While Hourai Island was already growing dim, it was still late afternoon in Port Rock Town.
Jin and Reiko stepped out of the Warp Gate installed within the sea cave.
"I really should bolster the security on these Warp Gates," Jin muttered under his breath.
Reiko nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Father. We have the relay base 'Shinkai' as a secondary measure, but it is only logical to stop any intruders at the threshold."
"Fair point."
Chatting as they went, the two began walking along the coast. A breeze carrying the scent of the tide blew by; it was surprisingly warm, suggesting that spring was just around the corner.
After a twenty-minute stroll, Jin and Reiko arrived at the Marcia Workshop.
I wonder if they're in? Jin thought, but Reiko reached out and tugged on his sleeve.
"Father, it appears those two are conducting an experiment at the pier just ahead."
"Oh, I see."
The Secret Mobile Unit golems, Cattleya and Lotus, were keeping watch nearby. Jin realized it was fortunate he hadn't recalled them for the reorganization yet.
"This way."
Another five minutes of walking brought them to a virtually private pier. This was Marcia and Rodrigo's testing ground.
"Ah, there they are."
A short distance offshore, Jin spotted Marcia and the others repeatedly running trials on their test ship.
"They haven't noticed us yet..."
"Arrow is with them, so she will likely realize we are here shortly....Ah, look."
Just as Reiko predicted, the crew spotted them. The test ship immediately turned around and began racing back toward the shore at high speed.
"Heeey, Jin!"
Marcia showed no sign of slowing down, even as they closed within ten meters of the dock. At this rate, the vessel was going to slam straight into the pier.
"D-Dangerous...!"
On board, Rodrigo had turned ashen. Arrow was also doing her best to halt the ship, but their momentum was too great.
"Reiko, stop them!"
"Yes, Father."
Reiko activated her force generator.
Throttling her output, she leapt onto the test ship. Once her feet hit the deck, she ramped up the power; the ship came to an immediate, dead halt just inches from the pier.
"That... that was too close..." Rodrigo let out a massive, trembling sigh. Marcia, too, had turned quite pale.
"S-Sorry! Reiko-chan, you’re a lifesaver!"
Once the danger of an accident had passed, Jin and the others exchanged proper greetings.
"Jin, it’s been ages! You’ve come at the perfect time!" Marcia was clearly in high spirits. Rodrigo likewise seemed quietly thrilled, even if he didn't express it as loudly.
"I’m sure we have plenty to catch up on, but why don't we head somewhere else for now?"
"Sure, sounds good. But where to?"
"You'll see if you just follow me."
After securing the test ship in the dock, they stopped by the workshop. Once Marcia had officially closed shop for the day, the group—Marcia, Rodrigo, and Arrow—followed Jin back toward the sea cave.
"Jin, what is this place?"
"You know I’ve assumed the title of the 'Lord of Kunlun,' right?"
"Yeah," Marcia nodded.
"Well, we’re going to where it all began."
"Wait, for real!?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry it took this long to arrange, but I’m inviting you."
"J-Jin-dono! Am I invited as well?" Rodrigo asked, visibly elated.
"Of course....Now, let’s go."
Lest they be seen by any passersby, Jin cut the conversation short.
With Jin in the lead and Reiko guiding Marcia and Rodrigo by the hands, they entered the sea cave. As a creation of Jin's, Arrow was able to pass through the security measures easily; in fact, this marked her second visit to Hourai Island.
Once inside, Jin led them through the Warp Gate without further explanation.
They emerged within the relay base Shinkai. Jin figured this was a safe spot to talk a bit more freely.
"This is a halfway point."
"J-Jin-dono, w-what was that just now!?"
"It’s called a Warp Gate. It’s a method of transportation I use."
"A Warp Gate...! You mean an artifact! I see, as expected, Jin-dono is truly remarkable!" Rodrigo was ecstatic, while Marcia appeared to be at a total loss for words.
"Well, shall we move on?"
The group passed through the final Warp Gate bound for Hourai Island. They emerged in the Warp Gate hall on the first floor of the laboratory.
Jin gave his customary greeting.
"Welcome to Hourai Island."
Jin led the two newcomers to the command room in the basement.
In the room, which also functioned as a meeting space, Elsa was waiting along with Reinhard, Saki, Toa, Stearena, and Mine.
"Marcia-san, it has been a long time."
"Rodrigo-san, you look quite well."
"Elsa! Reinhard! You guys are here too!?"
"Oh, Reinhard-dono as well!"
After the acquaintances finished their greetings, those meeting for the first time introduced themselves.
"I am Saki. An alchemist."
"My name is Toa. I am Saki's father and an alchemist as well."
"I am Stearena. I was a magi craftman in the Celuroa Kingdom, but I have since sought asylum in the Shouro Empire."
"I am called Mine."
"...She is my biological mother," Elsa added, sensing that Mine’s introduction was a bit too brief.
"It seems you have your own complicated family circumstances, Elsa," Marcia said thoughtfully, glancing at her father sitting beside her.
"Something like that. I’ll explain more about the details later, but first, I’d like you to listen to what I have to say."
At that moment, Perido 21 arrived with trays of Kuhe. Once everyone had been served, Jin spoke up.
"I need you to hear this. The truth is... I wasn't actually born in this world."
"What!?"
"...The truth is..."
Jin’s explanation lasted nearly an hour, with several questions being asked along the way.
"...And that’s the gist of it."
"..."
Jin expected them to find it hard to believe, but their reactions took him by surprise.
"I see. That finally explains why Jin has such extraordinary technology and knowledge."
"I always felt Jin-dono was different from everyone else, but I never imagined it was for a reason like that."
Jin felt a bit like the wind had been taken out of his sails when they both accepted his story so readily.
"I mean, after seeing a Warp Gate, these golem maids, and this entire laboratory... well, it's hard to argue," Marcia noted. "But more than anything, it’s because we already knew your capabilities were completely off the charts."
"Yes, exactly," Rodrigo added, finally conceding any sense of professional rivalry. "I knew Jin-dono was far ahead of us, but I didn't realize the gap was this vast. I've lost the will to even try to compete with you."
"What? You mean to tell me you cannot establish contact with this 'Lord of Kunlun'?"
In the Celuroa Kingdom, King Richard barked with irritation.
"S-Sire, at the moment, he does not appear to be in any known country."
"Hmph. Send word to those other nations. Tell them they are to facilitate a meeting with the 'Lord of Kunlun' at any cost. And make sure they understand that if they slight our Celuroa Kingdom, they will not get away with it!"
"As you command, Sire."