The Author generally posts an Interlude a week after the last chapter of an Arc as a break of sort. However, because of the Omake scenes at the end, The Author felt that it would be more appropriate to continue the story soon after. And so, the next chapter will be post on the next week, unless something physically prevent The Author from making the final check and uploading it.

The Author had also added a few lines (less than ten) to Chapter 3 to clarify certain things. There was no change to dialogues or the events, so there was no need to re-read it again. It was more for the potential future readers. The Author stood by his characterization in this story.


Interlude VI: The First Clue


"Hm. It has changed a lot since last I came: this 'Do-Re-I-N-Ra-Bo'."

"Incorrect. This is 'Drain Lab'."

"Hm, that's what I said. 'Doreinrabo'."

"Incorrect. This is 'Drain Lab'."

"I got it. 'Doreinrabo'."

"Incorrect—"

"Please do hurry up. We would prefer not to leave you both behind."

The voice of the King of San Ilia called on. The nine-tailed Kitsune with old-fashioned speech, Tamamo, and the child-sized machine monster, Radio, put their conversation on hold and went after the group ahead of them.

Tamamo looked down at the floor they walked on, her sandals stepping on the dirt accumulated on the ground.

"This place is really dirty. My fluffy tails are going to be covered in dirt by the time we're done."

"This place had always been off-limits. Everything remains the same as five years ago; dust and rubbles included."

"Hm, if I know it would be like this, I would have my people clean the whole place two or three days ahead of time."

"Hoho, it may look bad now, but it certainly was much worse before our clean-up unit cleared away most of the ones that blocked the way."

"My apologies. The main control system is lost, so the automatic clean-up system cannot be activated."

"Aa, I simply said that in jest, not to condemn."

"Is that so. A thousand apologies; Radio's operating system is an old version, so she cannot understand complicated context."

"Aa, um, I'm sorry."

Tamamo looked a bit ashamed as she apologized to the small machine monster, who had flat expression on all the time.

Aside from the colorful group, men and women swarmed the place; some wearing clean, white long coat, some wearing a robe with wide-brimmed hat commonly associated with witches and wizards; some rushed around with pen and paper in hands without caring about the surrounding, some are absorbed in examining objects placed around every corner.

"Still, this is such a strange place; it is as if we have come into another era altogether."

"Because the creator of this place possessed a mind eras ahead of our own, wouldn't you say?"

Drain Lab: the structure hidden under the island inhabited by large population of elves and fairies, west of Sabasa Desert, was created by the scientist and researcher with the most brilliant mind in history. Once, it was used by the scientist to sate her desire in pursuing 'the world's truth', until it was heavily damaged when the Hero Luka stormed in to rescue the humans captured as guinea pigs.

At the time, Drain Lab self-exploded to protect the classified data. Ever since, it was closed-off by decree of the King of Sabasa, with consents from all nations, citing the definite danger of it collapsing, and the potential danger what might be found there.

At present time, an order has been issued to conduct research on the forbidden place, drawing in seekers of knowledge from all over the world, under the supervision of Sabasa Royal Family. For the advancement of technology.

However, that is but half of the reason. The petition for such research had always been under consideration by all nations of the worl0d, held back by the risk of dangerous discovery which could threaten the yet-fragile balance of the new world. The last push that tipped the decision in the favor of the petition came in the form of the request from the Demon Lord Castle.

"The key to rescuing the Hero Luka is 'Chaos'. In this world, there was but one who had come close to unveiling the secret above the Goddess and the Evil God, and this place is the most valuable heritage left behind by her." The San Ilia King said solemnly.

The floors, the walls, and the ceilings are constructed from unspecified white, smooth material; various equipment of all sizes and unfathomable purposes scattered around the floor and against the wall; all pointed to the fact that the person who designed this structure was leaps and bounds beyond the current era.

However, there is one known fact about the place, an important clue that had brought the close aide of the current Demon Lord and the King of San Ilia himself here

"Metal lass, was the Holy-Dark Fusion experiment your master conducted here really a success?"

"To be precise, the one leading the experiment was not Master, but the administrator of Drain Lab. Strictly speaking, the experiment never produced matters containing both Holy and Dark property, only a brief surge of massive energy resulting from the repulsion between Holy and Dark elements."

"Hm..."

Radio explained complicated matters with high-pitched voice of a twelve-year-old girl, but completely flat tone.

"Had they ever used the result for anything?"

"According to Radio's database, the only instance of practical usage of Holy-Dark reaction was the self-destruct system of Drain Lab."

"Self-destruct system, that means we're seeing the result of it..."

Tamamo looked around, and found nothing out of ordinary. The cracks are caused by rapid and immense pressure, as one would find on the outer ring of the site of any mundane explosion.

"Hmm...Maybe they really never managed to produce substantial results." Tamamo scrunched her eyebrows with worried and disappointment.

"We are almost at the end of the way. Please mind your step, there is a pit up ahead." The researcher at the head of the group warned.

