Part 10: The Contemplative Side of the Momentous Decision
Part XXI: The Contemplative Side of the Momentous DecisionOriginal Update
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Everyones Thoughts
Hmm
Am I seeing things, Lotte? Or is that
Solle? Out here?
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Its kind of unusual to see you away from your desk, Solle.
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I require time to rest my mind as well, you know.
Especially after the things we saw in the herb garden.
Yeah
That was a lot to take in
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To be honest, the current matter has forced me to think quite a lot. How can I report this to Central?
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How to report it
?
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Yes. Its true that Central seeks countermeasures against the Dusk. Its quite urgent, after all.
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They havent learned from the past, and want to revive alchemy culture
Is that right?
You are correct. That having been said
Im simply an official, I may be worrying about things beyond my position.
If Central wont learn from the past, and theyre going full speed ahead with reviving alchemy culture
Then
Are they making artificial humans like Linca
?
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With our current technology, creating artificial lifeforms would be a dream beyond our dreams
After seeing creations like her, I started to think about what exactly I need to do. As an official, I naturally seek a solution to the drought
But what decisions are necessary, and what would result from such a thing
?
Hmm
I cant say that we have the answers right now
but all the alchemists gathered here in Stellard want to end the drought and stop the Dusk.
And after learning about the truth, we know that to really make headway, we need to fix the mistakes the ancient civilization made.
That is a relief
Now if youll excuse me, Ill need some more time alone before I can head back to work. Oh, and Escha and Logy are both on break now. It would be worth speaking to them as well.
Eschas shop is this way. Lets hear what she has to say!
We should! Not only is she our senior, but she has a strong belief that the seed from Geosis will be key to solving this crisis.
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Shallies, here
I want you to take a look again.
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Flameu, was it? You said she became a Controller or something
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Yeah.
I know her story is a mouthful, so Ill give you another rundown. She was a human girl who, centuries ago, became a Controller. In an ancient ruin called Geosis, built to bring life back to the land. Flameu had lost hope, but she found new hope. She decided to support us
Thats why I want to believe in her. That this land has the power to come back to life
No, I DO believe.
Escha
Just hearing your talk about Flameu again makes me want to believe, too!
Yes! I know we can make things right again!
Ah, do you know where we can find Logy? I heard from Solle that hes also on break.
Oh! Hes
at the harbor, I think. Thats what he told me, anyway.
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Thats why I cant unconditionally believe that if we stop the device, nature has the strength left to recover.
Its as Keith told us. Its true that we have no basis to believe that
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When you put it that way, youre right
But still
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Yeah. Even considering that, I think its wrong to leave a broken device running on its own. I only just recently came to this city, so my words might not mean much. But ignoring a mistake wont solve anything. In fact, it would only magnify the damage done.
If I couldnt face my mistakes, I would have never been able to work on developing airships again.
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Airships?
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Yeah. Escha gave me courage. Thats why we were able to reach the Unexplored Ruins, and reconcile with Flameu.
As alchemists, we should do that much, come what may.
Speaking of past mistakes
I think Master Wilbell would have good input on what to do! Especially given her contract with the Lord of Water!
Oh, youre right! She should still be hanging around the ship!
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Master Wilbell.
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Also, Im a magician. Im in a different position from you alchemists.
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But
If youre willing, please tell us what you think.
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Master Wilbell! Please!
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Sorry for putting on airs. But I can only talk from the point of view of a magician. Up to now, Ive formed contracts with the Lords of Wind, Fire
and Water. I didnt realize this when I was younger, but I know now. Spirits still live on this planet. This planet is their home, of course they wouldnt just allow nature to fall to ruin. The spirits might not be able to forgive humanity immediately
But
If we humans fix our mistakes, I think we can get along with them again someday.
Master Wilbell
!
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That goes for you too, Shallistera. Youre an important friend of my incompetent apprentice, after all
Hey! Whats that supposed to mean?!
Just having a little fun! Anyway
now that youve heard my point of view as a magician, I think you oughta hear from a few more alchemists before going to the city leaders with your decision.
