The next morning, under a brightening sky, Konron 2 flew toward the Pazdext Great Isthmus.
"Whoa, whoa!! Amazing! This is so amazing!"
Arshel, flying for the first time in her life, was in a state of constant excitement.
"For someone who said we should have just gone back with Teleportation Magic, she's certainly making a fuss," Belialus muttered under his breath, though he made sure Arshel couldn't hear him. That said, he understood exactly how she felt.
"How about it, Arshel? Isn't Jin-dono incredible?"
Belialus moved to the window beside her and looked down at the ground passing below.
"Yeah. I think I finally understand what you were talking about, Onii-chan."
Watching the siblings, Jin felt that they were no different from humans at all. He found himself thinking once again about what it would truly take to achieve reconciliation between the demon race and humanity.
At that moment, a thought occurred to him, and he asked about the escaped homunculus. The answer was a simple "I don't know."
While the second unit, now known as Rouge, was with No. 700672, the first was still wandering somewhere, possessed by madness. Jin felt a wave of concern for its fate and the trouble it might cause.
Beside the Pazdext Great Isthmus, Capricorn 1 waited for them.
Elsa had already returned via a Warp Gate and welcomed the group with an expression that suggested she had been faithfully keeping watch the entire time.
"Welcome back."
"Elsa, thanks for looking after things here."
"Elsa-dono, thanks to your help, I was able to reunite with Arshel."
"Nice to... meet you. I'm Arshel."
After exchanging greetings, everyone boarded Capricorn 1. Jin intended to let the Jin Double proceed directly into the demon territory for now.
Meanwhile, Jin himself planned to head to No. 700672's residence to report on the recent events and seek his counsel. He made sure to take the Crystal Cube with him, intending to return it to its rightful owner.
He then sent Konron 2 back to Hourai Island.
Half a day later, in the demon territory, within the territory of the Puppet Clan.
"Hey, Jin, good work."
"It looks like everything went well."
Saki and the rest of the group who had stayed behind came out to meet them.
"It was quite a meaningful stay," Toa added, looking satisfied.
Vivienne, on the other hand, looked a bit sleep-deprived. Apparently, she had been staying up late every night listening to various stories.
"Arshel! I was so worried about you."
"...I'm sorry, Clan Chief..."
Arshel bowed her head to the Clan Chief, Maximus. Since she was clearly reflecting on her recklessness, his scolding was brief. Afterward, she and Belialus returned to their parents' home.
Watching their retreating figures, the Jin Double looked slightly envious—a sentiment that likely mirrored the feelings in Jin's own heart.
"Now then."
Back on Hourai Island, Jin left the operation of the Jin Double to Laojun and prepared to visit No. 700672.
"My Lord, who will accompany you as an escort?"
Reiko was currently in the demon territory with the Jin Double.
"Let's see... I'll take Loll."
Loll was an automaton with blue hair from the same manufacturing lot as Anne. Because Laojun had been consistently educating her, her knowledge base—if not her experience—likely rivaled Anne's.
"Master, may I truly accompany you?"
"Yes. Let's go."
"Understood!"
Her basic commands regarding the demon race were likely less rigid than those of the other blue-haired automaton, Refa, but Jin was still wary of suddenly introducing her to demons. He decided it would be best to start by introducing her to a servant.
While a servant was neither demon nor human, Jin wasn't sure how Loll would react, so he asked Laozi to come along as well. Deep down, Jin found himself thinking:
(I really do rely on Reiko for everything, don't I?)
"Oh, Jin-dono, welcome."
No. 700672 welcomed Jin as warmly as ever.
"Welcome, Jin-sama."
"Welcome."
Rouge, the homunculus modeled after Arshel, looked to be in good health. Neige, the homunculus created by No. 700672, stood beside her with a gentle smile.
"And who might these be? These are automata I haven't seen before."
"Yes. This is Laozi. And this is Loll, whom I discovered recently."
"I see... It sounds as though much has transpired."
"Indeed..."
Jin began to recount the events surrounding the magifortress as part of their conversation.
"Ho, so there was a fortress built specifically to defend against the demon race."
"There was. But we managed to resolve the situation without any casualties."
"Umu, umu. That is excellent news."
"Now then, regarding my reason for coming today..."
Jin pulled the Crystal Cube from his pocket.
"First, I've come to return the Crystal Cube I borrowed from you."
"I see. Was it of use?" No. 700672 asked, accepting the object.
"Yes. Regarding that, allow me to explain."
Jin detailed how they had entered the underground facility via the Warp Gate at the summit of Mt. Elrad. He spoke of the two automata known as No. 600012, and how the moment they saw the Crystal Cube, they fulfilled their Master's final command and ceased to function.
He then described how the facility had collapsed, and how the five homunculi modeled after Arshel had simply crumbled away during the disaster.
"Hmm, a fascinating story... Regarding those No. 600012 units, judging by their numbers, they were likely servants even older than I. To have protected their Master's final wish for so long, only to finally fulfill it... they have earned their rest. We should let them sleep in peace."
Jin agreed. At a depth of 3,000 meters, they would likely be able to sleep for eternity without being disturbed by anyone.
"Still, I didn't expect them to react that way just by seeing... or rather, by sensing the frequency of the Crystal Cube."
"I suppose not."
Jin nodded, thinking that if No. 700672 could have predicted such a reaction, he surely would have warned him beforehand.
"It might have something to do with the interference caused by that Malite, but it is over now. I would prefer if we did not disturb their resting place any further."
No. 700672 clearly wished to leave the No. 600012 units in peace. Sensing the weight of his request, Jin nodded silently.
"However, what was this knowledge they attempted to entrust to you?"
"About that..."
Jin's shoulders slumped as he explained what had happened.
"I see. So your precautions against Master-Slave Rewrite Magic backfired, and the transfer failed."
"Yes. We're going to attempt to analyze the data, but... do you have any idea what it might have been?"
Jin asked, clinging to the hope that the older servant might have some insight.
No. 700672 closed his eyes in contemplation for a long moment before finally opening them to answer.
"Jin-dono, I cannot even begin to imagine what the contents might be."
"I see..."
It was a disappointing answer, but Jin accepted it.
"Furthermore, regarding those five failed homunculus prototypes. Since they were left abandoned without the use of a mental catalyst, I do not believe they would have ever become functioning homunculi."
"Is that so?"
"Umu. The parts corresponding to their brains would have already atrophied. There is simply nothing that could have been done. If you are troubled by the feeling that you left them to die, let me tell you now that you are mistaken."
"I see..."
From the moment the No. 600012 units gave up on their plan to use Arshel's body to restart their mission, the fate of those five prototypes had likely been sealed.
"Do not make such a face. It was not your fault... though I suppose that is little comfort."
"I'm sorry."
"Master..."
Loll, who had been standing silently behind Jin's shoulder, reached out to tug on his sleeve. Jin reached back and patted her head.
"Ah, sorry. I'm alright."
After exchanging a few more minor details, Jin took his leave.
Saki and the others also boarded Capricorn 1 and departed from the demon territory, promising to meet again soon.
In this way, the series of events surrounding the depths of the Elrad Mine finally reached their conclusion.