Ch.274Challenging the Taboo.

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7 AM.

The morning in Technopolis begins with music flowing from the phonograph.

Machines that were shut down for comfortable sleep start moving again, guide automatons that completed their overnight maintenance begin their activities, and steam trams start running between the four areas surrounding the Grand Hall.

This series of processes might have been a meaningless waste of energy until yesterday when there were no residents.

But today, at this very moment, sixteen residents are welcoming the morning of Technopolis together.

Our adventurer party consisting of me, Jessica, Seti, Mina, Phyllis, and Iris.

And ten dwarves who traveled with us all the way from Grandorn Zwei.

After finishing breakfast a little earlier than usual and chatting in the dining hall, we moved to the Grand Hall with the 7 AM music.

Yesterday, we split into two teams—our party and the dwarves—and freely explored Technopolis, but we couldn’t remain as tourists forever.

We needed to discuss what to do going forward.

“The dwarves of Grandorn Zwei have decided to fully relocate to Technopolis.”

That’s what Morgan, the leader of the dwarf expedition, said.

It’s a natural decision, if anything.

The artificial intelligence unit they were managing was originally created to be installed in Technopolis.

Then it follows that they, the dwarves of Grandorn Zwei, would be the ones who could manage Technopolis better than anyone else.

“I thought so. Then what are your plans for future operations?”

“On that matter, I’d like to hear your opinions first.”

“Ours?”

“The exploration of Technopolis was led by you, and we merely followed, if I may say so. Therefore, I believe you should have priority in deciding the future of Technopolis.”

When Morgan said this, the surrounding dwarves all nodded in agreement.

It seems they had organized their internal opinions before discussing with us.

“Even if you say that…”

“Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for dwarves to decide among themselves about a dwarf city? Though Mina might be able to participate in the discussion.”

“Eh~ What’s the point of adventurers who won’t even live here getting involved? It’ll just complicate things if opinions diverge.”

“Yeah. Besides, none of us except Mina and Iris can live here anyway.”

When none of us showed any intention to interfere with Technopolis’s future policies, Morgan scratched his head with a troubled expression before reluctantly continuing.

“Hmm… Then, if I may be so bold, I’ll take it that you’re entrusting the management policies of Technopolis to the Grandorn Zwei side.”

“Ah, yes. We won’t tell the Pioneer Administration about discovering this place either, so if you’re thinking of revealing it to the outside, you can decide the timing and method yourselves.”

And so, control of Technopolis was officially inherited by the dwarves of Grandorn Zwei.

It was decided that its existence would not be disclosed to the pioneer community for the time being, and the scaffolding installed at the foot of the cliff would be completely dismantled when we return this time.

It would be more convenient to leave it for when the residents of Grandorn Zwei relocate, but the risk of it being discovered by outlaws or adventurers conducting wide-area exploration activities was deemed greater.

With the most important agenda settled, the subsequent discussions proceeded smoothly.

The dwarf expedition would leave only three members in Technopolis and temporarily return with us.

They would issue a designated request to our party through the Adventurers’ Guild as soon as their relocation preparations were complete.

Of course, we made it clear that there might be some delay in responding to the quest, as there was no guarantee that we adventurers would remain near Westend Seventh until then.

After all, they said it was unusual to book a schedule a month in advance for an adventurer party, especially one that included a high-ranking mage.

“Well, I suppose that settles everything we need to address immediately.”

“When do you plan to return to the western city? We could depart as early as today.”

“Ah, about that… before going back, there’s just one thing I want to take care of that can only be done here.”

“Something that can only be done here?”

“The modification of a certain ‘invention’ in the Category X exhibition hall.”

The dwarves’ eyes widened at the mention of Category X.

Mina with an embarrassed expression, Phyllis sighing with slumped shoulders, and Iris smiling gently beside them.

Various expressions crossed in the Grand Hall.

An hour after Mina, Iris, and the ten dwarves went down to the control tower basement.

Phyllis, left behind in the Grand Hall, was too restless to sit down.

Me, Jessica, and Seti felt sorry for Phyllis but didn’t know how to comfort her, so we simply shared the anxious yet tedious waiting time together.

“Sigh…”

Phyllis’s sigh, repeated more than ten times already, seemed to represent her burning anxiety.