Ah
Sounds good. So for the alchemists we havent talked to yet
At this point, just Ayesha, Keith, and Miruca.
Ayesha should still be hanging around Stellard Plaza, and Mirucas atelier is there as well. So we oughta chat with Ayesha first. Then we can talk with Keith at the Water Supply.
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We learned so much at once, I still feel confused.
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Me too
I know what we need to do, but this gloomy feeling wont go away
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Yeah, I dont blame you. I felt the same way
I was originally an herbalist, so its hard to believe this world is built only on alchemy. Thats why
Stera. About Lugion Villages drought
I think itll be solved.
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You really think so!?
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Of course, not right this moment. But Lugion and other villages in the area grew along natural waterways. If we return the water device to normal, and the Lord of Water forgives humans even a little
If she understands
Yes
I want to believe!
You made me feel a lot better the decision we have to make, Ayesha!
Now, then
its just Miruca and Keith left.
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You should already know this, Shal. I dont like humans. Were selfish, and foolish, and pretentious, and greedy. If falling to ruin is our fate, so be it
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Miruca
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But thats also why I think we humans need to take responsibility. We need to know that much shame, at least. I dont know if the alchemy we learned has caused more good or bad up until now. Thats why we need to pay back our debts, as much as possible. If not, we would simply be fools as well
Ive believed this since I was in Central. In the past, I thought the people of Central would believe it too.
But this matter has fully convinced me. We cant leave a broken relic of the past as it is now.
Even if the result is a drought that wipes out humanity
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You were thinking like that, Miruca
?
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Shal, Shallie. If you want to hate me, go ahead.
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Hey, why do you always say things like that, Miruca?
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What?
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I think youre great, Miruca. I probably would have never thought that way.
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Yes. I can sympathize with your feelings too, Miruca.
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I see. Im glad if I was of use.
Haha, well
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Thanks for your input, Miruca.
Now
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Its the right of the people of this city to make the final decision. This is not my place to interfere. However, I dont believe in doing nothing, and simply giving up. Ill think of my own measures. You havent spoken to anyone yet
Have you decided what to report already?
We may not have spoken to Raoul or Perriend, but
we got all the input we could from the other alchemists, Wilbell, and Solle.
Now more than ever, we know what must be done.
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I see. Very well, then go.
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Abundant City of Water
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Yes.
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We think we should stop that purification device. At this rate, all water sources will end up dry, like the Dusk Sea
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What would happen to the city if you shut it down?
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It would no longer be an oasis. The water would drop to incomparable levels.
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Still, at this rate, the water in all the towns, not just Stellard, will go dry. That's why
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Sounds like it's decided. There's no room for argument... Go shut the device down.
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I don't like it.
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...What?
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As a city of water, Stellard has great influence over the settlements around it, and Central. If the water is lost, Stellard will lose its reputation.
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Wait a minute, please tell me you're not trying to save face at a time like this, chairman. Now's the time to think about water everywhere, not just in our own town.
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Saving face
I guess I can't help that you'd feel that way. I just want to protect the city's honor and prosperity.
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There was no guess to why people gathered here with its water. It's essential for agriculture, after all. Settlements started dotting the area in pursuit of the water, and Stellard grew as a city. It became a hub for commerce and production, and developed quickly. But other than Stellard, the region wasn't as abundant with water sources
Conflicts over water erupted between settlements, and the gap between the classes got bigger.
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People cannot survive without water. That's why Stellard started using its water supply control system to manage the water. It was to distribute it to the places that need it, and prevent wasting it. That's how the city continued to protect the water for the region.
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If we can't control the water, conflicts will start happening again. And mostly, Stellard is hope for people suffering from lack of water. If the water here disappears, the hope will disappear from everyone in the region. I can't agree about shutting down the device
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Still, chairman
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I know. There's no other way. I just don't want to see the city wither away
Do whatever you like.
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Perriend. I'm sorry.
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It'll be okay, Perriend, this town is really strong! Even without water, Stellard will still be Stellard!
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Of course.
Now, have you found a way to reach the purification device underground?
