This world is saturated with ambient mana, also known as ether.
The composition of its mantle and core also differs from Earth's. The mantle consists of rocks containing magi-stones and magi-crystals, while the core is made of metallic elements such as mithril and adamantite.
Similar to geomagnetism, the world generates mana lines, and its magnetic poles align with its magical poles. Because ether is drawn toward the North Magical Pole, the concentration of mana in the air increases as one approaches the North Pole (which serves as both the North Magical Pole and the North Magnetic Pole).
Conversely, ether becomes thinner the further south one travels. Consequently, the magical beasts that feed on mana naturally congregate near the North Pole.
Curiously, ether is not drawn toward the South Pole. This is because no magical pole exists there—one of the great mysteries of this world. This phenomenon has created a natural segregation: the region around the North Pole is the land of magical beasts, while the rest of the world belongs to humanity.
However, there are always exceptions. One sea dragon abandoned its habitat and began swimming south.
Along the way, the sea dragon came across a swarm of death sea serpents. It preyed upon them, consuming nearly half of the hundred-strong swarm. The surviving death sea serpents fled south to escape the predator.
They swam through the mana-thin waters as if they owned the sea, for no enemies challenged them there. They devoured any fragile, non-magical marine life they encountered. Yet, even this swarm of fifty death sea serpents met a tragic end near a certain uninhabited island, where they were wiped out by a far more powerful foe.
The vast majority of their mana was scattered, diffusing into the air and the surrounding ocean. The seawater, now infused with an unnaturally high concentration of mana, was carried north by the currents.
This eventually caught the attention of the stray sea dragon. Drawn by the drifting mana, the beast resumed its journey south, unaware that it was swimming toward its own destruction.
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A warm current flows around Hourai Island. Originating near the equator, it brushes past the peninsula where the Kingdom of Elias sits before flowing north through the waters surrounding Kunlun Island and Hourai Island. This current brings with it a great migration of fish.
Currently, the Hourai Island navy golem Marine 67 was aboard the trimaran Hydro 23, out fishing alongside the maid golem Aqua 67.
(Marine 67, we have a significant catch.)
(Indeed. These are to be frozen or dried, correct?)
(Yes. Our Master is quite fond of fish.)
Just then, something changed.
(Marine 67, did you notice that?)
(Yes. A massive mana signature. Let us return immediately.)
Engaging the magi-water jet at full power, the Hydro 23 sped back toward Tatsumi Bay. After avoiding the preserves in the bay and docking at the pier, Marine 67 took the Warp Gate back to the laboratory to report. Aqua 67 finished securing the fish before following through the gate.
Laozi, the magi-brain managing Hourai Island in Jin's absence, immediately initiated a response upon receiving the report.
(Air force, emergency deployment. Sky 1 is in command. Sky 2 through 10 are to guard the airspace above the laboratory. Sky 11 through 50 will patrol the airspace above the reported coordinates under Condition 2 alert. All others are to stand by.)
(Sky 1, acknowledged.)
(Navy, emergency deployment. Marine 1 will lead Marine 2 through 80 to the northern waters of Hourai Island. The remainder will secure Tatsumi Bay.)
(Marine 1, acknowledged.)
(Army, move to Condition 1 alert. Land 1, station Land 2 through 10 to guard the laboratory and the Mansion. Deploy the rest along the northern and eastern coastlines.)
(Land 1, acknowledged.)
(Soleil and Luna, you are to defend Kunlun Island with Plane, Satella, and the 100-series golems.)
(Acknowledged.)
Laozi issued his orders in rapid succession. His tone wasn't strictly military, largely because the knowledge he inherited from Jin regarding such matters was somewhat incomplete.
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Two hours later, Sky 45 discovered a wake heading from north to south. Descending with Sky 33 and 37, the golems confirmed the source was a massive, dragon-like magical beast.
(Sky 45 reporting. Giant dragon discovered. It is the source of the mana. The dragon is carnivorous; I have confirmed it is preying on local fish.)
The report was transmitted via the manacams recently distributed to all units.
(Hourai Island acknowledges. Send visuals. Continue observation.)
(Sky 45, acknowledged.)
Sky 25, 48, 49, and 50 soon joined the group, ensuring the target could not escape. Sky 45 used its magic eye—usually reserved for mapping—to stream visuals back to Laozi.
Laozi analyzed the images and calculated his next steps.
- Target is a magical beast.
- If left unchecked, there is a high probability it will decimate the fish populations around Hourai Island.
- Target is a carnivorous magical beast.
Conclusion: Exterminate the target as soon as it enters Hourai Island's managed waters. Supplement: Secure all materials for the sake of My Lord, Jin.
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The sea dragon continued southward at a speed of roughly forty kilometers per hour. During its transit, it detected a massive concentration of mana. While it appeared to be land, the beast felt an unbelievable amount of mana radiating from it.
This was the mana leaking from the magi-crystals stored on Hourai Island.
The sea dragon adjusted its course slightly and accelerated toward the source. As it drew near, it noticed several small points of mana scattered across the water. Though they paled in comparison to the main source, the dragon surfaced, intending to swallow them as well.
At that moment, a thin beam of light descended from the sky. It easily pierced the sea dragon's right hind leg—a limb so tough that even the fangs of a death sea serpent couldn't leave a scratch.
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The sea dragon had closed within fifty kilometers of Hourai Island. With its hostile intent toward the island confirmed, Laozi ordered the attack.
First, Sky 25, hovering directly above, fired a single laser. It lanced through the sea dragon's right hind limb.
(Sky 25 reporting. Lasers are effective against the enemy.)
(Hourai Island acknowledges. All air force units on-site are to engage using lasers. Limit targets to vital areas—specifically the head and chest.)
(Sky 25, 29, 41, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50, acknowledged.)
Nine Albatross units simultaneously fired two lasers each. These anti-surface weapons, converged into needle-thin beams, struck the sea dragon as it tried to dive back into the sea in a panic.
Eleven lasers hit the head, four hit the chest, and one hit the tail. The sea dragon died instantly, never understanding what had happened. Because of the nature of the attack, not a drop of blood was spilled into the ocean.
(Sky 45 reporting. Target successfully neutralized. Zero casualties.)
(Hourai Island acknowledges. The navy will handle dismantling the target and securing materials. The air force, excluding Sky 41 through 50, is to return to base. Sky 41 through 50 will scout up to a five-hundred-kilometer radius to ensure no further anomalies.)
(Acknowledged.)
(Army, stand down from Condition 1 alert and return.)
(Acknowledged.)
The sea dragon was a literal treasure trove. Its horns, fangs, claws, scales, and bones would be processed into high-quality magical items, while its meat would serve as a base for powerful tonics. Its hide boasted a durability that far surpassed even that of a sham dragon.
(The blood is incredibly rich in mana. If we preserve it by freezing, it may prove useful later,) Laozi noted.
The beast's wing membranes—relatively small compared to its massive body—would eventually be used to enhance Reiko's performance. The preserved blood would also play a critical role in the future, though that was a story for another time.
Laozi evaluated his performance and felt a sense of satisfaction.
(My Lord will surely be pleased.)
Thus, the first mission for Laozi, the management magi-brain of Hourai Island, came to a successful end.