Chapter 1140 – Cleaning Up Afterward

000

“I’m sorry, but even I can’t fix this.”

＂What…＂

When I used the remaining magic power to transport Cleon and Fleur outside the cockpit, there was a brief commotion because the two were hugging each other tightly.

In any case, there was a need to sort out the situation.

First of all, the corpse of Tiamat, who was stillborn in an explosion.

As Atra warned, the monster that was cut down using her magic power and the Atlasia Sword was so efficient that it exploded after a certain period of time, leaving no need to dispose of the body.

Of course, she is more flashy in terms of directing, and it saves her the trouble of cleaning up after herself, so it may not be so bad in terms of method.

As a group member, there was no need to have that huge corpse next to us.

The problem was that Laplace might have escaped from Tiamat.

“That part is okay.”

Sasha, or rather, Ruben, borrowed from Sasha’s mouth, said that.

She crossed her arms and looked toward the ceiling, and others followed her by raising their heads toward the ceiling.

“Joy. That old man did his job properly for the last time.”

＂…? I’m not sure, but if Ruben says so…”

Cleon nodded his head in understanding.

And, the next one would have been Darwin.

＂…＂

Darwin felt as if time had stopped with the amulet attached to his body.

He was lying on the ground with a lost expression.

Now that I’ve heard the explanation of her current situation, it goes without saying that dealing with her has become even more difficult.

“… First, there is no option to take him with you, right? Such a lump of luggage.”

When Lila asked a question carefully, Cleon must have muttered ‘Umm…’.

“But isn’t it a bit dangerous to leave it here? There is something like a hidden test subject, so what if I try to release this seal?”

What Attis said also made sense.

Although all the executives were neutralized, the party had not thoroughly searched the laboratory to check everything, so they still did not know where something was hidden.

It wouldn’t be wise to leave the sealed Darwin in a place like that.

“Then, what if I surround it with my barrier?”

Just as the great shaman laid out her own barrier in the basement of her temple, Kuo will be able to block external elements from approaching Darwin.

However, that too was denied by Lila as she shook her head.

“No. That’s because when Kuon’s magical power is depleted, he will be released automatically.”

“Then anyway, what you’re saying is that it’s easier to clean up later if you kill me here and now.”

As he said that, Schrödinger pulled out his claws.

“No. How did you put this guy through hell? It would be too kind of him to just kill him now. He’ll bleed to death in about three days anyway, so we’ll just have to enjoy hell in the meantime.”

When Artis, who had a strong hatred for Darwin, said that, Schrödinger had no choice but to step down and say, ‘No, I was just kidding…’.

It was then.

＂Um, uh… Then, this is… ＂

Among Attis’ disciples, a girl wearing glasses quietly raised her hand.

He took out a sharp-shaped stone from his bag and showed it.

“That’s… A barrier stone! The one we used when we came here!”

It is a top-class barrier stone used when passing through a canyon infested with wyverns or camping at night.

I thought he would be with the luggage he left outside.

“Oh, I heard it was dangerous inside, so I was wondering if I might need this… Should I have brought it?”

Although, when I fell to where Darwin was earlier, I couldn’t use the barrier stone because no one knew how to use it.

“No, no, good job! Come and give me a kiss!”

When Artis sees his disciple and tries to pull him and stroke him, the disciple says, ‘Ew! It smelled like cigarettes!’ And made a disapproving expression.

“Hmm… Well, it seems a bit of a waste to use such a top-class barrier stone to protect this guy. If that were the case, it would last not only for 3 days, but at least a year…”

“All that’s left is to put it in a place where it can’t be seen. Which would be better?”

Lila agrees, and Amelia looks around.

＂Ah, over there. There is a hole that Tiamat passed through while digging. How about burying them there together?”

＂… They say quite, quite scary things… ＂

When Amelia naturally talked about burying people, Schrödinger reacted like that.

Amelia also went smoothly, so it seems that she was influenced by Cleon’s party’s way of thinking.

In the end, Amelia’s plan was passed.

The party carefully moved Darwin into the pit, and planted a barrier stone there to create a strong barrier surrounding Darwin.

