Chapter 233: Bottom

Giliath demands your power stones!

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"This...is this a combat orbment?", Claire asked as she looked at the Enigma II. In simple terms, it was a very fancy flip phone now, instead of it appearing to be a fancy pocket watch. Further down the line, even communication features will get installed into this bad boy, even going as far as being able to connect to the Orbal Network, and doing video calls with people. This device was essentially the phones of my past life.

"It is. I had this developed by one of the top engineers of Zeiss who is in frequent cooperation with the Epstein Foundation. It is still a prototype device, and this particular model isn't set to reach the public a few years down the line. It's a couple generations beyond what we currently have.", I started to explain.

"A Combat Orbment that hasn't reached the production line...The Foundation really has come a long way, haven't they? Last time I heard of them, they're currently trying to install the newly developed Orbal Network in Crossbell.", Emperor Eugent mused. Giliath nodded his head as well.

"Indeed. Their technological advancements have been improving our standard of living quite a lot just in these last few decades. Even the way we travel allows us to go longer distances than what we've been used to. The Transcontinental Railroad is the product of that.", Giliath said, nodding his head.

"I for sure haven't seen any of these before. It looks pretty fancy too.", Princess Alfin responded, confirming she hadn't a single clue about the Enigma II. Which made sense since they wouldn't appear until Azure started. 

"That isn't everything, either. This device won't just be used to assist us with combat. It'll even allow long distance communication once more areas have connectivity to the Orbal Network.", I explained.

"This device will allow us to communicate with others out of range? That will definitely be of most use to us, especially in the military. Reporting will be made much easier.", Claire said with a nod of her head.

"So what do you have to tell us by showing this device, Your Highness? Surely that isn't everything there is to this, right? Having a futuristic prototype does not serve much purpose just by itself.", Giliath asked, being quick to realize the situation at hand.

"...Just don't be too alarmed, alright? Even Professor Schmidt is currently over his head on this matter. If possible, Your Excellency, I want you to investigate this as well.", I said, becoming resolved myself. Despite having one of Epstein's top scientists looking into this matter, I figured father would be the second best into trying to figure out what I want to ask. After all, this matter involved AI KeA. I'm sure with father's connections, he could do his magic to try and figure out where AI KeA came from, since even now, it is giving Professor Schmidt trouble. He did say he would take it upon himself to investigate upon his return to the Epstein Foundation. I do hope this distraction won't halt the progress he makes with those Panzer Soldats that are set to reach the production line by the time the cold steel games start. I figured father was the next best person to ask about this. I know doing this is taking a big risk, but he has connections to the Gnomes.

He was the best person to use to contact the Gnomes. Since I'm currently allied with the Hexen Clan, I doubt the Gnomes will see me in a favorable light.

Without any delay, I proceeded to open up the Enigma II. After the device clicked, the front side flipped open, and a tiny elf-like creature with long ears and long azure colored hair flew down. She was hardly wearing any clothes but covered up her important areas. Two translucent wings stuck out from her back. She was very similar to a Pixie, in fact. Seeing the device now open, AI KeA stretched her arms out, as if she had just started to wake up from a long sleep. Well, she has in a way, since I had AI KeA take a rest since her time spent outside back in Legram.

Everyone either had a look of shock in their eyes or confusion the moment they saw the small pixie-like creature before them, gently stretching her body as she woke up from her sleep. It didn't take long for AI KeA's wings to start fluttering about, quickly reaching my way.

"Is it playtime again already, Master?", AI KeA asked, looking my way as she floated in the air.

"Not exactly. I want to introduce you to a few people.", I said, urging AI KeA to turn around. AI KeA nodded her head, and likewise became surprised seeing people she hadn't seen before. 

"D-Did this creature just talk?", Princess Alfin asked after a moment of silence.

"I'm rather at a loss of words here. Just what is this creature? This is nothing like the fox you have.", Claire said, frowning as she saw AI KeA float upward, only to land on my head.

"I detect no mana signature either. Just what happened while I was gone, Naoto?", Emma also said, revealing a frown.

"Haha. You can take it easy, Emma. You needn't to worry about this little one. There's a very good reason as to why you can't sense her mana. To put it simply, she has none.", I answered, which caused Emma's eyes to turn wide in surprise. "So why don't you introduce yourself to everyone, KeA?", I said, shifting my eyes upward to see her feet dangling.

"Okie Dokie! I don't know who you all are, but you can call me KeA! I am an artificial being created as a byproduct of Master's Enigma II fusing with the Second Genesis. My sole purpose is to assist Master in any way shape and form. It's nice to meet you all!", AI KeA said, introducing herself to everyone present on this platform, which only seemed to arouse further confusion in their eyes.

"Or so KeA says. I haven't a clue of what KeA is referring to, and neither does Professor Schmidt. He's been holed up back in the Epstein Foundation since encountering KeA. Hasn't provided any reports as of yet.", I said, explaining the situation.

"Artificial Intelligence...I wasn't aware that our technological advancements have come that far.", Emperor Eugent frowned as worry appeared in his eyes.

"You assume correct, Your Majesty. I was not made aware of such matters to date. Are you wanting me to look into this, Your Highness?", Giliath asked as he seemed interested while he continued to observe AI KeA above my head.

"Yes. It doesn't have to be now though. I just wanted to use this moment to introduce KeA to you guys. As for you KeA, you can go venture around, just be sure that if you come back, we'll probably be back in the palace above.", I said, letting KeA know she has time to spend on the outside. She nodded her head, and did a quick wave to everyone, before quickly vanishing from sight.

