Year 4667 of the Unified Imperial Calendar:
Fourth Month, Day 9. (5:03 PM)
◇ Astra's POV ◇
"Holy shit!... Are those Gundams?!"
I shouted out loud after I saw the designs for the mechas that lined up from the massive place.
Just the door itself was only 10 square meters, but the inside was huge! I don't know exactly how huge, but nonetheless huge!
Ignoring our shock, the droid continued forwards as it rolled its wheels and moved on at a normal walking pace. I turned to Lady Reyshia, and saw that she was looking at me. I nodded at her—which I felt compelled to—and then followed the droid again.
The moment we entered, the term, Fully Autonomous Workplace entered my head. Of course, it was invented by Yours Truly just now, but that's beside point.
Floating drones, cleaning drones and droids, more drones, and some sort of hand-like thingy that was connected to the ceiling. In all honesty, it was awesome. It once again reminded me of a full sci-fi scene.
However, I was suddenly cut off from my daze, as I felt a slight tugging from behind. It was Lady Reyshia, and she had an unusually serious look in her face. Not the usual stoic look, but a serious face. I knew there was something more to things than I thought, so I followed the droid once more.
The droid continued on as it then entered some sort of room.
'No wonder we didn't see doors or any hatches of sorts, it was hidden on the walls huh? Looks like this place is indeed a big deal.' I thought.
After we went inside the room, it immediately darkened as some sort of scanner like lasers scanned our bodies. Something like a small platform then appeared from the floor, with a message.
<...Please...Disarm...Yourselves...>
Seeing the message, Lady Reyshia and Lillia turned their heads in my direction. Their looks were basically asking me for translations.
"Err...It's instructing us to disarm—did we even bring weapons?"
The two of them frowned, but still nodded nevertheless. However, contrary to what I thought, Lady Reyshia had somehow taken out a sword, a knife, and the rod the she uses to zap people. As for Lillia, she had taken out several sets of knives, daggers, the same rod, a few large needles, some metal strings and a morning star.
What the heck is with this women?! They're like, armed to the teeth! Shit. Good thing I don't think with my li'l bruh down there. I'd have been in deep shit.
They placed their weapons onto the platform—which were filled in no time—and then took a step back. However, the message still didn't disappear. It was still there, hanging on the air as being projected by a hologram, as it read.
<...Please...Disarm...Yourselves...>
Hmm...I just noticed now, but it seems it knew there were more than one guests. Even though the droid we followed used a recorded message. Strange.
In any case, it was still there, so I turned to the two.
"It's still asking for disarmament." I said.
From what it would seem, I may have been oblivious about something, as Lady Reyshia glanced towards Lillia with worry, while Lillia had a frown on her face. How suspicious...
Lillia just sighed, and spoke. "Alright. This is discovery we cannot ignore. I'm willing to do it."
After she finished talking, she put a hand over her chest as she suddenly gave out a glow over her body. Her body, along with her clothes, transformed from a maid uniform into a blue clothes that resembled military clothing. Her hair turned silver, while her brown eyes changed into a deep blue colour. She grew a few inches, and her body became more curved.
She's completely transformed into a stunning beauty.
The room brightened up, as the message disappeared. A passage then appeared on the wall, as the platform slowly went underground.
What the hell was that?! When did transformation become a weapon?! And more importantly, MAGIC!! IT'S MAGIC!!!
"What's wrong, Astra? Hurry up and lead!" Lady Reyshia urged. Forcibly bringing be back to my thoughts.
I made a wry smile as I sobered up, and then followed the droid, that had suddenly appeared from inside the passage. I wonder where it's leading us.
Following it's lead, we entered the passage as we maintained caution. But although I say 'we', I don't know how to defend myself at all. So I just took a random pose as I walked. And it got me...
"Astra, quit messing around and walk."
...a scolding from Lady Reyshia.
That was my coolest pose though! Why dismiss it as mere 'fooling around'?!
Well, I'm not the boss here so I have no choice. Dammit.
I stopped being on guard and just walked normally. Yeah. I don't know how to defend myself anyway. Let's just leave the fighting to the women.
After a while of walking, we finally reached upon another hatch. It seemed the type opened from the inside, so I just approached it, and it opened on its own. T-This isn't an elevator, right?
A-Ahem...I doubt such a large elevator would exist.
When we finally saw what was inside, the sight of a spacious room that I can only describe as a 'command center' that I commonly saw in sci-fi movies and anime, greeted our sight.
So? Are we supposed to enter?
I looked at Lady Reyshia, and she looked back. I asked: "Shall we proceed, madam?"
"Let's not hesitate further. Lead on, Astra."
Yeah. Lead on, she says. Basically, if there are traps, die for our sake. Well, what can you expect? I'm a slave!
Doing as she said, I entered the spacious room that was dimly lit. But the moment I passed by the entrance, I suddenly felt something strange as a sudden urge to vomit assaulted my head. Along with it was a splitting headache.
Damn it! Was it a trap?!
I tried to turn back in order to warn the two behind me, but my consciousness didn't hold, and I passed out.