Then cover it with soil again.

“He who was born from the dust will return to the dust.”

As Artis said that, while the burial work was in progress, he threw the cigarette butt he had been smoking on a pile of dirt and stamped it out with his foot.

You can think of that as her final insult to Darwin.

“Okay, then… Finally.”

Cleon said that and looked at Atlasia, who was quietly taking her turn.

Looking at it like this from the outside, it looked quite tattered, so I was thinking that it would be difficult to transport it like this.

He must have quietly asked Oldburn, who was sitting next to him and seemed to be thinking about something.

＂Can you… Fix this?＂

And, Oldburn’s answer was exactly the answer above.

＂Even if you are a grandfather, is it difficult to repair it?＂

“If we look into alternative technologies, we may be able to restore the appearance to some extent. For a bipedal weapon this large, it would be difficult to completely repair it. You may not be able to walk properly.”

That’s why I like bipedal weapons to be human-sized or slightly larger.

, Adds Oldburn.

I’m not sure, but it seems that giant automata that walk on two feet are not very efficient.

“So my suggestion is to prepare a new body, not this body. It’s about transferring her spirit there.”

＂A new body… A different automaton?＂

In response to Cleon’s question, Oldburn got up from his seat, making the sound of ‘hearing’.

And then I’ll approach Atlasia’s fallen head.

Although it was slightly dented due to the impact of the fall, that part was made a little more solid than the chest area where the cockpit was, so it was a place where important parts for Atlasia were concentrated.

Then, Old Burn excavated her Atlasia, revived her memory, and pressed the buttons in the frame of her head in order.

Then, a ‘click’ sound will be heard, and Atlasia’s head will naturally open, revealing the complex machinery contained within.

At first glance, it is the largest spherical object that looks like a human brain.

A part the size of Cleon’s head stood out the most.

“This is her soul.”

Old Burn pointed to the part, and Cleon nodded.

“If we can find a machine that can fit this, she can give her a new body. It may be impossible right now, but if you go back to Eratus and search a little, you will find it.”

“I see… Then, let’s do that.”

When Cleon said that, Old Burn seemed to understand and reached out his hand familiarly, taking out the soul of her sphere-Atra from her head.

At that time.

＂Huh?＂

Among the parts inside her head, Cleon discovered a part of another small sphere that was not connected to the sphere.

He must have picked it up and showed it to Oldburn.

“I don’t have to take this?”

“That’s… Hmm, it’s an emotional control module.”

＂Emotion control… Module?＂

When Cleon asked Old Burn, who spoke in technical terms, Old Burn scratched his head and gave a more detailed explanation.

“So… It’s like her ‘conscience’ so to speak.”

＂What.＂

In that case, isn’t it better to take it with you?

“… No… Wait, that wasn’t connected?”

However, soon after realizing that this part had been separated from the beginning, Cleon looked at Oldburn.

“… The original purpose of using it was not to help you defeat monsters.”

＂This young Yeongtaengi…＂

So, even as an Old Burn, Atra was bound by something like her conscience and prepared to follow her own orders…

＂…＂

Even after Cleon understood that, he looked at the sphere for a moment and then returned it to its original position.

“Well… In the end, I don’t think it’s necessary. This.”

＂Is that so?＂

Old Burn seemed to be questioning Cleon’s answer, but Cleon nodded her head once again.

“Ah. Even without this, Atra had the heart of a true warrior.”

001

After organizing what needs to be organized, the group somehow escapes from the laboratory and lands on the ground-

I was able to return to the Four Dragon Mountains.

In the end, it succeeded in achieving several goals, including the annihilation of the returnees.

Unido, cure Nemeia… Cure?

Anyway, since he succeeded in saving his life, the goal was achieved.

“We’ll go back to the group for now. If it is left empty for too long, the children will get scared. I’m sorry for not being able to accompany you until the end. Cleon.”

Therefore, Uni decided to part ways with Cleon and his group here.

It would have been an option to go over another mountain like this and follow Cleon, who had to head to where Leviathan was, but there was a need to sort out various things first.

“Hmph, I don’t mind.”

