Chapter 220: Thing V
Chapter 220: Thing V
I had left the dungeon and was on the way home. Avoiding the chaos of the night, I moved through the back alleys. Perhaps it was because I had spent so much time in the darkness of the spiders’ floor, but the lights of the city felt dazzling to me.
I felt more at ease in the dark, especially when talking about things that I couldn’t share with others.
After making sure that I was not being watched and couldn’t be overheard, I posed a question to Yukikaze.
「Do you think they can be trusted?」
『You can trust them 100%, indeed』
「The spiders are a dangerous existence, you know? More so than the Abaddon」
『There are plenty of dangerous things in this world. Even in the modern world, there are nuclear weapons, H-bombs, biological weapons, and A.I. weapons that are dangerous enough to destroy the world, indeed. But the world has not been destroyed. This is proof that the wisdom of mankind can control the destruction, indeed』
That’s just an outcome-based argument.
「Maybe I was just lucky so far」
『Then perhaps it would be a good idea to bet on your luck. What will be will be』
「I don’t know……」
Normally, our positions would be reversed and she’d be the one worrying about this.
Yukikaze has grown to be optimistic, I see.
『Ultimately, the spiders are waiting for humankind to progress to the point where they’re suitable to prey upon. That’s why they called you in when they detected the civilization-destroying entity, team member Souya. Do you not trust them on this?』
「That’s the only part I trust. And that’s why I don’t trust them. Those spiders are just waiting until humankind is ripe for eating, you know?」
Working hand in hand with creatures that consider humans as food is impossible.
That’s why I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to what the spiders told me.
I can’t trust them.
『That’s the thing, indeed. The spiders are waiting for human progress. However, even if there’s a singularity of some sort, it will still take a long time for the civilization of the alternate world to progress to the level that’ll appeal to the spiders’ appetite. With a moratorium that long, the humans of this world “may” even progress to the point where they can eliminate the spiders!』
「”May,” you said. You know, that’s kinda irresponsible……」
『Then, Yukikaze will give some concrete numbers. The number of years required for the humans of the alternate world to develop their civilization to the point where they become suitable prey for the spiders is 12,000 years. That figure is a generous estimate, but one that gives quite a fair bit of hope, indeed』
「Tw, twelve thousand?」
That’s a hell of a ways into the future.
Will humans even be around then?
『That said, that’s as far as Yukikaze’s computing power can predict. There are too many unpredictable factors for Yukikaze to calculate beyond that. But Yukikaze believes that it’s safe to say that it’s realistically not possible to get to that point』
「Well, but you know, there’s magic in this world. There are plenty of things that science can’t even begin to explain. What’s the possibility that any of those things could whet the spiders’ appetites?」
『No, the possibility is nil. You see, Yukikaze had asked them about it. Strangely enough, the spiders have absolutely no interest in magic or technology from other worlds. Why is that, Guns-Memory?』
「It’s all about likes and dislikes. They can’t forget the taste of the first scientific civilization they devoured. In other words, they’re picky eaters. They should learn from myself, who’s okay with anything」
「Hey, Gunmerry, which time period have you come to the alternate world from?」
「That’s a secret」
The Gunmerry I was carrying on my back glossed over it.
In a manner of speaking, I’m carrying him as a sign of respect for what used to be the protector of humans. It’s not like I can drag him behind me after a story like that. Well, I don’t know where the humans he protected are from though.
But he’s lighter than I had expected. It’s the weight of an empty suit of armor.
「Then, Yukikaze, what are the chances that science and technology advances in the alternate world?」
『Like Yukikaze stated earlier, the estimate is that it’ll take about 12,000 years, indeed. In this alternate world, there are many obstacles to the advancement of modern science and technology. For example, the abnormal cold airflow in the skies above and localized electromagnetic interference. Undetectable spatial distortions and graviton anomalies have also been observed. The greatest environmental problem is the dragons, indeed. So long as they’re not killed and humankind doesn’t gain dominance over the world, it’ll be very, very difficult for humans to prosper』
「Kill the dragons, you say?」
That’s quite a barbaric topic.
『Yes, they’re a hindrance to human advancement. Giant immortal flying creatures that can manipulate the climate are nothing but impediments to the progress of civilization』
「We can coexist with dragons. Unlike with the spiders」
I thought of a white dragon that’s fond of women and children. It’s a huge being that we can have a dialogue with. In reality, this country gets along well with that dragon. And it doesn’t look like there will be any problems going forward either.
Besides, I rather like her elf form.
『It varies from individual to individual. If we look through the history of the alternate world, the relationship between humans and dragons is far from friendly』
「Let’s not talk about the dragons. It’s a distasteful subject」
Both the rotted dragon and the blue dragon had given rise to tragedy.
But if we kill the white dragon for that reason, then humankind is an evil that should be destroyed.
