# Unclassified Anomaly, Outer God - (7)
"...The red book where your consciousness resides. You called it a grimoire? I would like to research its contents."
A researcher asking to study the grimoire.
Is this an official request from the Foundation? Probably not just personal curiosity.
They don't seem like an organization that would recklessly handle dangerous objects.
Perhaps they've learned something about the grimoire's contents through the anomalies of this dimension.
[Do you know what's contained in this book?]
"I have a general understanding. The numerous anomalies that were used to find your name have provided some insights. Although we couldn't find the name, we can guess parts of the content."
The researcher pulls out a piece of paper from their waist and reads it.
Probably a report or summary of their investigation about me.
"The Foundation has many anomalies with unique abilities. Some can extract specific information or reveal what the user wants to know. Based on these, the grimoire's contents are likely..."
The contents?
"We suspect it contains information about receiving power from unclassified anomalies from other dimensions, or details about their distinctive physical characteristics. Is that correct?"
Can they know without reading it directly? The laws of this dimension are truly fascinating.
But if they suspect such information is contained within, shouldn't they avoid approaching it altogether?
[That's roughly correct. It contains methods to summon deities from my side and information about them. But aren't you an organization for humanity? I would think such information would be strictly controlled.]
"On the contrary, the more dangerous information appears, the more we need to understand it and devise countermeasures. That's why I'm seeking your advice and cooperation."
So they want to research it but are asking permission first, concerned about potential problems from mishandling it?
If deities were summoned in this dimension, I could control them, so there shouldn't be any issues...
[Very well. I'll allow you to analyze the grimoire. But I have a condition.]
"A condition?"
[You mentioned letting me contact these unclassified anomalies? Bring someone quickly. Anyone will do.]
"Umm...!"
A hesitant sound escapes the researcher's lips.
They've been willing to bring anomalies classified as A-Class or below, but they seem reluctant to let me contact unclassified anomalies.
In truth, I understand the Foundation's position.
When two beings are placed together and one is overwhelmingly stronger, the worst outcome is that the weaker one dies.
But if both are nearly equal, the aftermath of their conflict could destroy the Foundation's site or cause massive casualties.
Unclassified means a godlike being capable of reality manipulation. It would be difficult for mortals to determine superiority among divine beings.
It would be arrogant for those "below" to compare those "above."
[I understand your concerns. You're hesitant because of the potential aftermath if a fight breaks out.]
"......"
But no being stands above me. This is an absolute proposition and truth.
It has always been so, and will continue to be.
[But as I've repeatedly said, the unclassified anomalies I killed on my way here were all insignificant.]
So bring someone without worry.
Or should I find them myself?
* * *
"...I'll relay your request to the higher-ups."
The researcher said they would pass on my conditions to their superiors, then left.
Perhaps they'll bring unclassified anomalies after finishing their research on the grimoire.
Despite how loosely the unclassified criteria might be applied, the Foundation surely has internal classification standards.
They wouldn't casually classify divine beings as unclassified.
There must be another classification system they don't disclose publicly... combining danger levels, hostility, and other factors.
[Hmm.]
This also means I remain in this confined containment chamber.
I've noticed the Foundation's movements to assess my specific danger level and hostility.
If I consistently show disinterest in the humans of this dimension, wouldn't they be more proactive in helping me find my true name?
The feeling of being treated like a dangerous bomb in this confined space was quite novel.
But if my true self were treated this way, perhaps I would have been displeased? Maybe divine beings who felt offended by the Foundation's treatment have gone berserk.
Either they were subdued and contained by the Foundation's capabilities, or they cooperate with the Foundation for their own purposes or interests.
Or perhaps they were even the founders who established the Foundation...
In any case, the Foundation as an organization was clearly deeply connected to divine beings.
That's why I could make such demands.
---
Several days later, an official request came from the Foundation.
They asked for permission to read or decode the grimoire. They would take full responsibility for any consequences and offered to actively arrange meetings with unclassified anomalies if I agreed to the research.
I naturally accepted.
The worst imaginable outcome would be some deities being summoned or a few fanatics being produced.
As long as they don't cause the annihilation of the mortals' world, there's no problem.
But can humans truly understand the grimoire's contents?
It seems difficult for ordinary mortals to read, unlike those with divine or semi-divine status, or special abilities.
[Yes. Rest assured and research it. The contents probably won't drive readers insane or kill them.]
But these Foundation mortals were thorough to a fault.
Even after I expressed my willingness to cooperate, they pushed in prisoners who appeared to be test subjects, perhaps not trusting my word.
