Chương 125: Chapter 18:”One Week Until the Operation 4 – Yu Encounters Lilna Again”

Arriving at Diesnatura District 8, I decided to head to the First Prison first. Walking along the gently circular road, I arrived shortly. A large gate is visible in the front. It is closed tightly so as not to let even a single mouse escape. Two men who seemed to be guards were standing guard with a crisp appearance. It would seem strange if I looked around too closely kyoro-kyoro. So, I walk around the perimeter casually. As per the meeting information, everywhere was covered with high walls without gaps.

I could see that barbed metal wires were stretched tightly on the sides and top of the wall. Moreover, high-voltage current is said to be flowing through them. Well, even if it's high. Unlike the terrifyingly high outer wall of the Central Factory or the outer wall surrounding the entire town, it's only a few meters at most. With this height, if I become a man and strengthen my leg power, I could manage to jump over it. But... I have to be careful about the timing.

On the day of the operation, I can't become a man on the way there because we are launching a surprise attack. Because it would trigger the sensing system. But on the way back, it seems I can escape from anywhere. Yeah. After going around, I decided to examine the surroundings of the prison carefully next. I verify the escape route candidates discussed in the strategy meeting one by one with my own eyes while actually walking. It is convenient that everything I see is stored in the 『World of Heart』.

After continuing this work for a while, my own escape map that can be referred to anytime I want was completed. Moreover, the accuracy is guaranteed. If I do this much, I guess it's okay for the time being. Having finished what I should do for now, I started walking aimlessly pura-pura. Unlike the first time, since I have room in my mind, I was able to observe the state of the town slowly. Diesnatura, which I visit for the first time since the first day I came to this world.

It seemed even more beautiful and glamorous compared to Geesnatura. The expressions of the people walking on the street are bright, and most of them are well-dressed. Cars flying in the sky like a school of fish. Roads and buildings as beautiful as mirrors. Almost none of these can be seen below, so even though it's not the first time I see them, I get overwhelmed unintentionally. Top and bottom, it even seems like different worlds. I also entered several shops.

Everywhere is quite different from the underground stalls. With well-organized interiors, the things sold are comparatively high grade, and the impression was that the prices are also slightly high. There are also luxury goods stores and jewelry stores that were not seen underground. The items sold there had dazzling prices. If I buy even one thing, my money would easily vanish. Looking closely, it was particularly impressive that many people paid by Finger Touch. Hee.

Can Natura's fingers also substitute for cards? Before I knew it, I had come to Diesnatura City Park in District 6. It is the largest park in this city. It is said to be a famous place for relaxation bustling with many families with children and couples. Certainly, people like that were strolling around leisurely. Voices of Chilions frolicking kyakkya and conversations of flirting couples can be heard here and there. Unlike the cityscape full of mechanical artifacts, the park was overflowing with greenery.

Trees are lined up, and colorful flowers and grass are growing. Since the surroundings have been only inorganic metal colors recently, maybe I was on edge unknowingly. Looking at the eye-friendly green, my heart relaxed suddenly fuu. Taking a deep breath, I feel like the air is somewhat delicious. Phew. There was such a wonderful place in this town too. With lighter steps and heart, I was walking leisurely in the park. I saw small birds gathering in front of the fountain. Birds.

First time seeing them in this world. Looking closely, the small birds seemed to be pecking at something like bread crumbs thrown from over there with their beaks, competing with each other. It's a scene that would be nothing on Earth. But wasn't food quite a precious item in this town? I was somewhat curious about the person throwing such things generously. And when I shifted my gaze. I was shocked gyo-tto. Because, the one sitting comfortably on the bench was—. Flowing light blue long hair.

Slender silver-white limbs. And a silver mail costume with coloring exposing bare skin in places. There is no other guy so distinctive. No mistake. Lilna! Why is she in such a place!? Unconsciously scared, my body tried to turn on my heel instantly. But before that, she noticed my existence. She, who was tearing off bait and throwing it happily, stopped her hand when she raised her face. And spoke to me with a casual vibe.

"Nn. You are, if I recall, the semi-biological material from sometime—I didn't hear your name."

"I am Yu." I can't escape anymore. Desperately hiding my inner agitation. Since my name as a man hasn't been exposed yet, I decided to give my real name as it is. I am particular about my name. I didn't want to fake it as much as possible. It is a memento of my late parents. And now that the jeans I wore at first became unusable and were thrown away, this name is the only connection with Earth.

"Yu, huh. Strange name."

"I get told that often. Lilna-san, are you here—""I missed saying it before, but Lilna is fine. Also, casual speech is fine." Interrupting my words, she continued with a light sigh.

"For some reason, almost everyone except colleagues calls me with honorifics like -san or -sama. It makes me tired. Even though I'm just a single civil servant doing my job seriously."

