In the dark depths of the sea, points of light gradually emerged, illuminating the formerly dim seabed and revealing a mechanical city as dazzling and magnificent as gold before the girls. The sight was so dreamlike that everyone stared wide-eyed, pressing themselves against the glass and peering outside.
"Prepare to activate the system, Astarte."
Airi appeared quite calm. Sitting on the sofa, she glanced at her phone before giving the order. Hearing Airi's command, Astarte hurriedly sat up and gave a slight nod.
"Command accepted."
As Astarte spoke, streaks of blue light shot forth from thin air, swiftly projecting a sci-fi blue control console before her. Astarte reached out and rapidly tapped across it. One screen after another then appeared in the air before her, flickering continuously.
"Shields activated. Reactor energy is increasing to acceleration output range."
Accompanied by Astarte's calm, detached, artificial AI-like voice, the wall behind the living room slowly descended, presenting a 180-degree panoramic view of the surroundings. Only then did the girls finally see where they truly were.
It was a city of gold.
It looked like a fortress, yet also like a towering skyscraper. Through the brilliant radiance, the girls could even see a hundred-meter-tall "gate" shining pure white below, along with a plaza-like platform before it. Dazzling golden lines emerged across the "castle's" surface and gradually rose upward, converging at the highest point where they stood as if surrounding a great leader.
"Preparations complete, MASTER."
Astarte checked the systems once more, then looked toward Airi. The latter nodded.
"Take off."
"Understood. Shigra's Radiance activating."
"-------!!"
As Astarte's words fell, the immense City of Radiance shook once before slowly but unwaveringly ascending. Yukina and the others had long since lost the ability to speak and could only stare dumbfoundedly at the spectacle before them. The