Chapter 37: Observatory

– Knock, knock!

“Is anyone there?”

‘……Would there be any sentient beings left in these ancient ruins?’

“Ahaha, you’re right about that.”

Chuckling awkwardly at Hestia’s somewhat cold remark, I pushed the door open.

There didn’t seem to be any lock, as the door yielded without resistance.

When the massive door was halfway open, Hestia blocked my path as if to protect me.

Her hand rested on the hilt of the Holy Sword, ready to perfectly counter anything that might suddenly appear from anywhere at any time.

“It’s fine to open it completely now.”

‘…Yes, thank you.’

Grateful for her usual overprotectiveness, I pushed the door open with force.

Finally, the world behind the door was fully revealed…

A space far vaster than where the treasure mountain had been greeted us.

“What in the world is this place…?”

The first thing that caught Hestia’s and my eyes were the countless stars shining in the dim sky.

Hestia, purely awestruck by the magnificent sight that would overwhelm even most astronomers, nonetheless remained vigilant of her surroundings.

Leaving her behind, I walked towards the massive structure closest to us.

“Hmm……”

A bizarrely shaped structure, composed of several overlapping spheres…

Compared to this vast space, it seemed infinitely small, yet it was easily three times my height.

As I examined various parts of the strange structure, Hestia soon approached me and voiced her question.

“Do you know what this is?”

“Well, I’ve never seen anything like this before either.

But… perhaps it’s a structure built for observation?”

“Observation…?”

“Take a look over there.”

I pointed to the empty center of the spherical structure.

There was a flat seat installed there, seemingly made for one person to sit on.

“Doesn’t it clearly look like it’s meant for sitting?”

“Yes, certainly…”

“And if you look closely at this structure, doesn’t it seem like the inside has been more intricately carved?”

‘…Yes, that too, certainly…’

“In other words, this structure wasn’t made to be viewed from the outside, but from the inside.

We can deduce that the seating in the center is for that very reason.”

‘……That’s amazing.’

Hestia made a genuinely impressed expression at my perfect deduction.

‘…I pushed away the disease called conscience, which was pricking at me, and confidently took Hestia’s hand.’

“Then, shall we go inside and take a look together?”

“Y-yes?

That’s dangerous…”

Ignoring what she was about to say, I led her by the hand directly into the center of the spherical structure.

Hestia stammered and flinched, seemingly flustered, but she didn’t resist my touch.

Having entered the structure, we immediately approached where the seat was.

Unfortunately, it was a small chair only big enough for one person, so I had no choice but to have her sit in the center while I squatted beside her.

Seeing my discomfort, Hestia cautiously spoke to me.

‘…I’m fine, so you can sit…’

“No, I’m fine, just tell me what you see.”

‘I don’t need to see it, after all.’

When I spoke firmly, she reluctantly nodded.

Hestia sat with a tense expression, looking around.

‘…It’s quite a peculiar structure.’

“Is that your only impression?”

“Yes.”

‘……’

‘…Sometimes she’s sharp, but at times like this, her observation skills mysteriously worsen, so I had to give her various hints myself.’

“Oh, by the way… isn’t this still inside the ruins?”

‘…I’m not sure, but if that black mist didn’t transport us outside, then it should be.’

“Then what’s that in the sky?”

“That’s the night sky… Ah…!”

Only then did Hestia look at the sky…

No, she looked at the ‘ceiling’ of the ruins.

The beautiful night sky that had captivated our eyes the moment Hestia and I first entered this space…

However, upon reflection, it’s highly probable that this place is still within the ruins.

Therefore, the night sky and stars above our heads could be an illusion.

[Suddenly, Hestia, having that thought, meticulously examined the sky.]

The dim night sky and the beautiful stars adorning it, which had been clearly visible just a moment ago…

Yet, for some reason, only the murky night sky was visible to her.

“Hmm…?”

“Why? Do you see anything?”

“No, quite the opposite.”

“The opposite…?”

“Yes, what was visible is no longer visible.”

Hestia explained to me that the stars, which had been clearly visible just moments ago, had disappeared the moment she sat down.

At this, I feigned a surprised expression and said.

“Even though I’m right next to you, the stars are clearly visible to me… Fufu, what could be the meaning of this?”

‘……What kind of tone is that?’

“I tried to imitate Arie.

Wasn’t it quite similar?”

