Chương 114: Chapter 7:”Request from the “Children Who Couldn’t Become Adults””

Kudin is throwing a sharp gaze at me as if sizing me up.

"Well, greetings are done, so let's talk without formal tones. Both I and Remi find it easier to talk that way." Looking at Remi, she nodded in agreement. Well, it's easier for me too.

"Then I'll take you up on that. Before we talk, can I ask one thing?"

"Go ahead." Receiving his permission, I asked.

"Can you tell me how on earth you were able to identify me?" I intended to be careful with my actions. In fact, it seems no one else found out I was a human. So, I wanted to know why only they saw through me. Probably, guessing from Ryuto's remark "Just as Remi said," she must have seen through me.

"I found you." Remi answered as expected with a composed face. Kudin supplements.

"She specializes in Humite Sensing Functions. Not just capturing life reactions, she has a radar that reacts to objects whose composition ratio of elements constituting Humites, such as hydrogen and carbon, is close to Humites."

"I see. Then it's natural to be found." To think I was analyzed at the elemental level. Certainly, that would expose me in one shot. Even if I eliminate Qi, I don't have a metal body like Natura. Then, what concerns me is whether there are others who can do the same. If there are, I can't act with peace of mind just because I'm a woman.

"Is there anyone else who uses that sensing method?"

"Probably no one. Surely only me." Her face, which became silent with a sullen look after saying only that, was clearly displeased. Why? She doesn't seem happy about having that function alone. Kudin, who seems to know the circumstances, explained again instead of her who closed her mouth.

"She is a Special Unit born with special circumstances originally. The Humite Sensing Function was not added by her wish."

"I see."

"Anyway, you can rest assured that there is probably no one else who can imitate that." Looking at her, she turned her face away pui. She doesn't seem to want it touched much, so let's stop delving deeper. Anyway, the question of why I was found has been solved. And if I believe their words, it means I am basically safe in a female form.

"Okay. I understood well." Then, Remi turned her face back to me and asked in a strong tone.

"More than that. I have something to ask too. I've wanted to know since I found you."

"What?"

"How can you hide your life reaction without Sephic?" That question. I thought it would come, but I don't even know what Sephic is in the first place. Hmm. How should I answer? While I hesitated to reply, she didn't wait for it and threw questions in rapid succession.

"It's strange. Major incidents like Humites wandering around above, which hasn't happened in years, happened twice today alone. The mysterious man who appeared in the daytime, and you. Why did you suddenly appear? What on earth is your purpose?" Pushed by her tremendous menacing attitude, I was troubled. Perhaps unable to watch me like that, Kudin intervened to stop her.

"Now, now. If you ask all at once, she will be troubled."

"But, you are curious too, right Kudin?"

"That is true, but..." Are these two on terms where they can talk without reserve regardless of hierarchy? From him shrugging his shoulders pushed by her tone, the dignity as a boss he showed at first had completely faded. Excuse me, but current him looks more like a child appropriate for his appearance. Having managed to soothe her, he cleared his throat kohon once and said to me.

"Certainly, most of what Remi said are things I am curious about too. Originally, it is impossible for Humites to be active above. Sorry, but to probe your movements, I asked Ryuto to follow you. Therefore, I generally grasp all your actions." Was I being secretly followed by that guy? Since he has absolutely no presence unlike humans, I didn't notice at all. I still have a long way to go.

"What I understood from observation is that your actions were clearly not normal. Movements like an outsider who knows nothing desperately searching for clues." Exactly. I'm completely seen through.

"First, the place you headed straight for was the Central Library, right?" When I nodded honestly, he continued.

"There, you, as a Humite, naturally cannot obtain any information, but you seemed not to know that." He spins words while observing my reaction with his sharp eyes.

"The purpose of going through all Trives taking time was probably to grasp the geography. Not satisfied with that, you boldly attempted to leave this city."

"Yes. But."

"It was impossible. It is common sense for those living in this city that the gate security is strict. But you didn't even know that." Kudin paused a little and checked my reaction again.

"Then, the incident in the daytime. Your appearance of being agitated upon hearing the news about the assailant man in question has been confirmed." Was I seen that firmly!? To me who couldn't hide my slight surprise, he lifted the corner of his mouth slightly triumphantly.

"Judging from the above. Although I don't know the detailed circumstances, you are an Outsider who wandered into this town by a transfer device like Trive or something."

"......"

"And, the man from the daytime incident is your comrade or acquaintance, right? So now, you are in trouble not knowing left from right. Isn't that about it?"

"... Generally correct." If there is only one difference, it is that the man from the daytime incident is definitely"Ore" (Me) myself. But he wouldn't think it's the same person, so it's natural to predict it's a comrade or acquaintance. I am honestly impressed. He has great observation eyes.

