Chapter 613 - Game Changer's Astonishment
"Shou-kun?"
Mion asked, sounding anxious, but I wanted to concentrate on [Eavesdropping] right now, so I put my index finger to my lips.
I sharpened my senses and picked up sounds from beyond the door…
(Isn't this the control room?)
(Hope so. Hmm, it won't open. Looks like it needs admin privileges.)
…That was a close call. If it had opened, I would have definitely been caught.
From the faint conversation, it seemed like two people had come to the door?
(Didn't Chaos-san have the ring for administrator privileges?)
(It was borrowed, though.)
(Then let's go call him.)
After that exchange, the footsteps faded into the distance. In that case, staying here is dangerous.
[Eavesdropping skill level increased!]
I let out a sigh of relief, then looked at the camera, and Mion, who had been looking worried, spoke in a low voice.
"What do we do?"
"I want to somehow get past this, but…"
From the tones of voice I'd heard, both were young men.
They mentioned Chaos-san, so they were undoubtedly the ones who broke in and founded the nation.
For now, hiding in the room where the Heavy Silver Steel Ingots were piled might be the best option.
Even in the worst-case scenario where a fight breaks out, that room with the ingots would be easier to fight in.
"No, before that…"
I had a bad feeling if I didn't retrieve the [Emergency Magic Crystal Stone] from the Control Room first.
Um, it was at the edge of the control console, right?
"Ah."
Is it about the same size as the one for my Nina? Can it be removed?
When I held it with both hands, it felt like something was catching, so I shifted it up a bit and pulled it out.
I'll return it with some plausible excuse once everything settles down, I thought, and tossed it into my inventory.
"Lupi. Go ahead to what used to be the storeroom and wait there."
"Woof-woof"
"What are you going to do, Shou-kun?"
"I'll watch from the very edge, and if they come this way, I'll get past them in the storeroom."
Since I didn't know when they would come, I left the room, went back down the passage, and waited around the corner.
Holding my breath and concentrating on [Eavesdropping], I heard the sound of the door opening, and then footsteps—four people, no, maybe five?
"It's here!"
"Seriously?"
From what I heard, they apparently knew about the Control Room. But I wondered about the restart procedure.
They seemed to be arguing about something, but then,
"Hey! The big magic crystal is gone!"
…Good thing I retrieved it first.
They seemed to be discussing, but I heard angry shouts, so they were probably in a heated argument?
The group that founded the nation seemed completely disorganized. Did they really plan this?
"Hey, stop it!"
"What?! You guys!!"
!?
After a shout, a fierce metallic clang rang out, and as it faded,
[Chaos Empire has fallen!]
"Eh!?"
…! I almost let out a cry, caught by Mion's gasp, but swallowed it.
Internal conflict? Did the player who declared nation-founding get defeated?
If I got a little closer… I stopped when I saw figures about 15m from the Control Room, proceeding very cautiously.
"Our calculations were off. What do we do? Search deeper in here?"
"No, it's more likely that those who fled have it. Let's pursue them."
"Understood."
I waited until the retreating footsteps were no longer audible.
I let out a big sigh and nodded at the camera.
Mion must have seen it too,
"Shou-kun. Um…"
Their large, curled horns.
Disguised demons were mixed in…
"Lupi. Come here."
"Woof"
I called Lupi, who had been guarding my back, and once again, cautiously entered the Control Room.
Avoiding the drops of the three defeated individuals, I peered ahead, and it seemed the demons had left the door wide open and gone.
Looking a little further in, it led to a downward staircase, and I couldn't see any further.
"Is the [Transfer Magic Circle] room beyond this?"
"Yes. Beyond the stairs, it should connect to a large passage. Proceed a little to the left, and the door is on the right."
"Thanks."
The path to the destination was clear, but I couldn't let my guard down.
"Shou-kun. Club President's meeting was adjourned due to the 'fall' World Announcement."
That's how it would be, I guess. But the situation of not being able to send aid to this island hadn't been resolved.
That part was up to me… It's past 10:30 now.
"Azure-san. How are your preparations going?"
"We're fully ready to storm in!"
Alright, let's finish this quickly.
The group that was just defeated must be in death penalty, unable to leave the Safe Zone.
No, there's a chance other groups might rush back. Though they might clash with those demons from earlier.
I sent Lupi ahead again and slowly descended the stairs.
Along the way, there were a few branching paths, but following Mion's advice, we kept going down and reached a large passage.
If we went a little to the left, it should be the room with the [Transfer Magic Circle]…
"Shou-kun. That should be the door."
I nodded at Mion's advice.
With Lupi guarding the surroundings, I put my ear to the door and listened for activity inside.
…No one seems to be there.
[Blessed One's access confirmed. Unlock?]
"Yes."
I opened the door slightly, and Lupi and I quickly slipped inside.
Inside was a room about the size of a clubroom, with a [Transfer Magic Circle] in the center, clumsily piled with stone wall blocks.
"Azure-san, I've reached the [Transfer Magic Circle]. It's blocked by stone walls, so I'm removing them now."
"Understood! Geira and I will be right there, so leave the rest to us!"
Should I wait until Azure-san and the others arrive? Oh, but if other players come, that would be bad, so it's better to transfer quickly.
"Shou-sama. Shall I go assist Emeraldia-san?"
"Yes, please. I'll transfer back immediately after clearing the stone walls."
"Understood."
Now then…
"
I moved the piled stone wall blocks to the corner of the room.
And before transferring back…
"Lupi. Go back ahead."
"Woof-woof"
After confirming Lupi had returned via banishment, I chanted.
"