A mountain of reports awaited Jin when he returned to Hourai Island.
"As a result of surveying the wasteland to the west, we have determined that stone materials such as granite and Oya stone can be harvested in large quantities. Regarding mineral resources, iron ore is abundant, but almost no other minerals were found."
"Mine the high-quality iron ore and keep it in storage."
"In the prairie region to the east, preparations to fence the area and convert it into a ranch are complete."
"Ah, I'll need to buy some cows and sheep as soon as I have the money."
"The installation of the port at Tatsumi Bay is finished, and we have established two experimental fish pens."
"Continue to investigate the different types of fish as well."
"The orchard on the plateau is ready."
"I'll be making a refrigerator after this, so store the harvested fruit there."
"The list of useful plants in the northern forest belt is complete."
"There are rubber trees? That's a great find."
The reporting continued on and on. In the end, the updates lasted until the following day, forcing Jin to take a day off from visiting Beena.
"I’m exhausted, to say the least..."
The efficiency of the maid golems had exceeded even Jin's expectations.
"How were things on your end, Father?"
Once the reports were concluded, Reiko spoke up.
"Yeah. The prototype for the refrigerator is finished. Also, popcorn."
"Popcorn?"
"It’s a snack made from this corn."
Jin produced the bag of corn he had brought with him. Topaz was the one to receive it.
"I shall sow these in the fields immediately."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
Topaz handed the bag to a subordinate golem and issued instructions.
"Now then, shall we make a refrigerator here as well?"
"I will assist you."
Jin headed toward the workshop with Reiko.
"It’s convenient that we can use magi-crystals instead of magi-stones here."
Taking out a water-attribute magi-crystal, Jin immediately began engraving a magi-formula into it.
Since magi-crystals lasted dozens to hundreds of times longer than magi-stones, magi-formulas could be engraved directly into them. In contrast, since magi-stones required frequent replacement, they had to be used with magi-plates.
"Instead of making ice, I'll go with direct cooling."
While this was a method Beena couldn't achieve, Jin could construct such a magi-formula with ease.
"Father, the housing is complete."
Reiko had finished building the body of the refrigerator.
"Good. Now, I'll apply an insulation barrier to the housing... and there."
"It is finished, then."
The completed unit stood about one meter tall, seventy centimeters wide, and sixty centimeters deep.
"Alright, let's put some fruit in it. They taste much better when chilled."
"Understood. I will move them in later."
"Right. While we're at it, let's convert an unused room into a refrigerator—or rather, a cold storage room."
He decided to create a proper warehouse for storing fruits, nuts, and grains.
"In that case, I believe the very back of the first floor would be ideal."
Despite it being a massive refrigerator project, the size wasn't much of a hurdle with Jin and Reiko working together. Fruit was immediately carried into the newly finished cold storage room.
Similarly, Jin used another room to create a freezer room. For long-term preservation, freezing was superior. It also allowed them to make ice.
He stored fruits and nuts there as well.
By the time everything was finished, dusk had already fallen. Jin made his way to the dining room set up inside the laboratory.
"Ah, fruit and nuts for dinner again today, huh..."
A small grumble escaped his lips. Hearing this, Reiko spoke.
"Father, I have a small amount of bread and dried meat."
"Really!?"
Jin asked hurriedly.
"Yes. Actually, the other day while you were shut in the workshop with Beena, I sold some magi-stones at a street stall to raise some funds, then used them to buy these. Was I overstepping my bounds?"
As she answered, Reiko looked somewhat worried. However, Jin smiled.
"Not at all. That was very thoughtful of you, Reiko. Thank you."
Saying so, Jin toasted the bread Reiko offered and grilled the dried meat.
"Mm, delicious."
Jin ate the dried meat sandwiched in the bread. The saltiness was just right. Seeing this, Reiko smiled.
"I am glad."
However, there was only enough bread and dried meat for one more meal.
"I should probably secure some proper food tomorrow," Jin thought as he ate. Then, an idea occurred to him.
"That's right. Reiko, I'd like to build a house outside as well."
"A house?"
"Yeah. If we keep this laboratory top-secret, we can guide anyone we happen to bring here to the house outside. That should help maintain a minimum level of secrecy."
At that, Reiko furrowed her brows slightly.
"...Is this about Beena?"
"No, it's not necessarily limited to her. I just thought it would be better to make it look like the Warp Gate happened to be near my house. After all, not knowing where I came from might be a disadvantage later when I'm trying to buy things like grain or livestock."
"I see. I understand. In that case, I will have Soleil and Luna help build it."
"It doesn't have to be very big. Something modest is fine. Let's see... about twice the size of Beena's house should do. I'll build a simple workshop as a dummy, too."
"Understood. Please leave it to us."
Jin felt a sense of relief, thinking this would make it much easier to explain his origins to Beena.