"So her name is KeA. After seeing her current behavior, she behaves very similarly to a young child. But now I know why I can't detect her mana. I didn't think there would be an artificial being out there.", Emma mused. AI KeA was created by science, so she was unable to detect the magical elements, at least not now. That would be quite scary to think about if such a thing was a possibility in the future.

"Yeah. I can only assume KeA was born the moment the Enigma II device was completed earlier this year. I like to let her roam about and absorb as much knowledge as she can while I'm about and about like this.", I said, nodding my head.

"You really are amazing, Big Brother. I didn't think I'd get to see such a cute creature.", Princess Alfin happily responded. Giliath nodded his head as well.

"You can rest assured I will look into this matter, Your Highness. Not everyone out there is capable of achieving something like this.", Giliath said, assuring me he would look into this. I am taking a risk here by doing so, but I don't think there's a better person. If I reached out to Master, all she would do is likely complain about KeA's existence, and if I went to the Epstein Foundation, those scientists would swarm me. At least with father, he can use his own pace to try and figure out AI KeA's origins. All we know is that she is tied to this Second Genesis, whatever that device is. Or is it even a device? I could hardly give a firm answer.

With that being said, the fervor in the atmosphere we were currently in calmed down considerably after everyone saw their excitement of meeting AI KeA vanish. She was gone now to do whatever she pleased for the time being. With us returning to normal on this platform, it finally reached the bottom after spending a full thirty minutes on it. It was now 10:30PM, and we saw the platform touch the bottom of the Infernal Castle. It really was a very long distance below Valflame Palace.

"Looks like we've finally arrived. I even lost track as to how long this giant shaft is. Definitely several hundred Arge in length at least.", Claire mused to herself.

"It was definitely a long descent. But what is that thing in the distance? It looks just like a knight in shining armor. Could this be the Testa-Rossa you guys were referring to earlier?", Princess Alfin asked, letting her gaze wander toward the center of the room we were now in.

In the distance stood several roots of the castle firmly rooted to the ground, sprouting up into a certain pattern, coiling around each other as the branches rose higher and higher above us. In the center of this large chamber of sorts was none other than Testa-Rossa. Behind him was just like a giant heart-like crystal, slowly pulsing away at the branches, revealing its blood-like splendor. This place obviously had Testa-Rossa sealed within.

Yet the moment we reached the bottom of this shaft, my vision suddenly became black and white for a moment, and a heavy pressure swept around my entire body. But at the same time, I felt a familiar presence amidst this giant pressure. Still, it was enough to cause me to cough, bringing me down to my knee.

"Cough...", I said, feeling some strength leave my body. Everyone became stunned seeing me suddenly react like this.

"Big Brother!", Princess Alfin yelled out, approaching my way. "Are you hurt?", Princess Alfin continued to ask with a worried look.

"No. I am sorry for showing you this. It's just real, that's all. The connection I have with Testa-Rossa, that is. I felt him try to connect to me just now.", I said, explaining what had just occurred.

"So you really do share a connection with the vermillion knight...", Emperor Eugent said, seeing me react like this.

"Shall we go give a greeting? The Vermillion Trials are not set to happen yet, but you wanted to see Testa-Rossa in person before the trials started, right, Your Highness?", Giliath asked me.

"Yes.", I said, nodding my head as I was able to stand back up. After nodding my head, I decided to lead our current group, walking out ahead of us. Seeing me start walking, everyone else followed, and Emma walked beside me.

It was quite a marvelous sight. Right now, I was now within a few feet of the large vermillion knight, Testa-Rossa. Everyone remained behind me as I closed the gap, being right in front of Testa-Rossa. I was close enough to where I could place my hand on him now.

"Did you miss me, buddy? It really is a pleasure to finally meet you in person like this for the first time.", I uttered softly to myself as I saw the giant doll-like machine before me. Taking a moment, I stretched my arm out, and felt a cool touch that made me aware that what was before me was still a machine, but the strange part was I also felt a subtle rhythmic beat, almost as if it had a heart of its own. Divine Knights really were mysterious, since they even had consciousnesses stored in their circuitry. 

Testa-Rossa was one of the seven products that resulted from two treasures granted by the Goddess herself which clashed against each other during the Great Collapse. These two were the Sept-Terrion of Fire, and the Sept-Terrion of Earth. This clash birthed what is essentially known as the Sept-Terrion of Steel, but it had a more common name that got mentioned throughout the cold steel games, The Great One. In order to seal away the Great One and its domineering powers, the Hexen Clan and the Gnomes worked together to split it into seven pieces, sealing its power away into seven fragments. These two clans then took these seven fragments, and forged the seven Divine Knights. 

And now, resting above me only a mere couple feet in distance away from me was one of those seven fragments, the Vermillion Knight, Testa-Rossa. For those who watched behind me, they were surprised to see me suddenly stretch my hand out to greet Testa-Rossa with a touch of my palm. 

"Are you sure you should be doing that, Your Highness? This is one of the knights of legend we are talking about. Shouldn't we keep our distance--?", Claire tried to project her worry at me, but she couldn't even finish speaking before all of us saw a subtle change strike against the vermillion knight. 

To my surprise, that single action of mine stirred up a reaction from Testa-Rossa. Even Emma raised her eyes in surprise, seeing a subtle glow appear in its eye-sockets, acting as if it just turned on from a period of deep slumber.

"So you've finally reached this infernal place, My Awakener.", A foreign voice spoke out to all of us, as if it was directly speaking into our minds. The Divine Knights had no mouths for it to speak from, but everyone in the room turned their eyes wide in shock, apart from Giliath.