Drawing a circle with a radius of ten meters around the antenna meant tracing a circumference of just under sixty-three meters, which took very little time at all.
Under orders from Deus Ex Machina, the general-purpose golem—secretly a Smith—completed the circuit in about a minute without incident.
"Nothing happened, then," Maquina murmured.
"Yes. At the very least, there is no trace of any transmission having been sent outside from here," Squire Rei added.
"Which means that, for the time being, the Jagus Principality has made no move."
Upon hearing Rei's words, the gathered members breathed a collective sigh of relief.
As this report incorporated a considerable portion of Laojun's observations, it was virtually certain that the Jagus Principality remained completely unaware at this point.
However, it was still impossible to say what might happen if they tampered with the antenna itself.
"In that case, can we not simply destroy it?" Boon Sumiya, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Military Affairs of the Mimaka Principality, asked with visible frustration.
He felt a quiet fury knowing that his nation's sensitive information had been siphoned away right under their noses.
"We could destroy it," Maquina replied. "However, they would likely just repair it a few days later."
"...Indeed, that is true..."
Boon Sumiya bit his lip at the explanation.
"Still, it is surprising in a sense that there is nothing else here on the summit," Illumina Ratkin said. "I would have expected at least a few guarding golems."
"That is true. But when you consider that no other nation had ever set foot here before, and that the Jagus Principality likely lacks golems to spare, it makes sense that none were stationed."
"Indeed, that may very well be the case, Maquina-dono..."
"A lack of interference works in our favor regardless, so let us consider this outcome a success for now," Maquina concluded.
"Now then, I would like to proceed to the next stage."
This meant pushing forward with their overarching objective: the Nameless Peak Investigation.
As the situation could not be predicted beforehand, everything beyond this point had deliberately been left open.
"Of course, any action that provokes the Jagus Principality remains strictly forbidden."
Everyone readily agreed.
"Naturally."
"Quite right."
With their assent secured, Maquina continued.
"First, we will install magic eyes near the summit so we can keep watch over the area."
"Oh!"
In short, setting up surveillance cameras.
"Since relying on a single unit carries the risk of discovery or malfunction, let us install three at varying distances."
"As expected of Maquina-dono."
The plan received unanimous support.
"And one more thing."
Everyone turned their attention toward Maquina.
"Let us also look into developing the mineral deposits on this mountain. I can search for underground veins using Grand Search."
"Oh! That magic Jin-dono was said to use!"
"That is wonderful!"
The group rejoiced, but Maquina raised a hand to temper their excitement.
"There is one problem, however. There is no guarantee that ore veins will be found within every principality's territory, you understand?"
"...That cannot be helped."
"Indeed. When it comes to the earth's bounty, we can only leave our fortune to the heavens."
"We leave it in your capable hands, Maquina-dono. We will raise no objections to whatever your survey uncovers."
"Likewise, we shall accept the outcome without complaint."
"Understood."
Since all three principalities agreed to abide by the findings, Maquina decided to conduct the survey along the mountain slopes down toward the foothills afterward.
"And as for our final order of business..." Maquina offered a daring smirk. "I would like to test the Jagus Principality's reaction."
"And how will you do that...?"
"After we withdraw, we will tamper with the antenna just enough to appear accidental, and observe how they respond."
Maquina explained that they would inflict an amount of damage consistent with natural phenomena.
"We will be able to confirm their movements through the surveillance magic eyes, after all."
"I see... A truly ingenious idea, Maquina-dono," Illumina Ratkin remarked admiringly. "How specifically do you plan to carry it out?"
To this, Maquina answered simply:
"I intend to have Rei handle it." He then elaborated, "Though it may be a rare occurrence, we will make it appear as though a violent gust blew the antenna down."
"I see. That would certainly be plausible."
Winds were notoriously fierce near the peak of a high mountain.
Even now, gusts of around five meters per second blew intermittently.
It would hardly be out of the ordinary for a gale exceeding twenty meters per second to strike without warning.
"Then let us proceed with that plan."
And so, the first Nameless Peak Investigation Operation drew to a close.
"...And that is the full account of the matter."
"I see."
On Hourai Island, Jin was listening to Laojun deliver a complete debriefing of the operation.
"I suppose that's about as much as we could expect for the first run."
"Yes, My Lord. There were many accompanying personnel, after all."
"Right....In the end, the Hurricane on standby didn't even get a turn to act."
Still, that was hardly a bad thing. It simply proved that the Jagus Principality's reconnaissance capabilities were limited.
"My Lord, regarding that matter, there is a high probability that the magi-brain in question is failing to provide adequate counsel."
Laojun stated that had it been capable of sound, logical thought, it certainly would have stationed at least one golem—or, failing that, some form of magi-monitor system—near the summit.
Laojun added that it hoped to investigate the magi-brain firsthand in the near future.
"All that's left is the ore vein prospecting, then."
"Yes. Since we already mapped the underground resources during our previous survey, we merely need to retrace those findings."
"How should we handle the allocation...? Are there suitable locations for all of them?"
"Yes, My Lord. All three principalities possess veins of magi-crystals within their borders, albeit at varying depths. Directing them to mine those should suffice."
"I see. So we just need to provide technical support."
"Precisely."
Little by little, the shrouded territories of the principalities were being brought into the light.
And with each careful step, the world took a major turn toward lasting peace.