Reiko sat down with Laojun and Anne to hammer out their strategy.
"Now that we’ve pinpointed his location, I’ll fly to the Leonard Kingdom in Pegasus 1 tonight to apprehend Laldus."
Since Jin had already given his approval, she would utilize the fastest craft on Hourai Island. They decided to scrap the plan to use the blind Warp Gate—the one that didn't require a receiver—because its transport precision was still unreliable and they were uncertain of the terrain at the destination.
"Please use an emergency extraction Warp Gate for the return trip," Laojun advised.
That would ensure there was no loss of time.
"Big Sister, please don't go alone," Anne said. "I know how strong you are, of course, but we can't be sure the enemy is alone. Just in case—this is only for that 'just in case' scenario."
Reiko took the advice to heart. While she didn't believe she could lose to any opponent, she recognized the possibility of being delayed or having her return path obstructed. Having companions would be a great relief in such an event.
"I agree," Laojun added. "Considering the report from Deneb 30, I believe it would be best if you took Soleil, Luna, and two Land units with you."
Soleil and Luna were Reiko's direct subordinates, and the Land units were the most powerful golems on Hourai Island, second only to Reiko herself.
"Let’s do that. Also, I’ll be taking Touka."
She decided that the magi-cannon would be too difficult to use against a single target and would likely result in overkill.
The Touka had sustained damage during the final battle with the Unifilar, leading Jin to refit it with magi-adamantite and incorporate vibration sword functionality.
"As for defense... I have this."
Reiko affectionately stroked the pendant hanging from her neck, a gift from Jin.
Preparations were completed in about an hour. It was currently 5:00 PM, Hourai Island time.
"How is the target, Laojun?"
"He remains stationary," Laojun replied immediately, having monitored the magi-radar in real-time.
Since Laldus wasn't moving, it suggested he had reached a base of some kind.
"It would be wise to depart now and begin your descent once it’s dark," Laojun suggested.
Following this advice, Reiko, Soleil, Luna, and Land 1 and 2 boarded Pegasus 1 and took off.
Jin was currently away in Kaina Village, consulting with Lishia and the others. However, even in his absence, the words he had spoken to her were burned into Reiko’s heart—her control core: This is something I can only entrust to you; I’m counting on you.
"I’m heading out, Father," she whispered in a voice so faint only she could hear, before sealing the hatch of Pegasus 1.
The distance between the Leonard Kingdom and Hourai Island was approximately 600 kilometers, with a time difference of just under two hours.
Pegasus 1 could bridge that gap in less than an hour, but because the sun was still up, they took a slight detour to reach the vicinity of the destination while avoiding detection.
"Is Laldus really in this area? This is..."
As twilight fell, Reiko observed the land below from an altitude of 500 meters, stunned by the unexpected sight.
"The kingdom... it’s gone."
From her aerial vantage point, there was no sign of anything resembling a nation. It wasn't entirely uninhabited, but the settlements were tiny and scattered—hardly the scale of a town, let alone a kingdom.
It hadn't looked like this when the maps were drawn.
"Could an illusion barrier have been active this whole time?"
During the initial cartography, they had observed the area from altitudes of 5,000 and 2,000 meters. No abnormalities had been detected then.
"It appears there was a barrier active around the 800-meter mark."
As they descended, the scenery they had been looking at shifted entirely. It was one thing to fool a human, but for a barrier to deceive the eyes of Hourai Island’s golems and Reiko herself was an impressive feat of magic.
"The barrier is a secondary concern for now. However, let’s ensure this phenomenon is thoroughly recorded."
Reiko ordered Luna to document the barrier’s characteristics and strength while she focused her own efforts on locating Laldus.
"Found him."
A brief search revealed his precise location: about 12 kilometers south of Reiko's current position. It would take mere minutes in Pegasus 1.
However, knowing the opponent could deploy such sophisticated barriers, Reiko decided to touch down two kilometers away. Pegasus 1 was a VTOL craft and could land on any flat surface, but Reiko chose to jump out while it was still hovering to avoid giving away their position.
