Chapter 2387: Chapter 2388: Mechanist Core

"What is she trying to do?" Nis noticed the direction No. 03 was heading and asked in confusion.

A water wizard suddenly rushed towards the area obscured by the flame magic rune, is she intending to seek her own death?

Or is it that she’s only faking a run and will turn midway?

While everyone was puzzled, No. 03 showed no signs of turning; she plunged directly into the flame magical ground.

As soon as she entered the flame magical ground, No. 03 felt the terror of the surrounding flames, the fierce blaze even scorching the space, repelling all forces.

In the flame magical ground, No. 03 couldn’t even gather the power of water.

Because of this, her crystalline dress, without the protection of water power, instantly turned to ashes.

The flames burned her clothes, invading her fair and flawless skin.

Under the protection of her bloodline, No. 03 could barely maintain a semblance of composure, but her skin started showing a pink hue. Remaining in the flame magical ground for a period of time would surely cause devastating damage.

It could be said that the flame magical ground is a natural fiery cage, most restraining to ocean mages.

However, this restraint isn’t absolute; if the ocean mage also masters the rune power, the result might be different.

Unfortunately, the law of runes itself is extremely rare, and No. 03 hasn’t learned it. Facing such a terrifying flame power, she had almost no way to counteract, unless she left the flame magical ground.

However, No. 03 showed no sign of escape, her target was clear—

"The mechanical head!" Nis: "She’s running towards that mechanical head!"

As those words fell, No. 03 braced herself against the sweeping flames, rushing towards the vicinity of the mechanical head. At this time, under the control and burning of the flame magical ground, the outer shell of the mechanical head had completely melted, exposing all the internal components.

Some large gears and special chains were also burned to the point of merging into a lump, completely unrecognizable as the shape of a "head." In its current state, Ferro’s nickname for it seems more appropriate: "iron lump."

Looking at the almost deformed Surge Alchemist head, No. 03 wasn’t too disappointed; her gaze even carried a hint of relief.

Because in her view, inside this piece of silver, fluid luminous "iron lump," a familiar water vapor oscillation was gently releasing.

"Indeed, the Mechanist Core hasn’t been burned." No. 03 sighed with relief. The reason she rushed into this "absolute dead end" was to bet on the core not being easily destroyed by fire.

The facts proved she won the bet.

"This is the first time I’ve seen someone so eager to throw themselves to death." Ferro’s voice echoed inside: "If you still wish to live, you’d better come out now. Don’t expect me to retract the flame magical ground."

"Actually, this is also quite good..." Nis swallowed: "I haven’t had enough of that white body just now, now it’s a bit pinkish, why do I feel even more excited?"

No. 03’s clothes were all burned to ashes; if not for the concealment of flames, she was truly exposed.

No. 03 snorted coldly, not replying, but rather reaching out to touch the already "iron lump."

Sizzle—

This was the sound of flesh tearing, accompanied by a hint of charred smell.

In such perilous circumstances, No. 03 completely ignored it, even extending her other hand forward.

Both hands slowly fused into the "iron lump"... Eventually, even her whole body embraced it, until she was entirely absorbed inside.

Ferro: "She... merged with the iron lump."

"What do you mean?" Due to the flame’s concealment, Nis didn’t know what was happening inside.

Ferro carefully sensed the situation within the flame magical ground and then said: "She went inside that iron lump herself, now I can’t sense her presence."

"She went into the flame magical ground just to become one with that mechanical head? What a strange hobby." Nis muttered, then told Ferro: "Since she’s in that mechanical head, continue burning."

As long as that mechanical head is thoroughly melted, No. 03 inside would naturally be exposed.

Ferro pondered for a moment and decided to go with Nis’s idea, starting to intensify the burning of the iron lump. Though he found it odd No. 03 went inside the iron lump, having no other strategies now, it seemed burning was a first move.

Initially, it went well; the external mechanical parts of the iron lump were easy to burn.

But once it came to the interior, a surge of water force emerged, resisting the burning of flames.

This puzzled Ferro, knowing that the interior of the flame magical ground repels all non-fire energies. Yet, there was water power inside capable of counterbalancing with the flame magical ground, indicating the energy level of the water power must be high.

