「I shall call this the 'magi-certifier'.」
After officially naming the completed magi-device, Jin replaced the units in Reiko and Hope with the new version. For the time being, he shelved the problem of how he would eventually return to the era four hundred years in the future.
「Next is the Watcher system. Jack, can I leave its control to you?」
The small-class Laojun unit installed on Mount Hourai had originally been responsible for that duty, but with all of Hourai Island currently under blockade, Jack was the only one he could turn to.
《Yes, please leave it to me. However, as the day side of Ars cannot be visually confirmed from my current position, I believe it will be difficult.》
「Ah, you're right... Alright, in that case, we'll use the Peeper.」
The Peeping Telescope, or Peeper, utilized technology that constructed virtual magi-devices or Magi Machines through magic. It allowed the user to create a magic eye or a relay at any desired position for observation. Jin decided to install this functionality into Jack on Uni.
《Thank you very much.》
Until now, Jack had been equipped with a Peeper to track meteorites, cosmic dust, and asteroids approaching from space. However, because its primary purpose was long-range exploration, its precision was somewhat lacking when it came to focusing on a specific point on the surface of Ars.
By adding a Peeper optimized for controlling the Watchers in orbit around Ars, Jack’s functionality was significantly enhanced. At the same time, Jin adjusted the system so that the images could be sent directly to Pegasus 2’s small magi-screen.
「There, that should do it.」
《Then I shall launch the Watchers sequentially and return them to their original orbits.》
「I'm counting on you.」
While Jin had now achieved his primary goal for visiting Uni, the lunar facility was still a treasure trove of materials.
「I'm going to take a few things with me.」
《Yes, please take as much as you like.》
With Jack's permission, Jin decided to take a large number of top-grade magi-crystals.
「With these, I can remake the Fellowship Bracelets.」
There had been some top-grade crystals at Marikka’s workshop, but they were few in number. Jin had refrained from asking for them, feeling that it would be far too brazen to beg for such rare materials. He could have used Purification to improve the quality of lesser crystals, but he was concerned that even subtle differences might affect the performance of the final product.
Jin crafted a new Fellowship Bracelet on the spot and fastened it to his wrist. With this, he could communicate with his allies and Jack.
「Well then, you've been a great help. I'll leave the Watchers in your hands.」
《Leave it to me, Jin-sama.》
Having achieved results that far exceeded his expectations, Jin began his return journey to Ars.
＊ ＊ ＊
「Welcome back, Jin.」
「Welcome back, Jin-sama.」
By the time they returned to Ars, morning had broken over the Nord Federation. When Jin gave a brief report, both Sion and Marikka looked visibly relieved.
「Oh, thank goodness... Even if I know how things turn out from the records, I still can't help but worry.」
「It's true, Jin-sama.」
It was a pleasant realization that people were concerned for him, Jin thought, albeit with a slightly bewildered sense of detachment.
＊ ＊ ＊
「With this, we’ve finally taken the first step.」
Jin explained that the Watchers should be returning to Ars and deploying into their designated positions at that very moment.
「Once that's finished, we'll be able to see the state of Hourai Island.」
Above all else, they needed to gather information first. After all, Sion—who presumably knew everything—refused to tell him.
「Yes, that is very like you, Jin.」
However, Sion had guaranteed that his current actions were correct. Jin was grateful for that, as it relieved him of a great deal of psychological pressure.
「I’m thinking of beginning our observations in a little while.」
When Jin said that, Reiko spoke up.
「Father, Hope or I will handle the monitoring. You should focus on other matters.」
「R-Really?」
It was true that sitting in front of a screen for hours on end was a tedious task for a human.
「...Alright, I'll leave it in your hands, then.」
「Yes, please leave it to me.」
「Reiko Ojou-sama, please let me do it,」 Hope interjected.
「Can you handle it?」
「Yes.」
「Understood. Then we shall leave it to you.」
And so, Jin entrusted the observation of Hourai Island to Hope and turned his attention to his next move.
「Hmm... The question is what we need to actually liberate Hourai Island.」
Jin assumed that Laojun had locked down the island using every defensive measure available. He suspected that those measures likely included technologies the 'current' him didn't even know about yet.
「I should ask Reiko about it.」
As the thought slipped out of his mouth, Reiko tilted her head and looked at him.
「What is it, Father?」
「...Do you know the full extent of the countermeasures Laojun put in place?」
「Let me see... I know about ninety percent of them. I entered dormancy in my hiding spot before the final measures were completed.」
「I see. That's enough. Tell me what you know.」
「Yes. First is the illusion barrier. It uses magic to create a fictitious landscape. In the case of Hourai Island, it projects an image of a vast, empty ocean.」
「And inside that?」
「Inside that is a physical and magical barrier that blocks all intrusion. Because of this, communications cannot pass through either.」
「Right.」
The barrier alone seemed like a sufficient defense, but the cautious Laojun clearly hadn't been satisfied with just that.
「In addition, a wind-attribute barrier has been established inside the main barrier, filling the interior space with nitrogen.」
「Whoa.」
Any living creature would suffocate instantly. Still, Jin realized it was better than Laojun using something like chlorine or hydrogen sulfide.
「That is the extent of what I know for certain, but I can infer one more thing. I believe an ether eliminator and a Magic Canceller barrier are also being utilized.」
「I see.」
The ether eliminator would strip free ether from any target and store it in a mana tank, while the Magic Canceller barrier—similar to the one used by the Onogoro Island forces—would render magi-devices, including golems and automata, completely inoperable.
Neither of those were obstacles that could be overcome by half-hearted means. Not even by Jin himself. However...
「There's no need for a head-on assault, is there?」 Jin stated with confidence. 「I just need to make Laojun recognize me.」
If Sion knew that Jin would appear in this era, then Laojun should naturally know as well. However, because the situation involved the complexities of time, there might have been some margin of error, or perhaps there were doubts about whether he would truly appear. The fact that the island remained shut away despite Jin's presence was proof of that.
「Or perhaps I’m simply following the path I explained to them after I returned to my original era.」
That line of thinking led straight into the quagmire of time paradox theory, which was beyond Jin’s grasp.
「Then the problem is how to alert Laojun.」
If Laojun had an external information network like the Quinta active, he would have known of Jin's arrival long ago. The lack of response meant he wouldn't notice unless something extraordinary happened.
「He probably won't notice something as small as the Watchers returning.」
「That is likely true, Father.」
For some reason, Reiko didn't seem to be offering much help on this specific point. It suddenly occurred to Jin that Reiko probably knew exactly what should be done, but was deliberately staying quiet out of respect for his own ideas and autonomy.
Jin settled in to think it through.