"‘Trans Info,’ huh... You did it, Ado!"
Shuuki praised his daughter unreservedly.
With this Craft Magic, one could copy a single control core and reproduce it indefinitely.
However, there was one catch.
"Only the person who performed the 'Trans Info' themselves can then transfer that knowledge from that magi-crystal to another, right?"
Presumably, the specific magic pattern of the caster was involved.
Even so, it wasn't a significant hurdle. Most trained magi craftsmen would eventually be able to use Trans Info with practice.
"As long as there is one magi-crystal containing the original data, each magi craftsman can just copy it once for their own use, and then work from there," Shuuki added with a smile.
"Yeah, you're right."
Adriana smiled as well. This magic was also capable of transferring human knowledge into a magi-crystal.
"If I research it a little more, I might even be able to transfer a personality..."
Adriana stole a quick glance at Shuuki’s face as she spoke.
"Ah, that might be possible. But I wouldn't want that, Ado."
"Eh...?"
Shuuki understood her intent. Adriana wanted to copy Shuuki’s personality and move it into an automata so that she could prolong his life.
"This is getting into philosophy, but if things went that far, I don't think it would be 'me' anymore. I've already lived long enough..."
It was 2156 when Shuuki had first wandered into this world; two hundred years had already passed since then.
"Father..."
"I think that's just the selfishness of those left behind, Ado."
"..."
"Because life is singular, it can be truly cherished. I want you to understand that."
Adriana had no words to offer in response.
"Ado, let's spend the time we have left together with all the happiness we can muster."
"...Okay."
With eyes brimming with tears, Adriana could only nod.
The following day, Shuuki handed his lectures over to his disciples and went into retirement.
＊ ＊ ＊
For the next three years, Shuuki and Adriana lived quietly by the seaside.
They stayed in the coastal village of Futora.
The village they had visited together once before had become a deserted village. Everyone had moved to the thriving Garakuro Town nearby.
However, this was actually more convenient for the two of them.
Golems built by Adriana handled their daily chores, and since Shuuki had the savings he had earned over the years, they had no trouble procuring their daily needs.
Together, they discussed how to further enrich the field of magi-craft.
Together, they reminisced about the people they had met.
Together, they compiled the Craft Magic they had discovered.
Together, they prototyped new magic tools.
Together, they walked along the seashore.
Together, they prepared their meals.
Simply being able to spend time together made Adriana incredibly happy.
Shuuki wasn't exactly bedridden; on days when he felt well, he would sometimes go out for a walk on his own. At such times, Adriana was always there to assist him.
＊ ＊ ＊
During that time, Shuuki and Adriana also developed a 'ship.'
It was ten meters long—a large vessel by the standards of this world. It was powered by screws, turned manually by golems.
Two screws were installed, and by having two golems rotate them in opposite directions, the counter-torque was canceled out. Trial runs showed that it could reach a speed of about thirty kilometers per hour.
"If only I had a little more time left, I would have liked to head out to sea."
By now, Shuuki had weakened to the point where he couldn't even reach the small islands visible from his favorite cape. He was in no condition to endure a long voyage.
Though Shuuki still looked young, his internal organs—especially his heart—were failing him. His life had been extended this far thanks to Healing, but no matter how advanced the magic, it could do nothing against the natural end of a lifespan.
"I'll build an even more comfortable ship. When I do, Father, let's go out to sea together, okay?"
Adriana answered as brightly as she could manage.
＊ ＊ ＊
"I've done many things in the two hundred-odd years since I arrived in this world by chance, right when I was about to die..."
Shuuki was gazing at the sea from the top of his favorite cape.
Small islands were dotted across the horizon. If one timed it right, they might be able to reach the largest island about ten kilometers away by following the shallows without even swimming. But Shuuki no longer had the physical strength for such a journey.
As he stared at the water, Shuuki remembered the sea of Tosa where he had spent his youth.
"I wonder if that sea is still as blue as ever..."
Then, leaning on Adriana’s shoulder, Shuuki continued.
"I met my beloved wife, and I was blessed with an equally beloved daughter. And I was able to raise the greatest magi craftsman. No, you are already a Meister now. You are a 'Magi Craft Meister.'"
He firmly squeezed the hand they were holding.
"Thank you, Ado. It's because you were here that I can be proud that my life was a good one."
"Father..."
Adriana’s lips trembled. She knew that if she spoke, her voice would break, so she remained silent.
"The desire to find meaning in one's life is surely proof of old age. Recognizing that, I still want to say it."
Shuuki spoke while gazing at Adriana’s profile.
"Ado, thank you. Thanks to you, the second half of my life was fulfilling... No, it was happy."
"Father!"
Unable to hold back, Adriana threw her arms around Shuuki and wept.
"You're always such a crybaby, Ado."
"...I only cry because of you, Father," Adriana declared through her sobs.
"Thank you, Ado."
Shuuki thanked her yet again. There was a glimmer of tears in his eyes as well.
Adriana wiped her eyes and managed a small smile as she shot back.
"Father, that's enough already. I'm your daughter, after all. It's only natural for a daughter to take care of her parent, isn't it?"
＊ ＊ ＊
On the morning of June 29, 2358.
"Father, breakfast is ready. It's time to wake up."
Adriana called out to Shuuki.
"...Father?"
But there was no response.
"Father!"
Adriana rushed to his side.
"Father..."
That morning, Shuuki passed away.
His expression was peaceful, wearing the same gentle smile he always directed at Adriana.
"Father... I wanted you to teach me so many more things. I wanted to go so many more places with you. I wanted to make so many more things together. I wanted... I wanted to be with you so much longer, Father..."
Clasping Shuuki’s cold body, Adriana wept silently.
＊ ＊ ＊
After erecting a memorial monument on the cape Shuuki had loved, Adriana set out to sea in the ship.
She intended to bury Shuuki on the most distant island visible from the cape.
Together with her golems and the automata she had created, Adriana built Shuuki’s mausoleum.
In the mausoleum, she placed two automata modeled after her father and herself to serve as guardians.
After leaving behind the diaries she had written together with Shuuki in his final years, Adriana Barbora Tsetse disappeared to parts unknown.