Ex-Machina in Dimensional Travel

The puppet felt as if something was tightly gripping its throat.

Obviously, since becoming an Ex-Machina, these physical physiological reactions should have disappeared along with it. Although it can be simulated, it is impossible for him to retain these factors that affect judgment.

This is the "fear" that comes from the depths of Shuul's soul.

The object of his fear is precisely the purpose of his journey so far, the "death" he wants to avoid at all costs.

"Xiul...what's wrong with you?"

Although there was nothing abnormal about Shul's outward behavior, Mashu still noticed that the movement of the puppet beside him suddenly paused.

The girl didn't know what was going on and could only hesitantly try to get the answer herself.

She had never seen the other person in such a condition.

"..."

When asked the first time, Xiuer did not respond.

Under normal circumstances, Mashu might not have thought anything of it, but considering the strangeness she had just noticed, the situation was a little different.

"Fu?"

Fu Fu, who was sitting on the doll's shoulder, also sensed something strange about the person beneath her.

Like Mashu, it cried out in worry.

"..."

This time, Xuel still did not respond. He stood there as if he had turned into a real "puppet".

……

Of course, at this time, Xiuer was not really unconscious.

Mashu and Fufu's cries did indeed reach his ears.

But at the moment, what he cares most about is the impact that the temple has on him.

Half a minute ago, because of the inexplicable sense of crisis, Xuer subconsciously stopped the operation of the Whispering Chapter.

At this point, the suddenly increased sense of crisis quickly weakened.

When the emotion of fear deep in his soul subsided along with the sense of crisis, Xuer's thinking also returned to normal.

Hallucination?

No, it's an illusion.

Xuul was extremely certain that this accident was undoubtedly telling him that there must be "something" in the temple.

His curiosity was thus aroused to an unprecedented level.

But even with such strong curiosity, it couldn't break through Xuer's reason.

After all, as the saying goes – “Curiosity kills the cat.”

All of Xiuer's "exploration" activities so far have been based on his own safety.

Even when the "Holy Spear" thrown by the Lion King earlier, he observed and collected data in advance, and only chose to take it head-on after determining that there was no danger.

However, the experience just now was a sudden change that caught the puppet off guard.

If this body had no physical physiological reaction, Xuer would probably be gasping for breath now.

But it is impossible for Xuul to give up his "investigation" of the temple. Now that Xuul's interest has been piqued, he will not give up easily. He will probably start making plans to explore the temple next.

Simply activating the Whispering Chapter is likely to trigger the countermeasure of that suspected "mechanism" again.

Because it is unknown, Xuel will not take risks blindly.

However, as a temple located in the mountains and within the sphere of influence of the mountain people, the mountain people must know the relevant information.

Now it seems that contacting the people of the mountains is not a meaningless act.

At this moment, a voice happened to be heard. It was Mashu's voice.

There was uneasiness in the other person's tone, as if he was worried that something might be wrong with him.

Xuer ignored this for the time being and continued to think about the situation in the temple.

Then there was another cry, it was Fu Fu's cry.

Even Fufu was worried about her own situation.

Seeing this, Xuer was "silent" for a few seconds before turning his eyes, which were staring at the mountains in a trance at night, to the person beside him.

The golden eyes emitted a faint glow in the darkness, and the doll's slightly childish and delicate face was the same as usual, with nothing unusual.

A waterfall of blue-purple hair hangs down behind the doll, fluttering in the wind.

Everything is normal.

Mashu almost thought that what she had just discovered was all an illusion.

Of course, out of concern for her companions, the girl chose to repeat what she had just said.

"Xiu Er, what happened to you just now?"

"I saw you pause for a moment, and I thought...something happened."

Mashu finished her words with some hesitation. After all, they all witnessed how powerful this puppet was. Such an "all-powerful" companion also brought a lot of convenience to their adventure.

But no matter how powerful an existence is, it is often unable to avoid certain accidents.

Mashu firmly believes this, and that's why she's worried about Shul's situation.

After all, the other party's condition just now was really abnormal.

"..."

Hearing the girl's concern, Xiuer did not answer immediately, but lowered his head, as if thinking about something.

Seeing this, Mashu didn't know what to say. Although she was very worried about the other party, the other party didn't seem to want to answer this question.

Fortunately, Xiuer did not say nothing as she thought.

The former just shook his head to indicate that he was fine.

Xiuer's expression was normal, as if nothing had really happened.

Although the "breath" just now ignored the distance and affected it, the machine itself was actually not damaged.

