After much deliberation, the first phase of the operation in Avalon was decided.
It was the "Investigation of Nameless Peak."
With the cooperation of the three principalities other than Jagus Principality, it was scheduled to be a four-party joint operation including Avalon.
It would also serve as a test case to see how well the four factions could coordinate with one another.
On Avalon's side, the participation of Honorary Advisor Deus Ex Machina and Land Combat Unit Captain Raldo had already been confirmed.
In addition, several commander-class personnel and a few universal golems would likely take part.
The three principalities were promptly notified of the operation.
"We would gladly participate."
"Of course we shall take part."
"We will participate!"
The Dukes of each principality readily agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Each principality was utterly fed up with Jagus Principality's overbearing tyranny and welcomed the operation with great enthusiasm, eager for an opportunity to turn the tables and go on the offensive.
The execution of the Nameless Peak Investigation Operation was set for two days later.
Meanwhile, Jin was operating the Weckener in Resonare, the royal capital of Norha Principality.
The results were appalling.
To his astonishment, twenty-one people had either been brainwashed or placed under Seduce.
Many of them belonged to the military. In other words, there was no doubt that classified military intel had been leaking straight to Jagus Principality.
"This is truly a grave situation!"
Duke Keith Tennick de Norha fumed in outrage.
Even so, there was no concrete proof that Jagus Principality was behind it. That was the most vexing aspect of brainwashing.
Here, too, communications had been routed through repeaters, and a nearly identical device was discovered on the outskirts of Resonare.
"Mmm..."
Just then, the proposal for the Nameless Peak Investigation Operation arrived via manaphone.
Since there was no question that the repeater's transmission destination was that very peak, the proposal could not have come at a better time.
"In that case, what should I do...?"
Currently visiting Norha Principality was Jin's Doppel, Jin D.
Jin himself was piloting it at the moment.
(If Deus Ex Machina is stepping onto the front stage, there probably won't be much call for me. It'd be better to focus on behind-the-scenes support and backup.)
As for transportation, Deus Ex Machina's Aristotle would carry far more presence and intimidation than Jin's Hurricane.
(Yeah, let's go with that.)
"...I will provide rear support. After all, there's no telling what kind of countermoves Jagus Principality might pull in response to the investigation."
"Oh, that would put our minds at ease."
Chancellor Premus Hai Yasuna gave a slight bow to Jin.
"Just as you say, we cannot predict what underhanded tricks Jagus Principality might resort to."
If trouble arose, the one most likely to bear the brunt of it was Norha Principality.
Taking key figures hostage, threatening to strike major cities... Several plausible ploys immediately came to mind.
In that sense, Jin—piloting Jin D—understood that having him stationed in a rear-support posture was an immensely reassuring factor in the eyes of the other nations.
With that settled, there were still two days left until the operation commenced.
Piloting Jin D, Jin tried to think of any aid he could provide in the meantime, but nothing suitable came to mind right away.
He had planned to survey mineral deposits and subterranean water veins, but that could hardly be completed in just two days.
Jin hated starting a task only to leave it half-done.
Deciding to take a breather, he gazed out the window of the Ducal Palace.
Being on the third floor afforded him a pleasant view.
"The buildings in this region are made of stone, wood, and earth, huh..."
Hearing that alone might make it sound no different from the Conference Countries, but the proportions used were distinctly different.
Standard buildings in the Conference Countries used stone for the foundations, footings, walls, and pillars, while wood was used for roofing.
Wood was also used for the interior floors and walls.
Earth was mainly used to fill gaps between stone blocks or plastered over walls to create a smooth finish.
Here, however, while stone was used for the foundations and footings, the pillars and roofs were wood, and the walls themselves were made of earth.
While slightly different from the earthen walls found in Japanese-style architecture, it followed a fairly similar construction method.
"Because the climate is rather dry, they use building materials like these, huh... There aren't many forests, so maybe lumber is in short supply?...Why don't they use bricks? A lack of fuel? There don't seem to be sun-dried bricks either... Could it be the soil? The soil here is fertile, so it might not harden easily... But the walls are plastered... I'll have to look into it later. Goose would probably love this..."
Jin idly let his mind wander over such architectural details.
Just then—
"...Father, please be careful. I sense a presence coming from over there."
Reiko voiced a quiet warning.
She pointed toward a particular section of the Ducal Palace grounds—a spire situated at the southwest corner.
"A watchtower, perhaps?...When you say presence, do you mean a mana reaction?"
"Yes."
"...A golem?"
"No, it isn't moving, so it is likely a magi-device or a magi machine. Furthermore, I can only sense an extremely minute amount of mana from it."
It was a micro-class trace of mana so faint that anyone other than Reiko would have overlooked it entirely.
"...Let's go check it out."
"Understood."
Jin D headed downstairs alongside Reiko. After giving a brief word to the garrison soldiers, they crossed the courtyard and approached the watchtower.
"As I thought, it is coming from here," Reiko reported, looking up at the top of the tower. "Near the top floor, there is a very faint mana reaction."
"What in the world could it be?"
"...Would it not be wise to have Laojun conduct a preliminary check with a Peeper?"
"Good idea..."
Piloting Jin D, Jin relayed the situation to Laojun.
"Understood, My Lord. I shall examine it at once."
Laojun responded instantly, activating a Peeper to scan the tower.
"...It was certainly wise to check beforehand. This appears to be a type of bomb."
"What?!"
"That being said, its destructive yield is exceptionally low; rather, it is designed to produce a massive explosive sound."
Its force was negligible enough that Reiko and Jin D could weather it without a scratch.
"...Its objective is... to sow chaos throughout the castle, maybe?"
"The probability of that is very high."
"If that's the case, it's unlikely this is the only one."
Having reached that conclusion, Jin instructed Laojun to conduct an exhaustive sweep of the entire castle.