LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 95
“It’s dangerous to bring future technology to Earth, isn’t it?”
“…Yeah, I figured as much.”
After training with Saioji, we were in her office on the first floor of the team house, discussing the nanomachines I had received from Nias a few days ago.
“If you took this to my father, without a doubt, it would benefit the Saioji Group… but that would also lead to conflict. This isn’t the same as you bringing over materials from Asphial, you know.”
“Right. It’s the same scientific technology, so if it leaked, someone could repurpose it…”
The materials I brought to Chairman Ryuugen from Asphial are entirely unrelated to Earth’s science. First of all, Earth doesn’t have *mana*, and everything from the ecosystem to the composition of the world itself is fundamentally different from Asphial.
“Even if it doesn’t leak, technology that advanced is like a potent drug—it’s extremely dangerous. Asphial doesn’t have the foundation to handle such advanced technology, but Earth does. Once they understand the principles, they could replicate it… and then what?”
“I can’t give you a definitive answer, but I can understand the sense of crisis you’re feeling, Saioji.”
I don’t think Nias gave me the nanomachines without considering the risk of their leakage. The fact that she didn’t discuss it explicitly might mean she has absolute confidence in the protection measures or that she trusts me to handle it… but knowing her personality, it’s probably the former.
“First of all, if you were to report that you can travel to the future, you’d be in danger yourself, wouldn’t you? You’re holding the knowledge of technologies thousands of years ahead—every country in the world would be after you. It wouldn’t be surprising if you caused World War III… and I’d be devastated if that happened.”
“…”
Hearing Saioji’s words, I couldn’t help but recall Nias’ situation.
When you’re the only one with access to such technologies or skills, a shallow person might get a superiority complex, while a smart person would leverage it as an advantage.
But if you handle it wrong, that small spark can become a massive fire that engulfs not just yourself but everyone around you.
The danger of future technologies leaking… Even without Saioji pointing it out, I think I already understood that on some level.
But maybe I was thinking of it as someone else’s problem until she reminded me that the consequences could easily fall on me too.
Especially after hearing what happened to Nias not long ago.
“…You’re right. I thought I understood, but I didn’t really grasp it. Thanks for bringing me back to reality.”
“…Well, at least in this world, there isn’t the foundation to reproduce such technologies, so I don’t think we’ll have any problems. Though I imagine you’ll avoid using them openly.”
Saioji concluded with that, easing the tense atmosphere a bit as she asked me about the future of the Saioji family. I had plenty to think about, but since she had been kind enough to shift the topic, I went along with the new conversation.
—
“Hmm… the ability to travel between different worlds…”
“Even among elves, such abilities are unheard of. It’s almost as if it’s the work of the spirits themselves.”
After talking with Saioji at the team house, I returned home without any detours. As usual, I was greeted by Aria, who was engrossed in the Crossworlds card game, and Eurua, who was in the middle of preparing dinner.
Since it was right after training, I made a quick trip back to my Tokyo home, took a light shower to wash off the sweat, and then returned to the capital. By the time I got back, dinner was ready.
Drawn by the delicious smell, Aria, who had been playing cards earlier, moved over to Eurua’s side to check what was in the pot. The scene made me smile warmly; it looked like a mother and daughter—or maybe sisters—bonding. I joined them in helping with the preparations and then sat down to explain my abilities over dinner, including what had happened recently.
After what happened with Saioji, I felt the need to explain it to Aria and Eurua as well. They were my housemates, and given their situation, the chances of them leaking anything were slim. Plus, after the recent events, it felt necessary to bring them up to speed.
“Yeah, those cards Aria’s playing with are also from a different world… though what happened the other day was a first, even for me.”
“Playing with items as beautiful as those… your world must be quite advanced.”
“Yeah, it’s a world where science has progressed in place of magic.”
Aria picked up one of the trading cards on the table, admiring the artwork on it as she responded thoughtfully.
“A world without magic… I can’t even imagine such a thing.”
“This world couldn’t function without magic.”
Turning on a faucet to get water, lighting a fire with a match… On Earth, actions like these are completed with a simple twist of the wrist or flick of the hand. But here, magic can accomplish those tasks with ease.
While ordinary people without much mana might need to fetch water manually, for most, conjuring a cup of water or a small flame isn’t too difficult.
Everyone’s magic capacity varies, but in Asphial, magic serves as a foundational tool, deeply integrated into society.
Even the herbs used for making potions absorb mana from their surroundings to grow. Magic is so intrinsic to this world that, for Eurua, a mage, the idea of a world without magic was incomprehensible.