Raven rode the subway slowly downward.
Once again, she revised her understanding of Gray Serpent's cautiousness.
Beneath the elevator lay a minefield meant to detonate bunker-busting missiles, a metal layer that blocked electrical signals, a waterproof layer, and a graphite layer for radiation protection. Gray Serpent's preparations could no longer be described as merely thorough. Even if nuclear war broke out immediately, this base would remain intact through it.
The elevator moved neither at a constant speed nor in a linear pattern, but changed unpredictably. Its depth underground was impossible to estimate.
The overhead lights came on.
Raven took a breath of ionized pure air—extremely pure and completely non-toxic, though it produced trace amounts of ozone—then frowned as she looked at the loli Gray Serpent inside the bulletproof glass enclosure and began working to free her.
This body differed from all the previous cultivated vessels. Its history went back further.
Its muscles had atrophied slightly, giving it a pale, slender fragility. Raven had a strong feeling that this body had been here for roughly as long as this underground marvel had existed. Or rather, this place had been built specifically to store this body.
What a truly extravagant thing to do.
Raven reached out and lightly tapped the glass. It was harder than she had expected.
As expected of Gray Serpent.
A Cold Blade had been prepared for her on the table. Raven put it on as if she had found a priceless treasure, gave it a swing, and black-gray currents swirled around her fingertips.
Her claws rose high, then fell lightly.
The glass, capable of withstanding a direct grenade blast, was sliced cleanly apart. Gray Serpent's body and the nutrient fluid spilled out together. Her eyes remained tightly shut as Raven skillfully gathered her into her arms, feeling delicate