"Well, Vivian and I will start with the farmland. Good luck, you three."
Eve put two fingers on her forehead and saluted us off.
Together, she and Vivian jogged in the direction of the farmland. That was a lot of areas to search, but I'm sure Jade was right about the false tips threats.
"Ah, I want you to know Feodora, I do not call my other me."
Mellissa admitted.
"Oh, don't worry. Jade explained to me that Countess will come when the time is right. Yuu Yuu, are you good in combat?"
The pink bunny nodded softly.
"Yes, I'm very good at enchanting weapons with spectrum. B-But I can only use low-level spectrum across the board."
Curiously, Mellissa turned to the bunny, towering over her.
"Oh, how interesting. What vessel type are you?"
Rubbing her soles into the ground, she confessed.
"I-I don't actually know."
Yuu Yuu confessed.
I was surprised along with Mellissa.
Knowing one's spectrum vessel is like breathing. One is born with it and their vessel doesn't change throughout their life. Yet Yuu Yuu was saying she didn't know hers?
"What element are you strongest in, Yuu Yuu?"
She puffed her cheeks and squeezed her soft hands.
"I'm bad across the board. B-But I'm super strong in the enchanting spectrum! I-I can change the element of your weapons and provide s-support via low-level spectrum from the back."
I nodded.
"Eh! I can provide healing too! A-And that's about it."
"I see. I never had my weapon enchanted with spectrum aside from me doing it myself. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be an asset, especially when Countess Mellissa comes out."
I pet Yuu Yuu on the head unconsciously.
"O-Oh, sorry Yuu Yuu."
I felt guilty about doing this. I warned myself not to get caught up in the moment anymore. Yuu Yuu looked like she was going to cry when she explained her potential.
I turned to the kind human as she put her hand behind her back and smiled brightly at me.
"You're human so, you don't have any spectrum to use, right Mellissa?"
"That's true. I'm useless in a fight. But I heard amazing stories about the other me!"
Mellissa said cheerfully.
"Yeah, I'm more worried that she'd go insane and try to kill me rather than the terrorist. I need you to stay behind Yuu Yuu and me until your other side decides to come out. Can you do that, Mellissa?"
"Yes! In the meantime, I'll try to be best friends with Yuuna!"
"B-Best friends?!"
The pink bunny blushed as she ran to me.
"B-But Feodora…"
Yuu Yuu clammed up, causing me to chuckle. Despite where we were going and what we had to find, I believed this was going to be an interesting group to work with.
"Right, I'll lead the way."
I said as we made our way to the factories in the distance.
From the notes Jade gave me, there are ten main factories. The one we're after is the major ore refinery. That's where the lead is centered around. On a bright sunny day, the wind blew our hair to the east.
It was nice and felt as though what happened this morning was a distant memory.
"I might as well get both your statements now that we have the free time."
"S-Statements?"
Yuu Yuu stammered.
"I'll start with you, Mellissa. Where were you when the bombings took place?"
"Me?"
The human giggled.
"Well, I was in school, if you must ask."
Mellissa ran up to me and pushed her shoulder along mine. She was super tall, so she dominated me in that aspect.
"School?"
"Yes, the Radiant City College. I'm working to become a Neurologist."
"Neurologist, that's an interesting field. Well, back on the topic, you were at school when the bombings happened?"
"Yes. I was in first-period classes when I received the call from Jade. So, I rushed over to aid the injured, and as I was helping, Jade heard Atom harassing Eve."
Everything checked out so far and with her being in school, she might have the most solid alibi out of everyone. If her classmates can corroborate her there. So, I wrote down Mellissa's claims and turned to the bunny.
"Eh? W-What is it, Feodora?"
"Yuu Yuu, I just want to make sure I'm doing my job to help."
"I-I I don't… I…."
Yuu Yuu calmed herself as she looked back at me. With her hands on her cheek, she confessed.
