Jin had never been particularly well-versed in electronic engineering, possessing only a basic level of general knowledge.
While there were several ways to enhance the capabilities of an artificial brain, the method Jin decided on was one that might be considered somewhat traditional. It was the concept recently suggested to him by No. 700672: "Magi Frequency."
The central thinking circuit of Laojun's control core was currently an all-attribute magi-crystal. Jin planned to swap this out for a light-attribute one.
Empirically, it was known that while dark-attribute mana possessed the highest frequency, light-attribute mana was the easiest to control. Jin intended to apply this principle to the control core. In computer terms, it would be the equivalent of boosting a CPU’s clock frequency.
Naturally, he didn't stop there. He also overhauled the subsystems, expanding the memory capacity to ten times its previous size and installing auxiliary control cores—effectively coprocessors.
These upgrades improved Laojun's multitasking capabilities, increasing the number of tasks he could process simultaneously. This was a necessity, given that he had to operate multiple terminals like Laozi, Maquina, and John Dini.
"How is it, Laojun?"
『Thank you, My Lord. I am functioning perfectly. With these improvements, I will be able to serve you even more effectively than before.』
Jin smiled and nodded. "Good. I'm counting on you."
Meanwhile, in the Shouro Empire, the Bernstein had cleared the waterways and reached the open sea.
"Whoa, it’s really rocking."
Unlike the calm waters of the lake, the sea had a heavy swell. The change in environment proved too much for several crew members, who were already down with seasickness.
"Snap out of it! Pull yourselves together!"
However, seasickness was not something that could be overcome by sheer willpower. The rolling motion caused by the deep-sea swells was a far cry from the movements of the small boats they were accustomed to, and it seemed it would take a bit of time for the crew to adjust.
"Good work, Jin."
Jin had arrived at Kalts Village in Reinhard’s territory. Having finished his recent streak of work, he wanted to take some time to catch up with everyone. To ensure it was treated as an official visit, he had arrived at Rankenhaus in his airship.
"Yeah, you too, Reinhard."
"I heard Elsa-san was quite the help as well," Berche added. She was in a wonderful mood, seeing as Reinhard had finally returned after a long absence.
"A forty-meter class ship... I'd love to see it for myself," Saki mused. She was visiting as well, accompanied by her father, Toa Eschenbach, and his fiancée, Stearena Gamma.
"You'll get to see all sorts of places. I’m quite jealous," Toa said.
"Oh, if you ask Jin-kun, I’m sure he’d take you anywhere," Stearena teased.
"I wonder how Eckart-san's ship is faring," Vivienne added. She had been invited as well, meaning the entire Jin Family was present.
Since the whole group was gathered, there was naturally one more person in attendance.
"Elsa... how is his condition?" Mine asked.
"Mm. He’s stable. But he hasn't... returned to the way he was."
"I see... so he hasn't recovered."
Brain damage was a difficult hurdle to overcome with science, and magic was no different.
"Now then, I have something to tell everyone," Jin said, speaking up once the group had settled. "It’s about the foreign tribes."
The room fell silent at once.
"This is based on my own independent investigation..."
Jin proceeded to give a concise summary of what he had discovered: that the foreign tribes belonged to a nation called "Mitsuho," that their civilization was highly advanced, and that they seemed to have no hostile intentions. He even mentioned Akitsu, explaining that he had repaired her after extracting her stored information.
"The rest is just my speculation," Jin prefaced before continuing his explanation. "It seems that country has some kind of connection to the Predecessor Magi Craft Meister."
"A connection to the Predecessor?" Reinhard asked.
"Yeah. My guess is based on a person they call the 'magus,' a man named Shuuki Tsetse."
"Tsetse?" Elsa repeated.
"Yes. It’s the same surname as Adriana Barbora Tsetse. Beyond that, the name 'Shuuki' feels familiar to me for some reason."
"What do you mean by that?" Saki asked, tilting her head.
"The name Shuuki exists in the world I came from. Not only that, many of their place names—like Seki, Kari, and Miyako—sound exactly like they originated from Japanese."
Jin explained that he’d actually had a classmate named Shuuki back on Earth. He added, of course, that the Shuuki Tsetse of this world was likely a different person entirely.
"I see. In short, Jin-kun, you're curious about them," Toa said, seeing through to Jin’s true thoughts. It was a keen observation, likely born of his age and experience.
"Exactly. That part is mostly just curiosity. However, I do think it would be in our best interest to maintain good relations with that country."
Jin then spoke about their asphalt-paved roads, the existence of bicycles, and the mention of katsuobushi.
"Hmm, asphalt. That's certainly a technology we don't have in the Allied Kingdoms," Reinhard noted.
"I suppose we can assume they developed 'science' to compensate for their inability to use magic?" Toa suggested.
"Katsuobushi... I wonder what sort of food that is," Berche wondered.
The three of them offered their own distinct reactions.
"Yeah. That’s why I’m hoping we can establish peaceful diplomatic relations. I’m interested in their civilization... and if you’re that curious about the katsuobushi, perhaps you’d like to try some on Hourai Island sometime?"
"Diplomacy... It’ll be difficult, but if it can be achieved, it would certainly benefit the country," Reinhard mused.
"Hehe, it sounds like a fascinating place," Saki laughed.
"I would certainly love to try it, Jin-sama," Berche added.
The conversation continued in that vein until the day drew to a close.
"Jin-sama, I would like to speak with you."
That night, Mine visited Jin’s room. Her expression was unusually grave, and Jin sensed an air of profound seriousness.
"Yes?"
"It is about Elsa."
"Okay."
"Jin-sama, you gave Elsa a new ring, did you not?"
She was referring to the aquamarine Guard Ring.
"Ah... yeah, I did."
"I will not ask you to 'make her happy' or anything of the sort. That girl is already happy simply by being by your side."
"..."
"However, regardless of my feelings, I ask that you please pay your respects to Marlene-sama... the girl's stepmother."
"Oh."
For Jin, the matter had begun and ended with the simple act of giving Elsa the ring. It wasn't a formal engagement; he had simply given it to her as a way to answer her feelings.
"I am aware that it was not intended as an engagement ring," Mine continued.
"I'm... sorry."
In this world, particularly among the nobility, the ring finger of the left hand was considered the finger of affection, and it was common to wear engagement or wedding rings there. While Jin had heard that commoners weren't quite so strict about it, he had still intended the gift to carry his sincere feelings.
"I understand. In any case, I'll go visit her tomorrow."
"Please do so."
Thinking about it, Jin realized he had never actually met Elsa's stepmother, Madam Randol.
"Man... I really was being socially remiss," Jin muttered, feeling a bit dejected.