Chương 111: Chapter 4:”The Capital of Natura, Diesnatura 1″

Speaking of gathering information, the first place to head to would be a library. FabL possesses the ability to automatically translate and read the characters of any world for some reason. So books become a significant source of information. I immediately asked a man nearby for directions to the biggest library in this town. I approached him quite closely, so I was nervous about whether he would find out I was a flesh-and-blood human, but it seems I managed to get by safely.

We-well, I wasn't exposed even when Lilna touched me, so I predicted it would be fine. Really. He kindly taught me. The Central Library in the Central District seems to be the biggest place in this town. Incidentally, in the flow of conversation, I accidentally found out the name of this town. I was saved because I couldn't ask "What is the name of this town?" myself, as it would definitely seem strange. Diesnatura, huh. After thanking him, I decided to head to the Central Library immediately.

The Central District is connected from the 4th District where I am now. If I obediently follow the image of the word "Central," it's OK. If I proceed inward perpendicularly to the circular road, I will eventually arrive. Approaching near the Central District, the buildings became even higher. I was already surprised enough by the magnificence of the buildings, but now structures so huge that I almost lost my nerve began to appear in my vision. Speaking of particularly prominent ones.

Two dome-shaped buildings like factories. And. Actually, I've seen them since I first came to this world, but there are two skyscraper towers soaring as if piercing the sky. With a contrast of pure white and pure black, they are located on the left and right of the very center of the city respectively. Thinking normally, the Central District should be the hub of the city. It is not hard to imagine that important facilities are gathered here.

Even if I postpone the library, I want to check what kind of things are here. I tried to make a detour thinking so, but the harvest was poor. I wanted to look around in detail if possible, but as expected, the general public seems to be completely prohibited from entering. Everywhere is guarded quite strictly, and multiple guards are constantly keeping a watchful eye. So, at best, I only understood the shapes and names of the buildings. Too bad.

To conclude, the buildings that stood out seemed important as they were. First, the white tower-like building seen on the left is the 『Central Control Tower』. The black tower on the right is the 『Central Government Headquarters』. These two protrude significantly compared to other buildings in the city, like the twin tips of a household outlet plug. Between the two, huge connecting passages cross at two places, top and bottom, connecting them directly.

Furthermore, buildings for various ministries and government offices were arranged to surround the vicinity of the Central Government Headquarters. And, sandwiched between the Central Control Tower and the Central Government Headquarters, right in the center of the city, the 『Central Factory』 and the 『Central Processing Plant』 stand adjacent to each other. Both are dome-shaped, non-standard huge facilities, and these two alone occupy a considerable area of the Central District.

Looking closely, it was overwhelming enough to fill my entire vision. I have never seen such huge buildings before. The two domes are completely separated from the outside by gates many times higher than one's height and thick walls. It seemed that security was especially strict under martial law. From the outside, it is impossible to know what is going on inside.

Then, although they seemed slightly smaller and lower in rank than these seemingly most important facilities, I found a building that I could never overlook. 『Dieclan Headquarters』 Certainly, 『Dieclan』 refers to the guys who suddenly shot at "Ore" (me). Looking at it, several things similar to the cars that were sounding sirens at that time are lined up. Guessing, it would be something like a police organization.

Well, I think I'm safe because I'm a woman, but staying here for a long time is not very good for my mental health. I feel like I might be attacked suddenly again. Thinking so, just as I turned on my heel to leave. From far away in the sky, I saw a light blue open car flying towards this direction. That characteristic car body, no mistake. It's the car Lilna was riding! The car she was in passed over my head and stopped on the roof of the headquarters.

It descended slowly on the spot, and eventually, due to the angle, it was hidden by the building and disappeared. I see. Did she belong here? Probably because she couldn't find "Ore," she decided to return once. When she came, the populace said it was 『Dielevats』. Then, does 『Dielevats』 refer to a part of 『Dieclan』? And the fact that they are called by a special name suggests they are not ordinary guys. In fact, she alone was terribly strong. To the point where current me can't even compete.

