"...Besides, sowing some chaos on Electra Island sounds like it might be fun," Jin said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Do you have a specific plan?" Elena asked.
"Setting aside whether it would be 'fun' or not, if we can cause the Magic Federation to fracture internally, that would be an ideal outcome," she added.
"Right." At Elena's words, Jin's expression returned to its usual seriousness. "First, regarding Kunlun Island—if we tinker with their Warp Gates and change the adjustment values of the synchronization-synchrony magi-circuit, the gates will become useless."
A synchronization-synchrony magi-circuit was the magi-device component that linked—or paired—two Warp Gates together.
"So, for example, if we adjust the synchronization-synchrony magi-circuit of a Warp Gate placed in one of Nostalgia’s holding cells..."
"We could capture them without lifting a finger!"
"Exactly. Though in that case, we’d have to configure the gate to be for incoming travel only."
"Oh, that's a wonderful idea. However, we haven't finished the preparations on our end to receive prisoners yet, so if we could start that in, say, a week..." Elena proposed a timeline that took their current situation into account.
"Sure, that shouldn't be a problem. What do you need for that?"
Elena answered Jin's question immediately.
"I would like a way to lift the 'Divieniunschiavo' brainwashing."
"Understood. I'll dispatch an assistant automata."
"Thank you very much."
With that settled, they decided to discuss the finer details of the operation at a later date. Next was the topic of Electra Island.
"I have a few ideas... First, we 'snatch' a few people away and break their brainwashing."
"If you do that, it will be a massive help to us as well," Elena said happily. It would allow them to reclaim the party members who had been stolen by the Federation's mental conditioning.
"After that, we'll tamper with their ledgers and supplies a bit."
"Regardless of how you do it, if you can pull that off, it will certainly plunge them into disarray."
"And finally, I suppose we could disable the magi-devices they're using." Jin chuckled. "Since they reject science, they should be perfectly fine without magi-devices, which are products of the fusion of science and magic."
"No matter what they claim, magi-devices are rooted in their daily lives. They will certainly be troubled."
If it was just a matter of harassment, Jin could think of plenty more, and he suspected Laojun would likely execute even more ruthless measures.
"At any rate, as long as we can buy time to get our own organization in order while they are in chaos, I have no complaints," Elena said with a perfectly serious face.
"It would be even better if you could consult with Laojun as well."
"Yes, I understand."
＊ ＊ ＊
With the preliminary meeting over, Liira and Arietta took Alum and teleported to the basement of the Mechirei Workshop in Florenz, within the Kingdom of Elias. Those who remained were Jin, Lordtoss, Reiko, and Elena.
"Jin-sama, do you intend to stay away from the public eye for the time being?" Elena asked.
Jin nodded. "Yeah, that's the plan."
If "Jin Nidou" were to appear in this current era, it would lead to all sorts of complications, he explained.
"Besides, I think it might be better not to be bound to a country this time around." Jin laughed, calling it a sort of retirement. "I've even been scouted a place for my retirement."
"Oh my." Elena looked surprised.
"Right now, it seems my descendants have taken refuge there, so I'll wait until the situation is such that they no longer need to hide."
"Is that so? That sounds like a heavy burden. If there is anything we can do to help..."
"No, like I said, as long as you can neutralize the Magic Federation, that'll be enough."
"Ah, yes, you're right. Please leave it to us... though I suppose we won't get anywhere without your assistance, Jin-sama."
"You can count on me for that."
"Yes, we shall rely on you."
"...Still," Jin said after a moment.
"Yes?"
"I was just thinking that even after four hundred years, human nature hasn't changed a bit."
"That is very true."
Elena had witnessed approximately eight hundred years of history, though she had been in dormancy for part of that time.
"Even if the way people live changes, their essence remains the same. They are foolish, and yet... I find that quality enviable."
"Enviable?"
"Yes. To be foolish means, in other words, that there is still room for growth."
"I see."
Elena was an automata. Her specifications were fixed, and without physical modifications, "growth" was technically impossible for her.
"But I know better. Reiko, Laojun, the Golem Maids... the children I've created are certainly 'growing.'...And of course, that includes you too, Elena."
"Me... as well?"
"Yeah, that's right. The fact that you can ponder such philosophical questions is proof that you've grown."
"...Thank you."
"Presumably, you've exchanged words with many people and acted alongside them. I imagine that's what prompted the growth of your control core."
"It would make me happy if that were the case."
Jin once again felt a deep respect for the sheer level of perfection in the control system established by the previous Magi Craft Meister, Adriana Barbora Tsetse. Even the system currently installed in Reiko was functionally identical to the original in its basic configuration.
All Jin had been able to do was use Japanese as the descriptive language to slightly improve the efficiency of the processing routines. While he had been able to make significant improvements to the hardware regarding movement control, it was fair to say he had been unable to fundamentally improve this foundational control system. He could neither add to it nor prune it away.
"Well then, I'll be heading back for now."
"I apologize for being such a poor host."
With those words, Elena saw Jin and the others off.
It should be noted that the means by which Jin and the others returned was via a small-class Warp Gate that Laojun had sent over using a transporter. This gate could only be used by Jin, the golems and automata he had built, and members of the Jin Family.
While Elena could use it, the other members of Nostalgia could not. Consequently, for the time being, Elena was the only one who knew of this Warp Gate's existence. Having this would make it easier to receive aid from Hourai Island, so Elena welcomed it wholeheartedly.
＊ ＊ ＊
Having returned to Hourai Island, Jin finally relaxed.
"Jin-sama, were you serious about what you said earlier?" Lordtoss asked.
"Hmm? Earlier?"
"The talk about retiring."
"Oh, that....Yeah, when the time comes," Jin replied with a gentle smile.