"So this is the planet of the <s>, Hale. ......"

Jin was visiting the planet Hale.

Accompanying him were Reiko, Elsa, Zion, Marikka, 700672, Neige, Rouge, and .

"It's a lonelier planet than I thought."

Neige said in a voice devoid of emotion.

"Yes, but this is definitely where I am from.

The 700672 has no memory of Hale.

It was only on Hale that he was created, and it was on Ars that he was implanted with knowledge and his ego was born.

Still, I wanted to come to Hale, 700672.

"...... Indeed, there are few foreign substances in the atmosphere. No dust, no microorganisms.

Elsa muttered as she finished her analysis.

All but Reiko and are wearing space suits, just in case.

"The air is similar to that of a sterile room. "The air is similar to a sterile chamber, but the humidity is lower. The air is not considered to be harmful to living creatures.

As soon as he heard these words, 700672 removed his spacesuit helmet and took a deep breath.

"......Oh, here we are. I don't remember, but my body, my cells seem to remember. I am sure this is my home planet.

Neige and Rouge looked at the tearful 700672 with some concern.

"Marikka, do you feel anything?"

"No, Mr. Zion."

No, Mr. Zion. I guess we are more connected to Ars than to Hale.

Sion gently opened his helmet and breathed in the air, but did not seem to feel any emotion.

Jin looked at Erza.

The sky of Planet Hale is a deep blue. The sky of Planet Hale is a deep blue, probably because the air is clear.

The wind, however, was dry and cold, repulsive to all living things.

"A dead star, huh?"

Looking at the mountains with my own eyes, I realized that they were gentle because they had been cut down to make materials.

What they consumed them for when the population was so small is a mystery. .......

"Perhaps they built a < to travel to distant worlds."

No. 700672 muttered.

You're probably right.

agreed.

"How can you be so sure?"

Jin questioned, wondering,

"I seem to have had some information in me that suggested such a thing," answered.

The 700672 answered.

It is the only possible explanation. To go beyond space would probably require a tremendous amount of resources, including free magical element (ether).

Jin imagined that probably had some fragments of information left behind, and that they had been activated by coming to Hale.

And as if to confirm his imagination, <> continued.

"It seems that the primordial program in my mind described what would happen if I came back to Hale.

I don't know what his intention was in leaving such information behind, but I am thankful that the mystery did not remain a mystery to Jin.

The reason why they needed a huge amount of materials was to build and operate a ship that transcends time and space. Whether it was completed or not, I do not know.

This is the reason why they were ordering materials such as free magical element (ether) from Ars.

The fact that the is not here suggests that it was completed and left, or that it was never built at all.

We do not know that now.

"If it had been completed, why didn't they just stop getting materials from Arus?"

Marikka says and <> replies apologetically.

Marikka, I am sorry. But if you'll excuse me, we can't stop unless we are ordered to stop.

"And after all that, you were robbed of your money by the "Beheshahr".

Reiko said bitterly.

Ah, so the creator of the Beheshah was not here, but on the satellite, wasn't he?

"That's right. Or, to be more precise, it seems that his follower built the Beheshah."

When Jin answers, 700672 says a little regretfully, "I wish I could have met him.

"I wish I could have met him. It was probably one of the oldest homunculus.

* * * *

The group gazes out from inside Vulcan at the planet Hale and its satellite Kuna.

"<>. I think it means "cradle."

Upon hearing the name, 700672 explained.

"So it was literally the cradle of the last Hailites.

As Jin, I am also filled with emotion.

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

"Well, the next problem is ...... and to be honest, it's a hassle. ......"

Now that the whole mess had been resolved, Jin was left to wonder how he would explain it to the outside world.

"Brother Jin, we have Mr. 700672 and here. Why don't you ask them for their wisdom?"

Jin nodded at Erza's advice.

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea."

Jin then explained what was troubling him.

"How should I explain about Hale?　I think we need to unify the will of the nations first.

Jin also explained the concept of the and the .

"It's ...... troublesome, isn't it? We who know the true power of Djinn and the people of Laurent who don't know. Do you think we can get along with them?

Theon muttered with a truly troublesome look on his face. Jin could understand that feeling, so he just laughed.

I think so. You can't have a true friendship if you keep secrets from each other.

"Well,...... I mean, my existence is still heretical,......."

"I don't mean it that way, Jin-dono. But it is certainly a difficult question.

Jin is a little disappointed when No. 700672 also says so.

"It's too early to talk about Hale, isn't it?

"I see. ......

"I think it's more important that we get this whole "world congress" thing going first.

"I agree. Unlike the Haelians, the Ars are relatively belligerent. On the other hand, they have strong vertical and horizontal ties. First of all, we must build a solid foundation and base, and then expand upward.

"I can sort of see that."

It seems that the next task is to .

Jin would like to leave this to <, and will do so.

"I'll think about how to do it a little more: ......"

I want to stabilize the world and live in peace.

I want a world where my friends and their families can live in peace.

I want the world to be safe enough to live in modern Japan.

That is what Jin had in mind.

He is not going to back out now, and he is not going to stop halfway.

"One piece of advice: the more people who help you, the better."

Mm-hmm. The original were individualistic, but we have seen their limitations. The new master, Marikka, cares for her family and has many friends. After all, people are connected to each other. It makes it possible to do things that one cannot do alone.

also spoke about the importance of comradeship. It seems that since Marikka became the new <, there has been a considerable change of mindset.

"One cannot live alone. I know that.

Jin mutters to himself.

"It's not so easy for me.

"Then I'll help you."

Erza responded to Jin's monologue.

"I'll help you, too!

Marikka also declared.

I'm willing to help you too!

Theon also showed his pride.

"Thank you. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

Jin looks out into space.

There were countless twinkling stars.