NOVEL WEB Chapter 228: Blockade
"Alright, alright, keep up!"
"Yes, Boss Nicole!"
...
A while later, following Wise's instructions, the team delivered the three pieces of heavy machinery to their designated positions.
Soon, after a series of complications—and a brief episode where Koleda jumped up and smacked Grace on the head—they arrived at the best location for signal amplification.
Fairy got to work, calculating the coordinates. She quickly pinpointed the prototype's location and drew a schematic of the area.
...
"Note: As there are no functioning surveillance devices at the target location, this schematic was generated based on coordinate data and old street camera images."
Wise nodded and said,
"Sis, I've sent you the diagram Fairy put together."
But then his expression changed slightly. Something clicked in his mind, and he asked Fairy,
"Fairy, you said there are no active cameras at the target location. Does that mean... there are active ones elsewhere?"
As Wise questioned her, Fairy replied,
"Affirmative. A large number of electronic signals have been detected in the Hollow. However, because these devices aren't connected to any virtual networks, we can't collect their core data in real time."
"A large number of electronic signals? No way—we need to let Belle and the others know, now..."
...
Inside Dead End Hollow, a moment later.
Grace stared at the low-resolution image on the tablet. It was a photo of the prototype's location, taken before the area was swallowed by the Hollow. A strangely shaped tower was barely visible in the picture.
"Ugh, the quality of this image is awful. I can only vaguely make out a weird-looking tower…"
Ben stepped forward.
"Grace, let me see that picture."
He took the tablet, stared at the image, and his expression changed. He looked conflicted.
"Ah... this is..."
"What is it, Ben? Is something wrong with the prototype's location?"
Koleda walked over and asked. Hearing her, Ben had no choice but to explain.
The site in the photo was once the planned monument at the center of the "Pioneer Memorial Plaza," a project developed by Belobog Heavy Industries!
"What?! You're saying the prototype is at that unfinished plaza?! What the hell?!"
Koleda's voice was filled with disbelief. But Ben had joined Belobog Heavy Industries earlier than the others, and if he was sure, it couldn't be wrong.
Staying there wasn't wise. They quickly decided to head to the monument and investigate.
But just then, Belle, connected via Eous, brought more bad news.
There were a large number of recording devices inside Dead End Hollow—and they weren't relics from the past. Their purpose was unknown.
The group froze. Koleda and Grace began debating whether they should still go to the plaza. Meanwhile, Nicole started trying to talk Zane out of it.
Never put yourself in danger—that was one of Hare's House's core principles.
She had a bad feeling something was about to go down.
"It's fine. Stick to the original plan. I'll handle this."
Zane addressed the Belobog team. Koleda raised an eyebrow at his calm attitude, glancing at him with mild surprise.
"A guy who rolls with Phaethon and still keeps cool like this... Definitely not ordinary."
"So, you've finally decided to make a move?"
Zane just smiled.
"Quit worrying, little one. Go handle your end. Don't waste time—move out."
She didn't get a reply and even got called "little one." Koleda frowned, but after thinking it through, she chose to trust him.
The team resumed their advance toward the Memorial Plaza.
Along the way, Zane suddenly scooped up Eous, which made Panta visibly unhappy. Hey! He was here first!
"Zane?"
Belle asked, surprised. She figured something must be up—Zane wasn't the type to act out of nowhere. Neither was she. Though, being held like that was... admittedly pretty comfortable.
Zane's eyes glinted with a thoughtful look. He leaned close to Eous's ear and whispered,
"Belle, have your brother connect with that mysterious contact—the one we ghosted. If we can get through, all the better."
Belle quickly relayed the request to Wise. With Fairy's help, they soon made contact.
"You brushed me off last time with some half-hearted excuse. What, calling now means you're ready to explain properly?"
The familiar voice came through. Shin sounded surprised by the sudden call.
"It's me. Zane."
Zane spoke calmly. He didn't mention the Masked Fool—after what happened with Soldier 11, Shin probably knew who he was already.
In New Eridu, it was easy to dig up info on someone—especially someone tied to the Tanuki House.
"Huh?"
Shin paused for a second, then caught on. A flicker of embarrassment crept into her tone. After all, she'd set up a trap and had someone tail one of her own trusted operatives—only to be exposed.
"I'm not going to dig into the past right now. I just have one question: is this lieutenant's identity still effective?"
Zane's voice remained steady. Shin immediately confirmed—yes, it was.
"Good. I'm mobilizing troops."
"Whether it's the Defense Forces or another unit, bring enough people."
"Seal off the Dead End Hollow."
In Zane's arms, Eous—controlled by Belle—suddenly shivered.
Mobilize the army? A blockade?
Why was this suddenly getting so serious?!
...
"Easy, easy... steady!"
Anton secured the rope to the prototype and called out to the two heavy machines behind him.
"Leave it to me!"
The second machine waited for the prototype to be moved, then caught the broken pillar and tossed it aside.
"Ha! Done!"
On the plaza, as the two machines carried the prototype away, Grace walked up to Koleda and patted her on the shoulder.
"Let's go. We're done here."
Koleda nodded and started heading toward the main group.
But a few steps later, the pile driver suddenly stopped and said,
"Wait... I feel like I've forgotten something very important!"
"Oh right, the 'seal'! Mentor Khors sent me to reinforce the seal..."
Then he paused again, confused.
"But... what exactly is a seal?"