February 10, 3458, on Hourai Island. Early spring was just on the horizon.
"My Lord, the world map is almost complete."
Laojun brought the report to Jin.
"Oh, is it? It certainly took its time, didn't it?"
"Yes. In the southern hemisphere particularly, the free ether is sparse, so we proceeded with the utmost caution to prevent any unforeseen accidents."
"I see. Well, that's fine. So, how does it look?"
"Here, please have a look."
A world map was projected onto the magi-screen.
It was a pseudo-Mercator projection, meaning the east and west were stretched further apart the closer they got to the north and south poles, but it was enough to get a sense of the layout.
"Hmm, there's more ocean in the south, then. And as expected, there’s no continent at the poles."
"Correct. Here is the Lauren Continent, and the Gondoa Continent to the north. There is this lone continent further away, another to the southwest connected by an isthmus, and this archipelago."
"Yeah, that’s an interesting arrangement. So, did you find anything else?"
"Yes. It appears there are no indigenous people... no humans on the other continents."
"What?"
It was a startling revelation.
"Confirming that was part of why it took so long. At the very least, there is no sign of civilization. Plants are lush and animals are thriving, but that is the extent of it."
"Father, now that I think about it, when I was warping all over the place searching for you, inhabited lands were quite scarce," Reiko added, reinforcing Laojun’s report.
"Hmm..."
Jin tried to recall the history of Earth.
He remembered hearing that Homo sapiens roots could be traced back to a single woman in Africa—a concept often called the "Great Mother."
"If the birthplace of modern humanity was somewhere in the territory of the Mitsuho tribe, and then a clan that arrived on the 'Heavenly Ship' intervened..."
"It would certainly explain why development here has differed from Earth," Laojun picked up the thread.
"Yeah. There’s a possibility they became civilized and settled down before they could spread across the entire world. Well, I’m not a historian, an archaeologist, or an ethnologist, so I don’t really need to confirm things from that angle."
Jin figured that if he truly wanted to know if this speculation was correct, he could probably get a general idea by asking No. 700672.
"In any case," Jin said, resetting the conversation. "I suppose humans will eventually spread to those other continents in the very distant future."
"Most likely."
"Well, I won't be around by then, but I’m sure Hourai Island and my descendants will still be going strong."
The moment he mentioned "descendants," Elsa’s face suddenly flashed through Jin’s mind, and he felt himself blush in private.
"A-Anyway, let’s proceed with some simple surveys for now and just confirm the locations of useful resources."
"Understood."
"Oh, and don’t touch the underground resources, okay? Seeds or seedlings for plants are fine, though."
"Roger."
And so, nearly a year after the survey began alongside the development of aircraft, the full picture of the Ars world was gradually revealing itself to Jin and the others.
"Furthermore, My Lord. It appears that nation... the Celuroa Kingdom, is holding a Founding Anniversary Ceremony on February 22, and notifications have been sent to various countries."
"Hmm. And?"
"They wish to urge you, the 'Lord of Kunlun,' to attend. However, since they do not know your whereabouts, they are asking other nations to pass on the message."
Since finding the shed skin of the Ancient Dragon in the demon territory, Jin had been staying on Hourai Island, so he hadn't been in a position to receive such news.
"I see. I’ll head to the Shouro Empire soon and have them notify the kingdom from there."
"That would be for the best."
"But the Celuroa Kingdom’s Founding Anniversary Ceremony, huh... Knowing that country, they’re probably plotting something."
"Indeed. It seems they intend to show off their nation's technology. They have been building airships and large vessels."
Flaunting their magi-engineering prowess while the leaders of various nations were gathered—it was exactly the kind of thing that country would do.
"The sky and the sea... water, then. I wonder if there’s anything on land... golems?"
"They seem to be planning something there as well, though I have yet to grasp the details. However, it seems that Fritz-dono and the Golias units currently in the Kingdom of Egerea will be participating."
"Hmm. If that’s the case, then it’s almost certain they have golems superior to the Golias."
"I will continue the investigation."
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
Gloria Allstatt, vice-captain of the Klein Kingdom’s Female Ritter Order, was taking a vacation in the Kingdom of Egerea. She was accompanied only by her adjutant, Cynthia.
The other female knights, along with the male knights, had already returned to the Klein Kingdom via the road they came—through the Former Leonard Kingdom.
Having suffered severe injuries, Gloria had been granted a long-term leave for the first time in a while. One could say that Cynthia, as her adjutant, was benefiting from the overflow of that kindness.
It was on February 7 that instructions from their home country reached them.
"Gloria-sama, it looks like our vacation is finally coming to an end."
Cynthia approached Gloria, who was practicing her sword swings in the Guest House garden of the Outer Palace to get her stiff body back into shape.
"Yeah, I thought it was about time. Have orders come in? Or are we being recalled?"
Cynthia looked down at the memo in her hand before answering.
"Yes. A Founding Anniversary Ceremony will be held in Dali, in the Celuroa Kingdom, on February 22. We have been ordered to attend."
"Hmm, Dali. From here, we can reach it in about a week."
"Yes. Until we reach the Celuroa Kingdom, it's essentially an extension of our vacation. It says so right here."
This command had been relayed during a regular call via manaphone.
"Um, it says to receive our travel expenses from the Kingdom of Egerea."
"I see, they're having them front the cost."
"The Chancellor and likely a member of the royal family will arrive from our home country. Our job will be to act as their escort."
"Since it’s faster to head there directly from here."
There was no direct highway from the Kingdom of Egerea to the Klein Kingdom, so there wasn't enough time to return home through the Former Leonard Kingdom and then head back out to the Celuroa Kingdom.
"Adjust the schedule as needed."
"Yes, understood."
Gloria left the logistics to her adjutant.
"Oh, Gloria-dono, Cynthia-dono."
Fritz Randol, a lieutenant colonel of the Shouro Empire's Expeditionary Force, arrived. He was Elsa's biological older brother.
"Fritz-dono, are the repairs on the Golias already complete?"
Indeed, the five giant Golias golems he led had suffered significant damage in battle against the "Copies" in the Former Leonard Kingdom. They were currently being repaired with the help of the Kingdom of Egerea's magi craftmen.
Though the Golias were a state secret, the vast majority of the repairs were to the exterior armor, so the Shouro Empire had seen no harm in commissioning the work.
"Yeah, they say it'll be finished by the day after tomorrow. I can finally go home."
Cynthia’s face darkened at those words. However, Fritz wasn't finished.
"...Or so I'd like to say, but now I have to head to Dali in the Celuroa Kingdom. Good grief."
"Eh? Could it be for the Celuroa Kingdom’s Founding Anniversary Ceremony?"
The light of joy returned to Cynthia’s face.
"Hm? Did you two get the same news?"
"Yes, exactly. Gloria-sama and I are to head to Dali from here."
Hearing this, Fritz thought for a moment.
"Hmm, in that case, shall we go together? The Golias can carry all your luggage."
"Yes! By all means!"
Cynthia answered before Gloria could even open her mouth. Realizing she had decided over her superior's head, Cynthia bowed deeply to Gloria.
"I-I'm sorry!"
However, Gloria just laughed it off.
"It’s fine. I left the scheduling to Shia, after all."
Fritz watched the exchange with a smile.
"Looks like it's settled then. Shall we set out three days from now... on February 10?"
"Y-Yes, that sounds perfect!"
Cynthia replied, her voice sounding a bit flighty.
"Fritz-dono, I'll be in your care again for a while."
Gloria shook hands with Fritz to seal the arrangement.