Chapter 125: A Cause for Celebration Indeed

༺ A Cause for Celebration Indeed ༻

Events that make you want to shout from the rooftops are what people call a cause for celebration. These moments not only make us want to share our happiness with everyone, but they also deepen our bonds when we celebrate together.

I was no different.

I headed to the storage room to receive congratulations on the joyous news of the Earth Sage's coming. On the way, I greeted the regressor, who was leaning against the wall locked in thought. Once inside the storage room, I stood in front of a closed box, which held an unfortunate captive.

I opened the lid and...

"Mya?"

Out popped a wild Nabi. Our eyes met as she nestled in the confines of the box.

"Why are you in there?"

"Why are you disturbing my rest meow?"

Nabi shot me a defiant look. I gestured at her.

"I need to get something from beneath you."

"Meow?"

To my amazement, Nabi began to shift despite the tight space. She contorted her body, tucking her head and flipping her tail, resembling a fetus in motion. When her head popped out again, she was gripping a wriggling golem, bound with wire, in her mouth.

"Meow, take it. I don't need a tin toy like this..."

The golem bobbed up and down with her words. I tickled her chin and took the golem.

Nabi glared at me with slightly upturned eyes, muttering a warning.

"Meow. That big female, she smells of danger."

"It's better than the smell of mana herbs coming off you, don't you think?"

"Those tributes are sacred meow!"

I never met a smoker who called their habit sacred. Just how addicted was she?

Nabi kept grumbling inside the box.

"In comparison, she's somehow dangerous. Dumb doggies might wag their tails all unsuspecting, but I'm onto her... Can't fool me meow..."

That was rich, coming from a cat who had been tamed through drugs and manipulated by a catkin. I couldn't resist teasing her.

"I suppose anyone you can't beat would be dangerous. But in that sense, isn't just about everyone here a danger to you?"

Stung by an undeniable truth, Nabi hissed.

"Myagh! Be grateful I'm in here meow! Otherwise, I'd have taught you a lesson right—"

Her voice faded as I shut the lid. Fully enclosed in the box, she started purring contentedly, loud enough for even me to hear.

A creature that liked confined spaces, how curious was that? In contrast, a certain golem I knew always groaned when bound.

I left Nabi to her devices and began assembling the golem. First, I reattached the speaker to its mouth, untied the wires from its arms and legs, and removed the blindfold covering its eyes. Next moment... the golem revived with a dramatic gasp.

Despite regaining its senses after so long, the golem remained oddly silent. I gently tapped its head as I spoke.

"You know roughly what's going on, right?"

『...』

"Heheheh. So you do. The Earth Sage came, you see."

It was impossible for the golem not to know when it was monitoring the surface. It was undoubtedly aware of the Earth Sage's purpose here as well. I wasn't sure if it was because she was in charge of Tantalus, but it felt like this signaller was strangely well-informed.

I went on to brag about the festive occasion in Tantalus to the signaller, who had nothing to do but monitor the situation.

"Hahaha, what to do? It looks like we'll be getting out soon!"

『...Urgh.』

"And guess what? The Brigadier General is personally taking us out! Woo. Doesn't that make it legal?"

『Negative! That is utter absurdity! A laborer such as yourself must face punishment according to military law. It is a serious offense to desert your post without permission before completing your sentence!』

"But the general's planning to get rid of the abyss. What's your move, considering you're just a... captain?"

『...Urrgh!』

"Think you'll come down to stop us?"

『If only I could!』

It was fascinating, really. This golem expressed emotions in its voice more vividly than most people I knew. Even now, she sounded as if she were chewing her lips.

『Though it would absolutely never occur! Even if the State itself were to discharge you! I will not forget the atrocities you committed...!』

What big atrocities did I even commit? All I did was toy with a golem and force some answers, no?

Still, given how transparent the golem was, despite being immune to mind reading, I couldn't help making a subtle proposal.

"Hey, Madam Administrator. Want a firsthand view of what's going on here, maybe?"

The golem responded as if it had completely forgotten the resentment it had been pouring toward me seconds ago.

『...If, possible?』

"How do you suppose we make that possible?"

Learning wasn't the sole domain of humans, but human learning possessed a somewhat swifter and inherent characteristic. After all our interactions together, the golem came to a swifter decision than before, albeit with some hesitation.

"...S-shall we take a walk together, oppa?"

"Sorry? Who's your oppa again? Do I look like a pushover who'd give out any favor when called 'oppa'?"

There was a pause, during which I could hear the golem's joints creak. Then it pitifully looked up at me.

Due to the swift and inherent nature of human learning, injury to the brain's reward circuitry yielded instant feedback.

I toyed with the idea of denying its request and confining it to the storage room again, but it seemed a shame to crush its spirit so soon.

"That's right! I am that pushover! Off we go!"

Before the golem could respond, I scooped it up and started walking.

The courtyard was organized with food and supplies stacked in boxes. Most of the food was canned. Because the Military State's cans could be recycled as long as you could use alchemy, we decided to actively make use of them.

That did mean a bit of suffering for me, being the only one capable of alchemy.

I pulled out a can and popped it open, revealing gleaming white rice packed to the brim. I held it in front of the golem's face.

"Now, look here. We're packing up. This stuff will keep us going once we escape this place."

