Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Machinery in the Mantle
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I never imagined there'd be another planet with machines embedded in its mantle.
In the mantle layer of Sorotek-02 Planet, we discovered a mechanical stratum remarkably similar to the record chamber of Sil-L0-K that existed on Earth.
Clank... Clank...
Just like back on Earth, these machines included functions to disrupt seismic waves and other wavelengths.
I have no idea who built them, but once again, I couldn't help thinking their tastes were utterly bizarre.
Especially since I couldn't even guess why they'd create something like this or what role these machines played.
On Earth, we couldn't find a way to open the door for Sil-L0-K, so we bombarded it from orbit until it finally gave way. I wonder how we'll open this one.
That said, bringing warships equipped with bombardment weapons into the Holy Nation's territory is another problem entirely, so it makes sense to explore other options first.
Hey, RealityPT. Tell me how to open the door.
Scribble... scribble...
Amid the writing sounds from the surrounding machines, Sil-L0-K unusually pondered for a long time.
Sil-L0-K wrote a lengthy passage on one page of a book and tore it out to hand it to me.
Let's see... Diameter, axial tilt, eccentricity, number of satellites, stellar energy output, average stellar surface temperature, stellar mass, rotation period..., quite the list.
So Sil-L0-K roughly understands what this mechanical setup is, but it can't be sure if this star system matches the one it knows?
"I'll tell you right away."
Nothing difficult about it.
This kind of star system data is naturally recorded in full whenever a new system is discovered.
"Here goes."
...
If entry is possible with the same security level as Reality Chronicle, that means these facilities share the same creator, right?
The Sorotek Star System is practically on the opposite side of the galaxy from Earth—how vast an influence did they have?
With such unparalleled technology and reach, this race remains shrouded in excessive secrecy.
Even though we've mapped such a vast swath of the galaxy, there are traces hinting at ancient mighty empires—but nothing seems connected to Sil-L0-K.
Anyway, it still won't open the door?
Ah. From their perspective, it wasn't me.
This tin can is so disconnected from galactic tech that I keep forgetting.
But they didn't implant a chip or anything in Albarak's body—how do they even distinguish?
Aha.
Of course, I didn't understand a word of it.
Still, might as well learn it—it's science and tech, right?
Technology is always right. It'll come in handy someday.
The heads specialized in brainpower—us—will figure out how to use it anyway.
Parallel world theory?
Tch.
Albarak is a key Hirak individual handling diplomacy for the Lushaka Kingdom, so there were some complicated procedures, but we managed to get entry approval.
This was largely due to the Prophet knowing about the Queen, the main body.
Diplomacy, military command—none of it matters with the 'Queen' in existence, and the Prophet knows that full well.
So they bought our story of it being a pointless tourist visit with no real agenda.
Our Prophet sure is cool.
If only we could fix that conservative mindset...
As Albarak stood atop the mechanical mantle, the machines assembled into geometric forms, opening a hole that served as an entrance.
Inside the hole, circular steel tubes formed what looked like stairs inviting entry.
Hm. Exact same structure as Sil-L0-K.
With Sil-L0-K, the deeper you went, the noisier it got with constant recitations and writing sounds. But here was different.
The deeper in we went, the quieter even the clanking of the machines became, until only a heavy silence permeated the air.
Following the bright light inside, we found a machine standing there—far broader and more robust than Sil-L0-K's slender frame and arms.
"Greetings. From the Lushaka Kingdom..."
Shh...
The machine raised a single finger to its faceplate in a gesture clearly meaning silence.
I'd noticed it with Sil-L0-K too: the face clustered with camera- and microphone-like sensors for eyes and mouth; massive upper body with claw arms; five fingers at the end of each claw.
Not like Earthlings—who aren't around anyway—but similar to Denebans.
That shushing gesture was quite familiar to Denebans.
Sure, other races use it too, but it's not universal enough across the galaxy.
Take the Talatulan—they don't even have mouths.
Anyway, I stayed quiet after the gesture, and the machine whispered first.
Whisper...
"Thank you for the welcome."
Looking around as I replied, the scene unmistakably evoked a library.
Countless steel shelves lined with stored books.
And an extension of that very scene.
Vast expanses of shelves crammed with books—apparently designed for maximum storage rather than easy access.
Books before books, books behind, books above, books below.
They looked familiar, and sure enough, they matched the exact shape of the books Sil-L0-K wrote on.
And the machine before me proved my hunch right.
Whirr...
Unlike Sil-L0-K's clanking, it opened silently in the center of its broad frame like a door.
Inside its body was a small wormhole-like void sucking things in, from which a stack of books soon emerged.
Thud thud thud...
The door closed, and it bent down to pick up the books—but its thick belly got in the way, making it grunt and struggle.
Finally clutching all the new books, QZ4n-G0-K said,
With that, it turned away without lingering, heading deeper into the facility as if truly granting free rein.
Hm.
Just like with Sil-L0-K, no point overthinking it—nothing would change, nothing more to learn.
Best to see it as a gift left out of pity for posterity.
Take it or leave it.
Unlike Sil-L0-K, this place didn't allow entry to anyone but Albarak, so this lone Hirak had to pull out each book one by one and read painstakingly.
While reading, the so-called administrator would sneak up unnoticed and offer unsolicited advice.
Come on, how the hell is a Hirak supposed to turn pages then?
Psionics?
Following every nitpicky rule made reading impossible as a Hirak.
From the few pages I'd managed before it got too close:
If this is what Sil-L0-K recorded, then latitude 34.38 N, longitude 25.89 E points to Hiroshima.
Probably logging the atomic bombing.
With Sil-L0-K on Earth, it makes sense these shelves hold Earth's history.
Did Earth follow the same history in the parallel world where Sil-L0-K exists?
If so, this info isn't helpful.
To be useful, we'd need records of nations on the level of the Deneb Federation at least.
Way too ancient.
But viewed another way, maybe not.
Looking back at my reincarnation timing: around 2020 Earth time, but post-reincarnation galactic standard time was well into the 2200s.
If the hive mind integration happened in a flash, the gap between 1945's atomic bomb and galactic 2200s might be just decades.
Galactic standard time is bizarre too.
Coincidentally, Deneb, Oztlan, Regium Sidus, Solar...
The major star systems of the galaxy's biggest powers share similar time concepts.
Strikingly alike planetary rotation and revolution periods.
Minor differences aside, rounding to clean numbers aligns them on the same timescale.
Sync the years via conversation, and they match perfectly.
Finger counts and math histories differ in detail, sure.
But still, coincidence?
"Guess I'll have to mod the hands and come back."
Only then can I dig for other info.
Might uncover quite a bit.
What.
Then what now.
No nails, no palms.
Mouth-turning pages? Obviously not.
We removed wings long ago when making diplomatic Hiraks.
Bring claws to flip them?
It'd complain about crumpling too.
After that, I used a tiny fan on low to painstakingly turn pages through several books, but nothing useful.
Pure records of Solar-03—Earth's—changes.
In other words, the records here and Sil-L0-K's info were unrelated.
Asked QZ4n-G0-K the same questions as Sil-L0-K; got identical answers.
Anyway, Sorotek Star System investigation complete.
Nothing special on the other planets.
Not surprising—it was known as a resource-poor, useless system.
If this record-keeper machine is why the Emperor wanted it...
How did the Emperor learn of it? No signs of mantle digging.
Maybe the Empire has a similar machine, and the Emperor holds higher clearance.
That would explain how he knew.