A mysterious girl claiming to be Pope of the Mechanical Vatican. Following the guarantee and certification of the conductor of CBCRR23 and the conductor's assistant, she has been provisionally classified as a special individual originating from another world. She was first discovered in the area surrounding Atricrypta Village (provisional designation), in a state of severe Morphic Field rejection, having even begun to exhibit physical dissociation. After a series of events, the individual's Morphic Field has since stabilized. At present, with the individual's own consent, she is provisionally registered as an escort crew member of the Eternal.
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Physical
While the Eternal has played host to no shortage of dignitaries and distinguished guests, having someone who could fairly be called a "religious leader" come aboard and register as a crew member was still unprecedented. Even Slokai— the "Pope"— could not escape the tedium of basic examinations, identity registration, and file verification. And though she looked, countless times over the course of it, as though she meant to lift the Eternal and Conductor into the air by hand, she cooperated with the whole process as best she could— and in the end, officially became one of the Eternal's crew.
Well before that, Slokai had already completed her— call it whatever you like— of the Eternal; in short, she had toured, inspected, looked over, or rather appraised the train to her heart's content. She offered all manner of suggestions and opinions on its structure, its exterior, and its interior fittings, and her final verdict turned out to be: "It's not bad, actually. I suppose it's just barely fit for my eyes."
Everyone, long since acquainted with how Slokai operates, chose not to voice any objection. Only Anfiya, who had gradually grown closer to her over the course of events, asked with some puzzlement, "Does she like the Eternal that much?"
"As if a— a mere mortal creation could be worthy of the regard of the Mechanical God's agent! You don't understand at all... I only said it would do as a temporary place to stay!"
"But you've never said anything like that about any... other place... since you arrived?"
"...I'm not wasting any more words on you."
Slokai turned away, displeased, apparently meaning to leave Anfiya behind and go on examining her surroundings alone. Before long, though, she turned back and gave a haughty wave to Anfiya, who was still standing there frozen.
"Well? Hurry up and follow me. Since you say I like this train, take responsibility and prove it!"
......
"It seems Slo— Miss Ellie really does like the Eternal."
Livia, who had watched this small commotion from start to finish, says this to you softly.
For Slokai, the main reason for staying in this place was "to build the Grottlings a hot spring bathhouse that isn't an embarrassment." As things stand, everything has gone as she wished: the Grottlings picked up parts of human language with remarkable speed, some have even begun to find a place in human society, and construction on the bathhouse has moved along smoothly. Slokai has kept up the attitude of putting these little creatures' labor to "the fullest possible use," but it is not hard to see that she has taken a real liking to these industrious, willing workers.
Life above ground, however, has been far less smooth for the Grottlings than it appears— for all their efforts to demonstrate their goodwill and their capabilities, no small number of people, and even certain organizations and institutions, oppose their presence. The reasoning is simple: these small laborers of uncertain origin remain an officially unrecognized form of existence, and who is to say they won't cause some real trouble in the end?
Breese and Lester, who came up to the surface early, feel quite helpless in the face of such suspicion. And watching the two little things— one red, one blue— hang their heads that way, Slokai found the anger rising in her with nowhere to go. In a rare turn, she used the full weight of her command to make them get up, and demanded that they come with her to pay the relevant institutions a visit.
"Those who go first are the ones who clear the road for those who follow. Hanging your heads accomplishes nothing. Get up— I'll show you what it means to act with the authority of the Mechanical God!"
......
Several days later, the voices of opposition had largely quieted, and the bathhouse reached its first stage of completion as expected. To express their reverence for Slokai, along with their gratitude to the crew of the Eternal and everyone else who had helped, the Grottlings decided to invite these humans to be the bathhouse's very first guests. Admission free, of course. The Grottlings even cheerfully pushed their collected scrap iron and beer bottle caps— their "Grottling Coins"— across to you, explaining that they could be exchanged inside for a drink after your soak!
"Haaah..."
Having finally enjoyed the hot spring she directed the building of firsthand, Slokai leaned back contentedly against the edge of the pool and let out a long breath. Not far off, through the drifting steam, her "followers" in this world were splashing about, or else each savoring a brief moment of peace. Watching a scene like that, Slokai— or rather, "Ellie"— was struck by a sudden wistfulness.
"This world makes no sense, but it's not so bad sometimes, since there's a bunch of idiots like these around... Mm, and the scenery in some places isn't bad either, and some of the people are interesting enough..."
"It would be better still if you were here beside me right now... you lousy brother."
I am the Mechanical God who walks among mortals! Bow down before my power!
Do you have something to report? Keep it as brief as you can.
Machinery can repair every flaw you have. Let me have a look... I'll shape you a perfect mechanical body. How does that sound?
What's yours is mine, and what's mine is still mine. Any complaints?
Heh heh~ As if I'd worry about you, mortal.
Mortal rites are such a racket. Should I take it their god has no dignity to speak of?
Hmph~ A couple of compliments and you're bouncing off the walls. Just a monkey after all~
You're asking what I want? Heh heh. I'm the Pope of the Mechanical Vatican, the Mechanical God among mortals. What is there that I cannot have? That's right... I have everything... I can earn everything...
Mortals are at the mercy of their mortal bodies— fickle, not worth relying on. Machines are the better bet. Maintain one in earnest and it will answer what you ask of it, without fail.
All machinery is the property of the Mechanical God— which is to say, all of it belongs to me. The thought of my possessions being hawked on the black market is thoroughly unpleasant.
Mm... sit closer. Don't misunderstand— the cold of steel is what I love best. It's only that once in a while, I want to know what human warmth feels like.
Ha? Underage? As the agent of the Mechanical God, I ceased to be bound by mortal law long ago. I can even drink, if you're curious.
From now on, I'm the only one you need to look at.
Mortals are like ants underfoot. You're the exception, of course. You... are my ant.
Interesting. Let me get a taste of that fate of yours.
Not even a challenge.
Nothing but a way to pass the time.
Roar, Mechanical God!
Strike down every evil in this world— Divine Judgment!
...Troublesome one.
Damn it. Is this the end of me?
You common mortals have done well enough. Since you're trying so hard, I suppose I'll put in a little more effort.