Chapter 278 - I Came to Another World (1/2)

I Came to Another World

It was a female elf. But there was something different. There was…an air of purity perhaps. The hair was blonde and close to white. A lot like Daniela’s. Maybe she was a light elf?

“No…that is an ancient elf…”

I thought back on the time Adlus had approached Daniela, and I had gotten angry. We had then had a conversation about how light elves were related to the ancient elves. If that was true, this woman in front of us was likely an ancient elf. After all, why would a light elf come out here and now?

‘Elf detected among the intruders in the center. Switching from attack mode to conversation mode.’

“Huh…?”

It was the voice of a human but was also machine-like.

I had heard it before.

‘This is the Facility Number 125. Reserentrible. State your business.’

The woman in the light said. While I could hear her, my mind was thinking of other things.

“This dungeon…facility. The structure has been altered, resulting in monsters rising to the surface. We wish to stop it.”

‘I have currently detected the invaders in the center and the interception mechanism has been activated. After it has been running for one-hundred and sixty-eight hours, the facility will be reset.’

“Can you not do something about the monsters that are getting out?”

‘After investigating the matter, it appears that the management systems for the laboratory animals have malfunctioned. It will take twelve hours to repair them.’

The words ‘laboratory animals’ brought me back. So, those monsters were the results of their experiments?

‘Indeed. The mixing of species was an attempt at solving food shortages.’

“So, you really are an ancient elf?”

‘Incorrect. I am an elf, but I never claimed to be ancient.’

“We are people who live a thousand years after your people. To us, you are someone from the past.”

‘…I see. The passage of time has been confirmed. It is currently AD 1425. A thousand years have passed since the creation of this facility.’

I wasn’t sure what ‘AD’ meant, but she was now aware of how much time had passed.

‘Very well. I will allow you to call me an ancient elf. Your purpose here has been confirmed. The facility will be reset. This will occur automatically in one-hundred and sixty-eight hours. During the reset, the interior structure of this facility will change. I advise you to leave before then.’

“I understand. We will leave immediately.”

I had things I wanted to ask. However, now was not the time. We had one-hundred and sixty-eight hours. That was seven days. A week. We had to get everyone out of the dungeon in the meantime.

‘The tower will sink into the ground, and none of the facility will be visible from the surface. Furthermore, security will be tightened. All intruders will be henceforth rejected.’

“What…?”

“Is it shutting down…?”

‘Incorrect. It will just be vacant.’

That sounded even worse…! What would happen to the town?

“But there’s nothing we can do.”

“That’s true…”

“We should prioritize helping people escape. Am I wrong?”

“…You aren’t. We should rush back to the capital. It will take many more men to go and find everyone.”

That being said, I wasn’t sure the military would move. After all, those who entered were responsible for their own safety. Even if you went in to save someone.

“I’ll handle that matter.”

“You, Manager?”

“Why are you looking at me like that? Are you doubting me?”

“No, not exactly…”

“I have many acquaintances in the army who are former Adventurers. It won’t hurt to try and take advantage of that.”

If that’s what she meant, I knew people as well.

“Well, I’d like to ask you a favor then. I’m going to write a letter that I want you to deliver. It should reach him.”

“Hmm. Very well. Leave it to me.”

The captain of the shadows. Mister Tames. Surely, he would help us.

We decided to leave the center for now. It didn’t feel right to stay there. And I wasn’t the only one who felt like we were intruding on their sacred territory. When we had first entered, the voice said something about a ‘communication mode.’ That suggested that a trap would have been activated had Daniela not been there. As for the hologram, it seemed to be coming from the stone monument. But there was so much I didn’t know.

“First, Rindo will return to the capital. And Lemon will go with her, just in case something happens. Do you mind?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Neither do I.”

“Good. Then wait just one moment.”

Daniela said as she stretched a hand towards me. What? I looked at the palm of her hand, but it was empty.

“Hmm?”

“I am going to call Rachel. Lend me the key.”

“Ah, right. Yeah, I guess that would be faster.”

They would be able to return to the Empire in the blink of an eye. I took the key out of the hollow bag. Manager and Lemon looked at it curiously, but Daniela didn’t bother to explain. Instead, she pushed it into the air and turned it. The space before us distorted as the familiar alley came into view.

“Woah!”

“What is this?”

“It is a tool for dimension magic. It connects to a place where an acquaintance of ours lives. Follow me.”

Daniela and I entered. The others followed very hesitantly. I remembered feeling like that when it was my first time. It was all very confusing.

Now that we were in, I opened the window to the side.

“It’s a Japanese style room…”

Manager muttered. Her reaction was amusing, but this was no time to laugh.

“Rachel? Are you in there?”

“Hmm? Ah, it’s just you.”

“Hey, master. I have a little favor to ask.”

“I am very busy. I cannot help you all of the time… Oh? So you’ve created a harem, after all, have you? Haha. What an idiot you are!”

“That’s not what this is. And this is quite serious.”

“Hmph. You’re a boring one. Well, come in then. That gray elf and Japanese woman might as well come too. Damn it. So many people all at once… No one ever visited me when I was younger…”

Manager was surprised to be referred to as Japanese. I followed after Daniela, who entered first. Manager and Lemon were full of caution as they made their way through the window.

“Uh, sorry for the intrusion.”

“Excuse me…”

As the five of us sat around the table, cups were brought out. Lehaty had come with a tray.

“Hello.”

“Hello. It has been a while.”

Lehaty said with a smile. She seemed a lot more comfortable around people now. Perhaps life with Rachel had made her more confident. Her wolf ears were sticking straight up now and looked cute.

“So?”

Rachel asked as she sipped her tea with an irritated expression.

“The thing is…”

And then I told her about what had happened today. The labyrinth disaster. Ancient elves. The time limit. After I was finished, Rachel sighed and waved her hand. Nothing happened.

“I have set a door near the Empire, so you can go through there. However, it is a one-way door. So you’ll have to run your fastest back to Reserentrible.”

“Thank you. Miss Rachel.”

“Hmph. It’s the least I can do for someone from my old home.”

“…So, you really are from Japan then?”

“I was once. But now I am just a monster.”

“A monster…”

“Rachel is a wolf that lived for eight hundred years. She was Japanese before she reincarnated.”

As Rachel was doing a poor job of explaining herself, I did it for her. But perhaps it was deliberate because she seemed rather unhappy as she looked away.

“Thank you… I’m glad to have met you. Maybe we can talk some other time.”

“Perhaps. Now hurry up and go.”

Rachel said as she waved her hand. Manger nodded with satisfaction and then led Lemon out of the window.

“Wa…ahhhhhh…”

“Ahhhhhhh…”

…Their screams faded into the sky. I sighed. Rachel was chuckling to herself.

“They’ll hate you for that.”

“Hmph. As if I care. So? You still have business with me then?”