*Creeak*
When they requested I move to a much larger containment chamber, I teleported to the largest room in Site-461.
Outside the room, a mortal was muttering and writing a report: "Unclassified Anomaly, Outer God is completely free from spatial constraints at the site, and containment methods are..." That was understandable, but I was quite impressed by their meticulousness in sending expendable prisoners first.
Men with shaved heads and handcuffs. Orange prison uniforms. Badges starting with D attached to their chests.
Are those bomb collars? There are also chokers that look like remotely operated electric shock devices.
[...Experimenting through prisoners. Being treated as hazardous material is novel, but I didn't expect this level.]
I wondered if human rights issues might arise, like in the Intergalactic Empire Federation or Earth Federation.
But I understood when considering the gap between the Foundation's technology and what ordinary people enjoy.
The real ruler of this planet is not nations but this organization called the Foundation.
They can disregard mortals' basic rights as they see fit.
As I observed the orange-clad humans entering my area, a voice echoed from a speaker in the corner of the room.
"D-5671, open that red book and read its contents aloud."
"What? No... You want me to read a book that looks so obviously ominous? It looks like an anomaly—are you just telling me to die? I may be on death row, but this is too much..."
"D-5671, you have 30 seconds."
"This is bull—"
The man in orange looked at me and gave me a very disgruntled look.
The broadcast continued to urge him, but he couldn't easily approach.
Understandably. In a dimension where incomprehensible anomalies exist, one would be cautious upon discovering an obviously unusual book.
Who would willingly follow orders to read an ominous red book floating in mid-air?
"29. 30..."
"No! Anyone can see this is a dangerous anomaly! Just shoot me instead! Don't sacrifice me to that unknown thing..."
*Thud.*
Thirty seconds passed. The prisoner, who had been protesting with a reddened face, collapsed bleeding.
The Foundation had executed him through some method.
[More merciless than I expected.]
"If you found that displeasing, we will refrain from such methods. Punishment for disobeying orders is Foundation policy, but..."
[I have no intention of interfering with your methods, so don't worry about it.]
The faces of the orange-clad men who had been looking at me with a glimmer of hope turned sickly pale.
If this were the Earth Federation, I might have intervened through Maria, but this is a different dimension, so it's not my place to comment.
"D-7162, open that red book and read its contents aloud."
"Damn it..."
A calm voice echoed from the speaker, and the next chosen victim approached with a grimace.
Despite his rather fierce face, he couldn't hide his fear.
[Hmm. So those who commit crimes are taken to the Foundation and used for experiments?]
"...!"
The man startled greatly and hesitated despite my attempt to send my thoughts gently.
After pausing momentarily, he gritted his teeth, approached, and grabbed the grimoire.
*Flutter.*
"...What is this?"
"D-7162, explain what you see."
"I don't understand any of it! What is this supposed to say?"
A mortal unable to understand the grimoire's contents.
I distinctly remember placing translation authority in the grimoire, but perhaps it's because I'm controlling the grimoire with part of my consciousness.
As I considered whether to inject knowledge into his mind, instructions continued to come from the wall speaker.
"Use the 'magnifying glass' you were given to decode the contents."
"Ugh... I can open to any page?"
"You don't have to read from the first page. Read the contents of a randomly opened page."
The man in orange took out a small magnifying glass from his pocket.
It looked ordinary—is it also an anomaly? Or a translator using technology?
Anyway, the man began reading the text, holding the small magnifying glass over the grimoire.
It seemed to be translating into a language he could understand, as he read slowly, albeit stumblingly.
"...Ia... Zha'korr veth-Naal (Under the black moon, the sleeper, thy name shall be...)...na-hri..."
"D-7162. What are you saying? Interpret it in your usual language."
"Azzra'mon kheth-thaa (The flesh as a gate. The gate...)..."
"D-7162. I'll say it again. Translate the book's contents into your everyday language."
Hmm? I can hear it properly, but it seems other mortals cannot understand the content.
But this mortal's behavior was somewhat strange. He seemed entranced.
*Drip. Drip.*
Red liquid flowing from the man's eyes, ears, and nose, falling to the floor.
A slightly convulsing body. A mouth that couldn't stop. But the mortal couldn't move on to the third verse.
It was already too late.
*Thud.*
The human, who had been spewing large amounts of blood from his face, fell sideways and died.
A solemn silence fell over the speaker that had been urging the prisoner and the other prisoners who had been relieved at not being chosen as sacrifices.
"...The experiment is temporarily suspended. Everyone leave the containment chamber."
An ordinary person without any special abilities or bloodline.
Is this what happens when a completely ordinary human tries to read the grimoire?