Back on Hourai Island, Jin and Laojun were in the middle of a discussion.
Naturally, the topic was the trio of deformed golems that the Land units had encountered earlier.
"My Lord, as soon as they return to their base, I will investigate the area using the Peeping Telescope."
"Right. We still don't understand the logic behind their actions."
"I shall report back the moment anything is determined."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
It would still be some time before the deformed golems—Mono, Ji, and Teto—reached their destination. Jin decided to leave the command room for the time being.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...And that's essentially what happened."
"I see. They sound like... very strange golems," Elsa murmured.
"Hmph. What were they like, exactly?" Hanna asked.
After returning to the House from the laboratory, Jin had been explaining the situation to Hanna and Elsa, who had come over to visit. The twins were currently napping, so Reiko was staying by their side to watch over them.
"They had four arms and no head... the design seemed entirely specialized for combat."
"Mm, I agree," Elsa said with a nod. "A head is an advantage, but it’s also a major vulnerability. If a design can compensate for the benefits of having one, then removing the head is... rational."
The head is typically the highest point on the body, housing the eyes that govern sight—the sense that provides the most information. Since sight depends on light, and light travels in a straight line, having eyes at a high vantage point is very significant. Furthermore, by moving the eyeballs and rotating the neck, one can achieve a nearly 360-degree field of vision.
"They likely have sensors for all-around surveillance using ultra-wide-angle or fisheye lenses, along with a main optical sensor that acts like a standard lens," Jin hypothesized.
He added that they probably also possessed functions similar to a telephoto lens.
"So... they eliminated the head by placing those sensors in the chest and back instead?" Hanna asked.
"Most likely. And then there are those four arms."
"It would be incredible if you could actually control them all properly. Sometimes I think it would be so convenient to have just one more hand," Hanna remarked.
Jin felt the same way. Although, in his case, he usually managed to solve such problems through the use of magi-craft.
"In any case, an opponent capable of building combat golems with that kind of design shouldn't be underestimated."
To construct a control system capable of freely manipulating four arms meant the creators possessed significant technical skill. Jin believed that, at the very least, the standard technology found on Planet Ars today would be no match for them.
"Should we seal off those ruins?" Hanna asked with a worried expression.
"Probably. We've already finished investigating everything of interest there. I think I'll have a word with Sion as well."
Jin activated the communication function of his Fellowship Bracelet and called Sion to explain the situation.
"I see... If you're saying that, Jin, then they must be quite dangerous, right?"
"Yeah, exactly. It's best not to provoke them unnecessarily."
"Understood. I'll pass the word along to the brothers, Reconaus and Tonelius."
"Please do."
Since it was a direct request from Jin, Sion agreed immediately. Relieved that the Northern People had been warned, Jin was about to relax when he received a contact from Laojun.
"My Lord, there has been a development."
"What is it?"
"The three units have returned to their base."
"...Isn't that a bit fast?" Jin asked suspiciously. The return trip had been far shorter than the journey out.
"It appears they have their own network of Warp Gates."
"I see."
Just as Jin had established Warp Gates throughout Ars, it seemed the Progenitors had built a similar network in the past. They hadn't used it on the way out because they were searching for their target, but since that wasn't an issue for the return trip, they had used the gates to get back in an instant.
"I took the opportunity to investigate using the Peeping Telescope, and I have discovered several things."
Laojun’s report was quite impressive. First, the location they had returned to was indeed Lake Aoba in the New El region of the northern Lauren Continent. Waiting there were ten automata that looked exactly like humans, except for the fact that they had four arms. These units were apparently conducting periodic maintenance and patrols of the ruins.
"So they've been maintaining and managing it in secret all this time. With ten of them on site, it's quite secure."
Jin paused to consider the situation. "What about the utility of those ruins?"
"Based on my findings, they don't seem to contain any particularly novel technology."
"Is that so..." Jin trailed off, lost in thought.
"Dear, I think it would be best to... seal the ruins after all," Elsa suggested softly.
"Yeah, I agree," Hanna added.
Both girls advocated for sealing them off. Jin felt the same, but the problem was the method. It wasn't as simple as just blocking the entrance.
"Should we station a guard there...?"
"My Lord, as long as there is a marker in place, I can monitor the site periodically," Laojun offered.
"Ah, that would work. But that would increase your burden, Laojun. Let's add a specialized auxiliary function dedicated to monitoring instead."
Elsa and Hanna both approved of the idea, so Jin immediately went to work adding the auxiliary function to Laojun. In essence, it was like a home security system; it only needed to detect movement before something actually happened. With this, Laojun would immediately notice if anyone approached the ruins and would begin monitoring them. If their intent was to vandalize the site, they would be dealt with instantly. If they were just passing by, they would be left alone.
"The 'invasion faction,' huh... No. 700672 didn't mention them at all."
"They likely don't know, or perhaps they were never told," Laojun speculated. Given how vastly different their ideologies were, it was probable that the factions had no contact and had parted ways entirely.
"But if they're an 'invasion faction,' why do they have a policy of not harming the indigenous people?" Jin wondered aloud. It seemed strange for a faction with such a name to avoid indiscriminate violence.
"The Progenitors were originally a peaceful race, so even an invasion faction among them might only be considered 'radical' by their own standards," Laojun suggested.
Jin nodded, thinking the theory made sense.
"Besides, I don't think invasion is necessarily the same as slaughter," Elsa pointed out.
Jin reconsidered. She was right; there were many different ways to conduct an invasion. Regardless, he had a feeling this matter was going to have long-lasting consequences.
＊ ＊ ＊
While Jin and the others were discussing these matters, Sion of the All-Creation clan was receiving a visitor. He was a young man who, at the very least, was properly polite.
"Um, I am Sion."
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Tiberio of the Divergence clan."
The Divergence clan was part of the neutral faction.
"I heard that you are on close terms with Jin-sama, Sion-san."
"Yes, that's true."
"I have a great interest in shipbuilding, and I was wondering if I might be able to receive instruction from Jin-sama..."
"Oh, I see." Sion thought about it for a moment. "Hmm. Jin is a very busy man, so becoming his disciple might be difficult."
"Please, isn't there some way?"
"Even if you ask me like that..."
Feeling a bit put on the spot, Sion decided she would at least try asking Jin on his behalf. She didn't know it yet, but this moment would forge an unexpected connection for the future...