"Yuu Yuu slept in and was scolded by her mentor. Then when I was outside, I heard the bombs come from the city."
The timid girl sighed.
"T-The Light Camp called me and told me to go and help the injured. I ran into Jade later on and."
Yuu Yuu puffed her cheeks.
"Jade was mean and pushed Yuu Yuu to help her."
Yuu Yuu complained.
I felt bad for her. Jade was pushy when it came to getting her job done.
"So, your mentor can confirm your alibi, Yuu Yuu?"
Coyly, she nodded.
"Okay, well, if I ever meet him or her, I'll confirm your statement. As for now, thank you for your time."
Mellissa put her finger to her lip.
"You're quite the detective."
I rubbed the back of my head.
"No, it's nothing like that, Mellissa. I was taught by my own mentor to always try my hardest to live. So, in order to get my normal life back, I have to work hard. It just so happens in this case; I have to be a detective."
It was simple to me, the faster I solve what's going on here, the less hold Jade would have on me. So effectively, if I solve the mysteries, there won't be any left, and I'll be free, able to live like Maxwell wanted me to. If I have to be a detective, so be it.
During our chat, we made it to the factories. They were much larger up close. There were sections that spanned miles and miles of factories.
But our job was to get to the ore factory and investigate. As we approached, a couple of knights patrolled around the outskirts of the factories.
"You two be Feodora and Yuuna."
The knight asked.
We nodded. I guess it was a given that they knew who Mellissa was.
"We have a few knights already checking the ore factory. If you follow this pathway, the fifth factory will be up ahead. You'll know which one is which. Ore burns with a rough and tart scent. Also, it's signed."
He handed me a map of the factory.
"Once you all get there, there will be another set of guards stationed. Just tell them you're with Jade, and they'll let you in. No worries, the workers have been sent home for the day, so there's no risk of them being harmed."
"Good! Very good!"
Mellissa beamed endearingly. Happily, she bounced down the road towards the ore factory.
"Eh, M-Mellissa…"
Yuu Yuu attempted to call out, but it was too late.
The human was ready to go since all the people had been evacuated. It showed me how much she truly cared for people unlike her other side.
"Let's catch up with her, Yuu Yuu."
"Y-Yes, Feodora."
Timidly, she followed behind me. To think only a few days ago she would run at the sight of me but strangely she's running behind me all day, like a puppy.
The ground was dirty and rough as we passed the factories. I could see cement building zones and other goods like iron and such. But what we were looking for is the ore refinery.
When Mellissa finally reached it, she stopped, lifted herself on her tippy toes, and turned back to us.
"It's here! Over here!"
Excitedly, she bounced up and down. When we made it to her, she grabbed my hand and hopped with me.
"Mellissa, stay behind us. Jade would kill me if you got hurt."
"Oh, sorry, Feodora."
She did as she was told and made her way between Yuu Yuu and me. We went up to the gates and a knight looked at our papers and allowed us inside. As we walked inside, everything was dark and looked eerie. There were iron belts that were stopped midway through production. It was as if everyone had just vanished, but I knew better than that.
Mellissa held her nose in the air.
"Arrgg."
"Huh, what's wrong, Mellissa?"
"Oh, I smell something-"
Yuu Yuu tilted her head.
"Smell something? Do you mean the burnt ore?"
"No. Something else."
Mellissa said while sniffing the air.
"Should we rest, Mellissa?"
I tapped her soft shoulder. Gently, she turned to me with a beam.
"No. I assume that the other me is telling me to be careful. Usually, when this happens bad things are around."
At her intuition, I took out my blade.
"If that's the case, I'll be on high alert."
Steadily, we made our way deeper into the factory. Soot and grime plastered the walls, showing how constant the machines here worked. Large amounts of processed materials were piled around in barrels labeled Highly Flammable.
There was a large sign hovering above us that read, New Age, that reminded me of the Radiant Age for some reason.
