Despite believing she would not get anywhere with Yuki, she gave her the benefit of the doubt because that was just brhe kind of person Natsumi was. Barging into the room, where Yuki still sat at her desk, Natsumi was more determined than ever to not let Yuki get in her head.
"We need to talk, sister!"
"Do we?"
"Yes!"
"Yeah, no, I don't think so. Just let that thing from earlier go."
"That's not what this is about! Even though you should wait until marriage, and still have the chance to stop until then!"
"What do you think I'm working on, dumbass? And I thought you'd be against me marrying Yamato."
"I am! I will prevent that from happening and if its the last thing I do!"
"Oh, it'd definitely be the last thing you did…"
"But all that is besides the point! I request answers on what Deficients are exactly, how they are dealt with, and what new recources are used on them, as well as anything else noteworthy!"
"Where did you hear that term from?"
"Carina told me! But answer the questions!"
"Dear sister, tell me… What is the purpose of evolution?"
"To increase chances of survival."
"That's right. Life is meant to evolve and adapt, to increase its chances of survival. Striving for the best possible life and conditions is therefore only natural for all life that evolves, yes?"
"Bit of a stretchy connection, but yeah, I guess, go on…"
"With that in mind, if something were to prevent better life for everyone, and the better conditions that come with it, they do not just refuse to evolve, they are actively slowing down evolution itself. I'd even go as far as say they are an evolutionary setback to their species."
"I think I can guess where you are going with this… But what exactly do you mean…?"
"Keep guessing then. That's all you're going to get out of me."
"That didn't help me at all! But for your information, all life is precious and if some people object that evolutionary step, maybe it's just not the right time yet!"
"Or evolution does its thing…"
"This was a waste of time! Thank you and continue having a nice day!"
She yelled slamming the door gently once more. This time however, she was prepared for Petrisha who was still standing next to the door, her hands folded together in her lap like the competent maid that she was.
"You there, demon! Tell me all about DB's, go!"
"…I'm sorry, but I must refuse."
Natsumi began whining internally, as apparently her entire investigation was built on the premise that she could ask either Petrisha or Yuki. The fact that not even one of them would immediately cooperate destroying her carefully crafted plan devastatingly. They do say the most complicated plans are the easiest to sabotage, so she figured she had just put too much thought into it. After all, doing good always works out perfectly for all that have pure intent, as their good can only be God's plan, she thought to herself.
"Okay then, demon! You may go!"
"…I think I'm going to stay here, but thank you."
"…"
Then Natsumi proceeded to run away, embarrassed by having thought Petrisha was on her way to leave despite clearly being stationed there. However, this time she did not bump into Yamato, much to her liking, even though she was considering looking for him to question him as well. But then she remembered that the pinnacle of all evil and deception surely would speak nothing but lies, so she let go of the idea. Instead, she decided that going into a town of the ones recently integrated into the Absolute Empire would be best, as there she would be able to find these so called DB's. Once found, she would be able to see in action what kind of actions were taken against them. With that decided, she left, not unnoticed by Yuki, with a flap of her wings leaping into the air, darting northeast from Yukimato towards a small medium sized town called Ponca. Diligent as she was, she had done research on this town from the time where she had been allied with the Holy Empire of Humanity. The town was characterized by most of the buildings having red, slopped roofs, which goes back to an old custom, where during the occasional blood moon every two to three years, the belief was held that God had become angry, and his eye, the moon, could not see anything red so long as his eye was red as well. Thus sparing all that had a red roof from his wrath. Though no one believed in that story today, there was still a festival held at every blood moon in honor of the old custom. A town with a history of strong religious fear might be easier to convince into joining a religion, however one that primarily views it as a holiday and festival excuse may find itself more skeptical of new religions trying their luck with them. However, knowing Yuki, her approach should persuade most but maybe not all, Natsumi thought. So she remembered how back on earth, the humans would change clothes to not draw too much attention to them and cover up their identity. Since her identity might complicate things in this case, she would make use of this tactic, changing her clothes from her white robes to a more commonly worn attire, now ready to infiltrate the town.
