Before anyone could understand what the Emperor meant by the "answer," the ground beneath their feet suddenly shuddered. Then the entire floor detached from the palace and dropped.
Only then did they realize they were standing on a Force-Field Hovercraft enclosed in a transparent dome, like a snow globe.
As though taking them on a sightseeing tour, the hovercraft descended and drifted slowly over the city.
This gave them a much clearer view of the underground city.
"This Underground Space is a self-contained system, completely isolated from the outside world. It needs no supplies from outside and is managed entirely by mechanical guards and Dusk.
"There is no conflict here, and the concept of self has been weakened. From birth to death, everyone has only one goal.
"To explore the mysteries of psychic technology!"
Like a tour guide, the Emperor pointed down and explained at an unhurried pace.
"The total population here is around one billion. Only a small portion are naturally born humans, who provide research material through natural reproduction.
"The vast majority are artificial humans produced in laboratories.
"Besides genetic optimization, many undergo modifications using mental power from childhood, making their brains better suited to the growth of mental power.
"Once they reach adulthood, a small, fortunate portion become Psychics, then continue to volunteer themselves for the operating table.
"All the residents here are both experimenters and test subjects.
"A very interesting ecological model, wouldn't you say?"
Both experimenters and test subjects?
The cruelty implicit in those words sent a shudder through everyone.
Soon, the hovercraft brought them down in the center of an enormous plaza.
As far as the eye could see, culture chambers stood all around them, containing test subjects ranging from infants to adults in their prime. It was like an exhibition of human bodies.