The Hero King, Reincarnate to Master the Art of War ~And Thus, I Became The Strongest Knight Disciple (♀) in The World~
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chapter-399
“What’s the cause of the fall…?! Why did this happen…?!”
“It seems the ‘levitation magic circle’ suddenly malfunctioned!”
“What do you mean, what’s happening now?!”
“We’re not sure…! But first, we need to prevent flooding!”
“Yes, as an emergency measure, we’ve redirected the mana for rainfall detection and city barriers to act as reserve buoyancy!”“I see… but if a Prism Flow occurs…!”
“There’s no choice…! We have to do this for now…!”
“Right. We can also request assistance from the Satellite Island…!”1
The Highlanders, presumably researchers, exchanged urgent words with tense expressions, peering into various devices and instruments throughout the immense facility.
The facility consisted of multiple layers. Having entered with the Flygear from outside and following a predetermined route with floating lights, the scenes passing by were consistently tense.
“W-, we came at such a critical time, didn’t we…?”
“Yeah, I think it’s really serious if Highland falls from the sky and can’t move. The Highlanders have no way of escape if there’s a massive Prism Flow or a Prisma appears, after all…”“D-, don’t jinx it… What do we do if that actually happens?!”
“Fight, what else? I kind of miss battling a Prisma…you know?”
Inglis clenched her fist tightly, her smile sweet yet determined.
“I don’t want to…! Those things are scary…!”
“We’ve arrived. Everyone, please disembark.”
Vilma called to Inglis and the others. As they descended from the Flygear, a large door stood nearby.
“What’s this place…?”
“It’s Primary Professor Vilkin’s laboratory. He’s considered the foremost technician throughout Illuminas… Try to be polite. Though, he’s the one who should learn how to be polite.”
As Vilma stood before it, a light shone on her stigma, and the door slowly opened. Inside was a vast space cluttered with various experimental tools, shelves of books, and smaller versions of the machinery hands seen at the main workshop assembling unfamiliar devices.
“Wh-, what’s that…?”
Rafinha was fixated on a meat blob-like substance floating inside a transparent tube. A mechanical hand inserted a needle, injecting an unusually-colored liquid into the blob, causing it to squirm vigorously.
“Eek…?!”
“That’s…not very pleasant to look at, is it?”
Suddenly, the meat blob transformed into an adorable puppy-like form.
“Oh…that’s cute…!”
“Indeed… Fufufu, what an adorable thing.”
As Rafinha and the others were drawn toward it, the puppy reverted to the squirming blob, transforming again into a large fly-like insect.
“Kyaaaah?!”
“T-, that isn’t cute!”
“Wh-, what in the world is that…?!”
While Rafinha and her friends were alarmed, Inglis gazed at the tube with curiosity.
“Wow…a creature that can transform into any shape…? How does that even work? So impressive…”
“D-, don’t get too close, Glis! It’s creepy, seriously!”
“Enough noise, keep it down.”
Vilma reprimanded them, urging Inglis and the others to move further inside.
“Professor Vilkin, the transport directive for Hyrule Menace has been completed.”
At the back of the room sat a figure whom Vilma addressed from behind a large desk. The person had the appearance of a young boy. A white glove adorned only the right hand, lending an air of professorial authority, albeit somewhat peculiar with the single glove.
“You’re always so formal and distant, Vilma~ Being serious is good and all, but you can just call me Dad, you know?”
“…I’m on duty.”
Despite the youthful appearance, he seemed visibly younger than Vilma. When he turned around, his face was—unmistakably familiar.
“…Lord Abel…?!”
“EEEHHHH?! What is he doing here…?!”
It was Abel, the Archlord of Highland. However, his calm and gentle demeanor didn’t quite match the aura of Abel that Inglis knew.
“Hmm…? Abel?”
Professor Vilkin, almost an exact replica of Abel, seemed taken aback. Upon closer inspection, there appeared to be slight differences in hair color.
“Y-, yes, the Archlord of Highland…?”
“Archlord? Aah, from the Church Founder’s Union. I guess they might have someone using this High Mana Coat on their side too? We’ve offered them a few blank bodies in the past, after all~”
The drawn-out, casual tone in response to Inglis’ question disrupted the tension in the air.
“S-, so, you’re not Abel…right?”
Asked Rafinha.
“That’s right~ You heard her, right? Name’s Vilkin. Primary Professor Vilkin.”
“Professor, are you using an artificially created body, this High Mana Coat as you call it, instead of your original body…? And there are several of these in existence?”
“That’s right…! Well, considering I’m the one who developed them, you could say I’m the original, and the rest are all imitations…I guess~?”
“I see…”
Primary Professor Vilkin turned his gaze towards Eris.
“So, repairing a Hyrule Menace, is it~? I heard you got broken by the Duke of War or something…”
“Yes. Can you help me? I’m sure you’re dealing with something quite serious yourselves…”
Eris responded quietly.
“Yeah, well, it depends on the severity of the damage~ If it’s that severe, might as well dispose of it and get a new Hyrule Menace, you know…?
“……”
“B-, but then, what will happen to Miss Eris…?!”
Rafinha raised her voice.
“You mean her personality or soul or something~? I mean, your Hyrule Menace functions are all messed up, right~?”
Professor Vilkin asked, totally nonplussed and perturbed.
“Y-, yes…! That’s right!”
“Hmm~? How about transferring her to a different vessel for you to bring home, then? You know, I could put her in that thing over there, and it’s totally for free~ I mean, I can’t really offer a High Mana Coat, you know?”
The professor pointed to the mass that had changed shapes earlier.
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