They attempted to descend to an even deeper level, but...
"My Lord, a barrier is active below this point, preventing further penetration."
It appeared that the lowest level—likely the most vital section containing the magi-brain and other essential facilities—was shielded from view.
"But shouldn't the barrier be absent if you approach from underground?"
"No, it appears that only a 'Magic Barrier' has been deployed."
"I see..."
Magic barriers do not block physical attacks. Since they are unaffected by solid matter—meaning the presence of rock or earth is irrelevant—it was theoretically possible to deploy one even deep underground.
"I wonder if they anticipated this sort of investigation?"
"That, I cannot say."
In any case, the information gathering for Onogoro Island had reached its limit for the time being.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Well then, Sion, Marikka, I look forward to working with you."
"See you later."
The welcoming party for Sion and Marikka drew to a close. The members of the Jin Family who had attended returned to their respective homes. Those remaining were Jin, Elsa, Sion, and Marikka. Elsa's biological mother, Mine, was currently staying in Kaina Village to help Martha.
"Jin, do you think Onogoro Island is dangerous?" Sion asked, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"Dangerous? Yeah, I think so. For starters, we have no idea what their goals are. We captured an automata that they likely sent recently, but he didn't know anything."
"I see..."
"That's why I want us to be prepared for anything they might do. I'm sorry for calling you here in the middle of all this chaos, though."
Sion shook her head.
"No, I'm actually glad. The thought of people like that existing in our world makes my skin crawl."
It was hard for Sion to reconcile the idea that these people were the descendants of her ancestors' kin.
"I want that threat removed as soon as possible. I'll do whatever I can to help."
Her words were uncharacteristically sharp.
"Remove it, huh? Regardless of how it happens, we definitely need to settle things once and for all," Jin declared firmly.
"To that end, gathering intelligence is paramount."
"You're right. At the same time, we need to bolster our own defenses."
Jin was already considering ways to ensure that Laojun and the laboratory would never be "peeped" on by others.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Jin, I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?"
While they were resting in the great dining hall, Sion made a request.
"I want you to tell me about your predecessor... the first Magi Craft Meister."
"Oh, I want to hear about her too!" Marikka added, raising her hand.
"Sure thing."
Jin paused for a moment to organize his thoughts. During the lull, Elsa brought over some tea.
"Thank you."
Jin moistened his throat and began to speak.
"First, I have to tell you about the Magus. The Magus was..."
He started with the story of the Magus, Shuuki Tsetse.
"He developed countless magic tools and laid the very foundations of Craft Magic."
Sion and Marikka listened with rapt attention.
"...And eventually, in the home he remembered so fondly, Shuuki Tsetse watched over his beloved Adriana Tsetse until the very end."
Jin finished his lukewarm tea.
"What?! That person was also from the same world as you, Jin? Is it... fate?"
"..."
Sion was impressed, while Marikka sat in stunned silence.
"Fate, maybe. I'm not sure. And then..."
Jin took a breath and continued.
"Later, the Magus went on a journey and was entrusted with a baby girl. That girl's name was Adriana. As the Magus traveled..."
He spoke of Shuuki Tsetse's travels and Adriana's growth along the way.
"Eventually, Adriana began creating her own golems..."
"She really was incredible even back then, wasn't she?"
Sion and Marikka followed the story closely, occasionally offering their own thoughts.
"...And then, the day finally came for her to part with Shuuki Tsetse."
As he described Shuuki's passing, Sion's eyes grew moist, and Marikka began to weep uncontrollably.
"Sniff... M-Maguth-thama..."
"There, there, Marikka. Wipe your eyes and blow your nose."
Sion tended to Marikka like a protective older sister.
"Uuu... th-thank you th-tho much..."
"Come on now, compose yourself."
After wiping her face, Marikka's eyes were still red, but she seemed to have regained some of her composure. With a faint, sympathetic smile, Jin resumed the narrative.
"Left alone, the Predecessor buried Shuuki Tsetse and set off on a journey of her own, accompanied by the servants she had built."
Jin described her departure from the Leonard Kingdom, heading north across the sea.
"...Eventually, the Predecessor arrived in the demon territory."
"In our ancestors' land!"
"Exactly. First, she visited the Azure Sky Clan. It was there that she learned the Form Drive technique. Afterward, she visited the All-Creation Clan."
"Wait! My clan?!"
"R-really?!"
Sion and Marikka were even more fascinated to hear that the Predecessor had visited their own clan so early in her travels.
"And then? What happened, Jin?"
Jin smiled and continued.
"When she arrived at the All-Creation Clan, she was shown the village repository. She analyzed the 'Ancestral Treasures' and repaired the artifacts that had long since stopped working."
"I knew it. There were legends about that," Sion confirmed, her eyes shining. It seemed the oral traditions of the All-Creation Clan had preserved these events.
"She used Craft Magic to process adamantite—which they called 'Immortality Metal'—and successfully analyzed and restored thirty-eight different artifacts."
"...The first Magi Craft Meister was truly legendary."
"She was, wasn't she?"
"She is my Mother, after all," Reiko added.
Both Jin and Reiko looked quite proud, as if the achievement were their own.
"But you've done plenty of amazing things too, Jin. I suppose the title of Magi Craft Meister really is special."
"Haha, thank you."
"...So, what happened after that? How long did she stay in the demon territory?"
"Well..."
Jin, Elsa, Reiko, and Laojun knew the rest of the story from the Predecessor's diary, but he hadn't shared it with the others yet. The truth was, the later entries weren't particularly pleasant, and the writing had become uncharacteristically cold and businesslike. Nonetheless, Jin decided to go on. He knew that Sion and the other demons held Adriana Barbora Tsetse in even higher regard than humans did. And he knew that her eventual success was undoubtedly due to the help they had provided her.