"Bwaahahahha, bwahahhaa, Rupert, you were so close to be kissed by a man, hahahaha!" Gale's loud laugh echoed in the room.

It's been a few days since we first arrived in Chinosato. So far, we have seen lots of interesting attractions in Chinosato and we have eaten lots of delicious Eastern foods.

...And seems like a lot has happened to the working adults, too.

Mom said that the barrier reparation's been taken care of, but she has other businesses to attend, along with Meredea. And that's why, there are only me, Alt-nii, Dad, Rupert, and Gale right now.

Rupert was pissed off with Gale's remark. As per usual, seems like their relationship is full of bickering—like a cat and a dog, perhaps?

Apparently, Rupert somehow managed to make the man invite him over to a big slave auction event last night. He managed to notify the local officers in advance, and that was how the parties involved were caught.

At that time, Gale was tailing Rupert as a back up, and he witnessed that moment where that man tried to make a move on Rupert...

"Oh, could you be quiet? At least I managed to get my hand on a big target, unlike you," Rupert's words have quite the thorns that could hurt the receiver of the words—but Gale... only laughed it off.

"Right, right, and that's why you are my senior, after all! That's a given!" Gale cheerfully said that, which caused Rupert to get even more upset.

"Well, thankfully, that hellish torture has ended," Rupert stretched his hands up to the air.

"Are you okay, Rupert? Would it be too much if I asked you to come with me to the harbor tonight? Should you be the one to stay here instead of Gale?" Dad asked.

Yes, it seems that they finally found the right timing to ambush the ones involved in the illegal cells trafficking—or illegal human trafficking.

Since Mom and Meredea are still out for work, it's decided that Gale would stay behind for stand-by and for taking care of us.

"It's fine. Let's proceed with the plan," Rupert replied.

"Alright, Lyra, Altaire, please be careful and don't wander off somewhere if it's not necessary. Stay with Gale and obey his words, okay?" Dad put Alt-nii and I on the bed and knelt down, making sure that he's speaking to us while looking at our eyes.

It's about time for them to depart.

We nodded.

"Okay, Dad."

"Please take care."

And so, we are left alone with just Gale.

.

====================================

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***Normal P.O.V***

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There is a tall and modern-looking building near the border of Chinosato. Although it can be classified as tall in comparison to the other buildings nearby, it might pale in comparison to other tall buildings in Capitol. Still, the building stands out against its surroundings, and one can understand that the building is not just any ordinary house, store, or inn.

Inside the building, there is a room dedicated for inspecting materials and item testings. A few people wearing robes could be seen inside, with two women wearing different-styled robes. Besides them, there are also other people wearing white long coats. They seem to be gathering near a certain table, with their expressions all tense.

The said building is a joint base for Chinosato's Magic Association and Border Protocol. They are working together to maintain the border of Chinosato that's prone to danger and illegal cross-border activities. As such, there are facilities to inspect materials, and if the materials are deemed safe, they can be brought inside Riviera's region safely.

Truthfully, they were built to protect the bordering city from the neighboring country's attacks, but ever since the ceasefire treaty a few years ago, there doesn't seem to be any significant attack from Naraka towards Riviera. Though it's not the same case with Naraka and Cielle...

"...what is this?" Meredea tried to readjust her glasses while staring at the object located on top of the table.

"This is the only object left near the breached barrier... It has burnt marks, and from the looks of it, we concluded that the object suffered that damage from the barrier's defense mechanism," said one of the men wearing the white coat.

"As suggested, the barrier we built is incorporated with counter mechanism... so anyone who purposefully tried to breach the barrier would get electrocuted or attacked, and so they could cease their intention from proceeding," one of Chinosato's magicians explained further.

People who want to enter Riviera's region from outside should enter from the designed path, going through inspections in the border. The barrier is built in order to prevent them from sneaking without being inspected. Besides, it is built so that monsters and beasts can't enter and raid the city. No trespassers are allowed.

"The horrifying thing is that... we found the remnants inside the barrier, not outside."

"Huh?!" Cassie was surprised by the magician's words.

"In other words, whatever it is, it has managed to trespass the barrier, even with all of the counter system implemented?!" Meredea raised her voice reflexively.

"Yes, on the expense of this part being all left of whatever it should be... We can't identify what it is, though..."

Their attention shifted once again towards the object on top of the table. The object is a small, mechanical part that's severely damaged. The circuits are burnt that it can't even function at all.

Still, the fact still remains that it actually managed to enter the barrier after breaching it!

"We are having trouble in identifying this part... we are unsure whether it is a part of a weapon, or even that of a monster's...," the young researcher said, dejectedly.

"...whatever it is, I don't think it's a living being... I mean, what kind of living being would insist on injuring themselves just to damage a barrier? With that kind of damage, there is no way one would want to proceed... Even a person on the brink of their insanity would withdraw at once after being induced with this pain..."

Nobody had any idea what it is.

A robot? No robot could withstand such magical attack and still had that kind of remnants. A monster's part might be strong enough, but what kind of insane monster would proceed despite all the odds that are against it?

"...Anyway, I think we should apply more defensive mechanism to the barrier," Cassie broke the silent.

There is no use thinking about what we don't know, so we should keep aiming forward.

The analysis would still continue, but after the complete details are out, there is nothing else they could do. It's horrifying to think that something like this might happen again, but in case it happens again, then perhaps they can further analyze what exactly has attacked the barrier.

The magicians there have properly fixed the form of the barrier with the help of Cassie's life magic, and all of their known life magic users. All that's left is for them to strengthen its defensive mechanism...

Cassie sighed a bit.

Seems like she would be able to return back late at night...