Once upon a time, in Kivotos, there was a theme park called [Utopia].
Built by one of Kivotos's well known conglomerates, momogroup, it shut down completely after only half a year due to poor management.
And the story of Utopia should end here. Perhaps some still miss it, perhaps one day it will be rebuilt, but the present day Utopia has ultimately become nothing more than ruins.
And also…
A place of urban legends, known among students as [Slumpia].
Despite having long since lost its power supply, once night falls, the amusement rides begin to move on their own, and even devour anyone who gets too close.
Recently, such an urban legend seems to have spread widely throughout Kivotos, to the point that even the General Student Council was alarmed. As a result, Momoka, the head of the Transportation Office, presented me with a new commission.
To explore Slumpia, locate the source of the rumors, and report back to the General Student Council.
Since this was unlike the previous incident involving the armory AI running out of control, which required immediate handling, I had originally planned to finish dealing with Arisu first, then organize a team of reliable students to investigate.
But now, having made up my mind, I changed my plans.
If AL-1S had been slow to reveal its true self because it was waiting for the right timing, the right location, and the right opportunity...
Then I believed that during a mission full of unpredictable variables, in an abandoned amusement park far from the city, within a team that no one could easily suppress, AL-1S, already aware of my suspicions, would never pass up such a perfect opportunity.
AL-1S might know that I was testing it, but this was an open scheme.
It had no choice.
Just like me, who did not want to do this, yet had no option but to do so.
During the day, I gathered all the members of the Game Development Department, including Arisu, and asked whether they were willing to participate in this operation.
After hearing my brief explanation of the mission, the four of them showed different reactions.
"Wow, wow!" At first, Arisu tried hard to look serious, but she could not suppress her excitement at all. Her eyes sparkled as she cheered repeatedly. "Is it a labyrinth adventure? Arisu will do her best!"
Momoi also looked eager to try. "Slumpia? I've heard of that place! It feels like it could become really good creative material!"
Yuzu and Midori, however, were not nearly as enthusiastic as they were.
"Urgh… eating students…"
Yuzu's complexion had been a bit pale since earlier, seemingly frightened by the rumors.
Midori also looked somewhat worried, but for a different reason. "Why did Sensei come to us instead of asking the stronger C&C seniors for help?"
As for that, I had naturally already prepared a suitable excuse.
But before I could speak, Momoi's smug laughter came from beside me.
"Heh heh heh, Midori, isn't the reason for that obvious? Of course Sensei saw the boundless potential within us!"
…Huh?
As expected of Momoi, her confidence was still as astonishing as ever.
"Sister, whether it exists or not aside, what matters more is clearly experience," Midori retorted.
"Please don't worry," Arisu spoke up, her expression serious. "Arisu and everyone in the Game Development Department are veteran explorers who have already cleared hundreds of labyrinths. If we're talking about experience in this area, even the little maid can't compare to Arisu!"
It felt like Arisu might genuinely have an issue with Nero, or perhaps the exact opposite.
Midori raised her voice even more in rebuttal. "Experience in games and experience in reality can't be lumped together at all, right?"
"Eh? Is that not allowed?" Arisu showed a surprised and dejected expression.
Seeing this, Midori began to falter.
I cleared my throat and drew everyone's attention. "Unfortunately, C&C have a seminar mission to carry out tonight, so they can't help."
This was indeed the truth. The seminar president personally issued C&C a task to "follow my orders during this period."
As such, they would be waiting outside Slumpia tonight, ready to provide support at any time.
I added, "Of course, it's also like Momoi said. I believe in your abilities."
Momoi promptly planted her hands on her hips and proudly puffed out her utterly unremarkable chest. Yuzu's nervousness eased considerably, and Midori also showed a shy smile at being praised.
"And then."
I clapped my hands, and a blue haired girl pushed the door open and walked in.
"Saori will also be participating in tonight's operation."
Although she had been sent by Beatrice with the intention of stealing the secret of my card, at least at this moment, Saori was trustworthy.
From a rational standpoint, she was also the best choice to restrain AL-1S and protect the other students of the Game Development Department from harm.
Saori's Icey blue eyes, like those of a snake, calmly swept across the room. She then gave a slight nod as a greeting.
Faced with the cold and unfamiliar Saori, the girls of the Game Development Department looked somewhat reserved.
But soon, they all relaxed again.
"And there will also be remote support from the Department of Veritas."
The moment the words left my mouth, a light screen unfolded out of thin air beside me.
A girl with white hair and pointed ears, her eyes gently closed, slender fingers lightly touching the side of her face, wearing a faint smile, spoke softly.
"Ara ara~ It's finally time for this genius beautiful girl hacker to make her appearance again. Hehe, don't worry, I'll be cheering you on from the rear."
"Wow!" Momoi's face lit up with joy. "That's great! With Sensei and Himari senpai, no matter what trouble we run into, we'll definitely be able to solve it smoothly!"
The curve of Himari's smile lifted a bit more. "Heh heh, isn't that obvious?"
Thanks to Himari's reputation, the girls of the Game Development Department immediately gained a bit more confidence.
"Wow!" Arisu also became excited. "Bum bum bum! The shut-in white haired old sage has joined the party!"
In an instant, the atmosphere that had just become lively plunged straight to freezing point.
Although it was surely just my imagination.
I seemed to hear the sound of something shattering coming from Himari's side.
"…Old?" Himari repeated softly, her expression full of disbelief.
Arisu, realizing she might have said something wrong, also looked panicked.
But one could always trust Himari's confidence and ability to self adjust.
She took a deep breath and revealed a benevolent smile. "Hehe… this child must be saying that my beauty is too dreamlike, like the eternal snow atop a mountain peak that never melts, possessing a charm that transcends time, right?"
Why exactly could this woman sink so low?
At first, Arisu did not know how to respond, until Momoi and Midori secretly poked her in the waist, prompting her to nod frantically.
"Y-yes, that's exactly what Arisu meant!"
And so, harmony returned to the scene once more.
Thus, the final test for Arisu began.