"In the year 3884, a man named Guillermo Marukitasu appeared."
"Guillermo Marukitasu?"
Jin wore a puzzled expression at the unfamiliar name.
"Yes. He claimed to be the successor of Golbart Marukitasu and began rebuilding the declining Magic Federation."
"I haven't heard anything about that."
Jin realized, however, that the period in question coincided with the time when both Reiko and Hourai Island were inactive—a total void in their records.
"Guillermo Marukitasu is almost certainly a direct descendant of Golbart Marukitasu. His face, his build, and even his way of thinking are identical."
Since 114 years had passed since Golbart's disappearance, Elena surmised the man was likely a great-grandson or great-great-grandson.
"Guillermo appeared to be about eighty years old. It would not be an exaggeration to say he looked exactly like Golbart Marukitasu did at the time he vanished."
"Hmm... Perhaps Golbart Marukitasu found a way to enter some kind of stasis, allowing him to spend over a century without physically aging," Jin speculated.
It was merely a possibility, of course. The current Jin had no way of achieving such a feat.
"We cannot do that on Hourai Island either," Reiko said, breaking her silence. "We never conducted research into that area."
"I figured as much."
Still, that didn't mean it was impossible. It might be achievable through other means.
For instance, if someone boarded the Adriana, flew through space at ninety percent the speed of light, and then returned to Ars, the theory of relativity dictated that many times more time would have passed on the planet than inside the ship.
Traveling to the future was far simpler than traveling to the past.
"I will continue... That Guillermo Marukitasu launched an attack on us, the Nostalgia, and we moved to intercept him."
That was twelve years ago, in the year 3885.
＊ ＊ ＊
"I am the new leader who has risen to restore the Magic Federation to its former glory, Guillermo Marukitasu. Surrender this base immediately, or I shall make you prey for my magic. What is your choice?"
He had invaded Electra Island, the site of the Nostalgia’s headquarters at the time, accompanied by two hundred golems.
"Keep your sleep-talking for when you're actually in bed. This is a blatant criminal act, you know."
Elena stepped forward to confront him.
"Hmph. A mere outdated doll."
Guillermo Marukitasu gave a derisive snort and sent two golems toward her.
"Do not underestimate me!"
Elena drew the short sword at her waist and cut down the two approaching golems in an instant.
"Ho, an adamantite sword? And that swordsmanship was quite impressive. I will grant you that much."
The sneer remained fixed on Guillermo Marukitasu’s face.
"But what can you possibly do against two hundred golems? It isn't as if you are that legendary automata."
"Shall we find out?"
"Hmph. Impudent thing."
Elena maintained her defiant stance to draw his attention, buying time for the other members to escape.
"Besides, we have combat golems of our own."
Elena raised her left hand, and four golems appeared, smashing through the walls on either side.
"I see. They look quite formidable."
"They don't just look it—they are!"
At her command, the four golems lunged forward as if propelled by springs. In the blink of an eye, they began dismantling Guillermo’s forces—four, then eight, then twelve.
"I see, this is excellent. They are certainly stronger than the golems I am using."
Even as he spoke, sixteen, then twenty of his golems were destroyed.
"I suppose it is time. Deploy Magi Emulator."
"What!?"
Elena’s four golems suddenly ceased all movement.
"I did my research into who made those golems of yours. A man named Donald, wasn't it?"
"This is bad..."
Even Elena could not hide her growing agitation.
"As luck would have it, I didn't bring a Magi Emulator for you."
"Then that was a mistake on your part."
"No, it's a mistake for you."
Guillermo Marukitasu gave a thin, cold smile.
"If I had brought one for you, you could have become mine. Now, you will simply be destroyed."
"What did you say?"
"Exactly what I said. Go."
"Ugh!"
The combat golems Elena had relied on suddenly turned and lunged at her. Their speed was twice hers, and their strength was five times greater. On top of that, it was four against one.
Elena was driven into a corner.
"I have no choice..."
She decided to play her last card.
"Pitfall!"
She unleashed a mid-level earth-attribute spell. Three of the four golems tumbled into the sudden hole in the ground.
Elena immediately followed up.
"Stone Bullet!"
She directed the attack straight at the enemy leader, Guillermo Marukitasu.
"Hmm, I see. Targeting me? A sensible move."
However, a barrier deployed in front of Guillermo, blocking the attack completely.
Elena had already factored that in. Moving at her maximum speed, she lunged forward and unleashed a light-attribute spell right before his eyes.
"Light!"
"Gwah!"
Even a barrier that permits visible light cannot block out a blinding flash. Guillermo clutched his eyes and doubled over.
"Sonic Bomb!"
"Gwaaah!"
Sound waves were no different. It was a spell originally intended for underwater use, but it was effective here nonetheless.
This bought her precious time. With the one giving orders temporarily incapacitated, Elena swung her sword like a gale, intent on disabling as many enemy golems as possible. If she could just render one leg immobile, their combat effectiveness would plummet.
But then...
"You've done it now... you wretched doll."
His sight and hearing beginning to recover, Guillermo Marukitasu ordered a total assault.
Just a little more...
By Elena’s estimation, if she could hold out for two more minutes, the evacuation of all party members would be complete.
If I can just keep them distracted with my speed...
Suddenly, her movements were halted.
"Ah!?"
The one combat golem that hadn't fallen into the pit had managed to catch her.
"Kyaa!"
With her right arm—the one holding her sword—firmly grasped, Elena could neither shake free nor strike back.
"You really did it, for a mere doll."
Holding his ears, Guillermo Marukitasu approached. A cruel, sadistic smile was plastered across his face.