Chapter 48 Part 2: Exchange
What did I hear, ‘He'd rather see Toluk destroyed?' It was a statement that made me question his sanity, but Theodore was nonchalant.
He smiled brightly and explained.
“The ‘We' I was referring to is the general Toluk perspective. I, Theodore, have a different perspective. I have no affection for Toluk. I love Earthlings a hundred times more.”
“Such….”
“Do you think I'm lying? I've crossed that line enough times already, coming into the Gate this secretly, and the things I've been hiding from you could have my head cut off in an instant if they ever found out, and yet there's only one reason I've done this!”
The blue eyes flashed with madness.
“My Affection!”
‘He's crazy.'
I thought to myself.
“Did you think I was crazy?”
“Anyone would think so.”
“Maybe, but for a researcher like me, something that makes my heart beat fast is very special. First it was the pollution, then it was the Gate, and now it's the Earth!”
As he spoke, Theodore swooned as if he were truly in love. His face was radiating happiness. It gave me goosebumps.
“It's none of my business if Toluk is ruined. That place no longer appeals to me. Only Earth, this unknown world, excites me. How wonderful it would be to visit it for real, not through some fake space like the Gate. I shiver with pleasure just thinking about it.”
“But if Toluk dies, you'll die too.”
“Don't worry. I'll have the skills to escape before then.”
It was a commanding confidence. He wouldn't be wrong. The only time Theodore appeared in person, other than on his arrangements, was when he could actually walk out of the gate.
I'm not sure how it worked, but… somehow, he walked alone into Earth's embrace while the other Toluks scrambled to get out of the gate.
When he was rumored to have done that, I thought it was just a rumor for the bored people who got nothing to do, but now that I see it, I don't think that's the case.
I don't know why he loves Earth so much, or what the underlying reason is, because he never really answered me when I asked, so it remained a mystery even before the regression.
“… Okay, I get that you're a friendly enemy of Earth, so maybe we can make some kind of meaningful deal. Don't you think so?”
“Like what?”
“You say you're the highest authority on the Gate, so I'm guessing you're responsible for all the non-wave gates that are happening on Earth right now. I want that information.”
Other gates can reduce their victims by identifying the waves in advance.
If you follow the announcements and avoid the gates these days, you'll never encounter them. That's why we've recently seen the emergence of non-wave gates.
They literally have no waves, so they can't be detected, and most people who get caught in them die. A typical example is the Yeonhwado gate.
“Of course, that's not difficult, but… won't you have any means of contacting me?”
“Is it only through this gate that you can sneak in?”
“Any gate will do, if you're a little careful.”
“Then it doesn't matter, I spend most of my life at the gate.”
At my words, Theodore's expression became ethereal. It's like the way I used to look at Theodore.
It's like looking at a crazy person.
“Hmmm… then what can you offer me?”
I wondered how I could satisfy this Earth nerd.
‘Should I give him Earth newspapers, objects, or photographs of the outer planets?'
Anything would be a good trade for this guy. I had information about Theodore that I had heard about him before the regression.
I set Theodore down on the floor and unpacked my things.
It was one of the many things I had brought with me to survive in the dungeon.
“That's some strange colored water.”
“It's called ionized water.”
It was well known that Theodore had a fascination with Earth's beverages.
‘He said his favorite was soda, but we can't bring that into the dungeon. Instead, it's a commercially available ionized drink, so the moderately sweet flavor will be quite refreshing.'
Little Theodore was too small to open the drink on his own, so I put it down in the lid. Still, it was almost the same size as Theodore's head.
“Oooooh!”
Theodore put his head in and took a sip, not caring that he was still dressed as an aristocrat. He liked it quite a bit and let out an exclamation.
“What a strange flavor!”
“It's a hydrating drink, and there are some out there that have a tangy flavor called soda.”
“Oh Carbonated drink! I've heard of Carbonated drinks before, but they say it's not good for you. This water tastes so sweet!”
It's not natural, it's processed, but I don't think I need to explain, so I nodded.
“Strange, strange! This strange color and intoxicating taste, indeed. It must be a specialty of your world. There are similar things in our world. Things like coffee and tea. It's a luxury for us, too, though its taste and aroma are exquisite.”
I don't think soda or this drink is a luxury good… For us, the more expensive brands of coffee and tea are more of a luxury item too, but it can't hurt for it to look expensive, so I kept my mouth shut.
“If you bring me the information, I can offer you different types of drinks, and if you want, I can get you things from Earth, like pictures.”
“Pictures! Pictures of Earth! Hmmm… I'd love that, but alas, I can't take them home with me. It will be like an illusion…!”
And then he wondered what he should ask for.
“Why don't you make up your mind until the next time we meet? Will that work?”
“What? What are you talking about? I have information to sell you right now.”
‘What?'
“Are you saying that… A non-wave gate is about to open?”
