"This should be fine now, right?"
"Mm, it's fine."
Jin and Elsa sent their Doppels off toward Avalon, deciding to relax on Hourai Island themselves.
Piloted by Hope, the Hurricane took off bound for Avalon.
Laojun had properly accounted for the time difference, ensuring they would arrive at an hour that felt completely natural.
On the return trip, Elsa D would be traveling back aboard Konron 2. Of course, Anne would accompany her.
Tomax Bartman, the Chief Administrator, came out in person to receive them in time for the Hurricane's arrival.
"Jin-dono, thank you for your hard work on this mission. Moreover, you even assisted in capturing the Revolutionary Party—you have my deepest gratitude. I must also apologize to your Madam for causing her so much trouble."
"Thank you for taking the trouble to come greet us."
First, Jin's Doppel (Jin D) disembarked and shook hands with Tomax.
Afterward, Elsa's Doppel (Elsa D) stepped down, greeting him with a simple curtsy.
Following these pleasantries, Fione Fias, who had been officially promoted to secretary this May, guided Jin D and Elsa D to a small conference room.
"I have already received a report from Kachea as well."
Once they were seated, Fione Fias spoke first.
Jin D then responded:
"Here is our written report."
He handed over the document, which had been prepared half by Jin and half by Laojun.
Incidentally, because it had been printed via a Golem Plotter, there was no risk of the handwriting matching that of the Second Generation Jin Nidou.
Fione Fias skimmed through it.
"Taji Village lacks medical resources, and some villagers are suffering trauma from the raid and need mental care... I see, is that so?"
Fione Fias's expression turned somber. She continued reading.
"A shortage of flour mills, a lack of livestock, and a need for agricultural guidance... I see."
"Kachea mentioned the same things," Fione Fias added.
"Furthermore, since food was stolen from Fan Village, supplies must be replenished. Regarding this matter, three other villages have suffered damages as well, so we will take appropriate measures."
To this, Jin offered his assistance.
"I believe I can contribute some food from my end as well."
"Thank you very much."
Fione Fias did not pry into where or how he was procuring the food. I'm glad she isn't asking questions, thought Jin as he piloted Jin D.
He figured that if pressed, he could probably reveal at least something along the lines of "golems are doing farm work on a secret isolated island."
Just then, Manon, the secretary automaton, entered the room.
"Fione-san, I will take over."
"Understood."
Having apparently arranged this beforehand, Fione Fias and Manon swapped places without issue.
"Well then, Jin-sama, Elsa-sama, please excuse me."
With that farewell, Fione Fias departed the conference room.
"Now then, allow me to report the information extracted from the executives of the Revolutionary Party."
In truth, Manon could have simply reported directly to Laojun via secure communications, but they were going through this troublesome procedure precisely because their current location was Avalon.
"First, the masked man is an operative of the Jagus Principality. The probability exceeds ninety-nine percent."
"Just as I thought."
"As for his objective... the probability here is around seventy-five percent, but it appears to be an 'experiment.'"
"An experiment?"
"Yes. Most likely an experiment in how to govern a conquered nation."
Listening through Jin D, Jin was astonished.
"Does that mean they intend to brainwash the majority of the populace?"
Manon nodded.
"Precisely....However, from the standpoint of 'governing a nation,' it certainly possesses advantages. That being said, the drawbacks are far more numerous and overwhelmingly severe, to the point that it can hardly be considered the work of a sane mind."
She then added a rather scathing critique.
"From the perspective of 'governing a nation,' assuming the prerequisite that those at the top never make a mistake, it would be quite an effective form of rule. However..."
Brainwashed individuals suffer suppressed brain activity, rendering them incapable of creative endeavors.
"The burden of national development would fall entirely upon the leadership. And as you can imagine, that is utterly impossible and reckless."
"Yeah..."
Looking back at Earth's world history, one could easily see how difficult it was to govern an occupied nation.
This was especially apparent in Chinese history, where dynasties rose and fell in cycles of a few centuries.
Incidentally, the word "revolution" was said to originally mean "the changing of Heaven's Mandate."
In other words, it was grounded in the philosophy that the "Son of Heaven," having received a mandate from the heavens, governed the realm of humanity.
When those in power became corrupt and unworthy, the "Mandate" of "Heaven" would "change," leading to the fall of one dynasty and the rise of another. This was "revolution."
As an aside, there is a theory that this concept of "Heaven" was established toward the end of the Shang dynasty in Ancient China.
Until then, "Heaven" had simply meant "head." The pictograph for "Heaven" was the human body.
Furthermore, the character for "change" was said to originate from stripping animal hides to make "leather," which came to signify renewing and reforming.
Be that as it may.
"In short, the Jagus Principality harbors ambitions of conquering its warring neighbors—the Norha Principality, the Darato Principality, and the Mimaka Principality—and annexing them into its own territory."
"Ah, I see."
Jin had stayed in the Jagus Principality for a very brief period, so he had caught a glimpse of their warped ideology.
Especially when he had escaped alongside Lordtoss and confronted their pursuers.
"Furthermore, it is believed that the Jagus Principality has obtained a tiny fraction of the Progenitors' technology. The probability of this exceeds ninety percent."
"Do we know what kind of technology it is?"
"That could not be determined."
"I see."
I wonder if Laojun knows, Jin thought while piloting Jin D, making a mental note to ask later.
A few hours later, at the Go-lab.
Having concluded his report, Jin D went to visit Kachea and the others. Elsa D had gone to inspect the progress of the medical and Healing facilities.
"Ah, Jin-dono, welcome."
Rasnat Heilbronn, the laboratory chief of the Golem Laboratory, noticed Jin D and stepped forward to greet him.
"Jin-san, welcome. That took quite a while, didn't it?"
Kachea also emerged from the back. Seeing her somewhat tired expression, Jin D asked bluntly:
"Kachea, aren't you looking a bit exhausted?"
"Yes, desk work from while I was away has been piling up... and for the other labs too."
Kachea let out a small sigh.
"Ah, that sounds rough..."
Sensing Kachea's exhaustion through Jin D, Jin wondered if he could build something to help her—and, by extension, the other laboratories.
Touring the medical-related facilities, Elsa D spoke to Fione Fias, who had volunteered to guide her.
"The development here has progressed considerably, hasn't it?"
"Yes! Ever since your lecture the other day, everyone's enthusiasm has soared."
"That is wonderful to hear."
Through Elsa D's vision, Elsa checked whether there were any medical facilities or equipment still lacking.
"My Lord, Elsa-sama, how was it?"
Having taken over control of the Doppels from Jin and Elsa, Laojun asked the two of them.
"Yeah, looks like there's nothing left unattended, so this should be fine."
"Mm, with this, it's safe to leave things in their hands."
Jin and Elsa smiled with satisfaction.
"Though aside from that, I'd like to look into whether we can create a system that can take over some of their desk work."
"Indeed. Introducing dedicated automata would likely be difficult from a cost perspective, after all..."
"True enough."
Having completed their trip filled with inspections, greetings, and aid, Jin pondered many things.
"...Why did the Jagus Principality's ideology become so warped, I wonder..."
"Data is currently insufficient, so I cannot make a determination. We are gathering information at this moment, so please wait a few days."
"Right. Please do, Laojun."
Though containing the seeds of future turmoil, the world remained peaceful.