If found by her again, I might be asked why I am in such a place and get into trouble. It's better to disappear quickly. I left quickly as if fleeing from the spot. Now. I made a little detour, but I came to the Central Library. Yeah. Unexpectedly, it's not that big. That was my honest impression. No. The simple-looking building based on gray color reflected in front of me is big enough to look up at.

However, for someone who has been looking at ridiculously huge facilities until now, it is inevitable to feel somewhat small. But if it houses a large number of books, shouldn't it normally be bigger? Holding such a question, I entered and was surprised. No, surprised was an understatement. Because there is not a single book. Instead of books, many computer-like terminals were lined up in an orderly manner. Could it be an Electronic Library? I see. That's why this size was enough.

Even so, it's my first time seeing an all-electronic one. Users seem to be searching for something using those terminals. I saw them touching the screen or reaching out to the box-shaped machine next to it. For now, it seems free to use, so shall I try? I looked for a vacant spot and touched the terminal screen. The display that lit up Pa-atto showed a search screen. Operating a touch panel makes me feel nostalgic since I was on Earth. What should I input? Let's search for Diesnatura for the time being.

Probably books written about this city should come out. Diesnatura, enter. When I finished inputting, a list of search results came out. Titles are lined up from the top. Sliding my finger on the screen to scroll, I found a good-looking title. 『Establishment and Development of Diesnatura, Current Status and Future』 Yeah. This looks good. Touch the title and go to the next screen. By the way, I don't really like these e-books.

Because I can't flip through pages at hand to reach the necessary information quickly, and when there is a part I'm curious about, it's hard to read while going back sometimes or write freely. Also, I feel like information enters my head more organized with paper books because they catch the eye at a glance. With e-books, it's fine for skimming, but I have an impression that they are somewhat unsuitable for reading properly.

After all, I think paper books are convenient, but why did they become obsolete in this world? Well, current me has Perfect Memory Ability, so it doesn't matter whether it's paper or electronic as long as I can look through it. The reason was revealed immediately. In a very convincing form.

"Insert your right index finger into the slot to install the content." The display showed that. No, impossible! I retorted with all my might in my heart. I see. Is that so... That's right. Because they are Machine Humans. Of course, if you connect to the terminal, you can install information. Can they save information directly into their heads? No wonder paper books aren't needed. Sigh. This is bad. I can't understand anything with this.

Perhaps because my dropping shoulders were conspicuous, a librarian lady approached and called out to me.

"Is something wrong?"

"Ah, no. Is every book supposed to be installed like this?" To my question, she answered with a business-like smile.

"Yes. It is designed so that you search for all necessary information and install it."

"Is that so. Umm."

"Yes?"

"Actually, my body is a little out of order. I can't load data." It's not a complete lie, but I'm not telling the truth either. She kept her business-like attitude but worried about me in a slightly sympathetic tone.

"Oh my. That must be terrible. You should go to the nearest factory for maintenance as soon as possible." Maintenance at a factory. In human terms, is it like going to a hospital? Nearest means there are other places like the Central Factory? Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"That's right. So, I'm sorry, but."

"Yes."

"Is there anything I can read directly, whether it's paper books or e-books?" I asked with a ray of hope, but the answer returned was still a denial.

"I am sorry, but there are none. Such outdated things in the style of Humites do not exist." The receptionist lady told me so with a smile. It's surely not my imagination that her smile became scary when she said Humite.

"I see. Understood. Then, I'll come again after fixing it..."

"I apologize for not being able to help. We look forward to your next visit." Going outside dejectedly, I sighed. Honestly, my understanding of machine society was naive. What is that library that refuses humans? Or rather, can I even call that a library anymore? Since the library, which was my lifeline, is practically unusable, gathering information seems likely to be difficult. What should I do? At that time, my stomach suddenly growled Guu. Startled, I look around, but luckily no one seemed to hear it....

