"In short, you intend to use it to deceive the Magic Federation for the time being," Lordtoss said, sensing Jin's intent.
"Exactly. I believe Nostalgia should be the one to publicly strike down the Magic Federation."
Reiko looked slightly dissatisfied at Jin’s words. "Are you saying you're satisfied being a mere stagehand, Father?"
Jin nodded. "Yeah, I think that's for the best. In more ways than one, I'm someone who isn't even supposed to be here....That's why I'm considering moving to Hale."
Four hundred years ago, Jin had stood on the center stage as the Magi Craft Meister, achieving many great things. Based on that experience, he now intended to live without stepping into the spotlight.
"Besides, since my body is entirely made of magiatoms, I have a feeling I won't age. It would be problematic for a person like that to be among others."
It would be a different story if he were with a semi-immortal homunculus like No. 700672, Jin noted.
"I didn't realize you had thought that far ahead... In that case, I shall say no more. I will follow you, Father."
"Thanks, Reiko. Anyway, based on what Elena said, Guillermo Marukitasu is far too dangerous. If I don't help eliminate threats like him, this entire world might be put in jeopardy."
Jin added that once the immediate danger was cleared, he planned to visit his descendants who had taken refuge on Onogoro Island.
"...Though I'm actually a bit nervous about that."
＊ ＊ ＊
"Well, I've gotten off-track."
Jin reset the conversation.
"For now, the Magic Federation's greatest strength is the Magi Emulator. If they realize it's no longer effective, there's no telling what Guillermo Marukitasu might do—even putting aside the low-level members."
The thoughts of someone with a mind as twisted as his were often impossible to comprehend.
"That's why I want to carry out the preparations as covertly as possible."
『Understood, My Lord. I comprehend your thinking. Please leave it to me.』
Laojun spoke with confidence.
『Such clandestine work is exactly what the Quinta are for. Now that we have implemented countermeasures, they will be able to fulfill that role to the fullest.』
"All right, I'll leave it to you, Laojun."
『Leave it to me.』
And so, the plan against the Magic Federation was set in motion.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Next is the liberation of the other location."
Jin was thinking about liberating Kashimnole Base on the shores of Azul Lake.
"This won't be as easy as Kunlun Island, I suspect."
"Indeed. It sounds difficult just from hearing about the base's structure," Lordtoss agreed.
Kunlun Island had almost no permanent Magic Federation personnel; the mission had essentially ended once Taihaku was liberated, which made it easy. However, Kashimnole Base was expected to have anywhere from several dozen to over a hundred members.
"And we don't know why they joined the Magic Federation in the first place."
Based on what Elena had told them, Jin found it hard to believe that the second-generation leader, Guillermo Marukitasu, possessed any real charisma.
"Is it brainwashing, perhaps?" Lordtoss suggested. He, too, was concerned about "Divieniunschiavo"—the "Become a Slave" brainwashing magic known to the Northern People.
"We'll have to investigate that. But we can't exactly just waltz in there for a look."
"Father, what if we kidnapped someone?"
Reiko made a dangerous suggestion, but it was surprisingly practical. The method wasn't complicated.
They would use the Peeping Telescope to pick a target and wait for an opportunity. Then, they would send a golem via transporter, have it stun or paralyze the target, and then teleport back with the target using a portable transporter.
While a portable transporter couldn't travel long distances, Azul Lake was right nearby, and the submersible base was stationed there. They could simply use the Warp Gate inside the submersible base to return to Hourai Island.
That was all. Of course, the finer details would need more work...
"When you think about it, the facilities on Hourai Island are quite dangerous..."
Jin shuddered to think what would have happened if the former leader of the Magic Federation, Golbart Marukitasu, had gotten his hands on this technology.
"I should seriously consider moving to Hale..."
For now, he had left the planning of that entirely to No. 700672.
"I'll think about it in earnest once this mess is over..."
But now was the time to focus on the problems at hand, Jin told himself, shifting his focus.
"Let's kidnap them one by one, break the brainwashing if they've been affected, and then release them!" Reiko suggested another bold idea.
"No, releasing them immediately is too risky. First, we need to scout the enemy's situation."
Information gathering was fundamental. Jin decided to activate the Peeping Telescope.
"Hey Laojun, this has been modified to use sub-ether waves as a base, right?"
『Yes, My Lord.』
When it was first developed, it utilized free ether waves, but those could be blocked by a barrier. The past Jin had come up with the idea of using sub-ether waves—which cannot be blocked even by a barrier—as a carrier wave.
The principle was the same as a radio. While a radio uses radio waves as a carrier wave for sound waves, this device used sub-ether waves as a carrier wave for light waves.
One drawback was that they were difficult to control, making it hard to focus on targets at cosmic distances. However, for use on Ars, there was no problem at all. With this, they could observe the interior of Kashimnole Base regardless of what kind of barrier was erected.
"The inside of the base seems well-maintained."
That was only natural, as the Nostalgia members who originally worked at Kashimnole Base had simply switched sides to the Magic Federation.
"Now, who should we take?"
If they took an executive, the disappearance would be noticed immediately and cause an uproar. On the other hand, low-level grunts wouldn't have the information they needed.
"It would be best if there was someone from the middle-management class, wouldn't it?" Jin spoke to Laojun, who was handling the observation through the Peeping Telescope.
『I believe that would be appropriate. I have currently narrowed the candidates down to five....Now it is four.』
Laojun explained that it was screening them based on various criteria.
『I have narrowed it down to two....Both appear to be brainwashed.』
Hearing that made Jin feel slightly better. No matter how he justified it, what they were about to do was "kidnapping."
Laojun, who seemed to have sensed Jin's internal conflict, added:
『My Lord, one of the criteria I used for selection was a request from Elena-san.』
"Hm? What do you mean by that?"
『Yes. These are members whom Elena-san looked after during her time in Nostalgia. In other words, they are people who normally would never betray Nostalgia to join the Magic Federation. This means the probability of them being brainwashed is very high.』
"I see."
Knowing it was also a request from their former superior, Elena, greatly eased Jin's conscience. Laojun's attentiveness was truly remarkable.
『...A target has been decided. Commencing the operation now.』
Following Laojun's declaration, the waiting Land 404 was transported and appeared in a certain room within Kashimnole Base. Time elapsed: 0.5 seconds.
Appearing behind the target, Land 404 used a Paralyzer to knock them unconscious and caught them as they fell. Time elapsed: 2 seconds.
Using the transporter, Land 404 teleported back to the submersible base along with the target. Time elapsed: 3 seconds.
Once at the submersible base, they could proceed calmly. They first teleported to Shinkai, and then back to Hourai Island.
Mission complete in a total of twelve seconds.
『My Lord, we shall begin the diagnosis of the subject.』
"Please do."
The diagnosis was performed by Lise, a doctor automaton. Lise inherited Elsa's skills, and her appearance was modeled after a younger Sally Mileshann.
"They are indeed brainwashed. Furthermore... it appears to be 'Divieniunschiavo,' the magic used by the demon race... or rather, the Northern People."
Jin looked at Lordtoss in surprise.
Though Lordtoss had predicted the possibility, seeing it confirmed clearly shocked him, as his face turned slightly pale.