From the battleship Hotaka Kai, a broadcast echoed toward the three halted Neo-Magias ships.
"This is the Magi Craft Meister, Jin Nidou. Alongside Honorary Squire Reiko, Deus Ex Machina, and Squire Rei, I intend to board your ship. His Highness the Duke of the Jagus Principality and three of his retainers will also accompany us."
Neo-Magias raised no objection.
"Understood. We shall await you on the large vessel in the center, which serves as our flagship," came their reply.
"Alright."
With that, it was decided that Jin D, Reiko, Deus Ex Machina, Rei, and Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus along with all three of his companions would board the vessel.
Aboard the Neo-Magias flagship.
"O-Ohh... What is that?!"
The battleship Hotaka Kai was equipped with aircraft as well. For this crossing, two blow floaters—the Taube—were deployed.
One carried Jin D, Reiko, the Duke, and the Minister of Military Affairs. The other carried Deus Ex Machina, Rei, Rokou B. Sihalo, and Roa Temp.
The two Taubes touched down upon the deck of the roughly 150-meter-class ship that appeared to be the flagship.
Because both craft could be operated remotely, as soon as they dropped off Jin D and the other seven passengers, they took off again and hovered on standby twenty meters in the air.
"Hmph, cautious as ever," the masked man on the bridge muttered to himself.
Meanwhile, five "people" stood lined up on the deck. In addition, thirty sailor golems serving as crew members were present.
Since Jin D and Maquina's party totaled eight, it seemed the hosts intended to overwhelm them with sheer numbers—or rather, raw headcounts.
"Welcome, Magi Craft Meister, and Deus Ex Machina. As well as His Highness the Duke of the Jagus Principality and his attendants."
One of them stepped forward as their representative and spoke.
(As expected, they're automata... and just as I thought, the craftsmanship isn't very good.)
Though they were not golems, the workmanship made it blatantly obvious to anyone watching that they were artificial fabrications.
(First of all, their facial expressions are unnatural...)
Facial expressions were essential to making an automaton appear human. Because theirs felt so utterly artificial, they gave off an overwhelming sense of incongruity.
(Their movements are stiff, too.)
Since they likely were not based on the Adriana style, their movements were entirely mechanical.
(Even though they should have used the Quinta they captured as a reference...)
Controlling Jin D, Jin figured that because the original design had been too complex, they had probably simplified various aspects of it.
Their facial features differed slightly from one another, so one could just barely tell the five "people" apart.
"Will you not introduce yourselves as well?" Deus Ex Machina asked.
"Oh, quite right," the one acting as the spokesperson replied.
"I am Eas. These beside me, in order, are Zveid, Drys, Katol, and Suenk."
"I see, Lord Eas. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Noting that the names had a ring somewhat reminiscent of numerals or counting words, Jin D and Maquina accepted the introductions. The Jagus Principality's party did not seem to catch on.
With the greetings and introductions concluded, the group moved along.
They headed toward what appeared to be a conference room within the ship. Since this was done on foot, it seemed to be a bit... or rather, quite agonizing for the Duke of the Jagus Principality.
"Well then, please be seated."
"Pardon us."
Reiko, Jin D, Deus Ex Machina, and Rei sat side by side at what seemed to be a long conference table. Beside them, the seating order continued with Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus, Minister of Military Affairs Buena Haiti, Rokou B. Sihalo, and Roa Temp.
This arrangement was made out of consideration to place the Duke near the center.
Across from them sat Eas, Zveid, Drys, Katol, and Suenk, with twenty sailor golems—a slightly reduced number from earlier—standing behind them.
And then...
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Larva. I hope you will remember my name."
The one who appeared to be the masked man was present.
(Larva... huh. Nine times out of ten, there's no doubt he's the masked man.)
(This one is an automaton as well... though the craftsmanship is quite good....It's close to the Adriana style. It was likely made using Quinta as a reference.)
Jin, who was piloting Jin D, and Mentor, who was piloting Maquina, each formed their own impressions.
"Let us begin this discussion of ours," Larva said, seemingly acting as the chairman.
"First, we wish to hear your side of the matter," Larva addressed Jin D and Maquina.
Jin D replied.
"There are many things... but first, we want you to cease invading sovereign nations in order to forge a 'magi-led world.'"
"Indeed. Having specific individuals lead the world is nothing less than a dictatorship. We are resolutely opposed to that," Deus Ex Machina added.
"And here I wondered what it was, only for it to be something so trivial."
On the Neo-Magias side, Eas took on the role of responding.
"What is wrong with a dictatorship? A council system or a democracy may have their good points. But they also have their flaws. In that same vein, to look only at the shortcomings of a dictatorship while turning a blind eye to its merits—what do you make of that?"
To this, Maquina answered.
"Forms of governance and political systems vary, and each possesses both advantages and disadvantages. That, we understand. However, we cannot condone a world where some people are oppressed while a select few reap all the sweet benefits."
Eas countered Maquina.
"Those who are oppressed are those who cannot use magic. The populace receives treatment according to their abilities. Is that not entirely natural and just?"
This time, Jin D fired back.
"Treatment according to ability, is it? On the surface, that might sound reasonable, but what is ability?"
"What?"
"How do you identify ability, and how do you evaluate it? If the outcome changes depending on the evaluation method, that can hardly be called reasonable."
Jin D objected strongly.
This was the very same argument he had made during his dialogue in Saichi Village of the Norha Principality with Jagus Special Investigator No. 99, who had gone by the name Alto Elbein at the time.
"A person's aptitudes cannot be easily judged. If it were a simple test of physical strength, you would know right away by having them perform it, but true ability does not work that way."
"..."
Listening to Jin D's argument, Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus felt the words sting a bit.
"Even if someone cannot use magic, they might have a talent for swordsmanship. Even if they lack the physical stamina to be a soldier, they might possess the talent of a strategist. Even if they are inept at attack magic, they might excel at Healing magic."
(...I see, there is truth to that... No, it makes total and complete sense...)
In his heart, Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus was doing some self-reflection.
If one shifted perspectives slightly, the doctrines and claims of Neo-Magias shared common ground with those of the Jagus Principality.
(Looking at it from another angle makes me realize just how distorted our country's educational doctrine has been...)
Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus was by no means a Foolish King. In fact, judging by his mental acuity alone, one could even call him a wise ruler.
It seemed the seeds sown by the magi-brain and Eiji 1 were finally beginning to sprout here.
However, the members of Neo-Magias were obstinate.
"Hah, is that all? Magical talent surpasses everything! Magical ability transcends all else!"
The one who shouted this was Zveid.
"Precisely! All other talents and all other abilities are secondary!"
Eas jumped on the bandwagon and declared as well.
"...I see. In that case, why did Neo-Magias attempt to attack the Jagus Principality?" Jin D asked in a tone tinged with irritation.
The one who answered this question was Drys.
"To display our power, and because we desired a land to serve as our foundation."
"Don't mock me!"
At Drys's brazen words, Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus shouted in open fury.