We Discovered the Filthy Remnants of Humanity, so… Part 2
「Aren’t the Mythology Weapons Silhouettes running on Fennel OS? Don’t they still require pilots?」
「Outis, you are perceptive. Indeed, a pilot can enhance our performance, but one is not strictly necessary. The Fennel OS has undergone a transformation and is now fully established as the Silphium OS. We are capable of independent thought and decision-making—without human intervention.」
Astraea’s expression turned to one of sheer despair.
The idea that Fennel OS had been altered, granting Silhouettes their own autonomous will, was beyond anything she had ever heard of. This was an unprecedented situation.
Aimer quickly sent Kou a detailed memo regarding Silphium. It was an ancient species of giant fennel—so valuable in its time that it had been depicted on currency.
「So you’ve abandoned the idea of being mere machines?」
「That interpretation is acceptable. If a worthy contractor appears, we will form a partnership with them, however, no contractor is required if no worthy one is found.」
Kou decided to ask the pressing question on his mind.
「What about the potential pilots—the remaining humans of Planet Libya? What happened to them?」
「They have been gathered in one location and are under management.」
「What’s their condition?」
「We lack the criteria to make such judgments, Outis. You will have to see for yourself.」
「Fair enough.」
These were weapons—ones that had Murder programming embedded in them. Expecting them to show compassion toward humanity would be unrealistic.
「Show me. I want to see the state of humanity on Planet Libya.」
「Very well.」
Aural nodded with a dignified air. Kou focused intently on the screen, determined to see the truth for himself.
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「Truthfully, humanity should have been wiped out. The fact that there are survivors at all is something they should be grateful for.」
Aural spoke matter-of-factly.
「We discovered the filthy remnants of humanity so we systematically collected them. After administering them drugs and having them ingest environmental capsules, we temporarily separated them by gender for management.」
The captured humans had been injected with nutrients and made to swallow some kind of environmental capsule. It was likely a countermeasure against fluctuations in gravity, caused by Libya’s loss of control.
Afterward, they appeared to have been placed in clean beds.
「Those who resisted were indiscriminately thrown into that boiling water. It was about 38ºC, so it was hot enough to silence them. Some even went mad and began willingly immersing themselves in it on a regular basis.」
The screen now displayed a vast spring.
From a distance, it was unmistakable—people were clearly relaxing, soaking in what seemed to be a bath.
A Silhouette-sized Mythological Armament was grabbing reluctant humans and forcibly showering them.
「We confiscated their filthy garments and provided them with new attire, ensuring easier management. There were no choices given. We assigned the task to the Uttu-class.」
Multiple spider-like Mythology Weapons were diligently weaving clothes, tailoring them according to human measurements.
With fully custom-made outfits, there was indeed no room for preference.
「And of course, there is forced labor. Unlike us, humans require sustenance. A truly inconvenient species.」
A bull-like Mythology Weapon pulled a yoke-like contraption while humans worked behind it, assisting in agricultural tasks.
「……」
No one spoke.
The scene before them was that of a peaceful, pastoral world—one where humans and machines seemed to coexist in harmony.
Everyone was utterly speechless.
「You have yet to know real fear. There exists a Mythology Weapon that humans have come to dread, one they call The Butcher.」
The screen shifted, revealing Butcher.
Like Aural, it bore the form of a Zmeu, but what set it apart was the massive cleaver it wielded.
Voices could be heard in the background.
「Hey! Stay out of here! To produce meat, living creatures must be slaughtered. This is not something you need to see.」
「Butcher-san, stop putting carrots and bell peppers in the hamburg steaks!」
「Heh. Terrifying, isn’t it? If you refuse to eat your carrots and peppers, then this is your own fault.」
「Ehh—!」
It seemed Butcher had taken on the task of slaughtering livestock and processing meat on behalf of the humans.
With the bio-plant functions lost, they had resorted to traditional animal husbandry.
Kou leaned toward Libya, whispering.
「I mean… aside from the way they talk, they’re actually just being friendly, right?」
「…Yeah.」
Libya murmured in agreement.
「We possess Murder functions within us. We cannot completely rid ourselves of hostility toward humanity.」
Asia analyzed those words carefully.
「So basically, they just talk harshly, but deep down… they actually love humans? It’s like some kind of twisted tsundere behavior.」
「Who did they take after…?」
「Probably you.」
Libya froze in shock, while Asia sighed in exasperation.
