On Hourai Island, Laojun reported to Jin. Naturally, he was reporting on the progress of their dealings with the merchant Oliver.
It was November 20, 3457, and winter was just around the corner.
"My Lord, everything has gone mostly according to plan..."
＊ ＊ ＊
On the fourteenth, the promised day, Laojun’s mobile terminal, Laozi, arrived at Oliver’s shop just before noon. As per his arrangement with Jin, he was accompanied by John Dini—the persona formerly known as Deus Ex Machina, whose appearance had been slightly modified.
"Mr. Oliver, are you in?"
"Oh, Mr. Roushi! It’s been a while....And this is?"
"Yes, this is John, the magi engineer I mentioned last time."
"Nice to meet you. I am John Dini."
"A pleasure. I am Oliver, a merchant."
After the initial greetings were exchanged, Oliver spoke to Roushi first.
"Mr. Roushi, I’d like to hand over that promised sandworm leather first, if I may."
"Oh? But surely you haven't finished your discussion with John yet."
"No, but you kept your word, Mr. Roushi. My contract with Mr. John is a separate matter. As for me, I wish to fulfill my promise to you."
Oliver was a remarkably dutiful man. Laozi accepted the offer and purchased fifty pieces of sandworm leather for the bargain price of 25,000 Toll—exactly half the market price.
Sandworm leather was elastic and highly durable, making it an excellent material for mid-level golems.
"Well then, I shall take my leave now."
Laozi sensed that Oliver’s reason for settling their business first was a desire for privacy during his talk with John. Taking the hint, Laozi prepared to depart.
"John, I’m heading back. Come and find me if anything happens. Regardless, I’ll be praying for the success of your contract."
"Yes, Mr. Roushi. Thank you for everything. If fate allows, I look forward to seeing you again."
The two bid each other a superficial farewell. In reality, both were being operated by Laojun back on Hourai Island.
With that, Laozi exited Oliver’s shop.
(It looks like there won’t be any need for My Lord’s Double after all.)
The Body Double had been prepared just in case, but it hadn't been necessary to show it. Laozi returned to his carriage and sent the fifty pieces of sandworm leather back to Hourai Island.
Meanwhile, Oliver and John remained.
"Mr. John, why exactly did you decide to accept my invitation?" Oliver asked.
It was a fair question. He likely didn't think there were many eccentrics willing to accept such a vague request. Naturally, Laojun had a response ready.
"I want to see a new world."
"A new world...?"
Naturally, Oliver struggled to grasp the true meaning behind the words.
"Indeed. Utilizing magi-engineering to create new things is one part of it. Applying one's own strength in lands yet unseen is another."
At the mention of "lands yet unseen," Oliver’s expression flickered subtly.
"...Mr. John, are you interested in what lies beyond the desert?"
"...I am."
Oliver looked startled by the honest—perhaps too honest—reply.
"...Are you aware of the rumors that foreign tribes live beyond the desert?"
John nodded, his face composed.
"I’ve heard rumors."
"...Are you not afraid?"
"Of what?"
"...If you do anything that benefits the enemy, you’ll be branded a traitor and punished, you know?"
John chuckled.
"Where is this 'enemy' you speak of? We aren't at war, and we haven't committed any hostile acts."
Oliver’s eyes widened in surprise.
"...No, well, you’re right about that, but..." He broke into a grin. "...You certainly are an unusual one."
He held out his hand.
"I look forward to working with you."
John gripped it firmly.
＊ ＊ _＊
"...And so, with that exchange, John Dini successfully managed to infiltrate the group."
Jin nodded. "You did well. What happens next?"
"Yes, My Lord. According to Mr. Oliver, it seems they will be 'going on a bit of a long journey' in ten days."
"Ten days, huh..."
"Yes."
Haste makes waste, Jin reminded himself, pulling back the reins on his eager heart.
"I suppose things will just have to move at their own pace over there. In the meantime, I should get started on my own projects."
He turned to Reiko.
"Reiko, help me out."
"Yes, Father!" she replied with a beaming smile.
Using 64 light silver, adamantite, and dark-attribute magi-crystals, Jin quickly set about building a small Magi Machine.
It was the dream device he had been turning over in his mind for some time.
Specifically, it was a force generator.
He had confirmed the existence of a force identical to recoil during a previous experiment, and this device was designed to generate that force in any direction and at any magnitude.
He intended to have Reiko test it.
"Reiko, this is a Magi Machine that generates 'force.' I'm going to install it near your center of gravity. If I do, you should be able to perform... uh, what was it... ah, right, '3D maneuvering'."
Jin used Trans Info to convey the detailed explanation to her.
"Understood. I am to confirm the practicality of this device, then?"
"That’s right. Can I count on you?"
"Of course. I will do anything if it helps you, Father."
Jin installed the force generator into Reiko's center of gravity—slightly below her abdomen. He wired it with mithril magi-nerves and configured the magical energy distribution from her magi reactor.
"Alright, finished. Reiko, Wake up."
"Yes, Father."
"How do you feel? You should be about one kilogram heavier."
Reiko tested her condition with small movements, bending and twisting her body before answering.
"Yes, there are absolutely no problems with my balance."
"Then, are you ready?"
"Yes."
Jin and Reiko headed out to the plaza in front of the laboratory.
"Alright, let's try it here. Don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Yes, Father."
The moment Reiko replied, she vanished. An instant later, a thunderous crash echoed through the air.
Jin looked over to see a massive hole in the laboratory's exterior wall. Reiko had effortlessly smashed through the wall, which was made of dense, hard chert.
"R-Reiko! Are you okay!?"
As Jin shouted in alarm, Reiko emerged from the rubble.
"...Father, I have done something terrible..."
She immediately performed a dogeza right there in front of him.