episode_0127

“Is that so? Well… perhaps because I’ve seen enough of them, I’m not particularly moved.” The laboratory had all its walls, ceiling, and even the floor covered in white…. And there were many wires, like the cords I saw in Dio V Runner’s workshop, attached to the walls and floor, and unfamiliar tools and machines were placed everywhere. In short, this was a sight I had never seen before, and it was certainly enough to pique my interest!! “Ohhh…!! So this is the technology of another world!!! I was already amazed by Mr. Dio V Runner’s tools before… but seeing them spread out like this all around me, my heart is pounding…!!” “…. You truly are a peculiar one, Zeke, to feel curiosity rather than fear in a place like this… A normal person would be trembling with dread, but you…” As I showed great interest in the research facility, Dio V Runner looked bewildered and said I was strange. It was true that I felt fear while falling here… but now that I could observe it directly with my own eyes, what could I do but be filled with curiosity rather than dread!

“But what are all these machines used for? Hmm… Is there a device here that would allow me to be with the one I love forever?” “Your dreams are too grand, Aria… If you search this world for such a machine… Hmm… I don’t know… because someone like you definitely exists somewhere in the world…” As Aria searched for a device that would allow her to be with me forever, Dio V Runner replied that such a device might exist, thinking that there could be a researcher with a personality like Aria’s in this world. Then Aria suddenly approached Dio V Runner, pointed at a nearby device, and spoke menacingly. “I don’t know how to operate that device, nor what language is written on it. But you would know, wouldn’t you? Someone who has frequented many other worlds like you would be able to read those languages, wouldn’t you? So find a device that can connect me to Zeke-nim right now.” “…. Well… as you say, I can read this language… but this machine looks at least several decades old. It might not even work at all. Look at this.” Dio V Runner said he could read the writing on the machine, but that the machines looked very old, and he lightly touched one with his hand. Dust clung to Dio V Runner’s hand, and seeing this, Aria tilted her head and asked Dio V Runner. “What about it? In our world, there are stories of even ancient golems still functioning…” “True. But they also functioned because they had power. Seeing how dark this laboratory is, the power must have been cut off a long time ago. Besides, most machines like these tend to malfunction when they get old. In other words, these machines might not work properly.” “Moreover, we don’t even know if this research facility was originally a place that developed such machines, do we? So… let’s set aside your expectations for now, Aria.” “…. Hmph… Otherworldly technology isn’t so great after all.” At the mention that the machine she wanted might not be here, and even if it was, the power might be cut off so it wouldn’t work, or it might be too old to function at all, Aria began to sulk. Well… I was rather relieved… because I don’t even want to imagine what would happen if Aria got her hands on such a machine… In summary… it seems this might be an abandoned research facility… But…

“We don’t know what kind of place this is, but it’s puzzling why such a facility exists in our Crentid World.” “That’s right. So we need to investigate this research facility… However, given the size of that pit, the investigation will take quite a long time. We might have to stay here for several months. You’re prepared for that, right?” “Wait… several months…?! *Gulp*… If it takes that long, it might be a bit difficult… We don’t even know if there’s food here.” “Exactly. Wouldn’t it be better to go back up and get some food?” At Dio V Runner’s shocking words that we might have to stay here for several months, I began to worry about food, and Aria empathized, looking up at the ceiling she had broken through and saying we should go up to get some. But Dio V Runner shook his head and said. “We don’t even know what this place looks like. Moreover, the only entrance we have is that broken ceiling. Even if we go up to get food, the chances of returning to the original spot are slim. It would be better to find food here or discover a machine that can store food… like a refrigerator.” “A refrigerator?” “In the future, people use a machine called a refrigerator to preserve food by keeping it cold. This place is somewhat cold, but there’s a chance of contamination, so it’s important to find a device that can store food, like a refrigerator. And it would be good to find a power source that can turn it on. My current power source won’t last long…” Dio V Runner took out a strange spherical machine from his pocket and explained that it couldn’t power machines continuously, stating that finding tools to store food and a power source here was the priority. Then Aria thought for a moment and then stuck her staff into the ground beneath the ceiling she had broken through. Light began to leak out of the staff through the ceiling to the outside, and Aria pointed at the light with her finger and said. “Then I will go outside and get food. I can use this light to return here… but since I’ll be taking Zeke-nim with me, you’ll have to find that machine alone.” “What? Why me?” “…. Zeke-nim needs to be by my side so I can use… that Holy Ring Radiance or whatever it’s called… and fly… And later, if my hair turns blonde again… it’s shameless, but I’ll have to ask you to dye it for me…” Aria explained that she needed to transform into her Holy Ring Radiance form to go outside, and that required me to be by her side. Even considering the phenomenon of her hair turning blonde again, I had to be there for her to become the Holy Ring Radiance… Indeed, Aria hadn’t used the Holy Ring Radiance when she tried to find me after Eli captured me before… though there were several other factors involved…

