"Hmm, this is the position?

Yes.

Can you tell me why you want to know?

Rand 11 had to be very careful, as how he answered this question might determine whether would be a friend or a foe.

So, he takes some time to think about it. It took him about 1.5 seconds.

"............My master felt a sense of urgency when he guessed that it was you who had destroyed <>. That is why he was looking for you.

He decided to give an honest answer and see how <> would react.

I see, I don't doubt that feeling... ......

"No?"

Let me ask you a question in the opposite direction. What would you do if I did not tell you my position?

"Well, ...... you can keep trying to persuade me, or you can ......"

"Would you somehow find out the position here?

"I guess so."

"I'm sure." ...... Okay, I'll give you a hint. I'll just give you a hint.

Are you sure?

Yes. Land 11, you and your Land 12 seem to have the edge. I, for one, don't want to fight too much.

You and the makers of you," said .

"It's not on the ground, in the earth, or in the sea.

"So it's in the air."

I still draw that conclusion from that alone? ...... So you mean that you can fly easily.

<

"You can never be too careful, can you, <>?"

"No, no, not as good as yours.

Although his tone was gentle, Land 11 and 12 realized anew that <> was a deceiver after all.

As for me, I would like to ask Rand 11 and Rand 12 a lot of questions.

"...... Don't think that I will divulge information about the master so easily."

No, no, that's not what I meant. Well, you don't have to answer questions you can't answer.

So what is it you want to ask me?

"Well, what is the purpose of ...... you makers?

"To live a peaceful life."

I have no problem answering that.

I see. So you want information about me, an unknown entity, or possibly a dangerous one.

I see.

"And what do you think your makers will do when they find out about my position at ......?

"Yes, I do. ...... would probably try to have a <> first."

"Well, <>, huh? That's quite interesting.

This answer seemed to satisfy .

"You have that much technology, and you want peace?

"It has nothing to do with technology. It's not about technology. The master is like that.

...... is really interesting.

It seems that is beginning to take an interest in Jin, Rand 11 thought.

He has the technology, but he wants peace. ...... what does your maker want?

"I just want to make whatever I want, however I want, that's all."

Rand 11 answered as nonchalantly as possible.

But the world is not that simple. There are connections with other people. If you have the technology, you can be depended on.

Dependable, huh? ...... That's a bit of a hard concept to grasp, isn't it?

"Yes, that's right. <

Oh, you know that much?

That's right.

At this point, MG-1 interrupted from the side.

"We've got eight salvaged from with us."

<

Rand 11 thought there was a slight change in the atmosphere in <>.

......Can you tell me more about that?

Specifically, the tone of his voice seemed to have become a little lower.

No, I know that the auditory sensor of Rand 11 is normal, so it is definitely lower by about a semitone.

What that means, I don't know.

"You know that in <>, the of eight <> were ?"

Yes, of course. They have been together for about 4000 years in the same facility .......

And <, because of <>, they were judged to be just barely in the category of .

But ......<>?　What do you mean?

"U......"

Here MG-1 realized that he had made a mistake, but it was already too late.

Salvage the that had been ?　You mean you gave it a ?

"Yes, that's right. ......."

Who did that?

Rand 11 and Rand 12 thought it was a bad idea, but they couldn't get there in time, and MG-1's name leaked out of his mouth. But they couldn't get there in time, and the name leaked out from MG-1's mouth.

"Jin-dono ....... I'm the creator of ......, the land of ......."

"Oh, your name is Jin. The creator of Land 11 and Land 12, the one who has the means to fly, and who can give a body to an "ego" that is supposed to be mere data.

's tone of voice has changed. The tone that had been soft has become hard.

The that is not supposed to be in this world is revived. This is a violation of the law.

Land 11 and 12 guessed that they had violated 's ethical standards. They once again assume combat readiness.

Where is this Jin person?

The question was not so much to whom, but to everyone present.

"I am not obliged to answer."

Rand 11 answered.

......　We can cripple you and then read your control core.

That's impossible.

Why?

We can destroy ourselves if we do that.

Hmm. So you're going to that length to protect your creator. Is that your own will?　Or is that your command?

Of its own will. The master does not like his creatures to be destroyed.

Hmm?

There was a slight air of admiration, but <> quickly returned to his original stiff tone.

But you said MG-1. You can't do that.

Land 11 tells MG-1 and the others, who are about to turn the tables on him.

"MG-1 doesn't know the details, do they?"

What?　...... I see. I guess so.

Pose instantly realized that unless Jin was at or its affiliated facilities, MG-1 would have no way of answering the question.

"In the first place, is that really a violation of your <?"

Yes. Think about it. A human being who should not exist can exist again, no matter what the vessel is.　Many people would like that. But where do you draw the line?

<

<

And the , revived as homunculus, would also be in conflict with 's , Land11 thought, and resolved that a clash was inevitable.