‘…Arie…’

‘It was a carefully planned joke to ease the tension… but it seems our Hero isn’t amused.’

Forcibly avoiding Hestia’s gaze, which had grown colder, I pointed to the chair she was sitting on.

‘…Anyway, I think there might be some strange spell placed on that chair, or perhaps the structure itself.’

“Hmm……”

Hestia seemed to be deep in thought after hearing my conjecture.

But I didn’t wait and simply took her hand.

“You don’t see any other strange points, do you?”

“No, not really…”

“Then, shall we go to where the other structures are right away?”

“Ugh…”

Still not used to holding my hand, Hestia let out a faint gasp and looked flustered again…

To her, I gave a mischievous smile and whispered softly.

“My shy Hestia?”

‘…?! …!!!’

‘…That was a line only old people like the Academy Head would appreciate… Did it actually work…?’

****

Hestia and I explored the vast space, investigating similarly shaped structures.

Besides the form of multiple overlapping spheres we first saw, there were many other shapes of structures.

However, despite their different forms… It was always the same: if you sat on the chair in the center, the stars would disappear from view.

Hestia meticulously examined them each time, but she couldn’t find any flow of magic or traces of spells.

“This structure is the last one.”

‘…Yes.’

“Ahaha, it’s too early to be disappointed.

We intentionally saved the central structure for last, just in case there’s really something there.”

One fact we discovered while exploring this vast space together was that the structures were arranged at regular intervals.

At first, I didn’t notice, but upon closer inspection, all the other structures were arranged around one massive central structure.

Hestia noticed this around the time we investigated the third structure, and I suggested we visit the central one last.

After examining all the other structures, it was finally the turn of the last structure located in the center.

I gently comforted Hestia, who seemed a bit downcast, perhaps disappointed by the lack of results so far, and together we entered the structure.

Then, a space much larger than before welcomed us.

“This place is quite bizarre.”

‘…I agree.

This structure, in particular, seems to lack any discernable pattern.’

While the other structures resembled several similar geometric shapes stacked together, this one seemed to have no defined form.

It was hard to even discern its shape, let alone know if it was truly a geometric figure.

“Fortunately, the chair is still here.

Alright, would you like to sit?”

‘……But why is it always just me sitting…’

“Then I’ll sit first, and you can sit on my lap?”

“I-I’ll decline…”

Lightly subduing Hestia, who dared to talk back to me, I squatted beside her as before.

The silence returned…

While Hestia raised her head to look at the sky, I quietly observed the other structures beside her.

So far, the structures surrounding this spot hadn’t shown any suspicious movement or discernible flow.

‘However, if someone worthy sits in the central structure… it will reveal its true form.’

“Hestia?!”

“Yes?”

“I can’t see the stars either…!”

‘……?!’

The moment Hestia’s eyes turned to me…

– Whoosh!!!

The structure began to rotate.

“Whoa!!!”

“Oh no…!”

Hestia quickly scooped me up as I lost my balance and was about to fall backward from the sudden rotation and vibration.

But perhaps the speed was too great, as we were flung out of the structure by the recoil.

‘…Are you alright…?’

“Phew, thank you.

You saved me.”

Hestia immediately checked on my well-being the moment we safely landed on the ground…

At this, I expressed my gratitude and slipped out of her embrace.

She looked at me with a strange gaze for a moment, but then quickly composed herself and began scanning her surroundings.

“The structures are…”

“They’re all rotating.

Do they look the same to you, Hestia?”

‘……’

Hestia remained silent despite my question…

Upon closer inspection, a faint golden light shimmered in her eyes.

She had temporarily gained the vision of a transcendent being.

After a brief moment of surprise at her significant growth, I decided to wake her up first.

“Hestia?”

‘……’

“Hestia?!!”

“Ugh…!”

After calling her name several times, Hestia finally came to, complaining of a headache…

Supporting her as she swayed, I asked with a worried tone.

“A-are you alright?

Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine… But more importantly…”

Hestia leaned on my shoulder and began to move.

As a result, I was naturally dragged along and urgently asked her.

“W-where are you suddenly going?”

“The structure…”

“Huh?”

“Quickly… we must go inside there…!”

Hestia seemed entranced, repeatedly saying we had to go inside.

In the end, I was led by her hand and threw myself into the furiously rotating structure… No, the ‘observatory.’