7. The Fruit of Knowledge and the Fruit of Life

《The Ark of Archive》

“Does knowing betray living?”

If you had to choose—
which would you choose: “knowledge” or “life”?

Sinking into a deep sea of contemplation, Novel Mirai gazed at Q. Ritchie Ensnovi seated before him. Throughout galactic history, there have been many intriguing accounts concerning the origins of the Nodo people. Yet what constitutes the most important legacy of the Planet Eart (P. Eart) era—this was not something his calculations had foreseen.

“Ritchie, what is the legacy of the Nodo people from the Eart era?”

Q. Ritchie Ensnovi smiled gently and, while operating his terminal, replied:

“There is an interesting passage in the work of the 22nd-century historian of thought, John Nack. He writes:
‘This may be my personal opinion, but no era was as groundbreaking as the 20th century. It gave rise to three great figures who opened the age of space exploration. Among them, I would argue that Peter Ferdinand Drucker stands above the rest.
For he discerned a certain light within the Nodo people—something no other people possessed. Despite many vulnerabilities, they held one exceptional capability.’”

“What is this ‘light’?” Novel Mirai asked immediately.

“That,” Ritchie continued, “is suggested by a myth Nack cites.”

“He writes—God summoned the ancestors of the Nodo and Helicon peoples to the foot of a great summit, by a clear river, and asked them to choose between two saplings. Until then, they had been one people.
Those who chose the sapling bearing the Fruit of Knowledge journeyed west, while those who chose the sapling bearing the Fruit of Life migrated east.”

“Fascinating,” said Novel Mirai, deep in thought. “Is this a metaphor? Or a transformation of historical fact?”

“Nack skillfully quotes the writings of Nara and analyzes how this myth influenced historical thought. He argues that the origin of the Helicon people is not merely a cultural divergence, but is rooted in a fundamental duality—the choice between intelligence and life itself.”

Ritchie paused briefly and turned his gaze toward Novel Mirai.

“Now then, Novel—I have something I would like to ask you as well. May I?”

Novel Mirai nodded silently.

To be continued…

Author’s Note

On the meaning of “I have something I would like to ask you”

This line suggests that Ritchie is about to pose a significant question to Novel Mirai. From the context, it may concern the relationship between the Helicon people’s choice of knowledge and the collective consciousness of Planet Helios.
Alternatively, it could be a fundamental question about Novel Mirai’s plan itself, or a philosophical inquiry into the interpretation of history.

With this question revealed in the next episode, the narrative will gain further depth.

Summary of the Previous Episode

As Novel Mirai explored the nature of Helios-like structures and collective consciousness, he began to question the relationship between the individual and the whole, and the consequences of choice.

Ultra-Short Summary of This Episode

The origin of humanity lay in a choice: “knowledge” or “life.”

Next Episode Preview

The question posed by Ritchie will shake the very foundation of Novel Mirai’s plan.
Is it a matter of choice—or of existence itself?

Question

If you had to choose between “knowledge” and “life,” which would you choose?
And can that choice truly be called “free”?