Near evening, Bafrosk, the leader of the <> clan, and others who had been unconscious awoke.

"What ...... happened?"

"You noticed, Bafrosk?"

Jaralaros, who had noticed a little while ago, looked into Bahroosk's face from the bed next to him and said.

"Jaralldos ....... What the hell happened to you?"

"Don't you remember?"

Bahroosk sat up in bed, shook his head a couple of times, and let out a moan.

"That time ...... when you thought ...... Shuju (侏じゅ) appeared ...... out of nowhere. threw a silver ball,...... and I can't remember from there."

Jaralados quietly announced to Baphlosk, who held his head and moaned.

"It's the Aether Stampede."

"What?"

"That was the Aether Stampede, the Devil's Cry.

Hearing this, Bahrovsk was speechless for a while. Eventually, he seemed to have accepted the fact, and the strength returned to his voice.

"Why did you save me at ......?　No, you too!"

"Because I was saved."

What?

"The automata created by Magecraft Meister Jin, who was present at that moment, had just put up a ward that encompassed me, Belial, and you. But even so, the power of the Aether Stampede could not be prevented, and the lack of free magical element (ether) caused us all to lose consciousness.

"......"

Baphlosk turned his head again and thought. He was not convinced that he had been saved by the Magecraft Meister, whom he had denied.

But in the process, he realized a more pressing problem.

Yes, that's right!　What about the rest of the clan!"

"......"

Jaralldos wondered for a moment if he should tell the truth, but he decided to tell it as it was, knowing that he would find out sooner or later.

"......Twenty of us survived, including you. The rest are ......."

"......20 people?　My tribe of 100 people?　What?　< clan?"

Bafrosk is shocked and holds his head in his hands. Jaralldos could not say anything, because he knew how he felt.

But Bafroscu, perhaps feeling better, immediately lifted his head.

"...... was it that dwarf who did it?"

"Ah, yes. He is . He's plotting to destroy us by making demons and humans fight. He is our true enemy!

Baphlosk listened to these words with a dark expression on his face.

"I would have explained myself earlier, but after all that fuss..."

Jaralldos was not forgetting to remind him of this.

"...... Let's hear everything you wanted to explain."

Bafrosk said in a dark voice. Jaralds, sorry for Baphlosk, but taking this opportunity to be rational, explained what he had found out so far.

Is it true that our ancestors came from the sky? And <>...... Xu."

After he had finished listening, Jaralldos did not notice the dark fire in Baphlosk's eyes.

"So, what were you going to do now?"

Jaralldos was pleased that Bahrodosk was being honest, and explained that at the moment, Magecraft Meister Jin's men were searching for the base of .

"I see. I've heard that the Magecraft Meister's technical prowess is considerable. I'm sure we'll find it sooner or later."

With these words, Bahrovsk lies down on his bed and closes his eyes. Jaralldos has said all he needs to say, and lies down once more, his body still in a state of shock.

* * * *

Meanwhile, Lao Tzu was lurking in the ventilation opening leading to the command center of the base of <>.

(You transferred and came back again in 2 seconds. You're pretty quick, aren't you?)

Then, he goes back to observe. In the meantime, he learned that an "ether stampede" had occurred.

(Probably the purpose was to put the responsibility for the death of the militant group on the master (Mylord) and to cause a schism within the group. But it was fortunate that Bafrosque survived and was broken by Anne).

Then, the danger of "ether stampede" is discussed.

(Now that there is no way to prevent it, even Reiko-san would not be able to move, let alone me.)

(Now that there is no way to prevent it, even Reiko, let alone me, can't move.) If a silver ball, which seems to be a magic tool for activation, is thrown in front of me, but if it happens by surprise or when I am not looking, I can't do anything about it.

(We have to take countermeasures in cooperation with the master (my lord).

The main body of the group, My Lord, together with Jin, considered various possibilities.

First of all, they started with a detailed examination of Anne who had been called back to Horai Island.

"...... The surface of the control core (control core) seems to have been eroded."

