Magicraft Meister Part 1

The continent of Gondor, the northern land of the demon tribe.

It is separated from the human continent of Laurent by the sea, and connected to it only by a narrow isthmus called the Great Pazdekst Isthmus.

The sea is inhabited by ferocious sea dragons and other demons, making navigation by ship or other means extremely difficult.

Therefore, the Pazdekst isthmus was inevitably used for traffic between the Gondor and Laurent continents.

Now, Jin (his double), Reiko, Anne, Rand 1. and Istaris, Sion of the demon tribe. Netros and Lucas, his followers and guards.

The above eight were about to head north through the isthmus in the quadrupedal ground vehicle, <>, that Jin had built.

"It looks like nothing is attacking us except the rock giants."

< clan. Ten of them were waiting for Jin and the others to attack. It was natural to assume that there were more traps.

However, Falcon 2 and 3, who were on alert in the sky, reported no more hostile reactions, at least on the Laurentian side.

< clan did not seem to be present.

"The isthmus is about five kilometers wide at its narrowest point. If we were to set a trap, it would be there.

"Yes, I think that Zion's idea is correct.

Theon and Istaris are in agreement. Jin agrees with that idea.

"In that case, we should pass through the isthmus during the daytime.

Anne, a blue-haired automaton, suggested.

"They must know we are here. If that is the case, we should pass through during the daytime when visibility is better.

With this suggestion, the group decided to spend the night on the Laurentian side of the continent. For the first time since their departure from Nido Castle, Capricorn 1 was out of action for an extended period of time.

"All right, let's check everything," he said.

However, the substitute doll (double) does not have the same magical engineering ability as Jin himself. So, Reiko is supposed to support him.

"Legs are in good condition.

Power unit is intact.

In fact, it is the old man who is now giving the instructions to the double.

It is not possible for Jin to be stuck in the pilot's seat at all hours of the day.

And now Jin is busy preparing for the summer festival in the village of Kaina.

Jin is sometimes careless, but when it comes to production, he is a thorough perfectionist. Capricorn 1 had no problems.

"We'll camp here, then.

Nevertheless, Capricorn 1 is very comfortable to live in. It even has a simple shower room.

Theon and Istaris took a shower. Jin pretended to take a shower, as did Netros and Lucas.

"You feel so refreshed, don't you?

"Yes, I'm feeling much better now.

Istaris seems to be in good shape since the concentration of free magical element (ether) in the air has increased as they have moved northward.

Taking the standard concentration at the latitude of Horai Island (Tropic of Cancer) as 1, the concentration of free magical element (ether) around here is about 1.7. If you go to the land of the demon tribe, the concentration will be 2 to 2.5.

Of course, Horai Island is a singularity, so the concentration is about 3.

While collecting such data, Capricorn 1 will proceed.

* * * *

The morning of August 14 arrived.

Again, breakfast consisted of dry bread, dried fruits, and instant soup.

"It's not bad, but I'm going to get tired of it.

"You mustn't be so extravagant, Zion. We are running out of food in the village.

"Yes, I'm sorry."

Theon, who had honestly spoken his mind, was rebuked by his sister.

Using the warp gate provided, they could bring in freshly prepared meals, but as expected, Jin did not intend to go that far.

"Well then, let's get going. Land 1, please.

"Capricorn 1, we're leaving!"

Capricorn 1 slowly begins to move, its four legs firmly planted on the ground, moving forward into a land unknown to Jin and the others.

At first, the land is slightly covered with grass and bushes, but gradually it turns gray.

"......The quality of the rock has changed, hasn't it?"

Jin muttered.

"Yes, I think it is probably limestone."

Limestone is a rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, and is said to have been formed by the accumulation of coral, sea lilies, foraminifera, shellfish, and other organisms.

It is relatively resistant to weathering and often forms unique landforms.

"...... Karst landforms."

Karst landforms, Jin muttered, are landforms formed by the erosion of limestone by rainwater, surface water, and groundwater. Underground limestone caves are often formed.

Akiyoshidai in Yamaguchi Prefecture is famous in Japan.

The group continued northward for about two hours, enjoying the topography dotted with oddly shaped rocks.

Master, something is coming from underground.

When they were about 10 kilometers from the narrowest point of the isthmus, Land 1 noticed something approaching.

"According to the magi detector, there are about 30 of them.

"Capricorn 1, stop. Deploy barrier. Paralyzer, Magicanon, laser cannon ready.

Roger that.

At that moment, a monster appeared from a crack in the earth.

"That's it!　A ground worm!

* * *

Now, it was the old man who was piloting the double. The old man told Jin, who was working on his craft in the workshop of the institute.

"Okay, I'm coming."

The old man takes over the control of the machine until Jin arrives, and once Jin is in the pilot's seat, the old man hands over the control to Jin, and takes over the role as his assistant.

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

<<>.

They are omnivores and live underground. They are basically docile, but since they can be easily subjugated, they are often used to stall people," I told him the information I had heard while Jin was away.

"......<

<

"If we know where he is, can we neutralize him?"

The magic screen showed the groundworm being bounced back by the barrier of Capricorn 1.

"We have no choice. Let's try the paralyzer first.

* * * *

First, neutralize the groundworm.

Got it.

Jin's instructions are given through the mouth of the double. Land 1 disables the upper barrier while leaving the lower barrier in place.

The barrier can be deployed by dividing it into upper and lower sections. This is a revolutionary feature.

"Paralyzer, maximum output".

Capricorn 1's large-caliber "Paralyzer" gun disables all three groundworms at once.

"Okay, it works on groundworms, too."

The paralyzing gun is ineffective against lesser creatures due to the principle that it works on the nervous system. It was effective enough on the groundworm.

The Paralyzer was fired as if reaping the surroundings, disabling 30 groundworms in no time at all.

"This is amazing!

"This is the Magecraft Meister ......."

Theon and Istaris looked out with open mouths.

"All right, find the magician."

"Yes, sir."

The magi detector is checked. The immobile dots of light are probably groundworms that have been incapacitated.

Among them, there was one light spot that moved little by little.

"Perhaps, this is the magician.

"Let me get out of here."

Reiko with Momoka stood up.