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It took Ainz only one day in the Singularity to almost solve it. Ainz, and his Servants, discounting Singularity F, seemed to have solved the Singularity in record time. Though with Da Vinci unexpectedly among the latter, perhaps it is to be expected.
Although Roman was a little lonely with Da Vinci's absence, at the same time Roman could not help but rejoice at such a turn of events. Well, he should savor it while it lasts, according to the general decision of the inhabitants of Chaldea - and the Chief's - he shouldn't expect it to happen again anytime soon.
It's not that Roman did not enjoy Da Vinci's company, as eclectic as it might be, it's just that her experiments are not exactly good for the heart. Da Vinci sometimes could go too far with her experiment… okay, she pretty much goes too 'far' with all of them, and Roman doesn't particularly enjoy the experience. While she handled all the out of control results before any of the staff or Servants even had time to feel what had happened, the blaring warnings going out in the command center meant he had the unwanted privilege of having a front row seat to any possible mishap. At least Da Vinci had handled everything so far perfectly before her experiment could destroy the last remnants of life on the planet… at least judging by the fact that Chaldea still continued to stand. While Roman strongly believed that Da Vinci, if she made mistakes, could still competently control them, it doesn't mean that he enjoyed exercising his heart that way.
No, the fact that, with Da Vinci happily gallivanting on the front line, Roman finally had some free time! With Da Vinci shouldering the most exhausting and yet most important function of Chaldea right now, observing Ainz's actions and progress, Roman was able to convince the Chief that there's nothing more they can do with the fog obscuring everything and convinced her and the rest of the staff to take a break.
Thanks to which, right now, rather than having to sit in dread and fear over Ainz somehow failing, or having his grasp of reality thinning with Ainz's every action, Roman was allowed to spend his time doing his favorite thing! Right now Roman felt pure, unclouded happiness pouring into his mind.
"Raise your hands to the top those who want to hear the new song of Magi Mari!" - Roman could hardly restrain himself. With his headphones resounding with the cutest voice of the most charming of all young idols. With Magi Mari calling him, he almost jumped up with a cry 'Me! Me!', only the risk of the Chief walking in on him prevented him from jumping and shouting in joy. Roman didn't think the Chief would be particularly understanding nor lenient with his punishment. Still, even with the threat of the Chief finding out, it only made him frown, maybe fidget a little in his chair with his anticipation of the concert drowning out the terror.
Definitely, the chief would definitely not forgive him using equipment designed to observe the Singularities as a giant projector, or him watching his favorite idol, or him being distracted during his work, let's just say that if the Chief discovered him he's screwed. Although, he would argue, it's not like there's anything that he could do, other than taking a nap that is, and Roman has an inkling that he would also be punished if he were caught doing that too.
Anyway, as Ainz himself had proved, he could cope with any problem that arose in the Singularity on his own. And, given that Da Vinci herself was now by his side, even if for some reason Ainz experienced some difficulties with the situation in the Singularity Da Vinci would handle it. Chaldea absolutely couldn't help him with any problem he might encounter even with Da Vinci around, even less now that she's not here.
In other words, to be honest, all the inhabitants of Chaldea could do with what happens in the Singularity is to watch Ainz's adventure and exploits, like a particularly good TV show. On another note, one of Roman's principal jobs is to record the happenings in the Singularity. The recordings would then be watched by the other inhabitants of Chaldea that were too busy to watch it live or to any other staff who wanted to watch it again.
It's a bit depressing now that he thinks about it. Though the supporting staff at the command center can't really do much either with communication with Ainz while he's in the Singularity not being possible. And so with the fog blocking even the paltry thing they can do, the rest of the staff had left the command room.
Therefore, Roman did not understand at all why the Chief insisted that Roman stayed in the command room and monitor Ainz progress, or as what is actually happening in the Singularity, watch a blank white screen with the occasional shadows popping up. Fortunately, for his continued sanity, he could use the equipment entrusted to him for his own selfish purposes.
The only possible wrench in his plan of watching Magi Mari was the possibility of the Chief checking on him for some reason - and, perhaps, the lack of coffee. That and the fact that Ainz was now confronting the enemy Servants right now…
Roman glanced at the recording of Magi Mari's concert on the screens, with a great sigh, with the most incredible, unimaginable by the human mind, sorrow, paused Magi Mari's concert. He turned off the video from the concert, and returned the screen back to their connection with Ainz. The screen was right now showing Ainz surrounded by fog, standing opposite a huge robot...
Roman nodded to himself - it looks like Ainz was in another incredible battle, completely surpassing the imagination of any feeble mortal mind...
