"Ugh... My head..."
It was April 23rd. While Goose sat there clutching a head throbbing with a hangover, the automobile continued its journey toward Mount Funisis.
The vibration of the vehicle seemed to echo painfully through his skull, prompting Elsa to cast healing magic on him.
"Behandeln."
It was only beginner-level healing, but it seemed to do the trick. Goose, looking significantly better, thanked her profusely.
"Elsa-dono! You’re a lifesaver!"
Saki watched the exchange from the corner of her eye, while Hanna remained captivated by the view outside the window.
They traveled for another five hours.
"So that’s Mount Funisis..."
Shortly after noon, the majestic silhouette of Mount Funisis loomed large before them.
"What a mountain..."
It looked to be at least five thousand meters high, its upper half shrouded in a mantle of pristine white snow.
"I wonder if we’ll find any clues."
At first glance, there were no signs of any man-made structures in the surrounding area.
"It has been over a thousand years, after all..." Goose remarked, his initial excitement seemingly dampened.
Indeed, data from the Watcher satellite also indicated a lack of any artificial structures in the region.
"That means it’s likely underground," Jin suggested.
Knowing that many ancient ruins were constructed beneath the surface, he felt the probability was high.
"The base for No. 600012 was under a mountain, too."
Jin asked Reiko to use her internal magi-detector to scan the area for any magical signatures.
"Yes, Father."
The magi-detector built into Reiko operated on the same principle as a magi-radar; while it was excellent at pinpointing a direction, it lacked precision regarding distance. To compensate, Reiko moved around the area to triangulate a location.
Fifteen minutes later, she returned.
"Father, there is something over there."
Reiko pointed toward the base of Mount Funisis.
"Based on a three-point measurement, I believe it is roughly five meters underground."
"Wh-What is it? What’s down there?" Goose asked, revitalized. Reiko brushed the question aside with her usual composure.
"I cannot tell from here. I only know that something is emitting magical power."
"Hmm..."
Jin considered their next move.
"Let’s get a bit closer and set up camp."
Not knowing what they might encounter, he decided to err on the side of caution.
They parked the automobile about two hundred meters away from the point Reiko had identified and pitched a tent. Jin had Edgar and Aaru stand by, ready to deploy a barrier at a moment's notice.
Hanna, Saki, and Elsa stayed at the tent. Jin and Reiko headed out to investigate, while Goose—having no means of self-defense—was relegated to the waiting group.
"I would prefer it if you stayed at the tent as well, Father," Reiko said, her concern for Jin evident.
Jin shook his head.
"How can I not go see for myself when we're this close to a discovery? Don't worry, I'm wearing my Protect Ring and the bracelet."
The Fellowship Bracelet could be triggered not just by the wearer, but also by a signal from Laojun to deploy a barrier.
"Even Laojun said he doesn't want you putting yourself in danger, Father."
"I know, I know..."
Jin truly appreciated how much they cared for him, but he often felt their concern bordered on being overprotective. It was only natural that he wanted to be the first one to lay eyes on a discovery for once. This was especially true for an opportunity like this, where the danger flourished to be relatively low.
"It's here," Reiko said, pointing at the ground beneath her feet.
"Hmm. The ground looks just like everywhere else."
There was no visible entrance. Jin decided to use magic to probe further.
"Grand Search... Oh!?"
"Did you find something, Father?"
"It looks like it. There’s a hollow space underground."
Jin hadn't expected to find it so quickly, but it was a testament to the accuracy of Reiko's scouting.
"Dig... Dig... Dig..."
Jin began to excavate the earth bit by bit.
"Oh...?"
Just as Reiko had predicted, once he had cleared away about five meters of soil, a stone surface resembling a ceiling appeared.
"Almost there. Dig."
In about ten minutes, the soil was cleared, revealing the full extent of the structure’s roof.
"Was this always meant to be an underground facility?"
There was what looked like an entrance set into the ceiling. It appeared that soil had simply accumulated over it over the centuries.
"Father, I shall proceed alone from here."
Reiko insisted on being the one to scout the interior first, citing the potential for unknown hazards.
"...All right."
Jin knew Reiko wouldn't back down on this, so he decided to leave it to her.
"In that case, Father, please return to the tent. Activate your Protect Ring..."
"I've got it, I've got it. I'll wait with a barrier up."
"Please do. Well then, I’m going in."
Once she confirmed Jin had safely reached the tent, Reiko gripped the handle-like protrusion on the entrance and pulled. It was a bit stiff, but it opened easily enough under her strength. She then vanished inside.
About fifteen minutes passed.
Anxious to know what was inside, none of them spoke.
"...Reiko is taking her time," Jin muttered, his patience wearing thin.
"Jin-nii, look!"
Elsa pointed toward the excavation site. Reiko was there, waving her hand. The entire group broke into a run.
They covered the two hundred meters in no time and skidded to a halt, waiting for Reiko's report.
"Father, the interior is completely empty. There is no danger."
As she spoke, Reiko's expression seemed uncharacteristically somber.
"...If you would, please come see for yourself."
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Though confused by Reiko’s strange reaction, Jin’s curiosity was piqued, and he headed toward the open entrance.
Inside was a staircase, faintly lit by a dim glow.
As Jin stepped onto the stairs, Reiko followed immediately behind him. Elsa, Edgar, Hanna, Saki, and Aaru followed in turn, with Goose bringing up the rear.
"Everyone, please be quiet," Reiko whispered, addressing the group.
They reached the bottom and entered a room roughly the size of eight tatami mats.
The walls and ceiling were all stone. Though the room was dim, a single magi-lamp was still burning. Aside from that, the space was entirely bare.
"Father, look at that," Reiko whispered.
She pointed to the far wall. There, inscribed on the stone, were characters that had begun to fade with time.
'Adriana *****'
There was no mistaking it. The name Adriana was clearly legible.