The Reacting White Crystal

This place, filled with blazing red flames, was the interior located within the ruins on the volcanic island. At present, a Magnia Empire expedition force numbering in the hundreds was here, striving to break through the door located in this place. In truth, these ruins were not especially large in scale compared to other sites.

What was different was that the nature of the door and its durability were excessively strong. The door that had existed before had been a stone door, and they had broken through such places with bombs, but no matter how many bombs they detonated here, this place would not open.

They had been making full efforts to break through it since April of this year, but even now, in December, they still had not succeeded.

“It cannot be broken through either physically or magically, so just how are we supposed to open it?”

Lacen, who was the Emperor’s guard knight and held the rather high status of a count, shook his head as he looked at the black door visible ahead. Even the sword aura he had unleashed with all his strength had failed to leave more than a scratch upon it.

His gaze soon fell upon a fairly large tractor moving while spinning a spiral metal rod. It was trying to push forward while continuously roaring and turning its caterpillar wheels.

But it could do nothing more than slip here and there against the utterly unmoving door, and soon after, with a clang!, the metal rod could be seen snapping apart.

‘Is that already the thirtieth one or so?’

It seemed they had already brought that thing over and replaced it more than thirty times. Since even something with a diameter of at least several meters was breaking like that, he was starting to think that method would not work anymore either. Even the mage they had gone through the trouble of requesting and bringing here had proven useless, and forced physical measures such as explosions had also ended in failure.

‘How in the world are we supposed to break through that door?’

At the incomprehensible sturdiness of these unknown ruins, his face could not help but tighten into a frown. He felt as though, at this rate, the word “give up” might soon start to come up. Of course, that was absolutely impossible. The price paid to obtain this place had simply been too great.

‘Sooner or later, someone is going to realize what we are doing here.’

The reality that they had hoped to resolve the situation quickly and in secret would become meaningless. Thinking that, it felt as though only the Polia Kingdom had ended up profiting.

It had long been a kingdom he somehow disliked. In particular, he recalled the one who had worn that strange white mask with a smiling expression. They had already clashed once before, and that person too had been serving as a guard like himself.

‘If we fight this time, I feel like I could win.’

Not everything had been bad. Lacen himself had achieved a certain amount of progress. With that confidence, he had tried striking the door, but all he had managed was to leave a slight scratch on that hard door. The moment he confirmed that fact, he had no idea how empty he had felt.

‘Is there truly no other way?’

Just as he was thinking that, a middle-aged man with the appearance of a scholar approached him. He was an expert on ancient ruins and an outstanding figure with the ability to interpret various ancient scripts. That man lowered his head to Lacen and spoke.

“I have something to report to you, Lord Lacen.”

“What is it? Have you found some sort of clue?”

“I believe there may be a small one.”

“You have? Is that true?”

“Yes. I cannot be certain, but I believe I may have found a possible method.”

“What is it?”

“We need the White Crystal.”

“What? Are you saying the White Crystal is needed?”

“That is correct. The key that can open that door may perhaps be the White Crystal.”

“Hmm, are you certain of that?”

“Among the words I interpreted from the ancient language, there is a term that seems to refer to opening the door: ‘white sphere of light.’ Would that not be none other than the White Crystal?”

At that report, Lacen thought that it really might be possible. If it was true, then it meant that one of the White Crystals, an important resource, would have to be brought here. For now, since the possibility had been opened, he decided he should at least make a report.

‘His Majesty will make the decision.’

Having learned of this new method, Lacen immediately informed Emperor Jedic of this fact. About a week passed before that report went through and a reply was received. And the answer he heard was that permission was granted.

‘Once the White Crystal arrives here, we will try opening the door.’

As Lacen thought this, his eyes were shining. He had a feeling that the situation, which had been dragging on until now, might be resolved in an instant.

World Era 1917, December 28.

It was a time when the year was nearly at an end. In the midst of the situation in which his daughter had been born, Ian was continuing his duties as king. At such a time, he was listening to the year-end report from the Chancellor.

“It appears that suppression of the colonial rebel forces of each nation is currently about 80% complete. We estimate that by around the middle of next year, the extermination will be entirely finished.”

“Then that means the larger groups have all been dealt with, does it not?”

