But Kroya had no intention of explaining. He simply led Eurydice leisurely through the rather unusual sunlight, entirely unnoticed by the people passing around them.
They still followed the habit of working at sunrise and resting at sunset-except that those unusual little grasses had replaced the sun.
After walking for a while, Eurydice sensed something amiss.
He recognized these people as natives of the underground city. By rights, they should have suffered from certain hereditary ailments accumulated over generations without sunlight.
Pale skin, listlessness, deficiencies in their bodies-that sort of thing.
Yet none of these people had any of those problems.
Their faces glowed with health, their voices rang out clearly, and everyone was cheerful and spirited.
Diseases accumulated and passed down through generations were the most frightening of all, almost impossible to cure completely. Even a deity could not simply heal them all in one go.
Especially considering how long Kroya had been running this place. It had been only a few years at most; by rights, this should never have happened.
Noticing this, Eurydice said thoughtfully, "Adaptation?"
"You used oil from those sunflowers, along with the light from Nightglow Grass and Energy-Storage Trees, to help them adapt to the darkness, even eradicating diseases passed down through generations?"
He really is perceptive.
Kroya nodded. "I've devised many plans. I have enough patience and time to carry them forward while awaiting the fall of Earth and Light.
"Miya and I speculated about what would happen after Light and Earth fell-their deaths would inevitably cause terrible disasters.
"The most likely outcome is the 'Hour of No Light.'
"Light would vanish, and the earth would no longer be suitable for survival.
"When that happens, I'll distribute the Sun Grass and sunflowers I've prepared throughout the Human Kingdoms, helping people adapt and weather