The enormous explosion boomed in the distance like a thunderclap. The five people in the middle of their meeting almost simultaneously looked out the window, while Little Mia, frightened, burrowed into Shade's arms.
Luvia's expression did not change much.
"What exploded? Judging by where the sound came from, it was near ground level. It should be in the southwest of the city."
The priest frowned slightly.
"Could that have been the sound of artillery shells? Has Kasonlik attacked? Even if all the victories reported in the newspapers were fake, the southerners couldn't possibly have arrived this quickly, could they?"
"It could also have been an ammunition depot or an armory. Isn't the local armory in the southwest of the city?"
Shade said as he patted Little Mia to calm her. The explosion had not caused any changes in the elements, so it probably was not a major matter. But Dorothy's face suddenly turned quite grim.
"No, it wasn't an armory. A Delarion Royal Academy of Sciences research institute in the southwest of the city exploded."
When Shade looked at her in surprise, she added:
"Princess Leisha and her brother are visiting there."
Doctor Schneider was quite startled.
"Another assassination attempt?"
Shade felt that if the doctor had guessed correctly, no one would be able to save Director Anlos this time. Fortunately, Director Anlos's luck was ultimately better than the doctor's.
"It wasn't an assassination attempt. Calling it an explosion isn't entirely accurate either. A new production line for equipment still in the laboratory stage at the Academy of Sciences went out of control. After being activated, it kept absorbing nearby metal to make bombs. Just now, it detonated the research institute's gas storage tank.
Princess Leisha and that Prince are both fine, but the other casualties are still unknown."
Dorothy