“Of course. The large-scale groups have already all been dealt with, and now only the smaller rebel forces remain. In truth, they are no real threat to us; it is simply that it takes time to track them down one by one and wipe them out.”

“That is good news. Then how many casualties have our forces suffered so far?”

“So far, there have been 6,241 dead. If the wounded are included as well, it is expected to exceed at least 30,000.”

“…..I had expected it, but many have died.”

“If one assumes that large-scale battles were fought, then actually only a small number have died. Please think of the last Great War. Compared to that scale of damage, ours would not even amount to a tiny firefly.”

“That is true. When one thinks of the tremendous number of tens of millions who died, this is a very small number. Even so, when I think of them as my soldiers, it pains me.”

“Now that we have belatedly reinforced the tanks and fighter aircraft, the losses will be even fewer.”

“I should have committed more guns, more tanks, and more fighter aircraft from the start.”

“Was it not thought back then that even that would be sufficient?”

“I simply failed to make the proper judgment. From now on, even if it means excess, I must commit far more strength.”

“If that happens, the cost will increase even more.”

“Even if it means spending more, I must protect the lives of my soldiers. If I am to send them safely back into their families’ arms, then cost is not the issue.”

“Understood. From next time onward, we will attach even more strength in addition to the level we had anticipated.”

Although the Chancellor said such things, Ian found himself wondering whether there would even be a next time. This incident was an exception, and the likelihood that they would have cause to mobilize such large-scale forces again in the future was not very high. And through this matter, the gains the Polia Kingdom would obtain were substantial.

For one thing, construction companies from their own country would be deployed in large numbers all around the world for reconstruction projects, and on the other hand, soldiers who had lacked wartime experience had now gained experience in large-scale war. In the first place, that had almost been the main objective.

As Ian listened to the Chancellor’s report, his gaze naturally turned toward Viscount Rubingston.

“Viscount, report on the current situation between the Magnia Empire and the Republic of Promance.”

“Yes, for now, as has been known thus far, it is said that the fighting continues with both sides suffering only minor losses.”

There had certainly been fighter planes that crashed, and there would no doubt be soldiers dying as they advanced while trying to break through the tunnel. But in reality, only a few thousand had died. Considering the scale of a war, that was bound to be a small number for the moment.

Unless they found a proper method, this situation would likely continue.

“Once next year comes, full-scale air battles will likely begin.”

“That is our estimation. In fact, the Magnia Empire’s mainline fighter aircraft are currently being modified in the homeland and transferred, and modification work is also constantly being carried out around the battlefield.”

“It will be something to see once next year comes.”

“The side still at a disadvantage will inevitably be the Magnia Empire. In the first place, simply entering the mountain range is disadvantageous for them.”

“Since Emperor Jedic is carrying out this offensive even while accepting the damage, many will die accomplishing nothing from here onward. In fact, I think even more pilots will die than during the Great War.”

“That is what we expect as well. And this is information obtained under the highest secrecy, but there is a report saying that the scale of the Republic of Promance may exceed what we had anticipated.”

“You mean it exceeds expectations?”

“Yes. Did not the Magnia Empire already send reconnaissance squadrons in advance to capture images of their interior? It is said that in the photographs carried by the aircraft that returned alive at that time, the appearance of many cities was captured.”

“So there seem to be quite a lot of cities?”

“It is said that dozens of cities capable of supporting at least one million people were discovered. And since not all areas were photographed, there is no way of knowing how many more cities may exist.”

“In that case, that would mean a population of at least tens of millions. There is no telling how much larger it may be.”

A large population meant that national power was correspondingly great, and at the same time, the scale of forces that could be mobilized was also large. The Republic of Promance was still a nation shrouded in mystery. At present, they knew nothing at all about the military strength it possessed.

‘In the first place, invading under such circumstances is itself arrogance.’

One thing was certain, however: at least in terms of technology, they likely would not be inferior to the Magnia Empire. Somehow, with technology like that, it felt possible that they might possess a population beyond expectations.

Of course, since they existed within the mountain range, he judged that they could not exceed one hundred million because they had no way to obtain food. But even that was not something that could be stated with certainty.

‘In truth, even the current estimate exceeds expectations, and between their technology and everything else, there are simply too many things about that nation that are completely beyond common sense.’

