Magicraft Meister Part 1

"It's a barrier that prevents solid objects from entering."

After a short investigation, Jin came to a conclusion.

The latitude of this area is just before the Pazdekst isthmus. The concentration of free ether is almost twice as high as the average for the Lesser Antilles, so it is possible to do this.

"Well, what should we do ......?"

Jin pondered. There was a way to analyze the nature of the barrier and disable it, but that might be taken as a hostile action.

"Brother Jin, it can't be that no one has entered or left."

Erza voiced her opinion.

Now, everyone except Hanna and Aal had gotten out of the car and were standing in front of the barrier.

"You're right, Elsa. There is no way this town can survive on its own. It must be connected to the outside world.

Jin nodded in agreement with Saki. Goose also expressed his opinion.

"Do you think they are in seclusion?　Even so, residents may come and go, and this barrier ......?　I'm sure there are ways to get through the ...... barrier, right?"

"That would be true, but ......."

"There's always a way to deal with visitors, isn't there?"

"Well, you know."

Jin agreed with Goose's opinion, but he was not fully convinced because he knew there was another way to get in and out of the building.

But then they saw something coming from the town.

"Oh, someone's coming!"

They saw several figures approaching.

"Is it a person ...... or a golem?"

It was a young man and woman and two golems.

Both of them had white skin. Yes, they look a lot like <>. However.

"...... father."

"...... Oh. They're ......."

Jin and Reiko frowned and exchanged a few words.

Erza, wondering about the conversation, tried to ask something, but by that time the two of them and the two bodies were close to each other.

"Who are you?　Where did they come from?"

They stood about two meters behind the supposed barrier and the man opened his mouth.

The man's tone was somewhat arrogant, but Jin maintained his composure and replied.

I am Jin Nido. I have come from the Shoro Kingdom via Mitsuho and Huso.

The man nodded in reply.

"Hmm. I can tell from your car. You seem to have a certain amount of magical technology."

Jin was a little surprised that the man said "car" instead of "horseless carriage," but then remembered that Shuki Tsetsi had already made a car with a rear-wheel drive.

"So, what can I do for you?"

The woman then asked Jin the purpose of his visit, and he decided to be honest.

"We are looking for information about <>. We happened to know that you are related to , so we came to visit you.

Upon hearing this answer, the two men looked at each other and whispered something to each other.

Reiko could clearly hear what they were saying, although Jin could not.

（What do you think, Barrigal 243?)

（I don't think it's a lie just because he knows about Mags.

（Then shall we welcome him?)

（Yes, Fedeli 479... and I will leave the final decision to you.)

Then they turned to face Jin and the others again.

"Very well. I trust you mean no harm and will allow you to set foot in my city of Battaghtarf.

The man then gave some sort of order to the two golems.

The two golems stood about four meters apart, facing each other, with their arms extended straight up.

Now you can pass between these golems. Come on."

"Father, between those two golems, the barrier is gone.

Jin and the others couldn't see it, but Reiko could sense it.

"I see. That's quite an interesting method. I wonder if they are canceling each other out by hitting ...... barriers in opposite phases?"

With this analysis, Jin hurried to get everyone into the car and passed through the area.

Behind him, the golem seemed to have stopped the offsetting of the barrier.

"Father, the barrier has closed."

I see.

Since the barrier here is only impermeable to solid objects, we can escape through the warp gate if necessary.

In this sense, Jin was not too worried, but Goose was not so sure and seemed to be a little nervous.

"Okay, follow me."

The man on the golem's shoulder said to Jin. Jin motioned to Edgar to follow the fast-moving golem.

A car follows the golem, which is walking at a speed of about 10 km/h.

As I entered the town, I expected to be met with curious stares from the residents ......, but the town was deserted and empty of people.

However, there was not a speck of dust on the streets, the buildings were neatly lined up, and the streets were beautifully landscaped with trees.

"......"

"...... Jin brother, this place is quite developed."

"Interesting. I wonder if this is also due to the influence of ?"

"According to the records of Magus, which Jin read out to us, it seems that the civilization was quite advanced even at that time.

Jin and Erza were impressed, while Saki and Goose offered their self-analyzed opinions.

Hannah looked at them with a twinkle in her eye.

The group continued down the main street of the town until they came to a building.

"Wait here!"

The man jumped off the golem's shoulder,

"Golem 5680, 5681, keep an eye on these guys.

Both men disappeared into the back of the building.

"......?　Brother Jin, something doesn't feel right about that guy."

Erza tugged on Jin's sleeve next to her and said in a low voice, "You know what I mean?

"Do you understand?"

"......, I don't know, I don't know."

"You have to see it in action."

Erza stared at Jin's back as he moved away from her, but then let out a small breath as if satisfied.

"...... got it."

Saki asked them a question.

"What are you two talking about?　Tell me so that I can understand.

Jin laughed and opened his mouth.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. ...... I can tell from the way that man moves that his torso is not shaky. There is no play in his movements. His center of gravity is unnaturally smooth."

"...... Well, I couldn't tell by looking at him, but so what?"

"It's not human."

"What?

Is that so?

Goose was also surprised at Jin's words.

"That's an advanced automaton."

"If it's ......, does that mean it's as good as ...... Reiko?"

Saki asked a little impatiently because the automaton was so human-like. But it was not Jin but Reiko who answered.

No, Saki, that's not true. When your father created us, he incorporated even a small amount of fluctuation.

"What do you mean by that?"

Jin adds his explanation.

"Human movements are not rigid. We shake and tremble a little even when we think we have stopped, and we do not move our arms and legs to the same position every time. Without such ambiguity, they don't look human.

"I see. If Jin says so, he must be right.

You're right. Your father allowed all of us to have such ambiguity. But this is something that can be detached and can work precisely when the time comes. ...... like this."

Reiko then shows the disambiguated movement.

"Oh ...... oh, it is certainly unnatural.

Isn't it?"

Reiko says proudly as she returns to her normal movements.

This is the motion control system that your mother Adriana has built and set up for you.

"So you're saying that the automata are not descended from the Magecraft Meister, right?

But Jin answered,

"I can't say that for sure. There are some similarities. ......

He was not sure what to say.

Then, the male automata returned.

He said, "Father is coming to see you. Please come this way.

Jin prepares to get out of the car.

Edgar and Aal stay with the car. Hannah, go to .......

I'm coming with you.

"Okay."

I've given Hannah the bracelet. If the need arises, the old man can remotely control it to create a barrier.

Jin, Elsa, Saki, Hannah, Goose, and Reiko get out of the car.