I'm getting hungry soon. In the end, I haven't found any food, and if I take it too easy, I might collapse from hunger like sometime before... Although there was no one, feeling slightly hot in the face from embarrassment, I left quickly from in front of the library entrance. Let's think about what to do with the other "Watashi" (Me/Female). Thinking so, I moved to an inconspicuous place, closed my eyes, and decided to head to the 『World of Heart』.

It is a place where everything I experience is accumulated as it is, and time flows almost independently from the outside world. I could freely go back and forth between there and the real world at any time. The 『World of Heart』 is usually pitch black and spreads endlessly like space. We decided to call this mysterious space, which is too wide and full of mysteries to be called just a mental world, 『World of Heart』 as we called it since we were small. This 『World of Heart』 is the essence of my ability as a FabL.

The transformation ability I usually use is just a small part of the power born accidentally due to long circumstances. Everything accumulated from experience is stored somewhere in this dark space without omission. If requested, it can be called up as a fragment of memory emitting a pale white light, or a larger flow of memory. And I can use the contents of the recalled memory as my own power exactly as it is in principle. For example, I can use techniques I have taken even once.

If it were just this, it would be a tremendous cheat ability, but in reality, when I try to use the ability, I am swayed by its excessive strength. The cause is that the 『World of Heart』 is too big for me as an individual. Since every experience is accumulated honestly, the enormous content volume far exceeds the limit I can handle. And using the ability stimulates the 『World of Heart』. It seems that the more amazing thing I use, the greater the stimulus I give.

Of course, I can calm it down by myself to some extent. However, in the overly activated 『World of Heart』, a torrent of power and memories swirls enough to fill this usually pitch-black world with white light. When it reaches that point, I can no longer suppress it with my own power alone. Falling into this so-called Ability Runaway State, the 『World of Heart』 immediately bares its fangs at me. The enormous power that lost order inflicts severe damage on both mental and physical aspects.

That's why, in the end, the current situation is that I can hardly use my power properly. It's a pity, though. Now, I mainly utilize the transformation ability that can be used reasonably by default, and the nature of accumulating whatever I experience, as Perfect Memory Ability. It seems like a waste of treasure, but it can't be helped since this is the only thing I can use safely. If I get Lenks to assist me, I'm fine even if I use the ability somewhat... But he's not always by my side.

I still don't understand much about this ability myself. When I confronted Will in Sacris before, I don't know why, but there was one time when I could exert power that even I couldn't believe. My memory of that time is vague, but I vaguely remember that I could use all the powers in this 『World of Heart』 all at once. So, why do I head to the 『World of Heart』? In the outside world, for two genders, there is only one body that can be moved. So, I change my body one by one and switch between men and women to use.

But here, the male and female bodies exist separately accompanied by flesh. And personalities also exist separately for men and women, and there is the original owner of this female body. That girl is"Watashi", a female personality different from me. While I am a woman, she harmonizes with the spirit of the male "Ore" and creates this personality of "Watashi". In other words, thanks to her, I can act as a woman without feeling strange.

When I was free or in trouble alone, "Ore" and "Watashi" often discussed together. It's strange to discuss with oneself, and if we want to, we can understand each other's hearts without speaking at all, but it's fun to separate into two and discuss.... Traveling alone all the time is lonely, you know. Also, like parallel thinking, sometimes we come up with ideas and opinions that one person couldn't produce. Arriving in the pitch-black space, I saw a male body with an empty heart in front of me.

When I touched him, as usual, "Ore's" spirit separated from "Watashi's" spirit and slipped out of the female body. Just like that, it slipped into the male body. Soon, the sensation of a flat chest and a powerful body returned. After all, when I become a man, this body feels more right. In front of me, stretching greatly, was another me who was that body until just before. There was "Watashi," the partner who always supports me closest.

