Blankon Announcement

496 The Apostles of the Evil God, and Gandilis.

"The ship... is gone?"

The large ship that had been right in front of us until a moment ago had vanished without a trace. It might be inappropriate to think this way at a time like this, but I was reminded of a magic show where a magician makes a trailer disappear. That's how I felt.

"Did it dive into the underground lake?"

"No, I think it's impossible for it to dive in such a short time. Plus, look, the lake surface isn't even rippling."

I denied Yumina's thought.

It was probably a teleportation spell... unless it was hidden by illusion magic.

Just to be sure, I ran over to the dry dock and confirmed that there was nothing there.

"Search. 'Ark'."

'Searching... No matching result'

The search didn't catch anything. Did they set up a barrier?

I poured more divine energy into my search spell, but unlike magic, divine energy isn't something that exists in the atmosphere; I have to release it myself. Searching the entire world is impossible. At the very least, it wasn't nearby.

"That weird masked man... I think he's a man, but he said something curious."

"The 'Apostle of the Evil God,' huh?"

I echoed Leen's words. That guy clearly said so. Evil God... could it be that Evil NEET God we defeated? Or another one?

Evil Gods are born from divine relics on the surface. These relics absorb people's malice, gain consciousness, and become willful being with the power of gods.

Currently, the only divine relic on this surface should be my smartphone. The Twin God Swords End brought from another world are still stored in my [Storage]. I took out the smartphone made by the World God from my pocket. ...It's still here, right?

"The Apostles of the Evil God... Obaa-sama Tokie’s concern was accurate. As expected, argh!?"

"Shhh!"

Huh? When I turned around, Kuhn was covering Asia's mouth from behind.

It seems like I just heard something I shouldn’t have...

When I glared at Kuhn, she gradually moved her hands away. Hey, what's with that suspicious behavior? Stop whistling nonchalantly.

"…Kuhn. Do you know something?"

"No, Father. I don't know anything."

My daughter smiled back sweetly at my question. Like mother, like daughter—she's good at playing dumb, you little rascal.

"If you don't talk, I'll ban you from entering Babylon."

"I know, Father! Please, anything but that!"

So easy. I'm finally starting to understand how to control this child. Wait, Leen-san, please don't look at me like that.

"Ugh... Can we talk about this when we get back? It's not suitable to discuss here."

"Understood. Also, let go of Asia now."

"Ah, gasp!"

Asia, who had her mouth covered, finally caught her breath.

There are also members of the 'Exploration Engineers Seekers' here, and we might need Tokie Obaa-chan’s permission, so let's hear the details when we get back.

"I don't really get it, but... does this mean the ship was stolen?"

"Seems like it. They probably used teleportation magic to move it."

That's all I could say to Mario-san. He listened to me and slumped his shoulders.

Similarly, the knights of Gandilis looked down in frustration. No wonder. They missed out on the legacy left by an ancient genius magical engineer. This would be a huge loss for the country.

"Who the heck are those guys? I've never seen a golem with four arms like that."

"Of course not. That was a hybrid made by patching various parts together. Normally, it wouldn't even function properly. They must have an incredible technician behind them. That person stole the 'Ark'... damn, I have a bad feeling about this."

Mario-san replied to the knight's murmur. That four-armed golem, huh? It was indeed quite strong.

But that thing was a makeshift golem? To be so complete... If they didn't steal it from somewhere, then they must have a highly skilled meister among them.

Yumina turned her gaze to Albus.

"Albus, what functions does the 'Ark' have?"

"The 'Ark' is Chrome Lanches' personal factory. As long as there are materials, it can mass-produce golems."

"Mass-produce the 'Crowns'!?"

I was so surprised by Albus' answer that I raised my voice. If the 'Crowns' were mass-produced, it would be disastrous.

"No. The 'Crowns' cannot be mass-produced."

"Don't scare me like that..."

Thinking it over, if it were possible, even Chrome Lanches would have mass-produced the 'Crowns.' So, it's really just a personal golem factory, huh?

"But it's the factory of a golem engineer known as a genius. It must be different from ordinary factories. Who knows what other functions it has," said Engineer Elka.

As Elka-san said, it could be disastrous if it fell into the hands of suspicious individuals. However, I remembered the term 'Apostle of the Evil God' and realized it had already fallen into suspicious hands.

"The functions of the 'Ark' are activated by the 'Crown.' The 'Crown' is the key to the 'Ark.'"

"Is that so? Then the next target might be the 'Crown' golems..."

If they want the power of the 'Ark,' that could be the case. Fortunately, there are four 'Crowns' in Brunhild. Luna's 'Purple' has lost its abilities, so there are effectively three. Should I warn the other 'Crowns'?

"No. It is believed that the attackers already have a 'Crown.'"

