"This is the Commander Room."
The top floor, reached after riding the elevator all the way up, was the Commander Room.
It was roughly twenty tatami mats in size.
Because it was situated deep within Mount Olympus, it had no windows.
Instead, magi-monitors were arranged seamlessly along the walls from roughly waist height all the way to the ceiling, creating the illusion of a panoramic glass vista.
The hemispherical ceiling was lined with the same display, projecting the open sky above to make visitors feel as though they were standing outdoors.
"If necessary, we can switch to a telescopic feed or project different displays entirely."
It could show magnified views of distant areas or pull up architectural drawings and technical diagrams for briefings.
"Oho, this is truly marvelous."
Tomax Bartman nodded in admiration. Deus Ex Machina added:
"Unlike Avalon, this facility is designed primarily as a secret base, you see."
He explained that this was why such extensive camouflage had been put in place.
"Though the airfield itself remains undisguised."
Deus Ex Machina explained that this had likely been the design philosophy of the predecessors who built the complex.
In truth, there had once been a plan to have the runway and airfield emerge from beneath the earth, but because the soil would have remained unstable with that design, the idea was shelved for the time being.
Painting the surface brown had also been considered, but feeling that would just be an awkward stopgap measure, Jin had simply left it with the natural color of stainless steel.
Since they had no concrete enemies to worry about, it wasn't expected to pose any real problems.
"Addressing that is one of the tasks left for the 'current generation' Maquina."
Deus Ex Machina offered this smooth explanation.
He then moved on to detailing the rest of the facilities.
"Mount Olympus houses a wide variety of facilities within its interior—including accommodations, medical units, welfare and recreation spaces, production facilities, and more."
Accommodations and medical facilities went without saying.
The welfare facilities encompassed baths and entertainment amenities.
"Our recreational facilities feature a library, a heated pool, playground equipment like horizontal bars and swings, and a racing circuit."
He explained that the playground was intended for visitors with children, while the circuit was tailored for select adults.
Spanning an entire floor was an installation roughly the scale of a kart racing circuit found in modern Japan.
Naturally, golem automobiles—golem karts—stood ready for anyone wishing to take a drive.
With a track width of 8 meters and a lap distance of 500 meters, it was a proper technical course.
Depending on the kart settings, drivers could enjoy anything from a gentle children's go-kart pace up to full-fledged racing performance.
After creating Arcadia, Jin had gotten the inspiration upon seeing the circuit under construction in the Kingdom of Franz.
"Oho, that sounds quite fascinating."
Wattes Schretzer, a male executive of Nostalgia who turned fifty-three this year, wore an expression that made it abundantly clear he wanted to get behind the wheel.
(No matter how old they get, automobile enthusiasts will always love driving, won't they?)
Deus Ex Machina (= Mentor) recalled that Jin had built the track purely as a hobby.
And there was still one detail he left unsaid:
This Commander Room was merely the "Second" Commander Room.
The "First" Commander Room—boasting far superior facilities and directly integrated with the management magi-brain Poseidon—lay deep within the core of Arcadia.
One floor below the Commander Room was the residential accommodations area.
The dining hall was located on the same level.
Since it was just past eleven-thirty, they had come down to have an early lunch.
"The food here is prepared by golem cooks," Deus Ex Machina explained as they took their seats.
"The menu is over there."
Deus Ex Machina pointed to the menu board mounted above the counter separating the kitchen from the dining area.
It clearly listed the names of the dishes alongside vivid illustrations of how they were served.
"Oh, what exquisite illustrations."
"They look just like the real thing."
Photographs would have served just as well, but because explaining the underlying technology would have been a hassle, illustrations had been used instead.
"Then I shall have Lunch Set A."
"I will take the same."
"I think I'll try Set B."
...and so on, as the five guests—with the exception of Elena—each placed their orders.
Since Deus Ex Machina still had to play the part of a human for now, he ordered Set Meal A as well.
"Our ingredients include items purchased from the Shouro Empire, goods sourced from the Celuroa Kingdom, and fresh produce and seafood harvested right here on this island."
"Oho."
I will show you our fields and orchards later, Deus Ex Machina added.
"My word, that was exquisite!"
"It truly was delicious."
All five guests praised the meal's quality.
The cooks here were built to the same specifications as the 5-Color Maids of Hourai Island, and because their eyes were a warm golden-brown, their model line had been named Rutile.
There were ten Rutile units in total, numbered 1 through 10, finished with a subtle pale gold sheen.
The units currently staffing the dining hall were Rutile 9 acting as the cook and Rutile 10 serving as the waitress.
"Now then, what shall we do for the afternoon?" Deus Ex Machina asked while sipping his post-meal tea.
"Well now... how are the maritime defenses handled here?" Tomax Bartman voiced his curiosity.
"Our naval forces are managed by the Mare Squad. In that case, let us go see how the navy operates next."
Deus Ex Machina guided the party toward the elevator.
As they walked, he continued:
"Before that, allow me to provide a brief overview of Arcadia's military structure as background."
With that opening, Deus Ex Machina began his briefing.
"For aerial defense, we have the Aero Squad you saw earlier; for ground operations, the Arma Squad. And for the sea, we deploy the Mare Squad."
"Land, sea, and air coverage, then."
Elena nodded in understanding.
"Precisely. And the primary craft they operate are called Kingfishers. They are high-speed boats."
"What kind of vessels are they?"
Just as Illumina Ratkin asked, the elevator chimed and came to a halt at their destination floor.
"You will be able to see for yourselves in just a moment."
Saying so, Deus Ex Machina led everyone out of the elevator and onto the landing.
"This is one level below the surface. Specifically, the Hangar Level."
The hangar-dock complex housing the Aristotle plunged to a depth of 100 meters.
Basement levels 1 through 3 made up the entire Hangar Level.
Stepping out through the south exit of the elevator hall, they emerged onto an observation deck that wrapped around the upper section of the Aristotle's berth.
"This is magnificent."
It offered a breathtaking view looking down upon the Aristotle from above—a vantage point that was virtually impossible to experience under normal circumstances.
Several maintenance golems were clambering over the Aristotle's hull, carrying out fine adjustments.
"Those are our maintenance golems, the 'Mechanic' units."
They were golems functionally identical to the Smiths of Hourai Island, coated in sleek black.
"Well now, simply extraordinary."
Tomax Bartman murmured, letting out an appreciative sigh.
"There is still plenty more to see."
With that, Deus Ex Machina guided the group forward toward the next facility.