『...Agh!』

Apparently, seeing it for herself helped her realize the situation. Holding the groaning golem, I strutted around, showing off our happy occasion.

"Who do you think we owe all this to? None other than the Earth Sage who came here!"

I dramatically pointed to the Earth Sage, who sat cross-legged in the middle of the courtyard, trying to tune in to the earth's energies. Noticing our footsteps, she turned her head.

"Ahh, the messenger of the Military State. It has been a while... But how should I address you?"

"Please call me Hughes! If we're not close enough for names yet, 'hey,' 'you,' or 'dude' works too!"

"How could a wayfarer be so presumptuous? I will take the liberty of calling you by your name."

"Thank you! Score, the Earth Sage is gonna call me by name!"

Having the Earth Sage address me by name felt like a life achievement. The old engineers in the cities would die of envy if I bragged about this.

In any case, I presented the golem hung to my side. The golem hastily saluted, as if honored to be in the Earth Sage's presence.

『Captain Abbey, Signaller of the Military State reporting! My primary duty is to monitor and manage Tantalus. Firstly, I wish to welcome your return, Brigadier General!』

"Thank you. However, I have not returned. I am here specifically to eradicate the abyss."

『I have a report to make regarding that! General, is there any chance you could hold off on removing the abyss?』

The Earth Sage quirked an eyebrow.

"Is that the will of the Military State?"

『Affirmative. The authorities have yet to assess the environmental impact of the abyss disappearing. There is no certainty it can even be eradicated, for one, and...』

"No need for concern. I have verified it multiple times."

『...Additionally, there may be international upheaval, and sporadic issues stemming from the breakout of the trainees...』

"That too is not the Military State's concern. Mother Earth wishes for the abyss to disappear and for the land's vital essence to return. Humans should act accordingly. And from my observations, the people here are far too virtuous to belong in the abyss."

Did that mean she would've sent us straight to Mother Earth's side if we showed any signs of being evil?

Whew, what a relief. I haven't done anything wrong, have I?

"Moreover, the Military State has no right to speak of such matters. Have not the truly wicked already escaped? You had better reflect upon yourselves before pointing fingers at me."

『Then, at the very least...』

Despite the continued reproaches, the golem persisted in its persuasion.

『...Should you not inform the disciples who once followed you, General? Should they not also witness the moment the abyss disappears?"

For a fleeting instant, a crack formed in the Earth Sage's expression. Sitting cross-legged, she let out a deep, heavy sigh.

"How much more waiting is required?"

Misreading the Earth Sage's mood, the golem perked up, thinking she might have had a change of heart.

『One year, no, we can speed it up a little more. During this time, Brigadier General, you should reach out to the disciples scattered across the Military State. Our Public Affairs Office will assist you.』

The signaller seemed to think she was making a crucial suggestion, but she was unfortunately wrong. The Earth Sage wasn't particularly eager to meet her fellow disciples.

"...How can I make them wait any longer? I am the one who drove them along that thorny journey. They still remember that harrowing failure. If I were to revive their hopes, only to plunge them into despair once more..."

Grim determination flickered across Earth Sage's face as she continued in a bitter murmur.

"I will take action first. Once the abyss is gone, I shall relay only the news that Mother Earth's wrath has been quelled... along with my apology for living up to their expectations too late."

『General...』

"I have already set my mind. It does not matter what the Military State will do next. I will do what I must."

The Earth Sage's determination felt like an unstoppable, rolling boulder. Acknowledging this, the golem silently studied her for a moment and then raised its hand in another salute.

『...May fortune favor you, General.』

The signaller was all about killing me for defying the State's orders, yet she'd wish fortune upon the Earth Sage. Wasn't this discrimination?

Then again, someone of the Earth Sage's stature did deserve special treatment. Fair enough.

Feeling the conversation couldn't be continued any further, I picked up the golem and headed into the prison. The golem hung limply by my side.

I spoke to the golem.

"At any rate, you understand now, right?"

『...What are you referring to?』

"I'm not deserting my post, I'm losing it. That's as vast a difference as falling and jumping. In other words, I'm not guilty concerning this matter. Do you understand?"

『Regardless of what you say, the fact that you caused a Starfall does not change.』

"I told you I didn't kill him. How could an ordinary chap like me harm a general officer? I wouldn't be able to even touch a hair of theirs."

『The State has no way of knowing this. Should you wish to prove your innocence, turn yourself in once you escape Tantalus and cooperate with the investigation.』

"Oh like hell I'd be doing that."

『...I concur.』

The golem made a disgruntled noise.

『Though she may be a Gray Star, the Brigadier General is highly respected throughout the State. People of all ranks admire her, especially in our country. Therefore, I caution you not to cause her harm under any circumstances.』

"What are you going on about? Why would we hurt the Earth Sage?"

『...I was merely emphasizing. All who have been cast down here... have met unfortunate fates, after all.』

"How ridiculous. Setting aside our lack of intent, we don't even possess the capability!"

With one exception, of course.

Anyway. After listening to the Earth Sage's story and reading her memories, she didn't strike me as the sort to do anything that the regressor would take note of. So what the heck was about to happen?

It could be one of two possibilities. Either the regressor was actually a delusional girl who believed herself to be a regressor, or there was something huge lurking at the depths of the abyss that would transform the Earth Sage's very nature.

As I began to wonder if I should seriously contemplate the first hypothesis, late as it was...