Earth Dungeon 128.1

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Chapter 128.1. Research Area

Inside the fortress, multiple walls divide and separate the interior regularly. It seems to be constructed to obstruct monsters that invade along the way. It was a fortress with remarkably sturdy defenses. But it would be better with soldiers assigned to each wall. Currently, it's sparse, and only one soldier stands guard.

[This seems to be designed to anticipate attacks from both the outside and inside. 'Tsukuba Line Fortress' might have been the right name.]

[Is that your expert opinion?]

[Yes. There's something odd about the building layout in this fortress. Usually, concrete structures are reserved for important facilities, yet they are oddly close to the outer walls. It's a strange layout for an important facility. Look, there are several entrances to the underground city, but walls are always set up there.]

Shizuku's words, delivered with sharp eyes, make me ponder as I touch my chin. Anticipating attacks from within, huh? But it's lonely now.

[Initially, someone proposed construction considering the danger. However, now that intention has been forgotten, only remnants remain.]

[Initially, it may have had the purpose of protecting the surroundings, but now, only major cities remain. There might still be a reason to protect, but. No, if the firepower is at this level, it's meaningless. It might be okay to abandon it.]

[Sad, isn't it? But I plan to take control of this place. Maybe decades from now?]

[Unpredictable. I think, for now, it's still okay.]

That's a hesitant way of saying it. However, I want the electricity, water, and this fortress. After all, there are completed buildings here. It's amusing how humans make foolish choices when there's nothing. I'll consult with Shizuku when I genuinely decide to use it to avoid danger.

Moving forward while observing the surroundings, after a while, it seems we've finally reached our destination. Several soldiers are standing on the wall, waving vigorously at my approaching jeep. They seem to be soldiers, holding automatic rifles. But in civilian clothes. Not in combat gear?

"Why are you giving guns to civilians?"

The guys waving their hands so defenselessly look clearly amateurish. I glare at Masamune and the others with a critical expression. They have automatic rifles, you know.

"They are the children of former researchers. They used to be obedient, but..."

"They came to this facility with their families, huh? That's ridiculous."

"Yeah. At that time, it was a livable environment. Some researchers were left behind during the evacuation, deemed useless, or chose to stay. That's their families."

Masamune shrugs his shoulders with a bitter expression, and the old man from the Nanbu family adds. 

"They insisted on protecting their own base and drove us out. Since they had powerful weapons, we had no choice but to compromise."

"And now they're happy to see you. It seems something troublesome has definitely happened. They're quite pleased, and that means the situation is quite troublesome. It seems like it's going to be extremely troublesome."

Another partition similar to the other walls opens. I've been curious since earlier, but apparently, these partitions are operated by generators using fuel cells. Hmm, they've seriously thought about this.

As the name suggests, this is a research area, and all the buildings are made of concrete. The facilities here are different from Masamune and the others' areas. Solar panels got installed on the buildings. The buildings have iron bars with thick iron doors. They've been given preferential treatment in the research area.

The researchers, who were given preferential treatment, left their families behind. Why were these people left behind? Researchers are valuable assets, aren't they?

"Oh, Date-san, you came!"

Ignoring my questions, a seemingly ordinary woman approaches, raising her voice in joy. She's not skinny, and she looks neat. It's nice to have access to water.

With a friendly smile, the woman addresses Date, briefly glancing at my jeep and deepening her smile.

"The country didn't abandon us after all! That's right, my husband is an excellent researcher!"

In a high-pitched voice reminiscent of a bat, Date asks with a bitter expression, "Weren't we supposed to have non-interference? At least that's what Mostuki said while waving a blaster."

"My husband got a bit emotional. It turned into a heated exchange! No! You guys must protect us, and you're refusing it!"

"Because you're talking about going to a dangerous underground empire! How many times have we repeated this conversation? Motsuki got trapped in his own delusions! His followers too! Even though they've been researching for so long, they didn't understand. They took samples during the evacuation and wanted more samples, saying they wanted to go to the dangerous underground empire again. It's pointless even though they know it's dangerous!"

Ignoring the ongoing argument, I gazed at old man Soma. I already understand the situation. Masamune is good at explaining.

"I'm saying this loud enough for you to hear. Mostuki, the scientist, is the leader of this area. He waved around a weapon found in the underground empire called a blaster and dominated this area."

"A dangerous weapon from the name alone. Didn't he get killed by monsters, or did that not happen?"

"Masamune is kind. In that respect, you seem unforgiving."

"Excuse me. Employees would unanimously say that I'm a kind person. ...More importantly, was there a generator in this area?"

"I told you, there's an entrance to the underground nearby. It's connected to the 150th floor of the building in the underground empire. There's an emergency generator there, and that's what's supplying power."

"Emergency? Is it supplied only in emergencies?"

Huh? In emergencies, wouldn't it only supply minimal power, like one floor, to recover essential power?