Esaia, the capital of the Kingdom of Selroa.

On the morning of February 16th, the arrival of <>'s airship caused a great commotion in the castle.

The previous night's visit had been so dark that few had noticed.

Of course, since they came directly from Fort Lutgla, they were accompanied by all the members of the <>.

The four of them, Deus ex Machina III, Squire Rey, Soldier Sho Norigi, and Aleo Yoka Knights of the World Guard, went to the office to report to the King of the Kingdom of Selroa.

"Oh, is someone like me allowed to visit His Majesty?"

"I don't think there is anyone else in this country except you."

The soldier, Sho Norigi, was a little uncomfortable at the prospect of reporting directly to the king.

Aleo Yoka Knights calmed him down.

Apparently, a friendship was born after the two of them survived the crisis together.

In the office of the King of Beaux-Arts Valois de Cerlois were the Prime Minister, Dayne Saeme de Pars, and the Minister of Magical Technology, Cerijn Kokdan Memento.

"Now, I apologize for your fatigue, but I would like you to tell me what happened at <>. ...... Let's start with you, Sho Norigi."

"Yes, yes!"

The Prime Minister ordered Sho Norigi to tell the story of his arrival at Fort Rutgura with a tight look on his face.

He explained that he had been attacked while preparing for the night camp.

She was barely able to support herself, but when reinforcements arrived, there was nothing more she could do.

Just in the nick of time, Rey, a valet of Machina III, came to his rescue.

"Hmmm, I see. Do you have anything to add to the above, Mr. ...... Areo Yoka Nights?

Not really.

I understand. ...... Sho Norigi, thank you very much. You may step back.

Yes, sir.

The Prime Minister dismissed only Sho Norizi.

Unfortunately, he is of the lowest rank.

It is assumed that the contents of what is about to be discussed are too classified to be heard by the common soldiers.

The meeting is resumed with the remaining members.

We move to a small conference room adjacent to the office. The room is directly adjacent to the office, not through the corridor.

"Please have a seat first."

At the conference table are the King, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Magic and Technology from the Kingdom of Selroa.

< is Areo Yoka Knights of the .

And Machina III and his knight Rey.

The Prime Minister presided over the meeting.

"Now, first of all, we would like to hear from Makina about the Sori Kyokai.

"Okay."

The topic of discussion was the fact that although there may not be a direct connection to this case, there may be a connection somewhere down the line.

"I changed my appearance, lied about my name, and confirmed that <> were being used. He also seems to be using magic tools of <> to somehow unify the wills of his followers."

"What?" ......

As I thought.

I don't know about that. ......

The one who is most surprised to hear about Makina III is Aleo Yoka Knights of the . It's understandable, since he probably didn't hear it coming.

"And this is where it all ties in with this case. ...... The source of the drugs and the magical tools of suggestion seems to be an island in the south of Kupu. That's all I know so far about the <. ...... Oops, almost forgot. are taking those too. Whether they know it or not, I don't know.

"That's ......."

"But let's leave the <> out of it for now. We're here to talk about Fort Rutgula."

I see.

"So. I'll give you an interim report on the investigation that ...... Jin and I have been working on together.

Oh!

I'd love to hear that.

"As you know, the southern tip of this country is a town called Kupu. Beyond that, in the middle of the sea, there is an island of some size.

There is an underground facility there that was built during the <>, and although it is unfinished, it seems to have had some materials," Makina III explained.

"Somehow they found it and took some materials ......, probably some and ...... from there. I see."

"I see. ......"

"So that's how they got involved."

"And as I said the other day, it seems that the time of the magical brain in the basement of the fortress stopped at the time of the , and it overreacted to the magical power of the , who were called the at that time, and attacked them."

"Is that why we were attacked?　But there were no <> among them?

Areo Yoka Nights objected to Makina III's explanation.

In response, Makina III offered his own hypothesis.

"Yes. That's what's strange to me, but I think it's possible that the magical power pattern of someone in the <> was very similar to that of the <>."

"Ah, I see."

"In that sense, I think the captured Groma is suspicious."

"Yes, that's true."

"He's ...... at least human, right?"

"I won't know until I ask him, but maybe."

"I'll have to measure everyone's magical power patterns later.

The discussion was settled for the moment, and they decided to discuss how to disable the magic brains.

Then Makina III disclosed another fact.

"Actually, there was a large vault in the underground facility on the southern island of Kupu that could only be opened by <>."

"What?

"No, well, that great vault has already been breached in the form of a hole in the wall.

Makina III adds.

"That's a pity."

The Prime Minister said with a wry smile.

"So, if we had <>, we could make the magic brains in the basement of Fort Lutgula listen to us."

"Indeed, that is true.

"I think we can convince them properly and explain to them that the war of magic is over and that we are in contact with the northern tribes.

"I see, so you need to put them on the stage for that discussion.

"I see. So we need to put them on the stage for that discussion.

Makina III glanced at the king.

The young King of Cerroa looked at the Prime Minister with a face as if he wanted to go there himself.