The second day also concluded without a hitch.
According to Reinhard, the hull design review was nearly complete; they were now at the point where they just needed to finalize the integration with the propulsion system and iron out the finer details.
"We should be able to make the final decision tomorrow."
Jin would be joining the hull review the following day as well.
"Yeah, I’m looking forward to it."
The two of them headed toward the baths together again.
They found they had company today: Rodrigo.
"Ah, Jin-dono, Reinhard-dono," Rodrigo called out, raising a hand in greeting from within the tub.
He’s so thin...
Jin felt a pang of concern as he looked at Rodrigo’s frame. Reinhard was already quite lanky for his height, but Rodrigo was on another level entirely. He wasn't just thin; he was skin and bones. He looked positively sickly.
By contrast, perhaps because of his marriage to Bell or the increase in desk work as a lord, Reinhard had recently filled out a bit—some might even say he was developing the beginnings of a paunch.
"Haha, this body? I was bedridden until quite recently." Rodrigo gave a self-deprecating laugh, having noticed Jin’s slight wince at his physique.
"N-No, forgive me. I didn't mean to stare."
Jin apologized, but Rodrigo simply laughed it off.
"It’s quite alright. Anyone would think the same seeing me like this. To be blunt: it was gambling, drink, and women... though I've put all that behind me now."
"I see..."
As they spoke, another person entered the bath.
"Ah, I see I’m not the first one here."
It was a local magi engineer, Zeneros Fort. In stark contrast to Rodrigo, he possessed a sturdy, powerful build.
"Jin-dono, Reinhard-dono—you're both from the capital region, aren't you? Is the habit of bathing common over there as well?" Zeneros asked while rinsing himself off with a bucket.
"It has been increasing lately, I suppose," Reinhard answered.
Zeneros followed up with another question. "But it's not exactly a common luxury, is it?"
"Well, no. It’s only possible where water is abundant, and heating it requires significant cost and labor. Then there's the matter of disposing of the gray water."
"Quite right."
In a world with magic, Cleanup spells could handle the waste, but even that wasn't free.
For a while, Reinhard and Zeneros exchanged idle chatter. Meanwhile, Rodrigo spoke privately with Jin.
"...It looks like we're going to build a fine ship. Though it is a shame the catamaran wasn't adopted."
"A catamaran might better show its strengths in a smaller vessel," Jin offered, though it was little more than a polite consolation.
"Haha, thank you. Even if it’s just flattery, it means a lot coming from you, Jin-dono."
Jin found the man’s frankness likable. Encouraged, he decided to ask something a bit more personal.
"You mentioned you came from the Kingdom of Elias, right?"
The mention of his homeland seemed to be a mistake. Rodrigo’s face stiffened.
"...Yes. My home is the Kingdom of Elias. I did some things back there... well, things that make it so I can't show my face to my family. Oh, nothing criminal, I assure you."
"I—I see. My apologies. I shouldn't have pried."
When Jin apologized, Rodrigo simply shook his head.
"No, it’s only natural to wonder why someone would travel so far from home." He waved a hand dismissively as if to tell Jin not to worry. "I told you earlier, didn't I? I lost myself to gambling and was buried in debt. I obsessed over other women and neglected my wife, then finally abandoned my family and fled. I tried to drown my misery in drink... and now I've come to this."
Rodrigo laughed sadly, tapping his protruding ribs. Jin remained worried about the man's health.
"Rodrigo-san, are you sure you're well enough to work?"
"...To be honest, no. But the healers say they can't do much more for me, and it costs a fortune besides. More than that, I just want to leave behind one legacy I can be proud of."
With that, Rodrigo bid them goodnight and left the bath.
Jin looked over at Reinhard and saw that his conversation with Zeneros had also wound down. In fact, Reinhard looked like he was about to get dizzy from the heat if he stayed in any longer. The two of them decided to get out.
"...I think I stayed in a bit too long."
Their sweat wouldn't stop even after they dried off. They spent a few moments cooling down in the dressing room before dressing and stepping out into the hall. Outside the window, the lights of night-fishing boats dotted the surface of Lake Wasu.
When they returned to their quarters, Elsa was standing in front of the door.
"...You were late."
"Yeah, we got caught up in a conversation."
"I see."
She mentioned that her room was boring, so she had come to visit until dinner. The three of them entered Jin’s room. Reinhard asked Jin about the finished thrusters.
"Right, I made these adjustments so they could be used for a ship..."
Jin gave a brief explanation. Both Reinhard and Elsa were skilled enough to grasp the concept immediately.
"I see. As expected of Jin."
"Truly. Most people would never have thought of that method."
"Haha, thanks."
"Tomorrow we'll combine the thrusters with the hull for the final adjustments," Reinhard said happily. There was a certain satisfaction in reaching a milestone.
That night, a report arrived from Laojun.
"My Lord, as scheduled, John Dini has set out with Oliver."
"I see. The destination?"
"Unknown at this time. However, based on their preparations, we estimate the journey will take approximately two days each way."
"Understood. No need to rush. Let's keep a steady watch."
"As you wish."
The meeting on the 25th began with a lively exchange of opinions. Now that the propulsion system was decided, the final shape of the ship could be set. Simultaneously, they had to decide on the onboard facilities.
Habitability versus cargo capacity.
Speed versus cruising range.
The debate was fierce. By noon, a conclusion was finally reached. Since this was their first ship, they would prioritize habitability and cruising range.
"If there are no objections, we shall proceed with this policy. We will finalize the finer details this afternoon," Christoph declared.
No one objected. Every person in the room was filled with anticipation for this new vessel. They ate a hurried lunch and gathered in the meeting room once more.
With Jin’s input, the details were hashed out. Since the broad strokes were already in place, the focus remained on minor adjustments. Finally, it was time to move to the drafting board.
"A total length of forty meters should suffice."
"Which would make the width ten meters."
Once the primary dimensions were set, all that remained was to measure the models and translate them into blueprints. Jin and Elsa handled the measurements, while Rodrigo and Kubalt worked on the drawings.
By the three o'clock break, the general layout was complete.
"These three-view drawings you suggested are remarkably easy to read, Jin-dono."
Jin had introduced third angle projection, a standard drafting method from his world. In this world, drawings were rarely that precise—partly because paper had yet to be widely developed.
After a short tea break, they resumed work, this time on component drawings. Creating individual diagrams for every part based on the master plan was a time-consuming process.
"The dimensions are off right there."
"Ah, my mistake. I'll have to redraw it."
"There’s no need to waste fresh parchment. 'Cleanup.'"
It took two more days, until November 27th, for every drawing to be finalized.
Construction was set to begin at last.