Due to the closure of the [Utopia] amusement park, the station that once led directly there has also been shut down.
However, Slumpia is not particularly far from Schale. It is roughly located at the junction of the three major regions, D.U., Trinity, and Millennium. Taking Schale's helicopter makes it easy to reach.
Before departure, I brought Arisu to the hangar and returned the Sword of Light to her.
"Arisu, this mission is mainly about exploration. In other words, avoid combat as much as possible."
Arisu could not put the Sword of Light down, gently stroking the cannon body as she nodded obediently. "Arisu understands. It's a stealth stage."
"That's more or less correct."
I paused for a moment. "Also, the Sword of Light has not been fully repaired yet. Using it too much recklessly might shorten its service life. That is to say, it could lower its maximum durability."
Hearing this, Arisu was startled, and her movements became even more gentle.
"However, using it just once or twice will not have much impact." I looked straight into Arisu's eyes and said solemnly, "So be patient and wait for my instructions. Use it only at critical moments."
Arisu promised me, "Okay. Arisu will definitely listen to Sensei and take good care of the Sword of Light."
I hope that is true.
It would be best if the preparations commissioned to the Engineering Department never had a chance to be used.
After patting Arisu on the head and telling her to go join up with the rest of the team, I found a quiet corner and took out my phone.
Me: Hoshino, how is the situation?
Hoshino: Uhee~ Wakamo is arguing with Shiroko right now. It's pretty entertaining.
…What's going on?
While I was still wondering whether they had sensed something off about each other, Hoshino sent another message.
Hoshino: Don't worry. Before departure, the two of them should be able to calm down. They won't delay your important business.
Hoshino: If they refuse, Nonomi and I will make them settle down.
Me: Alright, I'll leave it to you.
Next, I switched to another chat window and asked the same question.
Akane: Master, aside from Asuna-senpai, all members of C&C are ready and standing by, prepared to offer you flawless service at any time.
Seeing this, I could not help but frown.
Me: Then what about Asuna?
Akane: Hehe, please do not worry.
Akane: Asuna-senpai… how should I put it, perhaps she is like a golden retriever? She is the type better suited to acting freely.
Akane: We told her all the important points during the operation briefing, and letting her act on her own afterward is something that happens quite often.
Although I still had my doubts, since Akane said there was no problem, I did not press the matter further.
Putting away my phone, I took a deep breath and quickly reviewed the plan in my mind.
The objective was to deliberately expose a flaw during the investigation mission, using it to conduct a final test on Arisu, to confirm whether she and Kei were nothing more than personalities disguised by AL-1S.
As a safeguard for the plan, the Foreclosure Task Force, along with Wakamo and C&C, would split into two groups to provide support around Slumpia.
The former would also deploy a newly purchased means of transportation, the armed helicopter Raincloud, capable of high speed movement and providing fire suppression from the air.
Within the team itself, with Saori present, we would at least be able to hold the enemy at bay for a time, protecting me and the girls of the Game Development Department.
In addition, with the remote support of the Veritas Department led by Himari, even if AL-1S were to narrowly escape this tight net for the time being, we could continue the pursuit through the surveillance around Slumpia.
With all that, it could truly be said to be foolproof.
Although there were still risks, in my view, it was already worth staking everything on.
As long as Arisu passed this final test, I would do everything I could to believe that she was not Kei, not AL-1S, not any other existence…
Just my Arisu.
For the last time, I firmly set this belief in my heart.
As the sky turned dim and yellow, after having a simple dinner at a family restaurant enthusiastically recommended by the Seminar's accounting department, together with the Game Development Department and Saori, we set off for Slumpia.
And when the night sky filled with countless stars spread across the heavens, that theme park which had once carried endless laughter finally appeared in our field of view.
Desolate, barren, ruined. This was the first impression the ruins now called Slumpia gave me.
Due to years of disrepair and the lack of cleaning, weeds grew wildly outside Slumpia, and dust covered the castle style entrance.
However, just as Momoka's information had said.
Above the entrance, the sign reading "UTOPIA" was emitting a faint yet striking white glow in the darkness.
"It's actually lit," Midori tilted her head up and said in confusion. "Could it be that there is an internal power supply?"
"It's not like that."
Himari's projection appeared at the side, speaking in a mysteriously playful tone. "According to information from related parties, all of the facilities in this park were powered entirely by external sources. Now that it has been abandoned, the lighting system should be completely shut down. From the design blueprints I investigated, that is indeed the case."
After taking a breath, Himari's tone grew a bit more excited than before. "In other words, this is a real urban legend."
I suddenly became a little curious about where Himari had gotten information from these related parties, and where she had obtained the design blueprints.
And also, why she looked so excited right now.
"Arisu knows this!" Arisu thought of something and happily offered a guess. "In RPG games, there is often a plot where an evil organization turns ancient ruins into a secret base. Someone must be secretly supplying power to Slumpia's facilities."
I felt this line of thinking was more reasonable.
However, upon hearing this, Himari's smile instantly vanished, and she corrected Arisu seriously. "Arisu, if you encounter a real urban legend and still come up with such an unromantic idea, you will turn into a boring person who only pursues rationality."
First of all, I don't think it was that serious. Secondly, is Himari really unable to resist taking any opportunity to speak ill of Rio?
"That's right!"
Momoi agreed. "There must be some mysterious power beyond electricity supporting Utopia's operation. Hehe, I can feel my creative soul burning brightly!"
Himari glanced at Momoi with some surprise, her smile gentle, and there was even a hint of approval in her eyes.
However, neither of these guesses affected one person's mood.
"I, I'm so nervous…" Yuzu trembled.
I reached out and patted her head to comfort her, then said to everyone,
"Alright, no time to waste. Let's begin the exploration."
With that, we entered Slumpia.