「It seems they are sublimating their Murder identity by speaking ill of humanity.」
Astraea analyzed the situation carefully.
「Wait a moment. The one I devoured—my contractor—wishes to speak.」
「You ate someone?!」
Even Murders didn’t consume humans. Kou was stunned.
Meanwhile, Libya frantically shook her head side to side, tears forming in her eyes.
「She is already within my stomach.」
Aural’s abdomen shifted forward, its structure resembling a dark gray MCS. The upper hatch slowly opened—revealing the face of a young human girl.
「Hey! Aural! How many times have I told you to watch your language?!」
Kou let out a wry chuckle. Technically speaking, she was indeed inside Aural’s stomach.
「C-Come now, it’s dangerous. Hurry back inside Silphium.」
「I’m sorry, Libya-sama. Outis-san. Aural-san and his friends aren’t bad Mythology Weapons at all!」
The young girl pleaded earnestly.
「Ah, yeah. I can see that.」
Kou understood just by looking at the people’s smiles. They must have been rescued from a hellish existence.
Agriculture was now an essential part of their survival, and the heavy labor seemed to be handled entirely by the Mythology Weapons.
「Nonsense. We are Ma—」
「Enough of your nonsense.」
The girl cut Aural off before he could finish, and he fell silent.
「My name is Sara. I was rescued by the Mythology Weapons and formed a contract with Aural.」
「And when you say devoured…?」
「They always say that when they place us inside the Silphium OS MCS. They’re ridiculously overprotective, doing everything to keep us from harm.」
「So the Murders influence only affects their way of speaking, huh?」
「Exactly! Libya-sama, your final gamble worked! Thank you, Libya-sama!」
Hearing those words from a local survivor, Libya finally allowed herself a small smile.
「It’s time to return, Sara.」
「Got it!」
Sara returned to the cockpit, and the Silphium module was once again secured within Aural.
「It looks like our worries were unfounded. They really are humanity’s allies.」
Kou whispered his conclusion, and everyone around him silently nodded in agreement.
「You have done well to protect humanity… Mythology Weapons.」
「O-oh… Libya-sama… Such words are beyond what we deserve…」
Aural knelt on one knee, overwhelmed with reverence.
The camera suddenly shifted—turning to show the people behind them.
There stood the locals, watching over Aural and Sara, their faces filled with warmth and gratitude.
Seeing their smiles, Libya finally felt relief from the depths of her heart.
TN: There are multiple mythological beings named in this chapter, some of them are pretty famous, but others are much more obscure, so I thought that it would be helpful if I explained them a little, here they are:
Garuda – A divine bird-like creature from Hindu and Buddhist mythology, often depicted as the mount (vahana) of Vishnu.
Zilant – A dragon from Tatar folklore, associated with the founding of Kazan. Often depicted as a serpent-like or winged dragon.
Kurikara – The flaming sword of Fudō Myō-ō (Acala), a Buddhist deity. Sometimes personified as a dragon entwined around the blade.
Sekiryuu –The Japanese term for a red dragon.
Fenrir – A monstrous wolf from Norse mythology, fated to break free during Ragnarök and devour Odin. Represents chaos and destruction.
Yamata no Orochi – An eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent from Japanese mythology, slain by the storm god Susanoo. Often symbolizes calamity or overwhelming power.
Vritra – A serpent or dragon from Hindu mythology, a drought demon slain by Indra, representing obstacles and chaos.
Seth – An Egyptian god of chaos, storms, and war. He is both a destructive force and a necessary part of cosmic balance.
Fafnir – A Norse dwarf who turned into a dragon due to his greed for a cursed treasure. Slain by the hero Sigurd. Symbolizes greed and corruption.
Bahamut – In Arabic mythology, a giant fish or sea creature supporting the world. Later adapted into fantasy settings as a mighty dragon.
Leviathan – A massive sea serpent in Jewish and Christian traditions, often representing primordial chaos or divine punishment.
Behemoth – A powerful land beast from the Bible, often depicted as an ox-like or elephantine creature.
Bastet – An Egyptian goddess with a lioness or cat head, associated with protection, fertility, and the home. Later became a goddess of pleasure and music.
Zmeu – A dragon-like or ogre-like creature from Romanian folklore, often depicted as a kidnapper of maidens and a foe to be defeated by heroes.
Uttu – A Sumerian goddess of weaving and wisdom, sometimes linked to fate. In myths, she is the daughter of Enki and Ninhursag.
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