Jin held the magi-crystal containing the maid’s memories, pondering the best way to analyze it.
Laojun on Hourai Island was the most qualified for the task, but there was no way to send the crystal there quickly.
"Father, would I be able to do it?" Reiko asked.
"Hmm, you... yes, that might actually work."
"Truly!?" Reiko looked delighted at the prospect of being useful to Jin.
"We’ll link it with your spare control core. That should allow you to read the data without any risk to your main systems."
Jin had suggested the spare control core because linking it directly to her primary core might interfere with her own memory regions. This was only possible because both the core and the crystal were written with Jin’s own magic pattern.
Taking the magi-crystal, Reiko immediately established a mana linkage with her spare control core.
"...Father, she's clean."
Since she shared Jin’s knowledge, modern slang occasionally slipped into her speech.
"She truly knows nothing. She was simply performing her usual duties."
"I see."
The conversation took place in a corner of the room, heard only by Elsa. Princess Lieschen sat on the sofa, hugging Hanna protectively, while the Chancellor, Prince Arthur, and Jessica remained locked in discussion.
"In any case," Prince Arthur said, having reached a conclusion. "Lieschen, Miss Elsa, and our guests should move from this detached palace to the Royal Castle. We need to increase security, at least until the culprit is identified."
"That would be for the best," the Chancellor agreed. It would become a major international incident if anything happened to Jin or Elsa while they were guests of the state.
Events moved quickly after that.
Jin, Elsa, Hanna, Reiko, and Edgar were moved to guest suites within the Royal Castle. Princess Lieschen and Tia followed suit. The maid Tia had restrained—whose name was apparently Ameri—was placed in a dungeon for the time being.
The Trans Info Jin had performed in secret was not a common spell. Even if he explained it, proving its authenticity would be a time-consuming process. Furthermore, such magic was too dangerous to be made public, as it could become a global threat if it ever proliferated.
This was why Jin had investigated her memories in secret. While he was certain of her innocence, convincing a third party was another matter entirely. He had only managed to postpone her punishment by arguing that Ameri was unlikely to be the mastermind; even if she were the culprit, keeping her alive was the only way to draw out whoever was pulling the strings.
(Reiko, where is the Secret Mobile Unit?)
(They have already deployed throughout the Royal Castle, Father.)
Since they couldn't fit on Jin’s airship, they had been sent back to Hourai Island and then deployed to Alban via transporter. Now, they were moving past the castle walls and infiltrating the grounds, guarding Jin, Elsa, and Hanna from the shadows.
(Good. Make sure Ameri isn't silenced by the true culprit while she's in the dungeon. Have Lily and Rose watch over her.)
(Understood.)
Dinner that evening consisted of dishes that had been meticulously tested for poison. On top of that, Jin and Elsa performed an Analyze spell on everything, and Reiko performed her own taste-test. They were in a state of absolute readiness.
However, as is often the case when one is so prepared, nothing happened. The meal was entirely free of toxins.
"I shouldn't have brought Hanna along..." Jin muttered, regret gnawing at him for putting her in danger.
Now that they were here, his only choice was to protect her with everything he had. The only silver lining was that the target of these attacks seemed specific; the chances of someone targeting Hanna directly were low. He simply had to worry about her getting caught in the crossfire.
"Reiko, tell Iris and Azalea to be on high alert."
"Understood."
Jin relayed the request through Reiko because her internal manacam allowed her to issue commands silently, making her far better suited for the task.
And so, the night deepened over the Klein Kingdom.
Breakfast the next morning had also been subjected to a rigorous inspection. Because it had been tested so thoroughly, the food was naturally cold by the time it reached the table. Jin, who was sensitive to hot food, ate it without complaint.
"...Jin-nii," Elsa spoke up after the meal, sipping a cup of herbal tea that had also been cleared for consumption. "I think... Hanna-chan should go back to Kaina Village."
"...Yeah, I was thinking the same thing."
Even if they could keep her safe, a place filled with such dangerous political intrigue was no place for a child.
"Eh? I'm going back to Kaina Village? I don't mind, but what about you, Onii-chan?" Hanna asked, tilting her head. She was fine with going home, but she worried about their safety.
"I have to stay and cure the King," Elsa explained.
"And if Elsa is staying, I need to stay and look after her," Jin added.
Elsa’s cheeks flushed slightly at his words, but she quickly regained her composure. "Jin-nii, the King’s treatment won't happen today or tomorrow. It’s better to get Hanna-chan home sooner rather than later."
"You're right."
Jin went to consult the Chancellor immediately. Fortunately, it was just before business hours, so he was able to speak with him right away. Wanting to avoid anything that might further offend Jin, the Chancellor granted permission instantly.
Once the decision was made, Jin moved fast. By 9:00 AM, he was preparing the airship for departure. Given the circumstances, he checked the hull with extreme care. He looked for any signs of sabotage, but since Steward had been guarding the vessel, there were no issues.
"Well, we're off."
"Princess, see you later!"
"Umu. Hanna, you must come and play again soon."
"Jin-nii, please be careful."
"I'll only be gone a short while, but you stay safe too, Elsa."
"Jin-dono, safe travels."
Seen off by Princess Lieschen, Elsa, and Jessica, the airship carrying Jin, Hanna, and Reiko rose into the Alban sky.
The day was overcast. Jin didn't intend to fly all the way to Kaina Village. Once they reached a high altitude above the clouds, they met with the Condor 3, which had been waiting for them. Using its large-scale Warp Gate, they returned to Hourai Island.
From there, they disembarked and made the final trip to Kaina Village. Jin left instructions for the airship to undergo maintenance and a few modifications while it was on the island. He also ordered the production of ultra-miniature spy golems—five-centimeter units built to the same specifications as the Finger golems used by Laozi.
"Grandma, I'm home!"
Hanna ran straight to Martha after emerging from the Warp Gate hidden in the basement of Jin’s workshop. Reiko followed behind, carrying the luggage.
"Oh, welcome back, Hanna. That was a short trip, wasn't it?"
"We're back, Martha-san."
"Welcome home, Jin. Did something happen?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact..."
Jin explained the incident that had occurred at the Royal Castle.
"I see. Sounds like you've gotten yourself into quite a mess. But I understand; I'll feel much better having Hanna back where it's safe." Martha then turned her attention to Jin. "Jin, you be careful too, you hear? You can do a lot of amazing things, but you can still get hurt. If something were to happen..."
Martha trailed off, avoiding any grim words in front of Hanna, but Jin understood exactly what she was feeling.
"I know. Thank you, Martha-san. I'll be careful."
"Good. And it's not just yourself—make sure you look out for Elsa-chan too."
"I will."
Martha nodded firmly. "Good. Well, I don't know if this helps, but you mentioned a poisonous plant? It sounds a lot like the effects of eating aconita..."