For the sake of a joke, Roman even glanced at the imaginary watch on his wrist, after which he grinned - "Well, wow, ten in the evening and it's another incredible battle that can change the course of humanity! Right on time!"
Of course, it was just a joke Roman told to himself which made him chuckle. Great battles that changes the course of human history were now so mundane that Roman felt like he was playing a part as a gourmet that is a bit fed up with great delicacies. Well whatever happens in the future he could afford to postpone the incredible sight in front of his eyes and return to it later. In the end, Ainz will win - well, even if he doesn't - Roman will be glad to die ignorant of what killed him.
Therefore, getting up from his seat and stretching his stiff body - Roman put down his headphones, grabbed his empty mug and headed for the exit. He's going to get more coffee, and this time there will be no mishap!
And, as incredible as it may be, it happened.
No random meteorite fell on Roman's head, no panicking Servant knocking him down in the hallway, he did not get into a strange and embarrassing situation between the Servants, his passage was not blocked by a duel between legendary rivals… He did not even get lost along the way!
Roman was able to calmly get to the cafeteria, find the three working coffee machines in it, calmly put his favorite mug in the machine, and get his coffee. What surprised him the most is that he got the kind of coffee that he wanted, and not some abomination that was blacker than the night sky and as thick as tar.
Moreover, right now there was no one in the kitchen, so he could safely get his coffee and exit the place. Not even Archer, who liked to stay here late or even all the time, was around… Which is strange, he liked to even stay in the kitchen even when everybody was already asleep. Well, maybe except for Drake and Cu Chulainn, they usually started drinking at some random room, then got themselves into all sorts of drunken antics until noon the next day, after which the two Servants would then sleep the rest of the day, before doing it all over again at night.
Therefore, without anybody around to bother him Roman felt incredibly great, he even started making another mug of coffee after he finished his previous mug. As he was exiting the cafetaria though Roman did not notice the new visitor to the kitchen at all, crashing into them a moment later, almost spilling his entire mug of extra-strong espresso, three hundred milliliters of pure caffeine for the most desperate souls! Fortunately, Roman managed not to spill a drop of the precious drink as he did his best to maintain his balance.
With his great loot safe, Roman immediately rushed to help the unfortunate person who he had crashed into, who unlike him, had fallen to the ground. The accidental victim of Roman's inattention was a man… Or was it a woman? In fact, it was extremely difficult to make out this simple fact - the man in front of Roman was so androgynous that the only way Roman could determine their gender was the style of their uniform, which, at the moment, looked quite masculine.
"I'm sorry, are you okay?!" - Roman hurried to help the man up. - "I'm really sorry, I didn't expect to see anyone here at such a late hour…"
Roman stretched out his hand to help the unfortunate person, helping the man to rise from the floor. Now that the staff member is no longer playing the part of a rug, Roman decided to take a closer look at the very androgynous man.
Piercing blue eyes, gold-colored hair and soft facial features were so harmoniously and beautifully melded in his appearance. So beautiful that for a second Roman even wondered if his acquaintance was a Servant with some skill that is reflected in his beautiful appearance. His appearance was so fetching that it took Roman a while to determine his identity. That is by staring at his chest, more specifically at the staff id placed there. By the shape of the badge and the name written on it, he was most likely one of the workers of Chaldea.
Roman strained his memory for a second, trying to recall such a worker. Before remembering that he had already met this particular person… Not that long ago, actually.
"Oh, I'm alright." The speaker's voice also doesn't help in identifying their gender. Both high enough for a woman and yet low enough for a man, perfectly balanced making it virtually impossible to determine his gender by voice alone. "In fact, I'm the one that is supposed to apologize, I shouldn't have sneaked up on you like that."
Roman strained his memory one more time - before smiling after remembering the person's name. "Lancel, it's so unexpected to meet you at such a late hour."
"Likewise, Doctor Romani.", - Lancel expresion bloomed into a beatific smile at Roman, and then he started dusting himself off a little. "I see that you have found your way to the control center."
"Yes, of course…" - Roman remembered his last meeting with Lancel and how he saved Roman that had lost his way in the catacombs of communications and service tunnels, moreover, giving him coffee from his thermos. "Did you also come here for coffee?"
"No, not this time." Lancel continued smiling, and then nodded towards the standing teapot. "I'm looking for some green tea time, too much coffee is bad for your health you know."
After these words, Lancel glanced knowingly at Roman's mug, making him feel a little uncomfortable, like a naughty schoolboy standing in front of a teacher who is not upset, but who sees right through you - if not the headmaster.
