Lieutenant Colonel Banol was in his office.
Thanks to the prior arrangements made through Lieutenant Imosha, there was no chance of us missing each other.
"You're here."
"It's been a while."
"Skip the small talk. I hear you've brought an interesting proposal."
"You already knew?"
"With how much you've been running around, how could I not?"
Fair enough—on my way here, I'd stopped by every place I could reach, from the Rose Line to the Navy Line.
It had been quite the spectacle.
And with my objective gradually spreading throughout the Ark via various channels, it would've been more surprising if my actions hadn't reached Banol's ears by now.
"So, whose idea is this trade route? Yours?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm… let's hear the details."
Lieutenant Colonel Banol motioned for me to sit, clearly intent on getting straight to the point.
Without hesitation, I took a seat and accepted the coffee he handed me.
"Based on the Ark, I'm planning to connect the west and east—and eventually, even beyond Mount Noah, to the north and south. All of it, one trade route."
"The west and east I understand, but the north and south too? Is that even possible?"
"We'll prioritize connecting the west and east. The north and south will follow once the conditions are right."
"Is that so? Not a bad plan."
Banol sipped his coffee thoughtfully.
"In any case, you coming here with this idea must mean you already have a way to deal with the Church of Morte?"
"I'll handle it personally."
"Hmm… in that case, I'm reassured."
Banol nodded.
"I'll bring it to the higher-ups. This isn't something I can decide on my own."
"I'm counting on you."
Though he said that, it was practically guaranteed that the outcome would hinge on what Banol decided. He was deeply trusted within the Ark.
And I already knew how Banol would respond.
"Leaving right away?"
"Yeah, I've got a lot to do."
"I see."
Banol nodded and saw me off.
"Until next time."
"Yeah."
Ours was a strictly professional relationship, so the meeting ended there.
I stepped out of Lieutenant Colonel Banol's office.
With that, the persuasion phase from the Rose Line to the Red Line was complete.
Now, it was a matter of how they moved—and how I moved.
'Then… might as well drop by to see Maybell Pilgrim while I'm at it.'
Last time, Maybell was in such bad shape that I couldn't leave any equipment for maintenance. But she should be fine by now.
And if not, I could always come back later.
As I left Banol's office and headed toward the Red Line's city center, Esther finally spoke up.
["You're going there again? That special-purpose weapon lab or whatever."]
'Yeah.'
["Knew it."]
Having been with me for a while now, Esther could tell right away where I was going.
'Last time I didn't get anything serviced, so I should get it done this time.'
True, unlike before, the Z-74 Jetpack wasn't strictly necessary anymore.
I had Horus and the Wings of Ankelenth now.
Still, the more gear you had at your disposal, the better.
'Plus, the synergy between the Z-74 Jetpack and the Wings of Ankelenth is pretty solid.'
Especially since my future enemies wouldn't just be monsters or magical beasts, but the Church of Morte as well.
The Church of Morte wasn't to be taken lightly.
They hadn't earned the hatred and infamy of countless The Defense players for nothing.
["Hmm… well, if you say so, I won't stop you."]
'Thanks for understanding.'
["I am pretty open-minded, you know."]
Esther grinned sheepishly.
That smugness nearly made me laugh, but I kept walking.
Despite the recent series of incidents across the Ark, the Red Line's scenery hadn't changed a bit.
No, that's just how the Red Line was.
Even if the Ark were about to fall, the Red Line would likely maintain its usual rhythm until the very end.
'Which… it actually did.'
After a moment of quiet reflection, I arrived at the Special-Purpose Weapon Research Lab.
Just as the peaceful Red Line suggested, the place was as it always had been.
'Hmm.'
Normally, this would be about the time Victor showed up. But, unsurprisingly, he was absent.
He was probably neck-deep in work right now, so it made sense.
["Identity confirmed."]
I'd been in and out of the lab enough times that I had no trouble reaching the elevator without interference.
Thanks to the automated system.
Inside the elevator, I pressed the usual button.
One floor, another, and another…
The elevator quickly descended to the basement where Maybell Pilgrim's lab was located.
Ding—
As the doors opened, I was greeted by a sharp, burning smell.
But it wasn't unpleasant.
I knew exactly what that smell meant—it came from Maybell's lab.
"Oh! You're here!"
Unlike the last time I saw her, Maybell Pilgrim had regained her energy.
It seemed time really could heal all wounds.
"Yes. Long time no see."
"I've been waiting, actually. I felt awful about not being able to help with your maintenance last time…"
"It's fine."
Maybell started chatting away excitedly.
