<>.

What is this?

It's a pattern of magic we haven't felt for over 2,500 years.

It looks like <>. ...... but there can't be any more <>. ...... No, what if it's in the outside world?

Just thinking about it is inconclusive.

< has ordered us to search for the owner of a magical reaction similar to that of the .

To do so, golems and live puppets that are moving around are an obstacle. Therefore, they are put on pause.

But the surveillance system in the tower, which is only equipped with an optical sensor, is unable to detect them.

Hmmm...... let's move one of the survey golems then.

Realizing that the surveillance system is not sufficient, decides to activate a golem for investigation.

It is a near-humanoid, about 170 centimeters tall, male adult.

It boasts sensors for sight, hearing, and smell that are 10 times more powerful than those of the regular type.

Go. But when you find the target, do not touch it.

Roger that.

And the survey golem is deployed.

And the survey golem was deployed.

About a minute. <

And then it happened.

The elevator moved, the doors opened, and a golem came out.

(It seems we are in an irregular situation.)

(Yes, it seems so.)

(The elevator seems to have moved. What should we do?)

（Let's wait a little longer. The golem that came out, if I'm right, is probably here to look for <> rather than us ....... If he finds it, he should come back to report. If he finds it, he will come back to report. (Follow them then.) (Understood.)

(Understood.)

The golem went around the entire floor, passing between the other stationary golems and automata, and finally found the simple magi emulator placed in front of the entrance/exit.

Without a single emotional movement, the golem snatches up the simple magi emulator.

<

The fact that he can find it and pick it up shows that he is an excellent golem.

The golem picks up the <> without crushing it, and heads straight for the elevator.

(Just as I thought. I guess he is going to report.)

（Shall I follow him?)

(Shall I follow him?) (Mm...) ...... shinobi san and four stay here in case something happens.

(Understood)

Basically, we will be working as a two man cell.

At last there are only two Shinobi, Shinobi I and II, and Shinobi I thinks that perhaps the next stop is the final destination.

The elevator doors open as the research golem approaches.

Shinobi 1 and 2 get into the elevator, being careful not to touch the golem's legs.

(Is it possible that the weight sensor will find us?)

(Can we say that it is not, but if the golem is supposed to find out something, it is natural that the weight is increased on the way back. (Rather, there is a risk of being detected if we are too cautious about it and use or .)

(Understood)

And the elevator started moving without being detected by the Shinobi Forces.

（It's underground, after all.)

(That point is the same.)

The elevator stopped as Shinobi Ichi was thinking that, just like the other , it seems that the is located underground.

（It looks like we've arrived. Let's get out of here without being noticed.)

（Roger that.)

* * * *

The golem that was dispatched for the investigation has returned. In his hand ...... or rather in his fingertips, he is holding what appears to be a small magical tool the size of a grain of sand.

I'm back!

Mm-hmm. You're back.

I'm sorry to report that we didn't find anything suspicious in the hall on the first floor, but we did find this magical tool by the doorway.

Mm. Place it there. And remain there until further instruction.

Yes, sir.

<

One minute passed.

<

It seems to be a magical tool that emits a specific magic pattern. But the Masters did not create such a thing.

If this is the case, then it must have been made by someone other than , but the pattern of magic power emitted is very similar to that of .

Therefore, it can be inferred that the creator is not unrelated to .

He concluded that there must have been someone who brought it into the house.

The following is the next instruction.

All golems and all willing puppets (live puppets) are ordered to There is an intruder inside the city. Find them with all your might. Do not engage in hostile action. Treat them with friendliness.

The Golems and Live Puppets, which until now had only repeated routine actions, began to move with autonomous thinking.

Okay, that's it. We will find them in a few dozen minutes.

However, no suspicious person or intruder is found after an hour.

Mmmm... ...... gone already?　No, it can't be. They are probably watching us at this very moment, waiting for our reaction.

My guess was correct.

Shinobi 1 and 2 were right under the control of the "Invisibles" and were right under the "Supervisory Magic Brain. <

And another hour passed.

"Hmm ...... still can't find it?

<

What did that being do this for?

After several assumptions and guesses, he leaves the most likely ones and sifts through them.

I guess he wants to make contact with me in peace.

However, I am unable to determine the reaction of myself, that is, the "general management magic brain" of this city. I guessed that this is why they did this experimentally.

I guessed that this was done experimentally. The probability is 72%.

<

Then, my reaction should be ......

<

That is, a call to the unknown intruder.

<