March 11.

In Reuthert's workshop, Gough and Rubina are installing an engine into a prototype.

Jin sees this and quietly tells Erza.

"It seems that there is some kind of trouble in the ."

"Mr. Zion and Mr. Rhodtos?"

"Yes.

Are you going to check on them?

Yeah, I guess so.

Okay. Have a good day. Give my regards to Theon and the others.

Thank you.

After exchanging these words, Jin and Reiko went back to Horai Island.

Of course, he explained the situation to Daikie and Cocona.

* * * * * *

After arriving at Horaijima, Jin first asked the old man about the details of the situation.

The old man explained to Jin the details of the investigation of the Sitong River in chronological order.

I see. So you are going to analyze the golem now?

It seems so.

So you think there's something there?

Yes.

Okay, I'll support you.

I think that's a good idea.

After such an exchange with the old man, Jin got ready.

He changed from his ordinary clothes to a more formal attire.

Since the <> is in Loisart, he decides to take the <> with him.

I called Hope, the pilot, and she and Reiko boarded the boat.

I brought Persica juice as a gift.

"Okay, I'm off.

"Take care."

The trip from Horai Island to the Nord Federation will be quick, since the old man will send the entire Pegasus 2 to the island with the transporter.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

At the airfield of the < clan territory, Zion greets me.

"Welcome, Jin.

"Hello, Zion. I heard you found ...... an old golem?

Yes. Yes. We're going to analyze it now. I'm glad you're here.

Without so much as a hello, Zion takes Jin to a warehouse outside the clan's territory. Jin followed with Hope and Reiko.

"Here we are."

"Here."

The large warehouse was cleared out and ten golems were laid out side by side.

"Oh, Mr. Jin, I'm sorry to bother you."

"Oh, Rorona, hello."

It seems that Rorona was called here because she knows about Filius the Humorous, who seems to be the creator of the golem.

In a corner of the warehouse, there were chairs and a table, where Rhodoth and other members of the <> were sitting.

In addition, Theon, Rorona, and Belial of the were also there.

Jin thought it was a pity that Maricka was not there.

* * * * * *

"Now that today's special guests have arrived, I would like to begin.

Rhodes is the facilitator.

"First of all, Miss Rorona."

"Yes?"

"......10 Do you know that a man named Filicius of the created the golems?"

Yes, I know of him.

Please tell me.

Yes, I know him.

At Rhodes' request, Lorona began to speak.

"Philistius the Humorous was an engineer about 500 years ago. He was an advanced thinker for his time.

"I see, so you had the ability to make such a golem.

That's what I mean. And he was also somewhat solitary, and didn't like to be pandered to."

< clan is the clan to which the Lardus belonged.

< clan lost over 80% of its members in a small-scale magical outburst called the Aether Stampede, which was initiated by the , and has virtually disappeared.

In general, many of them were extremists and belligerent.

Incidentally, there used to be a clan called <>, but it has ceased to exist.

This golem was created before such incidents, when the <> clan had a population of about 100 people.

"I remember that I once claimed that our history was being manipulated by someone. But I am sure no one listened to me at the time."

"Does that mean that you sensed the existence of ?"

"I don't know. I think only he would know that. He may have noticed something when he looked back on our history. ......

I see.

"If he made the golem and hid it, then I can only assume that it was to counteract that something. ......That's about all I can tell you about Philelicious."

"Thank you."

Rhodos thanked Rorona and now turned to Jin.

"Jin-sama, you are right. For further information, I think we need to examine the golem directly.

"Yes, I agree. I agree. ......, but was there any kind of record of where you found the golem?"

"Unfortunately, we did not find it. We are planning to send a second survey team to ...... in the future, so we may find something new."

"I see. ...... For now, all we can do is analyze the golem."

Yes. Can you help us?

"Of course."

Jin nodded. That was his original intention.

"Thank you very much. At ......, before I ask Jin-sama to analyze it, I would like to explain what it was like when it was discovered."

He was trying to make sure that Zion, Rorona, and Beerius, who were not part of the research team, would understand what was going on. And to Jin, of course.

"There is a branch at the end of the tunnel. ......

"There's a hydrogen sulfide buildup in some parts of the tunnel. ......"

Behind the door, there are 10 battle golems ......

Rhodes concluded by saying that they had also found what appeared to be a vein of adamantite ore.

"That's part of the survey team."

"That's good news. It's thawing season and we can send more people.

Theon responded. The Nordic Federation will have more means of earning foreign currency, which is good news.

"Now then, let's have the golem analyzed.

Finally, it was Jin's turn.

With Reiko and Hope as his assistants, Jin decides to analyze it.