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"Actually, Your Majesty..."

"Yes?　What is it, Jin-dono?

"Actually, there is a second underground base further underground from here.

What?

What?

What?

The king, the king's brother, and the prime minister were all astonished in their own way.

"Is it true, Mister Jin?"

"Yes, Your Highness. In fact, this Mister Arnold and Miss Chell belong to your organization.

"Ummm... ......"

"<>. We didn't report it at the castle because of the ......<>. I apologize for that."

Jin gave a formal reason and apologized.

"No, no need to apologize. No, no need to apologize, Jin-dono, you found us. And thank you for saving Arnold and Chel. I should be the one to thank you.

"Thank you, sir."

At this point, Arnold spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I was the one who asked Jin-dono to keep quiet. Please, scold me if you must."

"No, Arnold had his reasons. I am not angry with you.

I'm not angry with you." "That's very kind of you to say.

Bowing his head, Arnold explains about the second underground base.

The second basement is not a human facility.

"Oh?"

"At the very end, a facility was built to retaliate against the <> as they were then called."

"......

Arnold tries to explain in an easy-to-understand way.

"I and Chelle belong to that group. <

Is that what happened?

"Yes. In my case, I built a new body. In Chelle's case, almost new body. That's why I'm here with Your Majesty, Your Highness and Your Excellencies.

"I see."

King Beaux-Arts seemed to agree. His brother and the Prime Minister too.

"That's why Chelle and I can work independently of each other.

"I'm sure that's true."

Your Majesty, I beg you to allow me and Chelle to move freely.

Is that your wish?

Yes, Your Majesty.

"......"

Jin did not expect Arnold to make such a request to the king.

However, he could understand his feelings, so he decided to support him.

"Your Majesty, I ask you to do the same for me. I am sure that it would be in the best interest of the nation since Mr. Arnold has technical knowledge of 700 years ago. I am sure that Chel will be able to assist him.

"I see...you say so too, Jin-dono."

The king closed his eyes, thought for a minute, and slowly opened them,

"Very well. I will allow it on one condition."

He opened his eyes slowly and said, "Allow me on one condition.

What is the condition, Your Majesty?

"When you go out on your own, you must submit a timetable. The deadline must be clear. And when you're done, you must submit a brief report. How about ......?"

Jin felt that this sounded like a request for a paid leave of absence.

But even if he took paid leave, he would not submit a report, so it might be more like a business trip.

"I understand."

Arnold had no reason to refuse the request, so he agreed to the terms.

The same goes for Chelle.

"Well, everything is settled now.

King Beaux-Arts nodded his head in satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, I think it's time to get back to ......."

At this point, Beaux-Arts made a proposal.

"Mister Arnold, Mister Jin, may we set up a transfer magic circle connecting this <<1st underground base>> with our royal castle?"

It could be said that permission is not required since the facility is within the territory of the Kingdom of Celluloid, but King Bozar wanted to show his sincerity to Arnold and the others.

The transfer magic circle would be a very efficient way to stockpile emergency supplies and food in the future.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Then let's set up a transfer magic circle in one of the upper rooms.

"Oh, Jin-dono, that would be great."

The technology of the transfer magic circle has already been established and is operated as a transportation network under the control of each country.

The reason why it is not publicized to the general public is to prevent it from being used for evil purposes such as smuggling and terrorism.

* * * *

Jin consulted with and and set up a transfer magic circle in an unused warehouse.

The size of the transfer area is medium, with a diameter of 3 meters.

It is practical enough for both bringing in food and human visitors.

The group then decided to return to Esia, the capital of the Kingdom of Celuloa, by .

* * * * *

On the way to Esaias, Arnold expresses his hope.

"Jin, can you fly us along the west river?

"The west river ...... is the border river between the Shoro Kingdom and the Border River?

Yes, that's it.

Your Majesty, may I?

Yes, it's fine. I'd rather you did.

Your Majesty. ......

With the King's permission, Jin gives instructions to Hope.

Hope, please.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

So the turns to the west and flies at an altitude of about 1000 meters, overlooking the Border River.

Is that good?

Yeah, that's good enough. Thank you."

Arnold thanked the crew, opened a part of the floor window, and gazed out at the wilderness below.

"So it's not ...... ...... after all."

"What?"

It was a whisper, but Jin, who happened to be nearby, heard Arnold's voice.

"Oh, you heard me, Jin."

"Yes, I heard it."

"Well, it doesn't matter."

So, what's missing?

The base.

The base?

A base? There's supposed to be one around here.

It is located almost due west of Mount Onouni.

"I thought it was still there because it was a little bit out of the way of the battlefield.

The land below is a bleak, rocky, dirt wilderness.

"Was there a base around here, too? ......"

It looks as if it has decayed over the past 700 years.

"It's a small one, though. Most of it was underground, so maybe some of the basement is still there."

"I see."

The Prime Minister, who had been listening to this conversation, approached Jin.

"Excuse me, Mister Jin, Mister Arnold. If what you just said is true, then there is such a potential threat ......, well, maybe not a threat, but I would like to investigate it."

I understand.

"So, since we don't have a deadline, would you, Jin-dono, Arnold-dono, and Chel-dono be willing to investigate?　We can discuss the reward afterwards at the royal castle.

"I don't mind, but..."

Jin, who was interested in the ancient base, looked at Arnold.

"I don't mind either. I'm curious about it, too, so I'd like to do it.

So Arnold readily agrees.

"Oh, well, I'm looking forward to working with you. For more information, please visit ......."

And so it came to be.

What awaits them at the old abandoned facility: .......