『Understood, indeed. Also, the chemical composition is slightly different』
「Chemical composition?」
Please teach me, Yukikaze-sensei.
『By chemical composition, Yukikaze is talking about the ratio of elements and chemical compounds in all substances, indeed. In the alternate world, these differ slightly from those in the modern world. Or rather, there’s some form of darkness that cannot be scanned』
「Oh, now that you mention it, Makina and you are always saying【similar to】when talking about things」
There are few things that are exactly the same.
『There doesn’t seem to be an issue with the food and drink for now, but Makina has experimented with reproducing the various chemical compounds and composite materials that can be made in the modern world, but they have all ended in failure, indeed』
「For example?」
I do know that Makina has been conducting experiments in the basement at night.
『Gunpowder, indeed』
「Wait, isn’t that just black powder?」
It felt like a long time ago, but Makina had already analyzed that back when we outmaneuvered the merchant company.
『The gunpowder of the alternate world is indeed 99.999% just black powder. However, when Makina actually tried to make it with potassium nitrate, it failed, indeed. It’s suspected that the cause is a mysterious substance that cannot be scanned』
「Hypothetically, if we were to attempt to mass-produce guns and gunpowder, what would happen?」
I had saved that as a forbidden last resort, but……
『It’s difficult, indeed. We have no idea how the gunpowder of the alternate world is stabilized, indeed. It’s quite risky, isn’t it?』
「I see~」
……it’s not feasible, huh?
This is gonna be tough.
『There’s also the nightmare world that you mentioned, team member Souya. The winter of the sleeping dragon. The many dangerous relics that lie within the dungeons. And then there’s the unknown creatures in the ocean, the dominion of the fishmen. It’s nothing short of a divine miracle that humankind is even thriving in such a dangerous world』
「You’re not saying that the fishmen also need to be wiped out, are you?」
『That’s a necessary sacrifice for the prosperity of humankind, indeed』
「You’re making me angry, you know?」
Suggesting that the person who eats breakfast with us should be killed is really going too far.
『Yukikaze is merely stating what’s needed to achieve the prosperity required, indeed. Yukikaze is not actually going to do any of that nor does Yukikaze recommend it either, alright? That will definitely be met with resistance, and it’s more than likely that it will conversely lead to humankind’s extinction, indeed』
「I see~」
Even though I understood, my voice was still laced with anger.
「You know, Yukikaze, there’s such a thing as “kotodama(soul of words)[1]”, so don’t use the word “destroy” so casually. If it comes true, you’ll regret it」
『Yukikaze personally thinks that leaving things unsaid is more likely to lead to regret』
「Agree to disagree」
『Indeed』
Alright, that’s the end of that topic.
『So, do you trust them?』
「I don’t trust the spiders. I want you to write a book detailing the dangers of those things. Make it available to the schools of magic, the Adventurers’ Guild, and the merchant companies. The world must be made aware of the threat they pose and that knowledge must be passed on to future generations」
『Yukikaze doubts that the information will be passed on properly and believes that it will just disappear over time』
「Even so, it’s still better than not doing anything」
It’s a matter of my feelings.
『Understood, indeed. Yukikaze will start writing today. Should Yukikaze put your name down as the author, team member Souya?』
「You can put your own name, Yukikaze. Or would you rather not?」
『Yukikaze sees, so the name “Yukikaze” will be passed on to future generations, huh? ………………Yukikaze sees, indeed~』
The tone of her voice was raised.
Could it be that she’s happy?
『Oh, but it’s better to not give the information to the Adventurers’ Guild, indeed』
「Why? Isn’t that the one place that should have it above all else?」
There’s a huge library on the upper floor of the Guild. What could be so bad about adding it to that library?
『King Lemuria had also made contact with the spiders. Through the beastkin who was in his party at the time, he was able to communicate with the spiders, indeed』
「What?」
My face tensed and my eyebrow shot up.
What the hell is going on here?!
『In the past, the spiders have sent warnings and advice to humans on many occasions about impending crises and threats that could lead to major collapses of civilization. It was also one such occasion when they made contact with King Lemuria, indeed』
「That sure is ironic, isn’t it?」
That a species that’s going to be eaten by them when ripe would take their advice.
『As such, there’s a good chance that if the information is given to the Adventurers’ Guild, they’ll either destroy it or try to bury it』
「Just give it to the schools of magic then. Oh and Maria too. If it’s on the left continent, the Adventurers’ Guild won’t be able to do anything to it. Make it appear as old and precious as possible」
『Roger. Ohh, creative work makes the unused parts of Yukikaze’s brain tingle for some reason, indeed. Yukikaze’s name will be passed down to future generations, huh? Yukikaze’s name will be preserved for posterity, huh? Yukikaze should also include the author’s likeness. Let’s make the author an absurdly beautiful woman, indeed. Oh, that’s right. The title of the book should be【The Thing】. Or maybe【Creature X from[2]―――――』
「Don’t go too far!」
Now, the real problem will come in six days.
