46 – Laboratory (1)
Weapon artisan, Fenegrin Alto.
A weapon artisan known even within the resistance. To be precise, one who creates the most human-like weapons.
I heard he firmly established himself within the resistance with astonishing genius. The pinnacle of technical prowess within the resistance. They say that the number of weapon developers following her exceeds a hundred.
“He’s a remarkable person. The rapid advancement of the resistance’s weapons also owes much to her. She’s a genius. I rarely get a chance to have a personal meeting like this.”
“If we have only around 10 minutes left, you say?”
“There are many who would pay a fortune to get those 10 minutes. Although the interview lasts only 10 minutes, you have almost half a day to choose a weapon in the workshop, so you can relax.”
“That’s good to hear.”
We went beyond the city festival and continued to move. As she wandered through workshops scattered throughout cities where the resistance was residing, she heard that there were residents living near the festival.
The location was top secret.
As an important figure within the resistance, conversations were forbidden when changing vehicles. Apart from the basic separation of the passenger seat and driver seat, the windows were all covered.
“…Although it’s understandable, it feels somewhat suffocating…”
“Quiet.”
“…….”
I glanced sideways. The soldier sitting next to me had a sharp prayer flowing fiercely in a sword-like posture.
Truly an elite soldier. That’s exactly the feeling. If they are up close, they can win, but…
It will be troublesome if they gather in large numbers.
I think his name was Decurd Vane. He was quite different from that guy. The soldier in front of my eyes gave off a sense that he would be uncomfortable not because of individual strength but because of mechanical-like organization.
I closed my eyes. Well, they are allies anyway.
There is no need to worry too much.
The vehicle continued to roll. In the meantime, rations for transportation were provided and chewed on quietly. It was a military vehicle that couldn’t reach its destination despite its high speed.
At that moment, the already dark interior became even darker. The soldier next to me reached out his hand.
The emergency red light turned on inside the vehicle.
“…Did something happen?”
The soldier responded to Tetis Leibra’s question by nodding.
“It means we’ve arrived.”
Inside the gigantic facility.
The wheels made a clanking sound as if they had entered somewhere. It didn’t seem like it was moving directly but rather felt like the ground itself was shifting.
After a few more sequences of jolting, the shaking of the vehicle completely stopped.
The soldier opened the door.
“You must follow our instructions, Captain Tetis Leibra. Should any suspicious movement be detected, we will respond immediately.”
“Understood.”
Avakusa squinted his eyes at the sudden bright light.
“…Damn, it’s blinding.”
Inside an unidentified facility.
The mine was full of vast machines, most of which were Titans under maintenance or development. People in work clothes were coming and going inside the massive facility.
“We will move.”
We arrived at a neat reception room after passing through a wide workshop. The people standing guard around us seemed to be as elite as the soldiers right in front of us.
Blanca murmured, “Hey, calf. I see others like you around here.”
“…They’re my people.”
Abakusa glanced at the horns hanging on the man’s head. Blanca slyly chuckled.
“Can you win a fight?”
“Without my Dracon, I can’t win a hand-to-hand fight!”
“Quiet. No chit-chat.”
I thought I heard a sound.
We waited silently in the reception room. Abakusa was fidgeting uncomfortably, while Blanca was lazily yawning.
The only one maintaining a proud posture and waiting was Tettis Libra.
The sound of footsteps began to be heard from a distance. The door creaked open.
People in white coats poured into the reception room in droves.
“I’ll go, since you can’t see it. Is the Master hiding for a day or two?”
“But the schedule…”
“Get used to the Master’s whims. Most of the Master’s work can be handled from my end. Or do you doubt the Master’s disciple?”
“…No.”
The soldiers stepped back. The woman in a white coat glanced down at us.
A somewhat sharp gaze. Tapping her cheek with documents, she immediately spoke to the soldiers beside her.
“Take them to the armory D-3. Just that should be enough. If they have any desired weapons, send them all.”
“Understood.”
“Then, that’s all.”
The interview, which was scheduled for 10 minutes, ended in an instant. We had to get up almost forcibly.
“Was that just Pernegrin Alto?”
“I don’t know…There is little information.”
“At least I know he has no backbone.”
The tiresome march continued. After passing through a few doors, we could finally arrive at the proper place.
A somewhat old warehouse. Considering that the workers were bustling in other warehouses we had seen, this place was clean, but no different from an abandoned area.
The soldier entered the password. The closed door opened.
“After you’ve had a look around, you can put on the equipment you want. We will send supplies, including ammunition, separately to your unit,” they said.
We went inside. After the soldier turned on the lights, he went back outside.
“You can look around comfortably.”
“…Is it okay if I don’t watch?”
“We are monitoring it with surveillance cameras anyway.”
The door closed again. As if finally able to breathe, Abukasa stretched.
“I thought I was going to suffocate! What kind of reward is this? It’s almost torture!”
“But… it is a reward, though.”
Blanca looked into the interior. She hopped around.
“This is so cool! Hey! So this is the armory!”
Well, the real armory must be different.
I quickly scanned the interior. Countless weapon racks. Guns lined up neatly, and once you crossed one row, there were more waiting.
They came in all shapes and sizes. The ones that flickered under the lights were well-maintained goods, without exception.
“Wow! This is amazing! Look at this! Dracon! It’s a huge machine gun!”
“Grenades! Grenades! Grenades!”
“Put the products you’ve finished looking at back on the shelves!”
It was noisy inside. I took out a weapon from the display rack.
An assault rifle. An automatic rifle. When I pulled the trigger, it made a satisfying sound.
…But somehow.
It feels slightly disappointing. Compared to human weapons, the quality is…
“It’s so noisy…”
We froze. From inside the weapon storage, where there was no sign of a living being, we clearly heard a person’s voice.
