"I wonder if you'll participate as well, Jin-kun?"
Seeing that Jin was interested, the Empress asked for confirmation.
"Yes, if I may."
"That would be a great help. In that case, I’d like to appoint you as a consultant. Would that be acceptable?"
Jin was offered the role of consultant—a position that granted him the authority to provide guidance while leaving him relatively free to move as he pleased.
"Of course, Jin-kun, you do not belong to the Shouro Empire alone, so this isn't a compulsory appointment. However, I would be grateful if you could see it through to the end, if possible."
"I’ll do my best."
Jin disliked leaving things half-finished, so he nodded in agreement with the Empress's request.
"...Well then, since Jin-dono will be participating, I shall provide a more in-depth explanation."
The chancellor began to speak again.
"For the future development of our nation, we are planning to improve the transportation network and strengthen our logistical capacity. This isn't just a short-term plan, but a medium-to-long-term initiative."
The chancellor noted that this was part of what they had learned from the Fuhrer, the gift Jin had presented to them. Hearing this made Jin happy; his knowledge was being used for the genuine benefit of the people.
"Regarding land transport, we are first considering the mass production of the Golias."
These large golems, standing six meters tall, could lift approximately ten tons. Considering mana consumption, they would be perfectly practical for transporting five-ton loads.
"We plan to use the Golias not only for transport but also as heavy-duty support for large-scale construction projects."
Jin was impressed by the chancellor’s idea. On Hourai Island, he used the heavy-duty golem Daidara for similar tasks. He had a vague feeling that in this world, without heavy machinery like cranes or forklifts, humanoid golems would evolve to fill those roles instead.
"Furthermore, we also wish to mass-produce golems for human assistance."
Jin understood this well. He made extensive use of the Smiths for exactly that reason.
"Lord Reinhard Randol, we have decided to officially adopt the template for the Schwarzritter you submitted recently. We will, of course, be making adjustments to the materials."
"It is an honor, Your Excellency."
The initial Schwarzritter units operated through the application of Forming. It was a fairly efficient method in its own right if pushed to its limit.
"Construction of the shipyard has already been completed in Shimos Town, facing Lake Wasu in the south."
It seemed preparations had been proceeding steadily. Realizing this plan wasn't just a sudden whim made Jin feel that the work would be truly worthwhile.
"The person in charge of this project is Degauss, the Magic Technology Minister, but the practical coordinator will be Administrative Vice-Minister Christoph."
Christoph Balde von Tarnat was the man who had served as the witness during Reinhard and Berche's wedding.
"Aside from Lord Reinhard Randol, the magi engineers currently assigned are Zeneros Fort and Kleia Altman. We may add one or two more later."
"I understand. When will the project begin?"
"Christoph is already on-site. If possible, I would like you to head there as early as tomorrow."
The chancellor shot a glance at Jin. He was likely counting on the use of Jin’s airship. It was approximately 150 kilometers from Loizart to Shimos Town on the shores of Lake Wasu; by airship, the journey would take less than half a day.
"I will send word by carrier pigeon today, so I leave the rest in your hands."
Thus, Jin and Reinhard were assigned their new duties.
After returning to Jin’s mansion from the Imperial Palace, the group moved directly to Hourai Island. Naturally, Elsa came along.
Reinhard was eager to see the Shark that Jin had built. Beyond that, he wanted to consult with Jin on various technical matters before they began their official work.
"Ho! This is quite a sight. Will you let me on board?"
"Yeah, of course."
Seeing the Shark floating in Tatsumi Bay, Reinhard’s first desire was to experience it firsthand. Jin, Reiko, Edgar, Elsa, and Reinhard boarded in that order. A dedicated pier had been completed, making the process smooth.
"I see. The larger a ship gets, the more you have to consider the ease of boarding and disembarking," Reinhard noted, already observing details for his own designs.
"...Jin-nii, did you build this all by yourself?" Elsa asked.
"Yeah. Well, not entirely alone. I had Reiko help me, of course."