"Hee. As expected of our Brain. Then, the purpose of being above and everything are gone now." To Remi nodding with a convinced face, Kudin nods back.

"That's how it is. And she is a valuable talent who can move freely whose identity has not been cracked yet." He turned back to me and asked with a polite demeanor.

"Yu. I asked you to come for no other reason. I want you to cooperate with us. As a reward, we will provide you with as much information, food, and housing as you desire." First, dangling bait to fish, huh.

"Apparently, what you want most now seems to be those things. How about it. Not bad, right?" Certainly, those are things I want desperately, but what is the price?

"Certainly not bad. So, what do you want to ask?"

"I'll talk about that later. First, I want you to know our position and philosophy. Should I speak on the premise that you know nothing?"

"Please do."

"Understood. First, we are called 『Ausser-Chilion』. Let's talk from around there." Taking a breath, he begins to speak again.

"Among us Natura, there are no elderly people like Humites. However, you must have seen children mixed with adults."

"I saw them. Why do child bodies exist on purpose?"

"I don't know that. There is no choice but to say that such a mechanism was already commonplace when I was born."

"I see."

"It's the same for Humites, right? Why there are such and such customs and cultures in society, it is a proposition that is sometimes difficult or impossible to answer." Certainly. There are mysterious customs and cultures. Like slurping noodles and soup in Japan, or saying sorry excessively for everything. It's normal, but if asked why, it's something I don't understand well.

"Anyway, we are strange existences who adopt a lifestyle conforming to Humites while hating them. It seems we are programmed that way." Programmed, huh. If there are those who created this mechanism, what on earth did they think to create such a thing?

"We are first born into this world as a child unit 『Chilion』 inheriting half of the information from a man and a woman who love each other. Well, to put it in a blunt and vulgar way, through night activities, data is combined between things imitating sperm and egg, and by bringing the combined data to the Central Factory, a new unit with it as the core is manufactured." Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Are love and reproductive mechanisms reproduced too?

Somehow it's an outrageous story.

"The 『Chilion』 born in this way does not grow physically from the time of manufacture. On the other hand, intelligence grows in the same way as Humites due to the equipped learning function."

"Fumu fumu."

"Eventually, between 15 and 20 years after manufacture, it is supposed to perform Body Update to an adult unit 『Adura』."

"I see. So you switch there."

"Yeah. This is a right as well as a duty of Natura. At this time, a considerable update fee must be paid, but for a certain reason, it is normal to pay it even if it is quite unreasonable."

"A certain reason?" Perhaps there is a very bitter reason there, Kudin frowned.

"Rarely, due to various circumstances, there are those who cannot or do not update from 『Chilion』 to 『Adura』. Such people are called 『Ausser-Chilion』 —Children who couldn't become adults."

"That's you guys." Finally, their own story came out. I listen more closely. With a bitter face, he stated the core problem.

"We are deprived of various basic rights as Natura, such as the right to work and the right to live. In short, we are branded as Not Natura."

"Just because you didn't do a Body Update!? That's a terrible story."

"Exactly. Above, Ausser-Chilions are supposed to be captured upon discovery and disposed of at the Central Processing Plant. It's the same treatment as you Humites."" Disposal..." What a disturbing story. It makes me feel sad. Because I was also about to be killed and disposed of. I understand the feeling well.

"Not just us. Those with noticeable aging or those with some irreparable errors are also disposed of immediately. The resources obtained in this way are reused as materials for the next generation of Natura. Diesnatura is a city where only Standard Natura are allowed to enjoy prosperity..." It was a horrifying story. Natura, whose bodies are machines, unlike humans, can probably live endlessly unless completely broken. So I thought the time when they were broken beyond repair was their natural end.

But in reality, forced to end life when they deviate from the standard... Even if resources to create the next generation of Natura are born by doing so, and the world goes around. A life forcibly ended by others is disgusting just to think about. However, Kudin also taught me about the official stance and reality.

"But such laws are strictly principles. In reality, executing all Humites and disposing of heretics one by one takes enormous effort and budget."

"That's right. Ah, that's why." I understood the reason why this strange underground city was established.

"You are sharp. The Central Government has designated this Geesnatura as an extra-legal zone, and has decided to virtually tacitly permit survival only in this zone."

"I see."

"It's a policy to control by naturally driving Humites and disposal targets to this underground and confining them."

"The method is cunning. Inhumane, but rational."

"Yeah. Frustrating, though. I am also one of those who were inevitably driven here." To him shrugging his shoulders, I, and Remi too, were directing sympathetic gazes. However, he didn't end with just being beaten.

