As a precaution, Jin had Reiko memorize Graham Derby’s magic pattern before they left the clinic.
"This juice is good for the body," Jin said as they were heading out. "Please give him about one bottle a day." He left behind ten bottles of Persica juice produced on Hourai Island.
"Thank you very much!" Sonya, the apprentice healer, bowed as she accepted the gift.
Jin also took the opportunity to secretly have Reiko record Sonya’s magic pattern. He had a feeling that she was a talent he couldn't simply overlook.
＊ ＊ ＊
Jin, Lordtoss, Reiko, and Lise flew the Taube back up to the Hurricane, which was waiting in the sky above.
The two men—guards or whatever they were supposed to be—were nowhere to be found. Jin had no intention of pursuing them, so he decided to let the matter rest.
"Well, I suppose that settles this particular incident."
Regarding Graham Derby, Jin decided to leave his fate entirely to Avalon, as much of it would depend on the man's own wishes. Since Jin himself would vouch for the fact that Graham’s actions were the result of brainwashing, he likely wouldn't face the death penalty.
Rather, Jin believed that Tomax Bartman’s leadership would be tested by whether he could effectively utilize such a capable individual. Of course, Jin also planned to offer some advice through Maquina III.
"Officially, he could be disciplined, but then granted staff officer status within Nostalgia. That might be the best approach."
"Ah, he could certainly make good use of his abilities there," Lordtoss agreed.
It was established practice that those who committed crimes while brainwashed could not be held fully responsible. However, simply banishing him would be a terrible waste, and having him work directly at Avalon might be emotionally difficult for all parties involved.
『Indeed. I believe it is as My Lord says,』 Laojun added, voicing its agreement.
"I hope it works out that way," Jin said with a small smile as they settled into the Hurricane.
＊ ＊ ＊
In Avalon, a meeting was underway to determine how to handle the situation following Jin’s report.
The attendees included Tomax Bartman, Illumina Ratkin, the secretary automaton Manon, Maquina III, and Elena. Four other Avalon executives were also present.
"...The above summarizes the information provided by Jin-dono," the secretary automaton Manon concluded as she finished reading the report.
"Hmm, so it really was Markitus's brainwashing," one of the Avalon executives muttered with a bitter expression.
"It is standard practice that we cannot hold the brainwashed accountable for their crimes," Illumina added with a sigh.
"But can we really prove he was under brainwashing when he planted those magi-devices in Avalon?" another executive spat out, clearly still incensed by Graham's actions.
"At the moment, he has only just regained consciousness, so we cannot summon him for questioning..." a third executive noted, adding that they couldn't be entirely certain he didn't still harbor hostility toward Avalon.
"About that..." Maquina III started to speak, but stopped himself. Jin had already confirmed it, but pushing the point too hard might be counterproductive.
"In that case, why not leave the matter to us?" Elena spoke up.
"Oh? Elena-dono?"
"Yes. We can take him into protective custody within Nostalgia and put him to work under our surveillance."
"Hmm..." Tomax Bartman made a sour face; agreeing to such a proposal felt uncomfortably close to a backroom deal.
Elena immediately offered a graceful retreat. "Oh, my apologies... Secretary, please strike my previous remark from the minutes."
She gave a charming smile, yet despite her retraction, the plan was set. In the end, it was decided that Graham Derby would be placed under the surveillance of Nostalgia.
"I shall ensure he is watched strictly so that he cannot escape," Elena said, her smile turning somewhat bewitching.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Elena-dono... back when I was with the Magic Federation, I dealt numerous blows to your organization. Are you truly willing to accept me?"
"Yes, exactly. We have always operated as a secret organization, and as for the law, Electra Island does not belong to any nation, so you have no need for concern."
While the current Nostalgia functioned more like a private volunteer group, its roots lay in the Unifilar—a former anti-social organization. To Elena, such distinctions were trivial now.
"Please, work for the sake of the future to atone for your past."
For Graham, those words were a salvation.
"For the sake of the future... I see. I understand."
Thus, Graham Derby became a member of Nostalgia. Ten years later, with Elena’s assistance, he would rise to become the leader of the organization—but that is a story for another time.
＊ ＊ ＊
"With that, I suppose the immediate tasks are finished...?"
Back on Hourai Island, Jin was reviewing the situation with Laojun.
『Yes. I believe there is nothing more that requires My Lord's direct intervention.』 Laojun assured him that it would handle any minor details that cropped up.
"I see. In that case, I think I’ll head over to Onogoro Island."
『There is no one in this world who can restrain My Lord.』
"Ah, right. I have no intention of being that arrogant... but I get what you're saying."
Laojun almost always affirmed Jin's choices—completely and utterly. However, Jin knew that if he ever tried to do something that truly went against his nature, Laojun would stop him. That was how Jin had designed it to be.
But that was an aside.
"By the way, how is the Hale Project coming along?"
Hale was the home planet of the Progenitors, the ancestors of Ars humanity. It was a world that had been abandoned once its resources were exhausted. Jin’s plan was to revive it as a "retirement home" and eventually migrate there.
『Yes, My Lord. Regarding the acquisition of resources, which is the cornerstone of the Hale Project, it will take a little longer to prepare the necessary spaceships and magi-devices.』
"That’s fine. There’s no need to rush. Let's proceed surely and steadily."
『Understood.』
The plan involved securing the resources Hale lacked from the satellite of Zipart, the Second Planet of Star Celane. However, that sector of space was plagued by incredibly intense free ether wave noise from the star—so intense that it caused all magi-devices to malfunction.
It was a phenomenon so troublesome that even the Progenitors had failed to find a countermeasure. To resist such interference, sub-ether technology was required. Even for a mind as vast as Laojun’s, the development was proving time-consuming.
『As for the theory itself... well, Hanna...-san left behind reports regarding sub-ether...』
Laojun hesitated slightly, but Jin didn't press for details.
"I see. Hanna did..."
Jin’s thoughts drifted back to his former Family and the brilliant girl who had been a part of it.
"...It seems she really did focus on sub-ether after 'I' returned. She was always doing all sorts of strange experiments."
『Hanna...-san was a true genius.』
Hearing Laojun’s praise, Jin felt a swell of pride, as if the compliment were his own.
"You're right. Hanna was incredible. And because of the research she did, we’ll be able to make this work, right?"
『Yes, My Lord.』
"I see."
The girl he had left behind in the distant past of four hundred years ago... her smile had comforted him more times than he could count. For the first time in a long while, Jin allowed himself to drift into the past, losing himself in fond memories.