Even after Reiko returned, Reinhard remained caught up in his enthusiasm for some time.
"Jin, you really are amazing! I wish I could just throw everything aside and live on Hourai Island!"
"...Rai-nii, you’ll make Bell cry."
While they spoke, the Shark made its way back to Tatsumi Bay.
"...Have you calmed down?"
"A—Ah, yeah."
By the time the Shark docked at the pier, Reinhard’s excitement finally seemed to have subsided. Jin finished mooring the vessel securely and turned back to his friend.
"Once I've gathered a bit more control data for the force generator, I think I'll be able to make something like personal flying armor."
"I see! That's something to look forward to!"
Jin had intended to distract Reinhard, but the comment backfired spectacularly.
"Flying armor! Humans flying through the sky! Wonderful! I can’t wait for that day!"
Reinhard remained in a state of constant fervor until they returned to the laboratory.
"...Now then, about the development project."
"Right."
After returning to the laboratory, Jin and the others had a meal—it was dinner time locally, though to their internal clocks, it felt more like lunch. By then, Reinhard had finally returned to his usual self.
"It was a good reference for me. To think you built something like that using ordinary materials, Jin!"
"I agree....Though the force generator was completely unexpected," Elsa added.
Reinhard and Elsa each offered their assessments of the Shark.
"Seeing that has given me confidence that Her Majesty's plan will succeed. I don't want to lose to Eckart, after all!"
Reinhard was clearly feeling a sense of rivalry toward Eckart Techles, a merchant in the southern Celuroa Kingdom who was currently building a forty-meter-class ship.
"If we use the Golias units for construction, we can significantly shorten the work period. I'm looking forward to it," Jin said, sharing the sentiment.
"We'll probably hammer out the specific ship type once we get there. Is there anything we should prepare?" Jin asked the two of them.
"Since it’s a national project, I think we only need to bring our personal belongings," Elsa answered. "If anything, maybe some spending money?"
They could buy anything they lacked once they arrived, she concluded.
"True....Well, I’ve also installed a small Warp Gate on the airship, so we can come back whenever we want."
"...That is so like you, Jin..." Reinhard marveled in a slightly exasperated tone.
The following day, November 23rd. In the early morning, Jin’s airship departed from Loizart. On board were Jin, Elsa, Reinhard, Reiko, Edgar, and Steward.
The airship was slightly over its weight capacity, but they lightened the load using Gravity Magic, and the vessel headed straight for the town of Shimos.
With a light northern breeze aiding them, they arrived at Shimos shortly after 10:00 AM. It seemed word had been sent ahead via pigeon the previous day; a large sign reading "Airship Landing Site" had been set up in the plaza by the lakeshore, so they had no trouble finding a place to touch down.
"Welcome, Reinhard-sama, Jin-sama, Elsa-sama."
The man who came to greet them was the mayor of Shimos, a tall, thin man in his mid-thirties with brown hair and gray eyes. He looked energetic and in the prime of his life.
"And Reiko-sama... and should I address you as Edgar?"
The mayor appeared to be well-informed about the group. He also didn't seem particularly surprised by the airship, which made sense given that a single hot air balloon was moored right next to the landing site.
"I am Barial Tauta. I received word yesterday that Lord Reinhard's party would be arriving, so I have been waiting here."
Among the three, Reinhard held the highest rank as a Baron, and since this was a task directly ordered by the Empress, he acted as their representative.
"You must be Jin Nidou-sama. I have heard much of you. And this young lady is Elsa Randol-sama. Along with Reiko-sama, who holds the rank of squire despite being an automata—it is a pleasure to meet you all."
Jin’s airship was securely moored and covered with a pre-prepared tarp. Leaving Steward behind to watch over the vessel, Jin and the others followed the mayor. They traveled on foot, as their workplace was apparently close by.
"It is just over there."
It was a three-minute walk from the landing site. A group of brand-new buildings stood in a cove facing Lake Wasu; one of them served as the administrative building. Since this was a national project, knights were stationed there as guards to ensure security.
"Beyond the administrative building, that large structure is the shipyard. Further back is the materials warehouse."
Preparations were quite advanced. According to the mayor, construction had begun in July, meaning this plan had likely started immediately after the Technology Expo.
"Oh, Lord Jin Nidou, welcome. My apologies for not being there to greet you. Reinhard-dono, I'm glad you came. Miss Elsa—no, Lady Elsa, welcome as well. And Reiko-dono, it is good to see you."
The person in charge of the project site was Christoph Balde von Tarnart, the Administrative Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Magi Technology. Having served as the witness for Reinhard’s wedding and the moderator for the Technology Expo, he was an old acquaintance of Jin's.
"No, we didn't specify exactly what time we would arrive, so please don't let it trouble you."
