The search for <> from the deus ex machina continues.
After making a circuit of the outer corridor, we returned to the original location where <> was waiting for us, without finding anything of note.
There was not a single window, but I knew it was the perimeter because of its length.
The distance walked was about 160 meters, and it was an arc.
Considering the distance walked down, the hemispherical structure, and the 10-meter thickness of the shell, we concluded that such a passage could only be built on the outer circumference.
Moreover, it would be the highest level in the hemisphere's interior.
"There are four turns along the way.
The circular outer passage is probably connected to a radial passage in the shape of a cross.
<
Naturally, the next object of investigation is the passage.
As a result, nothing of note was found in these passages either.
It seems that the only thing on this level is a small hall that leads to the vertical hole through which they entered.
However.
In the center of the cross, there was a spiral staircase leading down.
"I guess we'll have to go down here. ......<>keep guarding here."
Makina changed the defensive position of <.
The group descends the spiral staircase in the same order as before.
* * * *
"...... method"
The members of the <> let out a small sigh of relief when they saw the images being sent to them.
"I didn't see anything at what I thought was the top level," he said.
"What about the next level? What do you think about the next level? ...... Mr. Arnold, do you have any suggestions?
"There are probably three or four levels inside. So there must be something on the next level.
"I see."
The hemisphere is 50 meters high. If the thickness of the outer wall is 10 meters, the height of the interior space is estimated to be 30 meters.
Assuming that the height of the upper level is 5 meters and the thickness of the floor is 2 meters, there are four levels.
Since the lowest level is probably power-related, Arnold guessed that the second and third levels would be the main levels of the <.
Arnold's guess was that the second and third levels would be the main levels of the .
"The thickness between the levels is about two meters.
"There seem to be energy pipes, magic signal cables, air conditioning pipes, etc. running through it.
There are several hatches in the middle of the spiral staircase, which seem to be for maintenance, and we examined them.
Makina and the others descend to the next floor.
It was pitch-dark here, too, so they turned on the lights with <>.
"Hmm."
The group descends to the center of the floor, which seems to be the second level counting from the top.
It was a circular hall with corridors leading in all directions.
"Let's take a look at them in order.
The eight corridors here were numbered from 1 to 8, so we will start from 1.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Hmmm... ...... Mr. Arnold, do you have any comments?"
Yes, I do. Perhaps this level is a residential area.
"It is the design concept of the time ....... And I guess that the lower level is the control area where the command center is located, and the power area is further below that.
I see.
I see." * * * *
The first corridor was indeed a living area.
There are only private rooms, each room is about 3 tatami mats in size, and there is only a bed and a toilet.
Considering that this is an emergency shelter, it is probably sufficient.
Passages 2 and 3 are the same.
However, the room facing aisle 4 is a room for a family, with two bunk beds in a space of about 8 tatami mats. In other words, it was a room for four persons.
Aisle 5 is the same.
Then, there is aisle 6.
This is not a living facility, but a vegetable factory.
because the inside of the building was not fully equipped.
However, there were shelves that seemed to be used for hydroponic cultivation and a kind of pseudo solar lamp that seemed to have been installed on a trial basis, so we assumed that it was a <>.
< is that the area was not large enough to be self-sufficient in grains.
It was Machina's guess that it was a temporary shelter and a facility to compensate for the vitamin deficiency that accompanied the temporary shelter.
Aisles 7 and 8 are warehouses.
Aisle 7 is probably for daily necessities, while aisle 8 is for food.
This is based on the fact that aisle 7 is divided into smaller sections, while aisle 8 has only large shelves, and that it is fully air-conditioned, although it is not moving.
* * * *
"Oh, it is as you predicted, Mr. Arnold.
"However, it seems to be hard to stay here for a long period of time.
"Isn't that inevitable? After all, it was built during the war.
< had already guessed how uncomfortable the living quarters were just by looking at them.
It may be natural that almost all of them are not accustomed to such emergency facilities since they are living in a privileged environment to begin with.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I guess this is the control level.
< was not in the center, nor was it on the perimeter, but somewhere in between.
There are eight radial corridors, four in total, one at a time.
"Is it the same no matter where you go? ...... No, let's try the pantry stairs."
We decided to use the corridor on the side with the pantry instead of the side with the human rooms.
I don't have a good reason for this.
It is just that there is no way that ordinary people can easily get to and from the command center and other important facilities (in fact, the old man observed with his <> and suggested that this would be a better choice).
On the other hand, it seemed that only authorized persons were allowed to enter and leave the food storage area.
This staircase has a landing and a door in the middle.
"If ...... is working properly, I guess they do some kind of personal authentication here."
This was a natural security measure, since the command center was located on the next level.
However, this facility is not yet complete, so we could not go ...... ahead without incident, and the door was locked and would not open.
"...... Ray, please."
"Yes, sir."
Squire Ray cuts through the door with his sword and destroys the lock.
The door can now be opened manually.
Makina's group is finally on their way to the command center. .......