"It is necessary for my work!" Roman tried to justify himself for some reason, lifting his coffee mug and, as if for persuasiveness, taking a sip, - "I have a long sleepless night ahead!"
"Definitely." Lancel nodded, looking like he's trying his best not to show his real understanding and knowledge of Roman's situation. He then took a couple of steps into the cafeteria, to the teapot. "You have a heavy duty to fulfill after all, and much is hanging on your shoulders."
"On yours too."Roman tried to brush aside the sort of compliment. "The technical team at the moment is the only thing that keeps Chaldea in working order."
"I will pass on your praise to them." Lancel nodded, still smiling, before turning away, - "But in any case, the levels of responsibility of a simple technician and a savior of the world are a little incomparable, don't you think?"
"Hmm!?" Roman choked on his coffee, before raising his head, clearing his throat and looking at Lancel carefully, - "Actually… I don't think the difference between us is that great. We are all just doing our part."
"Perhaps." Lancel calmly agreed with Roman's point, before turning to the boiling kettle and reaching for the tea itself and a new mug. "We all do only what we have to… But isn't there some irony in this? We all perform actions that could be called links in the same chain, one commands the rest obeys, such a reliant relationship and yet such a huge difference…"
Roman looked at Lancel's back carefully, his hackles raised. "We are all just performing our duties."
"As always." Lancel poured the boiling liquid into a mug, before turning back to Roman with a cup of steaming green tea in his hands. "In our current circumstance, when there are only a couple of dozen living people left on the whole Earth, it is much easier to trace the ranks. Technicians, commanders…" Lancel said, pointing to himself and then to Roman.
"I'm not a commander." Roman sighed. "And I would be glad to give up my place to someone who can replace me…"
"Dangerous words, Dr. Romani." Lancel took a few steps, taking him next to Roman, then past him as he sat down at one of the chairs in the cafeteria, nodding to Roman. He, of course, sat down at a seat opposite Lancel. "In the current conditions, many would like to take your position thinking 'If I were a manager I would definitely be treated better', but the reality might be too far from their expectations."
"Therefore, I should determine first who I will give my position to before relinquishing it." Roman sighed in response to this thought, and then took another small sip from his mug.
"Then you can easily fall into a logical trap. After all, how do you determine a suitable deputy?" Lancel chuckled. "After all, in this case, anyone can say that your opinion is only caused by your desire to keep your position. Something like a simple populist trick in which one person announces that he will give up his place to a worthy successor - but simply refuses to recognize all other candidates as worthy. Therefore preserving his position in perpetuity while appearing to be modest and virtuous."
"That is really… Problematic." Roman exhaled.
"People, in essence, are really problematic." Lancel smiled knowingly, and then took a sip from his mug of green tea. "Managing people is so difficult… They are stupid and smart at the same time, vicious and pious. Paradoxical creatures really…"
"Hmm…" Any person with a lick of social sense could easily identify something strange in Lancel's words, or some special, strange thought. And Roman could also do this, but unlike anyone else, he reacted in a completely different way. "Indeed… How difficult it is to be around people."
"Definitely." Lancel unceasingly smiled, after which he took a sip from the mug. "Even now, even with the salvation of the world and humanity hanging in the balance, none of the staff perceives their occupation as something in service of a higher-purpose, as a manifestation of their incredible mission. Hardly anyone on Earth would have been able to come up with a more altruistic and virtuous occupation than saving the world. And yet, after only a little less than two months have passed since the incident, when all life on Earth ceased to exist and its salvation hung by a thread, and people already stopped feeling an incredible outburst of rage and dedication at the incident. They had stopped seeing their task as something greater than it is, turning it into work and drudgery instead. Fair enough and altruistic work, but at the same time treating it as something completely ordinary."
"Perhaps." Roman looked away from Lancel's heated arguments, staring at the black contents of his mug.
"Isn't it strange - isn't it funny, isn't it paradoxical? People so adore their freedom, so fiercely exalt free will, they would hue and cry at the prospect of it being limited. But in the end, as soon as they are given this most cherished desire, they inevitably choose to turn the hurricane of chaos and possibilities into a monotonous life. They would create rules and worship their routine even when such a thing shouldn't be in their lives at all?" Lancel looked up at the sky, exasperated. "Don't you agree with me, Doctor Romani?"
Roman could not answer Lancel feverish soliloquy, just continuing to stare at his mug of coffee.