Ferro continued to increase intensity, but the internal water power still remained unbreakable, as if a gently resilient force was protecting the core inside.

"Wizard Ferro, although energy is veiled, I know you’re outside."

Suddenly, No. 03’s cold-toned voice came from inside the iron lump.

"If the Mechanist Core isn’t controlled by anyone, it indeed can be easily burned, but I have now taken over it, and as long as my magic power does not deplete, it will exist always."

"Even if you amplify the flame rune, you won’t quickly break through the external defense."

Ferro squinted: "Are you provoking me?"

No. 03: "Not provoking. I’m merely stating a fact."

"I entered the Mechanist internally only for self-preservation. My previous promise stands; when No. 01 and No. 02 return, I’ll explain to them and provide compensation then."

"But now, I won’t leave the Mechanist internally."

No. 03’s stance was clear; she’d rather hide within the Mechanist than be subject to external control.

Since neither side had a foundational trust, even if there was potential communication, lacking mutual trust and caution rendered everything futile.

Ferro kept burning and also tried probing No. 03 with words.

But it was all to no avail.

The flame magical ground was continuously counteracted by the water power, as No. 03 remained silent.

Under such circumstances, Ferro was also somewhat at a loss, turning to look at Nis, communicating through the Spell of Whispering: "What should we do now?"

Nis pondered for a while, not following up Ferro’s query with a direct answer, but rather asked in return: "Do you think she’s telling the truth?"

"You mean about her promise?"

Nis shook his head, "I don’t believe in promises made by women. Without seeing the benefits, everything is just empty words."

"I’m talking about what she mentioned earlier about the ’Mechanist Core’.

Although what exactly the Mechanist Core is remains unknown, from No. 03’s tone, it’s basically inferred that the Mechanist Core is the central power source of that metal lump.

"She said that without anyone controlling it, the Mechanist Core is easily destroyed, but now that she is in control, as long as her Magic Power doesn’t deplete, she can keep it going indefinitely. Do you think this is true?"

Ferro: "If it’s true, she has essentially revealed the weakness of the Mechanist Core."

Although Ferro didn’t say it directly, his words suggested that he didn’t believe No. 03’s statement.

Nis also nodded, "Whether it’s true or not, I’m sure she’s definitely hiding something."

No. 03’s reckless rush towards this mechanical head must have its plan. According to her, it’s just to find a place of refuge, but for Nis, this is highly likely to be a lie. The Mechanist Core’s Water Power, capable even of warding off the Flame Power, is described by her as a useless shelter; logically, this doesn’t add up.

"I’m guessing there are other secrets about the Mechanist Core."

But what the situation is exactly, we can’t probe into yet. Only by breaking the water defense of this iron lump can we understand the truth within.

However, how to break it is a challenge.

Even the energy of the Flame Power can’t break through that layer of Water Power, and they couldn’t think of another way.

"Since she can’t come out for now, we’ll just wait and see." Nis: "If that airwave appears again later, let’s see if she slips up."

Ferro also nodded, as the Fire Law Ground is like a cage he’s been in control of from inside, noticing any little breeze or movement right away.

Instead of staying around the Fire Law Ground, they walked back into the depths of the Mist.

When they saw Angel again, he was talking with Nausicaa and Reynaud about No. 03.

"Are you sure there’s nothing hidden inside the base laboratory?" Angel asked Reynaud.

Earlier, No. 03 had implied they should enter the laboratory, which made Angel wary of it.

Reynaud pondered for a moment, just about to answer when the loud rumbling sound from afar interrupted him.

After the rumbling, the airwave appeared on cue. Confronting this irresistible force, everyone was once again frozen in place.

Dozens of seconds later, as the echoes of the airwave faded, Nis immediately turned to Ferro, "What’s happening inside the Fire Law Ground?"

Ferro shook his head, "That woman hasn’t been forced out."

"Even such a strange airwave couldn’t force her out; that Mechanist Core isn’t simple. Nis was earlier somewhat hesitant, but now he was very certain that No. 03 must be hiding something, she certainly isn’t simply using the Mechanist Core as a place of refuge."

