As Jin pondered how best to settle the current disturbance, Laojun spoke up.
"My Lord, for now, let us simply sink those ships."
"Huh?"
"There are no living humans aboard, and once they are sunk, we can salvage the wreckage for resources."
Jin blinked at Laojun's rather radical proposal.
"Hmm, I suppose that is an option."
"Naturally, that is after securing the five 'people' and Larva before the ships go down."
"...Wait a second. If we're capturing them anyway, do we really need to sink the vessels?"
When Jin questioned the necessity, Laojun provided an explanation.
"Yes, My Lord. What you say is true. However, there is meaning in sinking them."
"Meaning?"
"First, to put on a demonstration for Duke Niestol of the Jagus Principality."
"Ah, I see."
At present, Duke Niestol of the Jagus Principality was aboard the Aristotle.
Judging by his recent behavior, the haze that had clouded his vision seemed to have cleared considerably.
Laojun evidently believed that demonstrating the overwhelming might of Jin and Deus Ex Machina now would finally draw the frog out of its well and introduce it to the wider world.
"Furthermore, it serves the purpose of observing the reactions of those five 'people' and Larva. Larva's in particular."
"I see. That certainly is intriguing."
"We shall cut off their retreat beforehand, of course."
Even if Larva attempted to flee to the ruins of Mount Nakyu via Teleportation, they would intercept and capture him there, Laojun stated.
"We must sever the root of this calamity here and now."
And if they could enlighten the Duke of the Jagus Principality at the same time, it would kill two birds with one stone, Laojun added.
"Hmm, so a flashy display is part of the requirement, is it...?"
Reinhard crossed his arms and let out a thoughtful groan.
"Precisely. It is unlikely that either the five 'people' or Larva will yield unless we strike them decisively. Though the five 'people' are merely an afterthought at this point."
Without Larva, the five "people" posed no real threat, Laojun noted.
"Just to satisfy my curiosity, would capturing only Larva not be enough?"
Saki posed the question to Laojun.
"Well, while that would not pose a major problem, he appears to overestimate his own strength. There is genuine interest in seeing how he reacts once that confidence is thoroughly shattered."
"Makes sense. Plus, there's the demonstration for Duke Niestol of the Jagus Principality, right?"
Laojun continued to elaborate.
"Additionally, by striking them decisively, we will ensure that Neo-Magias cannot easily recover."
Constructing vessels of that scale required vast resources, labor, and massive dry docks.
Laojun estimated that it would take them anywhere from a decade to several decades to recover from such a loss.
"Yeah, I get it now. Thanks."
Satisfied, Saki nodded her thanks to Laojun.
"Furthermore, there is immense value in demonstrating to the people of this era that a powerful deterrent exists."
In short: a clear warning that anyone seeking to throw the world into turmoil would have to contend with this overwhelming force.
Though in this instance, the only ones witnessing it firsthand would be the Duke of the Jagus Principality and his immediate retainers.
"Kufu, so that's the play. Letting them know that anyone aiming for world conquest will have to answer to Jin and Deus Ex Machina."
In reality, it was just Jin.
"Yes, precisely. Since My Lord refrains from directly quelling disturbances in this era, we shall credit the deed to Deus Ex Machina."
Even four hundred years ago, it had been Deus Ex Machina who took the front lines against large-scale military actions.
"In my humble opinion, if My Lord positions himself as a deterrent to Deus Ex Machina instead, it should alleviate any unnecessary dread people might otherwise harbor toward you."
Jin thought to himself that Laojun had given this a remarkable amount of thought in its own way.
Moreover, regarding military guidelines, Jin reminded himself once more that this was Planet Ars; it could not be judged by the standards of Earth.
"I understand your reasoning, Laojun. Just make sure no one slips through the net."
"Understood, My Lord."
Rewinding the clock slightly to immediately after the Duke of the Jagus Principality and his retainers had evacuated aboard the Aristotle.
Having settled into a cabin within the Aristotle, Duke Niestol Kirillov Jagus of the Jagus Principality was deeply despondent.
Even the Persica juice served to him by the crew member Sky sat untouched on the table, save for a single initial sip.
"......"
Confronted so vividly with the ugly truth of his own actions, and having witnessed the sheer, terrifying power of Jin D and Deus Ex Machina... he was forced to reckon with just how profoundly foolish he had been.
"Your Grace, are you feeling unwell?"
Minister of Military Affairs Buena Haiti inquired with concern, but the Duke merely shook his head.
"No, do not fret. I was merely lost in my own thoughts."
"...Indeed, that prior incident was a bitter pill to swallow."
Buena Haiti seemed to share similar sentiments.
Judging that this quiet interval was necessary for them, Laojun had cleared the cabin of everyone except Sky 303, who remained on service duty. A heavy silence filled the room.
Before long, however, the atmosphere shifted.
"Lord Maquina and Jin-sama have returned."
Sky 303's voice echoed through the cabin.
"...So they made it back safely."
The Duke muttered softly, straightening his posture slightly.
Just then, Jin D and Deus Ex Machina entered the room, accompanied by Reiko and Rei.
"Good grief, they were persistent enough to give anyone a headache."
Those were the first words out of Deus Ex Machina's mouth.
"No kidding."
Jin D agreed casually.
Both spoke with the effortless nonchalance of people who had merely been swarmed by a few annoying gnats during a leisurely walk.
And then,
"Well then, now we can crush those three ships without any reservations,"
Deus Ex Machina muttered offhandedly.
"!?"
At the sight of the Duke of the Jagus Principality and his retainers reeling in shock at those words,
"Care to watch?"
Deus Ex Machina asked, gesturing toward the cabin's observation floor.
"Oh!"
"Th-This is...!"
The cover over the transparent floor panel had been retracted, offering an unobstructed view of the airspace below.
Through it, the enemy vessels actively bombarding the Aristotle were plainly visible.
"Waaaah!"
Something appeared to detonate right beneath their feet, causing Rokou B. Sihalo to let out an undignified shriek.
"Rest easy. We have a barrier active; attacks of that caliber won't even scratch us."
Reassured by Deus Ex Machina, Rokou flushed with embarrassment.
All the while, the barrage from below continued relentlessly.
"...Hmm, are those magi-stones embedded with an explosive formula?"
Jin D calmly analyzed the incoming assault.
"The propulsion doesn't rely on explosions, but compressed air. In other words, an air gun... or rather, an air-cannon."
Come to think of it, there had been an anti-aircraft air-cannon resembling a blowgun, Jin D recalled.
Technical Officer Roa Temp and Laboratory Director Rokou B. Sihalo stood in stunned silence, thoroughly astounded by his effortless analytical ability.