Within our heads—or more specifically, our brain cavities—float photonic crystals which, so long as they are not physically shattered, retain information semi-permanently without volatility—though this is according to standards from two thousand years ago, making it one of the optimal memory media currently available. However, their manufacture requires an environment so close to a black hole that not even light can escape—an environment capable of capturing photons themselves—only then can the crystallization process occur.
This means that photonic crystals and the technology to create them exist under incredibly narrow conditions—conditions that humans naturally should have no access to. Yet, perplexingly, most human entities from Terra 16th have them.
As for the Sylvanians, while it remains unconfirmed, their use of machinery, however large or small, suggests they likely have them within their bodies as well. It’s just that their lack of interest in their own internal structures stems either from their veneration of Tisy or their reluctance to actively use terminals.
“So, the sacred terminals were not given to us by the ancestors?”
“That’s the issue. Though we can’t pinpoint the exact generation, it seems spontaneous mutations gave rise to humans with the talents to possess photonic crystals and terminals. Otherwise, many things logically wouldn’t make sense.”
I leaned back on the armrest of the chair, letting out a heavy sigh.
The crew of “Inanna 12” would surely have been astonished to learn that something not included in their original design parameters had appeared out of nowhere.
Even so, the spirit with which some began designing Gear Armor and Gear Caliber without proper power systems, assuming things would just work out regardless, was somewhat difficult to fully comprehend.
I mean, it’s just plain horror. The idea of something unpredictably emerging without prior design would prompt most of us to dedicate centuries, if necessary, to understanding the cause before even considering moving forward—possibly freezing projects until we achieve complete confidence.
Truly, this is why the rough-and-ready methods of the Old Humans remain puzzling.
“…Indeed, the gods must exist.”
“If that brings you peace, I see no problem with it.”
Aurelia, folding her hands in prayer, seemed to have shifted her devotion from the ancestors to the deeper worship of the Machine God.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit inclined to believe, too, if only because I couldn’t find any other satisfactory explanations.
“Let’s leave our origin report at that. My coding is starting to go haywire.”
“The content doesn’t really fit for the apocryphal records either… Perhaps this should be relayed by the Archbishops orally.”
After exchanging another sigh, I handed her a terminal.
At a glance, it looked like a stylish paperweight, but in reality, it was a space projection-type tablet used by the Old Humans. When powered on, holographic projections observable even by the naked eye appeared in the air, allowing for intuitive operation either via direct connection or touch.
Though too cumbersome for us, given that we don’t require additional motions to manipulate our bodies, since “Inanna 12” had left a good number of such terminals behind, we decided to make use of them.
“This is a more original medium for the holy texts.”
“It’s fine to connect directly, or you can use either voice commands or touch. First, try pulling up the map.”
Seemingly familiar with such devices, Aurelia promptly called up the map after inserting the direct-connect cable. A large portion of the map showed up grayed out—indicating lost blocks—within the overall diagram of the “Inanna 12,” but certain sections were marked to blink white.
“I’ve already opened up access for that route in the forbidden areas. It’s designed to connect exclusively to the food production facilities and power supply.”
“Perfect. With this, we won’t have to let the lower populace starve.”
What I had enabled was a simple grain production facility combined with battery-power stations—support supplies to aid in the town’s recovery from the dragon calamity. Given that the sacred machinery had been discreetly and secretly allowed to connect and certain facilities had been handed over, I considered this a fair trade.
With food production facilities capable of manufacturing tens of thousands of military-grade rations per hour—granted, they might have a dystopian vibe, but the taste isn’t bad—and the large batteries capable of restoring essential functions in towns with disrupted power grids, everything should get by in moderate condition.
“So, this will hold for the immediate situation.”
“Long-term countermeasures, yes. To this…”
Handing me the elegant plant paper covered with neatly printed names, there stood a list—a list of those who had been excommunicated and those who had “fled.”
