248: Where is Magatsuki now?

"First... let's look into Magatsuki. I've heard there's a strong possibility it's connected to Teisei Vanilla Shid, and I'm also curious about how the other three that were secured were handled."

"Got it."

"Yes, understood."

Vilijiani, me, and Meqoshi will start by investigating Magatsuki.

According to Vilijani, materials related to police investigations and Imperial Army searches are routinely stored in this library, so there should be no problem with accessing them.

Additionally, to prevent information leaks, inputting data into regular information terminals is prohibited within the library.

The only exceptions are memory media used by mechanical intelligences.

Well, even without considering mechanical intelligences, there are countless loopholes in these regulations, so they don’t really affect us.

"Hmm. Out of the three Magatsu ki that were secured, two were melted down in a smelter, crushed, and sealed. Then, after confirming there were no issues, the plan was to evaporate them by energy level, achieving complete annihilation, if possible."

"One of them appears to have been used in an experiment involving hardened criminals. Hmm, it seems direct contact—or contact through solid matter—is required for indoctrination, making it impossible to negotiate with such an entity."

"Still, it's fortunate we've discovered it can be transported using gravity control mods. That allows us to devise a proper countermeasure."

As for Magatsuki's current status... the Magatsuki we've secured seems, for now, to be under control without any issues.

As for the conditions under which brainwashing has been confirmed using high-risk criminals like sky pirates, holding it directly, wearing gloves while holding it, wearing a powered suit while holding it, or holding it with the arm of a large piece of machinery—these all seem to be out of the question.

However, it's said that as long as there's a mod communication in between and no solid object exists between the operator and the item, it's safe.

From this, it appears that Magatsuki's brainwashing is specifically designed to target electronic manipulation.

Therefore, it seems one cannot be brainwashed as long as they're holding onto something using gravity control mods or similar tools.

"Anyway, the remaining Magatsuki... it's definitely confirmed that it entered Tei-sei Vanilla Shido."

"I agree with Vee-sama. It appears that, unlike the other Magatsuki, this one operates within the scope of guidance rather than brainwashing, preventing any abnormal behavior that would violate the law, while still confusing its target's sense of direction."

"The good news is that, although the victims do experience some memory lapses, there are no signs of serious aftereffects. Hmm... judging by this, it seems like Magatsuki intends to keep passing through various people's hands until they draw a lucky break? "

"A lucky break... not Shu Suumere, I believe. Rather, it seems Magatsuki will continue passing through people until it encounters someone capable of summoning the cosmic monster Shu, the very being that originally gave rise to Magatsuki."

Perhaps they're looking for someone with appropriate power? Their goals shouldn't differ from those of the other Magatsuki.

"Someone with power—could be a noble, a high-ranking figure in the underworld, a senior bureaucrat, a top military officer, or someone in the upper ranks of a major corporation... There are too many possibilities, and it's impossible to predict where they might show up."

The last Magatsuki seems to be somewhere within Teisei Vanilla Sid.

There's nothing but anxiety about that, but as a silver lining, unlike other Magatsuki, this one seems to have low aggression, causing the person being controlled to merely forget a little of their memories in between.

I have not committed obvious criminal acts such as murder or assault.

It seems the current situation is merely resolved to that extent.

Yet instead, it seems to constantly shift its control from one person to another... skillfully evading even the gaze of machine intelligence, leaving traces but making it impossible to determine exactly where the actual entity resides.

According to the latest records... it managed to have itself perceived by dozens of people simultaneously, making each believe they were holding it, then sent them off on separate paths before passing itself on to the next target—quite the clever escape tactic.

There's even speculation that it was passed from bag to bag within public transportation without the recipient noticing...

Either the reaction is too weak, or they've taken precautions—the 'I Sui Kyō' doesn't seem to be responding properly either.

If we manage to locate it, it might prove even more difficult than expected.

"Besides, this Magatsuki is surprisingly small."

"That seems to be the case. If it's this small, it might go unnoticed even in a regular household."

"It might actually be hiding among ordinary items like that."

Incidentally,

the Magatsuki currently located in Teisei Vanilla Sid is reportedly the size of a short sword... no, more like a fruit knife.

Considering that the Magatsuki previously located in the Shiburasumisuto system and the other confirmed ones were sword-sized, this one is remarkably small... though the reason for its current size remains unclear.

"In any case, it's going to be tough for us to find the Magatsuki ourselves. Let's leave it to the local authorities."

"Indeed."

"True."

Yeah, just like Virijanira said, we probably don't have the time to search for it ourselves.

So, unless it gets close enough to sense, we can probably just skip over this matter from now on.

"Then, next is the Siltorilichi system."

"Lord Vee. Since we're already here, perhaps we should start by learning the basics."

"……Yes, you're right. We don't know where the clues might be, so let's investigate thoroughly."

Then, moving on to the Siltorilichi system.

The opponent... seems to be where Fnakha is based, but just what kind of place is it, really?

04/11 Correction of Typographical Errors