Back on Hourai Island, Jin was reviewing the situation from the command room.
“My Lord, this ‘Doppel’ utilizes technology from the Progenitors,” Laojun reported, relaying information gathered by the Space Force golems.
“I see. Just as I thought.” Jin nodded, a look of understanding crossing his face. “An airship like that couldn't have been built with ordinary technology.”
“It appears they refer to them as ‘soaring ships.’”
“‘Soaring ships,’ huh? I see. So they’re powered by Gravity Magic.”
“Yes.”
“Hmm... Did they develop an efficient way to use Gravity Magic? Or rather, is that specific part the technology of the Progenitors?”
The Progenitors were an ancient race that had migrated to Ars from the planet Hale, on the far side of the Star Celane, in the distant past. Their magi-craft remained a mystery to the modern world. Since Guillermo was using ruins left by the Progenitors as his base, it stood to reason he had mastered their technology to a certain degree.
“There is a single unit identified as an assistant automata,” Laojun continued. “Its performance is in a class of its own. It is likely a relic of the Progenitors.”
Laojun explained that the performance of this assistant automata rivaled that of the Smith units.
“I see. That’s probably the one responsible for building those soaring ships.”
“That is a reasonable assumption. However, the magi-crystals—including the control core—have sustained severe magical damage during the Ether Stampede.”
Laojun explained that because the ship had been sealed within the hemispherical barrier, the magical energy of the Ether Stampede had been concentrated, making it impossible to extract detailed information.
“That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped.” Jin looked over the data and decided it was finally time to settle the matter once and for all. “It’s finally time for me to step in.”
He had held back until now, intending to let the World Security Guard and Nostalgia manage the rescue operations. However, Jin felt that he should be the one to handle the direct confrontation with Guillermo Marukitasu.
“Father, that is far too dangerous!” Reiko, who had been standing silently at his side, couldn't help but interject the moment she heard him mention going out himself.
“I know, Reiko. But if they’re using a Doppel, we’ll use a Doppel of our own.”
“If that is the case...”
Just as Reiko accepted the plan, another report arrived from Laojun.
“My Lord, it appears Nostalgia has arrived on the scene.”
“That was fast.”
“Yes. They used the Large-scale Warp Gate installed on the Pandor Continent.”
Nostalgia’s official technical alliance with Avalon granted them access to those facilities.
“A Large-scale Warp Gate... That’s news to me.”
“It is not your technology, My Lord. It is a variant derived from the Celuroa Kingdom.”
“Ah, I see.” It was a system they had developed independently after analyzing the ancient Warp Gate discovered in the Celuroa Kingdom.
“It seems Elena-dono is there as well.”
“I see.” Remembering what Elena had suffered at the hands of Golbart Marukitasu, Jin suspected she simply couldn't stand by and watch.
“Nostalgia appears to have headed toward Taji Village and Fan Village for rescue operations.”
“Taji Village...”
Jin recalled the faces of everyone who had looked after him. Helga, Sergei, Isaac, Mina, Sonya... and then there was Kachea.
“Ah, right, Kachea was in Mahalig... Come to think of it, I did pull some strings to have Eira and Kachea moved from the Jagus Principality back to the Mercana Principality.”
He felt a pang of regret. If he’d known things would turn out like this, he would have waited a little longer.
“My Lord, I believe your decision was unavoidable,” Laojun said, sensing his regret.
“Perhaps. But knowing people I know are in danger is... difficult.” Even though it had only been recently, the memories felt like they were from a lifetime ago.
Jin shook his head to clear his mind and set to work on his deployment preparations.
“It seems we made it in time to rescue Taji Village.”
Inside her airship, Elena let out a sigh of relief. Guillermo Marukitasu’s combat golems in the area had been mostly wiped out.
“The performance of our new combat golems was more than sufficient,” Wattes remarked.
“Yes. Though we built them specifically to counter the enemy’s designs, so I’d have been disappointed if they weren’t.”
These new combat golems had been engineered to exceed the specifications of the units Elena had faced during her previous encounter with Guillermo Marukitasu. Just as Jin had hoped, Nostalgia was starting to function as the guardians of the world.
“The rescue golems are also proving their worth. Despite the number of serious injuries, there hasn't been a single fatality.”
“Yes, that is the only comfort in all this.”
The rescue golems were capable of mid-level Healing magic, providing more than enough capability for emergency field treatment.
“How is Fan Village?”
“Secure. Many serious injuries there as well, but no deaths.”
“I see. That is good to hear.”
Wattes Schretzer, the military advisor, noted that the enemy seemed to have prioritized property damage over slaughter.
“What should be our next move?” Elena asked.
“Tactically, we should confront Guillermo Marukitasu. Strategically, we should focus on protecting the refugees.” Wattes suggested that Nostalgia needed to use this opportunity to establish its reputation on the Pandor Continent. Even from a humanitarian standpoint, this was appropriate.
The concern was that Guillermo Marukitasu was unlikely to remain quiet.
“We’ll leave Marukitasu to Deus Ex Machina.” Knowing the true identity of the guardian, Elena made the call with confidence.
“Nostalgia again, interfering... But I will put an end to this now.”
The Slavedoll, driven by the will of Guillermo Marukitasu, glared at the magi-screen. On the display, 169 combat golems and one assistant automata were marching toward the shores of Noriji Lake.
“Enemy combat golems detected. Approximately 170 units.” Inside the Nostalgia airship, Elena received the report.
“Elena-sama, it looks like they’re ready for a decisive battle,” Wattes judged.
“That may be so. Intercept them before they reach Taji Village.” Elena issued her orders immediately. “Leave half of the combat golems at Fan and Taji. Send the rest to the shores of Noriji Lake. Every airship is to deploy their entire complement of combat golems immediately.”
Ten units—half of those already deployed—pivoted toward the lake. Shortly after, twenty more were launched from the ten airships. In total, Nostalgia’s combat force amounted to forty golems.
No, there was one more.
“I’m heading down as well.”
“Elena-sama? That’s too dangerous!” Wattes cried.
Elena shook her head. “No, I can’t back down now. Wattes, if I don’t return, you are to lead the fleet and retreat. Do not let anyone get killed. Understood?”
“Elena-sama...”
“I’m going.”
Leaving those words behind, Elena leaped from the airship into the night. Two hours remained until dawn.