The Holy Grail bomb was hidden in the Army's Magecraft research laboratory.
Located in a warehouse near the sea in the Imperial Capital.
As mentioned before, to win this war, Japan utilized every resource at its disposal. Whether it was cutting-edge technology or mysteries previously considered enigmas, as long as it existed in Japan, it had to be sacrificed for the nation's future.
The Magecraft research laboratory was established based on this ideology.
But despite the grand rhetoric, the higher-ups didn't actually understand what Magecraft was. They only knew it involved spells that could produce various astonishing phenomena. Since it was useful, they took it and used it.
Thus, to keep the Magecraft research laboratory operational, various prominent Magus families in Japan were invited. Some of these Magi joined and began developing new war weapons for the Japanese Army.
The research on the Holy Grail was also conducted here.
—[The Fourth Laboratory of the Army Magecraft Institute]
That was its full name.
"So this is it."
Looking at the tightly shut warehouse door in front of him, Naoki waved his hand to dismiss and calm the spirit of Mawatsun that had followed him. Then, he lifted his foot and kicked the warehouse door, shattering it into pieces.
Standing behind him, Okita grew slightly nervous at the sight. "Master, isn't the noise a bit too loud?"
"It's fine. There's no one alive within a one-kilometer radius. No one will come. Besides, there are no Magecraft barriers or physical traps set up here. Apart from its somewhat remote location, this place is completely unguarded." Naoki said.
"But it's also a kind of 'hiding in plain sight' strategy. This place isn't far from the main battlefield. It's honestly lucky nothing has happened here until now."
Even standing here, Naoki could hear the constant sound of gunfire from the distant battlefield. It wasn't just the clash of modern technology and weapons but also because Nobunaga was there right now.
Japan had already lost on the main battlefield. The defeat in the Pacific and the collapse of the naval defense line meant it was only a matter of time before the front lines became completely unbalanced, and an invasion of the mainland was inevitable. A land battle was unavoidable.
As a hero who saved the nation, Nobunaga clearly wouldn't let that happen. So, at this moment, she was fighting with all her might to crush the foreign enemies invading her homeland.
"Trying to hold back the setting sun as it slowly sinks… You must know it's futile, Nobunaga. As long as this Singularity collapses, everything you've done will be for nothing."
Even so, she would still crush the foreign enemies invading her homeland?
What a touching tale of a hero saving the nation.
"But sorry, I can't let your wish come true."
Naoki stepped into the warehouse after kicking down the door.
What came into view was a massive bomber aircraft.
Naoki also knew the origin of this bomber. When the war situation hadn't yet reached this point, Japan had a plan called the Absolute Victory Air Defense Plan. It involved building a large-scale, long-range strategic bomber—the future Japanese Fugaku Bomber.
The plan had been halted, but now it was revived by Nobunaga. Based on her personal vision, she designed and developed it into a superweapon that could be called a flying fortress, naming it Azuchi.
In terms of armaments, it was equipped with 16 20mm cannons and could carry up to 25 tons of bombs. Its engine used rare magical stones, sufficient to fly solo to the United States for bombing.
If used in actual combat, the current war situation would surely be reversed with ease. The United States, which was aggressively attacking Japan, would be forced into a defensive position just because of this air fortress, giving Japan a much-needed respite.
And after gaining that respite, the world would undoubtedly face a more terrifying counterattack.
However—
Naoki lightly placed his hand on the surface of the bomber. The next second, the entire aircraft suddenly distorted and crumpled, as if gripped by an invisible giant hand, like a plastic bottle being relentlessly crushed.
Amid the deafening sounds of scraping and cracking, in just a dozen seconds, this crystallization of Japanese technology and Magecraft was reduced to a massive pile of scrap metal.
"That's enough. Let Nobunaga deal with this when she finds out. Let's head underground, Okita."
"Compared to this pile of scrap, the thing underground is far more troublesome."
As he spoke, Naoki stomped on the ground, creating a massive hole, and jumped down with Okita's slightly helpless gaze following him.
Glancing at the staircase not far away, Okita hesitated for a moment before jumping down as well.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The underground chamber wasn't as large as the warehouse above, at most half its size.
Due to the dim lighting, when Okita arrived, she had to adjust for a moment. After adapting to the environment, she stood and looked toward her Master, only to freeze in place.
In the not-so-large underground room, a massive machine was stored. Okita didn't know the specific function of the machine, but she could understand one thing placed on top of it.
"Is that… the Holy Grail?"
The area at the center of the machine looked like a container cultivating something. Inside that container was a writhing mass of flesh, constantly emitting a heart-pounding amount of Mana.
The Holy Grail was supposed to be a golden cup that could grant any wish—this thing in front of her had nothing to do with that description!
"Yes, that's the Holy Grail."
Naoki gave a definitive answer.
"This amount of Mana… Just the leakage is comparable to a Mana reactor core. If it's fully unleashed, as I said before, it could really blow up the entire Imperial Capital."
"Looking at this thing in front of me, I'm not sure if Nobunaga wants to save this country or destroy it."
If this were used in a land battle, both sides would be annihilated together. The damage it would cause was unimaginable, and the subsequent consequences would be beyond comprehension.
After pondering with a serious expression for a moment, Naoki raised his hand to his ear and activated a communication spell.
"Hello, Angelica? Hurry over here. There's something that needs to be stored in your Treasure Vault."