Around the time Jin was on Planet Hehl receiving an explanation about the euphoriant from the Elder, Shinobi 1, 3, and 4 were busy trying to disarm the barrier erected around the magi-brain.
〈Mm, as expected, it's not installed anywhere visible.〉
Since the magi-brain was located in a basement, they had thought that out of its top, bottom, front, back, left, and right, at least the top would be above ground, but it could not be found there either.
〈Wouldn't it be better to have Laojun search using the Peeper?〉
Shinobi 3 offered advice to the frustrated Shinobi 1.
〈You're right. Continuing like this would be a waste of time.〉
With that, Shinobi 1 contacted Laojun.
"Understood. Please wait a moment... I see."
In about two seconds, Laojun appeared to finish scanning the vicinity.
"All of the projectors are embedded within the walls, ceiling, and floor of the room where the magi-brain is housed."
Laojun presumed that this was likely because the Ducal Palace had been built directly over the site where the magi-brain originally stood.
"However, in this state, we cannot neutralize the projectors... We have no choice but to use the Mini-Moles."
A Mini-Mole was a cylinder measuring ten centimeters in diameter and thirty centimeters in length, powered by a micro magi-reactor.
Its propulsion came from a barrier projector. Equipped with a magic eye, its visual feed could be monitored from Hourai Island.
Fitted with a device identical to a magi trans gun at its tip, it dug forward by teleporting the rock in front of it behind itself. Because it was non-mechanical, it possessed the distinct advantage of operating virtually silently.
Its crew consisted of five-centimeter-tall Command units.
Laojun dispatched Mini-Mole 1 and 2 to an unoccupied room.
The Mini-Mole crews were Command 1 and 2. Shinobi 3 and 4 were each assigned to ride along with them.
〈We're counting on you, then.〉
〈Roger.〉
With only brief acknowledgments, Mini-Mole 1 and 2 set off.
Shinobi 1 remained behind to relay intelligence to and from Laojun. At the same time, he kept watch.
The two Mini-Moles advanced smoothly.
The stone materials used to construct the Ducal Palace were like butter compared to adamantite ore. Rather, because they were digging forward via teleportation, the physical strength and hardness of the material did not affect them at all.
Since their starting point was on the ground floor, they dug diagonally downward toward the subterranean magi-brain room.
It went smoothly at first.
However, their speed dropped as they drew near the magi-brain room.
〈What happened?〉 Shinobi 3 asked Command 1.
〈It appears the construction material changes from this point onward. Its magic resistance is on a completely different level compared to before.〉
Because they utilized teleportation, magic resistance—rather than physical strength—determined their excavation speed.
When this was reported to Laojun via Shinobi 1, a reply came back:
"Most likely, the magic-resistant building material belongs to the original magi-brain room constructed long ago by the Origin Clan. The projectors should be located just on the outer edge of it."
Since they were underground—or rather, inside solid stone—visual confirmation was impossible. Therefore, the two Mini-Moles used their magi-radar to pinpoint the target barrier projectors.
〈Diagonally ahead, at seventy centimeters.〉
〈All right, proceed with caution.〉
Because it was Origin Clan technology, there was no telling how it might react if tampered with carelessly, so it was necessary to inspect it visually at least once.
If blowing it up or destroying it were acceptable, Laojun could have accomplished that with a Force Rod, magi trans gun, or transporter, but the adverse side effects that might cause were an unknown quantity.
Eventually, Mini-Mole 1 reached the area directly in front of a barrier projector.
Fifteen seconds later, Mini-Mole 2 likewise advanced to a point where the barrier projector was within sight.
It was attached to the wall of the original magi-brain room.
Incidentally, although narrow, there was a space between the wall of the magi-brain room and the wall of the Ducal Palace, allowing Shinobi 3 and 4 to operate individually.
First came the observation. Whatever Shinobi 3 and 4 saw, Laojun could see as well.
"This is indeed Origin Clan technology," Laojun concluded based on its appearance and shape. "These extending lines that resemble magi-circuits appear to connect the six projectors to form a network....Shinobi 3, please look behind that. Yes, right there."
The conclusion Laojun reached after this inspection was an unfortunate one.
"It seems the projectors do not operate independently, but also exchange data with one another. It is regrettable, but if we destroy or stop them, there is no telling what will happen."
With this, the plan to disable two of the projectors fell through.
However, the brain of Hourai Island, Laojun, was not one to give up there.
"In that case, let us proceed with an alternative method."
The ultimate objective of this operation was the re-education of the magi-brain.
To achieve that, the first phase was to breach the barrier enveloping the magi-brain room without alerting the magi-brain.
It would have been ideal to stop the barrier projectors generating the barrier, but looking at the current situation, shutting them down carried a high probability of alerting the magi-brain and triggering an alarm.
What, then, was the solution?
"It will take a little time, but having the Mini-Moles will make things easier."
The barrier offered no physical resistance. The issue was simply that its presence obstructed communication via mana waves.
In other words, it would suffice to pass an "antenna" through between the interior and exterior.
Doing so would eliminate the magical insulation caused by the barrier, making communication possible.
Since free ether would be linked through it, teleportation would become possible as well.
Specifically, it would suffice to pierce through with a cylindrical barrier. Inside the cylinder, the barrier covering the magi-brain room would be neutralized.
For that reason, it was more convenient for the Mini-Moles to be in one place, so Mini-Mole 2 moved to where Mini-Mole 1 was located. Shinobi 3 and 4 regrouped as well.
The location was on the right wall as seen from the entrance of the magi-brain room. Here, there was a gap of about thirty centimeters between it and the outer wall.
This indicated that when constructing the Ducal Palace around the original magi-brain room built by the Origin Clan, they had not built it flush against the structure.
The reason for this remained unknown for now, but since it was inaccessible to normal humans, it was quite convenient for carrying out the operation.
"I will now send a barrier projector that generates a cylindrical barrier."
A magi-device of this scale could be crafted under Laojun's own authority.
Ten seconds later, a magi-device about the size of a matchbox was delivered.
Even so, for the five-centimeter-tall Shinobi 3 and 4, it was quite a large piece of cargo.
〈As for where to install this...〉
"Instead of the original magi-brain room, the retrofitted Ducal Palace wall should suffice," Laojun instructed. The reasoning was that it would be easier to work on. "It does not need to last very long, after all."
〈Understood.〉
With assistance from Command 1 and 2, the installation took only two minutes.
The operational test would be conducted once both Mini-Moles were prepared to evacuate. The evacuation method was short-range teleportation, and the evacuation point was the private quarters of fake Elena (Spica 9 / Lila).
Since a Mini-Mole was ten centimeters in diameter and thirty centimeters long, it would not get in the way.
"Now then, I am activating it. Commencing countdown. Three... two... one... Wake up!"
A cylindrical barrier formed, boring a tunnel through the barrier covering the magi-brain room.
They waited for about ten minutes, but no alarm sounded, and nothing unusual occurred.
"It appears to be a success."
Laojun also checked the surroundings with the Peeper, confirming that no changes had occurred between before and after activation.
"With this, we can move on to the second phase. The Mini-Moles are to remain on standby there as they are. However, should any anomaly arise, evacuate immediately to Spica 9 / Lila's quarters."
〈Understood.〉 Command 1 answered on their behalf.
"I will have the Shinobi Squad handle the next set of instructions."
〈Roger.〉
Thus, the Magi-Brain Re-education Operation entered its second phase.