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A carpet of green stretches endlessly, with gentle hills and forests where deers and boars graze on lush, thriving grass. In the clear, transparent streams, you can hear the pleasant babble of the water and see fish swimming gracefully. At the center stands a single giant tree that seems to pierce the heavens, and the breeze that brushes against the skin is refreshing and pleasant.

A grassland overflowing with nature. The ideal scenery one imagines upon hearing the word ‘grassland’ exists right here.

However, there is also something that disrupts this natural landscape. Tanks and armored vehicles are lined up as if preparing for battle, and tents are set up in rows as if a bazaar is about to open. Numerous fully armed soldiers equipped with guns, swords, and staves are deployed throughout the area.

Scientists in white lab coats have gathered at the base of the giant tree.

“Hmm… So it really has become Dream Island in the true sense of the word. This is an unprecedented phenomenon.”

An elderly man strokes his salt-and-pepper beard while holding a device, examining the displayed results with a serious expression.

“Indeed, Dr. Tachibana. My results are the same. It is unbelievable, but this grassland is just too ordinary.”

There’s a young girl beside him operating a similar device and looking at the measurement results with a fascinated expression. She has her hair tied back in a ponytail and looks intelligent, but her expression suggests she views the world with slight cynicism.

“Yes… We’ve been investigating for a month now, and there’s no doubt. We have to acknowledge it: the Dream Island Spirit Ward, once overrun by rusty iron and grotesque metal lifeforms, has transformed into a grassland.” (Tachibana)

“It’s astonishing that it turned into just a plain grassland. A ‘plain grassland’. A ‘plain grassland’ that shouldn’t exist in this world.”

The girl in the lab coat lightly taps the monitor of her device while emphasizing ‘plain grassland’. Dr. Tachibana gently taps the girl’s head with a wry smile at her exaggerated behavior.

“Show some respect to your superior. I am still your boss, Tateno-kun. Even if you obtained your doctorate at the youngest age, your position is still that of a greenhorn.” (Tachibana)

“Of course, I choose who I speak casually with. I use informal language with you because I know you’ll forgive me.  You’ll overlook a bit of rudeness when it comes to exchanging information after all, right, teacher?” 

The girl replied and stuck out her tongue playfully. 

The elderly man called Dr. Tachibana figured that further reprimand would be pointless after seeing this, and sighs in resignation, but allows a slight smile to form on his lips.

“Being the daughter of one of the Armed Conglomerates, the Tateno family, I suppose you won’t be using honorifics anytime soon. You are a Tateno after all. Man, your name is so cool, Tateno Mana.” (Tachibana)

“Ugh~ Professor, you’re being mean. You know I hate it being called an Armed Conglomerate.” (Mana)

“That’s a luxurious complaint. Even stray dogs would wag their tails to be part of an Armed Conglomerate family.” (Tachibana)

“Well, it’s kind of chuunibyou**, isn’t it? I curse my ancestors for not choosing a more ordinary surname. Tanaka or Takahashi would have been fine.” (Mana) *<TLN:Chuunibyou refers to early teen delusions of grandeur, where one believes they have special powers or are unique in some way.>

“Those people probably thought it was cool back then. To the extent of naming themselves the Armed Conglomerates by joining forces.” (Tachibana)

The doctor chuckles, and the girl blushes, pouting her lips in dissatisfaction. The surrounding scientists giggled quietly, accustomed to their exchange.

The elderly man’s name is Tachibana Yoshito.

“You’re the leading authority in Magic Comprehensive Science, Dr. Tachibana, so you might have been able to provide a new perspective on the surnames of the Armed Conglomerates.” (Mana)

“Don’t use Magic Comprehensive Science to disparage him on the thing everyone was trying to feign ignorance on.” 

One of his subordinates comments with a laugh, and Dr. Tachibana waves his hand with a wry smile. He is a leading figure in the recently spotlighted field of Magic Comprehensive Science. Unlike previous specialized studies, this discipline aims to discover new perspectives and create revolutionary inventions by researching all fields broadly and evenly.

Other doctors disparage it as a shallow, superficial field pursued for monetary gain and thus dislike it, but recently, Dr. Tachibana’s published research results and inventions have gained attention, making it a popular field of study.

The fact that it’s popular and profitable is a current source of concern and the reason for the disparagement, but since research always requires funding, Dr. Tachibana has accepted it as an inevitable reality.

“However, there are things that can only be researched precisely because of Magic Comprehensive Science. Just try leaving this matter to other scientists, they’d probably still be in the conference room debating how to start the investigation. What was that old proverb? Odawara Conference**?” (Mana) <TLN: Odawara Conference refers to endless, unproductive discussions.>

“You are probably right, Tateno-san. Today as well, renowned doctors in botany, spirit studies, robotics, and archaeology gathered in the conference room, arguing loudly to take the lead.” 

“Exactly. They should just come to the site like us. Well, perhaps the assistance of the daughter of an Armed Conglomerate played a part in that.” 

“My policy is to do anything for research as long as it’s legal. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been the first ones here.” (Mana)

“No doubt. I never imagined we’d be able to investigate such a place.” 

