It was just after noon on January 12th.
"I see it! A giant golem!"
A report came in from the lead reconnaissance hot air balloon of the Kingdom of Egerea survey team. They were positioned over the Tsubou Settlement in the Former Leonard Kingdom.
"Oh! Is that the hot air balloon from the Kingdom of Egerea?"
The Klein Kingdom survey team had also spotted the balloon drifting through the sky.
"They actually did it!"
Cheers erupted from the group. It had been a week since they first set foot in the Former Leonard Kingdom, and the survey team had now achieved roughly eighty percent of their objectives.
An hour after that initial report, at 1:30 PM, the survey teams from the two nations were shaking hands.
"Thank you for coming all this way. But I must say, those Golias are quite impressive. They have real presence."
"Yes, they've been a massive help."
"Indeed, it has been quite an interesting journey."
Inside a tent pitched on the outskirts of the Tsubou Settlement, several key figures sat face-to-face: Captain Bernardo and Vice-Captain Gloria Allstatt of the Klein Kingdom survey team; Captain Bruno and the magi craftman Jade Nephroi of the Kingdom of Egerea survey team; and Major Fritz of the Shouro Empire, who was there as a reinforcement. They were exchanging reports on their findings and the routes they had taken during the investigation.
"You can get seafood at the Newrea Settlement and wild sheepa at the Awning Settlement," one reported.
"The Ugon Settlement provides honey and citran. We also found some rye growing semi-wild along the way," added another.
The Klein Kingdom would likely be the primary beneficiary of these resources.
"The path the Golias walked has been leveled out, making it much easier to travel, even if only temporarily. I took care to ensure the route had as few steep inclines as possible," Fritz explained.
The two representatives from the Kingdom of Egerea nodded at his explanation. Jade Nephroi looked as though he was dying to get a closer look at the Golias.
"We have yet to survey the Tsubou Mine, but we had a major haul at the Soldrake Ruins."
Bruno decided to be honest. He wasn't particularly good at political maneuvering, and he knew the truth would come out eventually anyway.
"Oh? Magi-crystals and golems? I must say… I’m quite envious," Captain Bernardo said with a hint of regret.
Seeing Bernardo’s reaction, Bruno made a proposal. "We haven't investigated the Botzfa Ruins yet. Why don't we conduct a joint survey?"
"Oh, that would be ideal."
The Botzfa Ruins were located approximately thirty kilometers southwest of their current position at the Tsubou Settlement. Bruno figured that with the hot air balloons, the Golias units, the knights from both countries, and a magi craftman all working together, the investigation would proceed smoothly.
Normally, a commander would prioritize their own nation's interests above all else, making the invitation of another country an unthinkable choice. This was a proposal very much in character for Bruno, who lacked a head for politics.
However, someone moved to stop them.
"You must not!"
It was the chief of the Tsubou Settlement.
"Hmm? And why not?" Bruno asked.
"Th-that place… you must not enter!"
"Why is that?"
"A dangerous entity is sealed within!"
"A dangerous entity? What kind?"
This was the first they had heard of it. None of the other residents they had encountered so far had mentioned such a thing.
"I do not know. But I am told that near the ruins, there was once a sign that read, 'Danger: No Entry.'"
"I see. No entry, huh?"
Bruno took a moment to think. This was the Former Leonard Kingdom. Records showed that these ruins had existed since the Great Magic War. Speaking from his perspective as a knight, he could think of several possibilities.
Perhaps weapons or armaments were hidden or discarded there, making it hazardous for civilians to approach. Or perhaps emergency supplies were stockpiled there, and the "no entry" sign was meant to protect them. Or, there really was something dangerous inside.
Bruno was a blunt man at heart and wasn't particularly fond of overthinking things.
"…Has anyone ever actually confirmed what's inside?" Bruno asked the chief.
"…"
The chief couldn't give a definitive answer. He certainly hadn't seen it with his own eyes, and neither had anyone else he knew.
"B-but the legends say—!"
Bruno raised a hand to silence the protesting chief.
"Yes, yes, I understand. However, we have come this far for the sake of our nations. How about we agree to proceed slowly and with extreme caution?"
He added that they had giant golems on their side as well. Indeed, the massive forms of the Golias were a reassuring sight, providing a sense of security. The chief couldn't find the words to argue further and eventually backed down.
The following day, the 13th, the survey team began their trek to the southwest.
The Golias led the way. Above them, a hot air balloon drifted through the sky, signaling the direction of travel. Specifically, the balloon would float slightly ahead in the intended direction, and the Golias would follow its lead.
"Hoh, this is impressive. Very reliable!" Fritz said, sounding impressed.
"I had no idea observation from the sky could be this effective."
The members of the Kingdom of Egerea team were also grateful for the light load, as the Golias were carrying everything except their personal belongings. This success would later lead to reconnaissance hot air balloons and transport golems becoming standard components of expeditionary forces. Forming a joint three-nation team had clearly been worthwhile.
Traveling at a steady pace of nearly four kilometers per hour, the group managed to cover the thirty kilometers while the sun was still high.
"So these are the Botzfa Ruins…"
To their eyes, the site looked like nothing more than the collapsed entrance to a mine.
In the Former Leonard Kingdom, there were generally two types of "ruins." The first were structures that anyone would recognize as ruins—likely former laboratories or supply warehouses. The second were sites near settlements that the locals simply referred to as "ruins." This place seemed to be the latter.
"…Well, there might be valuable ore or magi-crystals inside, at least…"
The group’s excitement took a bit of a hit. Regardless, the actual excavation wouldn't begin until the next day. They found a flat area near the ruins to pitch their tents, and the night passed without incident.
The next morning, the excavation finally began. The area around what appeared to be the mine shaft entrance was buried under collapsed earth and stone; digging it out by hand would have taken forever.
However, they had the powerful Golias golems with them. The Golias began to remove the boulders piled at the entrance, moving slowly but surely.
"Incredible."
"…I’m glad these giant golems are on our side."
As the knights watched and shared their impressions, the mine shaft finally opened its "mouth" just before noon.
"The Golias can't fit inside. From here on, it’s a job for us knights. But first, let’s get some food in us."
Bruno spoke with a jovial tone, as if to settle his eager subordinates. Bernardo agreed.
"He's right. Let us have a quick lunch."
On the commanders' orders, the men suppressed their excitement and hurried to prepare the meal. It was a simple affair—heating soup, roasting dried meat, and slicing hard bread. Being experienced in the field, they had everything ready in fifteen minutes.
"…Major Fritz, what do you think?"
Gloria Allstatt, having just swallowed a piece of dried meat, decided to ask for the opinion of Fritz, who happened to be sitting nearby.
"Hmm? About what?" Fritz asked, looking puzzled as he swallowed his bread.
Gloria clarified her question. "I mean about whatever is sealed in these ruins."
Fritz made a uncharacteristically grim face at the question.
"I wouldn't know. But if the captain has decided to go in, I’ll follow."
"You are an officer of the Shouro Empire. Surely you have some discretion in the matter?"
"I do, technically. But once I’ve become part of an organization, I follow the general policy of that organization unless there’s a very good reason not to."
Fritz gave a self-deprecating chuckle, adding, "Besides, I’m not much for thinking anyway."