Chapter 229 - Chapter 229: Cyril and Steve
Cyril had visited the cell where Bell was being held.
Bell noticed Cyril and bowed his head.
"Thank you for arranging a capable lawyer."
"You are one of my precious students. I will do everything I can."
Cyril replied.
Currently, Bell had a lawyer from one of the country's top law firms. This was arranged and paid for by Cyril.
Bell had been told by the lawyer about this and had wanted to express his gratitude. It was in this context that Cyril had come to visit.
Of course, there were eyes watching this meeting, but neither of them seemed to mind.
"Why do something like this?"
"I was asked many times during the interrogation, but it is simply the desire to throw things far away."
"Was there no other way?"
"The military budget offers the highest amount of money. Research costs money, and success is possible only because there is money. There are many more things the Doctor could not have achieved without a budget, wouldn't you say?"
Hearing this from Bell, Cyril fell silent and began to think.
He had conducted various research projects with Steve, but those were made possible thanks to national budgets or funding from nobles seeking returns on research results.
That is the way of the world. Humanity did not reach the moon because science developed; humanity reached the moon because there was a budget. Science and computer performance have developed far more now than in 1969, the year humanity first landed on the moon. Yet, Japan has not landed on the moon because there is no budget.
Cyril did not know about the moon landing, but he understood what Bell meant.
Research to launch artificial satellites with cannons is less likely to receive a budget than research to attack distant enemy countries with cannonballs.
"Even so, getting involved in a crime like this? There was a possibility of losing your life."
"I want to build this cannon as quickly as possible. For that purpose, I fear nothing. I will live with this and die with this. There is no hesitation."
In Bell's eyes, which stated this so decisively, there was not a shred of doubt.
Pure as a researcher, Cyril thought so.
"What do you plan to do after the verdict is passed and the sentence is served?"
"I want to do research again. Even now. I don't expect computers, but I want paper and pens. I want to calculate with my own hands like in the old days."
"I understand. I will convey that request to have it fulfilled."
"Thank you very much."
After speaking to that extent, Cyril left the cell.
Steve was waiting outside.
"How was it?"
"He hasn't changed. Now, what shall we do?"
"Perhaps if a budget is allocated for space development research? If a cheaper method than rockets is established to launch artificial satellites, that would be best."
"But the possibility of military conversion..."
Steve's optimistic thinking could not be simply agreed with by Cyril. Bell's research would always remain a cannon.
Steve also gave a bitter smile at this.
"The things we have researched are divided by people into peaceful use or military use. Automobile and railway technology is sometimes used for military purposes. In the end, it depends on the person."
"Could Your Excellency monitor the world and prevent military use?"
At Cyril's question, Steve shook his head.
"I am not immortal forever. Well, I might be able to gain an almost immortal life, but I have no confidence in keeping my sanity for thousands of years."
What floated to Steve's mind was the Sect Master of the Fries Holy Church. He used Necromancy to gain an undead body, but it was obvious he was not sane. Moreover, the end result of having an immortal body eaten forever by Man-eating Grass. Even if it is immortality, such a thing is unwanted.
"You do not deny immortality, do you?"
Cyril stated this calmly without much surprise. He had thought perhaps Steve would say so.
"Yes. But I believe death is liberation from all suffering. So I will do my best until I die, but I want to be at ease after I die. It is also troublesome to worry about children forever."
"That is truly a thought befitting Your Excellency. If those who govern the world knew this, they would not think that way. They are like gods."
"Gods are not good things at all. If they were omniscient, omnipotent, and infallible, they should have saved all suffering people in the world right now. Not doing so while claiming to be omniscient and omnipotent makes them frauds. Because they cannot do it."
"You are still strict on religion, aren't you?"
Cyril reminisced about the past. Steve had always been a realist and never said he would rely on gods or the like. The fact that this has not changed even now induced nostalgia.
And the two left the building where Bell was imprisoned.