Chapter 48 Part 2: Exchange
What did I hear, ‘He'd rather see Toluk destroyed?' It was a statement that made me question his sanity, but Theodore was nonchalant.
He smiled brightly and explained.
“The ‘We' I was referring to is the general Toluk perspective. I, Theodore, have a different perspective. I have no affection for Toluk. I love Earthlings a hundred times more.”
“Such….”
“Do you think I'm lying? I've crossed that line enough times already, coming into the Gate this secretly, and the things I've been hiding from you could have my head cut off in an instant if they ever found out, and yet there's only one reason I've done this!”
The blue eyes flashed with madness.
“My Affection!”
‘He's crazy.'
I thought to myself.
“Did you think I was crazy?”
“Anyone would think so.”
“Maybe, but for a researcher like me, something that makes my heart beat fast is very special. First it was the pollution, then it was the Gate, and now it's the Earth!”
As he spoke, Theodore swooned as if he were truly in love. His face was radiating happiness. It gave me goosebumps.
“It's none of my business if Toluk is ruined. That place no longer appeals to me. Only Earth, this unknown world, excites me. How wonderful it would be to visit it for real, not through some fake space like the Gate. I shiver with pleasure just thinking about it.”
“But if Toluk dies, you'll die too.”
“Don't worry. I'll have the skills to escape before then.”
It was a commanding confidence. He wouldn't be wrong. The only time Theodore appeared in person, other than on his arrangements, was when he could actually walk out of the gate.
I'm not sure how it worked, but… somehow, he walked alone into Earth's embrace while the other Toluks scrambled to get out of the gate.
When he was rumored to have done that, I thought it was just a rumor for the bored people who got nothing to do, but now that I see it, I don't think that's the case.
I don't know why he loves Earth so much, or what the underlying reason is, because he never really answered me when I asked, so it remained a mystery even before the regression.
“… Okay, I get that you're a friendly enemy of Earth, so maybe we can make some kind of meaningful deal. Don't you think so?”
“Like what?”
“You say you're the highest authority on the Gate, so I'm guessing you're responsible for all the non-wave gates that are happening on Earth right now. I want that information.”
Other gates can reduce their victims by identifying the waves in advance.
If you follow the announcements and avoid the gates these days, you'll never encounter them. That's why we've recently seen the emergence of non-wave gates.
They literally have no waves, so they can't be detected, and most people who get caught in them die. A typical example is the Yeonhwado gate.
“Of course, that's not difficult, but… won't you have any means of contacting me?”
“Is it only through this gate that you can sneak in?”
“Any gate will do, if you're a little careful.”
“Then it doesn't matter, I spend most of my life at the gate.”
At my words, Theodore's expression became ethereal. It's like the way I used to look at Theodore.
It's like looking at a crazy person.
“Hmmm… then what can you offer me?”
I wondered how I could satisfy this Earth nerd.
‘Should I give him Earth newspapers, objects, or photographs of the outer planets?'
Anything would be a good trade for this guy. I had information about Theodore that I had heard about him before the regression.
I set Theodore down on the floor and unpacked my things.
It was one of the many things I had brought with me to survive in the dungeon.
“That's some strange colored water.”
“It's called ionized water.”
It was well known that Theodore had a fascination with Earth's beverages.
‘He said his favorite was soda, but we can't bring that into the dungeon. Instead, it's a commercially available ionized drink, so the moderately sweet flavor will be quite refreshing.'
Little Theodore was too small to open the drink on his own, so I put it down in the lid. Still, it was almost the same size as Theodore's head.
“Oooooh!”
Theodore put his head in and took a sip, not caring that he was still dressed as an aristocrat. He liked it quite a bit and let out an exclamation.
“What a strange flavor!”
“It's a hydrating drink, and there are some out there that have a tangy flavor called soda.”
“Oh Carbonated drink! I've heard of Carbonated drinks before, but they say it's not good for you. This water tastes so sweet!”
It's not natural, it's processed, but I don't think I need to explain, so I nodded.
“Strange, strange! This strange color and intoxicating taste, indeed. It must be a specialty of your world. There are similar things in our world. Things like coffee and tea. It's a luxury for us, too, though its taste and aroma are exquisite.”
I don't think soda or this drink is a luxury good… For us, the more expensive brands of coffee and tea are more of a luxury item too, but it can't hurt for it to look expensive, so I kept my mouth shut.
“If you bring me the information, I can offer you different types of drinks, and if you want, I can get you things from Earth, like pictures.”
“Pictures! Pictures of Earth! Hmmm… I'd love that, but alas, I can't take them home with me. It will be like an illusion…!”
And then he wondered what he should ask for.
“Why don't you make up your mind until the next time we meet? Will that work?”
“What? What are you talking about? I have information to sell you right now.”
‘What?'
“Are you saying that… A non-wave gate is about to open?”
