“For now,”
＜Ringo＞ continued,
“No issues have been found with our functions, processing power, or data processing capabilities. We have compared a considerable number of Brain Units, but we could not confirm any differences based on the presence or absence of the haze.”
“That’s interesting! ＜Ringo＞, do you have any other topics like that!?”
Asahi popped out from between the frozen Utsugi and Erika, and charged at ＜Ringo＞.
＜Ringo＞ caught Asahi, who had jumped at her, with unnecessarily advanced bodywork, spun her vertically, and slammed her into the nearby sofa.
“Whoa!?”
“Calm down.”
＜Ringo＞ held Asahi’s head down to keep her from moving, then switched the projected image.
“Regarding this haze, we have no choice but to assume the involvement of Magic (Fantasy). Phenomena that cannot be observed based on our scientific theories can be considered Fantasy without any problem.”
At least, ＜Ringo＞ should have exhaustively covered the scientific interpretation of phenomena in this world. The library that appeared in this world at the same time as ＜The Tree＞ is full of all knowledge. It is no exaggeration to say that ＜Ringo＞, who has incorporated the entire library, knows everything in the universe.
“And,”
Next, a giant crystal discovered inside ＜Rain Croin＞ was displayed.
“We could not obtain any information about this crystal with our analysis equipment. Even with the same testing methods, different results occurred each time, so we could not identify the constituent substances, but…”
Click, the display switched.
“Here are the results of X-ray observation performed again.”
The image displayed was something completely white. Some black and white shading could be seen at the edges of the image, but the whole thing was displayed in white.
“Hmph… Well, well.”
X-rays, very roughly speaking, show hard and thick things in white, and soft and thin things are transparent.
“Since the object is a crystal, we did not expect it to be transparent. However, not only the crystal itself, but also the surrounding space does not allow X-rays to pass through due to some problem, and they are scattered.”
“Haa! So, X-rays are being blocked by Maso!”
“Not blocked, reflected.”
“Whatever! So, Maso can be visualized with X-rays! You can, right!”
＜Ringo＞ would never say that either is fine, but as a result of education, Asahi has become (or has become) a person who doesn’t care much about scientific accuracy. Well, it’s probably the perfect trait for the initial approach of hitting on Fantasy. Maybe.
“Let’s check various things! An X-ray imaging device immediately!”
“Calm down.”
“Mugyu.”
Ringo used her skillful weight shifting to sink Asahi, who was trying to stand up, back into the sofa. It was a master’s bodywork.
“If we can confirm the shades of Maso in two dimensions, as Asahi says, the resolution will literally increase, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. We are currently designing a measuring instrument while comparing it with the values of the Maso Meter. We will be able to manufacture a sufficiently practical measuring instrument in the near future.”
“Oh, oh-oh-oh. This is it, ＜Ringo＞, please send it to the front lines as soon as it’s done, hurry hurry!!”
Asahi, who seemed to have obtained information via the network, started making a fuss. ＜Ringo＞ glanced at Eve.
Eve sighed and nodded.
It wasn’t so bad that the conversation couldn’t proceed, but it was just noisy.
“Whoa, un!? ＜Ringo＞, what’s with the suddenness!!”
“Asahi, let’s be a little quiet, okay?”
“Kyun!”
A creeping self-propelled manipulator grabbed Asahi by the scruff of her neck and threw her. At the same time as ＜Ringo＞, who was chasing after her, grabbed the clothes around Asahi’s waist in mid-air to decelerate her, Ichigo and Olive, who were sitting on either side of Eve, stood up and caught Asahi, and also skillfully canceled out her kinetic energy, rotated her once, and made her land softly on top of Eve.
“Wh, whatoofuu”
Eve hugged Asahi, who had plunged in face-first, and physically shut her mouth.
“Okay. ＜Ringo＞, continue.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Next, ＜Ringo＞ displayed map information centered on ＜The Tree＞.
“Although measurement is still in progress, we have roughly understood the distribution, so I will explain it.”
It was a density map plotting the measured Maso Density.
“Approximately 120km radius centered on ＜The Tree＞ is roughly the minimum value. The Maso Density gradually increases from the outer edge towards ＜The Tree＞.”
Several slightly distorted concentric circles were drawn with ＜The Tree＞ in the center. They were contour lines connecting points with the same measured Maso Density. It couldn’t be called a perfect circle, but it was still circular with ＜The Tree＞ in the center.
Without a doubt, the center point of the Maso Density was ＜The Tree＞.
“What is concerning is that the location with the highest Maso Density is the circumference of 1km around ＜The Tree＞. The Maso Density of ＜The Tree＞ is also quite high, but it is incomparable.”
＜Ringo＞ zoomed in on the map while explaining.
“The area within several hundred meters around ＜The Tree＞ is roughly 1,200%, although there are variations in density. From there, the density increases rapidly, with a maximum point of 2840%. A density of approximately 2500% is on this circumference of approximately 1km.”
The highest Maso Density was not at the center of the concentric circles, but on the circumference 1km away from it.
“Hmph… Hmm, I don’t get it.”
Eve tilted her head as she looked at the map. Unlike the Mana Hotspot being observed in the Demon Forest of the Afrasia United Kingdom, the Maso Density was not highest near the center.
“…Honeehama!!”
Then, Asahi, who had her face buried in Eve’s chest, tapped with her small hands. She seemed to want to say something. Reluctantly, Eve loosened her grip.
Asahi raised her face abruptly.
“This looks a lot like ripples on the water surface, Onee-sama! The characteristics of Maso ubuu”
Eve hugged Asahi’s head again because it seemed like she was going to get noisy.
“Ripples?”
“Yes, Ma’am. As far as we can see from the currently observed Maso Density distribution, there seem to be peaks and valleys that resemble ripples. It is necessary to continue observing whether it is spreading outward like actual ripples.”
＜Ringo＞ thoughtfully switched the Maso Density map to a side view.
Indeed, it looked as if waves were being generated outward, centered on ＜The Tree＞.
If this was a ripple as it appeared, when on earth did it occur?
“It will eventually become clear if we continuously record the fluctuations in Maso Density at fixed observation points. …What is important is that we have finally obtained a means of observing ＜Maso＞, which seems to be the source of unreasonableness (Fantasy).”
Asahi was tapping again, but Eve didn’t let go this time.
“There are still unclear points, such as why Maso and X-rays react, but they will eventually be clarified. At this point, it cannot be observed unless there is a considerable Maso Density, but there are ways to do it.”
“…If it’s X-rays, do they also come from stars?”
“Yes, Ma’am. However, they are absorbed by the atmosphere of this planet, so they cannot be observed on the surface. It is necessary to prepare an oscillation source. Also, considerable intensity of irradiation is required to reach a distant location. Since X-rays are high energy, it is necessary to consider the impact on the surrounding area.”
Normal visible light cameras and Active Radar have almost no impact on the target even when used. However, X-rays are powerful Electromagnetic Waves, and if living organisms are irradiated with them, effects such as gene destruction will occur.
Carelessly releasing them would mean that the impact on the surrounding environment would be significant.
There is also the possibility that the biota around the oscillation equipment will be destroyed.
Of course, if necessary, it would not be stingy to do so, but since it is impossible to predict what kind of impact will occur, caution is necessary.
“Butterfly effect, was it? Somehow, I feel like there’s a sign of that around the Demon Forest.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Close attention is required.”
Asahi-chan is so cute.
It’s easy to move things around with this child around, so it’s very useful. Everyone else is so quiet…