“…And that concludes the reconstruction of the diary records left by Shuuki.”
“…”
The listeners fell into a contemplative silence, each immersed in their own deep emotions.
“I see… So the Predecessor was Shuuki’s adopted daughter…”
The mystery surrounding Adriana, Shuuki’s wife, and Adriana, the Predecessor Magi Craft Meister, was finally solved.
“Mother was a genius from the time she was a child, wasn't she?” Reiko remarked, looking pleased.
“The Allied Kingdoms were quite stubborn back then,” Vivienne added. “It makes sense that almost no mention of the name ‘Magus’ survived.”
“To think that the ‘Magus’ visited the Leonard Kingdom as well,” Milowina murmured.
Learning about the past brought a profound sense of perspective to everyone present. Even for Jin, discovering that the teleportation magic circles found in the Former Leonard Kingdom were instrumental in the completion of the Warp Gate was a surprising revelation.
“Naturally, we still don't know where the Magus and Adriana went after that,” Reinhard noted, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
“Heh. Still, to think the Warp Gate was finished by using those ancient teleportation magic circles as a reference.” Saki, like Jin, wore a satisfied expression, glad to have found the missing link between the past and the present.
“Indeed. There is much to be gained from understanding our history,” Toa mused thoughtfully.
“Jin-kun, thank you. You’ve shared some truly precious information with us.” Stearena’s words seemed to voice the gratitude of the entire group.
“Well then, as a final stop, I’d like you all to see the hokora.”
Jin led the way to the shrine he had ordered Laojun to relocate. Eager to see the real thing, everyone—excluding Elsa and Milowina, who had already seen it back in the Former Leonard Kingdom—left the laboratory and headed toward Jin’s house.
“Here it is.”
“Oh…!”
“That’s an interesting structure,” Reinhard remarked, pointing at the vermilion-painted torii.
“I believe they are traditionally built facing either south or east,” Jin explained.
He had repaired the broken sections and restored the faded paint. Personally, Jin thought it might have looked better left with its weathered, antique patina, but he had opted for a full restoration.
“Yes, it’s called a torii. Think of it as a gate that marks the boundary of a sacred area.”
“Jin-kun’s world has such fascinating things. What are those animals?” Vivienne asked, observing them with curiosity.
“They’re komainu… or maybe komagitsune? I believe they serve as a kind of gatekeeper.”
Unfortunately, Jin wasn't an expert on shrines himself. However, Vivienne seemed to find the explanation sufficient.
“I see. That’s an interesting concept. In our world, I suppose it would be like having powerful magical beasts guard a gate.”
“Yeah, exactly. In other places, there are also gatekeepers called ‘Kongorikishi.’”
Jin was referring to the Nio. While those were typically found at temples rather than shrines, he didn't realize the distinction, and Vivienne wasn't one to worry about such trivialities. After admiring the site, the group returned to the laboratory.
Elsa had remained in the conference room to keep Milowina company, but she spoke up as the others returned.
“Jin-nii, Milowina-san says there’s a possibility that other magi-brains like that one still exist.”
“I suspected as much.”
It was a highly probable scenario.
“The ‘Jack’ units at Uni should know the exact locations.”
『Understood. I shall confirm this immediately.』
Laojun, who had been monitoring the conversation, contacted Jack at once. About three minutes later, he reported back.
『The search is complete. There are two likely locations: the middle reaches of the Dars River and the Neto River.』
Given that the old capital, Diaa, and Karnag were both located in the middle reaches of the Sopy River, this information was consistent. Rivers were always the heart of civilization.
“Is there anything visible at those sites?”
『My apologies, My Lord. Those areas remain unsurveyed.』
“I suppose that can’t be helped.”
Due to the illusion barrier over the Former Leonard Kingdom, observation from high altitude was difficult. Consequently, the Watcher satellites hadn't been able to pick up anything either. Detailed observation would require flying low or traveling by land.
『I am dispatched Land squad and Raptor squad units to investigate immediately.』
“Good. That’s the logical next step.”
Jin wanted to go searching for the ruins himself, but he checked his impulse. It would be reckless to dive into ancient ruins without a proper survey, especially if he intended to bring Elsa or Milowina along.
“Don’t hold back. Use every resource for the investigation.”
『Understood.』
With those orders given, there was nothing more Jin could do for the time being. The other members of the Jin Family who had been visiting Hourai Island similarly prepared to head home, returning to their respective bases. Vivienne alone seemed to have more questions for Milowina, but since she had work waiting for her, she promised to return soon and departed.
“Actually, there is one thing I should take care of.”
While he had thought his work was done, Jin realized he wanted to upgrade the performance of the care Golem, Kai, while Milowina was still here.
“Kai, do you believe you can ensure Milowina-san’s safety?” Jin began by asking.
“No. If I were to face three of those Gigantoavrum from the other day simultaneously, I do not believe I could protect her,” the golem answered.
“I thought so.”
Kai’s strength was exactly where Jin had estimated it to be.
“In that case, I’d like to make you a little stronger so you can keep her safe.”
“Yes, I would appreciate that.”
Having obtained consent with a simple lead-in, Jin had Kai lie down on a workbench.
“Tell me your password.”
A password—or keyword—was a security measure set by a creator to prevent unauthorized persons from shutting down a magic tool.
“Yes. It is ‘Dranel.’”
“Dranel?”
The word didn't seem to have any linguistic meaning.
『My Lord, I suspect it is ‘LEONARD’ spelled backward.』
Laojun, whose analytical capabilities were peerless, offered his deduction.
“Ah, I see. That makes sense. All right. ‘Dranel, Behold.’”
Following the command, Kai came to a standstill. With Reiko’s assistance, Jin began to carefully disassemble the golem.
“As I thought, the construction is different from the Predecessor’s style…”
There were similarities, but Jin attributed those to the fact that both shared a common ancestor in the techniques of Adriana Tierra.
“Jin-nii, how is it?” Elsa asked.
“How is Milowina-san, Elsa?” Jin asked in return. Since Kai was undergoing maintenance, Elsa had been looking after her.
“She seemed tired and fell asleep a short while ago. I’ve left her with Edgar for now.”
“I see. Take a look at this.”
Elsa peered at the disassembled Kai. “…The model is different?” she noted instantly.
“Spot on. It’s a different lineage from the Predecessor.”
“…Could it be Chatone-san’s work?”
Chatone was a name that had appeared in the records of the Magus. She had been a magi craftsman during the same era as the Predecessor and was apparently a genius in her own right.
“It’s certainly possible.”
Jin imagined that while they both started from the foundation laid by Adriana Tierra, their technical paths had branched out and developed in different directions thereafter.