skgoat

Catastrophe Messengers sometimes hand scientists data for their analysis, and then they will decide with the data whether there's a need to move somewhere else to avoid Catastrophes. That's one of the many ways we work.

By doing that, we transfer the risk of a forecast being incorrect to the person making the call.

That way, if it turns out there isn't a Catastrophe, the economic impact of the city's resettlement isn't on the Messenger's head.

Catastrophe Messengers are humans after all, and when you possess all the emotions that humans normally have, mistakes are inevitable.

You hear of Messengers who lose confidence, start doubting themselves after an incorrect forecast, and they ultimately leave the business altogether.

It's only natural for us to make mistakes, but the consequences that Catastrophe Messengers face for their mistakes are far too severe...

This method of shifting blame was created to protect the Messengers.

Of course, that also gave us more data analysis work.

It takes time for them to come and go as well, so the only Messengers that I can help are the ones in Rhodes Island's surroundings.

That's not too bad. It gives you more time at Rhodes Island.

If you still ran all over the world as both a Catastrophe Messenger and a geologist like before, we probably wouldn't even get to meet once a year.

Is that why you waste every single chance we get to meet?

Ehe?

Stop it with the happy smiley face!

You were the one who told me to do that!

That's right. I just don't want anyone to repeat Professor Bachmann's tragedy.

Oh, is that the famous Professor Bachmann from the Gurk Private Academy? She's a famed geologist and musician in Leithanien. So she was your mentor!

My mother knew her.

When I was young, she came to my house once during a birthday party.

Of course, she didn't know it was my birthday. She only stopped by to ask my mom about work.

But once she found out it was my birthday, she played a piece for me.

I can still remember that beautiful melody.

She's the person whom I look up to the most.

Did something happen to Professor Bachmann?

A noble from the countryside appointed her as their Catastrophe Messenger, and she gave them a professional analysis.

Professor Bachmann used to be a Catastrophe Messenger?!

She is of course more well known as a geologist and a musician, but she was indeed a Catastrophe Messenger.

The noble asked Professor Bachmann to give them a final, explicit answer—whether a Catastrophe was going to happen...

...and whether the citizens would need to move.

Professor Bachmann was actually a very simple-minded Leithanian scholar. She was old, but she was not a very shrewd person.

She always chose the most conservative of methods. That's also why, after she conducted an analysis of the area's geological samples, she recommended that the citizens leave right away.

In the end, the Catastrophe didn't happen.

The citizens went back to where they were, and their crops were ruined.

They had to give what little food they had left to the nobles and starve.

When the commoners handed over their food in tears, this is what the nobles told them...

'This is all Bachmann's fault. If her predictions weren't off, we would never have evacuated.'

'It's all her fault that you have to go through this.'

'This is all her fault.'

That ignited the commoners' ire.

Professor Bachmann was attacked that very same night. They bashed her head with a rock, then tied her up and burned her to death.

Not Professor Bachmann...!

You don't want that to happen to anyone else.

You want to protect others with knowledge, not violence.

Is the reason you like geology so much because you can use this knowledge to protect others?

No, not exactly.

My motivation is actually very simple. Unlike you, I wasn't very talented in Arts.

I have gotten better at Originium Arts after my infection, but that doesn't mean I've come to have a talent for it.

I just don't have a knack for Originium Arts. I'm too clumsy.

You are too humble, you know? If you're supposed to be clumsy, then I guess I'm probably the stupidest person there is.

You got the last part right at least.

Considering my talent, forcing myself to learn Originium Arts wouldn't get me anywhere.

I was smart when I was a kid, and my parents had high hopes for me.

I read lots of books. I was mastering certain basic Arts and their associated theories much earlier than normal.

Everyone thought I was primed to do great things. My parents hoped that I would elevate our family's status, which would give us the opportunity to move to the city.

But as I grew up and the things that I had to learn became more complicated, I found out I wasn't going to get anywhere with just my 'smarts.'

Even though I knew the theories like the back of my hand, I just simply didn't have the talent. I had no way to do the things I couldn't do.

Geology is different. This is where I could find myself as long as I studied hard.

This is where I can find that me my parents were hoping for me to be.

So, from the get-go, you pretty much had no choice but to study geology?

No, I wouldn't say that, but it was Professor Bachmann and her geology lessons that rescued and accepted me when I hit the rock bottom of my depression.

It was only from that point onward that I started to study geology, and through each small achievement I made, I learned to love it.

This is the place where I belong. This is my home.

Geology sounds pretty boring, though.

Quite the contrary. Even if you stack all the books in the world together, the stack will only go so tall.

But geology is an endless bookshelf.

Each and every field study will get you a different story and help you understand the history of that place.

Just like they are whispering to me...

Geology is a natural library that has no limits.

From that point of view, it's not boring, and it certainly doesn't make me feel lonely.

So you think it's pretty fun working here?

No, Provence. Running tests and doing research inside a lab aren't geology.

Analyzing the contents of soil samples brought back by Messengers and estimating the chances of a Catastrophe happening isn't really geology either.

The equipment that Earthspirit is using is portable, and its functions are simple. It's meant to be used when she's taking samples outdoors.

I've been staying inside with my equipment because Rhodes Island and our Catastrophe Messengers need me.

Although it does feel like I've had a little too much on my plate lately. Why is it that even the Messengers I barely know are here asking me for reports?

Well, as a Messenger, it really drags me down if I make a bad prediction.

Your reports help us make a general projection.

These reports are supposed to be written by researchers on the subject, but even though their work may be professional, they also add lots of stuff that has nothing to do with our work.

But not only are you an excellent geologist, you're a great Messenger yourself.

So even...

Even if you didn't need to show your employers any reports, you still wanted one to use as a reference.

Oh? No wonder I've had so much more work lately. So this is why.

Heheh, thanks to me, you are like a legend among Catastrophe Messengers!

'The Master of Fraktur.' That's what they call you. Doesn't that sound super cool?

So all those times you had me do your work...

All that overtime...

Oh, right, I gotta take a shower now. I'll leave the documents here—

Stop right there!

Oh no, my legs are going numb.

I'll hunt her down for you, Earthspirit!

No, no need. It'll get better after I take a few steps! You should get some rest!

My leg... ugh... that hurts...

Provence, hold it right there!

Brr, it's cold.

All the more reason to knock, instead of wasting time out here.

But I don't know her that well.

Glad to see you're as shy as ever, even after all these years.

It still feels weird that we've become colleagues, even after all these years.

Alright, then I guess I'll help you out, as a colleague.

Yes?