“Holy cow, there’s quite a number…”
“Many of those who were excommunicated seem to have followed those who fled, raising concerns that they may be plotting something sinister in the outlying regions.”
Though I admit there have been times I thought perhaps they should’ve been ‘dealt with,’ amidst the chaos of the city, such actions risk inviting a night of terror politics. Thus, it’s understandable it wasn’t pursued.
“Vaughn Virgil has escaped, hasn’t he?”
“Efficiently so, carrying off a good deal of assets, tools, and technology. His whereabouts remain unknown, though we suspect he’s headed north where local powers hold sway…”
The northern area of the Canopy Holy Capital comprises a fertile plain, the largest grain production zone formed by four counties and one frontier baron territory. Virgil, of these, hailed from the largest county and rose through the ranks to become the leader of the Eastern Garden Knights—a Magius Geanaite prodigy.
And yet, stretching his scheming fingers into the south for personal gain, how truly insatiable the desires of humanity are.
“So, what was he ultimately trying to achieve?”
“Apparently, he sought to become a major political figure within the Magius Geanaite ranks. Following the death of the previous Grand Knight due to illness, and the subsequent dragon attack, the elections were thrown into disarray. Thus, he planned to slide into the role of Grand Master by default.”
Hmm, understandable motivations for a straightforward villain. Indeed, he was appointed acting Grand Master, and his skills were evidently commendable.
Of course, without my irregular presence, he would’ve likely succeeded.
Contrariwise, without my presence, the Holy Capital might’ve fallen.
Flipping through the list, memorizing its contents and cross-referencing with faces, I returned it.
You seemed surprised that I had already memorized it all, but for us, forgetting is harder unless we intentionally delete the data. Remember names and details at a glance? Absolutely manageable.
“By the way, I’ve heard some monks are spreading rumors about you restoring your human form.”
“Already? It couldn’t have been Galatea talking, so she must’ve been spotted briefly…”
“They seem to hold expectations that the same may be done for them.”
“Unfortunately, that’s impossible. Even for you, Aurelia.”
Let me be clear by bluntly stating this is not said out of malice.
This “Inanna 12” was brought in by the Ecliptic Republic Union after the Earth terraforming phase ended, with the purpose of establishing a frontier base on the planet. Though sold by the Galactic Higher Sentient Collective, its internal structure varies significantly. Modifications have been made to accommodate them, and all unnecessary equipment was removed.
For instance, advanced cybernetic processing facilities.
“We’ve had our genes modified to enhance our cybernetic compatibility at birth, and the facilities required to digitize our selves into binary code are massive and highly specialized. Most crucially, the self needs to be logged from the moment of birth.”
Without this, we wouldn’t proudly claim to have digitized our selves into binary code. We have confidence in our self-continuity, and that’s why we’re still considered part of humanity. For a perfect digitization, the process should start with the infant—data logging from the moment of birth.
While partial digitization at a given point may be possible, the continuity of self invariably gets disrupted in some way. From our perspective, this would classify as a high-quality clone, not a true self.
“But don’t we have the same crystal?”
“That crystal connects with what’s called a secondary brain—a bypass and subsystem supporting the brain for mechanical linkage. Though it accumulates memory data, it does not store self-data.”
Scanning and digitizing the entire neural network is an incredibly complex task, not like simple 3D printing. It requires a supercomputer made by parallelizing photon computing units, capable of incredibly advanced processing, and a self-scanner. This can’t be taken lightly as if it’s something easy.
If it could be done, that would be…
“With the ‘Izanami-no-Mikoto 29’ still hovering at Planet Equilibrium Point 4, it might just be possible…”
Though with considerable uncertainty regarding self-continuity.
Switching the map to the stellar system chart via remote operation, I pointed to one of the Lagrange points, which served as the frontline base and command center for this planetary development—the 29th ship in the Izanami-class planetary mother fleet. This ship, equipped with production facilities even for standard warships, naturally includes devices for copying self-data.
