Marcia’s birthday party concluded shortly after 8:00 PM, Hourai Island Time.
As Hourai Island sat in the time zone furthest ahead in the Known World, it was still quite early in the home regions of most of the Jin Family members. Consequently, everyone gathered in the dining hall to relax while waiting for the alcohol to wear off.
Since Hanna was still a child and Beena was pregnant, they had only been drinking juice and had no need to sober up, but the others were nursing glasses of cold water. Some among them held positions that would make returning home to their respective lands with flushed, drunken faces quite problematic.
"So, Jin, what’s the plan from here on out?" Reinhard asked, setting his glass down on the table. "Are you going to continue solving the mystery of the South Pole?"
"No, I’m putting that on hold for the time being," Jin replied after finishing his own water. "I mentioned it a bit earlier, but I just can't reconcile myself with Helente’s attitude. I’m trying to decide how to handle her."
"Hmm, I see what you mean. Speaking as a former diplomat, I’d say her behavior is clearly suspicious," Reinhard offered. "At the very least, she doesn't appear to be acting in the interest of protecting this world. I have a hunch she’s pursuing some specific objective of her own."
"A specific objective, huh... and she’s collecting free ether for that purpose?"
"That would be my guess," Reinhard said, and Jin nodded in agreement.
"In the first place, since their 'Masters' are long gone, those people shouldn't even have a raison d'être anymore," Goose added, voicing his own doubts. "It makes no sense for them to remain so obsessed with their mission. Then again, we have so little information that any snap judgment would be dangerous."
"That Helente woman... she’s just eerie," Beena remarked, her voice sharp with distaste. "In the end, she didn't lift a finger during that whole fragment crisis, did she?"
"Indeed," Count Kuzuma agreed. "From what I’ve heard, her attitude could be interpreted as complete indifference, even if this world were to be destroyed."
"So, the act of collecting free ether is the only thing that matters to them, and the lives on Ars are irrelevant," Goose spat, unable to hide his loathing.
"If that's the case, then why are they operating in the Southern Hemisphere, where the impact on humanity is minimal?" Toa asked, pointing out the contradiction.
"Isn't it possible that back when they first started, their Masters lived in the Northern Hemisphere?" Saki suggested.
"Not necessarily," Toa countered. "It’s also possible they chose that location simply because they didn't want anyone stumbling upon them and interfering with their work. After all, Jin-kun just sent an investigation team there."
Various other opinions were exchanged, but with so few facts to go on, they remained unable to reach a firm conclusion.
"Whatever the case, there’s no doubt they possess technology that Hourai Island currently lacks," Jin said. "As of now, I haven't been able to replicate two of their systems: the tele-observation device and the ether transfer."
"My, so there really are things that even Jin-kun can't do," Milowina noted with a look of peculiar fascination.
"Of course there are," Jin replied with a wry smile.
"Even so, I’m sure Jin-kun will find a way to make them happen eventually," Stearena chimed in.
"Even if you say that... Ah, I see."
"Eh? Did you figure it out already?"
"Oh, no, it’s not that. I just realized that I should probably change my way of thinking."
"Your way of thinking?"
"Yeah. Instead of obsessing over replicating the exact technology I was shown, I should just try to produce the same results using my own methods."
Stearena looked genuinely impressed by his answer. "I see. That's our Jin-kun for you."
By the time everyone had sobered up considerably, a thought suddenly struck Jin. He had completely forgotten about the existence of the camera he had developed.
"Since we’re all here, let's take a group photo."
"Oh, that sounds lovely," the others agreed. They, too, had known about the camera but had momentarily forgotten it.
"Alright, everyone stay still..."
Reiko held the camera and captured a group photo with everyone in the shot. Jin planned to make prints for all of them later.
"Well then, Jin, thank you for today. I’ll treasure this watch," Reinhard said. For this year's birthday present to the family members, Jin had given everyone a pocket watch.
"Until next time, Jin-dono," Marcia and Rodrigo said as they prepared to depart.
"Jin-san, I’ll be heading back now. Good night," Lishia said.
"Jin, see you later."
"Jin-dono, today was most enjoyable."
Beena and Count Kuzuma also took their leave.
"Well, I suppose we should be heading back as well," Reinhard said to his wife.
"Yes, dear. It looks like Juliana is getting sleepy, too."
The couple returned to their territory with their daughter.
The only ones remaining were Hanna and Martha, Saki and Toa, Stearena, Vivienne, Goose, and Milowina—none of whom were in a particular hurry to return to their homes.
"So, Jin-kun, what do you intend to do now?" Milowina asked, her expression suggestive of high expectations.
"Well, I haven't officially decided yet, but I’d like to try going to Hale."
"I see."
Milowina took the news calmly, but the others were visibly stunned.
"It’s the planet where the ancestors of humanity originated, and it feels like there’s still something hidden there. I’m just curious," Jin explained.
"That is true," Elsa agreed. Surprisingly, she did not object.
"To that end, I’m thinking of using the large force generators I built this time to construct two 100-meter class spaceships."
"What?"
That was clearly unexpected.
"Since we have no idea what might be waiting for us on Hale, it’s best to have some military strength."
"...I understand your logic, but still," someone murmured.
"In that case, you’re welcome to use any materials stored on Uni," Milowina offered. "It’s not like I have any other use for them."
Jin bowed his head gratefully. "Thank you. If the need arises, I will certainly take you up on that."
Jin then moved on to the topic of the salvaged materials.
"On that note, we’ve managed to replenish most of our resources. In fact, we have more iron and nickel in stock than we did before the crisis."
He explained that the only thing they were still short on was mithril, and he was currently running experiments to see if it could be extracted directly from seawater.