Chapter 134: The Rescue

The Kingdom of Garcia.

At the far edge of its capital lay a sprawling slum.

…and at the very fringe of that slum stood a structure that appeared to be the base of some shadowy underworld organization.

From a rooftop some distance away, Ryu observed the building in silence.

“Hmm…”

(So that’s the structure connected to the underground factory. Four guards at the gate. At a glance they look like members of some back-alley syndicate… but if you watch closely, the way they stand, the way their eyes move—they’re knights. Their weapons are far too well maintained for common thugs. …Even an amateur like me can tell. For Imperial intelligence agents, it must have been obvious at first sight. Still, to locate the entrance to the underground factory in such a short time… impressive work, Branch Chief.)

───Their efforts cannot go to waste.

First, he needed to decide how to infiltrate.

(This time I don’t need to worry about anyone’s life except Zekkai’s. Once she’s rescued, she can escape easily on her own, so there’s no need to secure a retreat route. I’m going to destroy this place anyway, and everyone involved will die—no need to show consideration. Even if the alarm is raised and assassins swarm in, it changes nothing for me.)

In short—

“No need to overthink it. A frontal assault. That’s the optimal solution.”

Storming a factory guarded by an S-rank adventurer.

The privilege of the strong.

A true dragon’s delight.

Ryu strode toward the entrance.

His confident gait drew the guards’ attention immediately.

“Y—”

───Who are you?

He did not permit such a lengthy line to be spoken.

In a single instant, he harvested not merely their consciousness—

—but their lives.

“Well then. Time to enter the underground factory.”

Wiping the blood from Kurikara’s blade, he stepped inside.

Unexpectedly, the interior was empty. Only a staircase leading downward awaited him.

(Huh. Did they focus all their security outside?)

In truth, the men he had just slain were members of a special royal unit—but Ryu had no way of knowing that.

Incidentally, there were multiple routes leading into the underground factory. This was merely one of them.

After descending for several minutes, the view remained unchanged—but gradually, the metallic clang of construction began to scrape against his ears.

“Looks like airship construction has already begun.”

The kingdom must be fully committed.

(Come to think of it… what powers an airship? This is just speculation, but I imagine there’s a core—something like a human heart. Whether that core is mass-producible… or a one-of-a-kind ultra-rare treasure discovered in some deadly zone or extreme dungeon… that changes everything.)

Ryu suspected the latter.

If the core could be mass-produced, they would begin with small prototypes.

Starting immediately with a massive airship suggested otherwise.

“…I want it.”

He would hand the blueprints to the Empire’s upper brass.

But the core itself? That would go into his own pocket.

In doing so, Imperial researchers would gain invaluable knowledge, humanity would be delayed in its advance into the skies, and his mysterious personal collection would grow.

(When you think about it, it’s simple. Why didn’t I realize it sooner?)

Just as the outline of an answer began to take shape in his mind, the staircase came to an end.

◇◇◇

Below Ryu’s gaze—

“Whoa… what the hell is this…?”

An underground space so vast it defied the word “huge” stretched before him.

Bridge-like walkways connected platforms across a cavernous floor.

Countless corridors ran through the inner walls.

Researchers, construction workers, and security personnel hurried busily through the maze.

(…Like an anthill.)

And at its center—

—the crystallization of human ingenuity.

An airship.

(Progress looks about twenty percent complete. If finished, it’ll be hundreds of meters long—a flying weapon of mass slaughter. The dragonkin will tear this continent apart in fury. But even so…)

“…It’s fast. Far too fast.”

(The person leading this project must be a monstrous genius.)

Not long ago, the kingdom had declined to the point of being called the weakest among the great powers.

But after a certain event, its momentum surged.

That event—

—the summoning of a Hero.

(Yeah… that so-called genius is probably the Hero. Running wild with knowledge from another world, huh? What a nuisance…)

Still, the airship’s core and the Hero’s involvement were only conjecture.

The real work began once he confirmed it with his own eyes.

