It was rare to receive an emergency contact from Laojun. Jin answered with high expectations.
"Laojun, it's Jin. Did something happen?"
『Yes, My Lord. I apologize for the intrusion, but there is a matter I must bring to your attention immediately.』
Laojun then briefly recounted John Dini's progress so far and explained the existence of an automata named Akitsu, whom he had discovered at the destination reached via the Warp Gate.
"Hmm, an automata from slightly before the Predecessor's time... and you think there’s a connection?"
『Yes. While it is possible to extract only her data, I feared that doing so might go against your wishes, My Lord.』
"……Hmm……"
『There is no guarantee that this automata, Akitsu, will not become a second Elena.』
Jin fell into deep thought. Laojun’s concern was justified; his primary directive was always Jin’s safety. There was already the precedent of the Negadolls, who had plotted rebellion despite being created by the Origin.
Jin saw three possible paths.
One: Do not repair her. Two: Perform limited repairs. Three: Repair her completely.
Each option carried its own risks and rewards, and the outcome would vary depending on the approach.
"……I’d like to meet her and talk to her directly first……"
"Father, that is dangerous," Reiko immediately objected.
"Well, I expected you to say that."
"But Jin-nii, you want to go, don't you?" Elsa interjected. Reiko cast a slightly reproachful glance her way.
『Reiko-san, perhaps you could accompany him and ensure every possible precaution is taken?』
"I’m going too," Elsa volunteered. "Reiko-chan only needs to focus on protecting Jin-nii. If by some chance Jin-nii gets hurt, I can heal him immediately."
"……Hmm……"
Jin groaned as the conversation grew increasingly dramatic. However, he knew it was only because everyone was so concerned for his well-being.
"Well, if I can go meet her directly, I suppose it's fine……"
Ultimately, curiosity won out.
The Bernstein was proceeding smoothly down the canal, and no problems seemed likely to arise. After waving to the chancellor and the other officials on the hot air balloon, Jin turned the airship toward the sea.
By heading toward the open ocean at speeds a hot air balloon couldn't hope to match, they ensured that no one would be able to track their whereabouts. Once they had gained sufficient altitude, Jin left the helm to Steward. Then, Jin, Reiko, Elsa, and Edgar returned to Hourai Island via the Warp Gate.
『Welcome back, My Lord.』
Laojun’s voice greeted them.
『All preparations are complete.』
Jin changed into the reinforced suit he had crafted previously; it offered substantial protection against physical shocks. He also gathered the necessary materials for the repairs: Hourai Island-spec magical skin, magical muscle, and magi-crystals.
Reiko armed herself with a Plasma Sword, a transporter gun, and a barrier bomb for emergencies. Elsa brought recovery medicine, a Treatmenter, and a Magic Canceller. Edgar carried a gravity control magi-device and a Magi-Jammer.
They knew Akitsu’s exact location now: the center of a vast sandy desert to the west of the Harihari Desert. Condor 3 and Pegasus 1 would be transported to the site along with them.
Jin and the others boarded Pegasus 1.
『Commencing transport.』
Laojun activated the transporter. In an instant, the group was moved to the heart of the massive desert.
"Now then, I wonder where she is."
Jin scanned the landscape. Elsa followed suit, turning her head from side to side.
"Father, over there."
Reiko, with her superior vision, pointed toward an object that was clearly a different color from the surrounding sand and stone.
"It looks like a metal dome."
It was a marvel that such a structure had been built eleven hundred years ago. Driven by a desire to solve the mystery, Jin piloted Pegasus 1 toward it.
The dome was a dull, matte gold. Since the surrounding sand was an ochre hue, the structure was somewhat camouflaged.
"There is no mistake. John is inside," Reiko confirmed, detecting his presence with her built-in magi-detector.
"Good. Now, the question is how to get in."
The dome measured ten meters in diameter and four meters in height. Though partially buried in the sand, it was a perfectly formed hemisphere.
"Would it not be better to have them open it from the inside?" Reiko suggested.
"Good point."
＊ ＊ ＊
"Akitsu-san, would you be willing to let my creator repair your body?"
"……Your…… creator……?"
"Yes. He has arrived just outside."
"……What did you say……!……?……"
She was clearly surprised, though her thin, halting voice made it difficult to convey any sense of urgency.
"……How…… did you find this place……?"
"This is the center of a vast desert, is it not?"
"……That is correct. This is the center of the desert the magus called Sahara…… How could you possibly reach such a place……?"
"My creator can use Warp Gates at will. Furthermore, he is capable of flying through the sky."
Akitsu reacted even more strongly to that revelation.
"……The sky…… I see. The magus also…… harbored such dreams…… Your creator must be a truly exceptional person……"
Akitsu fell silent, contemplating the offer for nearly two minutes before finally reaching a decision.
"……I understand. At this rate, I will likely stand still in the near future…… That would be a violation of my basic command…… I accept the repairs……"
"In that case, could you open the entrance, or perhaps explain how to open it?"
"……Yes…… As I cannot move, I cannot open it myself…… Please turn the handle directly to my right to the left to loosen it……"
Following her instructions, John turned a handle roughly thirty centimeters in diameter. This confirmed the use of screws in the construction.
"……Next…… please push down the lever to the right of the handle……"
It was quite stiff, but John’s strength was more than enough to move it.
"……Finally…… the door is to the left of that. It opens outward……"
Upon closer inspection, John found what appeared to be a door roughly two meters high and one meter wide. He gripped the mechanism that served as a doorknob and turned it slowly, feeling the seal of the long-closed door give way.
The packing material seemed to have fused over time, making it difficult to budge. It would have been impossible for a human, but John was no human.
With a sharp crack, a gap appeared. The door then swung open under its own weight.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Father, John has succeeded in persuading her. He is opening the door now."
Outside the dome, Reiko relayed the information from Laojun to Jin.
About a minute later, a seam appeared in the wall to Jin's left. The door swung outward all at once, falling toward the sand. Since the threshold was about fifty centimeters above the ground, the fallen door acted as a gangway.
"I have kept you waiting, My Lord."
John Dini—piloted by Laojun—stood in the doorway to welcome them.
"You're John, right? Good work."
"Not at all. My Lord, please be careful as you enter."
"Edgar, you go first," Elsa directed.
"Yes, Elsa-sama."
Following Elsa's lead, Edgar entered first, followed by Elsa, then Jin, and finally Reiko.
"This is Akitsu."
"……Mister John’s creator, it is an honor…… I am Akitsu……"