Angel: "Since she’s not coming out for now, we can ignore her for now. I’ve already had Earl Mi hiding near the Fire Law Ground, and as soon as she comes out, Earl Mi will take care of her."

After saying this, Angel turned to Reynaud: "Do you know what this airwave is all about?"

With a face full of palpitating fear, Reynaud shook his head, "When I was in the laboratory before, I had never encountered such a situation."

Reynaud knew nothing about the airwaves, so Angel had to give up and continued to inquire about the laboratory’s situation.

"Is there anything hidden in the lab? I can’t confirm for sure, but the lab has five underground levels, and I’ve been to each of them." Reynaud paused, providing a simple description of the lab’s internal layout, "The first four levels include the experiment center, materials library, storage room... and so on. Oh, and there was the showroom for us experimental subjects, as well as the dormitories for the sequence after No. 04. As for the fifth floor, I’ve only been there once; it has three rooms, which are the residences of No. 01, No. 02, and No. 03."

"During my decades of living in the lab, I’ve basically figured out the layout of the mechanisms. There are indeed many isolated mechanisms with some degree of danger, but to say they are hidden... I really haven’t discovered anything. Besides, if there were, Nausicaa and I also went inside before, and we didn’t encounter any threats posed by the lab itself."

Because Reynaud lived in the laboratory for decades without encountering significant threats, he formed a preconceived notion.

However, for Angel and the others, who had never entered the lab before, facing the unknown naturally filled them with caution and probing.

Nis: "Are you sure there are only five levels?"

Reynaud nodded, "I’m sure. Because the laboratory frequently moves on the seabed, I’ve seen the overall structure of the lab and can confirm there are only five levels."

"Then it’s strange, as all the top sequence members have their own apartments, what about No. 00?" Nis questioned.

Reynaud was also stunned. Yes, if No. 00 really existed, he would definitely have a separate residence as someone above the sequence, so where could he be?

Nis: "Perhaps in your perception, the structure of the lab is already clear. However, I suspect there might be a hidden place in this laboratory, and that so-called No. 00 is likely there."

Regardless of whether Nis’s guess is correct, No. 00 can be confirmed to exist, and as long as such a sequence exists, he certainly occupies a certain position in the laboratory. But now, he’s almost like a hidden presence... perhaps, this is the reason why No. 03 quietly urged them to enter the laboratory.

Of course, everything is still a guess.

The real situation will have to be tested to confirm.

Angel looked at the anxious Reynaud, "Can you feel your physical body now?"

Reynaud shook his head, "No, maybe because the laboratory isolated my senses, it’s only by opening the laboratory that I’ll know."

Angel was just about to say something comforting when the rumbling, accompanied by the airwave, came again.

After the airwave passed, Angel didn’t seek further conversation with Reynaud but instead turned towards Ferro.

At this time, Ferro was looking at the source of the rumbling sound with doubt; presumably, it was also the source of the airwave.

When Angel walked up, he just caught the conversation between Nis and Ferro.

Ferro: "The Nest... The Nest is over there. That group also went in that direction."

Nis turned to Ferro with curiosity etched on his face, "I’ve been meaning to ask, what exactly is this Nest you’re talking about?"

Ferro shook his head, "Actually I don’t know what the Nest is, it’s a term that someone else told me."

"Someone else?" Angel: "You’re saying apart from the base laboratory, there are others here?"

Nis was curious too, "Who is this person you’re talking about?"

Ferro: "Didn’t I mention before, that I encountered someone nearby?"

Angel and Nis both nodded; at that time, Ferro was telling them about "discovering signs of people in the vicinity and going to track them, only to encounter someone," but the attack from the mechanical head interrupted him before he could finish explaining who that person was, and later there was no time to ask.

"That person was very strange. I was very sure that there was nothing around me at the time, yet he suddenly appeared in front of me. He blocked me, telling me that if I didn’t want to die, I should stay out of it."

"I asked him what exactly was ahead, and he just threw down the word ’The Nest’ and then disappeared."

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