"Freedom is now no longer defined as in not having chains - but in choosing your own chains." Lancel sighed, taking a sip of tea, - "And indeed, without the chains of understanding and awareness, madness follows, a chaotic irrationality, which every thinking and reasonable being condemns. What was the quote again… 'We are slaves to the law so that we may be free'? Cicero if I'm not mistaken."
Roman could not just repudiate what Lancel was saying, because he, unlike most people, he would presume, could catch the meaning in Lancel's words than anyone else. However, the fact that Roman could not answer with anything that is capable of fundamentally indicating the inconsistency of Lancel's point of view did not mean that he was just going to be silent.
"Indeed, the various obligations imposed on people by society does really limit their freedom." Roman sighed and looked up from his mug, straight at Lancel, - "But does this make their freedom of choice meaningless? I would say no. After all, people are free to choose what obligations they impose on themselves. They are free to abandon whatever they want and choose another path if they so choose. Even if free will is only ephemeral, the very opportunity to choose your future path is valuable."
"Perhaps." Lancel did not argue, just shaking his head, - "However, are people really 'free' to choose their future? Isn't this 'freedom' not hundreds of coincidences and accidents that push a person to walk their predetermined paths? And as there's no such thing as coincidences, only action and reaction, in the end, isn't a person's future nothing more than an end point of an infinite, eclectic, minute line? You can choose to call this regularity the 'laws of physics' - or 'divine design'. Or, as our position of privilege has given us, 'Chaldea Security Organization'?" Lancel took another sip, then looked at Roman.
Roman sighed slowly, before looking up again and smiling a little, - "Perhaps there really are no accidents and the whole world really moves only according to a certain program… Ah. right 'Determinism' isn't it called? But is this a reason to grieve if it was true? If everything was predetermined - is there any point in resisting it? Is there any point in grieving about the future in that case? Just because roller coasters are man-made and run on the same track where people already know how it ends does not mean people stop enjoying the ride."
Lancel just smiled hearing Roman's response. - "Indeed, doctor. After all, life is nothing more than a journey from a bleak beginning to a bleak ending, only the happy journey in between gives it any value. The fact that the outcome is predetermined does not mean that the actions taken on the way to it are meaningless. Otherwise, I could say that the existence of death as the final point of existence denotes the meaninglessness of existence itself - which is certainly not the case. Even if the goal of all life is death, living itself is not meaningless."
After Lancel finished talking, Doctor Roman, no more than a simple doctor of Chaldea, froze before slowly raising his eyes to Lancel.
"Something wrong, doctor?" - Lancel looked at Roman askance.
To which slowly, Roman shook his head from side to side, before carefully glancing over at his acquaintance, - "No… Just… Those words reminded me of… someone that I knew."
"Oh, I see." Lancel smiled before sighing, - "A lot of people tell me that I look strangely like someone they knew, saw - or even imagined before. It's so strange to get such a reaction every time."
"Perhaps." Roman, seeing no way that he would mistake Lancel for someone else, only nodded slowly.
"In the end, all I'm talking about is that freedom or slavery are nothing more than subjective observable concepts." Lancel grinned, covering his face with his cup of tea, and then looked up, - "One wants freedom, the other wants meaningless rules that would restrict them. I'm sure you would not want to be me right now, nor do you want to be one of the commanders, definitely not to be the savior of humanity, and yet many would want to. I, however… Well, this is just a random thought of my mind. Humanity wants freedom, because they do not know what that is only that they want it. And when they find this freedom, they then proceed to create as many rules to live by because they are afraid of freedom… Or perhaps is it out of a senseless attempt to keep the granted freedom while limiting it at the same time? So as not to go crazy from realizing the meaninglessness of their existence?" Lancel then chuckled, probably from the paradoxical line of thinking.
"An existential crisis huh?" Roman sighed and took a sip from his cup of coffee before looking closely at Lancel. "Really, isn't there a better time for them other than the end of the world?"
"The end of the world, hmm?" Lancel smiled back before shaking his head, - "The end of the world 'is' the best time to think about how meaningless our life is. However, who knows what will happen after the end of the world?"
"I know that you believe in the inevitable good ending.", - Roman smiled at Lancel, - "The restoration of humanity and the salvation of the world."
"In the salvation of the world, yes. In the restoration of humanity, hmm, not so much", - Lancel smiled wistfully in response. "After all, if you look closely, even now, what Chaldea is doing is not a full-fledged restoration of humanity. Perhaps in the end everything will return to normal, families will be reborn, and history will go along the course they're 'supposed' to… But this end result will not be the same world as before. Those who are now in Chaldea will preserve the memories of one world, while the new humanity will know of another. A slightly different story, slightly changed dates, altered people and other out of place events... Will it be the same world - or just a world similar to the one that people knew?"