And for good reason—by now, Iris would be connected to the black magic furnace installed deep underground, enduring a massive amount of dark magical power.

The infamous inhumane experiment of using a dark elf as a component of the bio-converter was in full swing.

“I’m sorry, Phyllis. Because Mina and I uncovered unnecessary facts, it ended up like this.”

“No… Jessica doesn’t need to apologize. After thoroughly discussing it this morning and agreeing, it’s just me being pathetic for showing this attitude now.”

“It’s family business. It’s natural to worry even if it’s theoretically perfect.”

The reason we ended up proceeding with the bio-converter activation experiment, which was considered off-limits until yesterday, was none other than Iris’s earnest request.

After finishing breakfast and engaging in light conversation, Iris honestly shared with everyone the changes she experienced due to the mental barrier.

Of course, saying “the World Tree brainwashed the elves” was too harsh a wording to tell Phyllis, so it needed to be expressed in a somewhat softened manner.

Next, Iris said there was “something she wanted to accomplish before regaining her elven body.”

She wanted to leave her mark on the world as her pure self, not as a priestess of Royce Reich or an Elder of the Willow Sanctuary.

But in her current state, both the spirit magic of the elves and her special powers as an Elder were almost sealed.

Though she was fulfilling slave fantasies with a collar of subjugation around her neck, she lamented being nothing more than a stumbling block for her dear sister and companions.

Then, by chance, she discovered one possibility.

The hope that the dwarves’ invention, which sacrifices one life to save many, might be harmless to her as a dark elf.

If it could allow her sister, the people she was grateful to, and countless travelers in Grantis to roam the land freely without worrying about dark magic.

If she could help create a miraculous device that would make this possible—

“Even if I can’t return to being an elf, that’s fine… How could I break my sister Iris’s resolve when she says that? I who couldn’t even understand her feelings and only expected her to fulfill her role as the Elder’s successor.”

“Phyllis…”

The anxiety that the experiment might go wrong and endanger Iris’s life.

The guilt of trying to return Iris, who was happy to find her pure self, to the Elder’s position as soon as possible.

The self-reproach for almost getting angry at her companions who found a way to fulfill Iris’s wish, instead of being grateful.

If the current Phyllis is being pushed around by such various negative emotions, then I should be a pillar she can lean on.

“Listen, Phyllis.”

“…Mm.”

“Even with family, it’s impossible to completely understand feelings that aren’t directly expressed in words. No, even when feelings are expressed and sincerity is conveyed, there are family members who deny and exclude them because they can’t understand or empathize with a different way of thinking.”

“Is that… from personal experience?”

“Yes. A bitter memory of my mother who could only see me as a potential murderer because I was fascinated by tools called guns.”

Not only Phyllis who heard my answer, but Jessica and Seti who were listening together remained silent.

Well, not many people could respond with “Your mother is truly garbage” after hearing “My mother treated me like a murderer.”

Especially if it’s a woman who’s considering marriage with the person.

“Phyllis and Iris were separated five years ago, unable to even confirm each other’s safety, let alone have a conversation. The Elder successor’s connection with the World Tree was cut off, and the clumsy little sister became the captain of the Guardian Corps.”

“Th-there’s no need to call me clumsy.”

“So what I want to say is… as long as you don’t give up on trying to understand each other, you can quickly make up for the misalignment caused by a brief disconnection.”

My mother and I gave that up, which is why our relationship became irreparably misaligned.

Swallowing those words, I stroked her head, and Phyllis finally leaned in slowly and pressed her lips against mine.

A kiss seeking warmth and reassurance, not with sexual intent. When it ended, Phyllis’s expression had softened considerably.

“Now you’re back to your usual pretty face. Iris will be very tired by the time the experiment ends, so you should welcome her kindly.”

“I understand. If I keep wearing a discontented expression, it won’t put Iris at ease either.”

“Speaking of which, how about going to where the carriage is? They said the experiment would take at least half a day, so everyone would be happy if Will’s feast was waiting when they return to the Grand Hall.”

“Good idea. I’ll help too.”

A feast for people returning from hard work… not bad.

I was also concerned about whether Ancestor and the carriage were safe overnight, so maybe I’ll go out for a bit.