Ch.4444. Elevator.

# 44. The Elevator.

“Even from a distance I could tell, but compared to the size of the pillar, this entrance is really tiny.”

We arrived at the base of the pillar so massive its size was impossible to estimate. Surprisingly, the entrance to the pillar wasn’t much different from an ordinary building. It might even be considered small compared to other structures, except for those in residential areas.

The inside passage was similarly modest. I understand why it’s narrow—a structure this tall and large would need to minimize empty space for stability.

“Ugh… why would they put fragile pottery in such a narrow corridor?”

But isn’t this excessively narrow? As if trying to assert that this place alone remained intact despite the state of the world, the corridor was lined with elaborate decorations under bright lighting.

Even someone like me with no appreciation for art could tell these were expensive items worthy of admiration. Yet because of them, I had to drive slowly while constantly worrying about breaking something.

“Come to think of it, ‘pillar entrance’… that’s quite a contradictory term, even though I said it myself.”

When I saw it from a distance, I couldn’t see any entrance or interior, so I casually called it a pillar. But now that I know it has space inside for climbing up, it’s not really a pillar at all.

What idiot architect would leave empty space in a pillar that’s supposed to stably support a heavy structure?

Moreover, while this structure does support several cities and Paradise above it, those are also part of the structure itself.

I mutter that I now understand why robots and people from the past called this structure the Tower as I move forward.

“—It’s been a long time since we’ve had a visitor. What brings you here today?”

After passing through the long corridor, we arrived at an enormous elevator. There was a robot there that was still functioning.

The Information Robot, with a round face adorned with a mustache and wearing a tailcoat, bowed politely as it saw me. Its movement was so natural that I found myself nodding in response without thinking.

“I’d like to use that elevator over there… is that possible?”

“Oh my. I never expected there would still be someone wanting to use the elevator. This is quite surprising.”

Click-clack. The robot walked around Alexander with precise movements, making a complete circle.

“Are you climbing the Tower to visit Paradise?”

“Yes. I heard there are still living people there.”

“…Very well. That’s a remarkably human purpose, quite different from the guests who sought us in the past.”

The robot stroked its mustache and smiled brightly. For some reason, it seemed to have taken quite a liking to me.

“One human and two robots… Normally, boarding the elevator with a vehicle is prohibited—but since no one else uses it these days, I’ll make an exception this time.”

“Thanks for the consideration. It may be a vehicle, but… it’s a precious friend to me.”

“I don’t know where you found such an old model, but it’s a splendid companion.”

No wonder the corridor seemed excessively narrow for Alexander to drive through—vehicles were prohibited from entering with passengers.

“So, can I get in now?”

“Certainly. However, there’s one thing I need to verify first.”

Just as I thought how fortunate this was and placed my hand on the steering wheel to enter the open elevator…

The robot extended its arm to block our path. I tilted my head.

“…Verify?”

“—To board this elevator, you need one ticket per passenger. Please present your tickets—”

The robot that had been speaking with a nearly human voice and manner suddenly emitted a somewhat outdated mechanical sound.

It seemed that while allowing Alexander to board might be at the robot’s discretion, using the elevator without tickets was absolutely impossible.

“Where can I get these tickets?”

“Our information desk also handles ticket issuance. Please look to your side.”

“Look to my side? Ahhh!”

What a shock! Following the Information Robot’s instruction, I turned my head and made direct eye contact with another robot staring intensely at me from behind a window. I hadn’t noticed it before. Come to think of it, the robot earlier mentioned “guests who sought us.” Seems like it had a colleague.

“Ti-Tick—et, is-su-ance. If you—want, please—pay.”

“…This one’s in pretty bad shape.”

The visibly deteriorating robot held a scale in its hand. I guess I’m supposed to place something on it to exchange for tickets.

I looked at the sign hanging around the robot’s neck. It showed “1 = 5,000” along with a rather familiar symbol. Money. Yes, the symbol that was printed on the banknotes used in this city.

“Chip, and ca-cash—whatever you pre-fer.”

“5,000, huh? It’s surprising enough that it’s asking for money, but that’s much more expensive than I expected.”

Needing tickets to ride an elevator going to high places, and paying money for those tickets isn’t that strange.

But I couldn’t help but sigh at the robot’s request for money. Obviously, I didn’t have a single penny.

“If I’d known this would happen, I should have picked up any money or wallets I saw.”

I laughed dejectedly. Who would have thought I’d be blindsided by human-created tangible value in a place like this?

“Listen. One way or another, there’s no one else who’s going to use this elevator anymore except me. Can’t you let it slide just this once?”

I made my plea to the robot, figuring I had nothing to lose. I explained that I came from outside the city and had neither chips nor cash.

“I apologize. My authority only extends to the number and type of passengers allowed to board. The rule that tickets are required to use the elevator is absolutely non-negotiable.”

But the robot was firm. Seeing how adamant it was, this really must be impossible.

“Isn’t there some way? Like pretending we paid, or somehow I’ll get into the elevator and you can just operate it… something like that.”

“I understand how you feel, Mori. Unfortunately, I too have no authority regarding matters related to the Tower. This is actually my first time meeting these robots as well.”

“I see… you’re useless then.”

