Blankon Announcement

495 The Ark and the Underground Lake

"Is this a ship? Created by 'Chrome Lanches'? Highly likely to be the 'Ark'." 

"'Ark'?" 

The 'White' crown brought by Yumina, Illuminati Albus, answered thus. 

"The 'Ark.' A mobile factory created by Chrome. I and the other 'Crowns' were made there." 

"Made...? So it's a manufacturing facility for 'Crowns'?" 

It's like a 'workshop' in our 'Babylon.' According to Albus, Chrome Lanches was quite an eccentric who belonged to no country and traveled as he pleased. His means of travel was the mobile factory ship known as the 'Ark.' 

Just like our Doctor, eccentric magic engineers seem to have similar tendencies. 

"You don't mean to say there are nine 'Arks' as well, do you...?" 

"? As far as I know, there should only be one." 

That's a relief. Well, of course. 

Ripple-san from the Seeker's exploration engineer team spoke to Albus. 

"Do you know how to enter that 'Ark'?" 

"The 'Crown' is the key. If we are there, it will not be a problem." 

I see. The 'Crown' itself is the key to boarding the ship. No wonder no one can enter. 

"Your Majesty. I hate to ask, but could we borrow this 'White'? We need the Crown's power to enter the ship." 

"Even if you say that..." 

Mario, the leader of the Seeker's exploration engineer team, begged, but it's not something I can just lend out like that. 

"Father, Father! How about I go to the 'Ark' as a representative of Brunhild with Albus...!" 

"Rejected. You just want to see the rare magic ship, don't you? Behave yourself." 

"Mother, that's mean!" 

Leen pulled away Kuhn, who whispered in my ear. Well, I figured as much. 

Honestly, I am interested in the so-called 'Ark.' It's the legacy left behind by a rare golem engineer who created the 'Crown' series. It must be valuable both historically and technically. 

However, more importantly, I don't know what kind of power the 'Ark' possesses. It's the residence of an engineer who surpassed the world's barriers. Leaving it alone is not wise. It needs to be checked at least once. 

"Chrome Lanches's workshop...! I want to see it! We might uncover the secrets of the 'Crown'!" 

"I'm curious too. With technology yet unseen buried there, we can't pass up this opportunity, right, Touya-kun?" 

Engineer Elka and Doctor Babylon are eager to go. Beside them, Kuhn is raising her fist. ...It feels like I can't say no. 

Well, I've always wanted to visit Gandilis, and this is a perfect opportunity. According to Princess Cordelia, the second princess, the king of Gandilis is a generous and kind person. 

"Got it. We'll take Albus and go to that ruin. Yumina, is that alright?" 

"Yes. It's fine." 

Although Albus belongs to Brunhild, his contractor is Yumina. Well, with a (temporary) attached. I still need her permission. 

"Yes! Father, I will go too! I will definitely go!" 

"That's unfair, Kuhn-oneesama! Father, I will go as well!" 

"You girls..." 

Kuhn and Asia compete to raise their hands, giving me a headache. We're not going there for fun, you know. 

 ◇ ◇ ◇

"Whoa!? This is fast! So fast!?" 

Mario-san is looking out the window, acting like a child. No, it's not just Mario-san who is excited. All the 'Seekers' exploration engineers are. 

We are inside the large, high-speed airship 'Balmung' made by Doctor Babylon. 

When heading to Gandilis, we found out that the Seeker's airship would take weeks to get there. That's why we used this one from Babylon's 'Hangar.' 

Originally built five thousand years ago to transport Frame Gears, but it had never seen daylight because I could use [Gate]. But it’s useful for moving a large group like this. 

By the way, the Seeker's airship is in my [Storage]. 

The passengers are the Seeker's members, myself, Yumina, Leen, Kuhn, Luu, Asia, Doctor Babylon, Engineer Elka. Along with us are Pola and Albus, and Engineer Elka's Fenrir. 

