At 1 p.m. on the same day, of the < arrived at the garrison of the .
The location is near the coast to the east of the capital Mahaliegh. This location was chosen because of the level ground and the ease of communication with the naval vessels.
"Deus ex machina, welcome to our mission.
The squad leader, Northern Quetos, greeted them.
"You are Northern Quethos, aren't you?
"Oh, I am so glad to know you, sir.
Makina and Northeron shook hands.
"I understand what's going on. So that's the bandit?
<.
The one leading him is .
"That's a fine golem, isn't it? Of course you made that one, didn't you, Lord Machina?
Yes, they are.
As they walk side by side, Northanon Quetos is talking to them. In fact, he is a big fan of Makina as well as Fritz.
"Excellent! Our researchers are doing their best. ......"
"......After all, the upheaval caused by the <> has hurt us."
"Yes, it's frustrating that our own <> was no exception.
In that respect, Jin and I have not been affected by it.
I envy you. ............ Um, where is Makina-dono's base?"
"Right now it is between the Shoro and Cerroa kingdoms. Or rather, the border between the Shoro Kingdom and the Kingdom of Celuloa, offshore on the extension of the Border River.
"What?
Northanon Quetos was surprised, as he had not expected to be told about this.
"That would be on the other side of <> across the peninsula at the southern tip of the Kingdom of Cerroa.
"Is that so?"
Northerner felt as if he had been told a great secret.
Makina was thinking of opening her base to the public, so she thought it might be a good idea to tell them a little at a time like this.
While we were talking about this, all the bandits were taken into the temporary prison of the garrison.
The prison was just a shack with simple bars.
"According to Jin, most of them are brainwashed. To break the brainwashing, there is a magic called .
Wakening?
Yes, <>. It is a magic developed by the Mistress of Djinn and is characterized by the fact that there is almost no physical pain like stun.
"Ha-ha-ha, that's amazing, isn't it?"
"I'll make a magic tool for de-brainwashing in the near future.
Saying this, Makina fired a <> at everyone who was tied to the ropes.
"......?"
"...... what?"
The bandits, who had been glaring at Makina and Nothernon with hatred, suddenly turned dumbfounded.
"Why in the world did I ever ...... think I could do that?"
"How could I have done that and not thought ...... about it?"
"......oh, why didn't I notice it before......"
"It's like a fog has lifted from my head. ......"
Most of them don't seem to know why they committed crimes with impunity when they come to their senses after the brainwashing.
But....
"Kuu...... I didn't know there were people who could break the brainwashing spell. ......"
There was one guy whose <> didn't work, or rather he was not brainwashed from the beginning.
Makina and Norsanon guessed that he was probably their leader.
So they decided to move the sane ones to another place.
Seventeen silent golems carried one person per golem.
It was no wonder that those being carried were terrified.
Meanwhile, the man who was left alone asked,
What are you going to do to me?
he asked in a brusque manner.
NORTHANON answered him,
"Interrogation ....... I want you to be honest with me."
Of course he did.
What?
First of all, what do you want?
I'll answer you then. The rule of Vladimir Khangasone Mercana over this country.
"...... are you serious?"
The Principality of Mercana is currently under the temporary control of the as an autonomous region.
As soon as it can be administered by its own citizens, the <> intends to withdraw from it, but this will not be possible until the civil unrest and civil strife are eliminated.
Nothernon asked if he knew this,
"What's wrong with asserting our natural rights?
The answer was, "What's wrong with asserting our natural rights?
In the first place, the Mercana family is the reason this country was established. Therefore, Vladimir Khangasone Melkhana should rule this country.
"I don't think that's right."
At this point Yumis Isle, the deputy commander, interrupted. Northerner decided to leave it to her logical mind for the moment.
"Look back at history. This country was founded by settlers in the first place. No matter how far back in history you go, there is no time before 3579 in the continental calendar.
"......"
"And since it was settled after 3579, the reason for who governs it is weak."
"......"
"Moreover, the Mercana family is not even mentioned in the early days of the settlement. As I recall, they first appeared in the history of the country in 3636."
Nothernon, who was listening at the side, was inwardly surprised at the erudition of Yumis.
"The history books don't tell us how the House of Mercana came to rule this country,...... at least not at the behest of the people, that's for sure."
"G......"
"Now, let me ask you again. Do you really think that it is right and just for the House of Mercana to rule this country?"
"Of course I do."
"...... I see. ......"
Eumis Isle said ruefully.
"Then please cool down a little more."
Thus, the first interrogation ended without much success.
* * * *
With Deus ex Machina, who had been a bystander all this time, Northanon Quetos, Eumis Isle, and the other three decided to discuss the matter in a separate room.
"After the ......<> was lifted, the 17 people seemed to show a normal reaction, that is, they were reflecting on what they had done so far."
This was the result of a simple interrogation after the golem had taken them out, said the deus ex machina.
"In the first place, the former Principality of Mercana was a dependency of the country across the sea, ......<>, wasn't it?"
"You're right, Makina-sama."
Yumis Isle nodded.
"I also think there is something wrong with that, but I didn't know enough about the Duchy of Jagus to be able to point it out."
"You mean to say that the Mercana family is under the sway of the Duchy of Jagus?"
Yes, master Makina. That is what I think."
"Ummm......... well, you said <>, doesn't he know something about this?"