There is an outbreak of muttering among the white robes.
Even the solemn judge stands up.
6: 37, you just said Vertin's number is 0. Do you know what it means?
37: Very clearly.
6: Would you be able to submit proof to Apeiron?
37: No problem.
6: Half of you in this hall have put in the pebbles.
6: If 37's argument is found to be true, every argument Vertin has spoken in Sonetto's defense will be deemed valid. Sonetto will be exempt from the punishment.
6: I will announce the result once 37's proof has been validated by Apeiron. Thank you for your time.
One after another, the Apeiron followers leave the hall.
The Hall of Truth returns to tranquility.
Sonetto: ...
Sonetto slowly sits on the floor in a lackluster manner.
Vertin: Ah! Sonetto!
Sonetto: Timekeeper, I am so sorry ... I tried my best ... but still ... I couldn't understand the debate ...
Sonetto: I ... failed again ...
Her face becomes abnormally pink, and her breathing becomes fast and shallow.
210: What happened to her?
210: Come here, little girl. We need to move her outside.
210: Lie her down on the ground and wipe her palm and feet with dew and peppermint oil.
210: That would be okay.
Her physical signs are becoming more and more stable.
Vertin: Thank you.
210: You're welcome, the distinguished number 0.
Vertin: ...
The man shrugs his shoulders.
210: I'm kidding.
210: I'm 210. Well, instead of the number, I prefer people call me "The Rhetorician."
Vertin: I've heard your preachment—pretty demagogic.
The man nods, looking amused.
210: That's how logic works. With logic, I can prove that you'd cease to exist in the next moment, or that there are no other people in this world except me; Achilles can never outrun a tortoise, and a flying arrow is forever motionless.
210: This debate is nothing but meaningless wordplay.
210: That pacifist let you off this time.
210: 6, a perfect number indeed, for he knows the benefit of reconciliation.
210: Who wants to have blood on their hands and be devoured by the cycle of hatred?
210: Yet, it's a torture for any intelligent mind to hear such an immature debate. Can you feel the suffering of our leader now?
Vertin: I'm sorry.
210: 210 gives her a triumphant smile.
210: No apology needed, Ms. Outsider. I also feel sorry for your pain.
210: Given that 37 has revealed your number.
Vertin: What do you mean?
210: 37, our evil little genius, the most cunning star of Hermes. She has been having fun revealing others' numbers for a long time.
210: Our numbers are our essence, and it's also the most important proof we get once in our lifetime. But she enjoys taking that opportunity away from you, just because her talent allows her to do so.
210: She did that to her friend, too—she found out Sophia's number.
210: But without casting an eye on that paper with her number on it, Sophia threw it into the sea.
210: Sophia is wise. But you ... I pity you.
Vertin: It doesn't seem like trouble to me.
210: Alas, poor little Vertin! You still don't understand.
210: The number of our souls suggests our fate. It might be changed through algorithms temporarily, swirling, shifting, or transforming alongside other changes occurring on the coordinate axis.
210: But in the end, we can only be ourselves.
210: 1 is thought , 2 is opinion, 3 is wisdom, 4 is strength, 5, enthusiasm, 6, harmony, 7, order, 8, philanthropy, 9 is restraint, while 10 is completion.
210: 0, however, is in the middle of the axis, the origin of the frame of reference. It's neither positive nor negative, neither prime nor composite.
210: Things are ever-changing, but you stay the same.
210: Your loneliness also lasts forever.
Vertin: ...!
210: This is your fate, being exposed in full view of the crowd, yet you know nothing about it.
210: 37 was acting on impulse, yet she opened Pandora's box.
210: She leisurely reveals your fate. That carefree behavior makes no difference to ... picking up a shell on a beach.
210: How could I not pity you?
The man waves his hand and walks away.
The air is still. Only the sound of waves comes from afar.
6: Ms. Vertin.
The leader stands in the dark.
6: 37's proof has passed the review. Your friend will now be exempt from the punishment for violating the rules. However, she has to take some catch-up lessons on the scripture.
6: Please meet me at the hall tomorrow at noon. I would have words with you.
