2547 - - 68-22 Communication begins

Duke Niestor Cirillo Jagus of the Duchy of Jagus, surprised at his own fury, continues his speech.

"It is outrageous that the people who live peacefully today should be threatened by the selfishness of a few!

Suenk snickers at these words.

"Hmph."

The "Hmph" was just a sound like a failed blow of a whistle, because the <> was not so good as an <>.

Suenk continued.

"I am surprised to hear such a statement from the mouth of the Duke of Jagus."

"What?"

Suenk continued in a mocking tone.

"Who is it that's brainwashing the people and exploiting them to get what they want?"

"Gee, ......, yet our people are not impoverished!"

It is true that the people of the Principality of Jags are living at a certain standard, and it seems that no one is in poverty.......

However, the king himself sensed that this was a false peace, half-enforced by brainwashing.

"You make me laugh. What do you think the people are, Your Majesty?"

"The people are the foundation of the country."

You're a big talker, aren't you?

What are you talking about?

...... that's enough!

......<> stopped the king and Suenk.

"Now, I think we should have a more constructive discussion."

"Yes, I know!"

Suenk said angrily and kept his mouth shut.

* * * * * *

Jin and the others who had been watching the situation on Horai Island through Jin D's eyes were convinced.

"......As I thought, those five people are human ...... probably copies of the memories of the old members of the <."

"Yes, Jin is right. I don't think they would go to the trouble of programming a man-made to react in such a human-like manner."

Jin and Reinhardt agreed.

"Kuhu, then, what about that guy?"

Saki asked,

"Well, I'm not sure, to be honest.

"Well, Reinhard is right. ...... One of the possibilities is that <> is copied and the thought process is unique to the automata, isn't it?

I answered.

"I see. I understand it somehow.

I see what you mean.

As the discussion was resumed, Jin D. decided to ask one of his questions.

"So, one question I'd like to ask you at ...... is why are you showing up now?"

What do you mean?"

< asked back, surprisingly.

"I'm saying it's not the right time for an attack.

Now deus ex machina replies.

"Yes, about two years ago, neither Jin nor I would have been in this situation, since we had not yet appeared on the surface.

"...... I see what you mean."

Larva nodded.

"We have our reasons.

"That's why I want to ask you about them."

What do you want?

"Just out of curiosity. ......"

Then you don't have to answer.

"...... okay."

Jin D. and Makina backed down.

I assume that there is some background that would be at least somewhat disadvantageous to the < side, which is not good for them to know.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"But then again, this < doesn't show much emotion.

Jin in Horai-jima guessed that was probably not thinking in a human-based way.

"Indeed. Then, this is the one to watch out for.

Reinhard seems to agree.

The old man also agrees with Jin and Reinhardt's guess.

< is the , his energy and his knowledge of intrigue are not to be underestimated.

"I understand."

I have one question for you.

"I would like to ask you something as well."

Larva opened his mouth.

"What is it?"

"About your fleet. ...... why are you in these waters?"

"What?　...... is that what you mean?

The old man, who was piloting Jin D, realized what Larva was saying in 0 seconds flat, but as an act, he caused a slight time lag and let Jin D explain himself.

"I was in the middle of a test.

"You were in the middle of a test?

"Testing, you say? The route starts from the east of the Laurent continent, goes north, turns counterclockwise north of the Gondor continent, passes between the huge islands between the Pandor and Gondor continents, and turns north of Fusor while surveying the waters north of the Principality of Dalat and the Principality of Jagus.

"Hmmm ......"

Larva is thinking about it. Jin D. continued.

"It took us about three months to go around. I was traveling eastward at about 30 degrees north latitude when I learned about the disturbance.

The timing is perfect, but it seems that Larva also felt guilty for refusing to answer the earlier question, and at the same time assumed that Jin D. had something he could not reveal.

"......Well, let's just say I understand."

After nodding his head, Jin D. said one more thing to Larva.

"It's inconvenient as it is now, so when the four duchies are at peace, I'd like to build a canal to the west of the Principality of Dalat.

A canal?

A canal?

Jin D's words startled not only Larva, but also the Duke of Jagus.

"Yes. Canal. ...... but it's still a long way off and now's not the time to talk about it, is it?"

"That's true."

Trying to bring the subject back on track, Jin D. said.

"Anyway, let's talk about what we need to do now."

"Yes."

Larva agreed.

"Let me ask you again. ...... what is your purpose?"

Niestor Cirillo Jagus, Duke of Jagus, began.

"Our purpose is to ......"

In response, Aeas spoke up. .......