Chapter 84. Submerged Fortress City (5)
When Enoch returned to Rhodes.
Excluding the black cloth bag he always carried. He had something else draped over his shoulder.
It was a large duffel bag.
Enoch lightly set the duffel bag down on the floor. As if the contents were heavy, a heavy thud echoed when it hit the ground.
The attention of Dionil's squad members nearby was focused on it. Dionil asked first.
"What is that?"
"Explosion-proof robe. Ripped... borrowed it from the Academia."
"What?"
"Just as I said. It's an artifact that blocks explosions."
"No, that's not what I'm asking because I don't know that."
Dionil had an expression like he had heard a bad joke. It was a story that didn't make sense in the first place.
"You mean you're going to use that in the operation, now...?"
"Yes."
Dionil shook his head as if bewildered.
"Ridiculous. I know about explosion-proof robes. Even if they can block one or two explosion spells, they use special materials, so they must be incredibly heavy. And they weren't even designed for combat in the first place."
Dionil's words weren't wrong.
That's why well-known companies' protective artifacts, designed with tactical specifications, prioritize increasing mobility while sacrificing some degree of protection.
After all, when properly hit by an opponent's magic, achieving complete protection was practically impossible.
Therefore, in actual operations or combat situations, the tactic of reducing weight to evade attacks while only having minimum defensive performance was effective.
In other words. It meant that wearing something like this into a place swarming with Magical Beasts was no different from suicide.
"In Rhodes, we don't know when the Magical Beasts might attack. Mobility is important to increase the success rate of the rescue operation. You know that, don't you?"
Enoch nodded.
He could wear the explosion-proof robe and maintain Physical Reinforcement at all times.
However, performing the operation while constantly expending mana like that would hinder his ability to respond to sudden situations.
It was a much more rational tactic for members specializing in defensive magic to take the lead and provide the initial defense when an explosion spell went off.
'Come to think of it, I would have thought the same way.'
No matter how high-performance an artifact or magic gear was. They were ultimately just items that assisted and amplified the magic of mages.
Dionil's squad, which had sufficient strength with various mages, would have no reason to use something like this.
Glancing behind him, Dionil's other squad members seemed to think the same.
But that was only common sense.
Enoch lightly tilted his head.
"It's not for you. You're very interested."
"Then what are you going to use it for? It would be too big to put on your Beast-kin girl follower."
"I'll wear it."
At those words, Dionil's expression was about to become somewhat ineffable, but it soon returned to normal.
"...Well, fine. I warned you, so do as you please. To wear that heavy thing and operate in Rhodes, which is swarming with Magical Beasts. You have a lot of nerve."
He said, glancing at the members who were diligently analyzing the map, which seemed to have been given by Emma.
"Nevertheless, thanks to your advice, we know the location of the stranded individuals. We will conduct an underground investigation of the ruins with the detection mages soon. We will move separately as planned."
Dionil said that and turned around, walking to rejoin his squad members.
Upon returning, Aspis met Dionil.
"I heard you speaking next to me. You said you were getting support from the Academia side, but I didn't expect you to bring something like that..."
"Yes. Whether it's fear of explosions, he said he'd wear the explosion-proof robe himself and enter the place full of Magical Beasts."
"That won't be easy. It will be inconvenient to move without being detected by the Magical Beasts."
Saying that, Aspis was about to shake his head with a slight chuckle when his gaze fixed just over Dionil's shoulder the next moment.
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
Aspis pointed slightly at Enoch, who was over Dionil's shoulder, with a somewhat bewildered expression.
"...But could that explosion-proof robe really be held so lightly with one hand?"
"What?"
When Dionil looked back with a blank expression.
Enoch was already walking away with light steps, holding the duffel bag containing the explosion-proof robe in one hand.
***
Enoch walked towards Sirocco, who was sitting on the rubble of the ruins, swinging her legs back and forth.
Perhaps sensing someone approaching beside her, she glanced over and smiled slightly, as if pleased.
"Me? Is there still something for me to do?"
"Of course. It's just getting started."
Dionil's operation was a secondary priority anyway.
For now, I just needed to achieve my own goal.
After all, the task I had to do from the beginning hadn't changed at all.
There was a way to find the Sword Saint's sword.
A plan had already been made.
In the past, when I first inherited the sense of mana from the Emperor's Supreme Sword, I had followed the line of mana emanating from Enoch's sword.
If I could find the line of mana this time as well, I should be able to obtain the sword without any problems, just like last time.
So, how to find that line?
Enoch easily reached a conclusion.
'I'll search every single corner.'
Naturally, this wasn't an exaggeration or empty talk. Enoch genuinely intended to search every single nook and cranny of Rhodes.