"...What?"

I was thinking of contacting Robert of the 'Blue' and King Rea of the 'Green,' but Albus's words shocked me again.

They already have a 'Crown'? How do you know that? When I asked, Albus pointed to the passage we came through.

"That passage's door cannot be opened without a 'Crown.' Therefore, it is highly likely that the intruders had a 'Crown' with them."

"Wait a minute. How many 'Crowns' are there?"

"There are six: 'Red,' 'Blue,' 'Green,' 'Purple,' 'Black,' and 'White.'"

Of the six Albus mentioned, four are in Brunhild. So, the 'Blue' or 'Green' that aren't in Brunhild fell into their hands?

"No. Chrome Lanches created two incomplete units after crossing worlds. 'Gold' and 'Silver.'"

"'Gold' and 'Silver'? They sound flashy..."

Chrome Lanches used the golem skills of 'White' and 'Black' to cross the boundary between the surface and the hidden world.

I heard from Albus that he encountered a massive Phrase invasion there and started developing new 'Crowns' to return to his original world without any cost, but he didn't make it in time.

The incomplete 'Gold' and 'Silver' seem to be from that time.

So the intruders found 'Gold' or 'Silver' somewhere and used them to enter this ruin.

...Something feels off. It seems too well-prepared.

Did they acquire a 'Crown' in advance to target the 'Ark,' or did they aim for the 'Ark' because they had a 'Crown'?

In the first place, the information about the 'Ark' shouldn't be something easily obtained.

"Anyway, we need to inform His Majesty the King of Gandilis about this. Sorry, but can you come with me, Your Majesty? I don't know how to explain the teleportation magic."

"I don't mind. Since I've come to Gandilis, it would be a problem to leave without a greeting."

I also wanted to meet the King of Gandilis, so this was a good opportunity.

We went above ground, left most of the knights of Gandilis at the garrison, and boarded the 'Seekers' airship with the others. We boarded the 'Balmung.'

It's not that far from here to the capital of Gandilis.

We had the 'Seekers' airship lead the way and headed there slowly. We don't want to cause a commotion by showing off the 'Balmung.'

So currently, only our close associates are on the 'Balmung.'

"Now. Tell me about this 'Apostle of the Evil God.'"

I glared at Asia and Kuhn, who were sitting across the table. ...I don't know if it was effective.

"We don't know the details either, but... the 'Apostles of the Evil God' are said to be remnants of the evil god you once defeated, Father."

"Huh? Remnants... what do you mean by that?"

"In other words, they are like the residue left after tofu is made from soybeans. Like okara."

Asia explained it using a cooking metaphor, but it was both easy and hard to understand. The dregs of the NEET God? Gross...

"Ah, so in other words, they're like failed evil gods?"

"Not just one, but there seem to be several of them. Tokie Obaa-sama didn't teach us much, so we don't know the details. She just told us they would be an obstacle. If nothing happens, we can return to the future safely, but if the 'Apostles of the Evil God' get involved, the uncertainties caused by their divine power might make our return difficult..."

"The possibility of the 'Apostles of the Evil God' awakening was supposed to be low. Obaa-sama just mentioned it as a minor caution and told us to keep it a secret from you, Father..."

"So, does that mean the children won't be able to return safely to the future unless we deal with this 'Apostles of the Evil God'?"

The appearance of the 'Apostles of the Evil God' might be creating another stream leading to the future...

"I don't really understand, but it's clear they're troublesome," Leen sighed.

"But they're just remnants, right? They shouldn't be that big of a deal..."

"You're naive, Father. Even okara can become a fine dish depending on how it's used. Both are made from soybeans. There's no superiority or inferiority between ingredients."

Asia spoke confidently, but it seemed like she was slightly off-topic. Well, she probably meant we shouldn't underestimate them. Even if they're impostors, they're still a bit divine. It's possible they can create followers too.

"What are they after? Revenge on me? The resurrection of the evil god?"

"Well, we don't know... but they're definitely up to no good."

The resurrection of the evil god should be impossible. His soul was completely shattered. At least that NEET god won't come back. But the possibility of a 'new evil god' being born exists. They would need something like a sacred artifact that contains divine power, though... If that NEET god left behind such an artifact... no, that can't be.

"We've arrived at the royal capital," the Doctor's voice came from the bridge. We looked out the window at the scenery below.

The city was located in a valley surrounded by tall mountains. A river flowing from the mountains divided the city north and south, with a sturdy castle positioned on the north side. To the east of the castle, there was an open space where another airship was docked. It was probably Gandilis' airship. The airship from the 'Exploration Engineers Seekers' was landing next to it. I guess we should land here too.

But unfortunately, there wasn't enough space for 'Balmung' to land.