"Now. We hit a dead end suddenly, what do we do?" Since we were originally one, we naturally understand the situation. We could get straight to the point.

"Watashi" is wearing her usual slightly spirited and gentle smile.

"We're in trouble. I never thought the library would be like that."

"Exactly. Where should we go next? I can't think of anything immediately." Major facilities are all off-limits, and the library is practically unusable. Then, I had no idea where to head next. This metropolis is too vast to wander aimlessly. From the feeling of walking from District 4 to here, it seemed to be as wide as Tokyo or even wider.

"Right. Or rather, since we are basically the same person, even if we think together, we don't come up with eccentric ideas easily, do we?"

"That's true. But it's better than doing nothing. Let's think together."

"Okay." We immediately twist our heads and think. Where is likely to gather information? Is there food? For efficiency, first, what is where? I wanted to know the overall picture of this town. Isn't there a map somewhere? Of course, not data, but one I can read properly. That's it. As a woman, shall I go to Dieclan with an innocent face and ask for directions? No, then the risk of meeting Her increases... Her terrifyingly cold expression, as if saying she would kill me no matter what, flickered in my mind."

Lilna was super scary. I thought I'd die." Then, hearing that, "Watashi" laughed lightly.

"Ahaha. Your fear was conveyed to me as if I could take it in my hand. Certainly, that person is scary."

"She is definitely the persistent type."

"Yeah, yeah. She looked vindictive."

"Watashi" sympathizes deeply. She thinks of me like a younger brother and often comforts me. A grateful existence.

"What if we get attacked again? Honestly, I'm not confident I can escape forever."

"Don't we have no choice but to try not to be found as much as possible? As long as you are 'Watashi', it seems safe. If found, we have to run away with spirit each time."

"Sigh. Is that the only way after all? She attacks so suddenly. It was really bad for my heart. It really helped that you don't have Qi."

"To think this constitution would be so useful. We were lucky."

"Yeah. Lucky." We rejoice in our good luck together. Then "Watashi" showed a slightly worried face and said.

"It's really tough that magic cannot be used. The fact that there is not a single thing among the powers we can use safely that seems likely to break her powerful barrier is also..."

"That's the point. If only that barrier didn't exist, I could still manage a little. That is fatally helpless. If it's just movement, I thought 'Ore' could compete somehow." In terms of speed alone, I was fighting evenly. The number of moves was definitely higher on her side though. However, she seemed to have plenty of spare power. This prediction might be a little suspicious too.

"Yeah. Maybe it would be okay with that body. It's impossible for 'Watashi' no matter how I struggle."

"Is it still tough staying a woman?" Especially the first blow where she slashed from behind suddenly when I thought she was in front. I don't understand the identity of that dangerous attack. It didn't seem like she moved at super speed, but it only seemed like she really disappeared. This is a hunch, but it smells like the Space-Time System that gave me a hard time in Sacris.

"That's right. This body that can't use magic is not much different from an ordinary person. If my identity is exposed and I stay like this, I'll definitely be killed in an instant. Be careful."

"Yeah. Let's be careful. In the worst case, if I use 【Rebellion】, I might manage something. But, the load on the mind and body is..." Lenks's 【Rebellion】. If I can use his cheat ability recognized by himself and others. I feel like even Lilna wouldn't be an enemy. It seems the world is not made so conveniently. Since I came to a world with low tolerance of all places, 【Rebellion】 is too toxic.

"Watashi" seemed to think the same thing, and she scolded me with a harsh tone filled with worry.

"Absolutely not. Speaking from experience as a resident here, if you use 《Tolerance Limit Break》 in this world, whether it's Qi or Magic, the load is too great and you'll almost certainly go down without being able to do anything. While the risk is too high, I absolutely won't let you use it."

"I know. You don't have to say it so harshly." Feeling like being scolded by a mother, I shrugged.

"Watashi's" worry didn't seem to subside yet, and she appealed to me using gestures.

