The following day, Jin delegated the mass production of the VTOL aircraft to Laozi and turned his attention to creating the Quinta.
Their basic configuration was identical to that of the Secret Mobile Unit: skeletons crafted from hollow light silver, musculature made of magical fiber, and an outer layer of magical skin.
While they possessed roughly thirty percent of the functionality of the early Reiko, their output was typically throttled to the level of a highly athletic human.
The process was a familiar one, and with Reiko and Anne serving as capable assistants, the work progressed rapidly. While Reiko and Anne manufactured the basic components like the skeletons, Jin focused on the magi-devices, starting with the control cores.
The countermeasures against Master-Slave Rewrite Magic were the same as those installed in the Secret Mobile Unit, but since these units were intended for espionage, he added a magi-recorder purely for documentation purposes.
Furthermore, he added features that allowed them to alter their appearances. Specifically, they could change their hair length, eye color, height, and physique.
Regarding the hair—much like a certain famous doll—the length could be adjusted by sliding the strands in and out through the pores. For the eyes, he designed a system where the pupils could be swapped out like contact lenses, with the replacement parts stored inside their bodies.
As for height, a variation of about ten centimeters was possible by adjusting the clearance within the joints of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees, and ankles. Their physiques could be made to look heavier by drawing water into a reservoir between two layers of magical skin.
He also ensured their hair could be easily dyed, including various pigments in their standard equipment.
For offensive capabilities, they were equipped with Stun guns and lightning magic. Combined with their martial arts programming, this was more than enough for neutralizing human targets. As a final precaution, they were fitted with security protocols to erase their memories and information if compromised.
Their behavioral foundation was the same as the Secret Mobile Unit’s. However, since they would be blending in with society, he sought Mine's assistance to reinforce their general common sense. Whether Mine herself truly understood "common sense" was a matter of debate, but she was certainly more attuned to it than Jin and his creations.
On a side note, Mine was visibly surprised by the Trans Info process during their collaboration.
With the support of Laozi and Reiko, and by utilizing a replication process, all one hundred Quinta units were completed by noon.
As originally planned, the breakdown by size consisted of forty adult male types, thirty adult female types, and thirty units for specialized disguises: ten boy types, ten girl types, and ten Reiko-types.
"Alright, as for names..."
Jin dubbed the adult male types "Regulus," the adult female types "Deneb," the boy types "Capella," the girl types "Spica," and the Reiko-types "Mira." Each was assigned a number starting from one.
"My Lord, the first VTOL has been completed."
Laozi finished the first aircraft at the perfect moment.
When Jin stepped outside, he was greeted by a matte black VTOL. It was fully equipped with Stealth technology and was surprisingly large.
Laozi explained that the size was intentional, allowing it to be used for transport as well.
"Oh, this looks excellent."
When Jin voiced his approval, Laozi asked him to give it a name.
"A name. A name... Hmm, I really would have preferred Skylark for this..."
Because the aircraft ascended vertically, Jin’s mental image was that of a skylark.
"But a bird of prey that can hover in the air... Alright, Falcon!"
A peregrine falcon. While falcons didn't actually hover to watch for prey very often, Jin wasn't one to let such details get in the way.
"Understood. Then I shall name it Falcon 1. We plan to roll out up to unit ten from here."
"Right, I’ll leave it to you."
Just as Jin was about to start his next project, Laozi spoke up.
"My Lord, Elsa-san is calling for you from Kunlun Island."
"Elsa? Did something happen?"
"No, she is requesting that you join them for lunch."
Jin remembered being told something to that effect about two hours ago when he had visited Kunlun Island to get Mine’s help.
As was often the case, whenever Jin got absorbed in engineering, everything else slipped his mind entirely.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Jin-nii, welcome."
"Hey, Elsa. Hi, Mine."
"I invited you because I wanted us to eat together, but was I being a nuisance?"
Mine's attitude was so transformed that it was hard to believe she was the same woman from before. One might have believed she had been under Hypno.
"No, if left to his own devices, Father would simply skip his meals, so this was a great help," Reiko added, exposing his habits as she followed Jin in.
"Jin-nii is an engineering nut after all," Elsa said with a giggle.
"Is that so? Then I am glad. Come, please eat."
Mine had prepared freshly baked bread, plain omelets, a light vegetable soup, grilled fish, and a fruit salad. It was a perfect lunch.
"Thanks for the meal."
After they finished eating, citran juice was served.
"Mine, is it really okay for you to be moving around so much?" Jin asked.
