Once all the golems were functioning normally, the Factory suddenly surged with life.
“Your order, please.”
The Factory Manager automaton approached once more to take instructions.
“Ten bicycles, please.”
“Understood.”
Jin then added further specifications.
“I would like the tires made of rubber rather than iron.”
He was a little worried about whether the request would be understood, but it seemed the Factory Manager automaton possessed sufficient knowledge in that regard.
“I have received your request. It is possible. However, as our stock of gutta-peruhya for tires is currently insufficient, delivery will be in three or four days.”
“That will be fine. I’m counting on you.”
“As you command.”
Jin suspected the gutta-peruhya was likely harvested from the forest west of Lake Sayama.
The magus certainly knew his stuff...
It was likely the same material Jin knew as gutta-percha, a type of natural rubber.
Jin had heard a bit of trivia from the manager at the camera shop where he had worked part-time: a certain German camera manufacturer used this material instead of leather for the exterior covering of their cameras. To add a bit more technical detail, it was a material once favored as a skinning for submarine cables because of its high durability underwater.
While the gutta-peruhya here might differ slightly from Earth’s gutta-percha, Jin felt a renewed sense of respect for the magus's achievements.
“Oh, this is marvelous!”
Chief Hiro’s voice snapped Jin out of his thoughts.
The Factory had regained its vitality, and currently, handles and frames were being manufactured. The scale and methods were likely different from a factory on Earth, but the Ars-style—or rather, the Mitsuho-style—factory seemed quite efficient.
“Onii-chan, that’s called ‘division of labor,’ right?”
It was Hanna’s voice. Indeed, the working golems were split into distinct roles: some produced metal plates from blocks, others formed metal pipes from those plates, some cut the pipes to the required length, and others shaped the cut pieces. It was undoubtedly a system of division of labor.
What was more surprising was that Hanna knew the term.
“Hehe, I read about it in the Library yesterday,” she answered simply. Jin remained constantly impressed by her comprehension skills.
Components that did not require rubber—such as handle grips, brake pads, and frames—were being finished one after another.
“It looks like everything will be fine here now.”
Before they knew it, it was past noon. Saki had been flying about between the gathered materials, so Aaru eventually had to drag her away somewhat forcefully. The group decided to return to the city for lunch.
“Long live Jin-sama!”
“Long live the Magi Craft Meister!”
“...What is all this?”
What awaited Jin upon his return to the city was a grand welcome from the residents.
“Jin-sama is now a savior—no, you are even more than that,” Mii said.
“...Please, give me a break.”
For Jin, who was a technical professional at heart and an ordinary citizen by nature, this was more than a little embarrassing. Though he had associated with nobles and royalty for some time now, he still hadn't grown accustomed to such public displays.
Even if he wanted to hurry past, he couldn't increase the speed of the rickshaw of his own accord.
“Long live Jin-sama!”
“Long live the Magi Craft Meister!”
Swaying in the rickshaw—which Jin couldn't help but feel was moving slowly on purpose—the group returned to the Guest House, escorted by the cheers of the residents.
“...I’m hungry.”
Even Elsa looked exhausted. Since they had taken their time returning, it was already one o’clock in the afternoon, making for a slightly late lunch.
Inside the Guest House, Mii had been considerate enough to arrange it so that only Jin’s group had lunch together, allowing him to finally relax a little.
“But it’s amazing, Jin. You’re being treated like a hero.”
“I’d really rather they didn’t.”
Saki looked impressed while Jin looked drained.
“It makes me want to head to the north as soon as possible.”
“Heh, I understand the feeling.”
“Jin-nii, do you think we can go tomorrow?”
“Elsa, looking at the situation, won’t that be impossible? I think it’ll probably be the day after,” Saki offered a calm judgment.
“Yeah! If I have all of tomorrow, I can read most of the books in the Library!”
Hanna made a declaration that sounded innocent enough, but its content was staggering. Of course, she likely meant she could finish the books in the fields she was interested in, but even so, it was incredible.
“Hanna, reading is fine, but be careful of the lighting and your posture, okay? Take care of your eyes.”
“Okay, Onii-chan.”
Hanna nodded obediently at Jin’s warning. Aaru also chimed in.
“Jin-sama, the reading area inside the Library has sufficient brightness. It is fully equipped with desks and chairs, so there is no need for concern.”
“I see. I’m glad to hear that.”
“Hey, Jin, aren't you going to worry about my eyes?” Saki asked with a bit of a pout.
“Well, I thought you would have learned your lesson by now, Saki...”
“Jin-nii, do you really think Saki-nee would learn her lesson that easily?”
Elsa said something unexpectedly sharp.
“A-Ahaha...” Saki tried to brush it off with a dry laugh. “T-That reminds me, Jin. Regarding the books in the Library, there were a few that were a bit damaged. Can you fix them?”
“The books? Hmm...”
Jin thought about it for a moment. If there were a golem specialized in the management, preservation, repair, and copying of books...
Just then, Mii and her grandfather, Chief Hiro, arrived. They were carrying something.
“Have you finished your meal?”
Jin and the others had just finished eating and were drinking hojicha.
“We cannot thank you enough, Jin-sama. Please forgive me for only being able to offer such cliché words.”
“No, there’s nothing to forgive...”
“It is a small token, but please accept this first.”
Hiro held out a rectangular object. Jin reflexively accepted it.
“This is...”
It was a metal plate in a frame, engraved with the declaration that Jin was officially recognized as the Magi Craft Meister of Mitsuho. The plate was gold in color. Whether it was plated or solid gold... based on the weight in his hands, it seemed to be solid gold.
“Th-Thank you very much.”
“Truthfully, I wanted to announce this grandly in front of all the residents, but Mii here strongly opposed it...”
“...Thank you.”
Jin directed his thanks toward Mii.
“See, I told you, didn’t I? Jin-sama dislikes ostentatious displays. No matter how much it reflects our feelings, pushing it on him is not good.”
Despite their short acquaintance, Mii seemed to have taken Jin’s temperament into consideration.
“And this is the catalog of materials.”
A small booklet was also handed over. Being made of wood-paper, it was thinner and lighter than parchment.
“Thank you. I’ll look through it.”
He took it and handed it to Saki. She immediately opened it and began looking through it intently.
“Well then, we shall take our leave for today. If you need anything, please let Mii know.”
Chief Hiro bowed and was about to withdraw when Jin called out to him.
“Ah, please wait. I have something I'd like to discuss.”
“What would that be?”
Jin then explained his idea for a golem that would manage, repair, and copy the books in the Library.
“What! You would create such a golem for us?!”
Chief Hiro’s eyes sparkled.
“Yes. In exchange, please allow me to have it memorize the necessary books in the Library.”
“Mem... orize...?”
Hiro seemed unable to grasp the meaning.
“Yes. This Reiko here can read and record the contents just by skimming through the pages.”
“Incredible...!”
Gifting a book-management golem in exchange for scanning the books—this was the plan Jin had just devised.
“Even without receiving a golem, there would be no problem with you reading them, but if you are willing to make one, then by all means, please do!”
“I understand.”
In this way, Jin officially obtained permission to record the contents of the books.