“Laojun, let me hear the report first.”
Jin spoke those words the moment he returned to Hourai Island after leaving Hanna on Kunlun Island.
“Yes. First, regarding the war between the Celuroa Kingdom and the Kingdom of Egerea: Celuroa holds the advantage. Currently, a force believed to be three battalions has taken Ikasanat.”
Jin thought back to the route he had traveled. Ikasanat was a border city that also served as a fortress. It had high walls and was surrounded by a moat.
“If they’ve taken that city, they’ll likely build up momentum.”
Even Jin, with his limited military knowledge, understood that much.
“As for the war between the Kingdom of Franz and the Klein Kingdom, Stolsk has fallen. The Klein Kingdom’s army has retreated about forty kilometers—roughly a day’s march—and appears to be reorganizing.”
In both conflicts, the invading side was winning. Perhaps that was only natural.
It was currently spring. In this world, where a lack of manpower meant few professional soldiers, there was an unwritten rule to avoid war during the peak farming season. Failing to do so would lead directly to a decline in national strength.
“However, the Celuroa Kingdom is almost certainly pushing for agriculture through the use of golems.”
It was only a guess on Jin’s part, but he was likely hitting the mark.
“What should I do...?”
Jin was conflicted. He had the power to strike down the invaders as the villains. Yet, at the same time, his power was something that could easily shatter the world's balance. People fear those with great power.
He feared that, as a result, he would be shunned, feared, and ostracized by the world.
“I see. Well then, Laojun, what was the primary reason you called for me?”
Putting his dilemma on hold, Jin threw the next question to Laojun.
“Yes. There are several tasks I would like you to handle, My Lord.”
“Alright, let's hear them.”
Laojun began by explaining the projects he had been advancing during Jin’s absence.
- Constructing a harbor for aircraft carriers.
- Investigating if high-ranking government officials, starting with those in the Celuroa Kingdom, have been subjected to Hypno or Seduce.
- Advancing the survey of undersea resources as a way to utilize the Mermaid Squad.
- Manufacturing armaments for the golems.
- Further refining the one-way Warp Gates.
- Developing an aircraft capable of transporting Titans.
- Producing heavy work golems based on the Titan model.
- Mass-producing Magi-Jammers and Paralyzers.
Jin was impressed.
“You've done a great job. These projects align with my goals, and you've even included things I’d forgotten. I appreciate it.”
“I am honored by your praise. May I take it that I should proceed as planned?”
“Yeah, please do.”
Truthfully, Laojun was relieved. He had been worried that he might have overstepped his bounds. One wrong step, and Jin might have seen his initiative as a sign of rebellion.
However, Jin purely admired Laojun’s foresight.
“I see. So, you want me to create the control cores for the heavy work golems, right?”
“Yes, exactly as you have surmised.”
Laojun was permitted to copy control cores and mass-produce existing golems, but developing an entirely new type was beyond his authority.
Since control cores were essentially created by Jin and obeyed Jin, this restriction prevented Laojun from creating subordinates that answered only to him. While it slightly lowered efficiency, it meant he had to ask Jin to create them whenever a new need arose.
Once Jin created the initial core, however, it could be copied as many times as necessary.
“Master, please use these.”
Anne brought over several large magi-crystals. They were yellow, indicating the earth attribute.
“Let's see... the size should be the same as a Titan, but since they're for heavy labor...”
Jin studied the prototype heavy work golem as he thought. Its structure consisted of an 18-12 stainless steel skeleton and magical fiber muscles. Jin began constructing a magi-sequence that suited these materials.
“They don't need speed. Instead, they require the most precise movement possible, along with durability.”
He finished the task in about five minutes.
“Alright, try it with this.”
Jin handed the control core he had crafted from the earth-attribute magi-crystal to Laojun.
“Thank you, My Lord. On that note, please give this heavy work golem series a name.”
“Hmm, let's see. Right... let's go with ‘Daidara.’”
He had apparently named them after a legendary giant. It was a naming choice that was quintessentially Jin.
“Daidara it is; understood. We plan to manufacture fifty units for now.”
Regardless of the names, Hourai Island was becoming even more sophisticated thanks to these projects.
Once Jin finished reviewing the rest of the project details, he warped back to Kunlun Island where Hanna was waiting.
Reiko had watched Jin the entire time without a word. Sensing that he had finally returned to his usual self, she felt a quiet gratitude toward Elsa, Hanna, and Kaina Village.
“No, not like that. Look, you peel it this way.”
“...Like this?”
“Yeah, something like that. And then, you chop this part up finely.”
“Hanna-chan, is this alright?”
When Jin arrived on Kunlun Island, the sight that greeted him was the three of them cooking together under the blue sky.
“Ah, Onii-chan, welcome back!”
“Jin-nii, it's almost ready, so just wait a little longer.”
“Jin-sama, Hanna-chan is teaching me how to make Kaina Village-style porridge.”
Essentially, the dish involved boiling barley in water with vegetables, dried meat, and dried fruit, then seasoning it. Sometimes it was thickened with starch.
It was a staple for breakfast and lunch.
By carefully choosing ingredients, making broth, and getting creative with seasonings, one could produce a wide variety of flavors.
Jin was particularly fond of the porridge when it contained passa—dried bitis fruits, which were very similar to wild grapes.
Since a larger variety of bitis grew wild on Kunlun Island, they had harvested and dried them. It seemed they were using those.
Additionally, the mountainous regions of Hourai Island were home to the frape and brule fruits Jin had once seen in Moft Village, so they had been harvesting them and establishing cultivation plots.
Dried brule might be a good addition too, Jin thought as he watched the three of them cook, his eyes softening.
“Onii-chan, it’s done!”
Hanna, who had been tasting the food, called out, and Mine turned off the stove. Elsa began arranging the dishes on the table.
Today, Jin just had to sit at the table and wait for the food to be served.
“Ah, that's a nostalgic smell.”
The piping hot porridge was brought over. Everyone took their seats and began eating with their customary signal of “Let’s eat.”
Mine and Elsa seemed to have completely adjusted to the habit as well.
“Yeah, this is great.”
“Hehe, I remembered exactly how you like it, Onii-chan!”
Hanna, who had been leading the cooking, looked incredibly proud of herself.
“Yes, it’s a wonderful seasoning,” Mine added.
She had taken a liking to the Kaina Village-style flavors, but more than that, she had grown very fond of Hanna.
“Hanna-chan is such a good girl. She’s hardworking, bright, and adorable.”
“Hehe, you really think so?”
Hanna beamed at the praise. Elsa watched her and smiled as well.
The tea after the meal was the tea from Kaina Village.
“What a beautiful green color.”
Mine was impressed; it was her first time seeing green tea. Elsa had already tried it back in Kaina Village.
“Yes, the taste is excellent as well. It has a refreshing bitterness followed by a faint sweetness, and the aftertaste is very clean.”
She seemed to truly enjoy it.
“Hanna-chan, please teach me more things later, okay?”
“Yeah!”
It seemed Hanna had taken a liking to Mine as well. Jin felt a wave of relief.
The three of them did the cleanup together. Their harmonious interaction made them look like a mother and her two daughters.
That's right... Hanna lost her parents, too.
At an age where she still craved a mother's presence, it was only natural for Hanna to grow attached to Mine. Jin was glad he had brought her along.
“Alright, Hanna. Once we're finished cleaning up, let’s all go down to the sea.”
Jin said this and headed to the kitchen to help with the cleanup himself.
Reiko watched Jin with a relieved expression. She then contacted Laojun to arrange for Golem horses to be sent to Kunlun Island.