Mine nodded. "Yes, I am feeling much better now. I feel as though my body recovers faster when I stay active."
"If you say so, that’s fine."
Jin glanced at the number 100 5-Color Maids waiting in the background.
"Those golem maids have been very kind to me. But please, let me take care of My Lad—Elsa myself."
Since Mine insisted, Jin told her not to overdo it and instructed the golem maids to keep a watchful eye on her.
"Um, regarding that, I have a request," Mine said after she finished tidying up.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"If possible, I would like to go buy some changes of clothes for Elsa and... myself."
Since they had arrived with only the clothes on their backs, they didn't have a single spare outfit. Even if Jin were to make some, he would feel awkward about making underwear, and Mine lacked the skill to work with ground spider silk.
"I see. A place that isn't dangerous... Ah, I think Port Rock would be fine."
Port Rock. It was the town where Jin had first met Elsa and Reinhard—the nostalgic place where he had participated in the Golem Boat Race. The Unifilar likely hadn't extended their reach that far yet.
"Port Rock. How nostalgic," Elsa murmured, clearly fond of the memory.
"Yes, I have been there before as well. I recall the selection being quite good, so please, I beg of you."
And so, just as Jin was about to arrange for Mine to go to Port Rock—
"Jin-nii, I want to go too," Elsa chimed in.
"Hmm, well, it’s at the southern tip of the Kingdom of Elias, and there shouldn't be any danger, so I suppose it’s fine."
Jin gave his permission after a moment’s thought. He intended to deploy the newly completed Quinta to serve as their guards.
Then, a thought struck him. He should ask for some clothes for the Automata as well.
"That’s perfect timing, then. I’d like to ask you to pick up a set of clothes for the Automata at my place as well."
Mine readily agreed. "Yes, of course."
First, they moved from Kunlun Island to Hourai Island with Jin. The security protocols that prevented transit without Jin's magic pattern were still in full effect.
Jin summoned the adult female type, Deneb 30.
"Yes, Chief."
For the time being, he had her dressed in the same maid outfit as the golem maids. He didn't know how Elsa and Mine would react if he brought her out without clothes.
"Escort Elsa and Mine to Port Rock."
"Understood."
There was also the practical matter that they couldn't travel through the gates without Jin's magic pattern.
Jin then handed over ten gold coins—the equivalent of roughly one million yen.
"Elsa, Mine, I’ll leave the money with Deneb 30."
He knew that Mine and her daughter had almost no money of their own.
"Jin-sama, I am sorry for the trouble. Thank you very much."
Mine bowed her head, clearly moved by his consideration. Jin felt a recurring sense of wonder at how much she had changed.
"You probably know this already, but Kunlun Island, Hourai Island, and the Warp Gates must remain an absolute secret."
"Yes, I will never speak a word of them."
Jin had already instructed Deneb 30 to be vigilant, but he felt more at ease after confirming it verbally with Mine.
＊ ＊ ＊
They traveled from Hourai Island to Port Rock in an instant, emerging in a sea cave along the coast. Since Deneb 30 had been programmed with the necessary local knowledge, she guided them toward the town without hesitation.
"How nostalgic."
"It really is."
It had been February 16th when Elsa had originally departed Port Rock by carriage. Only about a month and a half had passed since then.
"To arrive in an instant... Jin-sama's magical technology is truly incredible," Mine remarked. Elsa nodded in quiet agreement.
Since she had stayed in the town for about a month previously, Mine had a decent sense of the layout and was able to find a clothing store without getting lost.
In this world, nobles wore high-end tailor-made garments, while commoners relied on ready-made clothes or second-hand items. They visited a shop that sold ready-made clothing, a place typically frequented by servants like Mine.
There, she picked out three dark blue one-piece dresses and apron dresses for herself—maid uniforms that would allow for spares while washing—and ten sets of underwear.
For Elsa, she selected several dresses, blouses, and skirts, along with ten sets of underwear. The reason for the generous amount of undergarments was the realization that they wouldn't be able to come shopping very often.
For the Automata, she picked out various dresses, blouses, and skirts, as well as underwear.
"Now, let’s buy some fabric to take back."
Mine, who was skilled enough to do her own tailoring, bought a large amount of linen fabric. Deneb carried the entire load for them.
By the time they finished their shopping and prepared to return, the long spring day was beginning to fade into twilight.
On the way back, Elsa stole a glance at the harbor and saw several familiar catamarans anchored there.
(Good luck, Marcia.)
Without a word, Elsa sent a silent cheer to her old acquaintance before starting the journey home.