The black uni who spits out grumbling words like that.

“Cleon. It’s okay later, so let me repay you…”

Speaking of which, it’s also about Nemeia, who somehow wrapped her tail around Cleon’s leg.

＂Ah, haha…＂

Cleon looked embarrassed and nodded to Nemeia, then turned to Yuni and spoke.

“There’s no need to be sorry. “I received a lot of help while coming here.”

＂No… If you tell us that, we will also provide help that we don’t know how to repay…”

“There is no end to talking about who helped who more, so let’s leave it at that.”

With the humility of the two people, Laila appropriately cut off a story that seemed likely to be repeated indefinitely.

And just like that, Cleon and his party sadly let go of Yuni and her family.

It must have been a bit difficult to reassure her by continuing to shake her hand as she turned around several times along the way.

However, it did not end there.

Not long after they left.

“It looks like all your business here is done.”

＂You!＂

A red-haired woman suddenly appears from a transparent place.

“Oh! It’s Laila, you’ve got big clothes!?”

The reason Sasha raised her voice strangely at the end was because Lila was holding her head next to her.

And Lila, in her guarded manner, will talk to her.

“What. Now you’re not saying, ‘We’ve sorted out the regressors, you’re next!’, Right?”

＂Hehe…＂

The guardian just laughs at Lila’s suspicions.

Her attitude was so adult-like compared to the childlike Lila that it actually made her feel embarrassed.

＂W-what are you laughing at!?＂

“No. Of course, I have no intention of doing so. I just… Got a favor from him.”

＂That…?＂

Lila asks who she is talking about

Then, the guardian smiled and looked up at the sky.

There, a huge wyvern seemed to be flying in the sky, waiting for something.

＂It’s an old man.＂

Harsh words come out of Sasha’s mouth once again.

Of course, it was Ruben’s voice.

＂Ah… Is this it? ＂

As if Lila understood, she took out the wyvern’s brain that she had kept in her bag.

“Yes. I heard that returning it was a contract between you and him.”

“Of course I plan to return it. But, yes. Is it necessary to return this to the body and treat it…”

Lila thinks so, and she sighs that it will be too late to move on to the next mountain.

However, with one flick of her finger, the brain vessel in Lila’s hand rose and moved to her hand.

＂Wait, what are you doing?＂

“If that’s the case, I can do it too. I will take over the contract with him and treat him.”

In response to Lila’s opposition, she says so.

In other words, it meant that he would take on the hard work that Cleon and his party had to do.

＂… Why so much?＂

Cleon asked a question as if he didn’t understand-

“The heat from the night hasn’t cooled down yet, so should we leave it at that?”

The guardian smiled lewdly and answered like that.

Of course, Cleon felt a chill running down her spine as she felt an freezing chill flowing from the other female Jin.

“Ah, okay. Then I’ll leave it to you. We’ll keep going like this, to the next mountain!”

“Oh. It’s a pity.”

The guardian spoke like that on purpose and said, ‘Okay then. He left a greeting saying ‘Have a nice trip’ and disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared.

And as if following the guardian, the huge wyvern hovering above her head also left.

＂Haa…＂

＂Cleon.＂

Kuon’s cool voice was heard.

＂… Yes.＂

“I have something to talk about later.”

This time it was Amelia’s voice.

＂… Yes.＂

She had no choice but to nod her head in response.

What’s left…

＂Grandpa…＂

As if she was worried about Fleur, she looked at Old Burn.

Old Burn, though her wounds were healed by Kuon’s warmth.

“Of course, I have to follow along. Fleur, I can’t let you go alone. Above all… Leviathan. Wouldn’t it be a relief to have at least one more expert on machinery?”

Cleon sighed and shook her head at Old Burn, who was already talking to her confidently as if he were her colleague.

“Anyway, it’s a strange inspiration…”

“What. It is true that it would be helpful to have more experts, but…”

Artis also spoke as if he was a little reluctant to take Oldburn with him right after betraying the returner.

“It’s okay, I’ll be keeping an eye on this guy. Older humans, let’s do our best.”

Quartz raised her hand and said so.

