After the reflection meeting, Jin and the others took a breather. They decided to use the time to discuss the various discoveries they had made.
"Regarding the basement that the Quinta's preliminary investigation missed—I’ve confirmed it was protected by a special barrier. I felt it when we passed through to go underground. It was an attenuation barrier."
"An attenuation barrier?"
"Yeah. Ordinary barriers simply block things, though they might reflect magic depending on the angle."
Elsa nodded at Jin’s explanation.
"...I understand. Essentially, their purpose is to separate the interior from the outside world."
"Exactly. Usually, when you use detection magic, the barrier creates a reaction that stands out from its surroundings, which tells you something is there."
"I see. It’s like having a fence in the middle of an empty plain," Saki offered, using a colorful analogy.
"Right. That’s a good way to put it. This barrier, however, doesn't reflect or absorb detection mana—which acts like electromagnetic waves. Instead, it seems to naturally attenuate it."
"To use Saki-san’s analogy, a white fence is reflection, and a black fence is absorption. So attenuation would be... a transparent fence?" Stearena suggested. It was quite an accurate comparison.
"Exactly. That’s why it was so difficult to find. It seems to have similar properties regarding Sonar as well, which is why even the Quinta missed it."
"...How did you figure it out, Jin-nii?" Elsa asked, gazing at him with respect.
"Well, one of my goals in visiting the old Leonard Kingdom was to analyze its barriers. I was paying extra attention to them."
Jin explained that he had wanted to unravel the mystery of the illusion barrier that had been draped over the sky of the fallen kingdom.
"I’m curious about who created it, but I also wanted to know how they managed to deceive a golem’s eyes."
Depending on their design, a golem’s eyes were superior to a human’s. They could use telescopic vision and, if configured for it, see into the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums.
The illusion barrier had remained undetected even by the Air Force golems who possessed such eyes. He had been determined to find the secret behind it.
"Well, I’m having the Quinta continue the investigation," Jin concluded.
＊ ＊ ＊
By the time they finished, it was lunch.
"Oh, is Hanna still outside?"
Just as Jin murmured the question, Reiko and Hanna returned. In moments like this, Reiko was truly reliable.
"Onii-chan, Reiko-oneechan said it’s almost lunchtime, so we came back."
"Ah, perfect timing. Let’s eat. Hanna, you were eating Persica earlier; is your stomach okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine!"
Hanna was full of energy. Her front teeth had mostly grown back, so she no longer had any trouble eating.
"Today’s lunch is udon."
Soleil brought over the freshly boiled noodles. It was served as dipping udon, chilled in cold water.
"Udon?"
"Yes, here you go."
"Wow, it looks interesting!"
Both chopsticks and forks had been prepared. Naturally, Jin reached for the chopsticks.
The dipping sauce was a special blend Perido and her team had crafted after much effort, using fish sauce and a kombu substitute.
"Mmm, this is great!"
Jin was the first to dig in. The way the cold udon slid down his throat was incredibly refreshing.
"Yeah, it’s delicious!"
"...Delicious."
"It's so good!"
"This is quite tasty, isn't it?"
The others used forks to eat, but the meal seemed to be a universal hit.
Since her portion had been sized specifically for her, Hanna finished every last bit of her meal.
"That was wonderful. But Jin-kun, about those chopsticks... you’re really good at using them."
"Well, yes. I’ve been using them for a long time, after all."
Watching Jin pick up individual noodles with two sticks, Stearena praised his dexterity.
"Maybe I should practice, too?"
"...Me too."
"Me too!"
Since the other three were interested, Stearena joined in as well, and a lecture on how to use chopsticks began.
"First, let’s determine the right length. Open your thumb and index finger to form a right angle... Yes, like that. About 1.5 times that distance is generally the most comfortable length for a pair of chopsticks."
"...Understood."
The measurements came out to 22.5 centimeters for Elsa, and 24 centimeters for both Saki and Stearena. Hanna’s ideal length was 18 centimeters.
"Next is the weight. Do you want them heavy or light? Since it’s your first time, let’s go with a standard weight."
Jin made the decisions while recalling the bits of chopstick lore he’d learned from the Orphanage Director.
For the material, he chose query tree wood, which was similar to cherry. It was hard and resilient. The chopsticks Jin currently used were made of the same wood.
Incidentally, he kept them clean using Cleanup and Sterilization magic after every use.
They practiced for about an hour. Surprisingly, Hanna showed the most improvement. On the other hand, Saki was the least adept.
"Kufufu, how embarrassing. I really am clumsy after all..."
Jin comforted the dejected Saki, telling her that wasn't the case and that anyone could master them with enough practice.
After the lesson, they had tea time. Since it was a hot day, they opted for cold juice instead of tea.
"So, what’s next on the agenda?"
Stearena was the one to answer Jin's question.
"I have an idea. Jin-kun, why don’t you come visit the Celuroa Kingdom?"
"The Celuroa Kingdom, huh..."
"Yes. My main house is in a place called Goua. It’s a provincial city where many of the kingdom’s magi craftmen live."
Jin had barely seen anything of the Celuroa Kingdom due to the previous chaos with the Unifilar, so he felt tempted.
"Hmm, Jin, I’m interested as well," Saki added.
"Border monitoring isn't nearly as strict there as it is in Esaia, so it’ll be fine."
Stearena kept a carriage equipped with a Warp Gate at her main residence, which she had been using to travel back and forth to Hourai Island. It seemed her previous plan to close up her workshop was currently on hold.
"So travel won't be an issue?"
"Not at all. Please, come as my guests."
"In that case, let’s go."
Jin was now fully on board.
"Great! Let’s do it! I’ll give you a proper welcome!"
And so, the group decided to head off to the Celuroa Kingdom. They wouldn't need the Tortoise this time, and they were able to bring Ar and Edgar along.
They decided they could either return to Hourai Island to sleep or stay at Stearena’s house. With those plans made, they packed the bare minimum and warped.
By now, everyone was accustomed to transferring via the Shinkai relay station, and the move went smoothly.
"Welcome to the Celuroa Kingdom."
Stearena spoke with a playful flourish.
The group emerged inside a large warehouse where the carriage carrying the Warp Gate was stored. Materials of all kinds were stacked around them.
"My workshop is right next door."
They moved there first. It was a large group: Jin, Hanna, Reiko, Elsa, Edgar, Saki, Ar, and Stearena.
"Welcome home, My Lady."
They were greeted by the butler-style automata who had previously served at the villa in Dali. Since that villa had been damaged during the Unifilar attack, it had already been vacated.
"I’m back, Zafio. We have many guests today, so please keep that in mind. You can have Selene help you."
"As you wish."
Zafio bowed and stepped back. In his place, the blue topaz crystal golem, Selene, arrived carrying drinks. It was chilled juice.
"Wow, she’s beautiful!"
Seeing Selene for the first time, Hanna let out a cry of wonder.
"Ufufu, thank you, Hanna-chan."
Stearena took a sip of the juice Selene had provided and smiled happily.