"I was surprised... I didn't think there was such an airship. Is this normal on this continent?" 

"No way. It's only Brunhild. That country is weird, don't compare it. It'll break your common sense." 

Ripple-san and Engineer Elka are having a rude conversation, but please correct it. The only weird one is the Doctor. 

When I murmured that to Yumina, she said, "Touya-san, you should look at things more objectively." What does that mean? 

"At this pace, we should reach Gandilis in about an hour." 

The Doctor said while looking at the clock on her smartphone. 'Balmung' is on auto-pilot, so we can arrive at our destination even if we sleep. 

To be honest, it would be faster if I flew to the destination with [Fly] and connected [Gate] from there. I proposed it, but those eager to ride 'Balmung,' including Kuhn, overpowered me. 

Well, it's not like there's a huge difference in days, so I decided to go leisurely. 

During the journey, the Doctor and Engineer Elka continued difficult conversations with Mario-san and Ripple-san, while Kuhn listened with great interest. 

Albus was also talking to Fenrir in whispers, but it didn't seem like the conversation was lively. They seemed to be confirming something. Pola was wandering around them. 

Luu and Asia kept bringing food they made in the Balmung's kitchen, competing to bring it to me. I can't eat all this! Feeling sorry, I shared it with the Seeker's engineers. The mother and daughter pouted in dissatisfaction, looking so alike that I couldn't help but laugh. 

"Is it about time?" 

"Indeed. That's the Pist Mountains. We're already in Gandilis's territory." 

Doctor Babylon murmured, and Mario-san confirmed the mountains visible from the window. It went by quickly. 

We headed towards the bridge to overlook the ground from the front. 

The scenery of numerous mountains was indeed that of a mountain nation. 

There were basins here and there, with towns spread out in them. Several narrow mountain paths connected those towns. 

"Are those tunnels?" 

"Those were dug by dwarves a long time ago. Some were dug with mining golems." 

Ripple-san answered my question. Dwarves, huh? Living mainly in mines, it's probably easy for them. I glanced at the few dwarves in the Seeker's group, thinking so. 

"Oh, I can see it. What is that?" 

Mario-san squinted, staring at the mountain ahead. 

Smoke was rising from near the foot of the mountain. 

"Is that the entrance to the ruins?" 

"Indeed. Gandilis's knight corps and our young members are stationed there... But what is that smoke?" 

"Could it be a fire..." 

The Doctor and Mario-san looked in the indicated direction. Let me check too. 

"[Long Sense]" 

I extended my vision to observe the direction Mario-san indicated. Sure enough, smoke was rising. Tents set up there were burning. Not only that, but there were also scattered golem wreckages. Are those Gandilis's knight golems? 

"I don't know for sure, but it looks like they were attacked by something. There are wreckages of what seems to be Gandilis's golems." 

"What!?" 

Ripple-san shouted at my words. The Doctor sat in the Balmung's pilot seat, and the airship's speed increased. 

As we approached a distance where everyone could see, the devastation became clear. 

Fires rose from the camp, and fallen people and destroyed golems were scattered around. It was evident they had been attacked by someone. 

As Balmung landed, the Seeker's members rushed out. 

There were no enemies in sight. Had they already withdrawn? Or had they entered the ruins...? 

The entrance to the ruins was quite large, leading underground. It seemed spacious enough for several golems to enter. 

"Hey! Are you alright!? Hold on!" 

Mario-san's voice brought me back to my senses. 

Oh, no. First, we need to help the injured. 

"[Light come forth, equal healing, Area Heal]" 

I cast the healing magic targeting everyone in the area. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. Those who had been in critical condition until a moment ago stood up, bewildered, checking their bodies. 

"Is this... healing magic? You're something else..."

Witnessing the magic firsthand, even Mario-ossan and Ripple-san were left gaping, prompting me to chuckle as I addressed a young man who appeared to be a knight from Gandilis.

