Jin addressed the worried Elsa in a bright, reassuring voice.
"Elsa, this latest experiment only proved that we can’t achieve efficient energy transfer by simply extending conventional methods. All that means is I need to do things my way."
"Eh?"
"There are several options. We could teleport bottles of ethenol, or even send mana bombes."
"That's true."
"Up until now, I was stubbornly fixated on the idea that those methods weren't 'elegant.' But I’m moving past that."
Jin explained that if a path clearly leads to a dead end, one simply has to find a different road.
"I understand," Elsa said.
"So, let’s think. What would be the most efficient approach?"
"I’ll think with you."
Seeing Jin looking almost as if he were enjoying himself, Elsa decided to join the brainstorming session. "The first thing that comes to mind... is a bucket relay, I suppose."
"?"
A question mark practically appeared over Elsa’s head at the unfamiliar term.
"A bucket relay is..." Jin began his explanation. "It’s when several people line up and pass buckets of water from hand to hand to put out a fire or something similar. As for the details... I don't actually know them very well myself."
He had used the term based on a mental image, but Jin had never actually participated in one. In any case, the current issue was energy transfer.
"In short, we put condensed free ether into a 'container,' and then, for example, have a golem send it through a Warp Gate. On the receiving end, another golem takes it and transfers the free ether into a tank... that’s the general flow."
"Is that why you said we could use ethenol or mana bombes?"
"Exactly. I thought a 'sequential feeding method' like that might be feasible."
Elsa nodded. "It is certainly possible. If we investigate how to do that efficiently..."
But Jin cut her off. "Wait, wait. That’s not all. There’s one more way."
"Tell me."
"Of course. The other way is to use the transporter."
The transporter was a device developed based on the concept of a Warp Gate that didn't require a receiver. While it took time and effort to determine the destination coordinates, that problem could be solved if there was a marker to target.
"That sounds feasible."
"However, it seems we still can’t send free ether directly."
"Is it limited to physical objects?"
"That’s right." Since it was a derivative technology of the Warp Gate, that was only to be expected.
"Then, regarding why we can only send objects... is that still a no-go?"
"Yeah. In the end, it’s the same principle as a Warp Gate..."
"It’s difficult," Elsa sighed.
Jin and Elsa both fell into deep thought.
"Hey, Jin-nii." Elsa, having seemingly struck upon an idea, spoke up. "Is the energy you want to send definitely free ether?"
"Well, yes. If free ether is impossible, then it would be mana, but..."
However, Elsa shook her head. "No, that’s not what I meant. I think free ether would be more convenient."
"...Yes?" Unusually for Jin, he couldn't quite see where Elsa was going with her point yet.
"Why don't we focus on advancing our technology for manipulating free ether directly?"
"Eh... Oh, I see."
"For example, sending a clump of free ether to a specific location."
Current technologies involving free ether included the ether condenser and the ether eliminator.
"If we do that, we might think of a way to send free ether itself."
While the sequential feeding method could serve as a workaround, it was also true that Jin felt they were hitting a wall with that approach.
"You’re right, let’s give it a try."
"Mm."
Manipulating free ether required a mental catalyst. High-quality catalysts suitable for the human body were almost non-existent now, but they had a considerable amount on hand that had been discovered at the underground Gigant Peeder farm.
"Now that things have settled down a bit, I should report this incident to Her Majesty..."
"My Lord, shall I have Deus Ex Machina provide a brief report?"
"Right... Let’s do that."
Jin decided to report to the Empress with the story that Maquina had worked alongside Jin to resolve the situation. Laojun would operate the Maquina body double and send it to the Shouro Empire.
On the other hand, he couldn't leave Sion and Marikka alone for too long. Once the plan was decided, Jin took Reiko and moved to Kaina Village. Elsa decided to stay on Hourai Island to investigate their new theories further.
Sion was currently scouring books in the library of Jin Castle.
"Ah, Jin, it’s been a while."
"'A while'... well, I suppose."
Sion’s comment caught him off guard. They had last met on October 30th, and since it was now November 2nd, it had only been two days.
"So, how are things on Onogoro Island?"
"Hmm, not great." Jin explained that the three disks and Konron 2 were currently engaged in a long-distance game of chase.
"...You’re being rather leisurely about it, Jin..." Sion looked slightly exasperated.
"Even if you say that, the enemy's next move is the problem. If something happens to this planet because of it, it’ll be a disaster."
"Hmm, that’s true."
Jin believed that if a war broke out with the entities that might be beyond Onogoro Island, there was no telling what would happen to Ars. That was precisely why he was rushing to gather information and improve their defensive capabilities.
"I wish I could help with something too," Sion said, looking down.
"Hmph. That airship seems to be doing nothing but fleeing."
"Indeed. Are they merely playing with us?"
"No. Just as we are trying to learn about them, they may be trying to probe our capabilities."
"In that case, what shall we do?"
"Hmph. Those three units are nothing but toys, anyway. I do not care if they are destroyed or captured."
"That may be so, but still..."
"Are you dissatisfied?"
"Yes."
"Heh heh heh. Do not start speaking like a human."
"I am..."
"Well, fine. Do as you wish. I have grown bored of this anyway."
"Then, you will leave it to me?"
"I said as much."
"Thank you."
"My Lord, the situation has shifted."
Laojun’s contact reached Jin while he was still in the library of Jin Castle.
"I see!"
There was an emergency Warp Gate on the third floor where the library was located. Jin stood up.
"Ah, Jin, can I come too?" Sion hurriedly called out to Jin’s back.
"Yeah, that’s fine, but I’m worried Marikka might be anxious."
"Ah, right... Th-Then, I’ll go after I’ve told Marikka!"
Since Sion and Marikka had become members of the Jin Family, they had been shown the locations of the Warp Gates and given Fellowship Bracelets, so there was no issue with them using the gates. Incidentally, Sion’s bracelet featured a silver and light blue marble pattern, while Marikka’s was silver and yellow—Jin had matched the colors to their hair and eyes.
"Laojun, what happened?"
Jin and Reiko rushed into the Hourai Island command room.
"Yes, My Lord. The three units have commenced their attack."