A survey team from the Kingdom of Egelea was encamped at the Soldrake Ruins, further east of the Botsuffa Ruins.
The captain of the team was Paule Raid. They were almost overrun by Giant Ants that appeared from the depths of the earth because they had carried away the golem that had once protected the ruins.
"That time was terrible.
I still have the hairs on my back when I think back on it.
< to block the entrance and exit, but you never know when they might come out.
However, since no one has come out since then, I think there is little need to worry about it.
The survey team this time was also meant to confirm that there is no such danger.
< appeared.
However, it seems that their fears were unfounded, as no nests of any kind were found in the ground, no matter how many times the earth magic users investigated.
* * * *
In Horai Island, the old man was observing such a research team with a <>.
<> have been exterminated since then.
When Jin checked the ruins, he found that the markers had been left behind and that blocking the entrances and exits would not interfere with the search, and as a result, the hundreds of eggs that had been left behind were all destroyed.
We were also able to stock a large amount of formic acid secreted by <<<< giant ants (Gigantes)>> and analysis is progressing.
The acid is so strong that it can even damage the skin of Reiko, who was using the wing membrane of a sea dragon at the time.
Saki and the old man worked together to analyze it, and the secret was revealed to be the magical effect of <>.
In short, it is a liquid with a <> effect.
The fact that such a thing can be biosynthesized is probably the reason why < is a monster.
It is now possible to synthesize and produce something of equal or greater value.
At such a time.
"Old man, I've almost finished analyzing the <>.
Saki wandered in from the laboratory.
<
"I'm glad to hear you say so, but more than half of the credit goes to you, right?
Saki is now a top-notch alchemist. She is now a top-notch alchemist, especially in the field of material analysis.
"Oh, you're a member of the research team?"
"What about the Kingdom of Franz?"
"They are not going to send a survey team because the country is not stable yet.
"I see. <
<< is heading there herself.
"Oh. That's interesting. I'll have to talk to Jin and Erza.
<
"That's very good of you, old man."
<
Just as he said, Jin and Erza came from the village of Kaina. Reiko is with them, of course.
"I heard that the Nostalgia Party has started to investigate the old Leonard's Kingdom?
<
In the magic screen, an airship of <>'s own style was shown.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There is the old capital, Diaa.
Elena, the golden princess, opened her mouth.
"It seems so. But it's beautifully covered with grass. I wonder how long it has been there.
Donald Callow, the number two of the Nostalgia party, chimed in. He is an excellent magecraftsman.
"The former capital Diaa is located quite south of the former Leonard's Kingdom, and it seems that there are many plants and trees that do not die even in winter. Therefore, it is likely that the area has been covered with more vegetation than we imagined."
"I see."
Donald nodded at Elena's theory.
"Where would you like to land?"
the pilot of the airship asked. The sea of grass below seemed to offer no place to land.
"Yes, there is. There seems to be a river running a little to the south, and there seems to be a riverbed. That's where we should go.
"Yes, sir."
The nostalgia airship slowly headed south.
There was a large riverbed. There was some grass, but not so much that it was impossible to land.
"Let's go there.
There was a flat area the size of a baseball field away from the river.
The airship made by Nostalgia landed slowly.
"Any sign of evil?"
"No response."
Nostalgia has a magical device that reacts to magic and can be detected within a radius of about 500 meters.
It can only be used as a warning since it does not know the direction or strength, but it is still useful. It is useful when camping.
So we'll camp here. We'll do the survey tomorrow."
"Okay."
Elena is accompanied by only one pilot and one guard, in addition to Donald.
The soldiers prepared the camp. The small number of people and the large number of useful magical tools made it easy for them.
Because of the small number of people accompanying them, they had plenty of food on board, so they were able to have a decent meal.
Donald, the pilot, and the accompanying soldiers were able to sleep soundly.
The presence of the magic tool and Elena made it safe to be on the lookout for wild beasts.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, as soon as it was light, they set out to survey the ruins.
"This is ......"
"This is a wonderful technology.
Elena and Donald are conducting the survey. The guards are standing guard around the site.
"Wow, this is an interesting architectural style.
"Indeed, there is a lot of ancient technology here..."
Their voices were lively.
* * * * * *
(You have good instincts, don't you?)
The old man said to himself, without saying it out loud.
Right now Jin, Erza, and Saki are doing what they have to do, and the old man is the only one who is observing the survey team.
The past investigations by the Horai-jima team have eliminated most of the major dangers.
However, the ruins are still there, so the people of this world can find and analyze them.
No, in fact, I thought it would be better to have them do so.
If it is not something dangerous like the relics of the Magic War, I would welcome it.
The Kingdom of Klein, the Kingdom of Egelea, and the Nostalgia.
The three research teams were achieving results in their respective places.
* * * * *
The time goes back to the previous day.
Jin and Erza were discussing with Saki.
"It seems that this is loosely but firmly bound together by the free magical element (ether) it contains, just as we thought.
Saki explains.
"Therefore, the melting point is only 5 degrees Celsius higher than that of ordinary mercury, but the boiling point is more than 250 degrees Celsius higher. This is something else, isn't it?"
"I see. ......"
"There's more. The reactivity is unusually low. I'm surprised it doesn't form compounds like dimethylmercury."
"Wow."
These compounds and their effects on the human body were revealed not through Jin's knowledge, but through the scientific books brought into the world by Shuki Tsetsi.
"Most of its physical properties are the same as those of mercury. Mass, expansion rate, viscosity, and so on.
"It's curious that the expansion rate remains the same even though the boiling point has increased."
"Yes. Is it mercury atoms or molecules trying to become gas? Molecule? Maybe the free magic element (ether) is holding the mercury atom or molecule that's trying to become gas together.
"Well, the physical properties of free magic element (ether) are still a mystery. ......
"If ......, is it possible to replace the contents of a mercury thermometer?"
Saki smiled at Erza's question.
"Hmph, I expected that question. The answer is .
This is good news. If we can replace it with a substance that is a little less dangerous and toxic, we will welcome it.
Jin immediately instructed his craftsman (Smith).
Within a few days, all the mercury in use would be replaced with witch-hard mercury.
Mercury is only used in mercury thermometers.
"Then there's the possibility of using it to power a fluid-form drive.
Jin seems to be more interested in this.
"It's just too heavy."
Mercury has a specific gravity of about 13.6 at 0 degrees Celsius, making it lighter than adamantite but heavier than iron or copper.
We need to find out the relationship between quantity and power.
"Brother Jin, you should also thoroughly study its toxicity."
Jin nodded at Erza's advice.
"I agree. I don't want to do the experiment by myself. Thank you, Elsa.