After a thorough examination, Belialus confirmed with certainty that the ruby had indeed come from Arshel’s hair ornament. This established as a fact that she had visited this place.
The question was what had happened afterward.
"For now, we have no choice but to search the immediate area."
The Jin Double prepared to use Sonar and Grand Search to investigate, but then—
"Please wait!"
Reiko called out to stop him.
"I sense a flow of mana."
In terms of such perceptions, Reiko was superior to the Jin Double.
"There is a possibility that a Magi Machine exists nearby."
"What? What would be the point of—"
The Jin Double cut himself off.
Instruments meant for surveillance, such as radar, were often much more effective when placed in high-altitude locations.
"If that's the case..."
The proper response would change depending on the nature of the Magi Machine. Jin contemplated the possibilities as he stared through the magi-screen.
Surveillance, offense, or... transportation?
If it were a surveillance type, it was best to assume they had already been discovered.
If it were an offensive type, there was a high probability that it was accompanied by some form of surveillance system.
And if it were a transportation type, it would still require sensors to confirm if anyone was present or if there were obstacles in the way.
Jin concluded that they should proceed on the premise that a surveillance system was active.
He relayed this to Belialus through the Jin Double.
Belialus thought for a moment before speaking aloud.
"To 'whoever' is monitoring us, can you hear me? I am Belialus, the older brother of Arshel. If you can hear me, please respond."
They waited for a while, but there was no reaction. Belialus repeated the same words.
Then once more.
"..."
Still, there was no response. Sunset was drawing near, and twilight began to shroud the peak.
"Belialus, it's getting late. Let's try again tomorrow."
Just as Jin spoke through his double—
"Look there!"
Reiko called out, pointing toward a specific spot.
"What is it?"
A portion of the summit was emitting a faint glow.
Staring at it through the magi-screen, Jin offered a hypothesis via the Jin Double.
"...Could it be a Warp Gate?"
"In a shape like that?"
"Yes. It's likely housed inside the rock rather than on the surface. Let's see what happens."
The Jin Double called Belialus over and deployed a barrier that enveloped the both of them.
A few seconds later, a figure resembling a golem appeared in that spot.
"Visitors, what is your purpose?"
Belialus responded immediately.
"As I said before, I am Arshel's brother. I have come to take my sister back."
Upon hearing this, the golem gave a deep nod.
"I see. That much is understood. Now, what of the other two?"
"We came seeking information regarding the magical beasts underground. Additionally, we were told by our acquaintance, No. 700672, that the ones here might be servants of the Origin. Is that correct?"
The moment the Jin Double mentioned the Origin, the golem’s reaction shifted.
"The Origin?...What do you know?"
"Not a great deal. But perhaps you would like to see this?"
Seizing the moment, the Jin Double presented the Crystal Cube he had borrowed from No. 700672.
"That is... Mityanite. Very well. We shall receive you. Come this way."
The golem acknowledged Jin and the others and invited them forward.
The Jin Double and the others exchanged a brief look, nodded, and slowly approached the golem.
"There is no need for such caution; I will do nothing. I shall go on ahead and wait for you."
With those words, the golem vanished. It appeared the Warp Gate had undergone a polarity reversal.
"...Jin-dono, let us go."
Belialus’s desire to see his sister, Arshel, seemed to outweigh any fear of a trap.
As if to prove it, he was the first to step onto the faintly glowing ground that marked the transport range. The Jin Double and Reiko followed.
Then, the three of them vanished from the summit of Mt. Elrad.
"...This is an unusual design."
Naturally, their destination was also inside a Warp Gate.
Through the eyes of the Jin Double, Jin was observing the interior of this 'unusual' Warp Gate.
"...Ah, so this is the receiver. Hmm, it looks quite efficient..."
As the Jin Double continued his observations, 'someone' with an appearance identical to No. 700672 appeared before him. The golem from before stood behind this newcomer.
"Welcome, Jin-dono."
"I am No. 600012. As you have likely guessed, I am a servant who served my Master. I currently inhabit an automata body."
Indeed, the body of the one calling himself No. 600012 was an automata... and a rather poorly constructed one at that.
"I am—"
As the Jin Double started to introduce himself, No. 600012 cut him off.
"The Magi Craft Meister, Jin-dono. And that is Reiko-dono."
He spoke as if he were already well-acquainted with Jin and Reiko.
"I have scouts deployed in the outside world, you see. I have known of Jin-dono for some time. I have been wanting to meet you."
His face contorted as he spoke. Apparently, he was 'smiling'.
"Um, there should have been someone who arrived just before us."
Since Belialus was nowhere to be seen, the Jin Double questioned No. 600012. At the question, the servant’s expression changed visibly.
"Regarding that..."
No. 600012 lowered his voice and offered the Jin Double a chair. Since he knew Reiko was an automata, he didn't offer her one.
The Jin Double also possessed an automata body and did not feel fatigue, but since there was no need to reveal that fact unnecessarily, he simply thanked the host and sat down.
"First, I must apologize."
Jin, controlling the Jin Double, was taken aback when No. 600012 suddenly bowed his head.
"What do you mean? Please explain."
"Of course."
"...Where is this?"
Meanwhile, Belialus had passed through the Warp Gate ahead of Jin and the others.
"...Welcome."
The person who appeared before him was a man wearing a mask that covered the upper half of his face. Or rather, judging by the voice, it was a man, but his true identity remained unknown.
"And you are?"
"I am 60... no, call me 'Rokure'."