It was just before 6:00 AM on October 15.
Nostalgia had nearly succeeded in securing Kashimnole Base.
The "nearly" was due to a single location that continued to offer stubborn resistance. That final stronghold was the mine.
Rich resources lay dormant beneath the base, particularly copper-based metals and fire-attribute magi-crystals. One faction had barricaded themselves in a tunnel at the mine’s deepest level.
"They likely aren't brainwashed," Alum said to the Assault Force leader, Arge Ruana.
"I suspect as much. Their judgment is quick and precise—which is exactly what makes them a nuisance."
Divieniunschiavo preserves more of the subject's cognitive ability than Hypno or Seduce. However, their thinking is still restricted and simplified compared to a normal person, making them easier to handle. That was precisely why Nostalgia had been able to formulate a plan to suppress the base so effectively.
However, the group barricaded in this tunnel appeared to have joined the Magic Federation of their own free will. Their reason for choosing the tunnel was simple: an escape route existed there.
Cave-ins are a constant hazard in mining. No matter how carefully operations are conducted, reducing accidents to zero is a daunting task. The underground mines of Hourai Island were the sole exception; they had maintained a perfect safety record for 1,400 years.
Regardless, for about a century, simple Warp Gates had been installed in some mines as an emergency means of escape when cave-ins blocked the exits. In the case of Kashimnole Base, this gate led directly to the headquarters on Electra Island.
This was information even Alum had not possessed. It had only come to light thanks to a report from someone who had been liberated from the influence of Divieniunschiavo.
However, to ensure they did not interfere with mining or ore transport, these gates were stored as a set of components. The drawback was that they could not be used unless assembled, meaning they were often useless in the event of a sudden leak of toxic gas.
In this instance, that drawback worked in Nostalgia’s favor. The barricaded holdouts had not yet escaped.
"How long will it take to assemble?" Arge Ruana asked Alum.
"If one person were doing it, I'd say about thirty minutes."
"I see. With four people, they could finish it in a little over seven minutes."
In reality, the holdouts were preoccupied with defending themselves against Nostalgia’s non-lethal attacks. Three were focused on defense, meaning only one person was actually performing the assembly.
"We can't afford to wait any longer. Send in two golems."
Of the nine golems they had brought, two had been shut down and two were malfunctioning. Arge Ruana sent the two golems with the least damage into the tunnel.
However, another Magi Machine that Laojun had been concerned about was slumbering in that tunnel.
"Go! Crush the intruders, Golem!"
It was a mining golem.
Unlike combat golems or general-purpose golems, it had no individual identification function. It was a semi-autonomous type that simply obeyed whoever set its commands upon startup. Furthermore, since the tunnel was a single path, it was programmed to move in a designated direction and eliminate any obstacles. It lacked the intelligence to judge what those obstacles were.
Golem and golem clashed.
Because the mining golem was functionally simple, it was superior to even combat golems in this environment. Its sole mission was to pulverize the obstacle in front of it and move forward. While it was defenseless against attacks from the side, the narrow tunnel perfectly covered that weakness.
"Damn it, they thought this through!"
That tactical decision alone confirmed that the holdouts were acting of their own free will.
"At this rate, they're going to get away!"
That had to be avoided. While the Magic Federation would realize Kashimnole Base had been reclaimed within a day or two, Nostalgia wanted to keep their specific military strength a secret at all costs.
"...I understand. I'll handle this myself."
Elena, who had been monitoring the situation via a transceiver-sized small manaphone, made her decision.
"Lady Elena?!"
"Please, stop!"
The executives, who only remembered her former level of strength, all tried to stop her at once.
"It will be fine. Please, trust me."
With those gentle words, Elena left the command room and hurried toward the Warp Gate.
Traveling from Toryu Island to Kashimnole Base in an instant, Elena rushed toward the lowest level—the mining district.
"What is the situation?"
"Lady Elena?!"
The personnel were shocked to see her arrive.
"Explain the situation," Elena commanded, checking to see if the status had shifted during her minute of travel.
"Y-yes! We're being blocked by a mining golem and can't push any further back."
"I see... Then there isn't a moment to lose."
Elena stared into the depths of the tunnel. In her hand, she gripped a newly forged shortsword.
"Surely, Lady Elena, you don't mean to go yourself?"
"I do. Deploying our maximum combat power is the best move. Therefore, I will go!"
Before her subordinates could stop her, Elena dashed into the darkness of the tunnel.
"Lady Elena!!"
Alum and the others' voices echoed behind her.
Running through the tunnel at thirty kilometers per hour, Elena spotted the mining golem blocking her path. It stood 2.5 meters tall—a large-class golem. Compared to it, Elena’s 150-centimeter frame looked like a child’s.
Elena jumped, aiming for the golem's head. The machine thrust a massive fist toward her—a blow that would cause devastating damage if it landed.
However, it was a feint. Elena planted her left hand against the tunnel ceiling and used the momentum to drop her body instantly. She slipped between the mining golem's legs and circled behind it.
Against an agile opponent, the bulky mining golem was at a disadvantage. Since it wasn't a combat model, its rear defense had never been a priority.
"Stay deactivated for a while."
Elena reached for the emergency stop switch at the back of the golem's neck and channeled her mana into it.
"That should do it."
Leaving the dormant mining golem behind, Elena pressed further in. Fortunately, the tunnel was a straight shot to her destination.
A minute later, she reached the chamber where the simple Warp Gate was being assembled—a small room excavated into the side of the tunnel. Elena arrived just as the finished gate was about to be activated.
"I made it in time!"
Elena threw her shortsword. Her aim was true, and the blade plunged into the simple Warp Gate before it could activate.