“Hmm… It would be better to do as you say. I can roughly figure out what these machines are. So, for now, go get the food. In the meantime, I’ll do my best to find a machine to preserve food and a new power source.” “Understood~!” Then… “Haaah!” Aria replied to Dio V Runner and began to let out a battle cry. Then Aria’s body started glowing yellow, and at the same time, yellow patterns appeared on her clothes. And when some of her hair turned blonde again, Aria suddenly began to well up with tears. “Uhhuhuhu… I really hate this, Zeke-nim… The clothes Zeke-nim bought for me are getting ruined like this… and the hair you dyed is changing too!” “…. You really worry too much about trivial things, Holy…” “Trivial things, you say!! These clothes and the black color of my hair are the blood and flesh Zeke-nim gave me!!! Don’t you dare dismiss them, Dio V Runner!!” The moment Dio V Runner was about to point out that her sensitivity to her hair and clothes changing was unnecessarily excessive, Aria bristled, grabbed Dio V Runner by the collar, and yelled angrily. Dio V Runner realized how sensitive Aria was about her hair and clothes and became serious, and I was greatly flustered when Aria suddenly grabbed Dio V Runner’s collar. “C-calm down, Aria!! I’ll finish up quickly and come back to dye it for you… I-I’m sorry, Dio V Runner… I apologize on her behalf…” “…. Hahaha… This… reminds me of Arik, that Kaju. I apologize, Aria. The reason you’re acting so sensitive must be because you’ve received so much from Zeke. Isn’t that right?” “Hmph! Since you understand, I’ll forgive you for now… but if you do it again next time… I’ll inflict terrible torture, so be prepared!!” “….. I’ll keep that in mind.” Aria, with a menacing expression, warned that if he challenged her sensitivity again, she would inflict terrible torture, and Dio V Runner broke into a cold sweat and replied that he would keep it in mind. Normally, he would have retorted immediately… The reason Aria showed such mercy to Dio V Runner was probably because Dio V Runner had helped us a lot during the fight with the World Tree…

“Hahaha… Let’s go quickly, Aria. And I’ll leave it to you, Dio V Runner.” “You two can take your time outside, Zeke. This place is so vast that it will take me a long time to figure it out myself.” “Hmmmm~? Does that mean I can stay outside with Zeke-nim for a month… no, a year?” “…Don’t joke like that, Aria…” When Dio V Runner told them to take their time outside, Aria joked that she would spend a year outside with me. At that, both Dio V Runner and I became serious upon hearing the joke, and I, feeling awkward, asked Aria if that was really a joke… No… It must be a joke, right…? “Anyway, I’m heading out, Zeke-nim!! You need to hold onto my shoulder tightly!” “Alright. I’m trusting you, so don’t worry.” When Aria said she was leaving, I clung to her shoulder and told her I was trusting her. And at that moment, Aria instantly soared into the air and began to ascend rapidly. I lifted my head to look up, and when I saw light appearing from above, I was greatly surprised. ‘Ama-amazing… I had already seen Aria use her Holy Ring Radiance to take down dragons the day before… but Aria’s Holy Ring Radiance is truly… amazing to see again…!!’ ‘….’ While I was greatly amazed by the Holy Ring Radiance, Aria seemed to be recalling something, simply staring blankly at the sky. And at that moment, as we instantly exited the pit, Aria landed on the ground and set me down.