The group reached the end of road. Tamamo walked around others who were taller to get a clear view of what was ahead.

Then her eyes widened.

The road ended because it was cut off. The space ahead was engulfed by a massive hole; its diameter about seventy meters.

Tamamo looked down at the bottom of the hole, then up at the ceiling, both of which had become similarly hollowed out. The distance between both points was very close to the diameter of the hole: around seventy meters.

"I did feel there was a big hole beneath my feet when we were above the ground, but I thought it was how the structure was built. I didn't expect this to be the cause..."

The San Ilia King shifted his gaze away from the hole to the researchers who were there beforehand.

"What is this hole?"

"We believed it to be the center of the explosion that destroyed this place, Your Majesty. From the plan of this laboratory, this should be its center.

"For it to have causes so much damage to a structure with this kind of durability, the explosion must have been very powerful..."

Radio looked straight at the center of the hole, and pointed a finger forward.

"26 degree to the right, 3,742cm from my standing point was the spot formerly occupied by the administrator of Drain Lab."

"So this is the administrator's room...That means the data might very well have been erased in the explosion."

"I wonder about that. Considering the level of effort put into creating this laboratory, it would be unnatural that there wouldn't be some kind of measure to prevent the loss of data."

"That specific line of reasoning is correct, but flawed. Drain Lab's administrator is perpetually connected to the laboratory's operating system, controlling all aspects of its operation, including data management. There existed an emergency protocol that would be activated in an instance where the research data was at risk of being damaged. The data would be transferred to 256 reserve storage devices placed around the laboratory and its vicinity, each of which has the same capacity as the main device. The time spent sending data at full capacity of storage to all devices was estimated to be 12 picoseconds. However, in case of self-destruct, which purpose was to prevent theft of data, the administrator would actively prevent such protocol from activating. The backup data would only be sent to Master's laboratory on Heaven."

"Ooh, such a thorough security measure. Your master who designed and managed to create such a system truly was brilliant." King of San Ilia exclaimed in pure admiration.

"That was indeed quite close to what a goddess could do. It is unthinkable a mortal could have achieved it." Tamamo frowned with an expression that is neither clearly positive nor negative.

"However, that means the chance of recovering the research data is very slim at best. Since Heaven was also destroyed, it is safe to assume the laboratory in question is gone as well, along with whatever data managed to reach it."

"That indeed seems to be the case..." King of San Ilia frowned. "But we will continue the search. There may be other clues left within the lab itself. If we can reactivate the devices found across the place, the functions they were built with may be the hints we need."

"Radio is equipped with skills necessary to operate most devices in Drain Lab, but not the skills necessary to repair them in case of severe damages."

"Of course it can't be easy for once..."

Tamamo rested the folding fan on her chin, behind the fox's eyes ran a thought process at the speed humans could not comprehend.

"Lady Tamamo has no need for worry. Our researchers are all very competent and reliable; they have been studying mechanicals that angel scientist left behind for the past four years. I believe they will figure out a few of these before long."

"Hm, I will have to rely on you people for that...since this place really seems like it would contain important clues."

Tamamo crouched down, feeling the floor where it was cut off with her hand.

"The secondary damage we saw earlier was indeed ordinary. However, what we see now is not damage from pressure or heat. If it was a mundane explosion, the surface wouldn't be so clean and smooth, and it would definitely have left burnt marks."

"I noticed that as well." King of San Ilia added.

Tamamo stood up and looked at the void ahead.

"This hole in front of us, rather than 'destroyed', it would be more accurate to say that it was 'reverted to its origin'."

"Its origin you say?"

"Before the four elements were separated from Holy and Dark; before Holy and Dark elements were born into the universe; the primordial state predating creations: 'Chaos'."

Tamamo raised a small piece of rubble up, and threw it forward.

"For us who exist in the current state of the universe which is filled with objects, creatures, and observable phenomena, the state where nothing could be observed; no concept, no matter how fundamental, could exist; such state has another name..."

The rubble fell through the vast emptiness, as though cutting through it.

"'Nothingness' or 'Void'."


PBW: "And thus another important piece of information is revealed! ...Or so it was planned, but people probably guessed it long ago. It's not like this is novel or anything."

Ilias: "I know from the beginning."

PBW: "You already knew that when you were born, not because of my writing. Anyway, The Author got to write out the scene 80% the way he had wanted to, and even got the chance to write Radio unexpectedly. The Author is very satisfied."

...

PBW: "By the way, there are some small peeks as to what was happening on the other side while Louise and Luka was back at her home. Since The Author could not be bothered to make them into a full chapter (and it would mess with the focus of the story), this will have to do. Think of it as small Omake scenes at the end of a Manga volume or something."


Chapter 19.5: Tristania's Holidays

"What's troubling you, Henrietta?"

"L—Lord Wales!?"

"Ah, sorry for startling you. I saw you staring so intently at the paper since earlier."

"Oh, it's just something I have been considering. I am thinking of asking Louise Françoise to disguise herself and gather information and rumours amongst the commoners for a while."

