"I never realized we were being enslaved in such a way," All-Creation murmured with a sigh.
"I have no excuse for my ignorance," Alectas replied.
"No, there was nothing you could have done if the entire clan was subjected to the same thing."
"But if that's the case..." Netros said, his voice trailing off into a frown. "Does that mean the All-Creation clan has suffered the same fate?"
"Yes, most likely. It doesn't take long to implant the needles. If you press a long, thin tube against the chest, they're embedded in an instant. The spot behind the ear is the same."
"Do you know who did it?"
"I don't..."
"Then do you know when it happened?"
"I can only guess, but the clan chiefs gathered for a Clan Council half a month ago, didn't they? I suspect it happened then."
However, All-Creation seemed unaware of this.
"...I didn't know about that. It must have happened after we departed."
That was likely why All-Creation, Sion, Netros, and Lucas had escaped being enslaved. It was Sion who cut through the heavy atmosphere.
"More importantly, I think we should discuss what to do next."
"You're right. Exactly."
"If I'm being honest, my true wish is to see every member of my clan freed from these needles..." Alectas said, his face twisting with a pained expression.
"I feel the same," All-Creation added. "I want the All-Creation clan to be liberated as well."
In contrast to the desperate hopes of Alectas and All-Creation, Sion offered a more pragmatic view.
"But it'll be difficult. I don't know who's behind this, but I doubt they'll just sit back and watch while their slaves are freed. There's no telling how much time it would take..."
"In that case, wouldn't it be best to strike at the source?"
While the demons were deep in their own discussion, Anne interjected with her opinion.
"You mean find whoever's implanting the needles and deal with them?" Sion asked, furrowing her well-shaped brows. "Is that even possible? First, we have to find them. And even if we do, could we actually stand a chance against an opponent who uses things like those needles?"
All-Creation sounded equally uncertain.
"It all depends on how we handle it. There's no need to confront them head-on," Anne said dismissively. "We find the enemy's location, sneak in, and neutralize them."
She added that it was a rough plan, but the best they could do with their current information.
"How are we going to find them?"
"Let's just say there are ways. After all, Jin-sama is the Magi Craft Meister," Anne replied.
"..."
After a brief silence, All-Creation gave a small nod.
"I suppose we have no choice but to try....Jin-sama, may I ask this of you?"
"I ask this of you as well. Magi Craft Meister, Jin-dono. Please, I beg of you."
"I understand."
Jin had a hunch that this problem wouldn't be confined to the demon race alone. He had a vague premonition that if they didn't settle this matter properly now, humanity would eventually suffer the consequences as well.
"Finding the enemy's location is our first priority."
"B-But how?" Alectas asked, skeptical of Jin's matter-of-fact tone.
"The needles I removed should still be connected to our unknown opponent via magical power. We just have to follow that line."
"I see..."
"I won't explain the 'how' just yet. Please, just trust that it can be done."
Currently, Laojun was operating Jin's Double. If it had been Jin himself, he might have mentioned the magi-detector, but Laojun was more cautious. He issued instructions to Land 1 to measure the direction of the magic signals. The direction was roughly due north.
"Alright, let's move a little to the east and measure again."
It was the basics of surveying.
In truth, Hourai Island possessed a magi-radar far more sophisticated than a simple magi-detector, so Laojun had already pinpointed the target. However, by measuring again on-site, he could increase the precision. Even though it was redundant, he had the Capricorn 1 perform its own measurement.
"North-northwest," Land 1 reported.
The point where the two lines intersected was exactly where their target was located. Jin identified the spot on a simple map.
"It's here. On the other side of those mountains."
When Jin pointed to the rough map, Alectas's eyes widened.
"...The Land of Beginnings..."
"What?"
"...That's the Land of Beginnings. If that's the case, then it means the ones responsible are the Origin Clan..."
"The Land of Beginnings. That matches the information I extracted from Belialus."
It also aligned with the fact that the Gospel clan lived the closest to it.
"I see, so they're the culprits."
Jin looked up from the map and stared at the northern mountains visible through the window. Their objective was finally clear.
"First, let's head for the Land of Beginnings. We can discuss our next move once we're on the way."
"Alright."
"Understood, I have no objections."
With that, the Capricorn 1 set a course straight for the northern mountains.
"Is there anything else you know about the Origin Clan?"
Leaving the piloting to Land 1, Jin and the others continued their discussion.
"Well... it's said that they possess ancient technology," Alectas answered.
"Ancient technology?"
"Yes. The magi-engineering that our distant ancestors supposedly possessed."
"..."
This was valuable information. Technology even older than that of the Gospel clan, which dated back over two thousand years.
Laojun tried to supplement this with the old legends Vivienne had passed down.
Ships that sailed the sky—spacecraft—which the ancestors of humans and the demon race used to arrive on this planet.
Attendants who were almost indistinguishable from humans—automata.
If he applied these concepts, the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
As of right now, even Jin could not build a spacecraft. If that were the case, there was a possibility that the ancestors' technology was truly formidable.
"We'll have to be cautious when we make contact," Jin said.
Laojun decided that they needed to formulate a plan while considering the possibility that the opponent's technology might surpass Jin's.
"I suppose so. But is the Origin Clan really that dangerous?" Anne asked curiously.
"To be honest, I've never actually met them," Alectas said, bowing his head apologetically. "Even we, the Gospel clan, only knew that they lived nearby. And the Origin Clan only ever contacts us by voice. Even then, it's at irregular intervals."
The Gospel clan had possessed magic tools for such communication since ancient times, and they apparently received advice through them occasionally. That was likely the origin of their name.
However, one question remained. While other clans were suffering from food shortages, how did the Origin Clan procure food without interacting with anyone?
"If that is also thanks to their magi-engineering..." All-Creation remarked with a troubled expression. "Can we really stand against such an opponent?"
"You're being weak, sister," Sion said, her tone characteristically blunt. "It's not about whether we can or not; we have to do something for the sake of our people."
"Y-You're right..."
"Besides, it's not as if we're going to be hostile from the very start," Jin added.
As they were speaking, Land 1 made a report.
"There is a barrier in our path."