The following morning, Jin and his companions reunited with the crew of the Bernstein in the guest house's grand dining hall.
That said, the only people they recognized were Rodrigo, Kleia, and Zeneros.
"Jin-dono, it has been a long time! I noticed many things during the voyage, but overall, the trip was quite comfortable," Rodrigo said the moment he saw Jin.
"Jin-san! The thrusters didn't malfunction once! Your craftsmanship is truly magnificent!" Kleia added, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at him.
Standing at Jin’s side, Elsa instinctively drifted half a step closer to him at the sight, while Zeneros’s expression soured.
"I’m glad to hear that," Jin replied, maintaining his usual pace.
Rodrigo added, looking a bit distracted, "The Captain... or rather, the Naval Captain, also seemed to be taking quite a few notes. Please take a look at them if you have the chance. I’m sure you’ll find them informative."
"Naval Captain?" Reinhard echoed, picking up on the specific terminology.
"Ah, yes. For the time being, the Bernstein is designated as a naval flagship—a warship."
"Ah, I see."
The line between a ship and a warship could be blurry. In the Shouro Empire, it seemed they had decided to refer to large military vessels specifically as "warships."
Putting that aside.
"Rodrigo-san, have you met Marcia yet?" This was what Jin had been most curious about.
"No, well... not yet," Rodrigo replied, casting his gaze downward. "She didn't seem to be among the crowd when the Bernstein arrived, either."
He seemed somewhat dispirited. Jin spoke up to encourage him.
"I see... Ah, but she might just be busy, right? I heard she opened a shop in the neighboring town and that it’s flourishing."
"Yes, I’ve heard as much myself."
It seemed Rodrigo had been asking around and was aware of that much.
"Oh, I know. Why don't we head over there together after this?"
"Eh? Together... you mean, to Marcia's workshop?"
"Where else would we go? Besides, you know the way, don't you, Rodrigo-san?"
"Well, yes, I suppose..."
Since it had originally been his own home and workshop, there was no chance he’d forgotten the way.
"Then it’s settled. Let’s meet in the entrance lobby at nine o'clock."
"Ah, yes."
In situations like this, Jin felt it was better to be a bit forceful, so he left the dining hall before Rodrigo could start making excuses.
In truth, Jin was in a position to know Marcia's circumstances in great detail.
Though he had nearly forgotten it himself, ever since the Unifilar Incident, he had assigned two Secret Mobile Unit golems named Cattleya and Lotus to watch over her.
He could have easily checked in on Marcia by asking Laojun, who managed her guardians.
Well, as long as she’s doing well, that’s enough.
However, now that things had come to this, Jin wanted to visit Marcia in person. He felt it wouldn't be right to check on her beforehand, like peeking at the answers to a test.
As long as he knew she wasn't seriously injured, ill, or caught up in some disaster, he intended to find out the rest for himself.
For now, all he knew was that Marcia had thrown herself into developing new ship designs, frequently conducting two-day test voyages out to Io Island—the halfway point of the Golem Boat Race.
I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of ship she's built.
Jin was the type of person who liked to save the best for last.
"So, that's the plan. I’m going to head over to Marcia's shop now," Jin informed Reinhard and Elsa.
"Hmm, I’d like to go too, but I have duties as an ambassador to attend to."
"Me too. It's a shame."
Jin smiled apologetically.
"Sorry. For today, Reiko, Rodrigo-san, and I will go see her."
"Mm. Give her my regards."
"Give her mine as well. Tell her I’d like to meet her once I have some free time."
Jin nodded.
"Right, I will."
He then headed toward the entrance hall.
Rodrigo was already there, pacing restlessly. Checking the sundial, there were still about fifteen minutes left until the appointed time.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. You’re early, Rodrigo-san."
Rodrigo shook his head.
"Ah, n-no, it’s fine. I just couldn't settle down, so I came here right after we spoke..."
Sensing the man's nerves, Jin smiled inwardly.
"Shall we go, then?"
The two left the guest house. Jin wore the robe with the family crest he had received as an Imperial Honorary Advisor of the Shouro Empire, a garment that made it clear at a glance that he was a guest of honor.
As for Reiko, her presence was her pass. There were no other girls in maid uniforms staying at the guest house besides Reiko, the Honorary Squire.
Reiko also wore Jin’s black cloak with the family crest over her shoulders.
Rodrigo showed what looked like a permit to the gatekeeper.
"This place hasn't changed..."
With a nostalgic expression, Rodrigo walked along Port Rock Street.
This was the main thoroughfare that cut through Port Rock City.
They passed through the district lined with high-end shops and turned right at the intersection with North Avenue. Heading straight from there, the sea soon came into view.
When they reached the coastal road and turned left, the rental dock Jin and the others had used during the Golem Boat Race appeared.
"Ah, how nostalgic."
The words escaped Jin’s lips involuntarily.
"Oh, so Jin-dono knows this area as well?"
"Yes. You see, the dock we rented during the Golem Boat Race I mentioned before was right there."
At the spot Jin pointed to, a completely different ship was currently moored.
"I see... I would have liked to see that."
Several catamarans were floating in the harbor. For small vessels, this type was likely popular due to its stability.
They also saw several waterwheel-driven ships similar to their boat, the Cygnus.
"Marcia really worked hard."
Of course, they were nowhere near the level of what Jin had built, but he could see that practical minor modifications had been made.
The reduction in the waterwheel’s diameter was likely to compensate for a golem's lack of strength, and the use of two belts on each side was probably to increase durability.
Rodrigo, seeing so many ships based on the catamaran design he had once built on a whim, had tears in his eyes.
Walking slowly along the coastal road in silence, Jin, Reiko, and Rodrigo eventually crossed from Port Rock Town into Portoa Town.
And then...
"This is my... no, my former workshop... Oh!"
There, propped up in place of a sign, was a catamaran. It was none other than entry number thirty-five, the Cygnus.
The surface treatment Jin had applied remained effective; the vessel's brilliant white finish hadn't faded, despite constant exposure to the harsh sun.
"Ah, how nostalgic."
"It is the ship you worked on, Father."
Jin and Reiko gazed at the Cygnus for a while, stroking its hull gently as they indulged in the memory.
Even to Jin’s eyes, it was clear that it hadn't deteriorated in the slightest. It looked as though it could still sail with the same performance as the day they raced it.
As for Rodrigo, rather than rushing in to see Marcia, he was pacing back and forth in front of the workshop. It seemed he couldn't summon the courage to enter.
Jin couldn't help but think he was being a bit indecisive for his age, but realizing that the relationship between a father and daughter could be complicated, he decided to give Rodrigo a push.
He stepped into the workshop first.
"Welcome."
A young man came out to greet them. He appeared to be an employee.
"Um, I’d like to see Marcia."
When Jin spoke, the man looked apologetic.
"I’m very sorry, but the manager is currently out... She should be back any time now, though."
Jin was a bit disappointed. Based on the information from Laojun, he had heard that she usually returned from her test voyages by eight in the morning. It was already ten o'clock.
"In that case, would it be alright if we wait?...Right, Rodrigo-san?"
Jin called out to Rodrigo, who was peeping inside from the doorway. Rodrigo straightened his back as if startled.
"Y-Yes, of course!"
And so, Jin, Rodrigo, and Reiko settled into the reception area to wait.