Synthesizing magiatoms appeared to consume an enormous amount of mana; everyone except Jin was on the verge of total mana depletion.
Used to dealing with this from Elsa’s past experiences, Jin handed out "mana potions" he kept in stock—which were actually Hourai Island’s special Persica juice.
While not quite a medical-grade drug base, the free ether contained in the juice was absorbed into the body at a cellular level and converted into mana. The three women regained their vitality almost instantly.
"Thank you, Jin-kun. What is this?"
Jin explained that Persicas grown on Hourai Island naturally contained a high amount of free ether. By storing them in an environment with a high concentration of free ether, that content increased even further. Drinking the juice allowed one to replenish depleted mana reserves.
"Hmph, what a wonderful discovery! This surpasses even my father's research!"
Similar concepts had been written in the books authored by Saki’s father, Toa Eschenbach.
"...Wait, isn't this process similar to how a magi-crystal works?"
"Ah, you're right."
They concluded that the juice was similar to a crystal in the sense that free ether was trapped between the molecules of the liquid.
"Well, let's call it a day for experiments and just relax."
"Good idea..."
Even though their mana had been restored, all three were mentally exhausted, so they readily agreed to Jin’s suggestion.
Meanwhile, the tireless Laojun took over the research.
『If My Lord has shown us the path this far, then we shall handle the rest.』
With that, Laojun took over the task of synthesis from free ether.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Ah, this feels wonderful."
The three women were relaxing in the open-air bath.
"Doing this while it's still light out could easily become a habit."
Stearena had already fully adjusted to life on Hourai Island.
"Kufu, it’s already become a habit for me."
"Saki-nee, you should think about your lifestyle a bit more."
"Elsa is so dependable. Honestly."
"Saki-nee is just slovenly."
Stearena watched the two of them banter with a smile.
Elsa was seventeen, Saki was twenty-one, and Stearena was thirty-one.
"Being young is so nice."
The old-fashioned sentiment slipped out before Stearena could stop it.
"...Stearena-san, you are still... young."
"Oh, thank you."
Truly, Stearena had skin so fine-textured that the description "skin like polished alabaster" was perfectly fitting.
"Elsa-san's skin is strikingly fair, and Saki-san, you're not far behind either."
"I was living such an irregular lifestyle until just recently, so I'm no match for Elsa..."
"Fufu, that's not true. You're beautiful too, Saki."
The women's bath was a lively, cheerful place.
＊ ＊. ＊
"I was thinking that a trip every now and then might be nice."
Jin brought up the topic during dinner.
"Oh, that sounds lovely. Where would we go?"
"I'd like to visit the former Leonard Kingdom," Jin told Stearena.
"Ah, I heard it collapsed before I even realized it."
"Yeah. It's practically next door to Kaina Village, so I'm curious about why it fell, and if there are any rare materials or items left there."
"That sounds interesting!" Saki said, sounding enthusiastic.
"...But I wonder about the public order there?"
The country was in a state of total anarchy; Stearena’s concern was justified.
"Public order, huh... Right..."
There likely wouldn't be any inns, and sleeping in tents seemed dangerous. Jin thought they could just sleep in a carriage at worst, but then...
"Maybe I'll just make a camping car."
"A camping car?...Ah, one of those."
Having gained foundational scientific knowledge, Saki, Stearena, and Elsa all immediately grasped the concept.
"We could also just return to Hourai Island every night via the gates, but..."
Saki interjected before Jin could finish.
"...Could you really call that a trip?"
It would be more like a walk around the neighborhood.
"Even if it's a bit inconvenient, a trip like that sounds fun."
"I agree. It's a bit embarrassing, but even at my age, I've never been on a trip like that."
Encouraged by Elsa and Stearena, Jin decided to move forward with the camping car. They began hammering out the specifications together.
"Considering the size, it'll be for five or six people at most."
Factoring in beds and other amenities, that was the limit. He could build something massive, but considering road widths, he needed to stay within the dimensions of a large carriage.
