"If you want to increase the curvature of space, you'll need high gravity," Laojun suggested.
"True. But I wonder just how many Gs it would take to actually warp space..."
"If the contact between dimensions is delicate, even a slight stimulus might be enough to avert the collision."
"I see."
Jin wanted to bet on that possibility. "So, would we be okay if we could generate, say, a hundred Gs?"
"It isn't certain."
No one could give a definitive answer, so there was no helping it.
"However, generating a hundred Gs instantaneously at any given point is hardly realistic."
"I suppose you're right... Wait."
Jin considered sending a bomb that could generate gravity instantaneously through a transporter. "What if we did that?"
"My apologies. Even with a generous margin for error, pinpointing the location takes too much time. It isn't practical."
"I see..."
Identifying a position in three dimensions inevitably took time. It wasn't something that could be done in less than a second.
"Then, what if we scattered bombs like that... No, scratch that."
"Too dangerous," Jin said, rejecting his own idea. An accidental detonation could easily catch them in the blast. "I guess things won't go that smoothly."
Even so, Jin had no intention of giving up.
Just then...
"My Lord, the tenth spatial vibration has occurred."
"What? Only two hours have passed."
"The phenomenon may be reaching its peak."
"Where?"
"One moment. I am analyzing the data from Jack... Got it. It's in Ars's orbit, roughly seven degrees ahead."
The ninth vibration had been fifteen degrees ahead; it was becoming increasingly likely that the eleventh would occur at Ars. Jin felt time finally running out.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Hmm, what should we do?"
"It's a difficult choice, dear."
"It really is. Given the situation, we can't exactly make a lighthearted decision."
"But it only happens once a year."
Reinhard and Bell were huddled together in worry, alongside Saki and Goose.
"I wonder what Elsa thinks about all this?"
"I'm sure she hasn't forgotten. But she's pregnant now, and apparently she's moved to Kaina Village."
"Well, it's not like any of us are truly safe right now..."
"At the very least, I'd like for all of us to tell him 'Happy Birthday'."
Indeed, April 1st was Jin's birthday. They were debating whether to hold a celebration tonight.
"Bell is right," Reinhard said. "The danger is the same no matter where we are. In that case, why don't we all just gather at Hourai Island or Jin Castle in Kaina Village?"
"Kufu, I agree," Saki said.
"Wait, for Jin... for m-my husband's birthday?"
"That's right."
Reinhard had traveled to Kaina Village alone to consult with Elsa.
"Everyone's feelings... they make me happy, but..."
"Yeah, I know. You're going to say this isn't the time for it, right?"
"...Yes."
"But the truth is, we're leaving everything to Jin. There's nothing we can do ourselves. That's exactly why," Reinhard said, a shadow of disappointment on his face. "It's enough just to see him. For Jin, who's working himself to the bone, I want us to be able to say just two things: 'Thank you for your hard work' and 'Happy Birthday'. That's all."
"Rai-nii, thank you."
Elsa bowed her head. She understood his feelings perfectly.
"Jin-nii will probably be at Hourai Island tonight. So..."
"Understood. Let's all gather at Hourai Island."
They didn't intend to interfere with his work. They simply wanted to offer a word of appreciation to the man struggling alone for the sake of the world.
"I'm... so happy."
Knowing their hearts were in the right place made Elsa feel a surge of joy.
"Is 6:00 PM Hourai Island Time okay for everyone to meet there?"
"Yeah, that should work."
"I'll prepare dinner."
"That sounds great. But don't overdo it, okay? I'll send Bell over to help."
"Thank you."
Reinhard left for the moment, and Elsa spoke to Mine, Martha, and Hanna.
"Well, if that's the plan, we're all going. Jin tends to shoulder everything himself," Martha said.
"I was hoping for a chance to at least say something to Jin-san," Mine added.
"Onii-chan is working so hard all by himself," Hanna agreed.
All three were on board immediately. As for dinner...
"I'll help, too," Mine volunteered.
Before long, everyone had moved to Hourai Island.
"It seems Onii-chan isn't back yet."
"Laojun... is Master out?"
『Yes, Elsa-sama. My Lord has headed to Adriana Tierra's laboratory with Reiko.』
"...I see."
Hearing that, Elsa realized Jin was chasing every lead, no matter how small, to find a solution.
Suddenly...
『The eleventh spatial vibration has been detected.』
Laojun's voice sounded uncharacteristically frantic.
『The location is here on Ars... Northern Sahara... near Mount Funisis.』
"What!?"
That was exactly where Jin had gone.
"What did you say!?" Reinhard shouted, having just arrived.
"Is Jin-nii safe?! Laojun!"
Elsa didn't even notice she'd slipped back into her old way of addressing him as she pressed for an answer.
『One moment... Pegasus 1, which My Lord was using, is safe.』
Elsa felt a momentary wave of relief.
『I have a transmission from Reiko... Wait, what?!』
Laojun's voice went sharp with panic. The next words were devastating.
『My Lord... has gone missing.』