Story Reader / Main Story / 22 Renaissance du Fantastique / Story
The door opens and combines once more.
Compared to how they entered without thought last time, the four of them are much more cautious.
Hiss...
The metal walls are covered in a thin layer of frost. Trojan lightly knocks it with her weapon and inspects the shard that had fallen to the ground.
...
Nothing unusual about this. It just froze due to the low temperature.
Looks like the theme here is winter wonderland.
After inspecting the area, they find a refrigeration unit as expected.
There's no control panel so we'll have to shut it down by force.
By force, you mean...
Lena draws her bow and aims for the air outlet...
Stop! Please stop!
A hoarse voice suddenly yells out. Lena immediately changes her target and aims toward the origin of the voice.
Please don't break that device, it'll destroy the exhibits in the museum!
The four members of Iris Warbler finally take a look at the mechanoid that confronted them.
D-don't hurt me, I'm just the messenger...
As if to authenticate its identity, the mechanoid crouches down. The parts on its body start to expand.
It slowly builds a device they have never seen before, and a light flashes on top of it.
The "light" slowly forms into a human shape, or more precisely, it looks like a hologram of a human.
Greetings, guests from Babylonia.
The voice is not emitted from the device, but the speakers in the exhibition hall...
Hello, who are you?
I am this city's... temporary administrator. I am responsible for the operation of mechanoids in this city.
Then those statues...
Those are security guards who protect these exhibition halls, it was not my intention to attack you.
What do you mean...?
Mr Administrator, I...
Let me introduce myself, I'm Cervantes.
And... you must be Ayla?
Cervantes' hologram stops in front of Ayla and inspects her.
...You know me?
You can say that. Since you're standing here, that means part of my plan succeeded.
Part of your plan... succeeded...
Wait, the signal General Wells mentioned...
No need to fret, I just wanted to invite you to the city as guests.
Was that the "welcome committee" just now then? You guys sure are passionate.
Cervantes does not explain nor does he seem to want to explain, he continues staring into Ayla's eyes before glancing at the other members.
Ah, that really is...
Sica quietly sneaks over to Lena's side as Cervantes keeps sizing them up.
Lena, can you determine where he really is?
If you give me that robot, then I may be able to trace where he's sending the signals from.
However, as they are plotting in whispers, Cervantes suddenly directs the conversation to them.
Sorry, but please refrain from doing that.
I come in peace. Of course, I wouldn't ask you to trust me completely.
The situation of the city is currently a bit complicated, although I do not disapprove of it.
...Cervantes.
If you really mean us no harm, then please answer our questions honestly.
What is your plan?
Under the brim, the pair of red eyes look over to Ayla.
As if in contemplation, Cervantes only speaks after a while.
For now... I just hope for you to enjoy the exhibitions in this museum.
Especially you, Ayla of the WGAA.
Me?
Ayla is startled by his unexpected answer, just as she is about to ask more in-depth, Cervantes already answered her.
Look at it as a request from a "fellow artist."
I've buried all that I have seen, lost and experienced here.
And that of what this city named "Constellia", an unfinished city that only exists in a fantasy, had experienced at the end of the Golden Age.
I'm sure the WGAA is interested in this.
I hope that you can give me an answer after seeing everything.
Also, I want to see how well this squad can operate, it will be a truly valuable experience.
Now, please follow this mechanoid and enjoy the exhibition.
With that, Cervantes' hologram disappears, leaving them with an empty exhibition hall and the mechanoid who was reconstructing itself.
Please follow me.
Follow you... Is this a joke?
...Wait.
Let's do as he says for now.
...Are you serious?
One of the reasons for the founding of Iris Warbler is to retrieve information about the Golden Age civilization.
If what Cervantes says is true, and he knows what happened to Constellia... then we need the information from him.
...
Hm... If we don't do as he says, it may lead to bloodshed like earlier again.
We're already not a squad specializing in battle... We should act carefully.
And these exhibitions look quite interesting, there's a need for further investigation.
Fine... Is everyone at the WGAA like this?
But if this is what Commandant and Captain decide, then I don't object.
We just have to be careful...
Whoa! Is that a replica of the largest Moses-class icebreaker from Murmansk Port back in the Golden Age...? Or...
Before Lena could even finish her sentence, Ayla's attention is already fully captivated by the exhibits in the hall.
W-wait, Ayla, we need to maintain formation—
Let's be the ones on guard and leave the investigating to them.
Sigh...
Lena pinches the bridge of her nose as she tries to soothe this headache induced by the recklessness while she follows them.
