Fendil merely glanced over the mission summary before quickly returning his attention to the road ahead. The wind and snow seemed to have eased somewhat, but the weather was still harsh. The hastily paved hardened road stretched through the storm toward the dim distance, and at its end, he could vaguely make out something standing atop a small hill. Artificial lights shone in that direction. That should have been the destination of this trip.
At that moment, a Communication Technician's voice came from behind him. "Sir, who would set up a front-line laboratory in a place like this? This is practically right next to the battle line between us and the Aberrants..."
"That's exactly why it's called a front-line laboratory," Fendil said without looking back. "I heard that laboratory is meant to study the wasteland environment and the characteristics of the Aberrants. Of course it would be built as close to the depths of the wasteland as possible."
"...Anyway, whoever's in charge of a laboratory like that has to be a scholar with plenty of guts. Who else would dare stay somewhere like this?" the soldier remarked. "The higher-ups even reminded us to maintain sufficient respect and composure... I understand the respect part. Scholars like that deserve respect. But why did they specifically mention composure?"
Fendil had actually been curious about that himself. Hearing his subordinate mention it, he could not help thinking it over. The corner of his mouth twitched. "Who knows? This mission is all mysterious and secretive... Maybe the person in charge over there looks a little strange? After all, we already have a Great Craftsman shaped like an iron ball and an Archmage in the form of an Arcane Spirit Body..."
"Looks strange? Is she ugly?"
"Why ask me? How would I know? Anyway, she probably