"What exactly happened here?"

"Huh? Oh... Suddenly, we were attacked by a strange group. There were dozens of thin, four-armed golems led by someone wearing a peculiar mask."

"A peculiar mask?"

"It covered their entire face, like a steel mask with a beak, like a crow's."

A mask like a crow's beak? Sounds like a plague mask from Earth. Indeed, a peculiar fellow.

Looking closely, among the wreckage of the broken golems, I saw not only what seemed to be Gandilis knight golems but also the remains of those thin, four-armed golems. Their heads were round, and they wore something like a cloak. They looked almost like scarecrows.

"And where did that group go?"

"Probably into the ruins..."

"The target must be Chrome Lanches' ship...! Damn, how did this leak out?"

Mario-ossan slammed his fist on a nearby wooden crate. That ship is a relic left by the creator of the 'Crowns.' For other nations, it must be something they'd covet desperately. It could just be a band of thieves, but it's highly possible they're from some country's unit.

"But the ship is locked, right? Without a 'Crown,' they can't get in, can they?"

"Mother, there's no need to be so straightforward and enter through the front. If they're willing to cause some damage, they could forcibly break through the outer walls to get inside."

Leen's question was answered by Coon. It's possible, though it sounds like something grave robbers would do. These guys might be no different.

I can't imagine the creator of the 'Crowns' would make security so easily breached.

"Destroy the ship? No way! It's a treasure chest filled with lost technology! Hey, everyone! We're going after them!"

At Mario-ossan's command, not just the 'Explorers Seekers' but also the Gandilis knights raised their fists. I hope they'll be okay. The knight golems are still broken.

"Hmm. Some damage to the ship might be acceptable, but if the data inside is erased, that would be a huge loss. I think we should go too."

"Agreed."

As the doctor said, once something is destroyed, it can never be restored. We need to prevent such reckless actions.

We decided to follow Mario-ossan and the others into the ruins. The ruins go down seven levels, and the ship we're after is in the dock on the lowest level. The structure is quite complex, so Ripple-san spread out a map.

"From here to here... And it's faster to go down this way. Let's hope the others get lost."

Looking at the map, the intricate passages looked like a subway map. This could easily cause someone to get lost.

'Master, permission to make a suggestion.'

"Huh? What's up, Albus?"

Yumina addressed Albus, who then took the map from Ripple-san and pointed to a specific spot on the first floor. Hm? There's nothing there...

'There is an elevator here. Direct access to the lowest level.'

"What!? How do you know that?"

'This facility is one of Chrome Lanches' secret bases. I have been here before.'

I see. If this place was made by Chrome Lanches, it wouldn't be surprising if Albus, a 'Crown,' knew about it.

So why didn't he tell us the location of this ship until now?

'The creator set the location of the base to be secret with the high master authority. The same goes for the other 'Crowns.''

"That's why. But Chrome Lanches is really secretive, huh?"

"Those with superior technology tend to be targeted by those in power or by their peers. It's understandable they'd want to hide. Just like I did with Babylon."

The doctor nodded deeply in agreement. Is that how it is? I recall that Babylon Doktor was also asked by some king to hand over Babylon and the Babylon Numbers, including Shesca, five thousand years ago.

"Anyway, let's hurry to that spot."

We headed to the location indicated by Albus. It looked like nothing more than a wall.

When a small, disguised magic stone was infused with magic, the wall split soundlessly, revealing a box-shaped space.

It was impossible to fit everyone inside, so first, we decided that Mario-ossan, Ripple-san, a few Gandilis knights, and we would go down to the lowest level.

The doors closed, and the box began to descend. There's nothing there, but I couldn't help but glance up at the door out of habit from knowing elevators on Earth.

With a metallic "ding" sound, the doors opened. A few meters ahead in the dim corridor, several thin, four-armed golems turned their gaze toward us.

"Those are the ones! The ones who attacked us!"

