Due to the time difference, even when night fell on Hourai Island, it was still early afternoon in Loizart.
Because of this, Jin decided to build a workshop wing at the mansion in Loizart. He was concerned that frequent travel between the two locations would lead to jet lag, so he chose to have the Jin Double handle the physical labor while he and Elsa remained on Hourai Island.
Laojun, operating the Jin Double, made a quick circuit of the mansion grounds and determined the optimal site.
"Hmm, the backyard is the most suitable location."
The space was a bit tight, but he could manage to build a workshop large enough for automobile production.
"Perhaps we should attach it directly to the mansion."
That would allow for more efficient use of the remaining yard. Having made the decision, he set to work immediately.
Taking advantage of the perimeter walls that shielded the backyard from prying eyes, he began bringing in materials via the transporter: stone, wood, and metal components. Simultaneously, he brought through several Smith Golems to begin construction.
Jin had envisioned a garage-style workshop, a spacious structure that would be fitting for the assembly and maintenance of automobiles.
"This should be sufficient."
He could explain the new addition to Barrow and Belle later; they would likely accept it without question.
Once the garage-style workshop was finished, he used the transporter to move the automobiles there that same day. Now, they were ready to be presented at a moment’s notice.
"Things have changed quite a bit from our original plan..."
On Hourai Island, after dinner, Jin and Elsa sat on the veranda to talk. Reiko was busy brewing tea.
She served hojicha, which was low in caffeine and wouldn't interfere with their sleep. It was also rich in catechins, which were believed to have a positive action on blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
"Yes, but it couldn't be helped," Elsa replied.
"I suppose so... Rapid reforms are rarely a good thing."
"Mm. Though it’s already too late for some things."
"Ahaha."
Magi Machines, particularly the airships, had already begun to fundamentally alter the world.
"Father, is it a bad thing for things to change?" Reiko asked as she placed a teacup before Jin. "Mother used to say, 'Improve the good parts and fix the bad parts.' But wouldn't that mean changing things from their original state?"
"I suppose it would..."
Jin was struck by Reiko's question. That was indeed a form of change.
"I suppose it's a matter of what the change is for."
"Mm. For the sake of the people. I think that much is certain," Elsa added, joining the conversation. "But I think humans inherently fear the unknown. If people aren't particularly dissatisfied with the present, how many would dare to try and change it?"
"I see your point."
Jin found Elsa's perspective quite convincing.
"In that case, the key isn't just to change things, but to make people want them to change."
"Yes. And to do it so effectively that there is no room for objection."
One person might desire change for their own benefit, while another might oppose it because it would disadvantage them.
"Top-down or bottom-up—that's another factor," Jin mused.
Would the technology spread from the nobility to the wealthy merchants and then to the commoners? Or would it be something used by the commoners that was eventually refined for the nobility?
"It will likely be top-down."
A flow from the commoners to the nobility seemed highly unlikely in this society.
"We'll need to give this a great deal of thought."
"Mm."
As the night breeze began to turn chilly, Jin and Elsa finished their hot hojicha, left the veranda, and retired to their respective bedrooms.
"Whoa, Jin-sama, what are these?"
"Are they... carriages that don't need horses?"
Barrow and Belle stared at the two automobiles in astonishment.
It was the 30th of March, and Jin had brought the vehicles out into the mansion's garden.
"I noticed you built a new structure in the backyard yesterday, but to think you created something so incredible inside it," Barrow remarked.
He wasn't entirely correct about the timeline, but Jin saw no need to correct him and simply let it slide.
"Yes. This one here is the one I’ll be presenting to Her Majesty the Empress," Jin explained, gesturing toward the more luxuriously decorated model.
"Oh, it's magnificent!" Belle exclaimed in pure admiration.
But then, Barrow raised a hesitant point. "Um, Jin-sama... is it alright to use the Empress's emblem without permission?"
"Eh?"
Jin and Elsa both froze as they realized the gravity of Barrow's casual question. This was a significant oversight.
"Hmm... I'll remove the emblem for now and reattach it after the formal presentation."
"Mm, I think that's for the best. I was careless too," Elsa admitted.
They had become so accustomed to the Empress’s informal manner that they had nearly committed a serious breach of protocol. Jin and Elsa quickly set about removing the emblem; Craft Magic made such adjustments effortless.
"Now then, would you two like to try taking a ride?"
Since they still had time, Jin decided to give Barrow and Belle a ride—partly as a reward for Barrow's sharp observation, and partly because he wanted to gauge their reactions.
"Wait, is that really okay?"
"Yes, though we'll use my personal car for this."
Jin had the two of them climb into his own automobile and took them for a few laps around the garden.
"Wow, this is so much fun!" Belle was delighted, while Barrow remained silent, taking everything in.
After three laps, Jin pulled to a stop and asked for their thoughts.
"It was amazing! You really are incredible, Jin-sama!" Belle offered nothing but praise, but Barrow provided a more analytical perspective.
"The ride is very comfortable, but more than anything, the visibility is excellent!"
Because there was no longer a horse in the way, the view of the road ahead was much clearer. Furthermore, Jin had designed the driver’s seat to sit slightly lower than the passenger cabin, mimicking the layout of a modern sightseeing bus.
"I see."
Jin was pleased to hear feedback from a non-creator’s perspective. It confirmed that his decision to install a large windshield had been the right move.
"Alright, it's time to head out."
It was 8:00 AM. If they maintained a steady pace, they would arrive at the Imperial Palace before 9:00 AM.
"Well, we're off."
"Please have a safe trip!"
"Take care, Jin-sama!"
With Barrow and Belle waving them off, Jin, Elsa, Reiko, and Edgar departed in the two vehicles.
Edgar served as the driver for the lead car carrying Jin, Elsa, and Reiko, while the gift car followed closely behind. As they moved through the city at a leisurely fifteen kilometers per hour, people stopped in their tracks to stare.
"Look, it's moving without horses!"
"Incredible."
"What a strange carriage!"
The comments were frequent, but Jin noticed that no one said anything about wanting to ride in one themselves.
"Hmm, it seems automobiles might not have much mass appeal yet..."
"Jin-nii, that's only natural," Elsa noted. "Commoners rarely have the chance to use carriages at all."
Peddlers used freight wagons, but those were worlds apart from passenger carriages. Freight wagons were built for utility, not comfort; peddlers had to bring their own blankets and furs just to make the journey bearable.
"So, automobiles will have to move from the top down..."
From the royalty and nobility to the wealthy, and only then to the general public.
"...I wonder what path they took in Mitsuho."
The transition from the wealthy to the masses had been the same on Earth, and Jin found himself reflecting on how technology and culture eventually permeate a society.
Finally, the automobiles reached the grand boulevard leading to the Imperial Palace.
Beside them, two horse-drawn carriages were also heading toward the palace. The coachmen and the nobles inside alike stared at the automobiles with expressions of utter shock.