"What does New Age stand for on this banner?"
I asked nobody in particular.
"'New Age' is a term coined by the Radiants. It signifies new technology and discoveries."
Mellissa perked up with the answer.
We walked under the banner as I continued my questions.
"The Radiants have made a lot of new technology, haven't they?"
Yuu Yuu nodded.
"S-Some even believe they overstep their boundaries."
"Hm? What do you mean, Yuu Yuu?"
"Eh…"
Yuu Yuu signed.
"Yuu Yuu's mentor thinks that the Radiants might be…."
She struggled until, ultimately, Yuu Yuu stopped. She clammed up and put her head down.
"What? Yuu Yuu, your mentor, isn't here. Tell us what she said."
"No! Never mind. It wasn't important."
From above, holy spectrum shined, lighting up the place.
"Huh?"
We all looked up. The factory came alive as the gears on the machines started to move. We all stared at the bright lights above, as if heaven opened up and shined down on us.
"What the?"
I questioned, confused as I looked around.
With a loud bang, the doors behind us shut.
"What the heck?"
I ran over to the door and pushed it, but it didn't budge. The noise increased as the iron belts came alive and moved. The ore material started being processed on its own.
"A-Are we l-locked inside?!"
Yuu Yuu panicked.
The pink bunny held her backpack in her hand. She cowered down, trying her best to make herself appear smaller. Mellissa didn't seem fazed though, she just looked about.
"I wouldn't worry. If we are locked in, can we just call Jade to get us out?"
I thought it was a brilliant idea. So, I took out my phone and tried to call Jade, but it wouldn't connect.
"What does no connection mean?"
I asked, earning a terrified look from Yuu Yuu.
"Oh no!"
Yuu Yuu coward down deeper into a ball. Mellissa put her finger to her chin as she studied the situation more.
"It would seem our devices are being jammed."
With a calming sigh, as if this was someone else's problem, she continued.
"Well, worry not! The knights will see that everything is activated and alert Jade."
I shrugged.
"Well, whatever they're planning, they have us trapped here for the time being. That means this might be their bombing location."
I calmed down.
"Whatever we do, we have to survive. So, let's look around and see if we can find whoever is doing this."
I calmed my mind, trying my best not to think about the danger. I needed to trust Jade's judgment. That's what my gut was telling me.
"Hm. This way!"
The human raced off to the side.
"Wait, where are you going, Mellissa?"
"I don't know, but my other side seems to want me to see something."
I rushed over, took the timid girl's hand and lifted her off the floor.
"Come on, Yuu Yuu."
"Oh, okay, Feodora."
We ran after Mellissa as we raced down a few production corridors. All the machinery was moving as if they had a mind of their own. As we followed the human, Mellissa sped up while turning the corner.
"Ah?!"
"Mellissa?!"
The metal floor came alive, rumbling below us. I took Mellissa in my hands and pulled her to me. What appeared was a large iron creature. It was put together with bolts and seemed to be radiating wind spectrum.
It stood at least fifteen feet tall and had a large grey body. The silver metal glistened off the bright lights above. The machine had wheels for legs, and A triangle face and crescent-shaped claws on each arm.
"What the heck?!"
I shouted.
I pushed Mellissa out of the way. She fell to the ground and looked up at the iron beast before us. Yuu Yuu set her backpack aside again as she got into a battle stance.
Its large arms attempted to crush her and me, but I pulled my blade to defend us.
"W-Water embrace!"
Yuu Yuu commanded.
A rushing swirl of water entered my sword.
The iron beast slammed down on me but the pressure from the water spectrum pushed its body off of my blade. Sparks of electricity shot against the walls as its body jolted around.
"It's stunned! I'm finishing it!"
"Go Feodora!"
Yuu Yuu cheered.
I brought my blade behind me and slashed it with a horizontal arc.. The iron, bolts, and metals scattered across the small room. A shockwave full of water, mirroring a tsunami, rushed through the halls and evaporated before my eyes.
