［What more do you want?]

This planet, Arus, does not belong to Hale. It belongs to all life now.

［Nonsense. Do you know how many lives we took when we made it habitable?]

It is ......

is at a loss for words.

［You are no better than we are. Then we, the ancestors, must take precedence.]

No, I do not agree with you.

［What?]

Jin's doppelganger (Jin D) interrupted.

"Living things strive to live. That's all."

［What do you mean?]

"Don't you understand?　I'm saying that if their lives are threatened, they will resist.

［The barbarian?]

Which one of you can't even touch a barbarian?

［You're a man of your word, aren't you?]

That's you. ......

Jin D. is also disgusted.

"If you want us to help you, just say so. If that's the case, we're more than willing to help."

［Speak nonsense. What can we ask of barbarians who fight amongst themselves on the same planet, and in the process, drastically reduce its population?]

The voice seems to know about the war.

"It was a conspiracy. Now the nations are trying to join hands.

［He calls them barbarians. Joining hands?　Is it not the act of the weak?]

It seems that mutual understanding with the owner of the voice is difficult.

I thought we had left that phase tens of thousands of years ago, when we were all competing for our survival.

spoke up again.

The must have broken away from such practices and were living on free magical elements (ether) supplied by the stars. Are you denying that?

［Don't talk nonsense, you ignorant piece of junk. As for myself, I only follow orders.]

* * *

You've given up all thought.

<

On Horai Island, Jin and the old man are analyzing the exchange.

"I knew it."

<

"I see."

<<

The "Mere Old Man's" analysis. You are very different from the "Mere Old Man" who is a magic brain that can think and behave freely, although there are some limitations.

* * * * * *

is not only on Ars, but on other planets as well.

did not give up and tried to persuade him.

［I only follow instructions.]

Don't you have free will?

［Stop laughing. There is no such thing as a creature.]

Unexpectedly, the mysterious voice was confirmed to be a , or at least not a human being.

［If you interfere, I'll show no mercy.]

That's our line. If you endanger this planet and its inhabitants, I will not remain silent.

is and has been instructed by its to protect this planet, and there can be no compromise between the two.

［What can a planet of degenerates, weak people and barbarians do?]

Here again Jin D interjects.

"You call us barbarians and savages, but do you think you are so superior?　If so, it's ridiculous."

［What?]

"What were you doing sneaking around in fear of those barbarians?"

［You. ......]

The old man is controlling the doppelganger now.

They are deliberately trying to provoke and elicit a different response.

［The barbarian is being cheeky.]

"You're doing something that will make that barbarian think you're a fool. Don't you think it's pathetic that we have to depend on a planet with barbarians in the first place?"

[......]

"Oh, you can't reply anymore?"

Indeed, as if at a loss for words, the mysterious voice fell silent.

"Lando and the others, be on the lookout. Reiko, you take care of the guards."

In the meantime, Jin D. got to work on the problem of .

"Yes, sir."

When he finished giving the instructions, Jin D. took this opportunity to start examining the immobilized .

"Well, the joints are corroded and the movement is not good. The muscle fibers are intact, but their attachments are dissolved. This is why he is unable to move.

He then invokes engineering magic.

"<><><><>......"

The work is completed in about 5 minutes.

"Thank you, <>.

"It's just a stopgap measure, so don't overdo it, okay?"

Then, as if waiting for the repairs to be completed, the mysterious voice echoes again.

［I still think you are dangerous. We will exterminate you here.]

How can you come to such a conclusion?

* * * *

The old man concluded so at Horai Island.

"It seems so."

<

"I understand. But where should we go?

We can't do anything until we know.

"Up there?"

>.

The old man guessed the floor level, taking into account the images he had seen with the telescope.

"I see. Let's leave the arguing to and let Reiko go on."

Jin used the manacam to give instructions to Reiko.