Jin warped to Hourai Island and immediately set to work crafting the golem maids.
Since their specifications were identical to those of the Five-Colored Golem Maids, the process was swift. Their clothing was finished just as quickly.
However, Jin had chosen to handle this personally rather than leaving it to Laojun because he wanted to instill specific knowledge—martial arts, Craft Magic, and healing magic—into their programming. He had added these capabilities specifically to ensure they could function effectively in an environment like Loizart.
The martial arts were to ward off external threats, thieves, and intruders. Craft Magic was for the mansion's upkeep and mutual self-maintenance, while healing magic was included as a precaution against emergencies.
These golems were equipped with a tactile sense and a delicate touch. Regarding combat, they could utilize mid-level attack magic, just like the original Five-Colored Golem Maids.
"All right. You five shall be Amez 102, Topaz 102, Perido 102, Ruby 102, and Aqua 102."
"Yes, Master," they replied in unison, bowing their heads.
Next, Jin constructed a butler golem. He named it Butler D. This unit was also upgraded with a tactile sense and a comprehensive new knowledge base.
With this, his staff for the mansion was finally complete, meaning he could now call back the Smith Golems.
"My Lord, I have a matter to discuss," Laojun said.
Jin had worked at a steady, unhurried pace, so he still had plenty of time before the scheduled visit. "Hmm? What is it, Laojun?"
"Yes. It concerns the giant golem you repaired in Loizart."
"Did something happen with it?" Jin asked.
"I have a few points of concern to report."
Because other people had been present during the initial repairs, Jin hadn't been able to conduct an in-depth analysis. Since the work had concluded, Capella 7—the Quinta unit stationed in Loizart—had been carrying out a covert investigation.
"First, I considered why the artifact was stored in a location where the free ether concentration was artificially lowered."
"Right. I assumed that was to prevent theft."
"Please reconsider, My Lord. How exactly would anyone manage to steal something of that magnitude?"
True enough. At the time, mana had been supplied from an external source just to operate the heavy doors. Jin had jumped to a simple conclusion, but stealing such a massive object was indeed an absurd proposition.
"Which means there's another reason," Jin mused.
"Indeed. It is more logical to assume the measures were taken to prevent it from moving—or from activating on its own."
If it were merely a matter of preventing unauthorized use, there would be no need to suppress the free ether so drastically. That suggested it was a measure to keep the machine dormant.
"Are you saying that thing might start moving of its own accord?"
"There is that possibility. We cannot predict what it would do if it activated without a control device."
Jin speculated that when piloting a golem of that size, basic functions like walking, running, or striking were likely pre-programmed. The pilot would then issue commands to combine those actions. After all, that was exactly how the Titan units Jin built were operated.
"If it did start moving, is there any way to stop it?" Jin asked, considering the worst-case scenario.
"The simplest method would be to cut off the supply of free ether."
Since the giant golem utilized an ether converter, devices like a Magi-Jammer or a Magic Canceller would likely be effective.
"That's one way. Another would be to issue a command using mana of the same wavelength as the original control device."
If Jin had taken the time, he could have built a control device himself, but he had avoided doing so to keep things simple.
"Identifying the correct mana wavelength would likely be time-consuming," Laojun noted.
"Yeah, you're right. But it's the ideal solution."
"Since this technology might have other applications in the future, perhaps you should look into developing a way to do so."
"A Magi-Spectrum Analyzer, huh..."
Jin recalled that Unit No. 700672 possessed a magic tool with a similar function. That was how the unit had determined that Jin's mental waves were at a frequency capable of manipulating free ether.
"Hmm..."
Jin groaned as he sank into thought. Twenty minutes passed in silence. Finally, an idea surfaced.
"That’s it. My mistake was trying to 'quantify' it. First, I just need to find a 'matching frequency'!"
To quantify a frequency, one had to count the number of waves within a fixed interval—like a second—but measuring mana that way was currently impossible. There were few ways to accurately define a single second; in electronic circuits, the base signal is a clock, which he would have to create from scratch.
However, Jin had hit upon a different approach.
"If I start from a low frequency and gradually sweep it upward, I can just see where it hits magic resonance."
