Ch.270Forbidden Technology

“Science without conscience destroys the soul.”

François Rabelais, an educator from the Renaissance era, is said to have spoken these words.

Examples proving this maxim can be found throughout Earth’s history, and there are also cases where the products of conscientious science are utilized unethically by later generations.

And such scientific products, once created and utilized in this manner, almost always lead to horrific consequences.

The Category X exhibition room in the Technopolis exhibition area contained only five items, but each one prompted serious reflection on research ethics and the dangers of misuse.

Unlike Category C, which remained incomplete despite its profound darkness, these were fully realized, tangible products.

The first exhibit, displayed closest to the entrance, was a silver liquid called “Metallize Venom.”

This terrifying substance, developed based on Medusa’s petrification ability and Hydra’s deadly poison, could transform every cell in the body into metal with just a single drop on the skin by reacting with the body’s magical energy.

Since it affects any magical creature, even monsters couldn’t escape its effects, which could have made it a powerful last resort for the Dwarf race who lacked countermeasures against monsters…

However, it was classified as Category X due to being too dangerous and difficult to handle as a weapon.

“The item displayed alongside it is the metallized corpse of a Giant Rat.”

“They’ve split it in half below the neck so you can see inside. My goodness… you can distinguish all the blood vessels and organs!”

“It has such a horrifying expression.”

“It says here that during the metallization process, the victim feels pain as if their entire body is being seared with a hot iron.”

“Ugh… that’s pitiful even for a monster.”

Leaving behind the Metallize Venom contained in a small test tube, we moved toward the second exhibit.

The object preserved in a large glass container resembled a human anatomical model commonly seen in science laboratories or hospitals, specifically one depicting muscles and the nervous system.

However, reading the accompanying description revealed that this item, too, was a product of madness that had cast research ethics far away.

“Creation of a new human species possessing both male and female body structures, capable of reproducing alone…”

“It says the researcher died before the skin grafting stage could be completed, which makes it look even more horrifying.”

“…Let’s quickly move on to the next one. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat dinner if I keep looking at this.”

Who would have thought I’d end up seeing a skinless futanari dwarf sample while traveling through a fantasy world?

We hurriedly moved to the next exhibit to preserve our peaceful dinner plans and mental health.

The third invention appeared relatively normal at first glance, resembling a large fuel tank with a fire hose extending from it.

The invention was named “Mineral-Accumulating Dark Magic Emission Device.”

Since the name alone didn’t reveal its purpose, I read the detailed explanation…

“A weapon that converts black magical energy accumulated in Negatite into energy bullets, designed for inter-racial warfare…!”

“Is this the Dwarf-produced version of the black magic bullet guns carried by adventurers who transformed into monsters?”

“It says that since it’s a magic-based weapon, it can harm monsters. But its original development purpose was clearly for warfare between people.”

“…Like the others, we absolutely must prevent news of this from spreading outside.”

While it’s hard to imagine the Dwarves becoming hostile toward settlers or other natives now, we must prevent weapons utilizing black magic from leaking to the outside.

If outlaws, Dark Elves, Third Eyes, or intelligent humanoid monsters started using them, terrible things would happen.

The fourth invention was relatively tame compared to the previous three.

A set of two metal helmets called “Soul Changer,” reminiscent of boxing headgear.

True to its name, it allows two wearers to exchange souls and control each other’s bodies.

“To be precise, it doesn’t actually exchange souls but creates a virtual soul exchange by transmitting sensory signals and brain commands to each other.”

“I still don’t understand even with that explanation.”

“It’s probably not something ordinary people like us can easily comprehend.”

The Soul Changer seemed almost like a toy compared to the deadly poison that turns victims into metal statues with excruciating pain, the hermaphroditic artificial human, or the black magic war weapon.

This seemingly peaceful invention received a Category X classification because it had serious safety flaws.

If two people who had exchanged souls didn’t remove their helmets at exactly the same time, the brainwaves and sensory signals would be lost, unable to return to their original bodies.

