October 30th, the final day of the month.
Jin was working to bolster Hourai Island's defenses even further.
"I want a barrier that can be projected even through the ground."
Onogoro Island was protected by such a field, albeit one limited to the magic barrier variety.
Jin felt no particular urgency to launch an attack. Since it was almost certain that their ultimate target was Jin himself, he had determined that the enhancement of their defensive capabilities was a matter of the highest priority.
"Furthermore, there is a possibility that their offensive power is not as great as we might imagine. Though, of course, we must not fall into the trap of underestimating them."
According to Laojun's analysis, if the Progenitors were originally individualistic and conflict-averse, they might possess high technical skills but lack the tactical experience required for offensive operations.
Even so, the "typhoon" had been a genuine threat, and the captured golem was highly advanced by general standards.
"If we are forced to oppose them, a method of combat that could be categorized as brute force might prove most effective."
Jin felt a lingering aversion to such a violent approach, but he steeled himself, knowing he couldn't afford such soft sentiments if the situation turned dire.
"So, Jin-nii, how is the practical application of the barrier coming along?" Elsa asked.
Sion and Marikka were currently taking it easy back in Kaina Village.
"Father, preparations for the experiment are complete."
"Oh, good work, Reiko. Elsa, we're about to begin the test."
Jin explained his current line of reasoning.
"The principle of a barrier is essentially a 'net of free ether,' right?"
"Mm."
"Free ether is much, much smaller than atoms or molecules, which means it should be possible to construct a field even within solid objects."
"Ah... that makes sense."
Jin continued his explanation. "There’s a reason why we haven't been able to do it until now, though."
"Father, what would that be?"
This was news even to Reiko. Despite assisting Jin as his primary aide, there were evidently still things she did not know.
"The mana intensity required to maintain a barrier is different in the air than it is in the ground. If you set the strength based on the air as a standard, it naturally fails to penetrate solids."
"...A convincing reason. So, what happens if you use the ground as the standard?"
"Exactly. That's the key." Jin nodded at Elsa's intuition. "That’s what we've been experimenting with."
"We found that we required over a million times the usual mana intensity, but the barrier formed successfully," Reiko reported.
"If we set the mana intensity for a barrier in gas at one, then it’s a thousand in water and roughly a million in solids. It consumes mana on a completely different order of magnitude."
Jin theorized that the free ether contained within solid matter was likely causing interference.
"At this rate, the consumption of free ether will be significant."
"True."
"The next challenge is figuring out how to improve efficiency."
Nevertheless, since current technology allowed a barrier to be deployed within a narrow radius—such as the area immediately surrounding Laojun—Jin decided to establish one as a temporary security measure.
＊ ＊ ＊
Early that same morning, a mysterious flying object appeared in the sky above Loizart, the capital of the Shouro Empire.
"Wh-What is that?"
A hot air balloon squad on patrol was the first to spot it. It was a circular, dish-like object, just under ten meters in diameter. Its speed was incredible; it vanished from sight in the blink of an eye. The crew was just barely able to confirm that the object had dropped something into Lake Tosmo.
A few minutes later...
"W-We're losing altitude!?"
"The heating magic tool has stopped!"
"Supplement it with fire magic—no, it's useless! Magic won't trigger!"
"We're going to have to make an emergency landing!"
Due to the way hot air balloons functioned, they didn't plummet instantly, allowing the crew to avoid serious injury. However, the anomaly did not end there.
"The golem won't move!"
"The magi-lamp won't light up!"
Such reports began to flood in. The phenomenon occurred within a radius of approximately fifty kilometers, centered on Lake Tosmo.
"Dear! Neon has stopped moving!"
"Something's happening. Bell, stay in this room with Yuri."
Reinhard tried to contact Jin using a manacam, but it was completely dead.
"The Warp Gate too... No good, then."
Reinhard concluded that all magic tools and spells had apparently been rendered useless.
"Jin..."
He could only trust that if Jin realized what was happening, he would find a way to resolve it.
＊ ＊ ＊
"You're saying Aaru stopped moving?"
"Y-Yes, exactly."
The interference was reaching Saki's house as well.
"What on earth is going on... I can't reach Jin at all."
The same crisis was unfolding throughout Loizart, affecting everyone, not just the Jin Family.
"I can't use magic!"
"The magic tools are dead!"
"...My body feels so heavy..."
Even at the Royal Palace, the Empress was struggling to handle the situation despite a sudden onset of sluggishness.
"...Magic Technology Minister, do you have any idea what might cause magic to fail so suddenly?"
"It is a disgrace to admit, but I have no idea whatsoever..."
"Your Majesty, there is a report that the hot air balloon squad spotted an unidentified object over Lake Tosmo this morning. We do not yet know if it is related to this incident."
"Regardless, prioritize identifying the cause and finding a countermeasure."
The Empress could do little more than issue orders. Deep down, she held onto a sliver of hope.
(If it’s Jin-kun... perhaps he can do something...)
However, a report arrived that crushed that expectation.
"Your Majesty, I have returned from the Lord of Kunlun's residence."
"And?"
"The Lord of Kunlun appears to be absent. Furthermore, when I looked through the gates, I saw two golem maids lying collapsed and motionless in the garden..."
"What did you say...?"
Hearing that even Jin's golems had been incapacitated, the Empress turned pale.
"What is going to happen to us...?"
No one could answer her.
The capital of Loizart had been brought to a total standstill. Even common citizens were finding their daily lives disrupted without the aid of magic tools.
Quinta was no exception; the intelligence units had ceased all operation and fallen where they stood. Fortunately, they had collapsed in locations hidden from the public eye.
And finally, Hourai Island became aware of the situation.