“For now, assuming Zekkai is alive, I need to locate where she’s being held…”

(There’s too much magic in the air—I can’t trace her mana. If she were at full strength, maybe I could detect it. But the enemy isn’t foolish enough to restore her completely. She’s probably being kept restrained in a weakened state.)

“If I want the blueprints, I extort a researcher. If I want Zekkai’s location, I extort a knight.”

The highest priority this time was rescuing Zekkai.

…Which meant—

(Extort a knight. Rescue Zekkai. Have her drink an elixir and fully recover. Obtain the blueprints together. Entrust them to her and send her ahead to escape. Personally secure the airship’s core. Then destroy this entire underground factory—researchers and airship included.)

At that perfect moment, a patrolling knight approached from ahead.

“Fwaaah… I’m so sleepy…”

◇◇◇

Underground factory. Intruder detention cell.

A stomach growled loudly within the darkness.

“…………” Grrr—

(As expected… I’m starving…)

The sound came from Zekkai.

It had been over a week since she’d eaten a proper meal.

Her throat had been burned; even drinking water was difficult.

She continued to battle pain, hunger, and magical depletion all at once.

(I may die before being transferred to the royal castle’s underground prison… but if so, so be it.)

───Just as she had truly begun to abandon hope.

“Heyyy—are you still alive?”

“…………”

(The Lightning Emperor again…? No. The tone is different…)

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

And saw a familiar face.

“！？！？！？”

(You came to save me…!?)

“Ryu… Uu… A…”

“No need to force it. Looks like your throat’s been burned. …Well, I don’t need this anymore.”

Ryu tossed aside the blood-soaked knight he’d been holding.

Then, as casually as if bending reeds, he tore apart the iron bars with his bare hands and stepped inside.

“Here. I brought an elixir. Can you open your mouth?”

“…………” Nod, nod.

Gathering the last of her strength, Zekkai poured the elixir down her scorched throat.

Her wounds began healing visibly.

───And then.

She tore apart her restraints and rose to her feet.

“You have my gratitude, Ryu Arden. Thanks to you, I—”

Grrrrr—

Her stomach growled again.

“…………”

“…………”

“There’s some street food I bought earlier in my item bag… want it?”

“…I shall partake.”

After devouring every last bite and making a full recovery, Zekkai exited the cell alongside him.

“All that’s left is obtaining the blueprints. Will you help?”

“Of course. It was my mission to begin with. I will assist.”

“Having an Imperial mage on my side is reassuring.”

“Hmph… was that sarcasm?”

As they walked down the corridor—

A mage wearing luxurious robes and a monocle appeared ahead. His appearance gave off an air of refinement and purity.

“Oh my, oh my, oh my? I sensed something strange—and it seems we have a new intruder!”

That impression shattered instantly.

Zekkai halted, cold sweat forming.

“Y-You…!”

(He sniffed us out after all… Lightning Emperor.)

The Lightning Emperor’s lips twisted into a vulgar grin, like a child who had discovered a new toy.

“After I kill that intruder, I’ll turn you into a rag again. This time… perhaps I’ll tear off your limbs so you can never escape!”

(You’ve fully recovered… must’ve used an elixir. No matter. It changes nothing about how much I can hurt you.)

Spreading his arms, he laughed.

“Heh heh heh… shall we begin? Once more, you’ll be burned by my lightning and let out those pathetic scream—”

───In that instant.

Ryu appeared directly before him.

Black lightning crackled around his fist.

“Narukami.”

The strike landed squarely in the Lightning Emperor’s abdomen.

“Bweh—!!”

He vomited blood as he was blasted backward, embedding deeply into the wall before losing consciousness.

“…What was with that disgusting guy?”

“The Lightning Emperor… the S-rank adventurer.”

“Wait. That was him?”

“Yes. That was him.”

“…The world’s doomed.”

“Agreed.”

(I saw nothing… not even I perceived it…)

“Alright. Let’s go find those blueprints.”

“W-Wait! You’re not finishing him off!?”

“Not yet. He has a role to play.”

“A role…?”

(…Well. As long as Ryu Arden is here, we’ll manage somehow.)

The Sorceress of the Absolute Sea followed at Ryu’s back.