In a secluded room, guarded by Sun City's guards, Mithra closed all the windows and stood before a table laden with food.
She hadn't specified what she wanted; it was simple fare: rations and dried meat.
"It's not as strange as in that other place, but still not much better," Mithra said, removing her shirt to reveal her powerful upper body.
Gulp gulp gulp.
With barely-contained eagerness, a diagonal gash opened across her chest, from her left shoulder to her right waist. It looked like a gruesome wound.
But along the edges of this "wound," sharp, irregular teeth sprouted, like weeds growing wildly.
A gaping maw opened across her chest, revealing numerous strong, snake-like tongues, eagerly reaching for the food.
With a swift sweep, the tongues devoured everything on the table. There was nothing left for Mithra.
Mithra felt no discomfort other than the agonizing hunger being satisfied. In fact, she felt her body becoming slightly stronger as she ate.
"Hungry..." But her hunger wasn't satisfied; the food was insufficient.
"That's enough for today," Mithra said, lowering her head.
At her words, the tongues lashed out at her.
"I said what was enough was enough. If you're disobedient, I'll just starve." Mithra remained unmoved.
After a while, the rumbling and the word "hungry" subsided. The teeth retracted, the maw closing, eventually disappearing completely.
Mithra touched her chest. There were no abnormalities. She could clearly feel her heart beating.
But she could also feel something else inside her.
"It's getting crowded in there," Mithra said calmly, flexing her neck.
...
Mithra found the advisor and explained her situation.
While surprised by Mithra's casual approach, the advisor was pleased with the outcome—everyone was fine.
After dealing with that, Mithra began investigating the Flesh Slime.
Although Sun City didn't expect much from Mithra, she took it seriously.
She arrived at the explosion site and saw Nino chatting and laughing with a young woman—he clearly wasn't working!
As she approached, Nino noticed her, said a few words to the woman, and she left.
"You're here. I hope you weren't too hungry yesterday. I heard you devoured everything," Nino said.
"It was alright," Mithra replied, her gaze lingering on the woman's departing figure.
"That's my sister. Not what you think," Nino felt the need to explain.
"What did I think?" Mithra asked.
"...The investigation is ongoing. You can relax; just don't interfere," Nino quickly changed the subject.
"You're already investigating?"
"It's a Xyrin energy point in the Southwestern District. It needs to be repaired quickly," Nino replied.
"Xyrin energy point?" Mithra asked, intrigued.
Nino pointed upwards. Mithra looked up. The sun seemed the same as yesterday. But while bright, it wasn't hot.
"It channels the Xyrin energy from above, protecting the energy point below."
"Wait, is that the legendary 'Artificial Sun'?" Mithra suddenly realized.
Nino replied casually, "Yes, didn't you know?"
Mithra looked up at the bright sunlight.
Sure enough, black dots appeared in her Night Eyes' vision.
She hadn't paid much attention to the sun before, hadn't realized it could provide information.
["Xyrin": Also known as the "Artificial Sun," a device created to combat Eternal Night. Its core was crafted by Ringer, from the Mysterious Kingdom. Its light shone for thousands of years, gently illuminating the cursed world, preventing the return of darkness. But it might be tiring now.]
Ringer?
Wasn't Ringer the one who had given her the Miracle Prosthetic after her arm was severed?
Had he been the legendary figure who had led the Xyrin Project?
Seeing Mithra staring at the sun, Nino said, "You won't see anything more by staring. Xyrin's power in Sun City is linked to the real sun, ensuring a stable climate."
"Such intelligence," Mithra said, looking down.
"It's the pride of our Empire, the eternal soul of Sun City."
"What are its practical applications?" Mithra asked pragmatically.
Night Eyes' information was often vague and only served as a reference. Mithra would have to research it herself.
Nino glared at Mithra. "While Xyrin doesn't cause abnormal weather, it doesn't mean it has no effect. It ensures Sun City has a stable climate, preventing any weather-related disasters. Its light also suppresses those dangerous Wandering Gods, keeping their curses at bay."
Even the usually calm Nino looked proud when speaking of Xyrin.
But Mithra's expression remained unchanged, which disappointed him. He sighed inwardly; outsiders from the Enchanting Land just didn't understand the value of Xyrin.
"You're saying that thing in the sky can block curses?" Mithra stressed her question.
Nino frowned. "Our ancestors have lived in this city for thousands of years. Please retract your question, Enchanting Land citizen."
"If you're so sure, then something is wrong. Inform your leaders immediately. If this explosion was significant enough for you to consider me a scapegoat, then the truth might shake your faith," Mithra said bluntly.
"What do you mean?" Nino frowned.
"Those Flesh Transmutation believers were cursed by the Wandering God. Do you understand now?" Mithra said.
Nino's face turned pale.
Flesh Transmutation believers were cursed by a Wandering God?!
And Xyrin couldn't stop them?!
"Are you certain?!" Nino demanded confirmation.
Mithra didn't bother replying, simply meeting his gaze.
Without another word, Nino rushed out and climbed into a waiting carriage.
He was too preoccupied to bother with Mithra anymore.
Mithra watched the carriage leave, surveyed the area, then headed towards the debris. The Flesh Transmutation believers clearly had a purpose and a plan.
Unhindered, Mithra approached the debris and examined the area.
She saw many scattered machine parts, mostly broken, old-fashioned gears.
At the very center, a group of people were gathered around a large mechanical pillar, discussing something, using tools to measure and examine it. Their faces were filled with concern.
Mithra fell into thought.
The Xyrin and the Xyrin energy point had been created thousands of years ago by Ringer and his team. Unlike the purely magical creations Mithra had expected, this energy point was mechanical in nature.
Interesting. This world's fantasy wasn't just about wielding miracles; it also involved using miracles to develop technology!