"Every five minutes, we'll initiate a call from our side. How are things over there now?"
Leonardo da Vinci asked Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash over the comms.
"For now, we haven't found anything of value, but we are indeed heading toward the Leyline."
"Have your remote observations yielded anything?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka asked through the comms as he pulled his clothes tighter around himself.
"Yes, we did gain something from the higher vantage point."
"But we'll tell you once you're back."
"I understand."
"Then, ending communications."
Nodding, Fujimaru Ritsuka shut off the comms.
"Mash, what direction are we heading in now?"
After confirming that the communications system was still functioning normally and that their future contact would remain unobstructed, he looked at Mash.
"We're heading due north. Based on my senses, after another thousand meters or so, we'll need to turn west."
Holding the rough map Leonardo da Vinci had hastily drawn, Mash assessed their current position.
"Mm, then let's continue—hmm?"
The communicator they had just shut off rang.
A transmission from the submarine was forcibly connected.
"Ritsuka—you need to be careful!"
"A massive magical energy signature is approaching you—"
BOOM—!!!
"ROAR——"
No birds or beasts were startled within the forest.
There was only the sound of ice and snow shattering, accompanied by a long, excited roar—it seemed to be some kind of language, but without question, it was the kind no one could understand.
Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mash could already clearly see what it was, charging toward them through the frost-covered forest.
"A giant...!"
Its grayish-brown skin resembled rock, filled with cracks and wrinkles. Humanoid, yet incomparably huge and conspicuous—
Without question, it was a giant. They just did not know what kind of giant it was, but given the current situation...!
"Hey! What the hell is happening?!"
Goredolf Musik's