>.

First report.

.

"Well, it could be a volcanic eruption, so that still doesn't rule out the possibility of a naturally formed island."

<<

"What do you mean?"

>

According to your explanation, the part of the rock that is out at sea is a single rock, but the part that is submerged in the sea is not.

<

These are the names of the rocks that Jin is familiar with.

Granite is igneous rock that solidified deep underground, basalt is igneous rock that solidified at shallow depths or at the surface. Slate is a sedimentary rock formed by the accumulation of clay.

Just because these rocks are found in the same place, it is very likely that they did not form naturally.

Please check to see if there are other rocks of the same type on nearby continents."

.

As it turned out, it was found immediately. The coastline was basalt, a rocky hill about 3 km inland from the coast was a granite mountain, and part of the seafloor was exposed slate.

"This makes it even more likely that it is a man-made island.

Jin, Erza, and Goose watch the images sent by one of the mermaid squads.

Golem and the others are quick and sure of their work.

Not long after, Utsumi approaches.

The wards have been set.

Mermaid566 reports.

"Warding... ...... is proof that there is something there..."

"Brother Jin, if we find out what kind of wards they are, can't we get some clues as to who made them?"

Erza made a suggestion.

"Yes, that's a good idea. "Yes, that would be great.

.

Then they waited for 5 minutes.

Master, I have never seen anything like this before.

Mermaid 566 reported directly to me.

Can you analyze it?

Can you analyze it? ...... Yes, I think it's a detection system.

"...... I see."

Wards are, so to speak, nets made of magic.

There are several types, but < is the most used in Horai Island. In this case, depending on the size of the mesh, it can be used for solid, liquid, gas, or a combination of them.

What we have to pay attention to here is how to realize the selective boundaries such as <> or <>.

Since the size of molecules is larger in solids than in gases, it is relatively easy to bounce solids through a large mesh and let liquids and gases pass through, just as in a sieve.

But how can we do the opposite, that is, allow solids to pass through but not gases?

One answer is <><><>> is the keyword.

Molecules of gas cannot pass through the net, but the mass of the solid can break through the net and pass through. In this case, the mesh adheres closely along the perimeter of the solid, preventing the passage of gas in the confusion. The hole through which the solid has passed is instantly repaired.

This type of construction is common.

On the other hand, the wards here are detection wards. It is said that if the magic net is broken, it will be detected and an alarm will be issued.

This type of warding is suitable for narrow places such as corridors.

"So if they force their way through, an alarm will be triggered.

We have no idea what will happen, and neither do we want that to happen.

"What should we do ......?

Jin thinks of using the transporter to go to the other side of the boundary.

"Old man, send the necessary transporter to Mermaid 566.

Most of the magic tools are stocked with spare parts, except for one item.

The "Mere Old Man" sends out five short-range transporters for Mermaid 566 and her colleagues. With transporters, of course.

Master, I have received them. I will now infiltrate with the other four.

Mermaids 566, 567, 568, 566, 567, 568, 569, and 570 moved to the other side of the detection field.

Incidentally, I would like to add that since they could not be transferred underwater, they had to go into the air, float in the air with the <>, and then slowly dive into the water, which was a very troublesome procedure. Of course, in doing so, he was invisible. When I received the transporter, I was still at the surface of the sea.

"So we've barely completed the first stage..."

Jin said with a slightly disgusted look on his face.

"But we have no choice. We have to be as stealthy as possible.

"That's the way it is, Jin."

"Brother Jin, why don't we have lunch while we're at it?"

Yes, father. We need a change of scenery.

Goose, Elsa, Reiko. Jin got up from his seat.

He thought about having them bring the meal to the control room, but Erza and Reiko might get angry with him, so he decided to go to the mess hall.

After finishing his meal, he came back to the dining room and received a report from the Mermaid team.

When he returned after finishing his meal, the report from the Mermaid team had just come in.

There are no large fish in the inland sea. There are only small fish, shrimp and shellfish. The waves are calm and the sea grass is thriving.

"I see. I see.

Goose nodded.

All the rocks inside seem to be basalt.

"Then, the original rock ...... or <> might be a volcanic island."

The cause of the volcano is a secondary question.

"And the concentration of free magical element (ether) here is close to zero.

So we're still looking for a ...... negative singularity?

"If so, it's a mystery how the wards get their magic power. ......

Jin nodded in reply to the old man's words.

"Take your time and search underwater. There may be traps or something hidden in the water."

As expected, the search is not going to be finished by the end of the day.

As night fell, Jin, Elsa, and Goose left the command center, had dinner, and retired to their rooms.

"It bothers me."

<, let out a few words.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, the long-period planets and the Antarctic survey are not progressing as well as I had hoped."

"Don't be in a hurry. You're the only one who can do this, so just stay calm and composed.

"That's right, father."

Reiko offered him a cup of hojicha tea and added, "I'm sure there will be a breakthrough.

"I'm sure you will find a way out of this. So for now, please rest in peace.

"I see. I see. ...... Thank you, Reiko, Elsa.

Jin sipped his green tea and smiled.

"It just occurred to me that there might be some gravitational effects if a <> comes close to us. We may need to take such countermeasures.

"You mean a gravity control device?"

Yes. We may need to prepare a large scale, a very large scale.

"I see. How about mining resources from a long-period planet and sending them to us?" "Yeah, that's another idea.

"Yeah, that might be a good idea.

The night went on with such conversations.