"Haa."

"Some even call me the Strongest Natura. Good grief. Treating a person like a martial artist or something. I'm troubled by the mysterious worship." She shrugs her shoulders saying "good grief." Doesn't that mean you are that strong and have charisma? I, who haven't seen anyone in this world, including myself, who matches her power let alone surpasses her, thought so honestly. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"What are you doing here, Lilna?"

"Nothing. Just relaxing. I'm off duty today." Saying so and yawning slightly, she looked somewhat cute amidst her beauty. And defenseless above all. To the extent that I can't imagine at all that she has an invincible barrier that can be deployed anytime.

"I like this place. The only place overflowing with greenery in this town. Small birds also come down only here and let me hear their chirping. Relaxing here while bathing in the sun calms my mind." From Lilna with a calm face, the terror when she was hostile to "Ore" on the first day cannot be felt at all.

"I might like here too. It's good to be able to relax." Was she happy that I agreed? I felt her eyes shine somewhat.

"Right? I think greenery is important too. Shall I suggest to the Environment Division to plant trees in other parks next time?"

"I think that's a good idea."

"Yu thinks so too. Alright. It's decided." She nodded with a refreshed expression. Then, she darkens her face slightly.

"By the way, that Humite man. Even though you kindly gave me information, I couldn't find him in the end. Sorry."

"That's a pity." Well, because it's "Ore". No way you can find him.

"For me to let a Humite escape. It's a humiliation." She grinds her teeth giri-giri. Since she suddenly made a scary face, I flinched.

"Next time I find him, I'll kill him. I'll chase him anywhere and definitely make him dead."

"... Why do you regard Humites as enemies so much?" Wondering why she goes so far with an expression like a demon, I asked naturally. Lilna made a suspicious face.

"Isn't it obvious? They are enemies of Natura."

"Is that really so?"" It is decided so!" She suddenly became enraged. At the excessively loud voice, I shrink back.

"I hate Humites. I hate them— It is burned clearly into my brain and won't leave. The devil-like faces of those guys who treated us like trash." Pitch-black darkness dwells in the atmosphere she wears. She has a face as if anger and sadness are mixed up. I inadvertently held my breath. This is the part. The scary part is! Becoming eloquent, she pours out all her thoughts.

"History has proved that Natura and Humite are never compatible. Even now, the stupid resistance of Humites continues to produce dead Natura who are innocent. We must not let them live. We must eradicate them."... What a fierce determination. I draw back at the excessive divergence from the figure feeding birds.

"If we leave them alone, if they regain power again, gruesome conflicts will definitely be repeated someday. And many Natura will be sacrificed again. The day when Natura become slaves again, the day when we are worked hard by guys like that, must not come, even by mistake. Absolutely." From her clenched fist, determination as hard as that was felt. It was conveyed that she cares about Natura that much and is seriously worried about the future. But—.

"... Hey."

"What." She glared at me girori. This time without flinching, I told my frank feelings.

"Can't Natura and Humite get along? Can't they understand each other and live together?" Lilna, who had regained some composure after saying what she wanted, didn't shout back this time. Showing a gesture of thinking slightly, she shakes her head firmly.

"In recent years, anti-Humite sentiment seems to be rising more than ever. I don't think this sentiment accumulated over many years can be easily wiped away."

"I see..."

"My personal feelings and public opinion desire Humites to perish. Humites must be the same. They must hate us." She stands up sutto from the chair, staring at me with glaring eyes. To me, and as if telling herself. She declared quietly and powerfully.

"I am the one who protects and guides Natura. I eliminate those who threaten Natura. Obeying the government's order, obeying the people's consensus, all hostile ones— Until I kill them." In her clear blue eyes, ice-like coldness and boiling killing intent dwell simultaneously. I shivered. This killing intent. When it comes to Humites, the aura drifting from her whole body becomes steep at once as if a switch was flipped. Why is that?

I didn't understand at first, but does this person have some kind of indelible trauma against Humites? Seeing me completely frozen, Lilna might have thought she messed up. Immediately relaxing her expression, she said apologetically.

"Hmph. I talked about strange things. It has nothing to do with you. Don't mind it." Rather, I am a concerned party, though. Feeling tremendous cold sweat in my heart, I deceive with a wry smile. Talking about Humites like this only stimulates her unnecessarily. Let's change the topic. Shall I probe into her special function a little? I, who wanted information about her, decided to ask boldly.

"Come to think of it, I was watching around at that time. When that Humite man and Lilna confronted, you suddenly disappeared, right? What was that?"

"Were you watching that? That is one of the functions I have."

"Function? What kind of thing is it?" I expected to hear something, but she shut her mouth.

"Because it's an important tool of trade. Not that I doubt you, but it won't do if it leaks from somewhere and countermeasures are taken. Please let me keep it a secret." I see, too bad. Well, natural if you say natural. But, wait? Then, it's a little strange.