And strange sounds as if something was being chewed.
Tetis Libra gestured at me with her eyes. I nodded. I cautiously moved towards the source of the voice, inside the armory.
Because they might be intruders, take it slowly…
In one swift motion!
Gotcha!
“Huagak?!”
We heard a scream of a girl. I held up what I had caught.
Girl. The ashen woman, who was thrashing about violently, growled.
“Let me go! You don’t even know who… hmm?”
Her eyes sparkled.
“A dragonkin? A fascinating creature you are!”
“And who might you be?” she asked.
“Peregrine Alto! That’s my name.”
…Peregrine Alto?
Avakusa said with a trembling voice.
“Aren’t you the renowned weaponsmith? The famous artisan ends up like this?”
“I am not just anyone. I am over 100 years old.”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
“My growth has simply stopped. It was an accident, but you could say it’s the result of my potion.”
“Can’t you make one more?”
“I was joking, you know. I am truly Peregrine Alto. Of course, I can’t make the potion. I haven’t encountered a creature suitable for its ingredients again.”
He glanced quickly at Tetis Libra.
She bowed her head.
“Are you really Peregrine Alto?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Tetis Libra checked the identification card hanging from the girl’s neck and was taken aback.
“Why are you here?”
“I was sleeping. It’s noisy outside, and here is the best place where no one can hear.”
“The best place?!”
“It’s where all rotten failed creations are put. Didn’t you know when you came in?”
Peregrine Alto looked around at us.
Our gazes met. As if sensing the atmosphere, he awkwardly smiled.
“Just kidding. It’s actually where only the finest works are collected!”
“Clearly, that’s a lie.”
“Oh, damn it… you didn’t have to ruin it! After giving you what little remains…”
“By the way, who are you people? And what are these dragonkin? Within the Resistance, I’m the only one who knows about them…”
Tetis Libra explained the situation briefly. Peregrine Alto burst into laughter.
“Interesting joke. You defeated Decurion Bane? What nonsense is that? The armor he’s wearing is one of the best among proper armor. I’ve seen a few myself; no matter how good you are, you can’t win.”
“But still, I won.”
“Well, maybe his armor was broken or something, but even if the output dropped, you wouldn’t be able to win against him. Did the Titan support you from behind?”
“We fought in the sewer. And the nearby dragon tribe subdued him.”
“So, even if he’s a dragon warrior, he can’t win…”
The droopy Peregrine Alto looked up at me.
“…Hmm?”
His voice stretched out. Checking several times with hesitation, he groaned loudly.
“That’s enough. Dragon soldier. Your throat will be choked.”
He released what he was holding more strangely than usual. The little girl who claimed she was Peregrine Alto shook her white coat.
“You’re a bit strange… As far as I know, dragon pupils aren’t that intense. Something about you isn’t ordinary. Have you had a physical exam?”
“If it was simple at the infirmary…”
“I see you haven’t had precise testing. Interesting… Good, then. Here. Help me pick a decent weapon instead of this dung heap. In exchange, cooperate with me. Dragon.”
“Do you want my body data?”
“Don’t worry about leaks. This is an extremely personal hobby. I swear I’ll keep it to myself. Besides, there’s an odd smell coming from you.”
Peregrine Alto sniffed the girl and smiled with dark circles and deep red eyes.
“A wonderful experimental subject’s scent.”
It seems like he doesn’t treat her as a human.
. . .
I followed her footsteps. The soldiers we met were surprised.
“P-Pere, Lady Peregrine! Why are you here…?”
“Shh. Be quiet. I’m heading towards my personal research lab, so it’s a secret from the noisy ones.”
“Oh, I see…”
The power structure seemed clear. We went further down. When almost all workers and soldiers disappeared, Peregrine Alto hummed a tune and stopped.
“The number of people who have seen my personal research lab inside the resistance group can be counted on one hand. Take this as an honor.”
Peregrine Alto tapped a complex security system with a floating hologram.
A creaking and rumbling door opened. When the lighting began to gradually brighten, the messy inside was revealed in an instant.
Ava Kusa muttered under her breath.
From Noble mtl dot com
“I think I know why they don’t show it. Is this a place for people to live?”
“Totally agreed.”
A dizzying room. A dumpster filled with dust and books mixed together with no place to step.
Abacus and Blanca briefly stared at the scattered sofa. Fenegrin Alto carelessly threw the stacked books behind him.
“Sit comfortably. Dragon. You, follow me.”
He moved after Fenegrin Alto. A reclining chair was located deep inside the private study.
“During blood collection, we plan to attach some equipment to your body. Do you have any usual discomforts?”
“None.”
“Then, good. Just wait comfortably.”
Fenegrin Alto hummed as he lifted the syringe. He collected blood, attached the electrodes to the body and sat in front of the computer.
“Hmm…”
Several additional investigations were conducted. I was put into the machine I’ve never seen before, and Fenegrin Alto, wielding the tools, approached me.
“mmm…”
The focused face turned towards me.
“Tell me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Just say anything. Like, what food you want to eat.”
“If it’s food I want to eat…”
Is there anything?
“…maybe pizza?”
“Pizza. It’s delicious. What topping do you prefer?”
“I like pepperoni.”
“Excellent taste. It’s a calorie bomb that makes you gain weight just by eating. But calories are a measure of taste. The higher the calories, the tastier it generally is.”
Fenegrin Alto flicked the flashlight. He checked my eyes’ reaction.
“It’s astonishing that there is no problem with your linguistic and cognitive abilities.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I am wondering whether to call you a dragon now.”
Fenegrin Alto sneered.
“In the past, maybe not, but you’re a creature now. A monster wearing a human’s skin.”