At this moment, the Atlas Institute gave Fujimaru Ritsuka only two impressions.
Such silence, such deathly stillness—yet the surrounding environment was filled with wonders and wisdom, creating a sense of absurdity and unreality.
Was this an ideal refuge?
Or was it merely an enormous tomb? One meant to bury these neglected Mystic Codes, along with the thoughts and wisdom of the Atlas Institute's magi?
It was still impossible to say.
The truth was often most exciting before it was known.
As they ventured deeper, Percival noticed something amiss.
"It feels like the paths here were deliberately built this way."
Holding the massive Holy Spear in his hand, Percival frowned and surveyed the surroundings.
"Similar yet different furnishings, and frequent forks in the road..."
"It feels a little like Asterios's labyrinth," Fujimaru Ritsuka said, mentioning the name they had encountered in the Ocean Singularity.
"Yes, a labyrinth? Is that also a way to keep intruders out?" Percival scratched his head.
"No. In my understanding, rather than preventing intruders from entering, this labyrinth is more..." Leonardo da Vinci narrowed her eyes, rubbing her right thumb and forefinger together. "...meant to prevent those inside from getting out."
"Haha, after all, the people inside are more dangerous to this world, aren't they?" Sherlock Holmes smiled happily. "This is a gathering place for geniuses. I wouldn't be surprised if even the most inhumane weapons were born here, because there are no taboos in this place."
"By the way, the Atlas Institute has one sole and absolute commandment. Do you know what it is?" Holmes looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka, Mash, and da Vinci.
"You mean, 'One's own research results are to be disclosed only to oneself'?" da Vinci smiled faintly.
"Precisely. Nothing here is ever allowed to be taken into the outside world. There are exceptions,