Chapter 89: The Research Facility

I land in Berlin, Germany. Nothing like England—people are just living their lives, normally. The streets even have energy.

Disaster struck on "Day of Woe," but since monsters didn’t show up, the damage was light—and recovery was fast. So that’s how much things differ between countries...?

"Greys! Can you tell which way the sword's location is?!"

"Um, uh... since it's south of Berlin, I'd say roughly that direction..."

Got it.

I grabbed Greis’s hand and lifted off, flying at breakneck speed.

"Uwaaahhh!!!"

Gress is screaming as he’s pulled. It’s gotta be terrifying if you’re not used to it—guess I’ll have to make do. Hey, reminds me of the time we flew with Shimizu.

I opened a pocket dimension mid-flight. My Holy Warrior level was maxed out from slaughtering countless Earth Dragons. I pulled out a few职业 boards—wanted to get a slightly better class before fighting the Hydra.

I was thinking about becoming an assassin and searching for clues when I noticed something. There was a Y/N mark on the "Hero" job board.

I’ve never been able to do it before… but something must’ve changed? If so, then it’s because I maxed out the Holy Warrior skill. Either way, this is lucky.

I touch the surface right away. Checking my职业 skill—

Hero Lv1

Blessing of Light Rank F

The hero’s job skill is “Blessing of Light”...? Wait, Leo had the “Blessing of Wind,” right? So does that mean he’s got both Light and Wind blessings?

Checking the effect of "Blessing of Light" with鉴定, it seems to boost Strength and Agility during the day. Still only F-rank, so the increase is small, but better than nothing.

I erected a barrier of air, shielding us from the wind, and spoke to Greese.

"Greese, anything stand-out around the destination? Any buildings?"

If I could pinpoint a structure, I could use Thousand-Mile Eye to teleport there instantly.

"No... I only went there once... All I know is it's on top of a low mountain. Should be clear once we get closer... I guess..."

"Then what about Dresden? Any notable spots? Any landmarks?"

"No... not really... I didn’t go as a tourist, so I can’t recall anything specific..."

Not being able to pinpoint the location stings. Damn it...

I pushed Thousand-Mile Eye far ahead and teleported straight to where it saw. Should be faster than flying normally.

After a few shortcuts—

"Wait, Gojo! Teleporting messes up your sense of location. You might overshoot Dresden entirely. If you’re gonna move, pick a landmark!"

"A landmark...?"

"Right! The airport! Dresden’s got one, right? I came from there to the city center. Use the airport as a landmark!"

"Got it!"

Airport, huh... Let’s use Thousand-Mile Eye to find it.

"Got it!"

I teleported in, landing high above the airport.

"How’s this, Greese? This airport?"

"...No. Not this one."

Farther out. Flying south, I kept scanning with Thousand-Mile Eye. After a while, I found a bigger airport than the last one. Teleporting again—

"Greese! Is this it?"

High above, in a spot where I could see everything, I asked.

"YES! This is it! Dresden Airport!"

"Where’s the lab?"

"North from here. Head toward that facility on the mountain!"

I’d flown and teleported straight to the facility atop the low northern mountains. But there were a bunch of similar facilities…

"Greys, which building?"

No... can't tell from here. Should be able to figure it out once we get to the front entrance.

"Front entrance, huh?"

I teleported Greis straight to the front entrance of the building.

How's this? Here?

...No, wrong. Not here.

I teleported straight to the next building.

How’s that?

...this place is wrong too.

I circled around a few buildings, checking them one by one—nothing. Then, on the seventh try, I moved to the front entrance of the building—

Here it is! This is Salam's lab!!

"Alright!"

I freeze time. I reach the automatic door’s entrance, trying to open it—of course, it’s locked. I see a security guard inside. No time to explain, no time to ask for permission.

I’d love to just teleport in, but if I freeze time, my abilities and magic go completely offline. Not gonna use time—gotta break through by force.

I kick the door open and step inside. Glass shards hang frozen in midair. Dangerous... stopping time just to shatter glass... I’m thinking that as I dodge the floating fragments and step through.

I’d wanted to keep time frozen while moving toward the room with the “sword” I needed… but I hadn’t asked which floor it was on.

Stop time...

The alarm blared. Guess breaking in did it... kinda like a robbery, really. Still, emergency situation or not, I'll apologize later.

"Greys, where's the sword room on?"

"Wait... she already went inside!?"

"Never mind that—there's a room with a sword! What floor are we on?!"

"Ah, yeah, the second basement. I was on the elevator going down..."

Hearing that, I freeze time again. As I round the hallway corner, a few security guards are rushing toward me. I slip past them.

Carrying Greys on my shoulder, I search for the elevator. Time’s stopped, so there’s no rush—but my nerves are still jumping.

I find the elevator, pry open the doors, and try to descend, but the cage is blocking the way. I unfreeze time, crack open space, and slip through the cage to go further down.

Greys squirms on my shoulder, but I make it to the second basement.

I stop time again and search for the target room. Breaking open several doors, I step into a vast, pitch-black chamber.

“Is this it…?”

I set Greys down. I search for the light switch, unfreeze time, then flip it on. The lights come on one by one, from front to back.

Hundreds of weapons and armor fill the room.

“This is it! This is the room!”

Greys shouts, startled.

“No time to relax! Security’s coming fast. Where’s the sword we’re after?”

“Ah, the one chained to the pedestal in the farthest corner!”

I look. There’s a single sword—no scabbard—wrapped in iron chains and fastened to a metal pedestal. I step closer. Something about it feels… off.

“Should be fine. Just stay sharp, Gojo.”

Still, it’s a weird shape. The blade splits into two prongs halfway down, and the blade itself is pitch black.

I reach for the hilt.

The moment my hand touches it, the blade ignites with light. I feel magic draining from me—but I’ve got infinite power, so it’s no big deal.

The blade flickers with strange characters, shifting into a brighter light. This light… feels like the breath that destroys the Hydra.

From behind, Gress calls out.

"That's the sword of the Dragon Slayer, Siegfried—"

I turn, glancing at Gress's face.

"Baldrum."