It can be said that the technology from the previous generation, in which the magic formula is engraved inside the magecrystal, has been successful.

"It might have been dangerous if the "ether stampede" had continued a little longer, ...... the barrier might have had some effect."

Jin was relieved that he had not lost his precious Anne.

The next step was to analyze the results of the examination of the demon's body for "ether stampede.

The silver ball we retrieved was empty, or rather, there was only a little dust inside.

Jin guessed that the magic crystal for activation had probably collapsed due to the "Aether Stampede".

It is known that mages take in free magic element (ether) in the air by breathing, etc. and transform it into magic element (mana) in their bodies.

The that transform the free magic elements (mana) into mana are not special. It is a cell.

As mitochondria are responsible for the energy cycle called the TCA cycle and supply energy to living things, there are what we might call magi-mitochondria in the cells of mages, which produce magic element (mana). The quality and quantity of these magi-mitochondria are very high.

The quality and quantity of these magi-mitochondria are thought to determine the total amount of magical power of a mage.

Let's take a break from the above.

<<

Jin nods his head in agreement with this hypothesis. There is nothing in particular to deny it.

"Then, the next step is to consider countermeasures.

That is the more pressing issue.

"Scales and leather of the grand dragon, if we use them to shield the control core, it will be effective, won't it?

It may not be enough, but it is better than nothing.

"That leather also keeps converting mana into free magic element (ether), doesn't it?"

<

"Indeed."

After that, they continued to discuss various ideas, but they could not come up with any good ones.

Then a thought occurred to him.

"Hey, do you think <<700672>> knows anything about the Aether Stampede?

<

"Yes, but maybe you can give us your opinion on the Aether Stampede?"

Anyway, we don't have time.

If we had a few days, Jin and the others would be able to analyze the "Aether Stampede" in more detail, but right now, time is of the essence.

"You know the coordinates of that room, don't you?

"Okay, I'll go there and ask them myself."

But Jin denied it.

"You called Alectus 'Fallen' and didn't reject him, didn't you?　Then I'll be fine too."

"Oh, okay. Contact Reiko and let her come back here temporarily.

So the old man contacted Reiko with his manacam. And sure enough,

.

>. However, Jin's curiosity was not so weak as to back down.

"In the first place, where are the randos now?　You said you've removed all the transfer markers and I'm going to put on my reinforced clothes. And you, Reiko, come with me. How's that sound?"

<

Reiko reluctantly agreed. She immediately uses the warp gate to return to Horai Island.

Then the old man showed Reiko a gun.

<

"Yes, sir."

In case of emergency, they would use the transfer gun to force Jin to move to the other side and evacuate.

Anyway, Jin took all possible measures and used the transporter to move to the base where was located.

"......This is the inside of the .

Jin stepped on the floor of the ancient spaceship. <

"We have been expecting you, master."

Land 31-40 and Smith 11-20 greeted Jin.

"Thank you all for your hard work. So, where is room 700672?

I'm interested in the magi-machine here, but first I have to finish the purpose of my visit.

Yes, there it is.

Reiko points to a place where there is indeed a door-like line carved on the wall.

"Wow, the gap between the wall and the door is tiny. It's a great precision."

Saying this, Jin stroked the surface of the door with his hand.

Then, just as when Alectus had touched it, the door opened without a sound.

<

"Who are you?"

Unlike last time, the awakened utters a whois.

"Sorry to disturb you. My name is Jin Nido. I've come here to ask you something.

Jin Nido stands at the entrance, introduces himself, and explains the purpose of his visit.

But the man on the bed, , looks at him and narrows his eyes.

"You made those wonderful automata, didn't you?"

"Yes. Do you understand?

"Yes, I do. I can feel the magical connection. More than that, the automaton is trying to protect you, every inch of the way.

The white girl by the bed ......Neige heard this and moved to snuggle up to the 700672 She moved to snuggle up to the 700672 woman.

"So, what is it you want to ask me?"

"<>...... no, I'm here to borrow your wisdom on how to deal with <>."