On October 15, Nostalgia successfully reclaimed Kashimnole Base. Within two days, they had established complete control over the facility.
“Even after all this, the Magic Federation has made no move.”
In the command room of Kashimnole Base, Elena was speaking with Alum Pit. Alum had recently been appointed as the technical chief of the facility.
“Yes. We have received no communication from Electra Island whatsoever. It appears their internal situation is in even greater disarray than we anticipated.”
“That is the only logical conclusion.”
The executives of Nostalgia found it increasingly strange. The Magic Federation had lost two of its three primary strategic strongholds—Kunlun Island and Kashimnole Base—leaving only their headquarters on Electra Island, yet they remained silent.
“...If that is the case, the cracks in their organization must be deepening,” Elena surmised.
An organization that had grown too bloated. Members who had forgotten their founding ideals and principles, chasing only personal gain. Such a path led inevitably to schism and corruption.
“It seems the operatives they embedded in the central governments of various nations no longer hold much influence, either.”
“The Kingdom of Elias appears to be the only real concern,” Alum Pit noted.
As Alum said, every nation except the Kingdom of Elias seemed to have effectively slipped from the Magic Federation’s grasp. More accurately, the current reality was that those dispatched by the Federation were no longer performing their designated roles.
“It is a far cry from the state of things before my confrontation with Guillermo Marukitasu.”
Before Elena had been severely damaged and eventually repaired, the Federation’s emissaries had possessed significant political weight.
“In modern society, it is impossible to survive without relying on science. To begin with, Golbart Marukitasu’s core assertions are preposterous.”
Elena’s tone carried a sharp edge of disdain.
“There are likely many who have begun to realize that if we—beings who cannot live without material support—were to discard it, we would find nothing but decline and extinction.”
“Indeed, Elena-sama. The Magic Federation is, in the end, merely a collection of people. Some have clearly awakened to the contradictions.”
Alum Pit spoke with the perspective of someone who recalled her own time within the organization while under their brainwashing.
“Naturally... Especially for those who still possess the capacity for thought.”
Elena’s words were biting. Ironically, she no longer remembered that she herself had once led the Unifilar using brainwashing magic.
“The deeper the brainwashing, the less one can consider alternative viewpoints. To resist the natural flow of the world, they have to apply the magic heavily. However, Divieniunschiavo is a method that ensures obedience without significantly impairing cognitive function. That is precisely why it is failing.”
There was another who shared Elena’s assessment.
“Divieniunschiavo is powerful, but it has a fundamental flaw.”
The speaker was Ludmila, the only daughter of Jikarato, chief of the Puppet Clan. As Lordtoss’s fiancée and Jin’s new collaborator, she was providing vital intelligence.
“And what would that be?”
Jin listened intently, eager for any new data on the enemy's methods.
“Because the subject’s intellect remains intact, they eventually notice the contradictions in their own behavior. This means the spell requires a frequent Refresh.”
“I see.”
Jin was currently staying with Sion, the All-Creation, at the clan territory, accompanied by Ludmila and Lordtoss. Their goal was to develop definitive countermeasures against the Federation’s magic.
“Depending on the nature of the commands, the spell might need to be reapplied every single day.”
“So, it isn't particularly suited for controlling large numbers of people?”
“That is one way to put it. From what I have heard, I suspect Golbart Marukitasu and Guillermo Marukitasu are using the spell incorrectly.”
Ludmila explained that the magic was poorly optimized for managing a mass collective.
“That makes sense. It’s possible that when Golbart first learned Divieniunschiavo, he was never given that warning.”
“I believe that is exactly what happened.”
This was encouraging news. If the current Magic Federation had devolved into a disjointed group with no ideological cohesion, they were less of a threat. They were still dangerous, but certainly less so than a unified force bent on the "destruction of material civilization."
“So in most countries, they’ve become nothing more than a nuisance.”
Without the backing of the Magic Federation, the embedded members would lose their standing. Their eventual fate would likely be determined by the weight of their past actions.