Chatting casually with her colleagues is what defines Tateno Mana. She is the daughter of the Tateno family, one of the conglomerates called the Armed Conglomerates that control the Surface District. A young prodigy who obtained her doctorate at the tender age of twelve. Now sixteen, she’s steadily building her achievements under Dr. Tachibana.

They are called the Armed Conglomerates for a simple reason: the families Onodera, Yarita, Tsurugi, Tateno, and Yoroizuka. Tsurugi has effectively lost its power, and other families like Yumi and Akami have fallen, so the four families are at the top of the Surface Districts. Since their surnames are derived from weapons, they are called the Armed Families.

Mana didn’t particularly like her surname. If it were just one family, it wouldn’t stand out, but why did they have to give themselves such chuunibyou names in camaraderie? Even though it’s certain to become dark history later on. Her ancestors must have been overly conceited.

That said, the immense financial, political, and military power of her family greatly benefited Mana, so she couldn’t dislike it entirely. Well, there are other reasons why she isn’t fond of it though…

“Exactly, researchers. It’s thanks to our Tateno family’s power that we could be the first ones here. It’s the Tateno family that holds the management rights to this dungeon after all.” 

Recalling her disdain for the origin of the conglomerate’s name while continuing her measurements, a man accompanied by guards approaches with a cheerful smile. He has a sturdy build, and despite his smile, his stern face is somewhat intimidating.

“Oh, it’s you, Father. Approaching us like that makes you seem pretentious, so you should stop. At times like these, you should start with a seasonal greeting. Like, ‘It’s a lovely day today’, or something.” (Mana) 

The man approaching is the head of the Tateno family, Mana’s father. In other words, one of the heads of the most powerful families in the Surface District.

Mana responds sarcastically, but her father doesn’t get angry and instead gives an awkward smile.

“Greeting acquaintances with seasonal remarks creates a sense of distance. More importantly, Mana, who only calls me ‘Papa’ when you want something at home. As my daughter, you should stop with that ‘boku’** and the pretentious, smart-girl act. Papa is worried about when your chuunibyou will be cured.” <TLN: ‘Boku’ is mostly used by men in Japanese; Mana is a girl but uses ‘boku’ to refer to herself.>

He expressed his concern with raised eyebrows, and Mana’s face turned as red as a tomato.

“Hyaa! T-That’s not true at all. Right, everyone? Hey, why are you all looking away!” (Mana)

Mana got flustered and waved her hands while her colleagues awkwardly averted their gazes. Seeing their reaction, the chuunibyou scientist girl, who claimed to hate chuunibyous, realizes it’s true and crouches in embarrassment.

“I think this way of speaking is cool! It suits a young prodigy perfectly. This is discrimination. I can’t change it now!” (Mana)

Mana had thought long and hard to decide that this manner of speaking was cool. Perhaps the reference materials she used were not the best.

“Well, if Mana is fine with it, Papa will accept it. There are many eccentrics in our family who talk like that.”

“I’m not an eccentric! Waaah~.” (Mana)

An unaware chuunibyou patient, Tateno Mana. It seemed unlikely she would be cured anytime soon.

“I’ve had enough of this heartwarming father-daughter interaction. It’s giving me heartburn, so let’s wrap it up. More importantly, it’s fortunate that this is a dungeon managed by the Tateno family. If it were under another family’s control, investigating it would have been much more difficult.” (Tachibana)

Dr. Tachibana, unfazed by their exchange, continued at his own pace. However, he noticed something off about Tateno’s demeanor.

“Actually, other families have intervened despite this being a discarded Spirit Ward treated like garbage before. If it were just one family, we could have ignored it, but they join forces only at times like this, and the management rights here have been divided into four equal parts. Our family managed to acquire the largest portion of the land though.” 

“They only unite at times like these. It was predictable.” (Tachibana)

Dr. Tachibana sighs and scratches his head. Tateno’s expression turns stern as he states the reason for his visit.

“Therefore… Dr. Tachibana, just to reconfirm…”

“Yes. The concentration of ‘Element Powder’ in this land is zero. As unbelievable as it sounds, this applies to the entire Spirit Ward. Monsters will no longer spawn in this land.” (Tachibana)

‘Element Powder’ was a disaster that was scattered on Earth ages ago and exists in all lands like air. While necessary for using magic, it also gives rise to deranged Artificial Spirits, which are called monsters.

The fact that these particles are zero is an unprecedented phenomenon in recorded history.

Having confirmed this through the report, Tateno shows an expression of confusion and fatigue rather than joy.

“That’s wonderful. The Surface District has obtained a safe land similar to the Underground District. Is this the wonder of nature?” (Mana)

“Stop feigning ignorance. You understand, don’t you? Such an event has never occurred for over a thousand years. A land like this has never existed.” (Tachibana)

Dr. Tachibana grabbed a handful of soil and let it trickle down as if to illustrate his point.

“…So, it is as we suspected?” (Mana)

“Yes, unbelievable as it is, this is artificial. The Underground District is undoubtedly involved.”

Everyone gulps audibly at Dr. Tachibana’s serious words.

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