Chapter 182: Asahi is Disassembled
The Cosmos utilized Alpha Chrysanthemum to procure several magic tools in North End City. Naturally, this was done through official channels. It was decreed by Ringo to avoid any forceful methods whenever possible.
First, they secured items from the Adventurers Guild.
The Magic Essence Meter, Heal Potions, Heal Salves, and Magic Potions were all stored for the purpose of providing, lending, or selling to adventurers as needed. Although they were hesitant to release the emergency stock, the potions, in particular, had expiration dates, making it more beneficial to distribute them rather than let them go to waste. It was likely just a pretense.
Additionally, they checked several weapons and armor available in the market. While some were owned by adventurers, it was expected that they wouldn’t part with their livelihoods so easily. Thus, they sought items that were actually for sale.
There was a surprisingly sturdy leather shield that belied its appearance.
Then there was a piercing sword, specifically designed for thrusting.
These two types were relatively abundant in the market, allowing for multiple acquisitions for comparative analysis.
They secured two Magic Essence Meters. It seemed they couldn’t provide any more at the moment due to a disruption in material supply.
The issue with material supply was a consequence of the occupation operations conducted by Paraiso. There were no adventurers going on expeditions at the moment. However, this problem would likely resolve itself soon. Paraiso had imposed no restrictions and was, in fact, poised to actively support the activities of adventurers.
Although there were stock issues with the Heal Potions and Heal Salves, the raw materials were plant-based and had a decent shelf life, so there appeared to be some leeway.
However, once processed into potions, they needed to be consumed within a few days. It seemed that, regardless of their effectiveness, they would spoil like regular food. Even if wounds healed, it would be pointless if one ended up with an upset stomach or fell ill.
The same applied to the Magic Potions, which were produced in a set quantity each day and sold to adventurers the following day.
Currently, with adventurers inactive, the stock had begun to pile up.
Having acquired a substantial number of potions, Cosmos decided to store some of them for the time being. They would be kept as is, in a cool dark place, in a refrigerator, or frozen.
Since they could continue to procure more, detailed comparative analysis would be conducted separately, and they began their investigation into each magic tool.
◇◇◇◇
“Sister! Asahi vehemently protests! I demand an audience! I want to speak directly!”
Asahi returned to The Tree, her agitation palpable, as if one could hear the screeching sound of her frustration.
“How unusual. I didn’t expect Asahi to come back here,” remarked Eve.
For the past few months, Asahi had been holed up in Port Town of Terek. It seemed she was thoroughly enjoying her research on magic.
From Ringo, Eve had heard that progress had not been promising.
“I returned because things were going nowhere! Cosmos is so stubborn! So mean!”
“Mean?”
“It’s a word that means ‘malicious.’ It’s more of an affectionate way to say it, I suppose.”
“Uh, um? Well, I get that you and Cosmos are having a spat, but…?”
Asahi, having disembarked from the Flying Ship (Albatross), tried to confront her commander, only to be swiftly captured by Ringo.
She was pinched by a manipulator designed for heavy labor and taken away.
“Ahhh! Ringo, let me go! I still have things to say to my sister!”
“Calm down in a safe place.”
“Asahi just got back! I don’t have time for an overhaul!”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to, Asahi. You’ve neglected your maintenance for far too long.”
“Please, just a little longer! Ringo, stop it! Don’t take control away from me! Sister! Help me! Please!!”
As indicated by her treatment, while Asahi and the strategic AI Cosmos were at odds, it was more accurate to say that Asahi was the one challenging Cosmos, who was diligently progressing with her work. Ringo supported Cosmos, and since things were going nowhere, Asahi had come home to appeal directly to the highest authority, Eve.
Though Eve hadn’t heard the details, she was somewhat aware of the situation and didn’t object to Asahi’s rough handling.
“Make sure you get properly maintained. I’ll hear your story later.”
“Nooo! Sister, that’s so cruel!”
Asahi was the one who had neglected her regular maintenance using the facilities within The Tree. It was likely that Ringo would conduct a thorough inspection and maintenance.
Well, the machine was built robustly enough that a few months of neglect wouldn’t cause it to fall apart. Asahi was a mechanical doll crafted by The Tree, disregarding cost performance.
That said, due to her lack of operational experience, Ringo had wanted to conduct regular inspections. However, Asahi had been so engrossed in her research that Eve had indulged her.
Now that Asahi had returned, it was time for Ringo to capture her immediately. It would be simpler to take control of her body, but to avoid unnecessary stress on the Brain Unit and for the sake of formality, physical capture was deemed necessary.
Asahi had struggled too much, ultimately losing control. However, given that Eve was present, it was unavoidable.
Thus, Asahi, who had returned to The Tree early in the morning, was thrown into a maintenance pod and was finally released eight hours later.
“I’ve been through a terrible ordeal…”
“You were properly maintained, so it’s all good,” Eve replied.
Asahi, clinging to her beloved sister, pouted on the sofa.
“Isn’t my treatment a bit strange compared to everyone else?”
“Oh dear, does she not realize?”
As her cheeks were pinched, Asahi let out a muffled sound.
“…Ugh. More importantly, please listen, sister…”
“Yes, yes. So, what’s the story?”
“Cosmos won’t give me the Magic Essence Meters…”
According to Asahi, despite having procured the Magic Essence Meters, Cosmos refused to send them for research purposes.
“If I understand the principles behind them, my research on the mysterious Magic Essence will progress significantly. With two of them, I could conduct thorough research and comparative analysis. Cosmos should hand them over to me!”
“Ringo?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Cosmos insists that they should be used for investigations within the Demon Forest. I concurred with that. First, we need to confirm the distribution of Magic Essence, create a density map, check for changes over time, investigate sensitivity, and confirm reproducibility. There are many items to verify on-site, and the number of Magic Essence Meters is limited. It’s a reasonable decision.”
“How cruel! Even Ringo is against me! If we could mass-produce those, we could finish that investigation in no time!”
“The probability of mass production is far too low. We should proceed with what we can reliably achieve first.”
This was likely a rehash of the argument between Asahi and Cosmos. In reality, they were probably exchanging messages directly, reaching conclusions in mere seconds. However, Ringo had deliberately vocalized it for Eve’s benefit.
“Alright, I understand both Asahi’s and Cosmos’s arguments. I also get that you’re feeling stuck.”
“Sister!”
“But if I give you the Magic Essence Meters, you’ll just break them, right? So that’s a no.”
“Sister!?”
Asahi had no chance of winning this argument.
“Also, what’s the likelihood of re-acquiring the magic tools?”
“Yes, Ma’am. The probability is high. Material gathering by adventurers has resumed, so it should happen soon. Cosmos is also considering the feasibility of dispatching a team. The benefits of securing the two Magic Essence Meters at this point are minimal; it’s better to gather operational data on-site.”
“Then, Asahi, you’ll just have to be patient a little longer. They should be available again in a month or two.”
“Ugh… I can’t go against my sister’s orders… I guess it can’t be helped…!”
“Really, what happened to this girl…”
“I’m terribly sorry.”
◇◇◇◇
To produce magic tools, materials with magical properties are required. Until now, magical metals and magical wood, which were excellent materials but not widely circulated due to their volume and weight, had been scarce.
With Paraiso’s intervention, the efficiency of their collection would dramatically improve.
The materials in question were the Metal Turtles and Treants. Both were monsters that had been avoided due to their massive size.