"So… what did you find?" Nathan asked.
The group had gathered together after Amphitrite mentioned she found something. They rarely ventured deep , so they couldn't help but wonder what was going on.
Amphitrite's expression turned solemn, showing how serious her finding was.
Amphitrite pointed in a certain direction. "After waiting for a while, the fish has informed me there's a weird structure in that direction."
"A weird structure?" Lena and the others exchanged looks.
"What kind of structure? Is that a ruin?" Nathan asked, his expression darkening. "I don't like where this is going…"
Nathan could be excited if it was the like of Atlantis, but this was another world. He ruled that idea out.
In that case, what kind of structure was it? R'lyeh? The moment that thought appeared, Nathan just wanted to turn around. He wasn't prepared to meet Cthulhu.
Of course, it might be just a normal structure, so he wanted to confirm the structure's identity.
"I don't know either. However, the fish describes it as a gigantic structure half buried under the sand. It was made of stone, but no fish was seen around there. There were also a lot of aliens over there."
"…" Nathan and the others smiled wryly.
One summoner asked, "Should we… go around it? I don't really like where this is going. We might end up poking the hornet's nest."
"That's actually the main problem." Amphitrite closed her eyes for a moment. "There are a lot of big bones scattered around that area. Most likely, they are threatening sea creatures that the aliens kill."
Lena looked down, falling into deep thought. "There are records about aliens using the ruins to make their nest. It happens a lot if you venture deep into the alien's territory.
"However, I have never heard about aliens building their own nest . Since it's underwater, there's no way for humans to build it. So, the only ones who can build it are sea creatures.
"Fish and the like won't be able to do it. So, that only leaves the aliens."
"Commander. You're scaring me." Another summoner gulped down.
Nathan raised his hand. "While this is a possibility, there is also another possibility."
"Hmm?" Lena turned to Nathan.
"I don't know if you are aware of it, but the earthquake is the movement of the ground."
"Yes. I have heard it. You were supposed to be the one giving the clues to those people from the Blacksmith Guild, no? I found that information when looking into your background."
Nathan nodded. "Actually, that's also how the mountains are created."
"Yes." Nathan put both hands toward each other as his fingers clashed until the fingers on the right hand went up while the finger on his left hand went down. "This is how it's formed. The fingers that go up can be viewed as ground, which ultimately becomes a mountain."
"So, what's the deal?" Lena tilted her head in confusion. "I don't see your explanation to be something related to this ruin."
"I'm saying that… This phenomenon covers a vast land to the point where it can create a mountain range. And what if there's a crack in this land that somehow causes the edge of that land to fall beyond the sea level?"
"!!!" Lena widened her eyes in shock. "Are you saying that this sea was actually a land before?"
"!!!" Other summoners gasped, not expecting that theory.
"Yes. This is also another possibility. While it's true that I'm suggesting that we go there so that I can accomplish my objective, I believe we should confirm it as well.
"If they're truly a ruin made by the aliens, this information will be useful for the kingdom. After all, if they can create a ruin like that, it means they can create a fortress." Nathan nodded.
"This is ridiculous."
The summoners were in denial, not wanting to believe such a scary possibility.
However, Lena had to consider everything carefully as both the duchess and the admiral of this kingdom.
After two minutes, Lena finally decided. "We'll investigate the ruin. However, since this might be a nest, we have to be extra careful.
"Beyond this point, it's not about the original mission but the original duty of the warriors.
"I shall command you as the highest military officer of the navy. We shall turn ourselves into a scouting party.
"The mission is to investigate the ruin and check whether this ruin is made by humans or aliens.
"If proven to be the former, we will destroy the nest and recover our original objective. Of course, this also includes all kinds of samples to be studied because there might be the former land of the Azilia Kingdom that ended up sinking into the water.
"If it were the latter, we will retreat immediately and assemble all our forces. This won't be just a little skirmish between the humans and aliens. It will be an all-out war."
When they heard Lena's strict command, their faces turned grim. Still, they were a scouting party, so with Lena, an arcane level summoner, as their leader, they should be able to retreat from the enemies.
They nodded their heads, receiving the order.
Lena turned to Amphitrite. "I'm sorry for making this decision, especially to you, esteemed familiar. However, I'd like to know the direction of that ruin as well as the distance."
Amphitrite smiled. Although Lena didn't have the strength of a hero, the way she brought herself was similar to one. Hence, Amphitrite nodded her head. "I have told you about the direction. As for the distance, considering the fish's speed and our speed, we should be able to arrive in one or two hours.
"There are also a few groups of aliens along the way."
Lena clicked her tongue. "We can't afford to waste our time, so going around them is not an option. In that case, we'll break through. Conserve your stamina if possible. Even if today is not possible, we'll recover our energy and return tomorrow."