"Jin, do you have a moment?"
It was Saki who called out to him. For the past few days, she had been working on a material properties table focusing on resistance.
"So, you've finished this much already?"
The list she showed him was a comprehensive table detailing the heat resistance (melting points) and chemical resistance of various materials, including ground spider silk, Sea Dragon wing membranes, Ancient Dragon shed skin, crystal, zirconia, gold, silver, mithril, 64 light silver, and adamantite.
"Oh, this is impressive... How did you manage to measure these melting points?"
"The data for the gold and silver came from Laojun’s knowledge base."
In other words, from Jin's own knowledge.
"I couldn't get precise measurements for the Ancient Dragon shed skin and a few others, so those are just approximations."
Indeed, the table listed ground spider silk at 1,600°C, Sea Dragon wing membranes at 2,000°C, and Ancient Dragon shed skin at over 3,000°C.
What stood out most was the Ancient Dragon shed skin; it was resistant to sulfuric acid, nitric acid, aqua regia, sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen fluoride. It also withstood the body fluids of a Gigant Peeder, the acid of a Giga Ant, and the corrosive fluid from the 'Copy'.
"Still, I'm surprised you managed to get your hands on things like sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrogen fluoride."
"Heh, is that what impresses you?" Saki asked with a wry smile.
"All of the chemical substances were provided by No. 700672. We still have several unidentified reagents, so those are currently on hold."
"Ah, I see. He’s already proven useful."
"Yes. As long as we have the samples, we should eventually be able to synthesize the same substances ourselves."
Indeed, the 'Analyze' spell could only provide data on known substances.
With hydrogen fluoride (HF), the magic could identify that it contained fluorine and hydrogen atoms in a 1:1 ratio. Based on its ability to dissolve silicon dioxide, they had inferred its identity.
For nitric acid (HNO3), they could identify one hydrogen atom, one nitrogen atom, and three oxygen atoms. Through further investigation, they had determined it was dilute nitric acid.
However, reagents with chemical formulas too complex to be identified through such methods had to be categorized as unknown for now. Those reagents were kept sealed.
They would likely have to consult No. 700672 about them again in the future.
"This is a huge help, though. Thanks, Saki."
"No need for thanks. I'm doing this because I want to."
Saki looked genuinely pleased despite her modest words.
"Oh, right, there was one thing that caught my eye."
"Hm?"
What Saki said next was unexpected, even for Jin.
"The properties of the ground spider silk aren't consistent. The heat resistance—the melting point—tends to fluctuate depending on the sample."
"I see..." Jin murmured, falling into thought.
"It’s a hypothesis Laojun and I came up with, but it seems the differences depend on the amount of free ether contained within the silk. It might even vary from one ground spider to another."
"That’s possible."
Since it was a biological material, it was entirely plausible for properties to vary between individuals.
"If that’s the case, we might be able to grade the materials from Hourai Island as well."
"That would be a major discovery!"
"Yeah. Leave that side of things to me and Laojun."
"All right, I’m counting on you. You're really reliable when it comes to this kind of work, Saki."
"Heh, flattery won't get you anything, you know."
Despite her dismissive tone, Saki's cheeks were flushed.
"Right then, back to work!"
"Don't overdo it," Jin called out to Saki’s back as she headed eagerly toward her research lab.
"If there are ground spiders in places other than Hourai Island, I’d like to compare them."
"Father, are you going to go look for them?"
"No, I won't. I have other things I want to do right now more than that. I just meant if I happen to find some."
"I see."
As Jin’s assistant, Reiko was naturally curious about his next move.
"In that case, what is it that you want to do more than that?"
Jin answered her question simply.
"I want to deepen my understanding of this planet."
＊ ＊ ＊
"The Celuroa Kingdom is inviting world leaders to a Founding Anniversary Ceremony, you say?"
This topic was currently the subject of heated debate within the Shouro Empire.
About ten high-ranking officials were in attendance, including the Empress, the Chancellor, the Magic Technology Minister, the Minister of Industry, and the Minister of Finance.
"They are undoubtedly planning a military demonstration," the Chancellor remarked in a low, grumbling tone.
"I suppose so," the Empress, Gerhardt Hilde von Rubis Shouro, agreed with a weary nod.
"Yesterday, I ordered Lieutenant Colonel Fritz, who is currently in the Kingdom of Egerea, to attend the ceremony with the Golias units."
"Ah, the Golias. I heard they were damaged by some monster that emerged from the ruins in the Leonard Kingdom."
"Yes. Their steel shells were melted."
The Magic Technology Minister provided the update.
"We have requested repairs from the magi engineers—the magi craftmen—of the Kingdom of Egerea. The work should be finished in another day or two."
"I see. Then they will make it in time for the ceremony."
The Empress nodded. Then, she shifted the focus.
"And the one who defeated that monster was the one called 'Deus Ex Machina', wasn't it?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"The story is that he is Jin-kun's senior apprentice?"
"So we have been informed."
"He seems even more elusive than Jin-kun... though I suppose we should be glad he doesn't seem to be an enemy."
"Indeed."
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
Amidst the discussion, the Empress thought to herself:
(Wait, Maquina couldn't possibly be Jin-kun, could he...?)
"Shall we travel to the Celuroa Kingdom by ship? Or by carriage?"
The conversation moved on to the logistics of attending the ceremony.
"There is the option of a hot air balloon, but..."
"But that country is not to be trusted. Wouldn't traveling by air be dangerous?"
"On the contrary, that is exactly why we must demonstrate that our empire has nothing to fear."
"There is no need to be unnecessarily provocative..."
"..."
"!!"
Concerned that the debate was going in circles, the Empress spoke up to settle the matter.
"In this instance, let us use every means available."
"Your Majesty! That would be..."
"Under the guise of celebrating their Founding Anniversary Ceremony, we must show that our empire will not be overshadowed. I am not suggesting we provoke them. However, that country is the type to press their advantage the moment they see us hesitate. We shall go with dignity and strength."
With the Empress's declaration, the cabinet ministers steeled their resolve and began discussing how to coordinate the land, sea, and air delegations.
The situation on the continent remained unstable.
(The peaceful life Jin-kun desires... it sounds so simple, yet why is it so difficult to achieve...?)
The Empress let out a quiet sigh that went unheard by the room.