Finally, today is the book attack on the ruins.


Check your equipment before you leave.

　For this strategy, it's important not to get caught by the magic sensor. Therefore, I won't carry anything that might be related to magic. The firearms are left behind because they have a magic mark on them, and magic potions are no good either. Neither motorcycles nor sabers are adopted because they are made of magical materials.

　Instead, I packed a body armor, a helmet, a grenade with a handle, a long-handled handle with a stun gun, multi-purpose goggles, and a backpack with a C-4 (explosive) and its detonator, a thermite grenade, etc. The rest is food and water.

　After checking the windows, we finally leave for the ruins.

Ryota, make sure you call me when you are in danger, okay?　I'll come for you!

''I was happy to become an electronic spirit, but due to the magic power, there are some things that can be this chilling... I'll make sure you're safe!

"Mister, whenever the guard golem reacts, its magic sensor turns red. When that happens, why don't you just run away?

Mogu...

Don't worry about me. I'll be gone as soon as I feel uncomfortable. I'll run for my life.

　And this is how I was warmly dismissed.


★ Arriving at the ruins.

　It took us about two hours to reach the ruins, and we managed to arrive at the site around 9:00 am.

　The mechanism is unknown, but the ruins are illuminated by the warm light from the ceiling, just like sunlight, and the wreckage has been cleaned up unlike yesterday.

　The guard golem is alerted by the guard golem, but it is waiting in what appears to be a former resident's dwelling, and there is no sign of movement. For now, it's calm and quiet.

　However, upon closer observation, a small golem is carefully cleaning the dwelling... Is the thinking crystal still waiting for the residents to return?

　According to the goddess, the old civilization died about 4,000 years ago. We don't know when the inhabitants disappeared, but I don't think it made much difference.

　If the thing called thought crystals is self-conscious, though, this is a terrible imprisonment. No, I guess you could call it an infinite hell.　What kind of thoughts does the thinking crystal have to maintain the ruins and wait for them?

　With this in mind, I aim for the building in the center of the ruins and reach it without incident.

　The door of the building looks very solid. But it doesn't look like metal with the color and texture of a beautiful white porcelain cup. First of all, I look for a way to open it, but if it's not there, will it be possible to blow it up with C-4?

　I was about to approach first to investigate when the door opened and I heard a voice. It's an ancient language, but I can hear it. Thanks to the data that Manya and Windowflower had registered all night.

'Welcome back, Master, we have been expecting you for a long time. And I'm sorry. The facility has a 65% damage rate and the last magic collection device also stopped functioning 9 days ago. I have only 2,650 hours of operating time left. Our food production facilities have not yet been restored either.

　How will she be able to detect me?　The magic collection device is probably caused by a landslide, and the timing is right. I can sense a high degree of intelligence in the conversation. And yet, strangely enough, I don't feel threatened.

　On the contrary, the thought crystals that have been functioning for 4,000 years finally mistook me for a master at this time of year when its life span was set. Even if it was a coincidence, I felt a connection to be there. At the same time, I felt sad.

'You are probably the thought crystal of this institution, aren't you?　Can you recognize me?
Yes, sir. It's only in this area that we have motion sensors and optical cameras.

　What I'm about to say. I know it's a very stupid thing to say. But I've heard that you've been waiting a long time. And with about 110 and a half days of operating time left. I had to tell you...

Nice to meet you. I'm Ryota, and my last name is Onaka. I'm sorry, but I'm not your master. To put it simply, I'm just a thief, okay?

　What am I saying to an artifact?　 I've felt respect for that. So I decided to deal with it in good faith.

　I decided to be sincere.

'No, indeed, you are the master. The ring you wear around your neck on a cord. It's a residency certificate, granting me administrative privileges. There is no record of a robbery. And I'm sorry. Nice to meet you, I'm our facility's thought crystal [Haruka].

　Hanging around his neck is a ring given to him by the village of the bandit mobsters who exterminated the Kong Trolls. Is this proof of management?　Blessing of the spirits, I didn't think it was meant to be like this...

　Wearing a ring gets in the way of handling a weapon. In addition, it looks shabby. It wasn't regrettable, but I couldn't bear to indulge my gratitude, so I somehow hung it on a leather cord like a recognition slip.

　The guys in the village, if they knew it was a blessing from a thought crystal or golem, they would be surprised.

It was given to me as a thank you for rescuing a village, right?　Once again, I'm not a resident or a master.

"Hmph, the former master said. [A thief doesn't say he's a thief. He tells lies and keeps quiet about convenient misunderstandings. That's human. You need to understand humans better so that you don't blend in with the spies of the burglars]...

　I see. It seems that the original master had developed [Haruka] as a personality as well.

''Therefore, you are not a thief. Besides, if it was officially transferred to you, it means that the administrative authority was also officially transferred to you. Please rest assured, you are definitely my new master, right?

　I'm in a bit of a pickle.

　Even if you call me the new master, I have no way to help [Haruka]. Furthermore, I have no idea how to repay 【Haruka】 who has been working so hard all this time.......

'Please come in, I want to make a report before we go down. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to do so before the outage. Thank you, my new master.

　Would it be a reward for [Haruka] just for me to hear the report?