Following their initial conversation, Jin and the others engaged in a brief exchange of technical knowledge.
The technology Gimnas and his people possessed, though not part of the mainstream, represented a distinct pinnacle of magical engineering.
"I see. So you have been accumulating knowledge and experience within your golems and automata."
"Jin-dono is quick to understand."
Lance handled the technical side of the explanation.
From what Jin gathered, Lance served as the leader of all the golems and automata within this facility. While his physical body had been refreshed about ten years ago, his accumulated knowledge and experience spanned four hundred years.
However, because this data was simply added chronologically without optimization, it was quite inefficient. When Jin pointed this out, Lance offered a firm reply.
"I had sensed that to some extent. However, this was a protocol established by the Creator. I do not wish to change it now."
Since it wasn't a matter Jin felt the need to press, he let it drop and turned his attention to the subject that intrigued him most: the Warp Gates.
"Could you tell me what specific model of Warp Gate you use here?"
"Jin-dono mentioned that you also possess Warp Gates. Perhaps we could compare them?"
Jin had no objections.
"Very well, then..."
First, they were shown one of the Warp Gates Gimnas and his people utilized.
"This is one of them. It connects this facility to the underground mine."
"I see."
As far as Jin could tell, the basic configuration was the same as his own.
"They are largely identical."
"That is to be expected. This type of technology has essentially reached its limit, leaving very little room for further improvement."
"Indeed. If I had to point to anything, it would be the energy efficiency."
Jin never shied away from such fine-tuning. In terms of energy efficiency alone, his versions were likely thirty percent more efficient than the units housed here.
"In that case, there is no need for us to go out of our way to study yours," Lance stated flatly.
Jin felt a sense of relief at the automaton's bluntness; it made things much simpler.
They continued to compare various other magic tools and Magi Machines, but there appeared to be no significant differences. The most notable distinction remained the amorphous materials they had examined the previous day.
Naturally, Jin excluded any technologies unique to Hourai Island from the comparison, as there was no common ground to measure them against.
"By the way, you mentioned that the free ether in this area is more concentrated than in the surroundings."
Having concluded the general technical exchange, Jin turned back to Gimnas.
"That is what I have been told."
"Have you conducted any research into the cause?"
"Yes. We found that the concentration of free ether increases as you go deeper underground. Therefore, I believe it originates from beneath the earth."
This aligned perfectly with the hypothesis Jin and his team had formed regarding singularities.
"We have a hypothesis that free ether wells up along mineral veins rich in mithril," Jin shared.
"I see."
This was a new perspective for Gimnas.
Hourai Island was also abundant in mithril, light mithril, magi-crystals, magi-stones, and even magi-isotopes. Furthermore, they raised Ground Spiders and Ground Caterpillars underground; because the concentration of free ether was so high there, the materials harvested from them possessed qualities that set them apart from any others.
"If that's the case, it might mean such mineral veins exist at every singularity..."
"A 'singularity'?"
"Yes. That is what we call locations where the concentration of free ether is significantly higher than elsewhere."
"'Singularity'... I see. That is a fitting name."
"We have observed that the concentration of free ether decreases the further south you go, but we have yet to grasp the underlying cause."
"Is that so?"
Jin had hoped they might possess some ancient knowledge on the matter, but he ended up disappointed on that front.
＊ ＊ ＊
During a midday break, Jin and the others were treated to lunch.
"This is..."
"A unique flavor. But it's not bad."
They were served bread made from a type of grain that had been cultivated in this underground facility for four hundred years. The color was somewhat dark.
"It’s a bit different from... rye. But it’s delicious."
There was a theory on Earth that rye was originally a weed in wheat fields. Strains that happened to look like wheat escaped being weeded out, and through generations of artificial selection, the hardiest varieties remained and were eventually cultivated as a crop.
It had likely been chosen for this facility because it could withstand harsher environments than wheat. While Earthly rye contains almost no gluten and does not rise well, this "rye" was different.
"It’s actually quite good."
Elsa remarked that it was far more delicious than the rye bread she had encountered several times during her journey to the Kingdom of Elias with Reinhard.
"I wonder if it’s a specific variety bred for this place."
"I think so," Elsa agreed.
Since Jin wasn't particularly knowledgeable about the nuances of grain, he simply listened to Elsa's explanation in silence.
"I hear there are many more delicious things in the outside world," Gimnas said.
"That's right. Especially when it comes to diversity."
"...Should I go outside as well?"
As the last survivor of his line, Gimnas admitted he was torn between remaining in the facility or venturing out.
"If you do decide to leave, the next question is which country you should settle in."
The summit of Mount Suhront served as the border between three nations: the Shouro Empire, the Kingdom of Franz, and the Celuroa Kingdom. This facility was located almost directly beneath that summit.
"The entrance is on the southwest side, which is the Shouro Empire. Wouldn't the Shouro Empire be the best choice?" Elsa offered.
"True..."
Jin agreed. Not that he was trying to play favorites, but it would certainly be easier for him to provide assistance if Gimnas was in the Shouro Empire.
"Besides, you don't necessarily have to abandon this place. If you establish a home outside and install a Warp Gate there, you can move between the two locations with ease."
"Ah, that's true."
As a "senior" in managing a dual life, Jin offered Gimnas various pieces of practical advice.
"Thank you very much."
As evening approached, Jin and his party prepared to depart the underground facility. When they did, Lance decided to accompany them.
"I must take the Warp Gate components and install them in a suitable location. I ask for your cooperation in this. Furthermore, the stolen components have yet to be recovered."
Implicitly, he was also reminding them that the culprit who had murdered the Creator was still at large.
"I understand. If you're going to live in the Shouro Empire, we'll help however we can."
"I am grateful."
With that, Jin and the others left the facility behind.
The Konron 3 took to the air against the backdrop of the twilight sky. For now, they were heading back to Loizart. The next day, Jin planned to have an audience with the Empress to report his findings.
The facility's golem technology and Warp Gates would undoubtedly benefit the world in the future. Warp Gates had already been discovered in the Celuroa Kingdom, and it was said they were only a few steps away from reproducing the technology; this would likely accelerate that progress. The same applied to their advancements in golems.
In a sense, it was as if ancient technology preserved in a time capsule had been unearthed. Since this was a rediscovery of technology that had originally existed in this world, Jin felt far more comfortable with the transition.
"Father, it's come into view."
Loizart appeared on the horizon below.
"Alright, let's land at the mansion."
In the deepening dusk, the Konron 3 began its slow descent.