"Huh? If you want to keep it a secret as much as possible... Why were you saying things like shifting to attack mode so that everyone could hear?" Then for the first time, she became flustered clearly. Although her face doesn't turn red because she is a machine, she was embarrassed enough that her face would definitely be bright red if she were a human.

"Ah, that. Can't be helped. That is not my will."

"Is that so?"

"For some reason, some functions including modes are designed so that my mouth declares the name arbitrarily when used, you see..." Towards the end, it had become a mumbling voice disappearing. Besides the side like a devil with no blood or tears or a combat weapon I heard from around... I think again that there was such a natural side. After all. She is not a bad person or just a scary person as everyone underground says. Yeah yeah.

"I don't know. What on earth did my nameless designer want to do?" Shaking her head as if shaking off embarrassment, Lilna closes the topic.

"... Actually, it was quite embarrassing, but I got used to it while saying it many times." I understood this person's unexpected hardship. I sympathized with her. In short, it would be like being forced to vocalize 《Senkraze》 for me. What were you thinking? Nameless designer.

"Umm. Can I ask a little from me too?"

"What?"

"You smell good, but what kind of perfume are you using?" Oh my. An unexpected question came.

"Ah, this. I bought it in Geesnatura. It was a wonderful find."

"The underground slum, huh. I rarely go there except for missions— Nn, could it be that man fled underground?" At her knitting her brows, I was startled gikuri. Bad. She hit the mark. I hurriedly think to divert her attention. Is there anything? Ah, right.

"That's right. I have another bottle, so I'll give you one."

"Is it okay?" Perhaps unexpected, she was blank. I said with a smile niko.

"Yeah. I think it's better to have you use it too rather than keeping two bottles to myself." Taking out a small bottle containing purple liquid from the waist pouch. I didn't miss her eyes sparkling slightly kira-kira. I had an impression that Lilna is frank from her way of speaking, but she likes this kind of thing normally, huh. When I handed it over, she showed a wonderful smile, although somewhat awkward.

"I appreciate it. I'll use it carefully." Clearly her voice was bouncing. I thought unexpectedly that she would be this happy. At that time, a small buzzer sounded from her pocket. She said "Excuse me" to me, then took out a phone and started talking to someone.

"Hello—Yes—Yes— What!? A small-scale armed uprising in Amareum!? Ah, understood. I'll go immediately." Hanging up the phone, she sighed heavily and said helplessly.

"Sorry. Urgent work came in. I have to go."

"Understood. Can't be helped."

"Yeah. Then. Let's meet again if fate allows."

"Yeah. Goodbye." Lilna, who said goodbye, tightened her expression firmly. Just like before, she ran away like the wind at a speed invisible to the eye. Even after she was gone, I stood there, feeling quite complicated. With her who could talk normally like this now. And with her who was so happy with a wonderful smile just by giving perfume. I have to fight risking my life. In just a few days. She will surely aim for our lives relentlessly. She won't hesitate to kill at all.

Such a cold-hearted side was glimpsed enough, and that is undoubtedly her true figure too. But, the human-like side she showed now is surely her true figure too. Unlike the members of Lunatope and the people of the Gathering of Ausser-Chilion, I couldn't bring myself to hate her no matter what. Because I thought she must be a single warrior fighting under her own justice, based on public sentiment, history, and personal feelings. The battle between Lunatope and Dielevats is a clash of respective justices.

Neither is correct. Neither is wrong. I didn't know what was the right thing to do. If the Humite side is invigorated by saving Theo, as Lilna says, there is a sufficient possibility that it will leave a root of conflict in the future. Isn't what I'm trying to do just adding fuel to the fire in the end? I felt like I understood a little the feelings of the FabL, Thomas Graver, who always sticks to being a bystander.

My power is still small, but if it becomes as much as theirs, they can really change the world if they want to. What kind of impact does what I do have on the world? If I think about such things seriously every time, it might be unavoidable that some people get tired of it sooner or later. —Should I do nothing too? Pretending not to see everything. Should I spend time leisurely until the half-year limit comes...? No. I shook my head. Still, I want to stand on the side of those who are oppressed now.

I want to reach out to people in weak positions who will perish if left alone. Because abandoning people who are in trouble now even though I have the power to do something about it goes against my principles after all. There are many things I haven't seen in this world yet. Let's look around the world as much as possible. Even if nothing changes as a result, even if I find out it's better to do nothing... I can still accept it better than really doing nothing.

If I stay only in this town forever, what I can see is limited. First, get out of this town and see various things. Let's go to Luonhumite too. Cooperating with Lunatope is also a means to get out of here. I have no choice but to start with what I can do. Determining so again, I clenched my fist tightly and left the park.