＂I feel relieved if Quartz takes care of it. Elderly person.”

＂Hehe…＂

At Kshat’s words, Oldburn just smiled as if he didn’t know what relief was.

“Ruler. Then it really is the last time.”

And what the group’s gaze was directed at.

It was a ‘Longsword clone’ that had been quietly frowning since a while ago and had followed me here without a second thought.

＂…＂

Her companions must have looked at her in silence for a moment as they glanced at her as if they could see what she was thinking.

＂What do you want to do…? Honestly, if you come this far, why not leave it behind…”

When Kuon asks, Sasha talks.

“Thanks to Tiamat having an upset stomach, we were able to escape…”

“Wait a minute, don’t remind me…”

Lila must have shed tears while blocking Sasha’s words.

＂What do you think?＂

And then, Amelia asked a question to the long sword clone who was quietly waiting for the group’s decision.

“Are you asking me?”

“That’s right. You should also listen to what you want to do ‘first’. It’s up to us to decide what to do after that.”

＂…＂

At Lila’s words, Longsword’s clone seemed to think a little more for a moment.

＂The artificial holy sword was broken… Darwin, the creator, also died… Probably, even if we go back to this, there is nothing we can do. All that remains is that the body is incredibly strong…”

“What. That alone is a considerable ability.”

“… And if the Exile Church finds out that I’m alive, they might contact me somehow.”

They either disposed of it… Or kidnapped it for its utility value. It means that something like that can happen.

＂Hehe…＂

Lila will have a smile on her face as if what she said was a good idea.

This was the look on her face when she was thinking evil thoughts.

＂Well, so… I… ＂

“… I can’t help it. Until we do something about the Expulsion Church, it’s safest for you to stay with us… And we’ll be able to keep an eye on you, too. First, I think it would be a good idea to follow along.”

When Cleon says that to the long sword clone, the clone looks surprised at first, but then nods his head.

“What. It could also be used as bait for the religious order, so I guess I agree.”

＂Mi, bait…＂

At Lila’s words, the clone dropped his shoulders.

I can’t see where the confidence he was when I first met him has gone.

Well, it may be something that can’t be helped since the meaning of existence has been denied and various things have been broken.

“Then. This clone of Alvain is – no, it’s strange that they keep calling it that. First, I think it would be better to have a name.”

And, when Cleon said that, the clone blinked its eyes and showed a surprised expression.

＂Hey, name?＂

“Okay. Even so, if you keep calling me ‘long sword’ or ‘clone’, it doesn’t seem like you’re calling a person, right?”

＂My, name…＂

Since Darwin had also called him by a name like Type A Clone No. 0, he seemed at a loss as to how to react to Cleon’s words.

“What do you want me to call you?”

The clone thought for a bit about Cleon’s words.

“… I want you to decide everything.”

＂I…?＂

It was to hand over the choice to Cleon.

“Wait a minute, are you serious? Leave the name to Cleon-“

And in response to that choice, Lila will momentarily recall Cleon’s naming sense and try to stop it.

But when I think about it, no matter what funny name this guy gets, it has nothing to do with him.

＂…＂

Then I guess it’s a good thing.

And Laila quickly sank.

＂… Uhm…＂

Cleon seemed to think about it for a moment, but then he would talk to her.

“Then. With ‘Rosé’.”

＂Rosé…?＂

At Cleon’s naming, she blinked her eyes. For some reason, her cheeks also looked a little red.

“Okay. The word meaning ‘0’ in ancient language is reversed in order. I could have used it as is, but it doesn’t sound like a woman’s name.”

“Ah, ah… That’s what it means. I also…”

At Cleon’s words, the clone quickly nodded and calmed down her mind.

＂?＂

At the clone’s reaction, Cleon would have tilted her head.

Lila knew.

The word ‘rosé’ already has a ‘meaning’ in the ancient language.

And maybe that clone also knows what that means.

Although I didn’t necessarily say it out loud.

So, after clearing up the matter about the clones, the party was able to move forward once again.

What remains now is the last mountain of the Sarong Mountain Range – ‘Jade Dragon Mountain’.

The long expedition was slowly coming to an end.