bennett nudged Tara as he passed by.
“Try to memorize it yourself.”
“It’s division of labor, okay?!”
“If you’re going to talk about division of labor, start by doing the cleaning properly! You’re on cleaning duty!”
“Geez…!”
While Bennett and Tara squabbled, Niolle quietly filled the whiteboard. Since it was for an old man, she wrote in larger letters than usual. Then, she raised it to show Abraham.
[Do you know anything about a Shining Trapezohedron?]
“…That’s new to me. Is it perhaps related to the occult?”
[Maybe.]
“Seditious books concerning occult, magic, and conspiracy theories are kept in the Forbidden Stacks away from students. Could it be that you also…”
Niolle quickly threw Bennett under the bus.
[As you know, Bennett is very interested in those topics. But you don’t have to worry! He’s just enjoying it as a passing fancy, and if he starts going down the wrong path, Tara and I will drag him back!]
“Yes, we’ll take responsibility and stop him, Abraham!”
“Is that so…? In that case, I’ll open the door to the Forbidden Stacks. It just so happens that I’m the manager there.”
However, Abraham added a condition.
“But it will be under supervision. I trust you, but before trust, professional ethics must be maintained. Is that still agreeable to you?”
“Of course, Abraham.”
Abraham nodded and pulled out a silver key from his pocket. He skillfully navigated through the maze-like library, passing by shelves packed with astronomical books, until he arrived at a shabby old door.
Creaaaak.
The ancient hinges let out a wail, revealing the room inside.
Unlike the library, the room was neatly organized. Books were tightly packed on shelves arranged in rows, and in one corner stood a large safe that looked quite sturdy and solid at first glance.
Bennett asked.
“What is that safe for?”
“It’s a personal safe. Since I manage the Forbidden Stacks… I figured I might as well store some important items here too. Inside are things you are already aware of.”
“…Research materials?”
“Correct. I’ve stored copies of the research materials in the safe. Feel free to browse the books. However, do not get too immersed in the occult. That’s no different than abandoning reason.”
“Yes. I’ll be cautious.”
Bennett nodded, though his expression was a bit sour. How did he end up under this scrutiny from Abraham? When he thought about it, wasn’t it Tara who first cut ties and threw him to the wolves?
“What are you staring at?”
“…”
Just wait and see. I won’t let this slide. Bennett swallowed his frustration.
You researched the books in the Forbidden Stacks. The collection was so vast that it was practically left to chance what you could examine in a single day. True to the nature of seditious books, all sorts of bizarre and strange titles filled the shelves.
Whether it was a book containing recipes for sardine pies,
A dissertation arguing the similarities between humans and dogs,
Magazines that collected weird rumors, like sightings of humans with fish heads at a certain coastline,
And highly explicit adult novels.
“…!”
“Tara, did you find something?”
“No, nothing! I didn’t find anything! Absolutely nothing!”
“Your reaction seems a bit off. Just because you viewed it alone doesn’t mean you have to hog all the spoils. In a situation where even slight hints are crucial, if anything seems dubious, bring it to the table.”
“No, hey! Let go! Ngh, why are you so freakishly strong?!”
Bennett nonchalantly snatched the book from Tara’s hands, flipped through a few pages, and then returned it to her, whose face had turned a bright shade of red.
“Things like this are for you to read alone.”
“But you’re the one who took it from me-!! And I didn’t even read it, okay?!”
A second confrontation erupted.
While Bennett was verbally flooring Tara, having gained the upper hand, Abraham cleared his throat a few times and declared the investigation over.
“Shall we call it a day? I’ll open the Forbidden Stacks again tomorrow. It’s time to head home and prepare dinner.”
[Yes, Abraham.]
“Y-Yes! That sounds great!”
Tara agreed enthusiastically. Bennett clicked his tongue in disappointment at Tara slipping away from his trap. He had missed a perfect opportunity to tease her for at least 20 more minutes.
But then, he suddenly realized.
Hadn’t they become a lot closer than he thought? At some point, it seemed he could casually start light conversations with both Tara and Niolle.
He had a general idea of what they liked and disliked, how they behaved, and what they were thinking. Chit-chatting with them was surprisingly enjoyable. Sometimes, he even forgot about his little sister for a moment.
His feelings were tangled.
Living under the same roof, sharing meals at the same table, and waking up to see each other’s faces every day had made him grow fond of them far too quickly.
Perhaps, like Tara, he too was starved of affection.
Yet… he still had time to sort out his emotions. For now, he decided to bury them. It was still manageable. For now.
After observing Tara with her arms crossed, walking beside Abraham, and Niolle clutching the whiteboard and looking back at him as if asking if he wasn’t going to follow, Bennett took off after them.
===============================================================
#5: Fanatic / Missing Person
This occurred while they were riding in Abraham’s car.
!!
Niolle, who had been gazing out the window at the passing road, suddenly shot upright, bumping her head against the car ceiling. Then, she flapped her arms frantically, drawing attention to herself.
“What is the matter?”
“Niolle, what’s wrong?”
!!
She didn’t have time to write on her whiteboard, so she pointed outside the window at something they had already passed. However, realizing it was too late, Niolle quickly wrote it down.
[A woman was getting kidnapped. By people in white cowls.]
“Is something happening back there? Did something go down?”
As Abraham, who was driving and looking ahead, glanced back into the rearview mirror, Tara and Bennett spoke almost simultaneously.
“Abraham, stop the car!”
“No, there’s no need to stop.”
“Bennett, again with this…!”
“If you’re going to say we should go save her, then forget it. I’ve said this before…”
Grab.
Niolle climbed on top of Bennett and gripped his shoulders tightly. Bennett tensed up, thinking she was about to fight him, but he relaxed upon seeing her expression. Even without Niolle speaking or writing, he could understand what she was saying through her eyes.
Give us just one chance.
After hesitating, Bennett sighed deeply, thinking maybe he was getting a bit too involved. He gently pushed Niolle aside and spoke to Abraham.
“Something came up, Abraham. We’ll be back before dinner, so could you please stop the vehicle for a moment?”
“Is it something dangerous?”
“Not at all.”
“Then take care of yourself and come back safely. I have something I wish to tell you all later.”
Abraham’s car came to a stop. Niolle was the first to hop out, racing back down the road, with Bennett and Tara close behind, sprinting side by side.
The old man watched them leave and then drove home.
He couldn’t say he wasn’t worried. He was also curious about what was happening. However, Abraham was well aware of just how cautious Bennett was.
Since he confidently stated it wasn’t dangerous, Bennett surely had his own calculations in mind. Abraham trusted him—a young man who, aside from his belief in the occult, was reliable and competent.
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