"So, she is to be an informant?"

"Nothing quite as big. I simply...wish to know what the people think of recent events. The battle at Tarbes, and...my rule."

"And about me as well, isn't it."

"...Yes."

"Hm, but Lady La Vallière has school, doesn't she?"

"Starting next week until the end of the Month of Nyd, it will be summer break."

"I see. But since it is a break, should we not let Lady La Vallière relax with her family?"

"That...is true. If possible, I would not want to involve Louise Françoise in everything. But this task can only be given to someone I can trust to report what I ask them to without fail, even particularly unpleasant words. Someone else, I'm afraid they would leave out particularly unpleasant words or rumours, for whatever reason."

"I see. But aside from Lady La Vallière, there is one more person you can trust, isn't it?"

"You mean Mazarini? But Mazarini is very well-known amongst people, and there are tasks that simply cannot be left to anyone else."

"I mean me."

"..."

"..."

"...Hweh?"

"I will go."

[...]

"Hey, hey! Excuse me, handsome. You seem like you're troubled by something. Is there anything I can help?"

"Eh—Eh? A...U...Eh?"

"Oh my, I'm sorry for suddenly calling out to you. My name is Scarron. I run an inn at Chicton Street. I'm not someone shady, my boy."

"Ah...Okay...You own an inn? Actually I am in need of...I'm trying to find a job. My old workplace just dis...just decided not to hire some of us anymore. I need a place to stay too. Is there any place you can recommend?"

"Oh my! That's terrible, not having a job or a place to stay in a big city like this. If you don't mind, would you like to work at my place? I'm actually finding someone to help in the kitchen. You can stay at one of the spare rooms, and the pay isn't bad at all. More than anything, you get to work amongst all the pretty girls! Well, how about it?"

"I...guess. That does sound good. Well...maybe I can try?"

"Then it's settled~! Oh, by the way, what's your name, handsome?"

"My name is Warren."


Chapter 20.5: Tristania's Holidays 2

"Let's see; letter from Henrietta uh... 'The data...very informative...better understanding...'. Hm..."

...

"...Ah... 'But the choice of gathering place is quite questionable. Please explain the reason...', huh. Ahaha... "

[...]

"...Your Majesty, it would be better if you do not touch your wand. We are but a few steps from you; you will not have the time to cast even a single spell. Please follow us quietly, and your life will not be in danger."

"Hmph...!"

"Urk...!?"

"Who—Arrgh!"

"Y...You are...?"

"..."

[...]

"So that is the Musketeer Squad. All women, and...really all commoners... There's nothing like that back in Albion. Exactly because Tristain is a small country that it became a necessity...Or maybe it is an opportunity. Henrietta, I really want to see where you will lead this country to."

[...]

"Agnes Chevalier de Milan. It is an honour to meet you, Prince Wales."

"Wales Tudor. No need to be so formal; I am a prince in name only."

"I, too, am a noble in name only. My blood is still that of a commoner without magic. For that, I believe this is only appropriate."

"Really, you two. No need to act so stiff."

"Well, now that the introduction is out of the way, let's get to the heart of things. If the people at the inn notice I'm out here in the middle of the night they might suspect something."

"That is true. Then, let us start from an attempt to kidnap me the other night..."


Chapter 21.5: Tristania's Holidays 4

"Hmph, big words from a woman playing knight. If you still value your life, get out of my way."

"...D'Angleterre."

"...Huh?"

"Twenty years ago. Beachside village."

"What are you talking about?"

"Can't remember? Fine. You're going to die here anyway."

"Ha! A gun, eh? A commoner's toy; some good it will do against noble's magic. You will be a lump of coal before—Arggh!"

"!? Prince Wales!?"

"Agnes! You should get back! Fire spells have longer reach and much wider range in an enclosed space!"

"I will not surrender this chance; not even to you, Prince Wales! His breath will be snuffed by my sword!"

"I had suspected that you might hold strong feelings toward Richmond. If that man had done wrong by you, then take him to the court and put on display what dastardly deeds he had committed. That man will not escape death penalty either way."

"But this is my village's vengeance! I cannot leave it to others!"

"Then I will do everything in my power so that you be made the executioner. You will put to justice that man for what he had done to you and countless others by your hands."

"..."

[...]

"Lady Von Zerbst, I have to thank you for your assistance. If not for you and your three brave friends, the traitor might have escaped."

"..."

"It is no trouble at all. Tristain and Germania are not strangers, but rather close neighbors. The emperor of my country almost gets to hit the hay with the princess; oh, but it is Her Majesty the Queen now, is it not."

"Zerbst! You fool! Can't you use your head before you speak?!"

"Haha. You are right; it was truly close. Still, I will have to warn you; if you wish to speak for harmony between our countries, it is best not to mention that in front of me or Henrietta."

"I will keep that in mind."

"That Zerbst...Speaking about that with a smile. What a terrifying girl, isn't that right, my lovely Montmorency?"

"She's just crude. And I'm not yours."