"By the way. What was that strange explosion earlier?"
"I don't know either. Only that it was magic. So for now, I'm going to find the cause of the explosion and detonate it myself."
"Huh? Detonate it?"
"Yes. If I leave it as is, it will just interfere with the plan in various ways. I'll remove it myself."
"Heh, detonate an explosion yourself. Are you alright?"
"Probably."
Enoch opened the zipper of the duffel bag and pulled out the explosion-proof robe. Its heavy weight pressed down on his arms.
Like an EOD suit worn by bomb disposal teams, it was protective gear focused entirely on defense. Its weight made agile movement impossible, and it was even uncomfortable.
However, there was no problem at all.
With his physical abilities, it should be perfectly fine.
Swoosh.
He put on the explosion-proof robe and pulled up the hood. There was iron plate-like outer material arranged like armor on the hood, chest, and shoulders.
It looked quite sturdy.
He lightly moved his arm and found it quite heavy and uncomfortable.
Was it said that they used special materials in addition to enchantment magic to block the power of explosion magic?
But roughly this much seemed to be fine.
Enoch slowly looked around the area covered in bushes and ruins.
Focusing, in his dark blue gaze, he could already see it.
'The same mana as Explosion Magic.'
Lines of mana rising from various parts of the Rhodes ruin site. Traces of mana with the same presence as Explosion Magic.
It seemed dozens were installed at least in the vicinity.
Confirming the trace of the nearest trap magic with his Sense of Mana, Enoch strode towards it.
The ruins of a tall fortress wall. Among the vines covering its surface. Something attached to a shaded spot about eye level or lower definitely came into view.
'Is that...?'
The moment he saw it, Enoch's eyes widened slightly.
A round metal can-shaped electronic device, its eerie red LED light blinking.
[Semtex Mine]
An explosive artifact that assists mine magic.
The magic attached to that mechanical artifact, as the name suggests, is a type of trap magic.
A type of trap magic that activates when various conditions are triggered, such as a specific object approaching a wall or floor where the magic is installed, or pressure being applied.
'That's the culprit behind the explosions that have occurred so far.'
The moment I saw that, a chill ran down my spine. A vague premonition turned into certainty and gave me goosebumps.
The magic itself wasn't that extraordinary. However, the mages who used this type of artifact were extremely limited in number.
As expected, I had a gut feeling that my guess was correct.
Enoch's eyes narrowed as he strode towards where the artifact was installed.
-Right now, 'she' is here in Rhodes.
And just then, an anomaly was detected in Enoch's line of sight as he fearlessly walked towards the fortress wall.
Bleep!
As if sensing his approach, the explosive artifact blinked. With a small mechanical beep, the LED emitted a strong light, instantly expanding into an orange glow—
Kwaaaaang!
Suddenly, a fierce explosion erupted with a loud roar.
The entire ruin site in the vicinity instantly vibrated violently. The remnants of collapsed building pillars, severed by time, fell with a clamor, and cracks ran along the old fortress wall.
From the upper part of the tall fortress wall, half submerged in the lake, perhaps a crack had opened, as the lake water that had been flowing like a waterfall poured down even more heavily.
But after that blast had passed.
Enoch was standing there perfectly fine. Seeing that, Sirocco tilted her head from behind, looking curious.
"Heh, what. You really seem fine?"
"Yeah."
More precisely, it was thanks to the performance of the explosion-proof robe.
Protective artifacts produced by the Empire's corporations or workshops, even if they looked ordinary, sometimes possessed special properties through the materials used or the enchantments.
Even if it looked like a thin suit or jacket, there were products whose durability specs could be compared to armor or bulletproof vests.
The explosion-proof robe I was wearing now was also the same.
However, at the same time, its limitations were also clear.
"..."
Enoch lightly raised one arm.
The arm he had instinctively raised when the explosion occurred. Inside the sleeve, he felt a throbbing sensation that seemed to reach his bones, as if it had been badly bruised.
He suddenly recalled the description from the original work.
「...Protective artifacts with defensive specs only prevent fatal injuries that pierce the body.」
「They cannot completely block the shock caused by certain magic attacks, or damage from fragments...」
It wasn't much different from a real-life bulletproof vest.
Moreover, the explosion-proof robe was not originally designed as a combat-spec artifact to withstand explosions head-on.
At best, it was merely an item to prevent safety accidents during demolition work by the Academia Expedition Team to investigate areas where entrances were blocked by rubble.
Even if it could somehow prevent the fatal damage of explosion magic. The pain was conveyed quite vividly.
'But this is enough.'
Enoch lowered his arm and smiled faintly.
