Still concealed by "Stealth," Jin, Lordtoss, and Hope continued their trek.
However, navigating via infrared made the outlines of their surroundings inherently blurry, forcing them to maintain a cautious, slow pace.
"About one more hour," Lordtoss noted.
The group pressed on, heading straight for the east.
At the end of this journey, I’ll finally be able to return to my own time... I hope.
Whether Lordtoss had intended it or not, the anxiety that had been gnawing at Jin’s heart had vanished. Based on the bits of information Lordtoss had let slip, Jin had surmised that he would eventually find a way home, and that realization brought him a deep sense of peace.
Eventually, the houses and fields vanished from sight. When they finally deactivated their "Stealth," their vision cleared properly at last, and Jin let out a long sigh of relief.
Another fifteen minutes passed.
"It’s around here," Lordtoss said, scanning the area.
They stood in the middle of a desolate, windswept plain.
"This area is known as the Maise Plain. It’s frequently a battlefield during our conflicts with the Norha Principality."
"So that’s why it’s so barren..."
Sparse patches of grass were all that grew there; not a single large tree was in sight.
"Ah, there they are."
Lordtoss pointed toward several large red stones scattered across the wasteland.
"I have golem horses buried beneath these. Let's get them out....'Dig'."
Lordtoss used his magic to excavate the earth. Before long, two golem horses emerged from the ground.
"'Cleanup'."
Once the mud and grime were stripped away, the two mechanical steeds looked as good as new.
"Oh, these are quite well-made," Jin remarked. "Who built them?"
"They were made by one of Marikka-sama's disciples. This specific model is what’s commonly used these days."
It seemed the design had originated with Marikka, and her disciples had been the ones to popularize it. Apparently, they retailed for about 100,000 Toll—roughly a million yen. To Jin, they felt like the equivalent of a light car. These two had been purchased at a standard shop.
"I see. Marikka was blessed with talented disciples."
"You should tell her that yourself when you see her. She’ll be delighted. After all, Marikka-sama tells her disciples stories about Jin-san every chance she gets."
"...Out of curiosity, what does she say?" Jin asked tentatively.
"Well, things like... 'He’s a man who isn’t bound by common sense,' or 'someone for whom common sense simply doesn't apply.' In a good way, of course."
"I see..."
"I grew up hearing those stories myself, so I've been looking forward to the day I could finally meet you, Jin-san."
"I-Is that so?"
Even if he had wanted to ask what the man thought now that they had actually met, Jin couldn't bring himself to do it. More accurately, he simply didn't want to hear the answer.
"Let’s finish dinner here," Lordtoss suggested.
It was only about four in the afternoon, but Lordtoss argued that they should rest while they had the chance, as there was no telling what lay ahead. Jin had no objections.
He took out some portable rations from the pack Hope was carrying and took a bite.
"Oh, this is actually pretty good."
"I heard that you created it, Jin-san, by modeling it after something called a 'Calorie Friend'."
"Wait, me?...I don't have any memory of that."
The Calorie Friend was indeed a portable ration sold in modern Japan, but Jin didn't recall ever trying to recreate it in this world.
Wait, does that mean I'm going to make it after I return to my original era?
In that case, Jin would start making it because he knew he was supposed to have made it.
Is this what they call a time paradox?
Musing over the logic, Jin finished his meal. After a quick drink of water, their break was over.
"Well then, shall we move out? Pursuers should be appearing soon."
"Pursuers?"
"Yes. Though they’re likely after me rather than you, Jin-san."
The Jagus Principality clearly coveted Lordtoss and his specialized knowledge. However, he had apparently been adamant about refusing to allow his skills to be used for military purposes, ensuring his knowledge was applied almost exclusively to peaceful ends.
"Though, almost anything can be repurposed into a weapon," Lordtoss added in a low murmur. His self-mocking expression looked terribly lonely.
Jin and Lordtoss each mounted a golem horse and continued east. They moved at a steady twenty kilometers per hour, with Hope following along on foot.
"By the way, what happened to the automata who served the tea?"
"She’s with us, of course. She’s using 'Stealth' to remain invisible while acting as a skirmisher."
It seemed she wasn't sticking right beside them but was following at a slight distance to handle any unforeseen threats.
"Did you build her, Lordtoss?"
"No, no. I'm not capable of making an automata that sophisticated. She’s one of Marikka-sama's masterpieces."
"Marikka’s... I see."
"She mentioned that long ago, she used an automata you used to travel with as a reference. Her name is Hanako."
"I see..."
The automata he used to travel with—there was no doubt she meant Reiko, Jin thought. He wondered how Reiko was doing now. He imagined she was likely serving a new master. Similarly, the reason Laojun and the others had yet to show themselves might be because they were bound to a new owner as well.
As long as they're happy, I suppose that's enough.
And if that new master happened to be his own descendant, then all the better. Jin let out a small, wistful sigh.
"Let’s cross the border before the day is out," Lordtoss said.
At their current pace, he estimated they would make it before sunset. Two golem horses, the golem Hope, and the invisible automata Hanako—the party continued their eastward trek without pause.
"We’re almost at the border. Goodness, we’ve actually managed to slip out of the Jagus Principality."
Lordtoss spoke with a look of genuine relief. The group continued heading east until dusk, finally halting to make camp.
＊ ＊ ＊
"This magi-device projects a simple barrier."
While they didn't have a tent, Lordtoss produced a barrier projector that kept out insects and small animals while providing shelter from the rain. It was designed to allow air to circulate freely.
"We can leave the large animals and pursuers to my Hanako and your Hope, Jin-san."
"That sounds like the best plan."
They spread out blankets to serve as cushions, and the two of them finally drifted off to sleep.
＊ ＊ ＊
Before the dawn could fully break, the group was jolted awake by Hope's voice.
"Jin-sama, Lordtoss-sama, please wake up. We have pursuers."
The report was concise, but the urgency in the golem's voice was clear.
"They chased us even across the border...?" Lordtoss said, his face twisting with pure distaste.
"Master, preparations are complete," Hanako reported next.
Her speech had become perfectly fluent. Jin realized she had likely been feigning lower performance while they were still within the Jagus Principality.
"There are twenty golems and one commander," Hope added.
Jin and Lordtoss finished their quick preparations and mounted their golem horses. Just as they did, a loud voice boomed across the plain.
"Lordtoss-dono! We request that you return with us at once!"