Most of it was idle chatter.
"So, what equipment are you leaving with me today?"
"I'd like you to check the usuals."
"Alright, just a sec. I was in the middle of something. Once I finish that up, I'll get right to it."
"Sure."
As Maybell returned to her workstation, I began to inspect the lab.
As the director of the Special-Purpose Weapon Research Lab, Maybell Pilgrim was one of the key figures in Ark's weapon development.
Naturally, examining her private lab gave a decent snapshot of the Ark's current technological progress.
'As expected, the pace of advancement is much faster than usual.'
Some of the prototypes here shouldn't even exist at this point in the timeline.
Some were probably already usable, others not yet.
'Once the Silk Road episode fully kicks off, the pace will only accelerate.'
In the end, technological advancement was driven by how much you invested.
So, if the Silk Road episode completed smoothly, Ark's tech development would surge.
["Wow… what are all these? They look shady."]
'The one on the left is probably a prototype for a personal-use matter disintegrator. The one in the middle is a portable magnetic field generator. And the last one looks like a handheld ether detector.'
["…Excuse me? How do you know all that? Actually, never mind. You're just going to avoid answering."]
'Smart girl.'
["Whatever. You're impossible."]
Esther stuck her tongue out.
Ignoring her, I wandered around Maybell's lab, lost in thought.
Boom!
Clang! BANG──!
Loud noises erupted from the back of the workstation, followed by a cloud of black smoke—then Maybell emerged.
"…You okay?"
"Oh, yeah! Don't mind the noise. That's normal."
She wiped the soot from her face with her glove.
Not that it did much, judging by the streaks left behind.
"Shall we take a look at what you brought?"
"Here."
I revealed the damaged Z-74 Jetpack, the BLT-47 Plasma Launcher, the ICE-54 Plasma Cooler, and from the corner, the NOA-31 Anti-Behemoth Gatling Gun and the CRN-842 Hemp Rocket Launcher.
Normally, I wouldn't bring in such heavy weaponry for maintenance.
But given what I had ahead of me, it was best to be prepared.
"These must've been tough to bring in through the elevator… You really went through the trouble."
The lab's elevator was large enough for heavy weapons, designed more for freight than people.
Of course, I had used a rift space to move them, but there was no need to mention that.
"It wasn't much."
"Alright, let's get started. Oh, could you move the heavy weapons over there?"
"Sure."
Despite their size, I had no trouble moving them. I was more than strong enough now.
"The NOA-31's weight must be brutal… You're amazing. With this level of strength, I can afford to increase durability even if it adds some weight."
"Do it."
"Leave it to me."
With the gear in hand, Maybell dove into the work.
Zzzing…
Thunk! Kwooong!
A cacophony filled the lab.
Since I had left quite a few items with her, the work naturally took time.
["Yaaawn…"]
Esther let out a long yawn.
Honestly, I wanted to lie down and rest too—but with my equipment in Maybell's hands, I wasn't about to relax just yet.
["When is this going to end…"]
'Just a little longer.'
["How long is a little?"]
'Eventually.'
["Then don't call it "a little" in the first place…!"]
Who knows how long we waited.
Finally, through the haze of smoke, Maybell reappeared.
"Finished?"
"Yes, aside from the Z-74 Jetpack, nothing had serious issues."
"That's good to hear."
"Right?"
Maybell gave a warm smile.
Familiar, somehow.
"Oh, and this is a prototype I just finished. Would you mind testing it and sending me the data?"
She handed me a pair of metallic boots—auxiliary gear I recognized instantly.
An elite item from The Defense, representing the pinnacle of scientific innovation.
'Hooh…'
Getting this now?
Even for Maybell Pilgrim, this was faster-than-expected progress.
"Sure."
"Thank you."
I should have been the one thanking her—but Maybell nodded gratefully instead.
I wanted to examine the new gear right away, but decided to save it for later.
The best things were meant to be savored.
"Heading out already?"
"Yeah."
"Shame… but I won't keep you. I'll be waiting for that test data next time."
She gestured to the boots in my hands.
"No need to worry."
"Of course."
That concluded my visit with Maybell Pilgrim.
Not only had I repaired my gear, I'd also received performance upgrades—and even a prototype.
'This should be enough.'
All preparations were complete.
All that was left was to begin the Silk Road episode in earnest.
'First, I need to clear out the ones blocking the trade route.'
The greatest obstacle to progressing the Silk Road episode.
Who they were was obvious.
'The Church of Morte.'
A festering tumor, even in this cursed world.
It was time to take them down.