Chapter 174: Breaking and Entering Studies? Is That an Actual Degree?

The video continued.

【We've arrived.】

【The Dewlight Pavilion, stronghold of the Oakfamily line, the place where the heads of house gather to discuss the grand strategy of Penacony.】

Dr. Ratio brought Topaz to where Sunday was.

【A stronghold?】

【Not a bad metaphor.】

【Not long ago I had dealings with the warlords of the Iyimanika star system, and even their synchronous-orbit estates weren't on guard this tight.】

Topaz swept a glance around and began speaking with a light laugh.

【It suits its master well. The mansion nominally belongs to Sunday, and without his invitation, an ordinary guest would never in their lifetime get the chance to set foot here.】

【Take a good look around while you still have a moment of freedom.】

Dr. Ratio said flatly.

【Hey, Professor — what kind of talk is that? Whose side are you on, exactly?】

Topaz looked at Dr. Ratio,

and could only feel that this man's way of speaking was truly unpleasant to the ear.

【Who can guarantee I won't sell you out?】

Dr. Ratio crossed his arms and countered.

【Then we'll just have to wait and see.】

【Once we meet that control-freak head of the Oakfamily, I have my own ways of prying the answer out of him.】

Topaz was unimpressed.

【Follow me, I'll take you to his reception hall.】

【Don't say anything unnecessary. The family people, I'll handle them.】

Dr. Ratio instructed Topaz, then led him forward.

【Hey, you two!】

【Ahead is a council area. No entry without an invitation.】

The two reached the door and were stopped by a bodyguard.

【I've brought the suspect at Mr. Sunday's request.】

【Ratio — he should have mentioned that name.】

Dr. Ratio explained.

【Oh, I remember you... Veritas Ratio, your Punchy Void Particle Clock was quite impressive.】

The bodyguard's face lit up with sudden realization upon hearing Dr. Ratio's name.

【.... What are you talking about?】

Dr. Ratio had no idea what strange talk this person in front of him was spouting.

【That thing on your head!】

【Although it can't compare to mine — the Mobile Knight's All-Domain Annihilation Power Armor.】

The bodyguard explained, looking rather proud.

【Last time I already reminded you, that fantasy battle suit of yours simply doesn't exist.】

Dr. Ratio shook his head.

【It's just that you can't see it!】

【As I said, only family can behold the radiance of the Mobile Knight with their own eyes — now hurry on through, don't keep Mr. Sunday waiting.】

The bodyguard waved them through.

【Sigh... the idiot index here isn't much better than outside.】

Dr. Ratio continued forward with Topaz, unable to resist a complaint along the way.

Stelle: "Uh... what Punchy Void Particle Clock, what Mobile Knight?"

Stelle: "What on earth are they talking about?"

March 7th: "Sounds like it's all stuff made up in their imagination..."

March 7th: "Feels so chuunibyou..."

Topaz: "Hilarious, Professor — you actually stood there correcting him with a straight face."

Topaz: "Don't you hate idiots like that the most?"

Dr. Ratio: "Trying to reason with an idiot really is my problem..."

Dr. Ratio: "I'll be more careful next time."

The video continued.

【.... Where's the path?】

The two arrived before a wall, and Topaz couldn't help asking.

【The great door is shut tight. Looks like we'll have to do it ourselves.】

Dr. Ratio said calmly.

【What I mean is... there isn't even a door here.】

【How did you get in last time?】

Topaz stared at the wall before him, somewhat dumbfounded.

【For security reasons, the family built the administrative site deep within the dream. The mechanism is in these Night-Thrush statues: the statues' facing can be controlled.】

【Last time, a servant named Conna specifically went to the side room to confirm something before arranging the statues in place.】

The Truth Doctor pointed to a room and said.

【Perhaps we should go through the same process—let's go take a look.】

【Of course, brute force is also an option.】

Goldsand shrugged.

Then he followed the Truth Doctor into the room to examine it.

【Six Nightshade Thrushes facing different directions—a clear clue.】

The two arrived before a painting,

The Truth Doctor gazed at the painting and understood the answer.

【Hmm... but are these really Nightshade Thrushes?】

Goldsand stared at the painting and felt it was oddly abstract.

【Yes. What's wrong?】

The Truth Doctor frowned.

【Where have you ever seen a Nightshade Thrush this large?】

【In my view, this is clearly an Annihilation Hawk.】

Goldsand rubbed his nose and spoke calmly.

【The Five Great Lineages have no hawks—only Nightshade Thrushes. Why would I argue this with you?】

The Truth Doctor shook his head,

Then brought Goldsand back to the place they had just left.

【As expected—this is the correct answer.】

Goldsand turned the Nightshade Thrush mechanism to the correct orientation.