"What can you tell me about the current state of Kunlun Island?"
Jin finally decided to ask the question that had been weighing most on his mind.
He could have simply asked Laojun, but he wanted to hear an account from an outside third party rather than one of his own. Though, he had to wonder if Elena truly counted as a complete third party.
"Yes. I have a firm grasp of the situation there," Elena replied.
"Could you fill me in?"
"Of course. To begin with... you are aware that Kunlun Island is open to the general public, correct?"
"Yeah, I know that much."
"It was previously used as a lodging facility for the World Conference, but since Avalon moved, it no longer serves that purpose."
Jin nodded. "Right, that makes sense."
"The Jade Pavilion and the Hall of Five Virtues are still standing. However, Loll and Refa are not present."
"I know that as well."
That was because they had seen Jin off at Hourai Island when he was preparing to return to the past—or rather, the era he originally came from.
"Because of that, Kunlun Island currently exists as a resort destination... at least on the surface."
"I figured as much."
Since Elena had specified "on the surface," there had to be a hidden side to it.
"The current hidden reality is, unfortunately, that it serves as a forward base for the Magic Federation."
Jin nodded silently.
"They are using it as a foothold to plan their conquest of Hourai Island."
"I’m aware of that. Or rather, that issue has already been settled."
"Pardon?"
"It means Father kicked them out, Elena-san," Reiko interjected, having remained silent until then.
"Is that so? As expected of Jin-sama."
"More importantly, how are they controlling Kunlun Island?" Jin asked.
"Through Taihaku. They are controlling Taihaku using a Magi Emulator."
"What did you say?"
According to what Laojun had told him previously, Taihaku was supposed to be in a state of complete dormancy.
Taihaku was the magi-brain that had once managed Fort Crow in the Kingdom of Franz. After Jin had suppressed it, he had brought it under his command and installed it as the supervisory magi-brain for Kunlun Island rather than the fort.
"Yes. It was dormant, but it was awakened and brought under their control by a Magi Emulator."
"I thought so..."
When he had first heard the report from Laojun, a small concern had lingered in the back of his mind. Unless one stayed completely isolated like Laojun, they would fall prey to the Magi Emulators.
It was no surprise that Laojun, who had been secluded, hadn't known. Though, it was likely he had realized it by now.
"I suppose the next step is the liberation of Kunlun Island. But before that..." Jin decided to take this opportunity to ask a few more things. "Where are the Magic Federation's bases located? Just the major ones will do."
"Let's see. Their headquarters is on Electra Island. Kunlun Island is their forward base. And then there is the Kashimnole Base in the Celuroa Kingdom."
Kashimnole Base was the former headquarters of Nostalgia back when they were still known as the Unifilar. It sat atop rich metallic ore veins and housed a golem factory.
"I see, so the Kashimnole Base is their production hub."
"I believe that is an accurate assessment."
"Is it just those three?"
"Yes, those are the primary ones."
"Hmm..." Jin pondered for a moment. "Hypothetically, if we were to crush those three bases, would Nostalgia be able to overwhelm the Magic Federation and reclaim the organization and its facilities?"
Elena thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes. Even if it weren't all three, crushing just two of them would be sufficient."
"I see."
Jin fell into deep thought. Reiko looked at him and spoke.
"Father, if we are going to liberate them, I believe we should start with Kunlun Island."
"Yeah, I agree. It's just a matter of how we do it. And if we're targeting a second one, it would be the Kashimnole Base."
The submersible base in the nearby Azul Lake was still functional. With that, they could deploy forces at will.
"However, Electra Island is also tempting."
Since it was likely far from the public eye, they wouldn't need to worry about their tactics being observed.
"But first, Kunlun Island."
It didn't sit right with him that an island he had developed and maintained had been usurped.
"Liberating Taihaku should be the first priority. After that, the removal of the remaining forces."
At this point, Lordtoss chimed in. "But what about Guillermo Marukitasu? We must consider the possibility that he will intervene."
"That's true."
"In that case, we should plan a lightning strike operation!"
"Um... is this a strategy meeting?"
Since Jin, Lordtoss, and Reiko had become engrossed in their discussion, Elena seemed hesitant about what to do, but she decided to check in.
"Ah... no, sorry." Jin apologized, realizing he had gotten a bit carried away. "Now then... assuming we're going to retake Kunlun Island first, is there anything else we should keep in mind?"
Jin asked Elena once more. He could have simply asked Laojun, but he couldn't rule out the possibility of a new discovery through Elena's unique perspective.
"Well, for the most part, nobles and royalty from various countries stay at the Jade Pavilion and the Hall of Five Virtues, so it would be best to be very cautious regarding them."
"That's a good point."
In his current state, Jin didn't have any proper acquaintances among the nations of the Lauren Continent.
"The current means of transportation are split roughly halfway between sea routes and air routes."
"Ah, I see."
In the past, hot air balloons and airships were the primary methods, but now ships had developed reasonably well, and many people enjoyed cruising.
"Also, a certain number of World Security Guard members are stationed there permanently."
"I see."
Jin thought it was perfectly natural for the World Security Guard, who maintained order regardless of national borders, to be present on Kunlun Island, which did not belong to any specific country.
"Finally, there are about five members of Nostalgia there as well. Please contact us if you have any need for them."
"That would be a great help."
After confirming a few other details, Jin decided to take his leave from the current Nostalgia headquarters.
Together with Liira and Arietta, they passed through the Warp Gate to the basement of the Mechirei Workshop.
"Jin-sama, Lordtoss-sama, thank you very much."
As they left the basement, Liira and Arietta expressed their gratitude.
"Thanks to you, Elena-sama has been restored to her original state."
"If there is anything you need in the future, please do not hesitate to rely on us."
"Thank you. If the need arises, I will."
Jin, Lordtoss, and Reiko waved and left the workshop.
It had become quite dark outside.
"Let's get some dinner."
The two men hurried back to the inn.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Oh, this is quite the spread..."
"These are topopo dishes, a specialty of Florenz."
Dinner at the Amber Inn was a buffet-style feast consisting entirely of topopo.
Beyond the expected topopo chips and fried topopo, there was meat-topopo, croquettes, and topopo salad. There was even stew, tonjiru, and miso soup made with topopo and marunegi.
Jin thoroughly enjoyed the variations of topopo dishes that had clearly proliferated in this country over the centuries.