The City of Mepe (2)

The workshop tour proved extremely worthwhile for Iris. While we merely observed, she learned how to use all sorts of machines and asked the workshop staff detailed questions about how to acquire them. She clearly intended to buy them outright and use them herself. Perhaps the day our clan uses futuristic weapons is not far off.

Whether it was these machine tools or Tactical Shells, metal was essential for practically everything in 'The City of Mepe.' Exploration had shown us the same thing, but 'Spear Rock's Fortune Mine' must be rich in metal. In the future, we would surely be able to share in its bounty.

"This place really is incredible."

"People who like making things gather here. I like exploring more than making things."

The people who worked at the workshop were those who enjoyed crafting things, while those who preferred exploration, like Da, wore Tactical Shells and went outside the city. If anyone was interested in the outside world, perhaps some unusual individuals might be willing to visit the ruins we owned. Maybe I should invite them.

"So you're interested in the surface as well?"

"I am. I sometimes go to the plains. But they're dangerous."

"Why is that?"

"Without Tactical Shells, we're weak. Tactical Shells need magic power to move. Can't go far."

Da had displayed considerable strength while piloting a Tactical Shell, but the moment it was destroyed, Da shrank down and could do nothing but crouch. This made it clear that the Metallica's strength depended on their Tactical Shells. If the Metallica had been strong without them, their traps and Tactical Shell technology would never have developed.

Although traps and Tactical Shells supported their strength, both had limitations. Traps could not be used to explore unknown territory, while Tactical Shells apparently could not operate for long periods because of how they worked. Their range of exploration was therefore limited, which was probably why they could not travel far from 'Spear Rock's Fortune Mine.'

"But I heard you trade with the Nadeus clan once every few years."

"When we go to the plains, we trade if they're there. But we don't understand their language, so it's difficult."

Ah, so that was the situation. No, wait a moment. The Nadeus clan traveled around 'Ashfall Hills.' To contact them, they would have to descend to the plains. Wouldn't that contradict what Da had said about being unable to travel long distances? When I asked about it, Da said there was no problem.

"There's a straight road to the plains. No ore, but it's convenient."

"...Could we use that road as well?"

"Yes. No problem."

We did it! We had secured a way home! Once we reached 'Ashfall Hills,' we could ride Cal from there. Although reaching 'The City of Mepe' had been a relief, I had privately been nervous about how we were ever going to get back.

【Time-Space Magic】 was still unusable, so our only option was to escape under our own power. Even asking our companions to rescue us would be difficult. Ruby could probably deal with the trap-filled cave, but reaching the cave in the first place was extremely difficult because of the Wyvern. A rescue party might get lost or even be wiped out.

In the worst case, I had thought we might have to stay in 'The City of Mepe' for a long time, raise our levels, and train ourselves until we were strong enough to defeat the Wyvern. That was why the existence of a back route was such a relief.

I can't thank you enough... By the way, why do you need to go to the surface? To gather food?"

"Yes. We eat dirt, stone, and metal. Soft dirt tastes best. It's a luxury."

"I see... So in these hard mountains, soft dirt is the scarce commodity."

We had learned another aspect of the Metallica's biology: their staple diet consisted of ore and other minerals. We had also learned that they sometimes went to the plains to gather the dirt they ate. If I told the Nadeus clan that the Metallica had their own language, I felt the information might benefit both sides. I would tell them if I got the opportunity.

After that, we resumed exploring 'The City of Mepe' under Da's guidance. Unlike the other Races, the Metallica apparently used currency. However, while the currency circulating in the outside world was the Zel, they used their own currency called the Vey.

Since we did not know the value of the currency, we did not exchange any money. Iris, who wanted to go shopping, sold some of her personal belongings and used the money she received. Since metal was plentiful, everything was extremely cheap, and she was delighted to obtain items worth more than what she had sold.

Da had not paid anything at the Tactical Shell storage facility, but apparently there was no problem because those who used it regularly paid a fee to the workshop with which they had a contract. In other words, they paid in advance.

Afterward, we were also invited to Da's home. Da lived in a detached house with a wife and children. The children were at the workshop, so only the wife was home.

Da's wife was indistinguishable from Da by appearance or build. Her voice, however, was that of a young girl, so we could tell them apart without any trouble.

Aside from its small doors and low ceilings, which matched the Metallica's physiques, and the fact that most of the furniture was made of metal, the house had a modern interior much like a real-life model home. They truly seemed to live a lifestyle supported by a highly advanced civilization.

What struck me as strange was the metal piping extending through the walls and ceiling, with funnels attached to the ends. It reminded me of the speaking tubes used on old ships, but these were apparently stairs and passageways for the Metallica.

The Metallica could freely change the shape of their bodies, so they turned themselves into liquid and traveled through the tubes to other rooms and floors. They could apparently widen the passages themselves as well. It was an ingenious way to make the most of their limited underground space.

The most surprising thing was that music was playing inside the house. It was a beautiful boy soprano, a singing voice that could rival that of any renowned boys' choir. The music was playing from a phonograph, a device recently developed by a Metallica inventor. Apparently, it was currently all the rage among the Metallica.

