episode_0132

**Suspicious Underground Research Facility**

“…It’s a mummy… Perhaps because no living organisms reside here.”

Dio V Runner, who was analyzing the corpse, surmised that it had become a mummy instead of decaying to bones because no living organisms inhabited the area. He then fell into thought as he observed the broken test tubes scattered around and the completely destroyed, strange mechanical device.

‘Looking at these traces, this is certainly some kind of research facility. But I can’t tell what kind it is… Test tubes large enough for a person to enter… Broken computers. I can roughly guess what kind of laboratory this is, but there are no clues to definitively tell me what kind of research facility this is… Anyway, Zeke and Aria wouldn’t have seen a lab like this before… I wonder if they’re doing well? And… What exactly is the identity of that large yellow orb placed at the entrance of the secret passage?’

Dio V Runner, who could roughly infer the nature of the place from what he saw around him, was at a loss because there was no definite clue to its identity. He then wondered what the large yellow orb he had seen was and began to worry if the others were doing alright. While Dio V Runner worried about us, looking at the corpse, I was retching at the sight of the horribly mummified body, and Aria was patting my back.

“Ugh… Ugh… Why is something like that here?”

“Hmm… Judging by the lack of smell, it seems to have been here for a long time. I think it might have died before coming to our world.”

“…Sigh… Aria, I envy you for being able to calmly analyze that thing…”

“Hehehe… Just leave all the difficult work to me, Aria! But truly, I was momentarily flustered when a corpse suddenly appeared.”

“Sigh… For a moment, I thought this was the afterlife. Anyway, thanks for patting my back. I’m fine now.”

“Understood~”

As I said I was fine and slowly straightened up, Aria smiled sweetly and removed her hand from my back. I shook my head to clear my mind, let out a deep sigh, and turned my head back to the corpse.

“Haaah… I thought I might encounter corpses during my exploration… But how do I investigate that corpse?”

“Oh, come on~ Just leave all the hard work to me, Zeke-nim? Don’t worry~!”

“Wh-What?! Are you sure?”

As I hesitated, afraid to examine the corpse, Aria shrugged her shoulders and confidently walked towards the corpse, saying she would handle it. I was greatly flustered and yelled at Aria. No matter if you’re a Holy Maiden, you don’t have to examine a corpse for my sake!

“Heheheh~ Have you forgotten, Zeke-nim? I’m the one who previously turned Melian into an empty doll through torture~ And I’ve already killed many people before, so do you think I’d be scared of one shriveled corpse?”

“…Ah.”

When Aria mentioned what happened with Rubdon previously, I finally realized it. Thinking about it, Aria had seen more than enough corpses… Moreover, she had butchered not only people but also monsters… It seems the person most accustomed to corpses here is Aria herself.

“Let’s see… There don’t seem to be any external injuries on the corpse. But, unusually, there don’t seem to be any internal injuries either… Hmm… To know for sure, an autopsy is necessary, but is that alright?”

“…Don’t go that far. Is there no other way?”

“Hmm… There’s only estimating by eye. It wouldn’t be certain, but I suppose that’s the method Zeke-nim would prefer the most…”

Aria said that the only way to accurately determine the cause of death was an autopsy, and I started to ponder. Still, from our perspective, this was a stranger, and we needed to know why they died to understand what precautions to take while exploring this place… So, to know for sure, an autopsy would be necessary, right?

“Groan… No choice then… If that’s the only way… I’m counting on you, Aria.”

“Yes~ But if Zeke-nim finds even the sound uncomfortable, I think it’s not bad to look for other clues nearby. I don’t want Zeke-nim to be uncomfortable, so just for this once! Specially, I won’t complain even if you’re not right by my side.”

“Alright… Thanks for your consideration, Aria…”

As Aria showed consideration for my continued aversion to corpse dissection, I scratched my head and thanked her. Humph… Still, I feel like I should have been the one doing this… I feel bad for Aria… Maybe Aria is enduring the discomfort for me…

“Hehehe… Zeke-nim is relying on me… Hehehehe… So I must succeed… Hehehehe…”

“…”

Ah, no. Aria wasn’t concerned about such things at all, only eager to receive my praise. So, at this moment, Aria felt no disgust whatsoever, and as a result, she was diligently dissecting the corpse using sharp objects she found nearby… Really… It’s hard to get used to this…

“Alright… While Aria is diligently dissecting the corpse, I’ll…”

As Aria diligently dissected the corpse, eager for my praise, I looked at the drawers nearby. Since there were papers visible in the drawers outside, there must be papers here too, right? The laboratory I visited earlier didn’t seem to have any drawers…?

“What? It’s empty? Here too… And here too… Oh? This one’s also empty?”

