"It's a barrier that blocks solid objects."
After a brief investigation, Jin reached his conclusion.
Their current latitude placed them just before the Pazdext Great Isthmus. Since the local ether concentration was nearly double the average for the Allied Kingdoms, such a feat was well within the realm of possibility.
"Now, how should we handle this...?"
Jin fell into thought. While he could analyze the barrier's properties and find a way to neutralize it, doing so might be interpreted as a hostile act.
"Jin-nii, there's no way that people aren't coming and going," Elsa observed.
Everyone except Hanna and Aaru had stepped out of the automobile and now stood before the invisible wall.
"Kuhu, Elsa's right. A town like this couldn't possibly be entirely self-sufficient. It has to be connected to the outside world," Saki added.
Jin nodded at Saki's remark. Goose also offered his perspective.
"Does that mean they're isolationists? Even so, the residents must leave occasionally. There has to be a way through this... barrier, you called it? There must be a method to pass."
"I imagine so, but..."
"There’s bound to be a procedure for handling visitors," Goose insisted.
"I suppose you're right."
While Jin nominally agreed with Goose, he wasn't entirely satisfied with that answer, knowing there were other ways to move about.
However, just as they were debating, they spotted something approaching from the town.
"Oh, looks like someone's coming."
Several figures were drawing near.
"Humans... and golems?"
The group consisted of a young man, a young woman, and two golems. Both individuals had pale skin—remarkably similar to the demon race. But...
"...Father."
"...Yeah. I see it too."
Jin and Reiko both frowned, exchanging a few hushed words.
Elsa, sensing the odd tension in their brief exchange, was about to ask what was wrong, but by then the group had arrived.
"Who are you? Where did you come from?" the man asked, stopping about two meters behind where the barrier was situated.
His tone was somewhat arrogant, but Jin maintained a calm facade as he replied.
"I am Jin Nidou. We have come from the Shouro Empire, traveling by way of Mitsuho and Fusou."
The man nodded at the response.
"Hmph. I can tell by that automobile of yours. You seem to possess a fair degree of magi-engineering."
Jin was slightly surprised to hear the man use the word "automobile" rather than "horseless carriage," but then he remembered that Shuuki Tsetse had already constructed a handcart-style automobile in the past.
"And what is the purpose of your visit?" the woman asked.
Jin decided to be honest.
"We are investigating the 'Magus.' We happened to learn that this place might have a connection to him, so we came to see for ourselves."
Hearing this, the two looked at each other and began to whisper. Jin couldn't make out the words, but Reiko heard them clearly.
(What do you think, Bali-gal 243?)
(The fact that they even know of the Magus suggests their story isn't a lie.)
(Then shall we welcome them?)
(I suppose so, Federi 479. We will leave the final judgment to Father.)
The two turned back to face Jin's group.
"Very well. We shall trust that you harbor no ill intent and permit you to set foot in our town of Battalf."
The man gave a command to the two golems. They moved about four meters apart, stood facing each other, and extended their arms straight up into the air.
"There. You may pass between the golems. Come."
"Father, the barrier has been deactivated, but only between those two golems," Reiko reported.
Though the change was invisible to the others, Reiko could sense the magical fluctuation.
"I see. An interesting method... Are they using an antiphase barrier to cancel it out?"
Still analyzing the technique, Jin quickly ushered everyone back into the automobile and drove through the gap. Behind them, the golems lowered their arms, and the barrier snapped shut once more.
"Father, the barrier is closed."
"Got it."
Since the barrier only blocked solid objects, Jin knew they could still escape via Warp Gate if necessary. Because of that, he wasn't particularly worried, but Goose seemed far less relaxed, appearing unusually tense.
"Alright, follow us," the man said, now perched on the shoulder of one of the golems.
Jin instructed Edgar to follow the golem, which was walking at a brisk pace of about ten kilometers per hour.
As they entered the town, Jin expected to be met with curious stares from the residents, but the streets were strangely empty. There wasn't a soul in sight.
However, the town was pristine. Not a speck of dust could be seen on the roads; the buildings were perfectly aligned, and the streets were lined with beautifully maintained trees.
"Wow..."
"...Jin-nii, this place is incredibly advanced."
"Kuhu, how fascinating. Is this also the influence of the Magus?"
"According to the records Jin read to us, their level of civilization was already quite high back then," Goose noted. "It's not surprising they've progressed this far by now."
While Jin and Elsa looked on with admiration, Saki and Goose shared their analytical observations. Hanna, meanwhile, watched everything with wide, sparkling eyes.
The party proceeded down the town's Central Thoroughfare until they arrived at a large building.
"Wait here."
The man hopped down from the golem's shoulder.
"Golem 5680, 5681—keep a close eye on them."
Leaving the golems behind to stand guard, the man and woman disappeared into the building.
"...Jin-nii, that person... there was something strange about him," Elsa whispered, tugging on Jin’s sleeve.
"You noticed?"
"...Yes. I can't quite put my finger on it, though."
"Watch how they move."
Following Jin's advice, Elsa watched their retreating backs. After a moment, she let out a soft breath of realization.
"...I see."
Saki tilted her head at their cryptic exchange.
"What are you two whispering about? Tell me so I can understand, too."
Jin gave a wry smile.
"Ah, sorry. If you watch that man's movements, you'll see his core never wavers. There's no 'play' in his actions. His center of gravity shifts with unnatural smoothness."
"Hmm... I couldn't tell just by looking. What does that mean?"
"He's not human."
"What!?"
"Is that true?" Goose barked, his voice laced with shock.
"He's a highly advanced automaton."
"Wait... so he's on the same level as Reiko-chan?" Saki asked, sounding slightly panicked that an automaton could look so perfectly human.
It was Reiko who answered.
"No, Saki-san, that is incorrect. When Father created us, he intentionally incorporated a slight 'fluctuation' into our movements."
"Fluctuation? What do you mean by that?"
Jin stepped in to clarify.
"Human movement isn't perfectly rigid. Even when you're trying to stand still, you sway or tremble slightly. You don't move your limbs to the exact same millimeter every time. Without that kind of ambiguity, a machine doesn't look human."
"I see. If Jin says so, I'm sure it's true."
"It is. Father gave all of us that sense of ambiguity," Reiko said proudly. "However, we can switch it off when necessary to perform perfectly precise actions... Like this."
Reiko demonstrated, her movements suddenly becoming stiff and mechanically perfect.
"Oh... Wow, that definitely looks unnatural."
"Doesn't it?" Reiko said, returning to her normal, fluid self. "This movement control logic was originally established and configured by Mother Adriana."
"In that case, does it mean those automata aren't related to the Magi Craft Meister's lineage?"
Jin hesitated, his expression clouded.
"I can't say for certain. There are some aspects that feel... somewhat similar."
Just then, the male automaton returned.
"Father will see you now. Come this way."
Jin prepared to disembark.
"Edgar, Aaru, stay and watch the automobile. Hanna, you—"
"I'm coming too!"
"Alright."
Hanna had her Fellowship Bracelet, and if the situation turned dire, Laojun could always deploy a barrier via remote operation.
Jin, Elsa, Saki, Hanna, Goose, and Reiko all stepped out of the automobile and followed the automaton inside.