If he could generate mana at the same frequency, he could resolve the immediate problem. It felt like the right path to take.
But just as Jin was about to start on a prototype, Laojun’s voice interrupted.
"My Lord, it is nearly time for your return."
"Eh? Is it already that late?"
There were only twenty minutes left until the Empress's scheduled arrival. Since the visit was ostensibly an inspection of the mansion, Jin would be the one giving the tour. He needed time to change and prepare.
"I could have finished this in ten more minutes," Jin muttered. He tucked the all-attribute magi-crystals he had been planning to use into his pocket and reluctantly returned to Loizart. He had already sent the golem maids ahead.
"Jin-nii, a messenger just arrived," Elsa said as he stepped through.
According to the messenger, Her Imperial Majesty would arrive at 10:00 AM sharp.
"We’d better get Hanna changed too."
Hanna had brought along the dress she had received from Princess Lieschen of the Klein Kingdom. Elsa was already prepared, and Jin donned his official Magi Craft Meister attire.
He decided to keep the magi-crystals in his pocket just in case he found a spare moment to work on them.
"Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress of the Shouro Empire, arrives!"
While the neighboring residents watched with wide eyes, wondering what was happening, the Empress graced the estate with her presence.
"Lord Jin Nidou, thank you for receiving us despite your busy schedule."
As before, she was accompanied by Degauss, the Magic Technology Minister, a female knight from the personal guard, and a Secretary.
"Welcome, Your Majesty."
Jin performed a formal Shouro salute, which he had practiced with Elsa. He crossed his arms—placing his right palm on the outside of his left elbow and his left palm on the inside of his right elbow—and bowed deeply at a sixty-degree angle. Beside him, Elsa performed a woman's most respectful salute, dropping to one knee with her head bowed.
In a setting like this, formal etiquette was required. Seeing that they were showing proper respect, the Empress said nothing of the formalities.
"Let us see the mansion at once."
"Certainly. Please, this way."
Jin and Elsa led the party into the entrance hall.
"Oh!?" the Minister gasped.
"My," the Empress breathed.
Waiting there to greet the party were the Five-Colored Golem Maids and Butler D.
"Jin-kun, what are these?" the Empress asked, her tone shifting to a more casual, friendly one the moment they were inside.
"These are the maids and the butler I've placed in charge of the estate. From the right, we have Amez, Topaz, Perido, Ruby, and Aqua. And this is Butler."
At Jin’s command, the six golems bowed in perfect unison.
"Simply wonderful. Truly the work of a Magi Craft Meister."
"Hmph..." Degauss could only grunt. He was amazed by the craftsmanship—and perhaps a little intimidated.
"The interior decoration is quite tasteful as well," the Empress remarked.
"Thank you. That was Elsa's work," Jin replied.
The Empress turned to Elsa and smiled warmly. "It's lovely. You are doing a fine job as his partner."
Elsa’s cheeks flushed a soft pink at the praise.
"And these are Barrow and Belle. They are from Magiroots Village and look after my daily needs."
Barrow and Belle, visibly stiff with nerves, bowed deeply as Jin introduced them.
"Oh, is that so? You should have introduced them to me the other day."
"I had given them some time off then, Your Majesty."
"I see. You clearly treasure your staff, Jin-kun." The Empress looked pleased to see her citizens being treated so well.
"Finally, allow me to introduce my other sister figure, Hanna."
"I'm... Hanna." Hanna, dressed in her finery, performed a polite curtsy. As a minor, she wasn't required to perform the full formal salute.
"My, what a darling girl." The Empress’s expression softened completely. "Come here, dear."
The Empress knelt down and beckoned to her. Hanna trotted obediently over to the monarch's side.
"A dress from the Klein Kingdom? It suits you perfectly."
"Thank you very much," Hanna said with another curtsy.
"What a truly sweet child. Is she your sister, Jin-kun?"
"Yes. We aren't related by blood, but she is my precious sister."
"I see. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hanna-chan."
"I'm humbled, Your Maje-thy," Hanna said, her slight lisp from her missing front teeth evident.
The Empress took Hanna’s small hands in her own and gently patted the girl's head.