Inside the basement opened by Duke Niestol Kirilo Jagus of the Jagus Principality sat a massive magi-device.
(...A magi-brain?)
Looking at the magi-device, Shinobi 1 reached that conclusion.
(Judging from the model... is it from the Progenitors?)
However, that was a secondary concern for the moment. Shinobi 1 focused its attention on the Duke's actions.
"...What should I do next?"
Those words slipped from the Duke's mouth.
"What do you mean by next?"
"I mean, once I have brainwashed the populace, what should be done after that?"
"You need only issue directives."
"What kind of directives?"
"Directives are directives. You are the one who decides."
"..."
Apparently, the magi-brain was an inflexible type, forcing the Duke to rephrase his questions time and time again.
"How can I become a hegemon?"
"You need only make the surrounding nations submit by force of arms."
"How can I acquire such military might?"
"Either develop it or purchase it."
"What must I do to develop it?"
"It requires the cultivation of engineers and the development of resources."
"How can I cultivate engineers?"
"Invite talented individuals, provide them with aid, and cultivate them."
"How should I discover talented individuals?"
"Recruit them, then screen them through examinations and interviews."
"Would brainwashed citizens be acceptable?"
"Unacceptable. Brainwashing inhibits brain functions. It is the greatest enemy to cultivating talent."
"Then what should I do?"
"Cease brainwashing."
"If I do that, the possibility arises that the citizens will rebel."
"In that case, you need only brainwash everyone other than the discovered talent."
"...You make it sound so simple."
"You were the one who asked."
Listening to this exchange, Shinobi 1 felt that the Duke of the Jagus Principality was not utilizing this magi-brain properly.
(It seems he has provided only the bare minimum of information to the magi-brain.)
Shinobi 1 thought that such an approach would naturally narrow the scope of its judgment.
If the baseline information was insufficient, no matter how superior a magi-brain might be, it would be unable to arrive at correct conclusions.
Duke Niestol Kirilo Jagus's questioning continued.
"Is it a good idea to possess a large number of high-performance golems?"
"In the sense of raising the baseline of national military power, that is correct."
"Then what should I do to achieve that?"
"Cannot answer. The question is too vague."
"..."
Shinobi 1 decided to test whether it could transmit to Laojun from this location in a micro-class duration of 0.01 seconds.
〈Laojun, do you copy?〉
However, the communication was jammed and did not connect to Laojun.
Fortunately, it seemed the magi-brain did not notice either.
"...How can I come to possess powerful golems?"
"Either develop them or purchase them."
"I heard that answer already....Will you not lend me aid to develop them?"
"A template was provided. Beyond that is impossible."
"...Then what should I do to enrich the nation?"
"To achieve that..."
After continuing this question-and-answer session for about two hours, Duke Niestol Kirilo Jagus left the basement with an exhausted expression. Shinobi 1 followed right behind him as he exited the room.
The moment the door closed, it appeared to step outside the barrier's area of effect, and Shinobi 1 immediately reported to Laojun.
"I see, new information. This is extremely beneficial."
Laojun immediately analyzed the information from Shinobi 1.
"It resembles the magi-brains of the Progenitors, yet it is somewhat crude. What could this mean...?"
Possibility 1: Because there was no intention to use it for significant purposes, it was originally a low-spec magi-brain.
Possibility 2: For some reason, the Duke of the Jagus Principality found and is using an unfinished magi-brain.
Possibility 3: For some reason, it is partially damaged or malfunctioning.
Possibility 4: It was not made by the Progenitors.
Possibility 5:............
Laojun deduced more than ten possibilities, but was unable to reach a conclusion due to a lack of information.
"To the Shinobi Squad: please gather more information on the magi-brain used by the Duke of the Jagus Principality."
Having analyzed the earlier exchange, Laojun was convinced that the Duke's actions were heavily influenced by the advice of the magi-brain.
"If we destroy that magi-brain, will the Jagus Principality's runaway actions stop...?"
Laojun judged that this depended entirely on the extent to which the Duke adopted its advice.
"If more than forty percent of the Duke's policies stem from its advice, we could likely halt them temporarily."
In that scenario, however, policies would descend into chaos, and the populace would likely suffer harm.
Because their stance toward the Jagus Principality prioritized avoiding harm to the citizens, things had become exceptionally difficult to handle.
"Furthermore, he has an obsession with powerful golems... If that is the case..."
The plan Laojun came up with was to send in the Quinta as magi-craftsmen.
However, with the two major pillars of the laboratory and the Progressers currently in place, whether they would be accepted posed a problem.
"Regarding this point, let us settle it with the fact that all golems delivered by Nostalgia can be made to follow orders from our side."
And the other factors were the Modulation Commander and the magi-emulator.
"If we use these, any golems that lack countermeasures will be completely at our beck and call."
Laojun considered turning the devices that could be considered Golbart Marukitasu's legacy to their own advantage.
"At any rate, the issue ultimately boils down to the treatment of the populace..."
Even the remarkable Laojun had been unable to hammer out a definitive policy regarding this matter.
The reason was that the three Principalities and Avalon were involved.
"With them taking the lead while we remain strictly behind the scenes... it must be said that this is an extremely difficult situation."
A situation that compelled even Laojun to call it difficult.
Would the day ever come when this deadlock could be broken in a single stroke...?