CH 288

Chapter 288 – The Whereabouts of the Diamond Ruin

The next day, I called everyone to the house.

“The reason I have called you all here today is none other than this.”

It was a line I’d wanted to say at least once in my life, so I felt a bit happy saying it.

“I heard back from the [Search Paper] that we sent out yesterday.” (Bouchi)

Everyone looked at me wide-eyed. They probably hadn’t been expecting to hear about any results so quickly. But the paper airplanes that the [Search Papers] transformed into could fly at Mach 3, so it made sense.

Well, after sending out the first one, I decided it was better to just throw numbers at the problem, so I’d had Oz write and send out several dozen [Search Papers]. Oz was completely tuckered out after that, which was an amusing sight to see.

“Master, which one is it…?” (Yofel)

Yofel’s question was obviously asking whether it was Duarte’s base island or the Diamond Ruins.

“The one for Duarte’s base island hasn’t come back yet.” (Bouchi)

Oz, who was looking at me with expectant eyes, suddenly looked disappointed.

“What the [Search Paper] found was the Diamond Ruins, which are said to just be a mirage. Surprisingly, it’s not that far from here, but…” (Bouchi)

“But… But what, my lord? Is there a problem?” (Kaza)

“D-D-Don’t tell me I wrote something wrong?!” (Oz)

“No, it’s not your fault, Oz. It’s just that I had jumped to the wrong conclusions.” (Bouchi)

Right, I had been caught up in my own preconceived notions. I had no idea that the ruins would be in a place like that.

“The ruins were discovered at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, southeast of Japan.” (Bouchi)

“D-Does that mean it’s at the bottom of the ocean…?” (Shiki)

I nodded in response to Shiki’s question.

“I see. That sure was a blind spot in our guesses,” Izu muttered to herself. It seemed that she hadn’t expected it either.

I had assumed it would be on land. I had imagined it would be in some underground ruins or in a cave somewhere.

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I didn’t consider the possibility that it would be at the bottom of the ocean floor at all. Oz had written that it was in the sea, so it should have been obvious if I had read it.

“But my lord, if it is at the bottom of the ocean, why would that be considered troublesome? …Ah! Could it be that my lord cannot swim?!” (Kaza)

I cleared my throat and continued.

“The Mariana Trench is said to be the deepest ocean trench on Earth.” (Bouchi)

“Hmm. How deep is it?” (Kaza)

“If I remember correctly, it’s over 10,000 meters deep at the deepest point.” (Bouchi)

All of them looked startled upon hearing that depth. Ior and Sol didn’t seem to get it at all. That was probably also why they were the first to ask questions.

“Hey, Master, what’s wrong with it being too deep?” (Sol)

“Good grief, this brainless dunce… Listen up, Sol.” (Izu)

With a sigh, the knowledgeable Izu began to explain.

“Are you familiar with the fact that water pressure increases with depth?” (Izu)

“Wa-ter pres-sure? Is it something tasty? If so, I’d like to try it!” (Sol)

“Master, I give up.” (Izu)

That was quick! You’re giving up this soon?! …Well, I do get where you’re coming from…

“Yeah, that’s right, Sol. Pressure, you know, pressure? For example…” (Bouchi)

I grabbed Sol tightly in my arms.

“Puuuu~! So warm! Masteeer~!” (Sol)

“I-I’m so jealo—ahem! …I won’t allow you such an enviable pleasure, Sol!” (Izu)

She cut herself off, but it didn’t change anything…?! …Well, that’s enough horsing around.

I started to gradually tighten my embrace around her.

“…M-Master… Y-You’re hugging me a b-bit too tight…” (Sol)

But even then, I put more strength in.

“Puuuu… Puuuuuuu~… I-It huuurts~” (Sol)

Then, I let Sol go. She looked up at me with a relieved expression on her face.

“That’s pressure, Sol.” (Bouchi)

“Wheh?” (Sol)

“You felt like you were being crushed, weren’t you?” (Bouchi)

“Yes.” (Sol)

“Take Master as an example. A human being like Master has an organ called the lungs, which are easily affected by water pressure. And if they are subjected to strong water pressure, they will collapse.” (Izu)

“T-That sounds terrible! Master, the sea is a dangerous place! I don’t want Master to get crusheeed! Just like that last ‘bang’! BANNNGGG~!” (Sol)

I had no idea what she was imagining, but she flew into my arms, weeping. I just stroked her and said comfortingly, ‘there, there’.

“There’s no way a human being would be able to withstand the pressure. Perhaps around 200 to 300 meters deep, they would be crushed.” (Izu)

Izu was right. A human being could only dive about that deep at the very limit.

In other words, the human body could only withstand about 200 meters of depth, which was only just scratching the surface in relation to the entirety of the ocean depths.

Plus, the Mariana Trench was 10,000 meters deep. Even I, with the reinforcement of the [Perfect Ring], wouldn’t be able to withstand it.