Chapter 171
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Flat Earth Society
Flat Earth Society.
Abbreviated as FES, the members were extremely kind to me.
“The moment the whole world mocks us as fools, you who came all this way seeking the truth—you are the true philosopher.”
“The courage to say it's right when everyone else says no—that makes one a true warrior.”
“My goodness, even we only realized the truth and mustered our courage after meeting the Chairman. For you to reach this place without being one of our members... you're truly remarkable.”
They offered to introduce me to their headquarters and join them.
“It's an honor.”
They had revealed themselves first—there was no reason to refuse.
Pretending with all sincerity to believe in the flat Earth theory, I followed them.
“But I still have my doubts. I believe the Earth is flat, but I don't understand for what reason or by what method that's possible.”
I wanted to let it slide quietly, but my curiosity was killing me.
“Ah, you're in the transitional phase.”
“Everyone goes through a period of struggling between faith and brainwashing.”
“The brainwashing called science doesn't unravel easily.”
Along the way, they explained a few reasons why the Earth is flat.
“The typical evidence globe-Earthers cite is the round shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse. But that's a false claim.”
“The shadow during a lunar eclipse is indeed the Earth's, but it's an enlarged reflection of the edge. The Earth's edge has rounded corners, so it looks circular.”
The lunar eclipse shadow.
“Ships disappearing over the horizon as proof the Earth is round? That's just the limit of human vision.”
“Human eyesight isn't infinite.”
“Telescopes are the same. Even with mechanical aid, vision has its limits.”
Ships vanishing beyond the horizon.
“Gravity is a lie. The Earth is an ascending planet. You've ridden an elevator, right? You feel pressed down when it goes up? The Earth is rising at tremendous speed, and we living creatures on it are stuck to the ground by that influence.”
The origin of gravity.
“Beyond the Earth's edge is nothing but space. Ocean water flows there too, cascading into space like a waterfall.”
“But don't worry. The fallen seawater rides updrafts back to Earth.”
“You know how gusts form behind fast-moving vehicles? Imagine that on Earth's scale. Beneath the rapidly ascending Earth, powerful updrafts linger constantly. The fallen seawater breaks apart in the gusts into tiny mist droplets, soaring into the sky to form clouds.”
The Earth's edge and why water doesn't run out.
“What about NASA's photos of Earth?”
“Obviously faked.”
“Basic Photoshop work anyone can do after a day of learning.”
Photos of Earth from space, etc.
“But aren't planets like Mars, Mercury, Jupiter all spherical?”
“That just makes Earth special.”
“No reason for Earth to be round just because the others are.”
Once people latch onto a belief, scientific truth loses all meaning.
“Here we are.”
“This is the North Pole, the center of the Earth—and the hidden headquarters of our FES.”
Beneath a red flag planted at the North Pole.
Stairs leading underground appeared.
We rode down an automated escalator, where a man was already waiting to greet us.
“Pleased to meet you. I got the heads-up, but I never imagined there'd be another flat-Earther besides us.”
A handsome middle-aged man with neatly combed blond hair, wearing a pure white robe and gold-rimmed glasses, extended his hand for a shake.
“I'm Ulysses Barnes, Chairman of the Flat Earth Society.”
The book tucked under his other arm gave him an intellectual air.
“Hello?”
I reached out and shook his hand.
“I'm Lee Seung-hoon.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“So you're the famous fixer Lee Seung-hoon. Come in. Let's talk in my office.”
The FES headquarters was incredibly vast.
The facilities alone could pass for part of the Foundation.
They even had advanced tech—walls lined with all sorts of machinery.
『Mr. Lee Seung-hoon, electromagnetic waves from multiple AIs and special facilities are detected all around.』
“Can you control them?”
『Excluding the use of radio waves, they are not actual machines. Presumed to be derivatives created by something else.』
In other words, machines—but not made with scientific technology.
“Impressive facilities. With setup like this, your history must run deep.”
“You flatter me. Our history isn't that long. We moved here not long ago.”
The original HQ was in California, USA.
‘Not long ago means right before the disappearance incident, probably.’
They acquired a special entity and relocated here.
‘Unclear if the entity that built this place is the same one flattening the Earth—or if there are multiple.’
The facility was enormous.
To complete something this size in short order required Foundation-level tech or entity assistance.
“Have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
His office was packed with books.
