Chương 189: Chapter 68: "Space Fortress Estcage"

On the third floor of the laboratory, there was a place clearly guided as a dock. Lilna and I headed there together.

"Come here. I found it." Following Lilna's beckoning, there was only one vehicle that looked like a spaceship mixed in with ordinary cars. It was a white car-like vehicle with a transparent lid on top, something that didn't resemble Earth's rockets at all. If anything, I feel it's closer to a UFO. As Plato said, there are only two seats next to each other, so it certainly seems to be a two-seater. On the license plate attached to the rear, 『Near-Space Type 1-204』 is engraved.

"Can we go to space with this shape and size? That's amazing."

"A gift of the old civilization. In our era, the reason to go to space disappeared. Space-related technology has declined considerably." Just as I put my hand on the lid of the spaceship, Lilna asked as if remembering.

"I am a machine, so I'm fine, but can you operate in space in that outfit? We found space suits earlier."

"That part is fine. It would be hard to fight wearing something bulky. I want you to hold my hand for a bit."

"Understood. You intend to do something." Nodding, I hold hands with Lilna. When Lilna is by my side, it feels like the power of my heart wells up much more than usual. It's probably not my imagination. Because she has saved me many times already. Why only Lilna? Somehow, I felt like I could understand the reason now. I call out to"Me" too.

'As usual, I'm counting on you too.'

'Okay.' Lenks. I'll borrow your technique again. 《Survival of the Unfit》 There is no change in appearance, but I definitely felt the sensation of using it. With this, we should be able to operate in space without problems.

"This should be okay. Since we don't know what might happen, I cast it on you too, just in case."

"That helps." Even so... Will. You are... Did you foresee this happening and do something like sending me to space suddenly...? I thought he did it on a whim. But now, I can only think he led Lenks to use it because it would be needed here. Killing Lenks was also to make us fight Baragion. Not to destroy this world. Because if that were the case, he could easily do it right at this moment when there are no hindrances, but he isn't doing so. This novel's true home is a different platform.

Support the author by finding it there. In the first place, he didn't seem very interested in this world. I don't feel his presence anywhere now, but... There is something behind his actions. But what is his goal? I didn't have a clue.

"What's wrong? Suddenly making a difficult face."

"There was something a little concerning. Well, it's irrelevant now."

"If there is anything you want to consult about, say it without hesitation."

"Of course." Following Lilna getting in, I also get in and sit down. I was thinking of leaving the driving to Lilna, who once boasted that she was knowledgeable about vehicles, but.

"Besides manual, it seems it can be easily operated with a remote control too. Estcage is set as the destination."

"Maybe he made it with that intention from the beginning."

"Maybe so." Remembering Lewis, Lilna makes a solemn face.

"Come to think of it. Here, there doesn't seem to be any mechanism for the wall to open or anything."

"You'll understand if you press it for now." Pulling herself together, Lilna presses the button to go to the destination set on the remote control in a light tone. Pa, just when I thought my vision was cut off. We were already in outer space. Beyond illuminated by the lights of the spaceship, a fortress like a small island floating in pitch-black space is faintly reflected. It must be Estcage. Looking down, the figure of the planet Elntia was reflected largely.

Apparently, even though it's space, the altitude is quite close to the atmosphere. Setting that aside.

"To think we arrived so easily..." Lilna leaks as if taken aback. I was in complete agreement.

"Honestly, I thought there would be more to it." But thinking about it, since he is the developer of that 《Passtrive》, long-distance warp might have been his specialty. In the first place, if there wasn't technology to do at least that much, space war couldn't have been established. Trying to approach further from there, as expected, we received a lot of bombardment on the way. But honestly, compared to the tight security of Diesnatura, it wasn't much of a big deal.

Probably because many weapons broke down without maintenance. It didn't have the majesty I heard from Mom. Lilna skillfully maneuvers the spaceship, which can also use Short Warp, and dodges well. As we finally approached, Estcage revealed its dull silver form. Is it about the size of the Central Factory and Central Processing Plant combined? As a space structure, it is considerable in size, and except for cannons protruding here and there, it is rounded as a whole. It was rotating slowly. We saw the entrance gate.

Metal was tightly engaged and firmly closed, but Lilna pries it open using 《Selphanon》. At this time, we had to go outside no matter what, so it really helped to have cast 《Survival of the Unfit》. The spaceship invaded the dock at the top of Estcage. When we got off, our feet firmly touched the ground without floating fluffily in the air. It seems gravity is generated. As expected, after two thousand years, it seemed to be deteriorating here and there. And not a single sound.

Wherever I looked, a dull silver monotonous scenery spread out. Just wide, like a space prison. It seemed like a too lonely place where I wouldn't want to stay even for a minute or a second. Did Orted stay in a place like this all this time? For two thousand years, all alone. What was he doing? Until I came here, I still felt indignation towards him, but witnessing such a scene, sympathy sprouted inevitably. I felt like I somewhat understood the reason why he went a little mad. There was a guide on the wall.

It seems the system core is in a place called the Main Sector. A passage continues over there. Nodding with Lilna, we decided to proceed at a run. On the way, neither Prelions nor other weapons attacked us at all. While nothing happened too much, just when the suspicion that there might really be no one crossed my mind—"I was waiting. Yu." Before the passage leading to the Main Sector. Orted stood blocking the way, literally. He didn't bring anyone else with him.

No figures of Prelions, nor any unnecessary weapons existed at all. No way. Does he intend to do it alone? Above all, when I saw his serious eyes, I had something I couldn't help but think. And after hesitating a little, I made one decision.

"Lilna. Go ahead. With him, I want to do it just with us." Lilna hesitated slightly, but understanding my intent, she nodded silently.

"Understood. Make sure to catch up." Instead of a reply, I gave a thumbs up. Lilna returns a thumbs up too. She immediately uses 《Passtrive》 to slip past Orted and enter the Main Sector. Orted didn't pay attention to her at all. Even though he could have interfered, as if he didn't care. With that, it turned into conviction. I see... This man, more than anything, wanted to win— Against Mom. With his own hands. Once I realized it. Neither that mad laugh nor facing each other like this now.

I couldn't bring myself to be angry anymore. Something sorrowful drifts about. I can't replace Mom, but. From my waist, I draw Mom's memento. Orted's eyes wavered slightly. Magic Gun 《Hartrail》. It will probably work. If only I can hit him properly.

"Orted. As you wish. Let's settle this."

"Yu. Defeating you will be my new first step." I'll end it already. Shooting through the empty wish he kept waiting for two thousand years, at least with this gun.