"Thinking about the whole Family going, maybe I should just make two."
If he made two four-person vehicles, they could all go camping together.
"It would be nice if we could take baths."
"...I want a toilet too."
"I'd like to eat delicious meals."
Incorporating those requests, Jin developed the concept. A folding bathtub, a Hourai Island-type toilet, a refrigerator, an ether stocker, and a magic stove for cooking.
"Hmm... It's impossible."
No matter how he sliced it, it wouldn't fit in a standard carriage. It would end up being the size of a sightseeing bus.
"Might as well just make it an automobile then..."
Since the region was largely uninhabited, Jin decided to go all out and build an automobile equipped with a Golem Engine.
"An automobile! That's great!"
Since Saki had ridden in one when going to Tatsumi Bay, she could imagine it fairly well. Stearena had the theoretical knowledge but had never actually seen or ridden in one.
"That sounds like fun!"
Jin’s mental image was based on the Unimog he had seen in manga, chosen for its off-road capabilities. As was his habit, he began layering his own unique ideas onto the design.
The lower chassis would be made of 18-12 stainless steel, rolling on six wheels. The overall size would be similar to a small bus.
To maximize internal space, he designed it with two stories. The first floor would house the cockpit and living space, while the second floor would serve as a bedroom and observatory. Naturally, the roof would be retractable.
The cabin would be constructed from 64 light silver to reduce weight and keep the center of gravity low. The windows would be made of transparent GSP (Ground Spider resin), which was lightweight, shatterproof, and resistant to scratches.
"For armaments... a magi-cannon, Paralyzer, Magi-Jammer, an Induction Radiator, and a laser cannon should do. Reiko will be with us, too. Then we'll just need a Treatmenter and a barrier."
『My Lord, please also take the Absolute Zero magic tools that were completed recently, as well as the barrier bombs.』
Jin nodded at Laojun's suggestion.
The suspension would use active Golem arms. The tire material would be Sham Dragon leather. He also tucked away a small Warp Gate for emergencies.
"I guess that's everything."
Jin stopped drawing on the whiteboard (a board made of GSP) and showed the conceptual diagram to the group.
"Kufu, yes, with all that, it should be plenty safe."
"...I-It sounds like it's going to be something truly monstrous..."
"...Stearena-san, it's a bit late for that."
Elsa offered a rare retort to the slightly overwhelmed researcher.
The next morning, construction finally began.
"Laojun, prepare the materials. Also, call the Smiths."
『Understood.』
"Reiko, prepare the Treatmenter and the barrier."
"Yes, Father."
"Elsa, please make the bedding."
"Okay, understood."
Jin briskly assigned roles.
"Saki, prepare the food supplies with the Perido units."
"Understood, leave it to me."
"Stearena, you watch how I work."
"I will! I'm so happy I get to see the work of a Magi Craft Meister with my own eyes."
『My Lord, the materials are ready. I have summoned Smith units 51 through 60.』
"Good. Smiths 51 through 56, work on the tires. 57 and 58, the frame. 59 and 60, assist me."
"Yes, Master!"
Jin began the construction with the Smiths assisting.
"A-Amazing... This is Jin-kun... a Magi Craft Meister!"
Stearena was moved as she watched the automobile take shape before her very eyes.
Meanwhile, Elsa finished ten sets of magisilk futons and blankets.
Through careful assembly and operational testing, the automobile was completed within the day. Weapons and equipment were installed; food and medicine were loaded.
"Jin-kun, what is the name of this... automobile?"
"Ah, let's see... How about 'Tortoise'?"
Whether the name was fitting or not was debatable—a typical Jin naming choice.
"Well then, shall we depart tomorrow?"
"Jin-nii, what about Hanna-chan?" Elsa asked.
"Of course I'll talk to her."
Neither Jin nor Elsa had forgotten about Hanna in Kaina Village.
"I'll go there for a bit now."
It was past 6:00 PM on Hourai Island, which meant it was just before 4:00 PM in Kaina Village. Jin stepped through the Warp Gate and jumped back home.