Jin D and Prince Zifola's party stepped out of the bailiff's mansion.
"Turns out we didn't need the witnesses after all."
"These things happen."
Though they had gone through the trouble of bringing the fishermen along, the bailiff's brainwashing had become obvious before any testimony was needed, allowing them to cure him on the spot.
After paying the two fishermen a generous daily wage as a reward, they sent them on their way.
"Thank ya kindly, sirs."
"Make sure you don't pick any more fights with Mimaka's fishing boats."
"Understood, sir!"
Watching the two fishermen leave, the prince's party let out quiet sighs of relief.
(As expected, brainwashing really does reduce one's thinking to pure simplicity.)
Laojun, who was piloting Jin D, inferred that in the bailiff's case, it had indeed been full brainwashing rather than a simple Seduce spell.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Now then, Your Highness, what are your orders?" asked Gene Raksef, commander of the 2nd Frontier Corps.
"Hmm. Our initial objective has been achieved."
Under normal circumstances, they would have toured and inspected the surrounding towns and villages, but given the urgency of the situation, no set schedule had been arranged.
"In that case, why don't we take our time returning and inspect the towns along the way?"
"That sounds like a fine idea."
By loading the Weckener onto their wagon and leaving it active for a brief period in every town and village they passed, anyone who had fallen under brainwashing would be freed.
It seemed the prince's party had settled on that course of action.
Since Hurricane was parked just outside Basisus, they had been able to deliver the stationary Weckener without delay.
With Prince Zifola and Commander Gene's plans settled, Jin D prepared to take his leave as well.
"Well then, I shall be on my way."
"Ah, Jin-dono, you have been an immense help to us!"
"Thanks to you, our mission wrapped up far sooner than expected."
"Not at all, I'm just glad I could be of assistance. Ah, that reminds me—would it be alright if I informed the Mimaka Principality about the outcome of this matter as early as tomorrow?"
The Mimaka Principality would surely welcome a swift resolution, and hearing it directly from Jin would be fastest... though there was also the risk that doing so might make the Norha Principality lose face.
"It would be a great help if you could pass along the word, Jin-dono. Could you also let them know that we will be sending an official delegation of apology at a later date?"
"Understood. Leave it to me."
After exchanging handshakes with Prince Zifola and Commander Gene, Jin D mounted a golem horse alongside Reiko and headed for Hurricane on the outskirts of town.
＊ ＊ ＊
The moment Jin D and Reiko boarded Hurricane, the standby Shinobi Squad returned to Hourai Island via the onboard Warp Gate.
"Good work, everyone."
"Thanks for your hard work."
Laojun and Jin welcomed them back.
"So, where is the transcribed magi-crystal?"
<Here it is.>
A tiny magi-crystal about the size of a BB pellet was presented.
Come to think of it, the "BB" in BB gun stood for ball bearing, didn't it...? Letting his mind wander to completely unrelated thoughts, Jin accepted the magi-crystal and sent it off for immediate analysis.
Five minutes later.
"My Lord, the necessary analysis is complete," Laojun reported.
"Oh, that was fast."
"Yes. I focused the analysis strictly on the portions presumed to contain the brainwashing directives."
Laojun had no interest in Bailiff Kitori Monas Gear's past memories or personal life, so it had simply bypassed them.
"Alright, let's hear it."
"Yes, My Lord."
Laojun began its briefing.
＊ ＊ ＊
"First, regarding the timing: the brainwashing took place seven months ago."
"Right around the start of the new year, then?"
"Yes. A New Year's gathering was held in the royal capital, and I believe the procedure was carried out in a waiting room during that event."
It had reached this conclusion because Kitori Monas Gear's thought patterns had abruptly simplified from that point forward.
"Wait a second....If that's the case, doesn't that mean several other people might have been brainwashed too?"
"Yes, My Lord. However, the majority of them were already cured by the Weckener activated in the royal capital the other day."
"Ah, of course..."
It was highly likely that the purveyor merchant had been compromised around that time as well, Jin realized.
"Understood. Go on."
"Yes....To put the objective of the brainwashing simply, it was a strategy of alienation."
"Alienation... Ah, I see."
Driving a wedge between allies and sowing discord to tear them apart... Laojun explained that this had been the intent.
"So their goal was to incite conflict with the Mimaka Principality."
"Yes. That was precisely the mandate given to Kitori Monas Gear."
What instructions had been planted in the other victims remained unknown for now.
"Do we know who carried out the brainwashing?"
"I was only able to narrow it down to a member of the Jagus Principality's diplomatic envoy present at the New Year's gathering."
"I see..."
Even so, having solid confirmation that the Jagus Principality was behind it was a valuable development.
"Still, they really do whatever they please, don't they...?"
"Indeed, My Lord. Their behavior borders on abnormal."
"For them to be this persistent, there must be a specific reason behind it."
"Yes. Furthermore, it is very likely they are utilizing technology inherited from the Origin Clan."
"Most likely."
Especially regarding the brainwashing, Jin couldn't help but suspect they were deploying magi-devices similar to the ones the Origin Clan had once used on indigenous populations.
"Perhaps we should launch our own independent investigation into that."
Jin figured the Elder... No. 700672 would hardly be pleased to see the Origin Clan's legacy abused in such a manner.
"Shall we deploy the Shinobi Squad, then?"
"Yeah, let's do it."
"Understood."
With that decided, Hourai Island was finally set to investigate the mysterious Origin Clan technology covertly circulating within the Jagus Principality.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Now then, I will first transfer you to Spica 9—Lila, the Quinta currently stationed in the Tower."
<Shinobi Squad acknowledges.>
This time, the entire squad—all ten units, from 1 through 10—was deployed.
It had already been verified that only Spica 9—Lila was present at the destination, with no other individuals in sight.
"Welcome, Shinobi Squad."
At the transfer point, the fake Elena—Spica 9 (Lila)—was waiting to greet them.
"This is the second floor of the Tower, which serves as the kitchen and living quarters. The third floor is the bedroom, so please use that as your operational base."
As a rule, no one else ever enters this area, Spica 9 (Lila) added.
<Understood. You have our thanks.>
After offering their brief thanks, Shinobi 1 and the squad immediately sprang into action.
Before long, they had dispersed across the Jagus Principality to begin their undercover reconnaissance.