Visible earlier from the sky, and now standing out from the ground as well was a huge church, its architecture rather basic and nothing extravagant like the Absolute Citadel or its earlier state as just the Cube. However its size was still far from ordinary with 40 meters, also possessing elements out of divinium making its absolute imperial origin unmistakable. The church also had a lot less visitors compared to the Absolute Citadel, though that was hardly a surprise, even if this town had much more citizens than Yukimato as of now. Approximately 200.000, if Natsumi remembered correctly. Entering the building, she was not all that surprised but still unhappy about the statue of Yamato and Yuki in front of all the seats. As she was about to leave, a nun stopped her in her tracks, her hair completely covered but her brown eyes seeming friendly and inviting.
"Please don't leave just yet. You already entered so you may find this to be your destined path!"
"I'm sorry, but I was just looking around."
"So you were looking for something, yes? Maybe faith will help you find what you were looking for!"
"I already have strong faith, but thank you."
"Really? That's wonderful! Let us pray together then!"
"That's… Not a bad idea, actually."
Though persuaded to enter the church, she obviously did not plan to pray to Yamato or her own sister. But she felt as though she could use some guidance of the one who had permitted her to descend into this world in the first place.
Upon entering, the difference between this church and the Cube became instantly apparent, as the Cube was built more like a stage or theater, since there would be actual speeches and appearances of Yamato and Yuki. Whereas this church was more traditional and much more practical. It also seemed like much of the space in this towering building was unused or more of an empty facade, with the sole purpose of looking intimidating or great.
Natsumi kneeled down and closed her eyes, pressing her hands tightly together in hopes of getting a response.
"Oh God, please give me directions… I feel as though I have lost track of my goal… I know Yamato to be my enemy, there is no doubt about that in my mind. Yet… I find myself relying on him for my sisters sake, and also struggle posing a threat to any of his schemes… What should I do…?"
But there was no answer. For whatever reason, her prayer remained unheard. Or ignored, it was difficult to tell. This made her feel not only even more uncertain as to what she was supposed to do, but also quite helpless. With her sister still rejecting her, Yamato being someone she could not see as anything but an enemy even now, and no friends in this world otherwise, it was not ridiculous to say that she was one of the more lonely people in the world. All she had was faith, and even that was now challenged by this lack of response. However, if her faith were that fragile, she would have quit a long time ago. So she got back up on her feet, and proceeded to leave the building, determined to get back to what she came here for in the first place.
"And? Were your prayers met with the guidance of our great god and emperor Yamato?"
"It appears I was unheard… I will try again another time."
"That's the spirit! There have been many who claim to have heard his voice respond, or that of ourost devoted Head of Church! I have no doubt that you will receive the same privilege if you keep in trying hard and diligently."
"Thank you, I will try my best…"
"If only her devotion were not so misplaced…"
After finally moving past the extremely devoted nun, Natsumi was back out in the open street again, where everything looked normal and peaceful. Even though this had never been under direct effects of the war, she still expected to see some signs of its existence now. But maybe she just did not understand war as well as she thought she did, it being an irrational and repulsive concept to her in the first place. Amongst the things she genuinely despised, war was pretty far up on the list.
Continuing to think about how cruel and awful war was, her thoughts were interrupted as a small crowd had gathered on the street. Naturally, she chose to investigate and walked towards it.
What she found was a well dressed, rather handsome boy with messy brown hair lying on the ground, pinned down by a guard of the city. She was not sure what was going on, but it did not appear like the boy, no older than twenty, had stolen anything or were out to do any harm. Maybe he was a fugitive? Just as Nastumi was about to step in and try to resolve the situation, a smoke bomb detonated amidst the crowd, shrouding the guard and boy and what happened next. As she smoke cleared, she boy was gone and the guard stood there by himself, looking around confused. While everyone else seemed to have no idea where the boy had went, Natsumi was not so easily fooled by a smoke bomb and spotted him being dragged into an alley on the other side of the street by a hooded figure. Worried as well as intrigued, she of course followed them into the narrow alleyway.