“Phew… It’s good that we’re up, but… how do we get food?” “Hmm… You don’t have to worry about that, Zeke-nim. Look over there.” “…. Uh…” When I worried about getting food, Aria told me not to worry and pointed at something. Then I saw countless monsters coming our way and instinctively recoiled. As I quickly moved back, Aria grinned mischievously, looking at the monsters and saying. “Hehehehe… There’s so much meat good for stamina…!! How happy I am to be able to make healthy food for Zeke-nim…!!” “Just don’t get hurt… since you don’t have your staff.” “Don’t you worry a bit~!” When I worried about her, Aria, clenching her fists, ran towards the monsters and smiled, telling me not to worry. While Aria hunted monsters to obtain food, Dio V Runner, who was conducting his investigation alone in the underground facility, was looking at documents placed on a table.

“These documents alone… don’t tell me the purpose of this laboratory… Usually, such labs have a separate secret lab, making it difficult to figure out their original purpose… Anyway… these refrigerators…” Unable to discern the nature of the place from the documents in his hand, Dio V Runner sighed, put the documents back on the table, and headed towards the refrigerator in front of him. He then opened the refrigerator door, looked inside, and thought. ‘Indeed… it’s a suitable refrigerator for preserving food… but there’s no electricity, so the power isn’t on… I need to find a power source first… but there’s no way there’d be a working power source in a place like this…’ Dio V Runner, having found a refrigerator in relatively good condition, sighed deeply, realizing that there was no way there would be a power source capable of turning it on in this place, feeling helpless. Then, after wandering through several rooms, Dio V Runner found a room full of small machines and began to look around. ‘Is this… a storage room? There might be something useful in a place like this…! Oh… It seems things are going well…!’ As Dio V Runner rummaged through boxes filled with various small machines, he discovered something and quickly began to tinker with the machine. At that moment, when the circular machine lit up, Dio V Runner grinned and thought. ‘Good… This should satisfy them… No… this is more than just a good haul! I don’t think I’ll have to worry about anything with this!’ Having confirmed that the machine in his hand was working, Dio V Runner turned his head towards something, thinking it was a relief. Then, carrying many machines in a box, he headed towards where Aria’s staff was. As Aria’s staff came into view, Dio V Runner realized something crucial and was greatly shocked.

‘Wait… Aria’s weapon is here… does that mean Aria doesn’t have any weapon right now?! D-damn it!!’ Dio V Runner, realizing that Aria was currently unarmed, was greatly flustered by what he had forgotten. Then, just as he was about to rush outside to help Aria, something broke through the ceiling behind him and entered. Dio V Runner, bewildered, turned around. Aria then brushed dust off my clothes and said. “I’ve brought meat and various vegetables, Dio V Runner. Have you found the device?” “….. Did you catch all those with your bare hands, Aria? You’re insane….” Dio V Runner, seeing Aria casually arrive with me and a large chunk of meat, was so shocked that he stared at us with a serious expression. Well… it was a natural reaction, I suppose… I was also truly flustered seeing Aria knock down intermediate monsters with her bare hands again… “Alright, the food is ready. Anyway, you’ve found the device, right?” “Ah… right… This isn’t the time to be spacing out… Look… Do you see this small, circular machine?” “Hmm? Ah, yes.” When Aria repeatedly asked if he had found the device, Dio V Runner, having collected himself, pointed at the spherical machine in the box with his finger and said. Hmm… It looks different from the machine Mr. Dio V Runner has… What kind of machine is that, anyway?

“This is a future object called a small thermal power generator. If you press this, the lid opens, and if you light a fire inside and close the lid…” Dio V Runner pressed the center of the machine, and the top part of the machine opened. Then Dio V Runner emitted a small flame from a flamethrower, placed it inside the machine, and when he closed the lid, the machine began to flash brightly. Then Dio V Runner took out a wire from a rectangular machine, plugged it into the machine he was holding, and music began to flow from the rectangular machine. “Good, it’s activated. And if you open this door and put food inside, preservation is complete.” …!! Oh my goodness… As Dio V Runner had said, I opened the door, and lights turned on inside, emitting cold air, filling me with surprise. And at that moment, the lights on the ceiling suddenly began to flicker, and then the ceiling lit up, making the surroundings visible. “….?! This is… Mr. Dio V Runner’s…” “It’s a lamp. I was wondering if it would work since the ceiling was broken, but thankfully it does. With this, we have enough light and food. Let’s leisurely investigate this place, Zeke.”