"See, there's a magi-stone embedded right here. This is the key to activating it. If you... just take it out like this, the trap won't trigger."
"I see, that is very instructive."
Netros was quick to discover and dismantle the traps. Anne watched him with focused intensity.
"……?"
Lucas, on the other hand, seemed to be having a hard time grasping the concepts.
"This one over here is a magic circle. If you just erase part of it, there's nothing more to worry about."
Netros appeared to possess a wealth of knowledge, dismantling the traps one after another.
The traps encountered here seemed to be relatively simple and straightforward.
"However, don't let your guard down just because you think you've finished. Some traps are two-layered."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Netros displayed considerable caution. Lucas was desperate to learn.
Once the removal work was complete, Anne briefly returned to Capricorn 1 to check the magi-detector.
"It seems all the traps have been cleared."
"Yeah, looks like it."
Shortly after Anne gave her report and Jin confirmed it, Netros and Lucas returned as well.
"Milady, we found four traps in total. Two were set to trigger 'Murodelfuego'—a wall of fire—one was a 'Trampa' pitfall, and the last was 'Distruzione'."
"I see. Good work."
Istalis offered Netros her gratitude. Meanwhile, Sion turned her attention to Lucas.
"Lucas, did you actually learn anything?"
"Y-Yes, a little bit..."
"...You still have a long way to go, Lucas..."
Sion let out a small sigh.
"Well then, let's head north again."
At Jin's command, Land 1 set Capricorn 1 in motion. The vehicle rolled onto the reddish earth of the radiolarian chert.
They were able to proceed across the red landscape without further incident.
Gradually, the isthmus widened, signaling that they had fully entered the demon territory.
"Where exactly does your clan live?"
"Ah, yes. Once we pass the isthmus, please turn east and follow the coast. There is a small inlet, and the shores nearby are where the All-Creation clan resides."
The surrounding area was a wilderness where reddish stones lay scattered about. Only patches of grass and moss grew here and there.
"It's not a very fertile land."
"No. The soil is poor, and with so many rocky areas, there is very little farmland."
Jin felt that the food shortage was an inevitable consequence of the environment.
As the sun began to hang low in the sky, an inlet finally came into view, just as Istalis had described.
"Is that it?"
"...No, that's not the one. It's further east than that. The inlet is much larger."
They continued further east. Since there were no longer any obstacles in their path, they made swift progress.
"Ah, there it is!"
An even larger inlet than the last appeared. Greenery spread around its borders, indicating cultivated land.
As Capricorn 1 approached, the people there noticed it and began to cause a massive commotion. Capricorn 1 came to a halt.
"Oh no! Netros, go and explain things to them."
"Yes, Milady."
No sooner had she spoken than Netros opened the door and leaped outside. Likely using magic for physical reinforcement, he moved with incredible speed.
In the blink of an eye, he reached the agitated crowd.
It looked as though Netros was trying to explain the situation, but something seemed wrong.
The residents appeared to be berating him. He could be seen bowing his head in an apologetic gesture.
Before long, the scene turned violent, with some people appearing to raise their hands against him.
"...Something's not right."
Jin muttered to himself.
"I will go as well."
Istalis stood up and followed after Netros.
"Be careful out there."
"It will be fine. They are members of my own clan, after all."
Istalis gave the worried Jin a reassuring smile before leaving Capricorn 1.
"Hmm, I'm still worried. Reiko, can I count on you?"
Almost before the words were out of Jin's mouth, Reiko stood up.
"I shall go and see what is happening."
Leaving behind those few words, she leaped out.
Using her 'Invisible' magic, Reiko approached Netros and Istalis without being detected. As she listened to the exchange, she found herself appalled.
It was because Netros—no, Istalis, Sion, and Lucas as well—were being denounced.
"You dared to show a human the way to this land?!"
"Sucking up to barbarians... have you no pride?!"
"You lot are nothing but traitors!"
The accusations were hurled at them from all sides. More people arrived from the settlement, and the crowd continued to grow.
"Wait—Wait a moment, everyone!"
Istalis, having arrived on the scene, cried out in a loud voice.
"We were acting under the orders of the Clan Chief..."
However, she could say no more. A stone came flying and grazed her cheek.
"Ah..."
"Liar! The Clan Chief said you lot disobeyed orders and fled the village! You even stole gold and magi-crystals!"
An even more outrageous claim was thrown at her.
"N-No, that's not..."
"Get out! Never come back!"
"Consider yourself lucky we don't kill you where you stand!"
More stones flew through the air. Istalis could only stand there in a daze, though Netros managed to swat away every stone that threatened to hit her.
"Everyone! Listen to me!"
"Shut up, traitor!"
"Shameless! Get out of here!"
At that moment, an old man emerged from the back of the crowd. He had white hair and a white beard, with light-blue eyes much like those of Istalis and Sion.
"Everyone, stop."
"Clan Chief..."
"Grandfather..."
It was Istalis's grandfather and the leader of the All-Creation clan, Valdius.
"Istalis. You fled the village without my permission, and yet you have the gall to return."
"G-Grandfather, you're wrong. I was acting under your orders..."
"I have no memory of giving such an order. Not only did you take gold and magi-crystals of your own accord, but you even brought a human to this place? Know shame."
"N-No..."
Istalis looked to be on the verge of tears.
"What is 'no'? What is that vehicle? Is it not a weapon of the humans?"
"N-No, it isn't."
"Ho? You destroyed a Stone Golem and captured Belialus of the Puppet Clan, yet you claim it is not a weapon? You speak well."
"T-That is a vehicle made by the Magi Craft Meister, Jin-sama! It is not a weapon for fighting; it is for protection..."
"Hah! A Magi Craft Meister, you say? Do you truly believe in such fairy tales?"
"It's not a fairy tale! The Magi Craft Meister is—"
However, the Clan Chief, Valdius, refused to listen.
"Enough. You are no longer part of this clan. Go wherever you wish. Consider it a final mercy that I do not kill you."
"G-Grandfather..."
Finally, Istalis broke down in tears.
"Everyone, destroy that weapon."
Having said only that, Valdius turned on his heel and walked back toward the village.
As for the remaining people...
"...Destroy."
"...Destroy it."
"Destroy it!"
Muttering under their breath, they began to march toward Capricorn 1.