“Jin-san, thank you very much. You’ve been a life-saver.”
Lorenz bowed deeply to Jin.
“No, I’m just glad I could help.”
“So, how much should I pay you for the repairs?”
“Well, let’s see...”
As Jin pondered the cost, he noticed Kachea walking over.
“Ah, Kachea, good timing....How much do you think a repair like this should cost?”
“Wait... you’re asking me?”
Kachea looked slightly exasperated, but she gave him a professional answer.
“Typically, it would be somewhere between twenty to forty percent of the cost of a new unit.”
“That makes sense. Let’s go with thirty percent, then—six thousand Toll should do it.”
Lorenz pulled out six gold coins.
Over the past few days, Jin had come to understand the approximate value of the local currency. One Toll was worth about ten yen, which was almost exactly the same as the value of the currency back in Ars.
That fact served as another piece of evidence for Jin’s theory that he was in a parallel world.
“Since these were second-hand surplus, I managed to acquire all five for a million Toll,” Lorenz added, explaining himself after catching a look in Kachea’s eyes that suggested he might be getting too good a deal.
“I see. Second-hand, then. In that case, it would be for the best if you had the other four serviced as well.”
Lorenz thought for a moment.
“Jin-san, could I ask you to handle that too?”
“Sure, I don’t mind.”
“Then please, I’ll leave them in your hands!”
Considering the risk of a breakdown on the return journey, it was only logical to have them all inspected and repaired while they were here. Jin readily accepted the task.
He repeated the same process four more times. Soon, the movements of all five golems were fluid and smooth.
“Since this was maintenance rather than a full repair, how does fifty thousand Toll per unit sound?” Kachea asked as she presented the bill to Lorenz.
Lorenz laughed and accepted the price.
“Haha, you’re quite the shrewd young lady, aren't you?”
He handed over two hundred thousand Toll. With this sudden income, Jin was unexpectedly able to settle his debts in full.
“Man, what a stroke of luck,” Jin said, clearly in high spirits.
“N-No, even if it was a lucky break, it only happened because of your skill, Jin-san,” Kachea corrected him. With the debt gone, Jin was also able to pay Kachea her wages.
“Even so, Jin-san, you finished those repairs far too quickly,” she warned him.
“You should have taken about ten times longer to fix them.”
“Yeah... I’m reflecting on that now.”
Because the subjects were golems, Jin had accidentally gotten carried away and lost track of appearances.
“But well, I did get some materials at a good price.”
Jin had managed to acquire a small number of bronze ingots and the remains of the machete he had used for the joint repairs. Furthermore, he had secured a promise that Lorenz would look for a few small magi-crystals to bring on his next visit to the village.
＊ ＊ ＊
The reactions of the villagers who had witnessed Jin’s display of skill were split.
“That was incredible.”
“I didn't know he could do stuff like that. We’re lucky Jin came to this village.”
There were those who were honestly impressed, but there were others who felt an inexplicable sense of dread.
“It’s almost scary, isn't it?”
“Can magic really do anything?...What if it’s used for something bad?”
However, while some harbored fears, most people felt at ease once they got to know Jin’s actual personality. It didn't seem likely to become a major problem.
From that day on, Jin’s life changed slightly. The number of repair requests surged.
“Jin-san, we have nine requests today. They’re all for repairs.”
“Got it. I’ll have to work efficiently.”
His savings were gradually growing. Step by step, he was moving toward his goal of establishing a permanent base.
The real issue, however, was Lorenz’s assessment of Jin.
＊ ＊ ＊
“...He is undoubtedly a first-rate—no, a world-class magi engineer.”
“It certainly seems that way.”
Inside the golem carriage on the way back, Lorenz was talking with one of his subordinates.
“I have never seen anyone capable of such feats.”
“Do you think he really came from the neighboring continent?”
“The possibility is high. His claim about having a fuzzy memory is also suspicious.”
“True. There hasn't been any contact with that continent for nearly two hundred years, has there?”
“Indeed. They called it national isolation. It’s said that roughly two hundred years ago, they chose to isolate themselves to avoid excessive interference from our continent.”
“But after seeing that kind of skill, I wonder if staying isolated is really the right choice...”
“Say no more,” Lorenz said, sharply cutting his subordinate off.
“I... I apologize. I spoke out of turn.”
“I’ve heard that the other continent was once plagued by endless war. When you consider that, our country is the very picture of peace.”
“That is certainly true.”
The wagon pulled by the golems continued to rumble along the road.
＊ ＊ ＊
“You’re really something, Jin.”
Helga had taken to stopping by Jin’s workshop almost every day. More than half the time she spent there was just idle gossip with her friend Kachea, but since she occasionally brought work as well, Jin couldn't really complain.
“Today, I need you to look at the large pump on the northern edge of the village.”
“Got it. I’ll get right on it.”
“Jin-san, once you’re finished with that, please head to Neshka-san’s house in the northern district. Her hoe is broken and she’s in a bit of a bind.”
“Understood.”
With Kachea’s management going smoothly, Jin’s days were busy and fulfilling.
However, a storm was gradually approaching.