"Three guards neutralized."
"Two front gate sentries neutralized."
The three men patrolling the fort's perimeter and the two guarding the entrance were rendered unconscious in the blink of an eye. The method employed was identical to the effect of a Stun Rod or a Stun spell.
They generated 500,000 volts when applied directly to the skin, and up to approximately five million volts when striking through thick leather clothing.
The golems of the Secret Mobile Unit—also known as the Ninja Force—were capable of discharging these electrical shocks directly from their hands to stun their targets, requiring no external tools.
"Two back gate sentries neutralized."
Vanishing with Stealth and possessing physical capabilities far beyond any human, the golems picked off the fort's personnel one by one.
"Thirty-two personnel detected within the fort. Twelve currently neutralized."
Reports streamed to Reiko in rapid succession via their internal manacams.
"The structure consists of three basement levels and three floors above ground. Constructed of granite. Building appears relatively new."
Every detail of the facility was reported as it was discovered. These updates were simultaneously relayed to Laozi on Hourai Island, who began his own independent Analyze process.
"Reaction matching Elsa detected on the second basement level."
"Presence believed to be the leader located on the second floor."
"Nineteen neutralized. Detection by remaining enemies is imminent."
"Understood," Jin replied through the link. "Prioritize Elsa's rescue above all else."
"Acknowledged."
＊ ＊ ＊
"What's happening? Report!"
"We don't know, sir! The sentries have vanished! None of the perimeter guards have reported back!"
"An enemy raid?"
"Status unknown, sir!"
"Damn it! Transition to level 1 alert status!"
＊ ＊ ＊
"…?"
The growing commotion outside jarred Elsa awake.
"Did… something… happen?"
Just then, two men in black masks descended the stairs toward her cell.
"She's still here."
"Yeah, everything's fine on this end."
They peered into the cell to confirm her presence. A moment later, one of them—and then the other—collapsed silently to the floor.
"?"
As Elsa stared in confusion, two golems materialized before her. Both were female models, roughly the same height as Elsa. One of them spoke.
"You are Elsa-san, correct?"
"Ah… yes."
The other golem immediately began reporting to a distant listener.
"Elsa-san located. No visible major injuries. She is currently imprisoned; commencing rescue."
The first golem gripped the iron bars of the cell. With a casual exertion of strength, she bent the thick metal rods aside.
"So… strong…"
The golem stepped through the gap, which was now wide enough for a person to pass easily.
"Pardon me."
With those words, she snapped the restraints on Elsa’s wrists and ankles as if they were made of string. However, she paused at the girl's neck.
"That choker looks like something only the Chief can remove. Please endure it for just a while longer."
"Eh? Chi… ef?"
"Yes. Our creator."
"That… person… is he…?"
"It is Father, Jin Nidou."
"Jin… kun…"
Tears spilled from Elsa's eyes. The crushing weight of her fear evaporated at the realization that Jin had not abandoned her.
"Elsa-san, can you walk?"
"I'm… o… kay."
"Then please, wear this."
The golem reached into a pouch at her waist and produced a ring. Elsa recognized it instantly.
"This… is…"
The very first gift Jin had ever given her: a Protect Ring. It was a treasure that had saved her life time and again. Still weeping, Elsa slipped the ring onto her finger.
"Come. Let us depart."
As the golem turned to lead the way, Elsa spoke up.
"Wait… what are… your… names?"
If they were Jin's golems, she knew they must have names.
"I am Canna. This is Dahlia."
"Can… na. Dahl… ia. Thank… you."
With a small nod, Elsa followed them out of the cell.
They ascended the stairs. Upon reaching the next floor, Dahlia, who was scouting ahead, suddenly vanished.
"Gah!"
A sharp, muffled cry echoed down the hall.
Dahlia reappeared in the center of the corridor to the left, standing over two more masked men who had collapsed at her feet.
"Did you… kill… them?"
"No, we only knocked them out. The Chief dislikes killing."
They continued up the stairs to a large lobby. Four more masked men lay unconscious on the floor, guarded by two male-model golems.
"Are they… too…?" Elsa asked.
"Yes. They are Elm and Ash."
The two approached Elsa and bowed slightly.
"Elsa-san, we are here to escort you."
Flanked by Canna, Dahlia, Elm, and Ash, Elsa finally walked out of the Unifilar branch fort.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Elsa! You're safe!"
A few hundred meters from the fort, Elsa saw a familiar figure waiting for her.
"Jin… kun…"
Elsa broke into a run, burying her face in Jin's chest as she began to sob uncontrollably.
"Jin… kun… I was… so scared…"
"Elsa…"
Jin held her, gently stroking her back until her sobs finally subsided. He eased her back, gripping her shoulders gently, and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the tears from her face.
"Thank… you."
Jin frowned. Her voice was even more labored and halting than usual. It was then that he noticed the metal digging into her neck.
"What is this?"
"A… choker… that… seals… magic…"
Rage transformed Jin's expression instantly. Elsa suffered from Mana Overload Syndrome. To seal her magic was to sentence her to a slow, agonizing death as her own internal energy ravaged her body.
"They dared put this on her…!"
In a fit of fury, Jin grabbed the choker and ripped it away.
"Eh?"
Elsa was stunned. The device she had been unable to even budge had been torn off as if it were made of paper. She blinked, then simply accepted it. Well, it is Jin, after all.
Jin ignored the discarded metal for a moment before subjecting it to Trace and Inspection spells.
"It doesn't just seal magic…!" he hissed, his voice trembling with anger. "There's a magi-formula inscribed here that’s the exact inverse of healing magic. It's designed to slowly cause physical disturbances throughout the body."
Jin crushed the choker into scrap metal in his fist and looked toward the fort.
"Reiko. Tear that place to the ground."
Jin had finally snapped.