“Useless?! Just as doctors and scientists have different roles and cannot understand each other’s work! We simply have different jurisdictions!”

The robot shouted loudly. It seemed there was no way other than legitimately paying for tickets.

“That’s too bad. If we could take this elevator, our journey to Paradise would have been much easier.”

I sighed. Having such a magnificent elevator right in front of us but having to give up and take the long way around.

There was the option of returning to the city to gather cash, but the feasibility was extremely low.

Either the people who left for Paradise earlier took all the remaining cash in the city to buy tickets…

Or perhaps, as mentioned, chips implanted in people’s heads could be submitted instead of cash, eliminating the need to produce physical currency.

There was hardly any intact cash left in the city. I could only see a few bills near pharmacy or superstore checkout counters.

Moreover, the denominations on those bills were only 1 or 10 at most. There was no way to meet the robot’s price requirement.

Even if we needed just one ticket, we might somehow gather enough by raiding every store in the city, but there are three of us.

“I’m sorry. I said I wanted to use the elevator—but like a true wanderer, I don’t have any money, so it seems impossible.”

“Mori. Not all wanderers are without money. You’re just poor…”

“Shut up.”

If human civilization still exists up there, and trade is actively taking place, maybe I should start collecting cash or valuable items from now on. Even among wanderers, the treatment of poor wanderers and wealthy wanderers would surely differ.

While I was seriously contemplating this, the Information Robot stroked its mustache and suddenly spoke.

“This is unfortunate. I was hoping to take such a likable guest as high up as possible…”

“I’m very disappointed too. Riding in a fancy elevator with a gentlemanly robot. It would have been quite romantic.”

“Romance, what a word I haven’t heard in a very long time. I thought no human would ever use that word again.”

The robot let out an elderly-sounding laugh. Judging by how it speaks, it seems to have been here for a very long time—that mustache isn’t just for decoration.

“Very well! I find you extremely likable. So I’d like to make a proposal.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes. Though I call it a proposal, I’m not asking anything of you. First, please look at this.”

The robot took out a thumb-sized plate from its tailcoat pocket. Though I’d never seen such an item before, I instinctively realized it was a ticket needed for the elevator.

“This—is a ticket left behind by a visitor who was unable to board the elevator due to unfortunate circumstances. I will give you this ticket.”

“…For free?”

“Of course it’s free. I’m giving it to you simply because I like you. However—unfortunately, this is the only ticket I have.”

As if wanting me to believe him, the robot turned all its pockets inside out. But aside from the ticket it was holding, no other tickets were visible.

One ticket. And each passenger, regardless of species, needs one ticket to use the elevator.

Which means—

“—I have to ride alone.”

“That’s correct.”

I looked down at the puppy sitting on my lap. Then I looked at the robot tied to the cargo compartment.

If I leave these two in the city, I can take the elevator up. Though I don’t know how far the elevator goes, it would certainly get me to Paradise much faster than walking along the outer edge of the Tower.

And that would fulfill my purpose.

“—Thank you for the offer, but I’ll decline.”

But… I had no intention of accepting the proposal. It didn’t even require much thought.

I could see the Information Robot’s eyes—or rather, lenses—widen slightly. As if it never dreamed I would make such a decision. Well, robots probably don’t dream, but still.

“Wait, wait. Mori. Are you really sure?! We were made in this city and serve our function in this city. It’s unfortunate we can’t take you directly to Paradise, but that’s okay!”

My robot friend seemed equally surprised, as I heard a clamorous voice from behind. Ah. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I covered my ears with my fingers as I spoke.

“You know, achieving a goal is good, but I think one shouldn’t live solely for the purpose.”

Taking the elevator to quickly reach Paradise. For someone like me who longs for human warmth, that’s undeniably attractive.

But I couldn’t leave behind a friend I’d just made—a friend I miraculously encountered after wandering alone for over a year—just to go by myself.

“Even if this elevator could take you directly to Paradise?”

“Yes. What’s more important than the goal is the journey, and the connections we make along the way… That might be difficult for robots like you to understand. But I won’t change my mind on this.”

Clap. Clap. In response to my firm answer, the Information Robot brought its hands together at a steady pace.

“Splendid. Splendid indeed. You truly are a kind-hearted person, the likes of which cannot be found in this era.”

“Kind-hearted? That’s too much praise. I’m just an ordinary, lonely person like any other.”

I smiled lightly. The robot was smiling brightly as if respecting my choice.

“Very well. Since your resolve is so firm, it would be impolite of me to question you further.”

The robot closed the wide-open elevator door.

“I hope that such determination and will of yours remains unbroken in the future.”

“…Thank you.”

It straightens its mustache. It adjusts the slightly disheveled tailcoat. Finally, the dapper robot, now wearing a fedora it produced from somewhere, bowed to me.

“Now then, guest? Would you please exit this place.”

“…Huh?”

“The corridor we so carefully cleaned has been made a mess by your snowmobile. We must now clean this place, so please leave through the way you came in.”

Contrary to the romantic farewell, the robot, having finished its greeting, immediately ordered us out as if I was no longer its guest and of no concern.

“We’ve been kicked out.”

“…Indeed.”

I was planning to leave anyway, and it was my fault for making a mess.

But for some reason, I felt a little wronged.