Chapter 49: Arrival at the Testing Grounds

"Welcome back, Seven Knights IV – Adrian Solis – Unit 296, and Seven Knights IV – Dorian Sandshade – Unit 179. How may I assist you?"

An electronic voice echoed through the empty space of the forward base.

At this moment, only Lady Ember and Lynn were standing on the main control platform, dealing with the situation. Everyone else had been sent to the inner cabin, though they could still hear the conversation outside.

After hearing the electronic voice’s question, Lady Ember responded directly, "Both Seven Knights IV units require repairs. Can this be done?"

The electronic voice did not hesitate and replied immediately, "Seven Knights IV – Adrian Solis – Unit 296 has sustained 71% damage. Seven Knights IV – Dorian Sandshade – Unit 179 has sustained 82% damage. This base does not have sufficient repair materials to conduct full repairs."

"Can you transport us to a nearby Seven Knights IV production or research base then?" Lady Ember made another request.

"I'm sorry, there is no longer sufficient energy available. Many passages are sealed, and you lack the necessary authorization," the electronic voice refused her request outright.

Lady Ember had anticipated this, so she quickly said, "We may not have enough materials, but we still have some energy reserves, and we have authorization credentials."

No one knew what credentials Lady Ember had presented, but soon enough, large energy blocks began to be unloaded from the Seven Knights IV units. These were accumulated from various daily missions completed in Aurelia Pinehold. Leon couldn't see what was happening outside from his position, but he could hear the occasional electronic sounds echoing around him.

After about half a day, the electronic voice finally delivered its final message: "Energy replenishment complete, passage confirmed, authorization verified. The ancient testing ground passage is now open. Prepare for transfer. Please immediately enter the Seven Knights IV inner cabin."

Upon hearing this, Leon felt the cabin walls around him begin to shift. The previously metallic interior slowly transformed into sand, eventually burying him under yellow sand.

This transformation startled Leon, but he quickly regained his composure. He understood that they were most likely being transferred to a new location, and any rash movements could get him thrown out, leading to his death. Staying put and treating this as a cutscene to observe was the safest course of action.

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With that mindset, Leon had time to look around. He noticed that not only had the cabin walls turned to sand, but the entire Seven Knights IV had become sand as well. The sand flowed down a passage, carrying Leon along.

As he was occasionally tossed about by the shifting sand, Leon noticed molten lava beneath the sand. That must have been the transformed Seven Knights IV – Adrian Solis. The players in its inner cabin were also enveloped by the lava, being moved along as well.

After roughly half an hour, the forward-moving sand finally came to a stop. Leon found himself surrounded by a void as the sand reformed into Seven Knights IV – Dorian Sandshade and plummeted downwards.

The sensation of falling didn’t last long before Leon heard another electronic voice.

"Welcome to the Seven Knights IV testing grounds. How may I assist you?"

This time, Lady Ember’s voice rang out again, "We have authorization for the Seven Knights IV testing grounds. We require repairs and supplies for these two units, and we also need a place to rest."

"Authorization verified: Level 3 access. Damage levels of Seven Knights IV – Adrian Solis – Unit 296: 71%, and Seven Knights IV – Dorian Sandshade – Unit 179: 82%. Repairs can proceed. Please disembark from the Seven Knights IV units."

After the electronic voice confirmed the repairs, Lady Ember immediately said, "Alright, everyone, disembark. We've arrived."

Most of the players, including Leon, had their sights set on this location. Upon hearing Lady Ember's words, they quickly jumped down from the Seven Knights IV units.

At this point, they could finally see the style of the Seven Knights IV base on the Storm Isles. This appeared to be an underground testing ground, but the ceiling was at least fifty meters high.

They were in what seemed to be the entry plaza of the testing grounds. Even with the two large Seven Knights IV units parked here, the space didn't feel cramped at all.

Looking around, they saw underground stone walls without any metallic fixtures, as if the area had been carved directly out of the earth.

Once all the players had disembarked, the ground slowly began to split open, and the two Seven Knights IV units dissolved into sand and lava, being drawn into the ground.

Following this, Leon and the others were led by Lady Ember in another direction. According to the electronic voice's introduction, this area should be the staff rest area, where employees would typically rest and live. It was also a non-restricted area, meaning anyone could move freely here.

After leading the players to a cafeteria, Lady Ember confidently said, "More than half of you came here for the testing grounds. I've brought you this far, and from here on out, it's up to your own luck. I’ve already asked—repairs on the two Seven Knights IV units will take about five days, during which you're free to explore.

"First, the staff living area here is the safest. To the east is the researcher living area, which requires Level 4 access, but you all have that authorization. Further west is the testing area, which requires Level 3 access. Only I have that. If you can sneak in without being caught, you can explore.

"Beyond that are the classified testing area and the data archive, which require Level 2 access. Even I can't enter those. Again, you can try to sneak in, but getting caught will mean certain death.

"Finally, there’s the main testing lab, which requires Level 1 access. It was said to be used for constructing the Seven Knights V model before the closure. There are original blueprints and machinery inside. On the last day, we’ll be conducting a small operation there. If you're interested, you can sign up. But be warned—getting caught there means certain death."

At this point, Lady Ember glanced at Lynn before continuing, "That’s all I have to say. You're free to explore. I hope that in five days, I can still see all of you alive here."

With that, Lady Ember left, leaving the players to discuss their plans among themselves.

Naturally, Leon immediately sought out Victor to see what his thoughts were.

Victor whispered to Leon, "I’ve heard that Lady Ember’s main goal was to reach this place, and her next step is to use this base to transfer to the Seven Lords' territory and then to the Princess Tomb. She has the necessary access for all of this. So, there was no need for her to bring so many people."