However, contrary to my expectations, there was nothing inside the drawers, and I couldn’t hide my bewilderment. No, it’s unbelievable that there isn’t a single document in the other drawers. Just as I was flustered by the absence of any documents or even objects in the drawers, at that very moment.

“…!” “Oh!”

Finally, I found a single document in the last drawer. Phew… Thank goodness. At least I found one… Moreover, it wasn’t a blank sheet but a document filled with writing and illustrations, and I let out a big breath in relief.

“Sigh… At least coming all this way wasn’t for nothing… What could be written here…? Oh… Oh…?! Th-This…?!”

“Oh my. Thankfully there was a document. That’s a relief.”

“…!! Aaaahk!!!”

Just as I was about to read what was written on the document, I realized something and was greatly shocked. At that moment, Aria, who must have finished her dissection, had approached my side, brandishing the old knife she used for the dissection, and said it was fortunate I had found a document. Startled by her voice, I fell backward. Aria, seemingly greatly shocked, dropped the knife she was holding and looked at me with blank eyes, saying,

“Zeke-nim… was startled because of me…? Did I make Zeke-nim scared…? I…”

“Uh… Huh?!”

Aria seemed so shocked that I had been startled because of her that she started to whimper and then collapsed onto the spot. Well… It’s true I was surprised by Aria’s voice suddenly, but I was scared because of the knife in her hand, not because Aria herself was scary… right?

“Does Zeke-nim not need me anymore…? I was so sure that wasn’t the case…”

“Don’t misunderstand, Aria!! I was startled by the knife, not you, the knife!!! I was scared of the knife!!”

“…! Ah… Ahh…!! Not me, but the knife… Ugh… Uuuuh… M-My apologies…”

When I frantically shouted that I was startled by the knife, Aria belatedly realized she had misunderstood and her face started to flush red with embarrassment. She then avoided my gaze, feeling mortified, and I let out a hollow laugh at this never-before-seen side of Aria.

“Well… You could’ve misunderstood the situation… Anyway, are you done with the dissection?”

“Ah, yes! But strangely, there were no external or internal injuries. It’s as if they just turned into a mummy while still alive, should I say?”

“…Is that even possible? For a person to become a mummy while still alive…”

I couldn’t believe Aria’s shocking autopsy results. But given Aria’s personality, she wouldn’t have performed the dissection carelessly… So, did they really become a mummy while alive? Is that possible with the technology of this facility?

“By the way, what did Zeke-nim discover that caused such shock?”

“Ah, about that… Look at this. It seems there was actually another language used in this facility besides the one we already knew…”

When I showed her the document, revealing a language I hadn’t seen before, Aria nodded, confirming that there was indeed another language written alongside the one we were familiar with. Sigh… What should I do? Only Dio V Runner can interpret this language… I should gather all the documents around here and show them to Dio V Runner…?

“…? Aria, why are you rummaging through your backpack all of a sudden?”

“Just a moment, Zeke-nim. This Aria will solve it right away~!”

“What…?”

Aria suddenly rummaged through her backpack, looking for something, and then said she would solve it right away. I had no idea what Aria was trying to do. What is she trying to do? Then, Aria pulled out a book, opened it, and looking at the document in my hand, said,

“Let’s see… It seems to be a research document about different dimensions. This part here means ‘dimension,’ and this part means ‘research.’”

“…?! Wh-What?! How can you read this language…”

As soon as Aria opened the book, she instantly read the language I couldn’t understand… a language I had never seen before, and I was utterly astonished. Then, looking at the book Aria was holding, I realized it was a dictionary for the language I had never seen, and I was greatly flustered. Aria, seeing my reaction, smiled sweetly and said,

“I thought I couldn’t just stand by for Zeke-nim’s sake. Well… taking photos of Zeke-nim was more fun, but as Zeke-nim’s exploration companion, I thought I shouldn’t just prioritize my own enjoyment, so I’ve been making other preparations secretly for Zeke-nim~!”

“…Honestly, lately I’ve been thinking… Exploration seems more suited to your nature than mine…”

“Hehehe… I’m content just being able to assist Zeke-nim! So, exploration should definitely be enjoyed by Zeke-nim!… Of course, I wish you’d sometimes give me some attention too…”

Realizing that Aria had secretly prepared many other things, I was dumbfounded and understood that Aria was more suited for exploration than I was… What exactly have I been working hard on all this time? I feel a bit inferior… No, that’s not right. Aria studied tirelessly for me… So, I’m sorry, but I have no choice but to rely on Aria a little.

“Alright. Anyway, can you interpret this document?”

“Of course~ I’ll translate every single part for you.”