"Really? I'm glad you're okay."

Obviously, Mashu didn't completely believe it. Although this doll was the most reassuring existence among them, "accidents" were inevitable no matter who it was.

Since the other party really didn't want to mention it, she had no choice, but at least Xiuer had returned to normal, so the girl had to end the topic.

The night breeze blew gently, and the cool air dispelled some of the increasingly stuffy atmosphere.

"Okay, but if there's anything you really need to tell us, please. No matter how powerful you are, Shuul, please don't bear it alone."

Conversations with this doll were rarely pleasant, and Mashu had long been accustomed to its attitude, so she had no complaints about the current situation.

Although she was still worried about her companions, Mashu had no choice but to step back a few steps, pretending to appreciate the mountain scenery while observing the condition of the doll.

The girl's words were full of concern. Her voice was not loud, but under the blessing of the quiet night, it was still heard by Bedivere beside her. The Silver-Armed Knight turned around and looked at the two of them with a puzzled look.

Mashu's "concern" made Shuul wonder if she was really deceived by her appearance.

However, although Mashu retreated, Fufu was still on Shul's shoulder.

It is not as easy to fool as a girl.

"Fu~"

"Yes, I did discover some kind of 'anomaly', and its source is the temple."

Xiuer didn't think of hiding anything from Fu Fu, who knew him well, and shared his discovery with her directly and frankly.

He didn't reveal it to Mashu not because of trust issues.

From his perspective, the girl was unable to handle the situation, and telling her the truth would have no positive effect other than adding to her distress.

Of course, Xiuer didn't say anything when he revealed it to Fu Fu.

He directly activated "magic" to communicate with Fufu in his mind.

Well...it was Xuer's voice that suddenly popped up in her mind and scared Fu Fu.

At this time, Leonardo da Vinci's negotiations with Hassan were about to come to an end.

After all, it is not advisable to stay here for a long time. Although the Chaldeans may not care, Hassan does not care. For the latter, he is not safe as long as he has not hidden in the mountains.

Therefore, the negotiations between the two progressed very quickly.

As Mashu and Shuul were talking, the two of them had almost finished discussing the main issue.

Hassan's attitude towards this group of strangers was not friendly.

If Fujimaru Ritsuka had been asked to come, things might not have gone smoothly, but thanks to Da Vinci's self-recommendation.

"So that's it~"

"You have nothing to prove. Why should I believe you?"

Facing Hassan's rebuttal, Da Vinci maintained her perfect smile as usual, but she was also quite helpless in her heart at this moment.

"Oh~ Still don't believe it?"

Although the progress is fast, it is obviously difficult to gain the other party's trust by relying solely on verbal conversation.

"Looks like I have no choice but to demonstrate the 'truth'."

Da Vinci thought helplessly.

"Little Xiuer~"

She turned around and looked at Xiuer who was still chatting with Fu Fu.

This call carried the unique accent of this genius. Although it was not loud, it still reached Xuer's ears smoothly.

"...?"

Hearing the voice, Xiuer turned around and met the eyes of Da Vinci who was waving.

"Come and help~"

Seeing the puppet respond, Da Vinci shamelessly called out further.

"what are you doing?"

Hassan didn't know what this guy in front of her was going to do. Like Xiuer, she was confused by Da Vinci's sudden action.

"What's the matter?"

Xiuer brought Fufu to Da Vinci's side.

The emotionless voice made Hassan stunned. This was the first time she heard this "girl" speak.

But what made her suddenly stunned was not just this matter.

It was not until the other person walked in that she finally noticed something was wrong with him.

This "girl" not only has no magic power, but she also doesn't even have the vitality of a living person.

Rather than a living person, this person looks more like an exquisitely crafted "doll".

If the other person had not shown sufficient self-awareness and had not possessed any magical powers, she would have thought that he was just a puppet controlled by magic.

This discovery directly broke Hassan's initial guess.

While the latter was surprised, Leonardo da Vinci also told Nashul his needs with a smile.

"Could you please let Shuul-chan show this lady our sincerity?"

"...?"

Leonardo da Vinci deliberately prolonged the word "sincerity", as if implying something.

Hassan didn't know what this meant, but she always felt that something bad might happen next.

"What are you going to do?!"

She immediately became alert, and her left hand, which had just let go of the object due to negotiation, once again grasped the "medicine bottle" hanging under the black clothes on her back.

If the other party does anything out of the ordinary, she will immediately throw out her specially made "sleeping drug".