Episode 252.2

Episode 252.2

(EP-252.2) Caged #7

252 – Caged Bird #7

“That was nerve-wracking. I thought we’re done for.”

Mirna, uncharacteristically, sounded weak. It showed just how urgent the recent situation had been.

Stella added her thoughts as well.

“That was too reckless. It’s fortunate it worked out, but if anything had gone wrong, it could’ve been disastrous.”

“Either way, staying put or following their orders would have led to trouble. Still, the soldiers aren’t fools, so we need to finish quickly.”

The soldiers guarding this lab must have a reporting system.

Especially since these soldiers were guarding a Class A area, they might have reported the recent situation and warned the soldiers inside the lab.

As a result, we needed to hurry a bit more. There was no time to linger over what had just happened.

The Sector A we entered was filled with rather curious things. Unknown liquids boiled in tanks, and armor, swords, and spears were placed here and there.

It felt more like a barracks than a laboratory.

There were far more soldiers in black protective suits than in other areas. Seeing the numerous weapons and soldiers, Mirna spoke softly.

“Look at these. Mana bombs. The shape is different, but these ominous things can’t be explained other than a mana bomb.”

Mirna pointed to small PT bottles containing fluorescent liquid. Not knowing what mana bombs were, I had nothing to say.

Then Stella answered.

“Each of these small bottles can produce the same firepower as a Rank 3 Fireball.”

A Rank 3 Fireball. I remembered when the sages at Ark once demonstrated a fireball. It caused a huge explosion, like a bomb going off.

“It’s ready. Now we just need to draw a fuse with magic and ignite it.”

At Stella’s words, I used my imp tail wand to draw a line from the stacked mana bombs to a distant shelter. It was a makeshift magical path.

Before triggering the explosion, Mirna drew a circle around us as we hid behind cover.

“We might get caught in the blast, so I’ve set up a barrier. It’s temporary, but it’s better than nothing.”

“Alright, I’m going to detonate it. Everyone, cover your ears.”

This reminds me of my days as a combat engineer. After the traditional countdown, I poured my magic into the fuse.

Kwaaang━━━─!!!

At the same time, a colossal noise exploded in my ears, akin to a giant hammer smashing a cauldron lid.

Despite thinking we were at a safe distance, the intense blast filled my ears with a ringing sound.

Bbiiiiii-.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the darkened laboratory, fires blazing everywhere, and people moving around with fire extinguishers and sprinklers spraying fire-extinguishing liquid from above.

Could this be hell?

That thought briefly crossed my mind, but it quickly vanished when I saw Mirna’s face tapping my cheek.

“━━━──!”

Mirna seemed to be urgently shouting something at me. However, I couldn’t hear well, likely due to the explosion affecting my ears. They might be injured.

The explosion’s power was much greater than I had calculated. Fortunately, my senses and hearing were gradually returning.

“Sir Theo, we have to go quickly while everyone is busy putting out the fire...!”

“Ah.”