"I appreciate you saying that," Christoph said, scratching his head.
"By the way, what is that?" Jin asked, gesturing toward the drawings Christoph had spread out on a table.
"These are the proposals for the ship. They seemed quite promising, so I ended up spending a while reviewing them."
"May I take a look?"
"Please, go right ahead. But before that, now that the core personnel have gathered, I'd like to perform the introductions."
"Oh? I thought one or two more people might be joining us."
"That's right. The final member was decided just this morning."
With that, everyone moved to the meeting space in the back.
"Everyone, thank you for gathering. Our objective is to build a giant ship the likes of which has never been seen before. This will bring a great revolution to the industry and transportation of our Shouro Empire."
After this preamble, Christoph paused for a moment, looked around at the seven people seated, and began the introductions.
"I am Christoph Balde, the Administrative Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Magi Technology. I will be serving as the site manager. Now, let me introduce our team. First, participating as a consultant, we have the Magi Craft Meister, Jin Nidou-dono."
The five people besides Reinhard and Elsa began to murmur. It seemed the title of Magi Craft Meister carried weight even here.
"Next to him is Miss Elsa Randol. She is a magi engineer and also a Reichsarzt. She will be looking after any injuries during our work."
Upon being introduced, Elsa gave a slight, silent bow.
"Next to her is Reinhard Randol-dono....Ah, I forgot to mention, while we are engaged in this project, let's not worry too much about nobility or social status. If we're too stiff about it, things won't move smoothly," Christoph said with a laugh. Jin felt grateful, thinking that would make things much easier.
"...Beyond Reinhard Randol-dono is Zeneros Fort-dono. He is a local magi engineer. Next to him is Miss Cleia Altman. She is a magi engineer from the neighboring town, Sua."
Zeneros was a young man with blond hair, gray eyes, and a sturdy build. Cleia had red hair and brown eyes; she was so petite that she could easily be mistaken for a child, but she was apparently over twenty years old.
"Next to me on this side is Rodrigo-dono. He is a shipwright who came from the Kingdom of Elias. And on the other side is Balt-dono, a shipwright from here in Shimos."
Including Christoph, these eight people made up the initial members. Laborers would be hired separately.
Rodrigo was tall, perhaps even taller than Reinhard, and gauntly thin. Jin felt as if he had seen that blond hair and those blue eyes somewhere before. The other shipwright, Balt, had silver hair, green eyes, and a sturdy build.
"Now, since everyone is here." Christoph straightened his posture slightly. "As I said before, I will be the site manager until this project is complete. Generally, working hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though there may be extensions depending on progress. During those hours, try not to worry too much about titles. However, please maintain proper courtesy. That is all."
Adopting a more professional demeanor, Christoph spread the drawings across the table.
"Then, I would like to move directly into the briefing. Here is a conceptual drawing for the new type of ship. I've been reviewing it, and I think it's quite good. I want to hear everyone's opinions."
Jin peered at the drawing and was immediately surprised.
"This is... a catamaran?"
Indeed, a giant catamaran was depicted in the drawing.
"Jin-dono, was it? Are you familiar with catamarans?" the speaker was Rodrigo, who looked somewhat puzzled.
"Yes, I saw one before in Port Rock in the Kingdom of Elias. Right, Reinhard?"
"Yeah. I thought it was a very practical design," Reinhard agreed.
Rodrigo’s face brightened. "Indeed!...I believe this design is exceptionally stable and perfect for a ship going out into the open ocean. What do you think?"
"There is logic in that," Jin replied. "However, if we're talking about the relationship with size..."
"What do you mean?" Rodrigo leaned forward.
Jin provided further explanation. "The larger a ship gets, the more the forces acting on various parts of the hull differ. I suspect it will become prohibitively heavy if you try to give it enough structural strength to withstand those forces."
"Mmm..."
To Rodrigo, who still didn't seem entirely convinced, Jin continued. "Among the family of catamarans—or perhaps a variation—there are ships with auxiliary floats, like outriggers."
"...Ah, yes, there are."
"On a surface with waves, what would happen if a wave struck only that float?"
"Hmm?...I see. A massive force would be applied to the crossbeam connecting it to the hull." Rodrigo was quick to grasp the concept and arrived at the answer immediately.
"A catamaran is effective for a ship carrying a few people," Jin said, recalling Marcia's boat. "But when the scale reaches tens of meters..."
Since it would be built primarily of wood, an increase in weight would be inevitable to ensure strength. His experience building the Shark on Hourai Island was proving useful here.
"Furthermore, we'll need to consider whether it's compatible with the propulsion system."
Rodrigo nodded. "Yes, that is very true. Christoph-dono, could you please explain that part?"
"Understood."
Christoph took out another drawing.