“So this is the Bernstein, the ship you were aboard, Father...”
“It is. Impressive, isn't it?”
“Yeah.”
Her body now fully recovered, Marcia had been brought by Rodrigo to see the Bernstein.
He had obtained permission from the captain for her to come as far as the deck.
“I’m going to pay my respects to the captain now.”
“Okay.”
Leaving Marcia on the deck, Rodrigo went to see the captain of the Bernstein, Lugaria Gascal von Alcois.
“Ah, Rodrigo-dono.”
“Captain, I’ll be disembarking today, so I’ve come to give my final greetings.”
“I see. That’s a bit of a shame. But it seems you’ve reconciled with your daughter. Congratulations.”
“Thank you very much.”
Rodrigo shook the hand the captain offered.
“I’ve compiled the observations I made during our voyage. I’ve also added some points inspired by my daughter’s accident.”
Rodrigo presented his "Memorandum (Revised)" once more.
The captain leafed through it.
‘Standardization of ship mooring facilities’ and ‘Precautions for the prevention of disease transmission’ were the two items that caught his eye.
“Hmm, this is a fresh perspective. I’ll report this to my superiors immediately. You have my gratitude, Rodrigo-dono.”
“I’m glad to be of service.”
They shook hands again before Rodrigo took his leave and returned to the deck.
“Finished already, Father?”
“Yes. Shall we go, Marcia?”
“Mm-hmm.”
As the father and daughter walked across the deck, someone called out to them.
“Rodrigo-san, I heard you’re leaving the ship?”
It was Kleia, the group’s only woman.
“Ah, Kleia. Yes, from now on, I’m going to live here in Port Rock with my daughter and build ships.”
“Is this your daughter?”
“Yes, I’m Marcia. Thank you for looking after my father.”
“The pleasure was mine.”
Marcia, standing at 169 centimeters, shook hands with the 145-centimeter Kleia.
“Rodrigo-san, I’ll visit again someday.”
“Please do. When you come, I’ll show you the ships we’ve built.”
“Take care.”
“I wish you a safe journey back.”
As they descended the gentle gangway, Marcia looked at her father’s profile.
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
Noticing her gaze, Rodrigo asked his daughter.
“Father... you’ve lost weight.”
“You’re only noticing that now?”
“Looking forward to working with you... from now on.”
“Hey now, that’s my line. Marcia, I’m looking forward to working with you.”
“...Yeah.”
The two then headed to the town hall.
While they didn't have family registers or residency papers, they went to register Rodrigo as a shipwright so he could work at Marcia’s workshop.
Port Rock Town also managed the residents of neighboring towns because it housed the lord's mansion.
＊ ＊ ＊
Returning to the workshop, the two went out to the backyard.
There stood the residence Jin had built as an extension.
Originally, Marcia had lived in a shack behind the workshop, but Jin had personally built a two-story addition since Rodrigo would be living there too.
“I’m not sure this really counts as an ‘extension’ anymore.”
The weather in Port Rock was pleasant enough for a shack to be sufficient, but Jin’s new building was made of the same Oya stone as the neighboring houses.
Though small, it had a proper bathtub instead of just a shower, and the toilet was Hourai Island-type—meaning it featured a heated seat with warm-water washing and warm-air drying functions. Waste was subjected to deodorant, cleanup, sterilization, and decomposition.
The kitchen had also been renovated and was accessible directly from the workshop, making it easy to cook meals.
“He really is special.”
Rodrigo had already told Marcia that Jin was officially recognized internationally as the world’s only Magi Craft Meister.
“Yeah. I never thought Jin would become such a big deal after we said goodbye.”
At this point, they didn't know he had also been named the ‘Lord of Kunlun.’
“He came here as an ambassador for the Shouro Empire this time. He did say he’d come back to catch up properly soon, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m looking forward to it.”
Marcia brought her father to the design table.
“Father, this is the large... well, mid-sized ship I’ve been designing.”
It was an eight-meter trimaran.
“Oh, this is impressive. You’ve been studying, Marcia.”
Rodrigo admired the blueprints and praised his daughter.
“It’s a bit embarrassing. Do you see anything that needs fixing?”
“Hmm... A structure like this is likely only feasible up to this size.”
“What?”
“I actually proposed a catamaran when they were designing the Bernstein.”
He explained the design debates to her.
“So that’s how it was... I see. If Jin and Reinhard say so, I guess making it any bigger is out of the question.”
“Yes. Mostly because of hull strength.”
Just then, Jeremy poked her head in.
“Ah, Boss. And... what should I call you?”
Jeremy was still a bit flustered since it was only yesterday she’d heard Rodrigo was joining the workshop.
“Just Rodrigo is fine.”
“Then I’ll call you Rodrigo-san.”
“That works.”
“Jeremy, where’s Baccus?”
Since the other staff member was nowhere to be seen, Marcia asked.
“He went out to get materials.”
“Right. And Arrow?”
“I am here, Marcia-sama.”
Arrow entered from outside. She had been at the dock across the street.
“Ah, Arrow. I’m going to try building the trimaran again. You’ll help me, won't you?”
“Of course, Marcia-sama. Since my Creator gave me new functions, I can assist you even more than before.”
“Jin did? Oh, right, he said he did some ‘maintenance’ on you.”
Marcia wouldn't be amazed by Arrow’s new capabilities for a little while longer.
“Father, the problem with this mid-sized ship is the propulsion.”
She felt the limits of waterwheels. They weren't suited for a ship of this scale.
“Yes, I agree. Jin-dono developed something called a ‘Jet Thruster’ for the Bernstein.”
“I wonder if he could make one for us?”
“Well, he said he’d be coming by soon, so we can ask him then. My gut says he’ll do it for us.”
“I think so too.”
Marcia knew her friend Jin well enough.
However, neither expected that Jin was planning something far beyond that.
“Baccus-san, welcome back!”
Jeremy’s voice rang through the shop.
“Boss, I’m back! I’ve secured enough materials to build a new ship!”
An order had recently come in from Marchioness Firenziano.
It was for the project to transport goods up the Naudaria River to the Klein Kingdom—specifically, shallow-bottom boats.
They were to be between five and ten meters long.
If the first one performed well, they’d receive an order for five more.
Since it was a national project, the state would cover all material costs. For the Marcia Workshop, which had just lost its prototype trimaran, it was perfect timing.
“Alright, let’s get to work!”
The Marcia Workshop was buzzing with energy now that Rodrigo was on the team.