If we could utilize these facilities, the denizens of the Holy Capital, whose composition resembles Type D pseudo-bodies, might just become mechanized humans—provided their minds can endure the disposal of their old bodies.
“However, the significant issue is… we don’t even know how to get there.”
“…I see. Then I’ll have to explain this to the monks.”
She looked a little disappointed—likely more concerned about how to dissuade her followers than her inability to become mechanized.
It must be arduous, leading people. I stayed a mere Captain for decades; I didn’t return to the Military University programs and kicked away any prospects for promotion—it’s hard to fathom the mental load of being the leader of a city of one million.
Calming one faction only to incite another, putting out fires only to face grumbles from opposing parties. It’s like endless whack-a-mole—she deserves some sympathy.
Next time, I might gift her some pseudo-intelligences for political assistance; a staff of dozens if necessary.
“Also, there’s another issue bubbling up from below.”
“What is it? Is it a petition addressed to me? I was just about to withdraw for facility expansion…”
“There’s talk that we should appoint attendants known as ‘holy women.'”
“Holy women?”
When I tilted my head in confusion, Aurelia informed me that among the Gear Priests, the elite who are eligible to interface with first-order terminals and possess strong genetic predispositions are referred to as holy women. Currently, five have this title, though Aurelia once carried it.
Ah, so such a system exists.
“Nah, I’ve got Galatea, so it’s not necessary.”
“Galatea of the Knights? But she is the fourth daughter of a Marquis family, unsuitable by rank, and lacking in talent for Gear spells. Isn’t she more of a burden?”
Ah, so she does come from a good family. That’s why she insists on calling herself ‘just Galatea.’
“I fight on the battlefield, not a parlor. Why would I bring some highborn, well-mannered maiden along? Galatea is enough for me.”
“…Ah, things are about to get trickier. Remember, there are many aiming to get closer to you for ulterior motives.”
“I’ll be careful. What, bribery won’t work on me—that’s certain. No need to worry.”
After finishing my tea, satisfied that my side of the conversation was more or less done, Aurelia presented me with yet another request, pulling out a map.
Apparently, the anomalies that attack the Holy Capital are not singular.
“Unfortunately, the period when we are cyclically attacked is drawing near. Unless we achieve a significant victory here, there is the possibility that the populace will disperse.”
“Shouldn’t we rely on the protection of the guardian deity?”
“It’s a foe even the guardian deity struggles against.”
Raising a brow, I prompted her to continue.
Apparently, there’s a place where bizarre creatures akin to the Tech Gobs originate, designated not only as an unexplored area but also a source of massive threats to the Holy Capital, thus defended with six layers of strongholds.
Ordinarily, defending this area would be left to the Northern Garden Knights who focus on expeditions, but their forces were decimated this time around due to the harsh battle with the dragon—leaving only about one battalion for regular guarding typically—and there’s been earnest pleading for the guardian deity to “dispatch” forces.
“You want me to head out and crush them, not fight within the Canopy Holy Capital?”
“I’m aware it’s impolite to ask for your labor, but the populace truly fears that place. And the ‘army of the undead’ that emerges from it.”
Ordinarily, I’d say they should manage their own defense, but I became highly interested in this location.
The “Valley of Death,” upon cross-referencing it with old map data, aligns with the “5689th Development Base.” If entities are leaking from here, it isn’t unfathomable that the Higher Conscious Collective might bear some responsibility, nor unlikely that this is the same entity as the “Corrupted Male Deity” that we could possibly capture…
—
[Glossary Entry: Saint Maidens] A title of respect given to women with exceptionally high Gear Priest compatibility, considered the elite cadre who are selected for future priesthood or archbishopric. Aurelia herself was once the chief saint maiden, a position envied in high society, but remained unmarried due to her unwavering faith.
I have turned 33 years old today. I hope you will continue to follow my works.
The next update is scheduled for 18:00 on August 6, 2024.
