85: Iwani Natural Park

Today's update consists of three chapters.

This is the first chapter.

The Iwani Natural Park, located within the Flaretanbo Star System.

First, "located within the Flaretanbo Star System" means that the governing body of the Flaretanbo Star System has established and is managing this park.

As for "Iwani," it's simply a place name.

A natural park means... in short, an area where it has been decided that no further human intervention will take place.

This part here is a bit complicated...

First, the planets in the Vanilla Galactic Empire where humans currently live are mostly planets that have become habitable through terraforming.

Terraforming refers to transforming planets that are uninhabitable for humans into livable ones, using specialized and large-scale mods designed for space exploration and planetary colonization.

This transformation is multifaceted and long-lasting, sometimes interfering with terrain shifts, temperature, climate, and even gravity.

In other words, once terraforming has taken place, the planet is no longer the original planet but has become something entirely different—so much so that it can hardly be called natural.

Therefore, a natural conservation park is not defined as an area untouched by nature, but rather as a region where human intervention is explicitly prohibited from continuing further.

Incidentally, among certain ideological individuals, there are those who shout that this isn't a natural park at all.

That's precisely what makes things troublesome.

Anyway, enough of that.

"Shall we head a bit deeper first?"

"Got it. We're still not past the awkward part yet."

"I'll accompany you."

"Keep pushing! We're cheering for you from inside 'Pumpkin Witch.'"

We had arrived at the Flaretanbo System's Iwani Natural Conservation Park—commonly known as Iwani Park.

Joharis stayed inside "Pumpkin Witch," waiting.

Vilijanira and I stepped outside, dressed casually and unencumbered as usual.

Memokshi stepped outside carrying a small attaché case.

"Surely they won't attack right away?"

"Perhaps they're on guard against something related to 'Pumpkin Witch.'"

We headed deeper into Iwani Park.

According to Joharis, Iwani Park is designated as a natural conservation area, though it appears some minimal improvements have been made for safety and comfort to attract tourists.

But apparently, the Flaretanbo system itself is a remote one, so it's only mildly unusual for locals, which is why visitor numbers aren't picking up much...

Yeah, I didn't need to know that kind of info.

Yet in reality, aside from us, there aren't many people at Iwani Park.

"Come to think of it, all the trees in the Flaretanbo system seem to be pretty short in stature."

"Probably due to Sw's influence. Just like in living organisms, once a certain amount of liquid accumulates, it forms a spherical shape, so there's selective pressure preventing them from growing too large."

"I see."

We walked beneath trees that were only about three meters tall, sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Scattered on the ground were what appeared to be nuts from the surrounding trees, while lush green grass grew evenly along both sides of the naturally formed path.

Other than humans... it seems there are small animals such as squirrels and mice, as well as wild boars and deer, and even bears and wolves.

Of course, insects are abundant.

They don't approach us.

Modern humans are basically protected by shield mods, which prevent claws and fangs from penetrating.

And they know that attacks from blast mods cannot be blocked or avoided.

"By the way, Lord Vee, Lord Sata. It seems repairs to the Sw in the Flaretanbo system are being considered. The Sw in the Flaretanbo system was designed for combating cosmic monsters, but apparently it's also hindering development to a similar extent."

"I see. That could turn out to be a major project taking several years... or even decades, if things go badly."

"Well, even if it's short, it's probably going to take that long. To be honest, just analyzing it could take years. It's too complex—I could only grasp the surface level myself."

"But if we succeed, there's a chance we could be nominated for the Imperial Wisdom Award. If things go well, it might even mean the Empire will no longer be threatened by cosmic monsters in the future."

"I sure hope so. Praying that we won’t be attacked by cosmic monsters like the Blackfall Shark or similar abominations every time we achieve faster-than-light interstellar travel is kind of hard on the stomach and heart."

"Are you serious? You’re saying that from a cosmic monster?"

"Absolutely."

As we continued walking, strange formations began to appear—rocks shaped like spheres with numerous small spikes, standing upright like pillars or walls.

That's why Iwani Park was designated a natural conservation area.

This is the Iwani Rock Formation area.

"It looks just like a sea urchin."

"You could also say it's like a chestnut."

"Or maybe a cactus."

The Iwani Rock Formation area is the central region of Iwani Park.

As previously mentioned, rock formations resembling spheres adorned with numerous small spines—similar to sea urchins, chestnuts, or cacti—rose up like pillars or walls, or sprouted like plants.

Some formed arches like bridges, while others created primitive house-like shapes through gaps between spherical rocks.

Although the rocks themselves don't allow ordinary plant roots to spread inside, some appear to cover parts of their surface while extending branches and leaves upward, resembling strange sculptures.

According to experts, these natural artworks likely emerged as a result of the Sw region in the Flaretanbo system and terraforming efforts...

Indeed, this is a sight unique to the Flaretanbo system.

This is not a sight that would naturally arise in any other star system.

"Ah, Vee-sama, Sata-sama. Ahead lies the most famous attraction of the Iwani Natural Park—the 'Chalice of Mixed Thorns.'"

"Aah, that one."

"I'm looking forward to it."

We continue moving without hiding from the satellites that likely observe us from above.

Climbing up a slope that resembles a pile of coarse debris, then scaling a rocky wall.

And there, what comes into view...

"I see. This must be it."

A peculiar lake formed by numerous strange rock formations arranged into a cup-like shape, collecting rainwater. The collected water, influenced by Sw, becomes spherical, constantly stirred by the wind.

11/10 typo corrected