"But I have a somewhat strong rebellious spirit to just cry myself to sleep like this. Hoping that Ausser-Chilions who lost their place can huddle together, stand up, and bathe in the sunlight above." He turns his eyes to the mark drawn on the wall behind him. There, a circle of children holding hands and the sun above them were drawn. Staring at me again, he said powerfully.

"I created an organization here. That is this 『Gathering of Ausser-Chilion』." From such him, strong pride as the boss of the organization he created himself is felt. Next to him, Remi, who was directing a passionate gaze at him, said.

"Kudin is really amazing. It can be said that we exist now because he is here." From the story so far, their purpose, which was unknown, finally became visible.

"I see. I understood well what kind of gathering this is— Resistance, right?"

"Exactly. We are active to overthrow the oppressive regime by the current Central Government." This seems to have hit a bigger mountain than I thought. Am I lucky or unlucky from the first day? For better or worse, the power an organization has is greater than an individual. Rather than wandering around alone choro-choro, I would probably see more things if I stayed close to them. But in return, freedom decreases, and risk definitely increases. What to do.

Let's judge after asking the activity details in detail for now. Reserving the conclusion, I continue the dialogue.

"And, does that mean you are connected with Humites? I see the picture a little."

"Hoh. Why did you think so?" To him who showed an impressed expression, I answered the basis immediately.

"For Natura, there are many pro-Humite people. There is food prepared that is unnecessary for Natura. You are openly asking me, a Humite who should be an enemy originally, for cooperation."

"Hoh."

"Besides, for resistance activities, pipes with the outside and funding sources are essential. If I think there is a connection with Humites, everything makes sense."

"... It is as you say. We aim for a society where everyone can live equally while cooperating with the Humite camp." I knew it. My guess was right, and I feel a little relieved inside. If I said something completely off the mark, there is a possibility that I would be thought of as a disappointment.

"Also, not just Humites. We also cooperate with other resistance organizations. Please keep in mind that Natura is by no means a monolith of anti-Humite."

"I see. There are people like you too." Speaking of Natura, I only had an image of enemies of Humites. That both are cooperating was a fresh sound.

"Yeah. To tell the truth, I myself sympathize with Humites." And he spoke his recognition again.

"Certainly, Humites have a historical grave sin that can never be forgiven. Partly because of that, Natura and Humites have been at odds since ancient times. It is said there were many gruesome battles." Historical grave sin, huh. What on earth did they do?

"But, how is the current situation? Now Humites have been driven almost entirely to the barren Tia Continent. The birth rate has also dropped sharply, and they are on a path of decline." Another unknown background comes out. Since he thinks I am a Humite, he must be speaking thinking I know this naturally.

"To add insult to injury, the establishment of the Humite Isolation Law. Even though the land of this fertile Eln Continent is still abundant, they have been forbidden from entering at all." Humite Isolation Law. It seems I was chased around by Lilna because I got caught in that law.

"At this rate, Humites will almost certainly become extinct in the not too distant future. No matter how much they hate Humites, I think this is going too far." Saying so, he concluded. Yeah. I don't know the details, but the fact that my own kind is about to go extinct hurts my heart after all. Can't I do something? Sympathizing with Kudin, Remi sighed.

"Apparently, it wasn't this bad in the past. Before we knew it, everyone came to think it's natural for Humites to be killed."

"Why did it become like that?"

"I don't know. In the long, long history of conflict, maybe it just happened before anyone noticed..." Saying so and lowering her eyes slightly, she seemed somewhat resigned.

"Anyway. We want to change such a current situation and are doing our best. Won't you cooperate with our future activities as a member of Humite too?" The two are staring at my face, waiting patiently for my reply. I thought a little and answered like this.

"I can agree with the philosophy. But there is one thing I'm curious about. I still don't see the reason why you bother to ask me, a stranger you meet for the first time, for such an important thing." This is an important point. If I don't cooperate with them and leak this story to the outside, what will happen? Such a resistance might be crushed in a breath. For them, they probably see the danger is low because I am a "Humite," but they shouldn't be 100% safe.

To tell such a story to me, a stranger, risking such a thing, a corresponding reason is conceivable. Kudin didn't change his expression, but showed a slightly painful excuse.

"I intend to have an eye for people. I asked you expecting you can be trusted after seeing your actions today."

"Is that so."

"Besides, there are few talents like you who are unidentified and can handle Ryuto lightly."

"Hee—does that mean you are so short of manpower that you have to ask based only on impression and conditions?" Simply manpower shortage, huh. Even risking it, they need me. Having the bullseye hit, he made a grim expression for the first time about things other than his own circumstances. If the affable way of speaking until now was the front face, that was undeniably the back face of a man who lived toughly in the underground society.

"... I have no words to return. But, do you understand? You have no choice but to obey us. Because there is nothing you can eat above. If you don't obey us, you will only starve to death." I see. Did you intend to make me obey like that from the beginning? That's why he could talk fluently so far. But.