"I'm worried because you've messed up in the past. If Lenks hadn't been there at that time, we would have been finished, right?"

"Ugh. I'm weak when you say that." When I was still small, I once used the ability ignoring "Watashi's" stop. At that time, the ability went completely out of control, and my heart was nearly broken. If Lenks hadn't saved me, undoubtedly the current me wouldn't exist.

"I will do my best as your support role. I don't want to feel like that anymore." From the dignified expression of "Watashi" and the depths of the powerful eyes that look exactly like mine, a strong determination was conveyed. I understand the heart of "Watashi", my half, well. The feeling of being torn apart when I used force unreasonably at that time and seemed likely to break. Because she was put to sleep by Will, "Watashi" couldn't be of much help in Sacris either.

No matter how many times I fell into a predicament and acted recklessly, she couldn't even know it, and felt sorry for continuing to sleep. Resentment towards herself. And above all. Feelings of worrying about me and loving me exactly like herself. Everything is conveyed painfully well. I won't let 'Ore' be reckless alone anymore. If you do it, definitely with me. She thinks so. That's why you are strict about ability management. You are a worrier, and once you decide this, you are stubborn and really don't listen.

Who on earth do you resemble? Ah, Me.

"I understand. I'm counting on you from now on."

"Leave it to me."

"Watashi" grinned and puffed out her chest. In the journey of otherworlds repeating meetings and partings. Only "Watashi" is always by my side and helps me. How reassuring that is. We intend to continue working together in a three-legged race while relying on each other. Anyway, as "Watashi" says, it would be better to stop tampering with tolerance this time. However, it is a waste to bind everything out of fear of runaway, since it is an ability that can use various things in principle. Being too timid.

Is there anything I can use in this world? Thinking so, I thought of one thing for the time being.

"That's it. Even with the same 【Rebellion】, 《Anti-Gravity Effect》 might work. Look, moving in this world, gravity doesn't seem that different from Earth. The load should be about the same. Even when I was 8 years old, I lasted a little, so I think I can endure somehow now."

"Watashi" crossed her arms and started thinking. Under deliberation, perhaps. Soon "Watashi" nodded.

"Yeah. Well, probably, if it's just a little bit, I think it's okay. But don't use it lightly."

"Of course. Besides, when using it, I definitely need your cooperation anyway."

"That's true too." With "Watashi" present, stability when using abilities increased considerably. While I exercise abilities in the outside world, "Watashi" plays the role of controlling the 『World of Heart』. This ability can be handled fully only when we two are together. In Sacris where "Watashi" was sleeping, it can be said that 【God Vessel】 could hardly demonstrate its true value. In the first place, I was led by Will not to notice even the existence of such a 『World of Heart』.

Knowing nothing, just fearing him, I am pathetic. —Various things he said in Edel still stick in my mind, though. Thinking a little more, it seems "Watashi" came up with a good idea. She has a face like that.

"I know. How about a Station? We can grasp the connection of places. Maybe there is a large map of this town."

"Station, huh. It seems worth going."

"Alright. Decided."

"Yeah. Decided." When the policy was decided, "Watashi" hugged me tightly. In the real world, if I don't act as a woman, I'll end up being chased around again. It is to return to one as a woman again.

"Watashi," who is a support role, does not have the authority to move the body usually. So, I had to become "Watashi" (Me/Female). My spirit goes out of the male body and enters the female body. Inside, the spirit of "Watashi" waiting accepted me as if wrapping me up. When hearts connect, there is always a warm and comfortable feeling. Eventually, when completely harmonized and becoming "Watashi", I slipped out of the 『World of Heart』 leaving the "Ore" body that became an empty shell again.

I look up at the terribly turbid gray sky. The sun was gradually starting to set. Compared to my sense of a day, the movement of the sun feels somewhat slow. Is a day on this planet a little longer than Earth? I started walking to find a station. It seems exploring this metropolis will still take time.