"We should take Konron 3 to the Klein Kingdom."
Jin had arrived in the territory of the Northern People, accompanied by Reiko.
While introducing the Northern People at the World Conference was a sound plan, Jin had decided it would be wiser to first present them to their nearest neighbor, the Klein Kingdom, and proceed from there.
In truth, the closest place to their territory was Jin's own land, Kaina Village.
However, this proximity was actually an advantage. They could simply explain that they had encountered the Northern People by traveling north from Kaina Village. This would also provide a plausible reason for why representatives like Sion were already so well-acquainted with the village.
"Even so, I... I just don't know what I'm supposed to be doing..."
Ladeous of the All-Creation clan was the one speaking. As the designated next clan chief, he was set to visit the Klein Kingdom as the official representative of the Northern People, joined by his wife, Rolona, and his daughter, Sion.
"Now, now, dear, please calm yourself. Jin-sama will be with us, so there is nothing to worry about. Isn't that right?"
Rolona was far more composed than Ladeous, despite being the central figure of this particular visit.
The trip served a dual purpose, as she was acting as the primary instructor for Macadam Hardening—also known as crushed stone Hardening. Establishing a successful track record in the Klein Kingdom was a prerequisite for their formal debut at the World Conference.
It was, in a sense, a counterpart to the Shouro Empire in the west introducing the foreign tribe known as Mitsuho.
"By the way, have you decided on a formal name for your nation?" Jin asked.
"Northern People" was merely the label used by the Allied Kingdoms and was not an official title.
"Yes. My apologies for the late report. We have decided on the 'Nord Federation'."
"The Nord Federation. Understood."
Since he would be interacting with them as representatives of a sovereign nation from now on, Jin made a conscious effort to address them with a suitable degree of formality.
"In that case, you would be Ladeous-dono of the All-Creation clan of the Nord Federation."
"...I suppose I'll have to get used to it," Ladeous replied, looking somewhat overwhelmed.
"Jin-sama, I've received word that the Gospel clan has something they wish to communicate to you."
A report reached Jin just as they were finishing their conversation.
"Understood. I'll go see them."
"In that case, allow me to accompany you!"
Worn down by endless etiquette drills, speech rehearsals, and social preparations, Ladeous raised his hand as if seizing a golden opportunity for a reprieve. Before anyone could object, he initiated a teleportation, whisking himself, Jin, and Reiko away.
"Jin-sama, I apologize for summoning you on such short notice."
Fabius, the Clan Chief of the Gospel clan, welcomed Jin upon their arrival.
"Did something happen?"
Noticing the flicker of concern on Jin's face, Fabius spoke up with a bright, cheerful voice.
"No, it is wonderful news for us. A child has been born to Alectas and Mironia."
It seemed they had wanted to report this news to Jin in person rather than over a manaphone.
At one hundred and eighty-one, Mironia was roughly equivalent to a thirty-six-year-old human, given that the demon race lived five times as long. Because the Northern People were a long-lived race that aged slowly, it was possible for them to conceive children until they were nearly two hundred.
Nevertheless, any increase in their population was a cause for great celebration, and Fabius remained beaming throughout the meeting.
"Our living conditions and food supplies have improved dramatically. I believe we will see many more children born from here on out."
"That is wonderful news."
Jin was genuinely happy to hear it. At the same time, the thought of his own future briefly crossed his mind.
"Ah, since I'm already in the area, I should probably drop in on No. 700672."
The idea occurred to him suddenly, and deciding there was no time like the present, Jin used the Warp Gate on Konron 3 to travel via Shinkai to the White Room.
"Oh, Jin-dono, it has been some time. You have arrived at a most opportune moment."
No. 700672 greeted Jin with a serious expression, though a faint smile played on his lips.
"It has. Has something happened?"
"Indeed. A distortion was observed in deep space. It lasted for only about 1/10,000th of a second."
The White Room where No. 700672 resided was originally part of a spaceship called the Heavenly Ship. It was apparently equipped with highly sensitive measuring instruments.
"I cannot yet determine what this signifies, but I felt it was necessary to inform you."
"I see."
Drawing on his knowledge from the many books, manga, and anime he had consumed back in modern Japan, Jin arrived at a quick conclusion.
"Does this mean that space itself is becoming unstable?"
"Precisely. I expected no less from you. That is certainly the case, but as the cause remains unknown, I cannot offer further speculation."
"...Should I deploy an investigation craft?"
"That would be effective, but we were unable to pinpoint the exact location of the occurrence. As for the direction, all I can tell you is that it was approximately thirty degrees relative to Sun Celane on the ecliptic plane."
"I see... Wait, it's possible that Uni on the Moon also recorded it. If we can get a bearing from there as well..."
"Yes, then we could triangulate the approximate coordinates."
Jin immediately contacted Laojun and instructed him to coordinate with Jack at the lunar facility Uni to identify the source of the distortion.
"That should do for a start."
"Indeed. A swift and decisive response. Most impressive," No. 700672 praised.
"If you discover anything, please let me know right away."
"Of course."
Since his business with the Nord Federation was still unfinished, Jin kept his visit brief and took his leave of No. 700672.
『...That is the situation. Do you have any data on this?』
Having received his orders, Laojun was currently exchanging information with Jack, the Control Brain of the lunar facility Uni.
《I did indeed observe the phenomenon yesterday. However, as it lacked reproducibility, I withheld my report until I could verify it wasn't a measurement error.》
『I see. Let us compare the data then.』
《Acknowledged.》
『...Hmm, the timestamps match perfectly. There is no doubt you both detected the same phenomenon. As for the direction...』
Laojun and Jack processed the combined data, building a theoretical model through deduction.
『A point in close proximity to the orbital paths of Ars and Hale, then?』
《That is what the calculations suggest, yes.》
『The Ether Cloud and the second relay base should be located in that vicinity.』
《Correct.》
『Is it possible that something happened at the second relay base?』
Jack was far more familiar with space and its facilities than Laojun.
《I find that unlikely. Even if the entire base were to explode, it should not cause a vibration in space-time itself.》
『Understood.』
Laojun concluded that further debate and speculation would be a waste of time.
『All that remains is to see for ourselves.』
This was exactly the sort of situation where the Peeping Telescope—the Peeper—was most needed.
Laojun activated the Peeper.