In fact, it was a very obvious point. As long as I didn't die, this much pain was nothing. Above all, it was a matter concerning spec-up.
"Magic Resistance Reagent"
The potion I had taken in Leopold before. Its effect was that my Magic Resistance would increase when hit by magic. And naturally, Explosion Magic was also magic.
From here on, it was just simple logic.
If I continued to take hits from the mine magic installed while wearing this explosion-proof robe, my Magic Resistance would continuously increase.
And while doing that, I could slowly search for the place where the Sword Saint's sword might be hidden.
Enoch nodded inwardly, satisfied.
As expected, it was a perfectly flawless plan. Enoch immediately located the next explosion magic and began walking purposefully towards it.
This was a necessary task for spec-up.
Even in reality, no, precisely because it was reality, if there was an opportunity for spec-up, I had to seize it.
Enoch was already in a situation where he had gained unnecessary fame in the Empire. In other words, he had properly drawn widespread aggro from an unspecified number of people.
There was no knowing when or where an unexpected crisis might strike. Furthermore, having personally finished off Tantalus, the Annihilation Officer of Vendetta, just now. If I were to rest easy, there was a possibility that Vendetta might seek revenge.
Then there was only one conclusion.
Swordsmanship inheritance and training were basic. There was no other answer but to grow by constantly acquiring farming elements and spec-up elements from missions.
To survive. And to prepare for the future of the original work, which would inevitably arrive someday.
Enoch briefly turned his gaze to glance at the wolf-eared girl following him.
"Sirocco. Listen carefully."
"Hmm?"
"Soon, Magical Beasts will be drawn by the explosions and gather towards this vicinity. Deal with all of them."
"Heh, alright."
Sirocco replied and tilted her chin slightly. Then she closed one eye and glared at me.
"And, you be careful this time too."
"Be careful? Of what?"
"The explosions. Last time, in the abandoned fortress, because of that, you were almost buried under falling debris, weren't you?"
Come to think of it. Enoch nodded lightly.
Just a while ago, during the first battle with Leontos. When he escaped, he had collapsed the ceiling of the fortress with an explosive artifact.
I was lucky not to be buried under the debris back then. Sirocco seemed to remember that and was worried about me.
"That... I'll be careful."
"Heh. But don't worry too much this time."
"Don't worry?"
"Of course! Last time I was foolishly frozen, but this time, if something like that happens, I can save you properly!"
To Sirocco, who shouted with an inexplicably triumphant expression, Enoch nodded roughly.
With this, preparations were complete.
Sirocco's combat experience increase, the Magic Resistance boosting operation, and acting as a human bomb disposal unit while searching for the possible location of the next Sword Saint's sword.
It was time to execute a plan that was the epitome of efficiency.
Enoch walked with light steps, searching for the next mine. After all, this method of spec-up would only result in a little bruising, with no other risks.
But just then. The image of the silver-haired maid girl suddenly flashed through Enoch's mind.
...No, in fact, there was a risk.
Because there was someone who would be very, very displeased if his body got bruised.
But whether fortunately or unfortunately, she wasn't in Rhodes right now.
Lien hadn't followed him on this mission.
To be precise, it would be more accurate to say she couldn't follow.
When I registered names for supplementary personnel for this mission. Only Sirocco's name, whom I had officially taken in as a follower family, could be registered.
The situation had changed since the Beast-kin joint mission last time, where Enoch had personally taken on the role of commander and had some discretion in personnel composition.
Therefore, she, who was ostensibly (though in reality too) a maid, could not accompany him on this mission where he joined as supplementary personnel.
Rather, if a servant not even registered on the mission list were to accompany him, it might cause the negative effect of drawing even more attention from Dionil's squad members to Enoch, who was accompanied by her.
"..."
As Enoch walked, Lien's clear silver-blue eyes, which had glared as if they would never tolerate him getting hurt, flashed through his mind.
It was true that I had been slightly puzzled that Lien had accepted and not reprimanded his separate actions more than I expected.
...Perhaps he had built up a certain level of trust with her.
Perhaps she had come to accept that he wouldn't do something foolish that would get him killed by this point.
Or, perhaps Lien believed that if she were by his side. Enoch would use it as insurance and jump into dangerous situations with even more radical tactics.
Just like he did when he went to fight Tantalus at the end of the last joint mission.
In the end, no matter how I thought about it, it wasn't wrong.
Anyway, the thought of what she would say if he went back like this and got caught by Lien was somewhat frightening as it was beyond imagination...
But that was something to think about when the time came.
Enoch smiled faintly as he walked.
Ultimately, nothing was more important than the spec-up right in front of him.