Hitoshi D. and Reiko found submarines at the <> base in the northern part of the former Leonard Kingdom.
They found two torpedo-shaped submarines with a design that looks like a torpedo, and one with a design that looks like an origin submarine.
"Which would you like to examine first?"
"Well, let's start with the one that looks like the origin.
"Yes, I will."
Even Jin, who was piloting the submarine, was very interested in what kind of submarine <> had built.
He was also interested in the more -like design.
"This is it, this is it. A design that doesn't make any sense. I guess it's the result of putting functionality first and structure second. ......"
The is, for example, a torpedo in the shape of an airplane.
It is about 10 meters long. A submarine that looks like a is about 20 meters long, so it looks quite small in comparison.
<
However, when viewed from the front, it cannot be said to be a <> because it has wings on both sides.
"I guess this is a quiet, stable, and maneuverable plane."
"What do you mean?"
"Yeah. I haven't seen what the propulsion system is yet, but the lack of screws and jets leads me to believe that it is not a normal mechanical propulsion machine."
Jin D answers Reiko's questions and explains.
"By changing the angle of the wings, the attitude of the ship can be changed, so it can change direction. Since this ship is about 10 meters long, it should be relatively maneuverable.
Reiko then raised a further question.
"But if we use something like a <>, wouldn't it need no extra protrusions?"
"Yes, that is true. However, that method consumes a large amount of . <> on Ars into space, the concentration of free magic element (ether) in the southern hemisphere would have been low even at that time.
In other words, Jin said, the design would have taken into account the possibility of operating in areas with low free-magic element (ether) concentrations.
"With ......, I wonder if this is also a golem piloted ...... or equipped with a <>."
That would greatly reduce the equipment compared to having a human crew.
Jin imagined that this ship was designed and built as an unmanned vessel from the beginning, just as the < found at the bottom of the ocean was remotely piloted.
"......Wait, ......?"
"What's wrong?"
Reiko looked at Jin D, who seemed to have an idea, and a question mark appeared on her face.
"No, as the old man had speculated the other day, I thought there was a strong possibility that the <> had a pseudo-battle in such a >."
"...... I don't know."
"I suppose. ......This is a good opportunity for you to take control of the Jin D. I'm going to go and talk to the ."
"Okay. Take care, father."
"Yes. < with me.
So, Jin leaves the control of Jin D to the old man, and transfers to the facility on Mount Tahoka where the members of the are conducting a research.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Jin headed straight for the , who was investigating documents related to the history of the with Neige, Rouge, and the others.
"Oh, Jin-dono, is something wrong?"
"No, I was just curious about something, so I asked the <> about ......."
"Yes, there were three unmanned submarines in the former Leonard's Kingdom base. They all seem to have a , so to speak, a golem submarine.
"Hmm, go on."
"Hmm, go on." "Yes. ...... The we found on the ocean floor the other day was remotely piloted. The one we found this time is controlled by a control core. Can I assume that this difference is due to a difference in factions?"
"Oh, you have found a good point. You are indeed Jin-dono. I guess you're right.
"As I thought."
According to the explanation of the <>, the <> prefer remote control and the <> prefer control by the control core.
"......One more thing. Is it possible that the <> was used in a conflict between factions,...... or rather a competition?"
The <> seemed impressed by Jin's words.
"Well, I am in awe of your insight, Jin-dono.
"Well then, ......"
"Yes. I can't be 100% sure of that, but it seems that the masters sometimes engaged in combat by proxy as a form of entertainment.
So it is likely that the submarine was also built for proxy combat, the summarized.
"Then a shape that would be suitable for ambushing something on the ocean floor would be ......."
"Yes, to literally ambush the other party, I suppose."
"I see what you mean. ......"
Now we know the purpose of that triangular flat submarine.
Whether it was a competition or a fight, Jin could not be sure now, but he thought that he had discovered an unexpected aspect of the , whom he had thought was pacifist.
"I wonder if he was just a bit too much fun since he came to Ars, which is rich in resources."
"......Yes, perhaps."
The nodded his head with a wry smile.
* * * *
Jin decided to ask about the status of the confirmation of the documents as he came to the office.
How are you checking the documents?
"Well, it is worthwhile for me. After all, it is a valuable asset left to us by our .
"I'm sure you're right. But don't you know most of it?
"Certainly. But it is still a pleasure for me to be able to touch the footsteps of the .
< is tremendous.
The is a homunculus created by the for the purpose of supporting the .
However, even a homunculus has a will and feelings.
In particular, the <> who have lived for more than 5,000 years have developed feelings for their <>, their <>.
This is expressed on this occasion.
Jin understood this and therefore did not pursue the matter further.
"...... So, the new information is that the here is of a high grade."
"High grade?"
Jin parroted back the abstracted question.
"Yes, it is. I think it would be better for you to see the real thing.
< then placed an information plate in front of Jin.