< has taken an interest in Hope.

This is a reaction that the "Mere Old Man" had estimated to be very unlikely, if at all possible.

However, it is not unexpected, and I have prepared a plan to deal with it.

I gave them instructions via the built-in manacam.

Hope's performance is several to dozens of times better than the mysterious golem, the old man estimated.

In addition, with the and , he believes that there is no danger 99.99% of the time.

* * * * * *

"If you want my information, you will have to disclose your information as well.

"Hmmm... ......"

The spokesgolem thinks for a moment and replies.

"Then will you come with us?

Are you sure?

Yes.

Then let's go.

Then let's go.

Yes.

The old man is also observing the exchange through his peepers.

He was listening to every word of the conversation using Hope's auditory data.

Then they make decisions and give instructions.

<

<

<

* * * * * *

The exchange between the old man and Hope is over in about 0.2 seconds.

Hope, now with a clear course of action, moves with the s in an unassuming manner.

The 20 turn around, surround Hope, and go back the way they came.

(Hmmm ...... I thought at least 10 of them would continue on their way, and at most 10 of them would escort me away.... I didn't expect all the golems to be working together.)

Hope herself is surprised at the behavior of the <>.

And then this strange group arrives at the <>.

"Come in."

What is this place?

"You may not understand, but we can be somewhere else in an instant from here."

Well, that's interesting.

You may not be able to come back, but will you?

You're going to take me there even if I don't want to go back, right?

That's right.

<. They may think that there is no reason to forcefully kidnap Hope, but with the 20 of them here, if Hope had her way, she would be wiped out in less than a minute.

Of course, this time we do nothing to get a clue.

<

（Is this the real one?)

The old man has already confirmed it, but it is a new type of magic circle.

The main part is a magic circle, but two small magic circles are drawn as if they are <>.

These two magic circles are the key.

(These two seem to be converting free magical elements (ether) into magical elements (mana) and supplying the magical elements (mana) to the transfer magic circle.)

In other words, it acts as an < and .

Although there have been magic circles that add such functions to a single magic circle or use it as a laminated magic circle, this is the first time we have seen such a configuration.

The old man commented that this configuration is more practical than functional.

The two additional magic circles solve the biggest drawback of the transfer magic circle, which is that it is slow to start up and cannot be used continuously.

Thus, <> and Hope, that is, 21 golems were transferred one after another by the transfer magic circle.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The destination was a common metal hall.

(Communication is ...... possible ...... but ...... free-magic element (ether) concentration is quite low)

Hope's <> can cope with a low concentration of free magic element (ether), and it also has a built-in that can operate for a whole day even in a space with no free magic element (ether) at all.

So, there is no problem for you to move around,

"Is this your base?

The spokes golem seemed surprised when I asked, "Is this your base?

"...... can you move? You are more powerful than I thought."

"Yes, it was built that way."

"I see."

But the spokesgolem said no more and silently led Hope out of the hall.

The passageway we walked down was also made of metal. It was five meters wide and wide. It was also five meters high.

There was air, but there seemed to be almost no oxygen. Most of it was nitrogen.

Since nitrogen is a little lighter than oxygen, the vocal sound is a little higher, but it was not particularly difficult to hear.

(The metal material seems to be ...... carbon steel. Hence, it must be filled with nitrogen to prevent oxidation.)

Hope analyzed it as she walked.

* * * *

The spokes golem walked about 20 meters silently and stopped.

"Here. Come in."

It was in front of a door at the end of the hall.

It is three meters wide and three meters high, and slides from side to side.

The door opens slowly.

Inside is dimly lit.

The spokes golem stepped in first. Hope followed.

It was the interior of a hemispherical dome.

A metallic voice rang out.

"...... magic brain?"

* * * * * *

Hope was being watched by the old man's "peeping telescope".

And the <> is in full operation, trying to find the destination in perfect condition.

At the same time, Hope herself became a <> of the <>.

.

And the old man had successfully located the position of the stronghold of the <>.