Aria said she could interpret the document and would translate every single part, so I prepared to listen intently. Aria then opened her mouth and began to interpret the contents of the document.

“‘Research report on the Otherworld. Although research on the Otherworld is not yet active, our research team is not giving up and is holding onto the possibility that the Otherworld exists. As a result of conducting research with samples extracted from alien planets, we have continuously discovered components we had never seen before. However, we still have not figured out how to travel to the Otherworld, nor what kind of life forms exist there. Based on testimonies of similar entities being witnessed in outer space, we have formed a hypothesis that the Otherworld may contain fantastical beings like dragons and elves, which we have seen in novels and comics…’ That’s what it says. Below, the writing is blurred and unreadable, perhaps because it got wet.”

“…It’s confirmed then… This facility is indeed an Otherworld research facility.”

Thanks to Aria interpreting the document, I could confirm that this was an Otherworld research facility. In Krentide World, both dragons and elves exist, and most people know that these two races are in this world, but this place speaks as if such races do not exist… However, I still had no idea how this facility came to Krentide World, what the identity of the Heavenly Orb in the secret passage was, and lastly, why the person died without any injuries. Still, a glimmer of hope appeared.

“Let’s go to another laboratory. There might be clues there to uncover the secrets of this place.”

“I will follow wherever Zeke-nim goes!… Oh, that’s right! Zeke-nim! Would you mind following me for a moment before we go to another lab?”

“Huh?”

As I prepared to look for another laboratory, Aria suddenly told me to follow her, and I tilted my head. Then, following Aria, we arrived at the entrance of the secret passage we had used, and I had no idea why Aria had brought me back here.

“Why did we come back here, Aria?”

“Ah… Would you mind stepping back for a moment? I need to do something quickly.”

“…What are you trying to do, warming up your hands like that…?”

Aria’s face suddenly clouded over as she began to flex her fists, and I felt a chill, stepping back as she instructed. What is she trying to do…? Wait, that thing in front of Aria… Isn’t that the Heavenly Orb? C-Could it be…?

“Hehehehehe… I had a difficult time because of this back with Eli… And even here, it’s humiliating me… I don’t think my anger will subside if I just leave it be…!!!”

“Y-You wouldn’t dare…!!”

“Haaah!!!”

I gulped, greatly tensing up, having anticipated what Aria was about to do. Aria let out a shout of effort and charged straight at the Heavenly Orb. She then unleashed a punch, powerfully striking the Heavenly Orb. As cracks began to spread across the Heavenly Orb from Aria’s fist, I was greatly flustered upon seeing it.

“You wanted to break that after all!!!”

“This bothersome orb…!! It keeps getting in my way…!!! Get out of my sight right now!!! Haaah!!!”

“Whoaahk?!”

Aria, who had endured every hardship imaginable because of the Heavenly Orb until now, let out another shout and lunged her fist at the Heavenly Orb. As the Heavenly Orb was struck by Aria’s powerful punch, an intense light began to emanate from it. I closed my eyes in great bewilderment at the dazzling light. Simultaneously, the Heavenly Orb slowly began to split apart and then shattered completely.

“W-Wait!! Th-This is…!!”

As the Heavenly Orb let out a shattering sound, I opened my eyes, realizing that the fragments from the broken orb were scattering everywhere. As I expected, crystal fragments bounced towards me, and I was startled by them. Aria, as if she had already anticipated this, twirled her staff and said,

“Hmph. Like I’d let Zeke-nim get hurt.”

When crystal fragments flew towards me, Aria swiftly swung her staff, deflecting all the fragments heading my way. Once Aria had deflected all the fragments, I let out a deep sigh and wiped the nervous sweat from my hands.

“Oh my… My heart nearly jumped out of my chest… Anyway… Was that Heavenly Orb that annoying that you had to destroy it like that?”

“Of course it was. Hmph! How many times has that thing caused Zeke-nim trouble!”

I let out a hollow laugh, looking at the Heavenly Orb behind Aria, which was terribly shattered and devoid of light. Well… at least Aria’s anger has subsided, which is a relief… Although it’s a shame about the Heavenly Orb, Aria said there are more around, so I’ll have to ask her to leave at least one.

“…What’s all that noise? And that flashing light just now… Does someone live in a place like this?”

“…!!!”

A voice from outside the secret passage entrance startled Aria and me. Then, recalling where I had heard that voice before, its identity suddenly flashed in my mind, leaving me greatly flustered. Aria, looking displeased, clenched her teeth. Someone then began to walk heavily toward us, and as they came into view, I couldn’t hide my bewilderment.

“Yu… Yuria…?!”

“…?! Zeke and the Holy Maiden of Darkness?!”