"Sorry, Doctor. Can you wait for us up here?"

"Sure. We'll be dismantling that golem while we wait, so contact us if you need anything."

That golem must be the four-armed golem of the 'Apostles of the Evil God' that we picked up from the ruins. Are they going to dismantle it right away? Hearing this, Kuhn's eyes lit up as she looked at me.

"Father!"

"Okay, Kuhn, you can stay too."

"As expected! You understand me so well!"

Kuhn jumped slightly. I'm getting used to this pattern... Don't hold your head, Leen. I feel the same way.

"Asia, what about you..."

"I will stay as well. I'll prepare a meal, so please decline any invitations for a meal. Oh, Father, please bring out the ingredients."

Ingredients? There's a small kitchen in 'Balmung.' Is she going to cook there? Well, okay... Honestly, it's easier to leave Kuhn and Asia here than to explain everything to them.

After seeing Mario-san and Ripple-san disembark from the 'Exploration Engineers Seekers' airship, we teleported to the ground. The members who disembarked were me, Yumina, Luu, and Leen.

"Welcome to Gandilis. I will guide you to the King."

A young bureaucrat who had been talking to a knight at the garrison greeted us. Following his lead, we proceeded through the castle and eventually arrived at a room.

Inside, we were greeted by three people in a simple yet dignified study. One of them was Cordelia Terra Gandilis, the second princess of the Gandilis Kingdom. The bespectacled maid standing behind her was Parrelle-san, the daughter of Mario-san and Ripple-san from the 'Exploration Engineers Seekers.'

We knew these two from the matchmaking party incident in Refreese. We exchanged brief greetings after our long-awaited reunion.

The third person stood up from the desk in the study. An elderly man with a sturdy build and a white beard.

"Welcome to Gandilis, Duke Mochizuki of Brunhild. I am Gariban Jira Gandilis, the King."

"Thank you for having us. I am Mochizuki Touya, Duke of Brunhild. These are my wives, Yumina, Lucia, and Leen."

"Oh, your wives? Please, make yourselves at home."

Following the King's invitation, we sat down. After brief introductions, Mario-san began to explain the situation.

"I'm sorry, King. The ship was stolen right under our noses."

"No, it was our lack of security that led to this. It is not your fault. It is unfortunate that we could not obtain Chrome Lanches' technology, but we must be grateful that no lives were lost."

Mario-san bowed his head, and the King of Gandilis smiled. I see. He certainly seems like a kind king.

"Duke of Brunhild. Where do you think they escaped to?"

"I don't know. Not only did they use teleportation magic to escape, but they also seemed to be concealing themselves, as my search magic wasn't picking up on them. They seem to be very cautious."

"Hmm... So there's nothing we can do at the moment..."

The King of Gandilis crossed his arms and exhaled regretfully. Beside him, I noticed Princess Cordelia glancing at me repeatedly. ...What's this about?

"Um, well! If something happens, it would be helpful if you could contact us!"

"Yes, of course."

"So, uh, about that..."

What is she trying to say? She's fidgeting, and it's hard to understand. I exchanged glances with Yumina, who was beside me, but she also tilted her head slightly.

Then, Parrelle-san sighed softly and bluntly spoke.

"The Princess wants to receive a 'sumaatofon' from His Majesty the Duke and enjoy sweet conversations with her beloved Emperor Galdio at night."

"It’s not like that!"

Princess Cordelia shouted with tears in her eyes. Parrelle-san is similar to our Sheska... No, Sheska is more of an M, and Parrelle-san seems more like an S. They're both maids, so they have a lot in common.

"Oh, that small all-purpose communication device? Emperor Galdio and the Holy King of Alent both had one. Can we receive one too?"

Well, I was planning to give them one later anyway.

I took out a mass-produced smartphone and an instruction manual from my [Storage] and placed them on the table.

While teaching the King of Gandilis and Princess Cordelia how to use it, Mario-san, Ripple-san, and Parrelle-san kept casting longing glances our way.

I know from Yumina's magic eye that they're not bad people, so I guess it's fine to give them one...

"Just absolutely do not take it apart, okay? We probably can't fix it, and I won't give you another one."

I emphasized this point, especially to Mario-san. The mass-produced smartphones have [Protection] and [Shield] enchantments, so they won't break easily, but they can still be disassembled if someone tries. But I want them to understand that doing so would destroy their trust in us.

Princess Cordelia eagerly asked for Emperor Galdio's number. But it's not right to give out someone else's number without permission, so I sent a message to the Emperor to ask if it was okay to share it.

I received an immediate reply saying it was fine. That was fast.

However, despite getting the number, Princess Cordelia was hesitant to make the call. Everyone was watching her anxiously.

"I can't make a call with everyone staring at me like this!"

Fair enough.