“The Kingdom of Elias remains the problem.”
The Federation’s headquarters were nearby, and their executive presence there was significant.
“At this stage, perhaps we should start viewing Guillermo—no, Golbart Marukitasu and the Magic Federation as separate problems.”
Sion voiced her agreement with Jin’s assessment.
“I agree. Having heard the summary of recent events, I think you can finally start focusing on your own goals again, Jin.”
“...Only after the Marukitasu matter is fully settled.”
Jin was determined to ensure no lingering threats could reach his descendants.
“Yes. I understand that feeling well.”
As someone blessed with children, grandchildren, and generations beyond, Sion understood his profound attachment to his lineage. For Jin, who had once been completely isolated and helpless, the concept of "kin" was sacred.
“Regarding the Shouro Empire, there appears to be no remaining influence from the Magic Federation.”
“We have completed the removal of all Magic Federation operatives within the Kingdom of Celuroa.”
Liira and Arietta delivered their reports to Elena. Each had traveled to their respective assigned nations to identify and purge the Federation members who had burrowed into the upper echelons of government.
The Shouro Empire had never been heavily influenced to begin with, and under the governance of its highly competent Emperor, it remained secure.
The Kingdom of Celuroa, as a leading producer of magi-devices and golems, lacked the ideological soil for the Federation’s anti-materialism to take root. Since the Kingdom of Franz acted largely as a satellite of Celuroa, it followed their lead.
As for the Klein Kingdom, it was the home of Kaina Village—the place associated with the legendary Magi Craft Meister, Jin Nidou. Though Kaina Village was technically independent, the kingdom remained staunchly opposed to the Federation’s doctrine.
“What was the situation in the Kingdom of Egerea?” Elena asked.
Arietta stepped forward to answer.
“In the Kingdom of Egerea, about thirty percent of the central leadership is still aligned with the Magic Federation.”
“Thirty percent? That is quite a high number.”
“Indeed. However, they are mostly opportunistic commoners interested only in status and wealth. I believe they pose no direct threat to our operations.”
“To ‘us,’ perhaps not. But it is a different matter for the country itself.”
Arietta looked disappointed as she added, “Well, the great city of Blue Land is home to the Craft Queen Workshop, after all.”
“And Blue Land is far more vibrant and active than the capital, Asunt.”
It was yet another example of how humans were naturally drawn to material prosperity. In that light, the Magic Federation’s core philosophy was inherently flawed.
“That situation will take some time, but we should be able to resolve it eventually.”
Elena nodded, appearing somewhat satisfied.
“...Then the only major obstacle remains the Kingdom of Elias.”
“Yes.”
Arietta produced a set of documents.
“According to our latest findings, ten out of twenty-four ministers and vice-ministers are members of the Magic Federation. Most troubling is the fact that the Minister of Military Affairs is among them.”
“The Minister of Military Affairs? That is a significant complication.”
The Kingdom of Elias was a dominant maritime power, boasting a fleet more than three times the size of any other nation. While Jin had wiped out the specialized Magic Federation fleet that had besieged Hourai Island—effectively reducing the Federation's naval power to ten percent of its peak—they could not afford complacency. The Elias national navy was composed of living sailors, and Elena was determined to prevent them from being used as pawns.
Compared to their naval strength, the kingdom's land and air forces were of little concern.
“It is time to begin planning the reclamation of Electra Island,” Elena declared.
Several individuals currently at Kashimnole Base were familiar with the inner workings of Electra Island. They would use that knowledge to draft a comprehensive tactical plan.
“Summon the executives. I leave the scheduling to you.”
“Understood.”
Arietta bowed and left the room.
For Nostalgia, a battle they could not afford to lose was finally drawing near.
Elena looked out the window. Beyond the waters surrounding Toryu Island lay Io Island to the west, and the Kingdom of Elias further still.
The sky was a brilliant blue, and the sea below was a clear, even deeper shade of the same color.