The room shook as I realized what Yuu Yuu's ability just did.
"That was a very powerful enchantment."
Yuu Yuu didn't just give my blade the water property, but she amplified the spectrum to the scale of a water vessel. Yuu Yuu's abilities effectively made my attack as devastating as any natural vessel user. In awe, I turned to Yuu Yuu.
"That's really useful, Yuu Yuu! How did you do that?"
I praised.
I earned a cute blush from Yuu Yuu. Embarrassed, Yuu Yuu rubbed her foot into the floor, and it was hard taking my eyes off of her.
"You two, another one!"
Mellissa called out to me, breaking my thoughts of the pink-haired bunny. Another mechanical beast of the same style rushed out from the door across the way.
"Alright, everyone in formation!"
I commanded.
Yuu Yuu stood behind me as Mellissa made her way back. This was going to be a two-man formation with a VIP. Mellissa was the VIP until her demon side decided to come out. The iron beast was just like the previous one, almost like a replica. It harshly stepped forward, crushing its own partner under its wheels.
"What the heck are these things?"
I readied my blade as I awaited its strike.
"These are machines from the human age. Atom reinvented them, but none are in full operation yet. The public hasn't seen them yet either.
Mellissa explained matter of fact.
"Then how do you know about them, Mellissa?"
I questioned.
But it was interrupted by the machine strike. I avoided it, along with Yuu Yuu. The ground shook as a creator formed where we were standing.
"Again, Yuu Yuu?"
"R-Right!"
She charged her spell in hand and sent it to me. My blade went a sharp blue as I swung around and cut the machine. It stumbled back but didn't fully go down.
When it landed back on its wheels, its claw-like arms grabbed me by the hip.
"Huh?!"
The iron monster lifted me up. I braced for the impact by flowing my dark spectrum around me. The machine slammed my body into the ground. Blood pushed out of my mouth as my eyes attempted to roll behind my head.
As I tried to stay conscious, a blade of water rushed over me, cutting the beast and causing it to start sparking like the previous one. The mech released me, giving me the chance to roll away.
"Ha!"
I struck its immobile body, destroying the wires from inside. The machine finally collapsed and fell on its comrade.
"Feodora! Are you alright!"
Mellissa ran over and touched my face. She looked worried as she whipped the blood from my mouth.
It seemed the machine gave me a good cut on the back of the head when it slammed me on the floor.
"Sorry, I didn't expect it to survive that first strike."
Hoping to ease her worries, I tried to play it off.
As she wiped the blood off my face, Yuu Yuu sprang into action as she touched my body from behind.
Yuu Yuu's magic was strange. I could feel the pressure that was inflicted on me all over again for a moment but in reverse. The pain subsided soon after, though. I could only imagine that this was the same thing Yuu Yuu did to that little girl earlier.
"I'm okay, you two."
I assured the doctors.
But Mellissa kept tending to my already treated wound. She sighed as she tilted her head at me. Before leaving me be, she pushed her face in mine and kissed me on the cheek.
"Ahhhhh?!"
Yuu Yuu shot up and rushed over to Mellissa. The pink bunny puffed her cheek and attempted to grab the tall doctor.
"Oh, it's a bad habit of mine, Yuuna."
"B-Bad habit? D-Do you just kiss people like that?"
With her hand behind her back, she smiled.
"Not everyone."
The entire interaction between these too made me blush.
"I wish the other me would have come out. She might have been more useful."
Mellissa slumped her shoulders.
Yuu Yuu finally let go of me and walked to the side.
"I-I think we should g-go before more machines show up."
"Yeah, we're not sure how many they have."
I closed my eyes and thought about it. If the culprits brought along these machines, what could they be planning? Would they risk destroying their machines in a bombing?
It was clear to me that something more devious was being planned, and we were likely just the decoys and pawns in this bigger game.