As he thought that time would surely reveal the truth, he then spoke as though there was something else he needed to confirm.

“I suppose the Kraken that was in the Sea of Abundance is definitely dead?”

“Yes, it seems certain that the Kraken is dead. Though they have not officially announced it, they are subtly giving off the atmosphere that they have captured the Kraken.”

They could not know about the volcanic island immediately, but just by observing the atmosphere in the imperial palace and among the ministers, they could grasp the situation. Well, with that many fleets having gone to the Sea of Abundance, there was no way even a Kraken could have endured.

“I imagine more and more nations are beginning to suspect that place.”

“They are probably all assuming that ruins exist there and that the Magnia Empire’s fleet has gathered there.”

“No one will be able to say anything about it.”

No matter what anyone said, the strongest nation at present was the Magnia Empire. And the other nations had also seen their national power reduced by the Great War, so they would not be able to interfere with the Magnia Empire’s actions. Even our own kingdom had already received a promise through dealings with them that we would do nothing.

“More than that, it seems rather strange that those bastards are staying so quiet.”

“By ‘those bastards,’ do you mean the secret organization?”

“Does it not seem strange that they, who were active before as well, are now this quiet?”

“Now that you mention it, it does. If they had known, they should have infiltrated long ago and tried to seize the White Crystal.”

“Are they aiming for something?”

“They are extremely insidious bastards, so perhaps they may indeed be after something.”

At Viscount Rubingston’s words, Ian nodded as though he agreed. There was surely some reason they were not making any notable move. Of course, they might already be moving in secret. No one could move as secretly as those people could.

“There really does seem to be something going on…”

With that muttered remark, the report was coming to an end. And the place he headed to immediately afterward was none other than the queen’s residence, where his daughter Karina was. Ian’s behavior in this regard had now become so natural that everyone simply accepted it as expected.

And so the year passed, and 1918 arrived.

Everyone was beginning the day with renewed hearts in the newly arrived new year. In the midst of this, there was one place where secret movements were underway. An excessively large number of battleships and other warships were sailing across the sea in formation.

Such movements had become a frequent sight recently. They were moving openly, yet no one could stop the movement of such a fleet. In truth, what was aboard that fleet was something extremely precious: an object called the White Crystal.

Because it was so special, it was hidden deep inside the battleship being used as the flagship, and in that state it was being transported to the Sea of Abundance.

On January 27, by the time a fair amount of the new year had already passed, the fleet finally arrived. There were likely already seven battleships present near the volcanic island. And if the battleships that had just joined were included as well, that made more than ten in total. That was proof of just how specially the Magnia Empire regarded this place.

The case containing the stored White Crystal was transported and immediately moved to the volcanic island. Since this was the moment everyone had been waiting for, many wore expressions full of expectation. They had already used every method they could try last year, and now only one remained.

“So it has finally arrived.”

Lacen too, with a heart full of anticipation, muttered as he watched someone carrying the small case. The approaching man extended the case toward him and said in a respectful voice,

“His Imperial Majesty said that you must achieve your objective with this.”

“Of course. For His Majesty, I shall definitely open the door.”

Saying that, he accepted the case and slowly opened the lid. Inside, a pure white sphere could be seen. It was an artifact called the White Crystal. As Lacen gazed upon it, his eyes shone intensely.

“So what should I do now?”

When Lacen asked the scholar-like figure that question, the man who had interpreted the ancient language answered with a grave face,

“You should try bringing it to the door. I believe it will surely react.”

“Is that so? Then I shall do it myself.”

With those words, he lifted the White Crystal in his hand. Since it showed no reaction whatsoever, it seemed that unlike Ian, he could not make it respond on his own. Lacen slowly approached the door. It was the black door he had seen so many times before that he had grown sick of it. He slowly began extending his hand toward that door.

Wooooong-!

‘It is reacting?!’

At last, light began to gather upon the black door, which had shown no reaction whatsoever until now. Various patterns emitting a pure white light similar to that of the White Crystal began to appear on the surface of the black door. At that sight, Lacen brought his hand close enough to touch it.

Fwaaaash-!!

In an instant, waves of light filled the surroundings, enough to consume his entire field of vision. And at that moment, a line appeared at the center, and the door began to open slowly. At last, the firmly sealed door was revealing itself to the world.