Chapter 21: Machine Supremacy

"You're planning to build it one by one, I see."

"Budget constraints. The main engine is even a bigger problem. If only a ship's engine would drop from the skies."

The talking parrot, also known as the high priest, spoke to Shiro. At first, Shiro had only wanted to ask about these mecha parts, but he didn't expect for this parrot to possess an extensive amount of knowledge.

Right now, it together with another person is working on a giant robot nicknamed "Big Thing". Though the technology used into it is quite backward from what Shiro saw before, one could still tell that its creators possessed a great skill in regards to machinery.

"This sounds interesting. Hm, how about I help out when I'm free?"

"Feel free to do so. To be honest, we've been looking for someone that knows about machinery besides the two of us. We know that our limited knowledge is preventing us from improving this thing."

"I didn't expect those words."

"Only a fool would think that what he knows is enough. Smart people strives to find new knowledge."

"Indeed."

After having a pleasant conversation with this knowledgeable parrot, Shiro went back to their lodging. There, he saw Kal'tsit prepare the medical instruments earlier.

Those included infection rate testers, huge syringes containing an unknown liquids of different colors, a small laptop, and so on.

"Planning to help the infected here?"

"Mn." Kal'tsit nodded. The only strong belief of hers is that everything will turn for the better once the problem regarding oripathy gets solved. For now, she chose to do something, no matter how small it is.

"I'll help call those patients of yours."

"..Thanks."

Shiro went out once again, but this time, he drew several runes in the air. Only after the runes had reached 12 did he stop. Right now, wind started converging from him.

Taking a deep breath, he-

"Calling the attention of everyone who has the black crystal thingy attached on their body. A doctor present right now offered to treat illnesses-"

-became a PA speaker.

*****

"It's that bad?"

"Mn. Simply put, you'll die within a few years if not treated well."

"It doesn't seem different-"

"There's a difference, my guy."

Sitting on opposite chairs, Kal'tsit began her "treatment", though its mostly her injecting inhibitors to make the spread of originum in the body slower.

As for Shiro, he sat on the corner of the table, looking more casual than before. Crossing his arms, he seemed to have fallen into thoughts before speaking to the male Tiacuh again.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"No."

"A lover?"

"No."

"Then you'll waste your life by choosing to not experience them. Life's more exciting, y'know?"

"Life is exciting..." He mumbled for a while as he came to a realization.

"You're right! Thank you, Doctor! Thank you, Shaman!"

With that, he willingly got the treatment before he left the room with sparkle in his eyes.

"You're good at this."

"Nah, I'm just speaking out facts. Life is to be enjoyed with."

Shiro doesn't know why, but he felt lighter when he said that, as if he had a huge responsibility in the past that only disappeared for quite some time.

That's also the reason why he felt compelled to help Kal'tsit since he felt a deja vu after hearing more about her.

"After you purchase the secret behind oripathy, I'll teach you on how to enjoy life."

"Alright." To this, she only nodded. Though, there's a small hint of expectation hidden on her eyes.

Truly, its been far too long since she'd been trapped in the past.

It didn't take long for someone to enter the room yet again, but this time, its an acquaintance.

"Thick tails?"

"Tomimi! Don't call me that..." She sounded embarrassed as she spoke. Many people fought because of her, which is an honor and a trouble at the same time.

"Just joking. Why'd you come here?"

"I heard your voice earlier and I got curious. By the way, how did you do it?"

"Ah, that?"

Using Rune Magic, he simply let the wind carry his voice, thus achieving the same effect as a loud speaker. What a useful spell for broadcasting.

"It's the result of my own magic."

"Ma..gic? You mean, those stage performers?"

"You could call it as such." He said with a smile. Recalling about the matter with robots in this village, Shiro asked Tomimi. "By the way, do you know who's the partner of that high priest? The one creating robots."

"Robots? You must be talking about Zumama. She has an entire workshop in their village."

"Workshop? Machinery in this place, interesting..."

"Zumama is unique. Even Sister Gavial acknowledged her path!"

"I see. Can you point out the location of her village? I want to see her workshop."

"Fine."

Tomimi left after pointing out the directions to the Eunectes tribe's village. After the flow of patients stopped, Kal'tsit had enough time to rest.

"I'll be going out for a bit. Also, don't eat those MREs, I'll cook a good dinner instead!"

Kal'tsit almost instinctively took out the prepared nutritional fluids when she heard that. Snapping back out of it, she recalled the taste of her food during the last few days.

Now, the so-called nutritional fluids doesn't look that good to her.

'...An occupational disease?'

Perhaps it is during the past hundreds of years that she developed this trait. She's always like that, acting against time. She couldn't even spare a few moments to take care of herself.

'I'm changing? The addition of him did this much..' she wondered. It's not like she didn't have friends like Shiro before.

In fact, she has one. Looking and sounding androgynous, that guy loved to wear his signature black mask in an attempt to hide his true thoughts. Just like her, most of him died long ago due to the merciless passage of time, leaving only a cold, merciless nature.

Being worn and torn, her friend transformed into an efficient killing tactician, seeing people as pawns and necessary sacrifices.

If needed to be, he would sacrifice them for the better good.

"Babel... I should go back after this."

*****

On the way to the Eunectes tribe, Shiro performed Reinforcement in his leg and wind rune magic. With that speed, he soon reached that village.

What filled his sights are welded shields, metallic weapons, and some other out-of-place weapons such as harpoons and modified blades.

"Erm, truly an interesting tribe..?"

He only anticipated meeting the ringleader of all this "Machine Reformation".