"Such a stupid threat doesn't work. Now that I know there is food here, I can snatch it by force if necessary."

"Hoh. How many subordinates do you think are here. How could you say such nonsense."

"Whether it's nonsense— we won't know until I try!" There was one who went behind me so as not to be sensed by me and tried to threaten me by thrusting a knife. I took the right arm of that girl— Remi, and slammed her onto the ground in the manner of a throw.

"Gu..." Slammed onto the hard floor with intense momentum, she groans painfully. Even if the opponent has no life reaction, if I am vigilant firmly, I can understand at close range naturally. There are things I can read without relying on direct sensing, such as faint sounds and air flow. Restraining Remi firmly, I look forward. Kudin was also showing a face surprised from the bottom of his heart for the first time in front of me.

"Remi, who has the best assassination skills in our group... To think she would be defeated in an instant..." Remaining silent, waiting for further words and staring at him without guard. Eventually, he sighed as if he had given up.

"... I understand. It's my loss. I'm sorry for acting provocatively."

"It's fine. It conveyed well that you are desperate for negotiation." I kick the knife that had fallen from her hand to the corner of the room. Now she can't attack anymore. I never let my guard down. Loosening the strength of my arm, I pull her up. Remi, who got up, had a face as if her soul had slipped out blankly. Was she that confident in her skills? It seemed unbelievable that she was thrown so easily. Glancing at such her, I speak to Kudin again.

"Besides, I don't like forceful methods either. Depending on the content of the activity, if possible, I'll cooperate and receive appropriate compensation." If the reason is manpower shortage, there is no reason to refuse just for that. It is my true intention that I can agree with the philosophy.

"Really! That is grateful!"

"Yeah. That was good! Kudin!" There, the two showed bright faces without hidden meanings for the first time. After all, they were desperate and couldn't choose means. After sharing joy for a while, he asks me again.

"Then, there is something I want you to do immediately. Search and recruitment of the man thought to be your comrade." In short, "Ore" (Me).

"Why do you need him?"

"As you already know, we want fighting power even a little now. Especially pure combat ability is lacking." Kudin pointed to his own unreliable body.

"As you can see, we have children's bodies. Unfortunately, we lack simple physical ability. We can't fight properly without using weapons or tricky tactics."

"I see."

"The man in question has the ability to clash with that Lilna and escape safely. We definitely want to bring him in."

"Is that Lilna so strong?"

"Strong is an understatement!" When I asked pretending to know nothing to the end, Remi answered as if jumping at it.

"Dieclan's Special Unit 『Dielevats』 composed only of special units. Among them, she is the one who boasts combat capabilities standing out alone. Exactly a Natura Weapon. People call her the 『Strongest』 Natura."

"Hee. Is that so." Called the 『Strongest』 Natura, huh. No wonder she has outstanding power.

"Even you probably can't match her at all."

"Yeah. Maybe so—So, what do you intend to ask him if you bring him in?" Then Kudin said in an inarticulate tone, seemingly really sorry. Perhaps realizing that bluffing doesn't work on me, his reaction was honest.

"Sorry, but I want to talk directly with him from there. Because it's a very important matter. Sorry." He wouldn't dream that the "He" is right in front of him. Now. What to do. It seems the story won't progress substantially unless I become a man. I could go outside once and come back after transforming, but... Deceiving so that my identity is not exposed like that is troublesome if it becomes a story of "please come together with him". There is no meaning in deceiving either.

It seems I will have a long relationship with them... In this case, maybe it's okay to show it already.

"Hey, Kudin. Can I ask one strange thing?"

"Go ahead."

"Is the Humite Sensing System set up in this Geesnatura too?"

"No. The Sensing System is spread throughout Diesnatura, but it does not extend to here."

"I see. Thank you."

"No problem. But, what about that—!?" The two are surprised like idiots. I transformed into a man on the spot. Current me doesn't have guilt or wariness about showing transformation to others as much as before. Even if inconvenience arises from being seen, I intend to have acquired enough power to do something about it. If there is no need to hide, rather than hiding clumsily, let's do it dignifiedly as myself with two bodies. Through journeys in many worlds, I naturally came to think so.

When I show transformation for the first time, everyone reacts interestingly. Kudin and Remi were no exceptions. Both show the best reaction so far. Opening stupid mouths, rounding eyes, and losing voices. Eventually, Remi, who returned to herself. Raised a cute and hysterical voice overturning the spirited image so far.

"E, eeh!? What!? What is happening here!?" Satisfied with such a usual reaction, I. While their confusion has not cooled down yet, decided to cut to the chase.

"So. What do you want to ask Me (Ore)?"