Hearing those words, Reiko stole a glance at Elsa.
"...I wanted to help," Elsa muttered, turning away with a slight pout.
"Well, you weren't here, Elsa," Jin said. Then, in a low voice, he added, "I was a bit lonely without you."
"Eh?"
Elsa didn't quite catch what he said.
"Hm? Oh, no, it's just... for a moment, it felt like I’d gone back to the way things were a long time ago. You know, before I met you or Reinhard."
"Ah, that’s right. You lived all by yourself for a long time, didn't you, Jin!" Reinhard cut in, clearly eager to see the ship in motion.
"Back then I had Reiko and the others, so I wasn't really that lonely... but I have proper companions now. Let’s go!"
Jin started the Aqua Thrusters. The Shark began to move.
"Oh, the movement is so smooth."
Unlike a boat rowed by golems, the Shark glided across the calm waters of Tatsumi Bay without any vibration or swaying.
"Now then, I'm going to pick up the speed."
Jin pointed the bow toward the open sea and opened the throttle.
"O-Oh?"
"...So fast."
Reinhard and Elsa couldn't hide their surprise as the Shark surged forward at an estimated fifty kilometers per hour. As people well-versed in maritime travel, they could tell how much speed they were making simply by the feel of the breeze on their faces.
"...Is it perhaps faster than the boat race?"
Jin and Marcia’s Cygnus had won the Golem Boat Race, likely reaching nearly forty kilometers per hour in its final sprint. Elsa was astonished that the Shark’s cruising speed already surpassed that.
She knew Jin’s technical genius and that his aircraft were far faster, but she was surprised that the Shark—which appeared to be made of ordinary materials—could achieve such velocity. Her ability to recognize that Jin hadn't used any special materials or techniques after only a brief look showed her own growth as a magi engineer.
"Jin-nii, you’re amazing."
"Truly. Jin, this ship is incredible! To achieve this much with such common materials!"
Reinhard had also sensed the lack of rare components.
"Thanks....Well then, from here, I'll show you a world one step beyond."
"Eh? Jin-nii?"
"A world beyond?"
Jin gave a mischievous smile and flipped the activation switch for the force generator.
"Accelerate!"
"W-Whoa!?"
The Shark surged forward, instantly exceeding the 150 kilometers per hour he had clocked during his solo test.
"W-What in the world is this speed!?"
"Jin-nii, could it be this is...?" Elsa seemed to have caught on.
"Yeah. This is the completed force generator drive."
"The force generator?" Reinhard asked.
"Is that the one from before?"
Jin nodded with a beaming smile and brought the Shark's engines to a halt.
"Exactly. It's no longer reaction magic; I've finally achieved direct control over the generation of force itself!"
"I-I see! Congratulations, Jin!"
"...I really wanted to help with that."
Reinhard offered his heartfelt praise while Elsa wore a look of deep regret.
"I wanted to get the whole family together for the reveal, but Elsa was back at her family home and Toa and the others were out. I didn't think I could get everyone in one place."
After offering that somewhat defensive explanation, Jin brought the Shark to a slow stop and turned back to them.
"At any rate, this is the first demonstration for any members of the family besides myself. Reiko, show them!"
"Yes, Father."
Jin and the others climbed onto the roof of the Shark, which was equipped with handrails and simple, built-in chairs.
"Here I go!"
Reiko vanished from before their eyes. Or rather, it appeared as though she had.
"...?"
"Look up."
The two widened their eyes as they looked where Jin pointed. Reiko was floating in the air, suspended without any visible means of support.
"Force can be directed in any direction. Naturally, that includes upward."
"...Still, even so... to think she could suddenly fly..."
"Only Reiko can control it with this much precision. Reiko, show them some movement."
Answering with a raised right hand, Reiko shot off as if launched from a cannon. She performed a series of breathtaking maneuvers—loops, rapid ascents, vertical dives, barrel rolls, and figure-eights. Watching her, Reinhard and Elsa were left utterly speechless.