"I see... A monitored research laboratory, then."
Cesar, King of the Celuroa Kingdom, was reviewing a written proposal he had received from Jin.
It suggested that "within the pool of criminals and prisoners, those with extenuating circumstances or those showing genuine signs of remorse could be given work under strict supervision."
King Cesar could easily guess that Jin had made this suggestion as a way to utilize the brothers who had recently been arrested, Jix and Gunno Asher.
"There are several others who might fit that description, so it may be a prudent course of action," agreed Ludlord Cores, the Third Seat of the Ministry of General Affairs.
"However, we must take every precaution against escape."
"In that regard, let us also utilize 'Criminal Identification Collars.'"
"That seems unavoidable."
Criminal Identification Collars inflict pain on the wearer when a specific magic current is passed through them; they are primarily used for criminal slaves working in mines and similar sites.
Additionally, they decided that the work would be conducted in facilities isolated from the outside world, under the constant surveillance of guards and security soldiers.
"The 'Lord of Kunlun' also suggests twenty-four-hour monitoring by golems," the King noted.
"Then let us add that as well."
Donald Callow, the retired former Alpha, was also attending this meeting at the King's invitation.
"Very well. Begin the preparations immediately."
"As you command."
Only a major power like the Celuroa Kingdom could act with such efficiency.
"Confining talented engineers for no reason is nothing but a waste," Cesar remarked.
Whether this decision would ultimately prove wise or foolish remained to be seen.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...Is it this way?"
"It should be."
In the Kingdom of Egerea, two figures were walking from the town of Nikarai toward the mountains.
They were Glenn—also known as Regulus 39, a member of Jin's Quinta—and the medical golem, Nurse Alpha. These two were heading toward the home of Jidan Casey, the former teacher of Jix and Gunno.
"Since he's the teacher of those two, there's no way he hasn't been poisoned," Glenn said. "Though the recovery medicine Vivienne gave him might have provided some relief already."
Nurse Alpha nodded. "...Still, he wasn't necessarily handling the mercury himself, was he?"
"That's true. After all, Jidan Casey didn't even confide the details of his research to Lucol."
The two moved at several times the speed of a human, and before long, they arrived at Jidan Casey’s cottage.
"Excuse me," Glenn called out after striking the door knocker. An automata soon appeared.
"Yes? Who might you be?"
"I am a healer requested by Lord Lucol. How is Lord Jidan Casey's condition?" Nurse Alpha explained, using the cover story they had prepared.
"I see. Please wait a moment."
The automata disappeared inside, returning about a minute later. "Please, come in."
"Thank you."
Glenn and Nurse Alpha stepped into the cottage and were guided to Jidan Casey’s room.
"Welcome. You say you were sent by Lucol? Honestly, that man is such a busybody... But since you've come all this way, I'll gratefully accept a diagnosis."
Though he was eccentric, Jidan Casey was not the type to spurn a friend's kindness.
『...And? How was it?』
Laojun, the Brain of Hourai Island, questioned Nurse Alpha via their link.
"Yes. Compared to Jix and Gunno, his condition was mild. It seems he had his disciples perform the actual labor."
While one might question the ethics of that, it wasn't an unusual dynamic for a master-disciple relationship.
『Then the treatment is complete?』
"Yes. It was simple, as abnormal brain function had not yet manifested. However, I did find and treat a gastric ulcer and a polyp in his large intestine, though they were unrelated to the poisoning."
『Good work....And what of any future danger?』
"There appears to be none for now. It seems Jix took all the liquid metal they possessed, and they have no means of replenishing it."
『Did you explain the dangers of mercury?』
"I did. However, I'm not sure how much he truly took to heart..."
In that regard, coming from an anonymous healer, the warning seemed to lack weight.
『It can't be helped. We shall make arrangements for the Kingdom of Egerea to issue a formal notification to all alchemists within their borders,』 Laojun decided.
Laojun intended to have the same warning issued in the Celuroa Kingdom and other nations as well.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...So this is Freciaus Nakar's laboratory."
Freciaus had once been an engineer who rose to the rank of 'Beta,' but because he held heretical ideologies that idealized the era of five hundred years ago rather than the Dinar Kingdom, he was banished by the King of Celuroa at the time, Cybele.
He was the master of Jix and Gunno, and it was said he had bequeathed everything to them.
Visiting for the investigation were Latant, the Chief of the First Technology Bureau, and several of his subordinates. Regulus 11, known as Riley, had also joined as an attache.
『Hmm, there is nothing of note here.』
Laojun was able to observe the site through Riley's visual sensors.
However...
"...Hm? This is... Everyone, please be careful. It appears mercury has been spilled."
As they stepped into the workshop, Riley detected the substance.
Shiny liquid droplets were scattered across the floor—or rather, they were rolling around in "beads." Anyone who has ever broken an old-fashioned mercury thermometer would understand. Due to its surface tension, mercury forms tiny spheres when spilled in small amounts.
Riley’s visual acuity had spotted those beads of mercury on the floor.
"Understood."
Latant employed one of the mercury handling methods he had been taught by Jin: when a small amount is spilled, use braided copper wire to absorb it as a copper amalgam.
When the braided wire was brought into contact, the mercury moved as if being sucked right into the metal.
"Oh, this is fascinating."
Nevertheless, mercury still posed a danger as it evaporated even in this state. Only after putting the braided wire into a bottle and sealing the lid could Latant finally feel at ease.
"...Still, there are no records left behind."
The laboratory looked as though it had been stripped of its documents by someone.
"There may still be hazardous materials. Continue the investigation with caution."
"Sir! Understood."
The investigators dispersed throughout Freciaus Nakar’s laboratory. But despite their diligent efforts, the two days spent searching yielded only a small amount of mercury—a disappointing result.
＊ ＊ ＊
『It remains a mystery as to who carried away the records.』
On Hourai Island, Laojun pondered the situation.
『We shall have the Quinta's mobile units continue the search.』
Thus, the mystery of the Golem Incident reached a tentative conclusion.
However, many challenges remained, such as the truth about the religion from five hundred years ago and the origin of what was tentatively called sorcerous mercury.
Jin and Hourai Island's challenge to the mysteries of the Ars world would continue.