malist

Deculture. After seeing this photo, I've decided to return to Acahualla.

Huh? But it was so difficult getting to Rhodes Island, and I want to explore some more—

But you're the one who gave me this photo of the Acahualla Durin settlement!

It wasn't me, it was Master Edge. He wanted to share their 'novel architectural style' with you, so he threw it in...

He's calling it a 'novel architectural style'? Those idiots actually want to imitate those crude Tiacauh huts? Can you even call this a style?

Just look at the Great Aquapit. It's so stifling, but at least it's solid, neat, and has a sense of rhythm immediately recognizable as Catch's work.

Or Rhodes Island's dormitories. Their appearance viscerally disgusts me, but at least they've separated the areas by function, and you can tell they considered traffic flow when designing the space.

But these 'houses'...? Those crooked pillars, dilapidated roofs, that grotesque fencing... I refuse to even call them buildings, they're just an unaesthetic, organically constructed safety hazard waiting to collapse!

Stitch, calm down...

How can I possibly calm down when my people are living in something so hideous?!

As a design representative, I'll come up with a design that will convince them to willingly demolish those inexplicably slipshod dwellings!

I'll go submit a request to go back—

Wait, Stitch, just hold on a minute––

What now?

You can go back if you want, but... It's going to be a real challenge to convince everyone to rebuild the settlement in a different style.

The Archosauria-esque designs were agreed upon by popular vote, and the turnout rate was pretty high, too.

Personally, it's a bit too simple for my tastes, but in the end... It's the first time everyone's been on the surface, so it's not surprising such a different style would leave a deep impression on us Durins.

Based on what I know of the public opinion, it'll be difficult for you to win everyone over before this new wave of enthusiasm passes.

If that blasted Catch's 'Great Aquapit' could get such high approval, then surely my designs stand a chance too? I'm used to their complaints; I quarreled with them often enough while we were repairing the dome.

*sigh* Anyway, I suppose I'll just have to try my best to convince everyone.

Even if you could, our energy supply has dwindled a lot since our Zeruertza days, and the development of construction machinery has also taken a strange detour...

It's a little tough to explain, but basically we won't have enough resources to carry it out.

Yes, yes, my idiot countrymen are stubborn and don't even have the resources for production, so rebuilding the settlement will be quite the endeavor.

I'm glad you understand—

Regardless, I want to go back! I can't bear the thought that the artisans who made Zeruertza could possibly come with such abominations!

I'm going to submit an application for, so you just wait for me here!

When Master Edge handed me that photo with such a wicked smile on his face, he didn't tell me Stitch would blow his top like this...

Deculture? I didn't know you were coming to Rhodes Island.

Avdotya! Perfect timing, go convince Stitch to stay!

I don't think you need to worry about that. The road back to Acahualla is long, and Stitch isn't like his old self. I'm sure he'll calm down on his own.

Besides, he hasn't returned to Acahualla ever since he came aboard. Maybe he just misses everyone so much he jumped on the first excuse go back.

But you know how Stitch is...

If you're so worried, how about I accompany you back to Acahualla?

Deculture, I brought some food for you two.

Thanks.

Where's Stitch?

Inside, working on his designs.

Avdotya, he isn't doing what you said he would. He's been glued to his drawings every step of the way, with no intention of giving up on what he's calling 'New Zeruertza'—

I can hear you, you know.

Ahahaha...

Stitch...

We should eat quickly so we can get back to our journey ASAP.

I don't care what you two think, but I've had enough of this shabby place. I won't elaborate on how awful the design is, just that all the dust and dirt give me a headache worse than a hangover.

I'm alright with picking up the pace, but you've been in such a rush ever since we set off—with both the traveling and the drawing. As if... you're being chased by something.

Don't worry about it, Avdotya. I'm more than fine. I really can't stay in this room any longer, so I'll get a move on first.

What about your food—

I'll eat it on the go.

If something's happened, you ought to tell us. Don't be like Gavial when they first came to Zeruertza.

I know!

Minimalist seems extremely impatient, but his gaze is evasive.

Stitch.

What now?!

Look at me.

Tch.

Fine, I'll talk, I'll talk.

Actually, I got this a few days before we set off.

Your medical report?

How could this be—your Cell-Originium Assimilation rate is so high?!

No no no, finish reading it first. Or at least Gavial's notes at the bottom.

'Due to the Originium Zone's interference... fluctuation in instrument readings... this report is hereby invalidated... there is nothing abnormal about Operator Minimalist's condition, and the patient is still relatively stable...'

Is this true?

We were both shocked when we first saw the results, but everything was fine when we reran the tests.

She also said that if the numbers were really that bad, I wouldn't be standing here like this.

But it was a wake-up call for me. While the report itself is wrong...

*sigh* Anyway, that's pretty much what happened.

Stitch, you can't just skim over it like that—

Come to think of it, they never even showed me any of the design drafts before building those inexplicable... things on their own!

Combined with the fact that they're short on resources already, we really need to pick up the pace!

I'm heading out first!

Welcome back, Stitch!

Welcome, welcome. Gavial has stopped by so many times, while I'd almost given you up for dead, you rascal.

So it was you who sent the photo?

Pretty much. I happened to drink a little more than usual that day, so I had Deculture pass that photo along. I knew you'd come back after seeing it, haha.

...I must admit that these, hmph, 'houses,' are more... visually striking in person.

Right? I flipped through 'Stranger Things,' and decided to do as the surface dwellers do and name this style, 'Jungle Wildism'...

Jungle... Wild... ism...

I have a knack for names, don't I?

...Let me just ask this first, did Master or Catch ever come back? What did they have to say about your 'Jungle Wildism'?

They haven't, Catch has only sent a few letters.

(Whispering) Hmph, I guess there's only me around here to fix things.

Minimalist takes a deep breath.

Uh, Stitch?

Old! Man! Edge!

Owww, Croque, if you could just help move me over there? I need to sit for a bit; my waist has been aching up recently—

Stop right there!

You could've just written a proper letter if you wanted me to return—no, we can talk about that later, first we have to settle this 'Jungle Wildism' issue!

Just look at these shabby houses wobbling on stilts behind you!

I can understand why you'd elevate the structures to deal with the humidity, but the stilts aren't even straight! They're bent! The foundations are all wrong!

I can already hear them screaming whenever you climb up and down!

And that barely boarded-up window up there? I can't tell if you're trying to keep the sunlight out or invite the rain in.

And these tattered rags, broken shelves, smashed stones—even the Great Aquapit was nicer than this, and I'm talking post-explosion! This is just a pile of lousy logs!

You itching for a beating?! That's my house, boy!

...Huh?

(Muttering) If the local homes are already as problematic as this, the Durin settlement is bound to be even worse...

The situation is exactly as Minimalist expects.

After all, this is the first time the Durin have built on the surface. Their frantic way of thinking matches well with their Tiacauh guides, resulting in a cacophony of what they presume to be 'design,' rousing Minimalist's ire.

But after a brief tour of the settlement, Minimalist concedes that the Durin are indeed lacking the resources to demolish these whimsical structures and start over from scratch.

He puts away the 'New Zeruertza' design drafts he came up with on the way, and instead goes door-to-door dispensing advice.

He makes the most pragmatic proposals, that while easiest to ignore are also the most important. Afterward, he oversees the renovation efforts by the unorganized Durin, spending entire days outside.

As for the purely whimsical designs with no actual practical issues, Minimalist spares no mercy in his critique, but chooses to turn a blind eye—