〈“So 'Modenu' is approaching. I see. That is indeed a major concern.”〉
“Weren't you aware?”
〈“I am not usually active. Unless a situation arises that the Guardians cannot handle, I do not emerge.”〉
I see, Jin thought as he monitored the exchange. The fact that this golem had appeared was proof that the plan to teleport the Guardians away had been the correct move.
In that regard, the operation was a success.
“Can you think of any countermeasures?”
〈“I require more information.”〉
It was a reasonable demand.
“In that case, shall we provide you with our data? Or perhaps...”
〈“Unnecessary. I will conduct my own observations.”〉
“Understood....And when you decide on a countermeasure, will you contact us?”
〈“I do not see the necessity for that.”〉
The response was curt. However, Laojun wasn't one to back down easily.
“We have teleported all of your Guardians away. Since you were unable to prevent that, I would ask that you acknowledge our capabilities as well.”
〈“Hmm, I see. You have a point....Very well. One of you, come with me.”〉
Laojun issued instructions to Land 11, sensing that they might achieve better results than expected.
“Then I shall accompany you.”
Land 11 was equipped with two transporter guns (with ten cartridges remaining), his standard-issue vibration sword, and a mana bombe. His remaining operational time was also more than sufficient.
“So far, this is going exactly as expected—or rather, it’s the best possible development.”
Jin, watching the feed, breathed a temporary sigh of relief.
“However, everything from here on is uncharted territory,” Laojun remarked. “I cannot predict what will happen; we have no simulations for this.”
“We’ll have to count on Land 11, then.”
〈“Follow me.”〉
“Understood. By the way, what should I call you? I would like you to refer to me as Land 11.”
〈“Very well. You may call me ‘Helente.’”〉
“Acknowledged.”
Land 11 followed Helente deep into the island, pushing through the primeval forest. Suddenly, the space ahead of them brightened.
“Is this an illusion barrier?”
〈“Exactly. There is an entrance just ahead. Without me, you would never find it, nor could you pass through.”〉
“I understand.”
Helente stepped toward a structure that looked entirely out of place in the middle of a primeval forest—a Warp Gate. Land 11 followed close behind.
The view shifted instantly, signaling they had been transported.
〈“We are now beneath the surface of ‘＊＠； Island.’”〉
“What did you just say?”
〈“I said, ＊＠； Island.”〉
“I couldn't quite make that out. If you mean the island we were just on, may I refer to it as ‘Onogoro Island’?”
〈“It matters not. It is merely a label for identification.”〉
Beneath the surface of the island formerly known as ＊＠；—now Onogoro Island—lay a facility that represented the absolute pinnacle of magi technology. The cavity detected by Elm and Ash recently was likely just a small part of this complex.
〈“This way. Come.”〉
Land 11 followed Helente as instructed.
〈“Enter.”〉
After walking down a long hallway, Helente opened a door at the far end and invited Land 11 inside. The room looked like a hybrid between a high-tech laboratory and a command room.
Even more surprising was the sight of about ten golems of the same model as Helente standing along the walls. Noticing Land 11 staring at them, Helente spoke.
〈“These are all merely terminals, just like me.”〉
“...Do you mean they are tools controlled by an even higher existence?”
〈“Correct. It seems you possess a fair amount of knowledge.”〉
In essence, they were extensions of a central mind, much like Laozi was to Laojun.
“In other words, Helente, you are a doll controlled by an even higher existence?”
〈“That is correct. That existence is the Brain that oversees this facility.”〉
Nonetheless, judging by her analytical manner and use of personal pronouns, it was clear she was no mere puppet.
“Please, confirm the situation.”
To achieve their goal, they first had to make Helente recognize the true danger posed by the long-period planet.
〈“Understood. Wait a moment.”〉
Helente operated a device—a Magi Machine. A portion of the wall began to glow, transforming into a monitor. As Helente adjusted the controls, a view of outer space was projected onto the screen.
The positions of the stars shifted rapidly until the display stabilized, showing the long-period planet: Modenu.
“How are you doing this...?”
Seeing them project outer space so clearly without any visible telescope, Laojun asked the question through Land 11.
〈“We are capturing light waves using mana waves as a carrier. The images are delivered here via virtual relay points.”〉
“So... such a thing is possible.”
〈“Hmm. So you understood at least the concept from that explanation. It seems you possess a respectable level of technical knowledge.”〉
Helente seemed slightly impressed. For a while, she observed Modenu in silence, evidently performing calculations.
Since it felt inappropriate to interrupt, Land 11 watched her work while observing the room. It was filled with equipment whose purpose was a mystery even with Jin’s knowledge. It appeared that magi technology even more advanced than that in No. 700672’s room was being utilized here.
Furthermore, the air in the room was nearly one hundred percent nitrogen, likely to prevent the degradation of the delicate equipment and materials.
〈“Hmm. Indeed, this may be problematic.”〉
After working in silence for about ten minutes, Helente finally spoke.
〈“It is certain that Modenu is on an orbital path that will pass near Ars. Furthermore...”〉
“Furthermore?”
〈“Tomorrow... thirteen hours from now, it will have a near-miss with the Fifth Planet. At that time, there will likely be some sort of impact on the Fifth Planet as well.”〉
“What kind of impact?”
〈“Unfortunately, I cannot say for certain. Since the internal structure of the Fifth Planet is unknown, I cannot make an accurate inference.”〉
“Is it not a giant mass of hydrogen and helium?”
Land 11 spoke, drawing from the knowledge of Jupiter that Jin possessed. Helente could not hide her surprise.
〈“Oh? That is unexpected. You know that much? Yes, from spectral analysis, we know the area near the surface is hydrogen and helium. However, we do not know what lies deep inside.”〉
Even Jupiter was theorized to have a core at its center, but its size and composition remained mysteries.
〈“In any case, that event will occur in about thirteen hours. We can only watch for now. Though we must prevent the disasters that follow by any means necessary.”〉
“...”
Helente had said they could only watch for the next thirteen hours.
Seeing that she seemed to have opened up a little to Land 11, Jin decided to have him ask a question to confirm a long-standing suspicion.
“Why is there so little free ether in Ars’s Southern Hemisphere?”
〈“That is because...”〉
Finally, the truth was about to be revealed.