I scanned the titles on the shelves.
Critique of Pure ReasonNewton and GravityGuns, Germs, and SteelSocratic DialecticEarth Science and History Didn't look like books a flat-Earther would read.
“A bit odd, right? A flat Earth advocate reading scientific books like those.”
“I think one's personal ideology and pursuit of knowledge should be separate.”
“You're awakened.”
In light conversation, I learned about Chairman Ulysses's past.
“At one time, I was a high school science teacher. Back then, I was one of the fools who believed the Earth was round.”
One day, he encountered flat Earth theory and began investigating.
“I discovered many artifacts and texts. The Earth depicted there was flat, but the modern Earth wasn't. I couldn't deny it.”
Not words you'd expect from the FES Chairman.
“But it was definitely flat in the past.”
“So you're saying the Earth was originally flat but became round over time?”
“Yes.”
How could that be? I wanted to ask, but he began his old tale, so I didn't interrupt.
“At first, I thought it was superstition. Nonsense. Without that incident, I'd still think so—dismiss my flat Earth phase as youthful folly and live in ignorance.”
That day was a normal commute home. Passing through downtown, Chairman Ulysses turned a corner.
“There was a hot dog stand there. I planned to grab one for dinner that day, but suddenly, heat haze shimmered in front of the shop.”
The haze intensified, and something emerged.
“It was an alien. A gray alien with gray skin and huge eyes! The black-blooded alien tried to flee, but men in suits burst out, grabbed its arms, and dragged it away.”
The suited men vanished into the haze just as suddenly as they'd appeared.
“But one stayed behind. He pulled a long rod from his pocket and activated it.”
Blinding light struck downtown. Countless witnesses besides the Chairman saw it, but everyone who did forgot they'd seen the alien.
“I forgot at first too. But after a week, the memory resurfaced. That's when I realized: if aliens exist in this world, and shadowy government groups manage them, maybe the Earth really is flat?”
I understood why this man fell into flat Earth theory. ‘A victim of the old Foundation.’ Unless it was a hallucination, those downtown alien abductors were Foundation agents. They activated a memory wipe and left, but the Chairman's memory returned. ‘The odds of immunity to memory wipes are one in a billion.’ I recalled the trainee briefing. But the Foundation doesn't bother with immunes. ‘Shouting the truth just gets you labeled crazy.’ He'd experienced the impossible. If more impossibilities existed, maybe his flat Earth belief stemmed from one too?
“So I realized: the Earth we lived on was actually flat. The maps, texts, and artifacts depicting it flat are proof. But like that gray alien, some anomalous event turned it round, leading to now.”
“How do you think it became round?”
“The most logical, likely theory: those black-suited figures I saw ran an experiment in the past that rounded the Earth. Probably developing a dangerous weapon with immense power that could blow the planet apart—and it backfired.”
No evidence. He just believed it.
“And so we arrive at the present. An old acquaintance brought me an artifact by chance, and it had the power to restore the Earth to its original form.”
“But it's not just that, is it?”
“It has security too. A barrier that only lets in those who know the truth.”
Much more to discuss, but I let it pass.
“We have no desire to harm the Earth. If it was truly flat once, restoring it is only right.”
“That process might cause massive casualties. It already has.”
“We regret that too. But believe me—they're not dead. Just missing. There's a way to bring them back.”
“What's the method?”
The Chairman shook his head.
“Classified. Can't share unless you're a member.”
“I'll join.”
“Then we'll hold the ritual tomorrow.”
He smiled and offered another handshake.
“I'll show you to a room until the ritual tomorrow.”
The lodging wasn't bad. Felt like a value business hotel.
“Hmm.”
Lying on the bed, I pondered. ‘No world-ending intent?’ Contradicts the Scales' intel. ‘Even if world destruction isn't their goal, achieving it might end the world anyway?’ They genuinely believe in flat Earth. I escaped that weird space by feigning belief. Maybe the entity flattening the Earth draws power from belief. ‘Where are the agents? In that weird space?’ Another dimension? Or a splinter parallel world from the realm of possibilities?
“If it's another dimension, no contact.”
I pulled a paper boat from the Void Pocket and placed it on my head.
“If it's a parallel world in the same dimension, contact should work.”
I focused my mind.
“The first ten Foundation agents who've spent the longest time with me.”