With Reiko’s overhaul complete, Jin turned his attention to the next order of business the very next day.
“So, how are those Frost Dragon materials coming along?”
It had been a matter of chance, but they had indeed acquired a Frost Dragon.
『Yes, My Lord. The analysis and material breakdown are complete.』
“Oh, is that so?”
“Hehe, I can’t wait to see.”
“Mm. Very interesting.”
Jin, Elsa, and Saki headed to the temporary storage area set up behind the laboratory. Reiko was already waiting for them inside the tented enclosure.
“Father, I am told this is the taxidermy specimen of the Frost Dragon, along with its processed materials.”
“Whoa!”
Standing before them was the twenty-meter-long Frost Dragon, now a full-sized taxidermy mount.
“They decided to preserve it as a specimen because the hide is weaker than that of an Ancient Dragon or a Sea Dragon,” Reiko explained, relaying Laojun’s report. “The bones and tusks are quite robust, however, and can be used as crafting materials. Their texture is remarkably similar to ivory.”
Those components had been neatly categorized and stacked. Jin recalled the time he’d been shown the official ivory seal owned by the director of his orphanage. It had possessed an elegant, refined quality, much like these bones.
“Since its diet consisted primarily of free ether, the meat doesn't appear fit for consumption. However, as the analysis isn't fully finished, it is being kept in a mana tank for now.”
In a mana tank, magic-based materials could be preserved semi-permanently. There was no need to rush the research.
“The internal organs are also stored in a mana tank. Would you like to begin the analysis?”
“...Hmm, what should we do?”
Jin wasn't a biologist, nor had he ever performed a formal dissection. He hadn't even done one back in science class.
“It would be a waste to just throw them away... Let’s put that on hold for the time being.”
In this manner, they sorted the materials into those that were immediately useful, those that weren't, and those to be held in reserve. Some were added to the stockpile, while others were designated for further study. Saki’s interest was drawn to the tusks.
“They’re strong enough to crush the shed skin of an Ancient Dragon, which is supposed to be the toughest biological material out there, after all.”
Jin offered a counterpoint.
“Wait, didn't you say it yourself, Saki? That ‘even I could probably tear it apart.’ It was easy to crush because it was just a shed skin with no mana flowing through it.”
“Hehe, you’re right. And I suppose they could digest it for the same reason—it was just a hollow shell.”
“That would be my guess.”
Elsa then spoke up. “...Why does a Frost Dragon eat Ancient Dragon skin anyway?”
“Hmm, I wonder?”
There was still much about the ecology of Ancient Dragons and Frost Dragons that remained a mystery.
“No. 700672 might know something... Ah, that’s right.”
“Jin, did you realize something?”
“No, not about the dragons. I just realized I haven't reported back to No. 700672 about finding the skin, nor have I thanked him properly.”
“Ah, you’re right. It would be rude to leave things like that.”
“Mm. You should go.”
“Yeah... Alright then!”
Since Reiko’s modifications were finished, Jin decided to head out immediately.
“Take care, Jin-nii.”
“I’ll be busy with my research here!”
＊ ＊ ＊
“Ho, so you successfully obtained it. Excellent, most excellent.”
Jin visited No. 700672 with Reiko in tow, briefly explaining the events of their search and describing the results in detail.
“Hmm, impressive. A magnificent piece of work.”
No. 700672 praised Reiko after examining her.
“By circulating mana, you have rendered her skin indestructible. Furthermore, you applied the material to her muscles and skeleton as well? A bold concept. Even I had not considered that.”
Embarrassed by the praise, Jin changed the subject.
“We also happened across the carcass of a Frost Dragon and brought it back. We’re studying it now.”
“Ho, that is a stroke of luck. The magical beasts of the north—the dragon species in particular—are an exception among powerful creatures in that they can survive solely on free ether.”
Generally, lower magical beasts lived on free ether, while higher ones preyed on lower creatures, animals, or plants. That was the common hierarchy of magical beast ecology.
“That said, it is a recorded fact that Frost Dragons consume the shed skins of Ancient Dragons. Perhaps they find them delicious, though I cannot say for certain.”
No. 700672 gave a small smile.
“To return to your work, while passing mana through the hide makes it incredibly tough, the same principle applies to the muscles. However, as they have poor preservation properties, they are almost never utilized.”
“I see...”
It seemed the Frost Dragon meat really was useless. Breaking it down into its constituent atoms and discarding it might be the most efficient way to recycle it.
