"G-Golem, 'Wake up'!"
As the soldier whose sword had been caught and arm broken cried out, a standard security golem emerged from the back of the guardhouse.
"Restrain that man! I don't care if you have to break him!"
The golem moved wordlessly toward the mysterious traveler.
The traveler released the soldier's arm and squared off against the golem.
"Let's see what you can do."
He extended both arms.
"W-What!?"
The soldier stared, wide-eyed, as he clutched his broken limb.
The mysterious man and the golem had locked hands, pitted against each other in a raw test of strength.
A test of strength—between a golem and a human.
At this point, it was undeniable that the man was no mere human. The golem was visibly losing the struggle.
"Hmph. Is this the extent of it? The material appears to be nothing more than basic carbon steel."
With a sharp movement, the man twisted the golem's arms clean off. In the same breath, he delivered a front kick that sent the construct flying.
The golem hurtled backward into the guardhouse, coming to a halt only after smashing through the structure.
"How tedious. Do they truly expect to defend a nation with such primitive tools?...Hm?"
The traveler’s gaze shifted toward the sky.
"Are those... hot air balloons? Does a civilization at this stage actually possess such technology?"
Two hot air balloons were patrolling the skies above Loizart.
"Hmph. It is quite inconsistent... but I suppose that is the nature of a failed civilization."
His tone shifted back to its usual polite but condescending register as he turned on his heel.
"W-Wait..."
The soldier with the broken arm called out, his face contorted in agony.
However, the mysterious traveler walked away without so much as a glance over his shoulder. He was heading toward the noble district.
"If I find a noble, I may yet extract some useful information."
"Wait..."
Unable to endure the pain any longer, the soldier lost consciousness.
"That traveler is certainly not human. He is likely an automata from Onogoro Island."
On Hourai Island, Laojun was observing every movement through the eyes of Regulus 46, also known as Deck—the Quinta who had been trailing the stranger.
"We cannot leave the guards at the station in that state. Have a nearby Quinta provide assistance."
Capella 7, known as Teraru, was currently assigned to Loizart and was nearby. Following Laojun's orders, he administered recovery medicine and used the mid-level healing magic Heilung, which was capable of mending bone fractures.
"Hmm. There are no pedestrians. And the architecture is remarkably uninspired... Oh?"
It was 3:00 PM. The mysterious traveler—or rather, the automata—paused in front of a particular mansion.
"This estate... at a glance, it seems no different from its neighbors, but the physical reinforcement magic applied to the walls is on an entirely different level."
The owner of that mansion was Jin.
"Shall I enter through the gate, or simply scale the wall?"
After a brief moment of hesitation, the man struck the wall with a heavy blow. The structure didn't even vibrate.
"As I suspected. Breaking through this would be a chore even at full strength," the mysterious automata muttered. He decided to use the gate instead, but the doors were firmly shut.
"Hmph. These aren't carbon steel. Nickel chrome steel? And meticulously reinforced at that."
Just then, Amez 102, one of the Five-Colored Golem Maids, approached from where she had been tending the garden.
"May I ask what business you have here?" she inquired through the iron lattice.
"...I wish to speak with your master," he replied, his tone shifting back to one of arrogance.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"I have no need for such things."
"That is a problem. My master is currently away from the residence."
"Then I shall wait inside."
"I must refuse."
"And why is that?"
"Your intentions are opaque. To admit a guest of your nature would be a failure of my duties as a servant."
At the mention of being a "failure as a servant," the mysterious automata smirked.
"Hmph. As I thought, this manor stands apart from its surroundings. My interest is piqued. Open this gate."
"I cannot. That would constitute trespassing."
"That is your law. It does not apply to me."
"On the contrary, so long as you are within this country, you are subject to its jurisdiction."
The mysterious automata snorted in derision.
"Hmph. This 'country'? You deteriorated descendants certainly have a high opinion of yourselves."
He gripped the gate and began to force it open with raw power.
"...Ugh?"
No matter how much strength he applied, the gate remained motionless.
"What is this?"
"We cannot move that gate ourselves. The only one capable of breaking it is Ojou-sama," Amez 102 stated with a touch of pride.
"Hmph. It seems your master is indeed a figure not to be trifled with. Now I am even more determined to meet him."
Before he had even finished speaking, the mysterious automata exerted a sudden burst of force, hollowing out and buckling the gate in an instant to step into the garden.
"A simple matter when I set my mind to it."
"That is illegal entry."
"Hmph. Did I not tell you? I am not bound by the laws of this era, you Live Puppet."
"You are a remarkably arrogant individual. Why go to such lengths..."
At that moment, a small figure emerged from the mansion.
"Amez 102, thank you. You may leave the rest to me."
"Ojou-sama."
The mysterious automata’s eyes narrowed as he heard the address.
"Ojou-sama? You? You may be fashioned to resemble a human, but you are nothing more than a Live Puppet yourself!"
He had seen through Reiko’s nature as an automata in an instant.
"And what of it?"
Reiko’s voice was ice-cold.
"Father has chosen to call me his daughter. That is all that matters."
"Absurd. A creation calling its maker a parent is a perversion that should not exist."
"That is merely your own logic. Do not presume to compare me and my father to the likes of you."
"Hmph....Setting that aside, where is this 'Father' of yours?"
"Do you truly believe I would tell you?"
Reiko’s tone grew even more frigid.
"I expected as much, but I felt it prudent to ask."
As the words left his mouth, the mysterious automata lunged forward, seizing Reiko firmly with both hands.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"Hehe. Being what you are, you must know everything about this 'Father.' Furthermore, I suspect that if I hold you, he will be forced to show himself."
"I won't say your reasoning is entirely flawed, but..."
With a sharp twist of her body, Reiko slipped effortlessly from the automata's grasp.
"What!?"
"Things will not go as you plan."
"Guh!?"
Now free, Reiko delivered a powerful shove, sending the mysterious automata reeling.
He tumbled backward, slamming into the gatepost before coming to a halt.
"As I thought, we are fundamentally incompatible. It is exactly as Father said," Reiko declared, her voice remaining chillingly calm.