One of the Gandilis knights who had joined us in the elevator shouted.

'Gi! Gi, gi!'

The four-armed golems leaped at us like monkeys. Without hesitation, I drew Brunhild from my waist and fired straight at the golem's chest.

The sound of the gunshot and a roaring noise echoed as a hole was blown through the four-armed golem's chest. That was the effect of the [Spiral Lance] infused in the bullet.

"Guys, don't hold back! Destroy them!"

"Oh!"

At Mario-ossan’s voice, the members of the ‘Explorers Seekers’ leaped out of the elevator. They are both engineers and explorers, likely accustomed to rough situations. Swinging spanners and hammers, they charged at the four-armed golems.

The Gandilis knights also stepped forward, unwilling to be outdone.

‘Gigi!’

In an instant, a melee ensued. I switched Brunhild from gun mode to blade mode. I didn't want to accidentally shoot allies, and in such a confined space, ricochets were a concern.

Contrary to me, Coon pulled out and aimed a spell gun, the Spellcaster, from his sleeve, unleashing bolts of lightning. Nice, I should make one too.

“Guh!”

“Ugh…!”

Several people were knocked away by the four-armed golems. These things are powerful despite their slender build.

“What a nuisance. [Slip]”

‘Gi!?’

The four-armed golems slipped and fell in the corridor. The ‘Explorers Seekers’ guys smashed them with large hammers, rendering the attacking golems inoperative.

“What products are these? They don’t look like ancient relic Legacies.”

“The bodies resemble those from Eisengard.”

“But I’ve seen those arms and legs around Galdio.”

The ‘Explorers Seekers’ guys were poking at the motionless four-armed golems, sharing their opinions. Could they save that for later?

‘Take a right ahead. Descend the stairs about a hundred meters down, and you’ll reach the dock.’

“Got it. Let’s go.”

Leaving some of the guys behind, we followed Albus’s directions and hurried ahead.

Turning right at the corner, we proceeded down a dim, long corridor lit only by small lamps. Descending the stairs at the end, we found ourselves near an underground lake, where the ship lay.

Up close, it’s huge. It looks more like a spaceship than a ship. There are no sails, and something resembling engines is attached to both sides of the hull.

“Does this thing fly?”

‘No. The Ark cannot fly. It can, however, submerge.’

So it’s a submarine. Looking at it, it does resemble that form. But it’s still enormous.

“Hmph, we’ve got uninvited guests. Gandilis sure is persistent.”

A voice addressed us as we stared in awe at the Ark.

Turning our gaze, we saw a figure standing in front of us, blocking the path to the Ark.

He wore black, round goggles like sunglasses, a metal plague mask with a crow-like beak, a black coat with a hood, jingling spray cans on his left hip, and a metallic red rapier on his right. He had a strange backpack and a belt with dials.

At first glance, he looked like a steampunk cosplayer, but I sensed something ominous.

I addressed the plague mask guy.

“Are you a thief targeting the ruins? Or a spy from some country?”

“Neither. If I must say, I am an Apostle of the Evil God.”

“What?”

Ignoring my frown, the plague mask man tossed a spray can from his hip at us.

In an instant, a poisonous-looking gas spewed out, spreading around us. Damn! Poison gas!?

“[Prison]!”

I quickly cast [Prison], protecting everyone with a barrier from the poison gas. The noxious green smoke quickly obscured our vision, and the plague mask man disappeared.

“See ya.”

Wings emerged from the backpack on the plague mask man’s back, and he flew up like a rocket or jet. What the…!?

The plague mask man flew over the underground lake, landing on the deck of the Ark. Our vision was completely obstructed, and we couldn’t see anything. Damn!

“[Cyclone Storm]!”

Leen’s tornado blew away the surrounding poison gas. The spray can spewing it was also blown away, falling into the underground lake.

With our vision restored, we saw only the calm waters of the underground lake.

In an instant, the Ark had vanished right before our eyes.