Five airships of the World Security Guard arrived over the Pandor Continent.
Jorda Carter, the captain of the Second Airship Unit tasked with the mission, immediately began issuing orders.
"It's too dark. Launch flares."
"Understood, sir. Firing light balls."
Five light balls were launched from the lead airship. A pale glow spread across the night sky, bringing the positions of friend and foe alike into sharp relief.
"Captain! We've spotted an airship that appears to be hostile."
"Wh—What on earth is that massive vessel?!" Jorda Carter gasped in astonishment.
In that moment, a communication came through.
"Captain! We’ve received a transmission from someone identifying themselves as Deus Ex Machina!"
"What!?"
That was a name anyone associated with Avalon would have heard at least once. He was one of the organization's founders and an honorary advisor to the World Security Guard.
"And? What is the message?"
"It says: 'The enemy is Guillermo Marukitasu. I shall deal with him myself. You are to focus your efforts on the ground to rescue the wounded.'"
"Hmm..." Jorda Carter hesitated.
He knew the name Deus Ex Machina well, but the records stated the man had not been seen for over a century.
"A descendant, a successor, or perhaps an impostor?"
Surely it couldn't be the man himself, he reasoned.
"Very well. All ships, maintain distance from the enemy vessel. No. 4 and No. 5, lower your altitude and begin a search of the surface."
Trusting the word of the entity calling itself Deus Ex Machina for now, Jorda Carter chose to prioritize stabilizing the situation on the ground.
『It appears the airship units from Avalon have arrived.』
Back on Hourai Island, Laojun was analyzing the situation.
『However, we are seeing the drawbacks of letting the name Deus Ex Machina lie dormant for so long...』
It was only natural that people would doubt the identity of someone appearing under that name after a century-long absence.
『It would be best to present him as the Third Generation successor.』
In any case, Laojun wanted to keep those five airships away from the direct conflict. It had determined that Guillermo Marukitasu’s strength was on par with, or perhaps even greater than, that of the former Unifilar.
『Technologically speaking, he may even be their superior.』
After all, excluding Hourai Island, there was no known defense against a Magi Emulator.
『...Hmm. It seems they are focusing on situational awareness for the moment. A wise decision.』
Watching the five airships keep their distance from Guillermo Marukitasu's soaring ships, Laojun felt a sense of relief.
"Oh? It seems Avalon’s airship unit has arrived, yet they keep their distance."
"Lord Guillermo, how shall we proceed?" one of his subordinates asked.
"Leave them be for now. Deus Ex Machina is the only real threat here."
Guillermo Marukitasu didn't give the World Security Guard ships a second thought.
"Our ground forces have been annihilated."
"Hmph. I knew they were formidable, but are his golems truly that capable?"
Even then, Guillermo remained composed. His confidence was rooted firmly in his Magi Emulator. He believed that if he could use his technology to seize the enemy golems that had wiped out his own, he would possess an even more powerful army.
"How many soaring ships are equipped with Magi Emulators?"
"Three in total, including this flagship, sir."
"Good. Dispatch one of them."
"Help has arrived."
On the ground, one of the silver-brown golems guarding a group of refugees pointed toward the sky.
"Everything will be all right now."
At those words, and the sight of the approaching Avalon airships, a wave of relief washed over the people.
"Are we... are we really safe?"
The sentiment was the same at the Research Dormitory.
"Oh, it's an Avalon airship!" Groma Tray shouted, looking up at the sky. "Those are World Security Guard vessels. We're saved!"
"Truly...?"
"We're finally safe..."
As the airships descended, rescue squads accompanied by nurse-type golems fanned out across the capital.
"We are members of the World Security Guard, affiliated with Avalon. Does anyone require medical attention?"
Calling out to the survivors, they began gathering the wounded, prioritizing those in critical condition for immediate treatment.
『Triage, they called it. If I recall, it involves a four-tier classification system.』
It was the practice of determining the priority of medical care based on the severity of a patient's condition.
The categories were: "Survival is clearly impossible even with immediate treatment," "Life-threatening condition requiring treatment as soon as possible," "Condition not currently life-threatening but requires treatment," and "No immediate treatment required."
The history of this practice was old, dating back to the Napoleonic era. As proof, the word "triage" was French in origin.
This was not a concept introduced by Jin, but rather one included in the teachings of the magus Shuuki Tsetse. Those teachings, which had long been buried in archives without seeing the light of day, were finally being put into practice by Avalon.
『The death toll is twenty-seven, is it?...It seems we didn't make it in time. How regrettable.』
Among those twenty-seven victims were all ten members of the Council of Ten and the sovereign of the Mercana Principality, Mikhailinov Hangazone Mercana. They had been caught in a building collapse; they had failed to reach the shelter in time.
"Now that reinforcements have arrived, we shall take our leave."
The silver-brown golem spoke as it prepared to depart from the Research Dormitory.
"Wait! Um!" Kachea called out, stopping it in its tracks.
"Yes? What is it?"
"U-Um... I want to thank the person who sent you!"
The golem politely declined.
"No, that is quite unnecessary. My master does not act for the sake of receiving thanks."
But Kachea persisted. "Then please, at least tell him how grateful we are!"
"Understood. I shall convey your words."
"Thank you!"
With that, the silver-brown golem finally departed.
In its place, soldiers of the World Security Guard arrived and began leading the survivors to safety.
The long night in Mahalig, the capital of the Mercana Principality, was finally drawing to a close.