"Wait in this vicinity until I contact you. I will keep the mana-telecam linked at all times."
"Understood, Big Sister," Soleil replied for the group.
Reiko’s eyes and ears had been synchronized with the mana-telecam. Everything she saw and heard would be transmitted directly to Laojun. It was a precaution against the absolute worst-case scenario.
Jumping from a height of ten meters, Reiko landed without a sound. She immediately sprinted toward the target, her Stealth field already active.
"Then again, he did see through Deneb 30," she reminded herself, careful not to over-rely on her invisibility.
The area seemed to have once been a city, but it looked as though it had been abandoned for decades. Buildings were in ruins, overgrown with weeds and shrubs. The decay provided ample cover as Reiko spent ten minutes closing in on the target.
"That building there."
Reiko’s sensors picked up a response. It was a significant magical signature.
"Assuming he’s a member of the demon race, it’s no surprise there are no lights. I don't require them either."
The structure was stone, originally a three-story house, but the top floor had partially collapsed, leaving only the first two floors functional. The magical signature was coming from the second floor.
"He seems to be alone."
She had been wary of potential allies, but her sensors detected no other large magical signatures within a 10-kilometer radius.
"Then I just have to get this over with."
Reiko stepped into the building’s entrance, moving silently. At a glance, there didn't seem to be any traps.
"!"
Suddenly, flames erupted from beneath her feet.
Reiko wasn't so easily defeated, however. She leaped back in an instant, clear of the fire. She was unharmed, but her presence was now fully known.
"A trap that even I couldn't detect...!"
She surmised this was a technique unique to the demon race. Realizing that further stealth was pointless, she deactivated her field and placed her hand on the hilt of Touka.
A voice called out from a second-floor window.
"Fuhahaha! It seems I have a guest. Oh? Just a little girl?"
His appearance matched the description from Deneb 30: tall, slender, and wiry.
"What do you want with me?"
The man wore a smirk that would have likely made Jin feel a sense of visceral disgust.
"Laldus the Jest, I presume?" Reiko asked bluntly.
The man’s face twisted. "Oh? And where did you hear that name?"
Reiko didn't bother answering. "You're going to tell me about the disease you spread in the Klein Kingdom."
This actually seemed to catch Laldus off guard.
"Hoh? You know about that? Don't tell me you’re a companion of that automata from earlier today?"
Laldus’s expression hardened. "I didn't feel anyone following me. Have I really grown that dull?"
He jumped from the second-story window, landing as light as a feather without making a sound or kicking up a speck of dust. Reiko’s caution intensified at the sight of such physically impossible movement.
"So you’re an automata too? What’s your business?"
"As I said, I’m here for the details regarding the disease you scattered in the Klein Kingdom. And the cure."
"Ho-ho, so people have already noticed? I suppose there are some who aren't complete fools."
"I am not here to trade words. Answer me," Reiko demanded.
Laldus only sneered. "Humans are fragile things. A great many of them will likely die from even that much."
"That is not what I asked."
"That was simply something a fool named Walter wanted. I merely lent a small hand to satisfy his desires."
Laldus continued to dodge the heart of the matter with his evasive, mocking tone.
"Earl Walter is dead. You killed him."
"Hmph. It was his own mistake to believe a disease he wished for wouldn't affect him."
Seeing that the conversation was going nowhere, Reiko decided to shake his composure.
"I don't know what a member of the demon race is doing in a place like this, but do you have a death wish? An Ether Stampede is a terrible way to go."
This finally seemed to have an effect.
"What?! You know I’m of the demon race?"
Laldus was startled for a moment, but he quickly realized she had been testing him.
"Heh... fufufufu. You’re quite sharp. Honestly, between you and the one from earlier, it seems this era has a remarkably talented magi craftman."
"I’ve heard enough of your prattle. Will you talk about the disease or not?"
Reiko’s words were a clear ultimatum. Laldus responded with a grin of genuine delight.
"If you want to know so badly, try to beat it out of me!"
With that, he drew a sword he had been hiding behind his back. In the darkness of the ruins, the blade pulsed with a dull, pale-blue glow.