“I happened to stumble upon it while heading south in pursuit of that flying disc from the other day.”
“I see...”
Jin was providing a detailed explanation to the Empress at the Royal Palace in Roizart, the capital of the Shouro Empire. Since Roizart had recently suffered damage from a magi-nullification barrier, Jin had been looking for an opportunity to explain the situation.
“So that is how you arrived at those ruins.”
“Exactly. And with Maquina’s help—or rather, after Maquina neutralized the threat—we secured the site.”
“Is there no longer any danger?” it was a natural question for her to ask.
“None. Both Maquina and I can guarantee that.”
“I am relieved to hear it.”
Jin explained that the facility had likely caused the recent "malfunction" because it was fundamentally dysfunctional. He added that he had been forced to destroy some of the original equipment to rectify the situation.
“Therefore, nothing like that should happen again. Conversely, to operate Avalon properly, we would need a staff of about a hundred people.”
He clarified that this was because he had completely gutted the management mechanisms responsible for the malfunction.
“We were able to relocate it with my maid golems and Maquina’s golems, but we are still far from restoring its original functionality.”
Jin suggested that, taking those factors into account, they could begin training the World Security Guard from that point forward.
“I agree. That is a very forward-thinking idea,” the Empress said, nodding.
“For my part, in addition to the World Conference and the World Security Guard, I am also hoping we can establish a World School.”
“A World School... I like the sound of that. A place where anyone can study the highest levels of academia regardless of nationality.”
The Empress immediately grasped Jin’s intentions. Their meeting continued for about fifteen more minutes, interspersed with casual conversation.
“Thank you for today. If I neglect my official duties any longer, the Chancellor will be cross with me,” the Empress said with a trace of regret, bringing the day’s meeting to a close.
“Well, I suppose that takes care of any concerns for the future.”
“Good work, Jin-nii.”
Upon returning to Hourai Island, Jin was relaxing at home.
“When will you be heading for Hale?”
“Hmm, the spaceship will be heading there, not me personally. It should be somewhere around the middle of December, after the 14th.”
“After Mother’s birthday...?”
“That’s the plan.”
Mine’s birthday was December 13th, the latest date in the Jin Family calendar.
“...Thank you.”
“What are you saying? I wouldn’t dream of neglecting my mother-in-law’s birthday.”
Forgetting Hanna’s birthday in the past remained a bitter memory for him.
“Once the new year begins, we have Martha-san's birthday on January 28th and Hanna's on February 8th.”
Jin spoke as if to remind himself so he wouldn't forget again.
“Have you already finished the watches?”
“Of course.”
Jin said he had prepared pocket watches to give to everyone in the Jin Family.
“They’re in colors that match your bracelets.”
“You’re very thoughtful, Jin-nii.”
Jin's personality was likely forged during his time at the orphanage. Young children hated being left out, after all.
After relaxing for a while, Jin took Elsa and Reiko to check on the progress of the construction ship, starting by consulting Laojun.
“Yes, My Lord. It is currently at about seventy percent completion.”
“Oh, that’s impressive.”
“Thank you. This construction speed is only possible thanks to the arsenal on the Moon, Uni.”
Indeed, they were building the ship on Uni from the very start this time. Since the weight of the components was significantly lower, the scaffolding didn't need to be as robust. Laojun explained that a completely weightless environment would actually make the components unstable, so the gravity on Uni was ideal.
“Transporting materials is also much easier.”
Mass remained the same, so inertia was unchanged, but being "light" definitely improved work efficiency. Though the Smiths originally possessed more than enough physical strength, their efficiency had increased by thirty to fifty percent while working on Uni.
“We will conduct the final adjustments on Hourai Island, however.”
This was because it would be disastrous if problems arose once the ship was subjected to 1G.
“I expect it to be finished in four days.”
“I see. I’m counting on you.”
Jin felt relieved that they could take another step toward their mission to Hale.
“Jin-nii, what do you plan to do once the construction ship is finished?”
Having returned home, Jin talked while eating the lunch Elsa had prepared for him. Today's meal was tempura soba—hot noodles topped with tempura made from pseudo-prawns caught in Tatsumi Bay. The broth was a slightly light soy sauce base with a strong, savory katsuo dashi flavor.
Jin answered between sips of the broth.
“First, we’ll send out the construction ship. Then, we plan to build a relay base in Ars's orbit, at the midpoint to Hale.”
“What kind of relay base?”
“Did I not explain it yet? Basically, I’m thinking of a disc about one kilometer in diameter. It will be equipped with force generators for orbital correction, a Large-scale Warp Gate for transporting supplies, and small lodging facilities.”
“...A supply base?”
“You could call it that, but it’s also a safety backup. It will have some combat capabilities and a barrier as well.”
It was an unknown region where anything could happen. Ultimately, it would be Jin’s Doppel that actually went to Hale, but he still wanted to take every possible precaution.
“You also said you were building an exploration spaceship on Uni.”
“That’s also reassuring.”
“It is.”
Jin was also curious about what kind of spaceship Jack, the magi-brain of Uni, was building. He thought about taking a peek but reconsidered, deciding to wait until the official unveiling upon its completion.
“Well then, now that lunch is over...”
“...Do you have plans?”
“I’m going to Kaina Village. Do you want to come, Elsa?”
“Ah, is this about what Hanna-chan said? About her experiment?”
“That’s the one.”
“Mm, I’m coming.”
And so, Jin, Elsa, and Reiko traveled to Kaina Village through the Warp Gate. Incidentally, Jin used the Warp Gate at Jin Castle for official visits as a lord, and the one under his workshop for private visits—though emergency situations were always an exception.
“Ah, Onii-chan, welcome!”
Due to the time difference, it was just before 11:00 AM in Kaina Village. Hanna had just started preparing lunch.
“Hanna-chan, I’ll help.”
“Big Sister Elsa, thank you!”
“I shall assist as well,” Reiko added.
“Yeah, Reiko-oneechan!”
With nothing left for him to do, Jin decided to wait in the workshop.