Well, today is almost over, so it’s effectively five days, I suppose.
「I don’t trust the spiders. I’ll warn future generations about them. But―――――」
I trust Yukikaze who trusts the spiders.
「I’m going to trust their intel on the approaching crisis. Yukikaze, if we start preparing for the battle right away, do you think we have a chance of winning?」
『It’s not zero, indeed. Or rather, probability is meaningless when it comes to you, team member Souya, indeed. So Yukikaze is sure things will work out somehow~』
「Ha ha, that’s so irresponsible」
『It’s a carefully calculated irresponsibility, indeed. In other words, Yukikaze’s irresponsibility is a clean irresponsibility, indeed』
「Yeah, yeah」
Why is it that she picks up only the worst things so quickly?
『The problem has been relayed to Makina via message. We’re now drawing on our full capabilities to formulate a strategy. Yukikaze doesn’t think that this will change much, but we’re waiting for the results, indeed』
「Realistically speaking, do you think I can pull through on my own this time?」
As this is a behind-the-scenes affair, I can’t use anyone from my party this time either.
Ideally, I’d like to deal with the whole thing on my own and go back to my daily life as if nothing had happened like I’ve always done.
『That’ll be difficult……… There’s a good chance that the opponent will have an army. As you can imagine, it’s going to be tough for you to deal with them on your own, indeed』
「So I’ll need to borrow strength from elsewhere, huh? Something like hiring adventurers using money for example?」
Well, to begin with, I don’t think that’s going to work.
『Dealing with armies isn’t exactly the kind of thing that’s in their wheelhouse, is it? That’s the job of mercenaries, indeed. But there are no mercenaries on this continent though』
「What about King Lemuria?」
『That’ll absolutely backfire, indeed. He’ll definitely sell you out, team member Souya』
「I have no doubt~」
He’s a king who has survived this long by doing such things after all.
What’s more, his daughter is my mistress. I’m a thorn in his side.
「Forces from outside Lemuria………」
If that’s the case, I have a few ideas.
But there are also lots of problems involved.
「It’s difficult」
『It’s difficult, indeed. There’s no such thing as an easy war, indeed』
「War, huh?」
『That’s right, this is a war』
I didn’t come to the alternate world to do something like that, but I guess it can’t be helped………
An electronic beep sounded, and I received a communication on my glasses.
It was from Makina.
「What’s the matter?」
『Souya-san, it’s terrible!』
「Oh, there’s something more terrible than what we already have on our plate?」
My sense of what’s terrible has been numbed.
Just hit me with anything.
『We received a message on the company channel. It says that they’ve dispatched reinforcements for the expedition to the alternate world. Or rather, they’ve already arrived!』
「Huh?」
Eh, you’re kidding.
[1] Kotodama(言霊) refers to the Japanese belief that mystical powers dwell in words and names. Since ancient times, people in Japan have believed that words have spiritual power, and when spoken out loud, they have the power to bring about the same results as the words themselves. For example, Makina singing “Be delicious” when cooking.
[2] The Thing is a 1982 American science fiction horror film directed by John Carpenter, written by Bill Lancaster, and starring Kurt Russell. Based on the 1938 John W. Campbell Jr. novella “Who Goes There?”, it tells the story of a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter the eponymous “Thing”, a parasitic extraterrestrial life-form that assimilates, then imitates, other organisms. The group is overcome by paranoia and conflict as they learn that they can no longer trust each other and that any of them could be the Thing. The Japanese title for this movie is “Creature X from Another Planet”…it was 1982, alright? Forgive their cringe English. (Poster courtesy of imdb.com)
And yes, Yukikaze was planning a straight rip-off, unlike Izora, who at least fudged the titles somewhat.
Yukikaze(human) is here?! Is she finally here?! Or will the author subvert expectations and it’s someone else?! I bet you can’t wait to find out what happens in the next chapter, right?! I’m so sorry……(you’ll get it when you see it)
And yeah, have you noticed that it’s always stuff like “species similar to cayenne pepper” or “the mixture had become similar to mayonnaise”? This is something that has been consistent all the way from volume 1.
So the spiders had also warned King Lemuria about a crisis back in the day, huh? I wonder what happened during that time and how he averted whatever crisis was impending…yeah, keep this event in the back of your mind. It won’t come up for some time, but……
Oh, and just in case, this means that King Lemuria knew about the spiders yet didn’t disclose any of the information(which we can tell from how everyone else seemed to have no idea about them), which is why Yukikaze suspects that he’s suppressing the info. This explains why he was so nonchalant about them too, I suppose.
Well well well, there’s a lot to unpack, isn’t there? And the author is gonna give us more to digest in the next chapter, so stay tuned!