In such a case, both people would die regardless of who removed their helmet first.

There’s no way to survive when the brain’s commands can’t reach the body, and the body’s sensory signals can’t reach the brain.

“It says here that once this problem is solved, it will be moved to Category A.”

“Hmm~ I’d like to research it! Then I could switch bodies with Will and… hehehe.”

“Oh my, that interests me too. If bodies are switched, would skills and magical aptitude follow the body or the mind?”

Jessica and Mina’s eyes look disturbingly eager as they stare at the Soul Changer blueprints.

Perhaps in the near future, I might experience having my body switched with someone else’s…

…Not that I’m uninterested in experiencing female pleasure, but still.

Ahem, ahem.

Anyway, having slightly recovered from the shock of war weapons and biological experiments, we moved to the final exhibit.

It was a collection of copper plates inscribed with magic circles and cylinders containing various substances—something that seemed slightly out of place in a Dwarf invention exhibition.

The name of this invention, whose purpose and usage method were difficult to guess, was—

“New Dark Magic Furnace Attachment No. 13, Biological Magic Energy Converter…?”

“Here’s another invention with an ominous name.”

“This seems closer to magical research than metallurgy or engineering… Ah, it really is. It says the initial theory was established with the help of Elven mages.”

“So, what is this thing used for?”

“It intervenes in the circulation phenomenon of black magic during Dark Magic Furnace operation, controlling the affected targets and range to… WHAT!?”

Mina’s eyes, which had been calmly reading the materials, suddenly widened, and she explained the latter part with a trembling voice.

“I-it says it can… purify the black magic accumulated in non-Dwarf bodies?”

“What?”

“Are you saying Humans, Elves, and Beastfolk can purify black magic through Dark Magic Furnaces?”

“Y-yes. According to the theory written here, probably? With about 95% probability?”

“What’s that? That’s incredible!”

Unlike barrier towers that work equally for all races, the natives of Grantis each possess means of purifying black magic that are effective only for their own race.

The Elves purify black magic through the protection of the “Spirit Trees,” born with the blessing of spirits.

The Beastfolk use enchanted stone statues called “Totems” to induce the natural dissipation of black magic.

And the Dwarves have “Dark Magic Furnaces” that absorb surrounding black magic to use as power sources and reaction catalysts.

The problem is that these Dark Magic Furnaces have opposite effects on Dwarves versus other races.

When Dwarves approach a Dark Magic Furnace, the black magic in their bodies is extracted, freeing them from its influence at the cost of mild magical depletion symptoms.

However, non-Dwarf races are exposed to high concentrations of black magic, which in the worst case can lead to death.

That’s why, unlike Spirit Trees or Totems that have no effect on other races, areas with Dark Magic Furnaces are typically strictly guarded to prevent other races from approaching.

“If this attachment works properly, races other than Dwarves would also have their black magic absorbed by the Dark Magic Furnace. They’d experience magical depletion symptoms, of course, but almost no black magic would remain in their bodies.”

“Even if you have to spend a day in bed due to magical depletion, it would still be worth it.”

“Exactly. Frequent magical depletion symptoms are known to be unhealthy, but if enduring that means freedom from the dangers of black magic, the entire nature of western pioneering would fundamentally change.”

“Yes. Settlers could survive without relying on magic cores. But…”

“…The question is what risks arise as the price for making this possible.”

That’s right.

If this Biological Magic Energy Converter works properly, it would be a tremendous discovery that could rewrite the history of western pioneering, but there must be a reason why it’s designated as “Category X.”

And that reason was easily discovered through the materials accompanying the invention.

“To activate this device, one person with sufficient magical aptitude must be sacrificed…”

Category X – New Dark Magic Furnace Attachment No. 13, Biological Magic Energy Converter.

It was the ultimate expression of utilitarianism—a device that could save many lives at the cost of sacrificing one.