“However, regarding the ice magic used by the Frost Dragon, I believe you will find the magic core that governs it at the base of the throat. You should make sure to secure that.”
“A magic core... Like a crystalline form of free ether?”
“Indeed, that is a fair assessment. Essentially, it is a magi-crystal of biological origin.”
Jin mused that gallstones and kidney stones were also crystals formed within the human body. While those were harmful, the magic core was different in that it served a purpose.
The conversation then shifted to materials in general, and during the discussion, No. 700672 offered an unexpected gift.
“If you intend to investigate the physical properties of materials, I shall give you these reagents.”
He had Neige bring out a small container, roughly the size of a storage chest.
“It contains various acids and alkalis. They are hazardous substances, so handle them with the utmost care.”
“Thank you very much.”
Chemistry was one of Jin’s weaker areas, so being given a set of ready-made reagents was a massive help. After exchanging a few more technical insights, Jin prepared to return to Hourai Island.
“Well then, thank you for all your help.”
“Mm. Feel free to drop by whenever you wish; I enjoy the company.”
“Reiko-san, please come visit again.”
“Neige-san, you take good care of your father too.”
＊ ＊ ＊
When Jin returned to Hourai Island, he found Saki practically dancing with joy.
“Saki, what’s happened?”
“Ah, Jin! Look at this magi-crystal! It came out of the Frost Dragon!”
Saki pointed to a magi-crystal the size of a basketball. It had a pale, watery blue tint, distinct from the hue of an aquamarine.
“Ah, so that’s the Frost Dragon’s magic core.”
“Eh?”
“Jin-nii, you knew about this?”
Jin shared the knowledge he had just acquired from No. 700672.
“I see... So this is the primary source for that incredible cold. That makes perfect sense.”
“And since the meat is apparently useless, let’s dispose of it before it begins to spoil.”
“Mm. That’s for the best.”
With that, the plan for the Frost Dragon materials was finalized.
“Also, I received these reagents.” Jin gestured to the container. “I’ll leave them in Laojun’s care. You can use them too, Saki, but be careful. There are some extremely dangerous chemicals in there.”
He decided to have Laojun analyze them first; if they were substances Jin recognized from Earth, he would have them labeled accordingly.
＊ ＊ ＊
『My Lord, there are several matters I wish to report.』
Laojun spoke to Jin after lunch while he was relaxing with a cup of tea. Elsa and Saki had already disappeared into the workshop together.
“Hmm? Go ahead.”
『Yes. It concerns the movements of the Celuroa Kingdom over the past several months.』
“Oh?”
『It appears they have been constructing airships since around June of last year. It seems your presentation at the Technology Expo in the Shouro Empire was the catalyst for this development.』
“Yeah, and?”
『In November of last year, they completed a sixty-meter-class airship and have since begun mass production.』
“...I have a bad feeling about this, but what gas are they using?”
『It is hydrogen.』
Jin’s expression soured. On Earth, there had once been a gargantuan airship called the Hindenburg. It had been a massive vessel, over two hundred meters long. It had met a sudden, fiery end in an explosion—a tragedy that stood alongside the sinking of the Titanic and the Challenger disaster as one of the 20th century’s most infamous accidents.
While NASA eventually announced that the cause wasn't the hydrogen gas itself but rather the iron oxide and aluminum paint on the hull (which shared the same components as thermite) igniting from a static spark, the fact remained that hydrogen was a dangerously flammable gas. Furthermore, the gas bags used in this world were made of hemp and soft magi-resin, which were also highly combustible. They lacked the non-flammable, heat-resistant properties of materials like Ground Spider resin (GSP).
“...It’s fine that they built airships by imitating what they saw, but...”
When Jin thought about the potential for a disaster, he began to worry that he might bear some responsibility for it.
『My Lord, however, the materials are not of a type that ignites instantaneously, so perhaps there is no need for such deep concern.』
“I suppose. It’s not like they’re using something as dangerous as iron oxide and aluminum mixed paint.”
I should at least develop a fire-extinguishing magic tool, Jin thought.
“That would be useful for any country, regardless of the situation.”
『Understood. Furthermore, there is one more concern.』
“Hmm? What is it?”
『It concerns Reiko-san. When we used the Warp Gate just now, the individual recognition mechanism barely registered her presence.』
“What?”
『I suspect it is because the Ancient Dragon leather prevents her mana from leaking out.』
“You can’t be serious...”
If Laojun’s theory was correct, using Ancient Dragon leather had come with an unexpected drawback. Jin immediately set about verifying the issue.