"Paradoxes, ha…" - Roman ruffled his hair. - "I never particularly liked to solve paradoxes, or even think of them really. But, perhaps, if we have to talk about it… In the end, what matters is only the fact whether this issue worries us or not. The real way to resolve any paradox is to never ask it. And then no logical trap about the idea of free will, or about which world is real and which is not, will matter." Roman, smiled after seeming to cut through the gordian knot.
"Funny, but, quite true words", - Lancel smiled in response, before looking conspiratorially at Roman, - "So, 'do what you do and come what may'?"
"Perhaps." Roman nodded, then looked at the clock hanging over Lancel's head, and paled. "By the way, I apologize, but I urgently need to go back to the command center to observe especially important events that are happening!"
"Of course", - Lancel nodded, - "Good luck in saving your world, Dr. Romani."
"Good luck to you too, Lancel", - Roman nodded to the guy, and then headed away.
Roman also got to the observation center, surprisingly, without incident. So after a string of great luck, Roman wondered for a second whether fate was preparing for him some particularly abominable gift that would destroy all the joy and happiness that he's feeling right now. As if to balance some great wrong.
However, after brooding about his inevitable demise in the future for some time, Roman chose to switch his thoughts in a different direction.
Indeed, whether life is a drawn-out inevitability or a series of incredible coincidences - Roman could afford not to think about it. Probably it was the opportunity not to think about it that was so wonderful for Roman.
Man spends his life without asking the great questions of existence. He instead looks for entertainment, joys, sorrows, and the routine. Perhaps this was Roman's path more than anyone else's. The fact is, he fervently wished for these things more than anything in the world and, in the end, found them right here. In a mug of coffee, in a recording of a virtual idol's concert and in the cozy sagging sofa under him.
'Do what you do - and come what may', a simple thought. Which, for Roman at least, was worth more than any enlightened wisdom from a philosopher or thinker.
And therefore, not bothering to think about the deep philosophy behind his actions, Roman simply leaned back, looking at the flickering pictures, and then listened to the wonderful singing of the girl on the screen…
He was only able to enjoy this blissful state for ten more seconds.
After the predetermined period of time, the door to the observation center was literally torn off its hinges, forcing Roman to spill the blessed coffee from his mug on the so badly cleaned carpet under his feet.
"Doctor Romani, my friend, how long have we not seen each other!" The man who appeared on the doorstep had one of his looks, a look of man being hunted down. And therefore, with just one glance at his expression, Roman tensed up, expecting some kind of great calamity is about to pass him by. At least this time it's not him.
"Hector." Roman glanced at the Servant that was one step away from screaming in panic, then took a deep sigh. Nevertheless, seeing a kindred spirit in distress, Roman pressed the stop button and paused his vision of Paradise. "What's the matter?"
"Doctor, do you by any chance know where in Chaldea you can hide for a couple of days so that no one can find you?" Hector smiled nervously at Roman, while asking a simple question as if the fate of the world hangs in the balance. And, judging by the sounds that are coming from beyond the open door and further along the corridor, in which the voices of various Servants seemed to be screaming Hector's name with unbridled fury, for Hector it probably does.
"Maintenance tunnels, a little further along the corridor and the first door on the left.", - Roman answered Hector quickly. After which Hector, nodding in gratitude, instantly rushed away from the observation center, leaving Roman alone.
Not a moment later, several figures flashed by the open door, their speed and haste distorting Hector's name quite terribly. Roman sighed, then got up from his comfy chair to somehow wrangle the broken door closed.
Was this a decision dictated by the very experience and knowledge of Roman himself, who once found himself in an unfortunate situation due to some Servants and was forced to flee using exactly the same tunnels? Or was it a random decision, nothing more than a personal whim?
Roman did not know, but he knew for sure that now he needed to wash the carpet, and then pick up a new mug of coffee. And probably listen to Olga-Marie's words about his clumsiness.
However, instead of these actions, Roman chose to savor the remaining contents of his mug, and then clicked again on the screen with the cursor a couple of times, returning to watching videos of idols.
After all, neglect of one's duties also contained a kind of freedom of choice. And although Dr. Roman knew that such a choice was likely to have consequences, actually with his luck he knows for sure that there would be consequences. Roman did not wonder what prompted him to such an act, Roman was too busy watching the concert.
And, most likely, it was precisely in the unwillingness to plunge into the philosophical dilemmas of mankind where the main freedom of Dr. Romani Archaman lay. A Human's freedom is such a strange thing after all.
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