The sound we had heard on repeat while walking through the cave had truly been coming from a phonograph installed as part of a trap to lure in monsters. We had noticed it just in time, but we had nearly fallen for it. Needless to say, Iris asked where they were sold and immediately went to buy one. I'm sure she'll dismantle it and analyze how it works as soon as we return to our base...

After seeing the Metallica's biology and living spaces, I came up with another question. Why did Da and the others need to hunt monsters if they ate ore?

Da gave us a clear answer: they hunted for food and to control pests. The monsters in 'Spear Rock's Fortune Mine' had edible parts for the Metallica, whether scales, shells, or something else. The materials we used to make weapons were delicious ingredients to them.

Apparently, monsters were tastier than mined ore, and they sold well when Da went hunting. Perhaps some kind of reaction took place in the monsters' bodies? It might have been like the difference between raw ingredients and cooked food.

As we had done before, they also harvested materials from monsters with mining points, such as the Golden Tortoise King, while exterminating monsters that attacked their young. Fully grown individuals like the Golden Tortoise King were one thing, but the young were very weak and frequently attacked. The turtles and the Metallica had formed a symbiotic relationship.

"...Oh, is it that late already?"

"It's about time to log out."

Da taught us all sorts of things about the Metallica, while we told them just as much about the outside world. We had gotten so caught up in our conversation at their home that we had apparently talked until quite late. If we did not log out soon, it would make things difficult tomorrow.

"Everyone can stay the night. Use the living room."

"Oh, that would be wonderful!"

'The City of Mepe' was the Metallica's only city, and no other Races had ever visited it. As a result, the city had no lodging facilities. We did not have to worry about monsters attacking us inside the city, but leaving our avatars exposed, even there, still made me uneasy. If Da was willing to let us use the home, we should accept.

Taking Da up on the offer, we decided to log out there for the day. Tomorrow, we would return to Shiratsuki and then head to the event area.

◆◇◆◇◆◇

The next day, when I logged in, Iris and the others were already online and had each begun doing their own thing. Iris was buying tools for crafting and experimental equipment she could use for Shiitake's alchemy, Mikero was deepening his knowledge at the temple in the city, and Toji was searching for weapons she might be able to use.

"Baa, baa, baa."

"...What is going on here?"

Meanwhile, Wool was recording his bleats on Da's phonograph. Seeing him bleating in front of it was quite surreal. Several Metallica were also sleeping around him. I couldn't make heads or tails of what was happening.

He did not even seem to notice my muttering and continued bleating with single-minded determination. This baffling situation continued for several more minutes, and all I could do was watch.

"Oh, it's Izamu."

"May I ask what you were doing?"

"I was recording my bleats."

"Yes, I know that. I want to know why."

"Apparently, even sounds recorded on a phonograph retain a little of their effect when played back."

According to Wool, if you recorded singing or cries that had some kind of effect on a phonograph and played them back, they produced the same effect as the original sounds. Wool had apparently been making sleep-inducing bleats, so using this phonograph would let us fall into a sound sleep in no time. If we had not possessed 【Immunity to Status Ailments】, we might have fallen asleep the moment we logged in.

I had thought this could be used in battle, but according to Wool, that was not the case. The effect was considerably weaker, and if multiple sounds were produced at once, they canceled one another out. What was more, the effect was applied indiscriminately to both enemies and allies. Since this information came from Da, it was reliable.

"So this phonograph has become a sleep-inducing device?"

"That's right."

"I'd love to have one of these in real life..."

"I'm back! Oh, Izamu is here too."

If there were a machine that could reliably put you to sleep just by listening to it, I certainly wanted one in real life. While I was thinking about that, Iris returned. The other three came back one after another, and by then Da, who had been sleeping on the floor, had woken up too.

"Had a good sleep. Way home, this way."

Da sat up and equipped a new Tactical Shell before leading us onward. The passage to the surface lay in the opposite direction from the elevator we had used, sealed behind a large metal door. When Da pulled the lever that opened it, the door swung open and revealed the passage beyond.

This passage had not been made by modifying a natural cave; the Metallica had dug it themselves. As a result, its interior had been finished in the same manner as the floor and ceiling, and things resembling electric lights had been installed here and there, making the underground passage surprisingly bright. There were no traps, either, so unlike on our way in, all we had to do was keep moving forward.

"Will you come again?"

"Of course. Next time, I'll bring some different companions, too."

"Yes. Everyone's looking forward to it."

"Thank you. Then I'll see you again."

Though separated by our Tactical Shells, we exchanged a firm handshake before leaving 'The City of Mepe.' It was a city with an atmosphere unlike anything I had experienced before, and I had personally enjoyed it tremendously.

"What will you do once we return to Shiratsuki? I plan to sort through the materials and machinery."

"I'm logging out right away. I need to go to bed early because of work tomorrow."

"I'll head to the event area... Hmm? I've received a message from Jigoro."

As we walked through the passage, we discussed what to do next. Then a notification sound announced a message from Jigoro. According to it, he wanted us to come to the event area as soon as possible.

Had he caused some other kind of trouble? No, if that were the case, he probably would not have asked us to come. In any event, as soon as we returned to Shiratsuki, we would hurry to Jigoro's side.