Day eight.
“Father, Sky 1 has arrived to deliver his report.”
“Hmm? Did the scouting mission bear fruit?”
Jin, who had just finished breakfast and was lingering over a cup of tea, hurried to the laboratory to hear the long-awaited news. The laboratory’s facilities were far more comprehensive than those in the Mansion.
When Jin and Reiko arrived at the laboratory’s underground hall, Sky 1 was already waiting for them.
“Ah, Sky 1. Have you finished the initial reconnaissance of the surface?”
“Yes. I have compiled a rough map of the surrounding area centered on Hourai Island.”
With those words, Sky 1 spread out a large scroll. Though it looked like paper, it was actually the white, tanned hide of a magical beast—a material so durable it could easily last a millennium.
“I see...”
Jin was impressed by the sketch; it was quite well-drawn.
The map, centered on Hourai Island, showed nothing but open ocean to the east. To the west, a portion of a continent was depicted.
“This continent must be the one where the Klein Kingdom and the Kingdom of Elias are located.”
“Yes, exactly as you say,” Sky 1 confirmed.
“All right. Continue the aerial surveys. But when you’re flying over the continent, be careful not to let the people below notice you.”
“Understood. I shall maintain the highest altitude possible.”
“Yeah, do that.”
While humans would have to contend with air pressure, oxygen levels, and the freezing cold, such factors had no effect on golems.
Jin turned his attention back to the map.
“This is definitely the Kingdom of Elias. So that’s what it looks like. This area here must be the sea where we held the boat race. And this is Io Island.”
As he leaned in for a closer look, something else caught his eye.
“Is there another island between Hourai Island and the mainland? It’s much smaller, though.”
Jin wondered if he could use that island as a villa—or, more accurately, a forward base for the defense of Hourai Island.
“The aircraft were two-seaters, weren’t they? Take a few Army golems with you and go investigate that island.”
“Acknowledged.”
“And if it’s uninhabited, I’d like to claim it as ours... Actually, while I’m at it, let’s gather the others.”
Jin summoned Soleil, Luna, the Five-Colored Golem Maids, Marine 1, and Land 1 to explain his vision for the future.
- In the future, any guests will first be invited to the “Villa.”
- The “Villa” will be developed to look plausible, making it appear as though Jin lives there.
- In case of emergency, that island will serve as a decoy for Hourai Island.
- That island shall be named “Kunlun Island.”
The naming was entirely a matter of Jin’s personal taste.
“We’ll hammer out the specifics later, but do you all understand the general policy?”
At Jin’s confirmation, everyone present answered with a unified “Yes.”
“If you find yourselves short-handed, let me know, and I’ll increase your numbers.”
“Yes, Master. If we are to maintain that location as well, please increase our subordinates,” the Five-Colored Golem Maids requested in unison. Marine 1, Sky 1, and Land 1 followed suit. Simply put, they were understaffed.
“Ah, all right, I understand.”
Thus, Jin ended up spending the rest of the day mass-producing subordinate golems.
“Father, is your mana holding up?”
Even for the Magi Craft Meister, there were limits to one’s mana.
“Yeah, I seem to have plenty to spare.”
“I thought as much.”
In truth, because Jin’s body had been largely supplemented by mana during his transition to this world, the amount of active mana he possessed was on a completely different scale—an impossible amount, really.
It would be a little while longer before Jin learned this fact from an outside source. Reiko had an inkling, but she kept quiet since she lacked definitive proof.
Because of his unique constitution, Jin performed enough work to make any ordinary mage collapse from exhaustion. By the time he finished, he had completed the following:
Five golems each were assigned as subordinates to Soleil and Luna. Soleil’s subordinates were named Plane 1 through 5, and Luna’s were Satella 1 through 5. They were all girl-type models.
Ninety more subordinates were created for each of the Five-Colored Golem Maids. Combined with the original ten, each squad now totaled 100 units. They were female-type models.
Eighty more each for the Sky, Marine, and Land series. Each series now reached a total of 100 units, with the new ones numbered 21 through 100. These were male-type models.
“Whew... I’m wiped...” Jin muttered as he relaxed in the bath. He was more physically tired than mana-depleted.
Even though he had Soleil, Luna, Plane, and the Satellas help him toward the end, creating this many golems in a single day was likely a world record.
“Reiko, what’s the status of our materials?”
Having consumed a massive amount of resources, Jin was starting to feel a bit concerned.
“Everything is fine, Father. Regarding the copper, nickel, mithril, light silver, and adamantite we used—we have enough to create a thousand times more golems than this without running low.”
The previous master’s effort of mining every day without rest for a thousand years had certainly paid off.
“Originally, Mother chose this island as her base because it was so rich in mineral resources.”
She must have known instinctively that volcanoes often hid abundant underground resources. Reiko explained to Jin that the predecessor had used magic to monitor and mitigate any risk of eruptions.
“The predecessor really was incredible.”
Even on modern Earth, humanity had yet to fully master volcanic energy.
“Let’s head back to Port Rock tomorrow afternoon.”
His appointment with Reinhard was for ten days later—the day after tomorrow.
“I’ve managed to get quite a bit done in these eight days.”
“Yes, as expected of you, Father,” Reiko agreed, standing ready by his side.
“Reiko, thanks for all your help.”
Jin offered her his sincere thanks.
“Not at all. I exist only to be of use to you, Father.”
Despite her formal reply, Reiko looked genuinely happy.
“Well, you’ve been a lifesaver. Anyway, time to get out.”
As Jin stepped out of the bath, Reiko handed him a towel. Once he had dried off and dressed, he asked a question.
“Reiko, what’s for dinner tonight?”
“If I recall, it is salt-grilled fish and fried shrimp.”
“Oh! I’m looking forward to that.”
Since they had oil, breadcrumbs, flour, and eggs, they could make tempura and fried foods. Naturally, Jin had been the one to teach them. They even had a substance resembling Worcestershire sauce, which was perfect for fried shrimp.
“Ah, that was delicious.”
Jin sighed contentedly as he ate a Persica for dessert.
“It is an honor, Father,” Luna, who was in charge of the meal, said with a smile. Lately—perhaps due to Reiko’s influence—Soleil and Luna had begun to show small glimpses of emotional expression.
But still, they’re not the same as humans, Jin thought to himself, though he kept the sentiment private.
Whether it was Reiko or the other golems, they were absolutely obedient to Jin as their creator. Sometimes, that absolute devotion made him feel a little lonely.
I suppose humans really do crave the company of other humans, Jin mused while gazing at the night sky through the window.
“Father, are you cold?”
When Reiko spoke to him, he shook his head.
“No, I’m fine.”
Even as he replied, Jin found himself fondly remembering his life back in Kaina Village.