We found that the underground city was linked to an herb garden on the eastern continent, and found the facilitys Controller there. But we couldnt find the device itself in the garden.
We know its buried deeper beneath the Ruins of Frozen Time, but theres still lots of debris blocking our way.
I can have some of my men move that rubble out of the way. For the time being, you two and the others can stand by.
Speaking of Controllers
I want you two to come with me. Bring the alchemists working with the government as well. My apprentice and I have more to say about the facilitys Controller.
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Clones
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The system likely noticed issues in the extensions, and started creating them a relatively short time ago. Without even knowing that human civilization at the time had already fallen into ruin.
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And due to some sort of bug, they left the facility before being completed, and grew up as the Lincas
The Linca in Colseit said that during her childhood, she remembers being taken from somewhere. This must be it
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Other such facilities may exist, but the one who discovered the facility was likely an alchemist.
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Thats awful! I dont understand the difficult parts, but I feel bad for the Lincas
!
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Yes, its an awful story. Despite the progress of civilization, the deeds of humans never change.
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But I dont think the Lincas right now are unhappy.
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Right. Being so quick to pity them is actually rude.
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Logy! No way
! After how the Lincas were treated
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Escha. Im just saying that we dont have the power to do anything about Lincas past. Also, right now, Linca is enjoying herself despite such a past. Whats important is the present, not the past.
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Logy
Youre right about that. But theres alchemy that brings sorrow to people
I find that really scary! I want to use alchemy to make everyone happy
This is all too sad.
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Thats right! I dont get the difficult stuff either
But I dont want to use it to make people unhappy!
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Me too
!
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Weve done that up until now, and that wont change going forward. Isnt that right, Escha?
Logy
Thats right! (Now
I have some official business with the Corporation, but I know that the Linca there needs to hear about this.)
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The Other Lincas
Ah, Shallistera and Shallotte. How may I help you?
Im sure Escha was telling you about it just now, but
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To tell the truth, I already had the feeling that my sisters and I were created through unnatural means. I have memories of escaping from a dark place with my sisters when we were very young, led out by someone. After that, we sisters were split up.
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So the dark place was that underground facility
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I haven't seen it for myself so I can't be sure, but that's likely it. I didn't know about the existence of artificial lifeforms, so I thought we had fled from some sort of institution.
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The Linca in Colseit said that she met Linca number three, and that her personality was completely different. She seemed to want to find her long lost sisters. She also wanted to know the reason she was born
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I don't know how my sisters feel. But I for one don't really care to know the truth.
My life right now is everything to me. I have no need to change that.
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Ms. Linca
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I still have mixed feelings about wanting to know, and not wanting to know.
Who am I, and why was I created?
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That reminds me, Keithgriff mentioned something before.
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I can understand why Keith has such mixed feelings toward alchemy
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But still, I'm glad to have met you, Ms. Linca. You helped me so many times, while I was still getting used to Mr. Perriend's behavior
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It's true that the chairman's behavior can cause misunderstandings
Theres more that I and a friend of mine can tell you, Linca.
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Could this be
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I see
So one of our sisters went to challenge the youngest. Im sure that caused much anxiety.
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Yes, we were being targeted by another sister. I met her, but the only similarity was her appearance.
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The Linca that Ayesha got to know is in Colseit with Marion right now. Oh, but the one who came to visit Colseit was the third one. She was a very cheerful girl
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For better or for worse, none of our sisters have come to visit me yet. I only lived with the youngest during our childhood. She was awkward ever since then.
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You dont want to meet the other Lincas
Right?
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Yes. For now, at least. Im happy enough working as the chairmans secretary.
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I see. Not even the Linca in Colseit
?
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It sounds like the youngest is living happily in Colseit.
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Yeah! Shes still working with Marion. She doesnt care for paperwork much, but she still gets along with everyone!
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I see
Im happy if the youngest is living a happy life. But youre right
I do want to meet the youngest, someday. To be honest, for some reason I still remember her, out of everyone else. I have no idea why
Its possible that part of her was similar to me
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Its making me feel happy, too