The morning of September 12th.
Jin was busy conducting tests for the Rocket Mole. As usual, Reiko served as his test pilot.
The Rocket Mole was not designed for ground travel; instead, it used a force generator to hover and fly at low altitudes.
"Wow, look at it fly!" Vita cheered, frolicking as she watched the vehicle.
When Jin asked her age, she had told him she was sixty-five, which was roughly equivalent to thirteen in human years. Her youthful excitement was only natural.
"Still, that form feels so strange. It looks like it couldn't possibly fly," Sion remarked.
She used the Shouro Empire pronunciation of the word "form," referring to its shape.
"It’s a bit late for that, isn't it? The spaceship is the same way," Jin replied.
"Well, I suppose you’re right."
The spaceship Jin had built was spherical, a shape that defied conventional aerodynamics. Even so, the Rocket Mole was even more peculiar. It was a cylinder 1.5 meters in diameter and 4.5 meters long, essentially a giant metal tube laid on its side. It was only natural that seeing such a thing cruising through the air felt bizarre.
Because of its unusual shape, a wind-attribute barrier was necessary to reach supersonic speeds. The practical test for that system also proved to be a success.
"With this, I can fly all the way to the vicinity of Hourai Island."
The cockpit was cramped, so Jin was honestly relieved that the trip would take less than an hour.
While Jin was lost in thought, Reiko began the underwater testing. Since they were observing from the shore, they couldn't see the vehicle's movements, but Jin soon received word of its success through the communication function of the temporary Fellowship Bracelet he had fashioned.
Finally, they moved on to the vehicle's primary purpose: excavation. With Sion’s permission, Jin decided to test the digging function within the clan territory.
"Grand Search... There it is. About thirty-five meters down, there’s a small gold and silver vein."
"Oh, that’s perfect. Go ahead, Jin."
"Understood. Reiko, if you would."
"Yes, Father," Reiko replied.
The Rocket Mole tilted its nose and began to burrow into the earth at a downward angle. It maintained a steady pace of approximately two meters per minute.
"Not bad," Jin murmured.
Because it was digging at an angle, it took about twenty minutes for the Rocket Mole to reach the vein. Since it was operating in tunnel mode, the pulverized rock was being teleported back to the surface through a paired Warp Gate.
"Is this it? Analyze... Oh, the concentration is actually quite high."
It was an excellent find—0.5 percent gold, 2 percent silver, 7 percent copper, and 7 percent nickel. Though the vein was relatively small, the amount of gold it contained was substantial.
"Thank you, Jin. This will certainly enrich the clan."
"It was a lucky find, but I’m glad I could help."
The Rocket Mole soon returned to the surface.
"Good work, Reiko."
Jin immediately began a thorough inspection of the vehicle. Aside from a few minor scratches on the outer hull, there were no issues. He quickly repaired the scratches with magi-craft and applied several additional layers of Hardening to the exterior for good measure.
＊ ＊ ＊
"That should settle the preparations," Jin said with a satisfied nod later that afternoon while sipping tea. "I’m thinking of stopping by Kunlun Island first. What do you think?"
Sion’s expression clouded over. "...I think it’s better if you don't. Or rather, you mustn't."
"What? Why?"
"It’s a message from the Jin of four hundred years ago: 'Head straight for Hourai Island.'"
"...I see."
Jin speculated that there might be clues there regarding the current Lord of Kunlun or perhaps even his own descendants. He surmised that learning such things "now" would likely interfere with his future actions once he returned to his own time.
"It’s a shame, but I understand." Jin decided to follow the advice. "In that case, we’ll depart tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
This time, Sion didn't object, which confirmed for Jin that he was making the right choice.
(Still, this is tricky...)
Jin let out a wry smile as he looked toward the future.
(First, I have to free Laojun and liberate Hourai Island. I'll worry about what comes next after that.)
For now, he could only take things one step at a time. He decided to focus entirely on the problem directly in front of him.
＊ ＊ ＊
That evening, Jin was greeted by a joyful reunion.
"Jin-sama, it has been a long time."
"Jin-dono, it's good to see you again."
Sion's mother, Rolona, and Sion's husband, Belialus—the current chief of the All-Creation Clan—had returned. Rolona had been providing agricultural guidance in the western Buamak River area, while Belialus had been tied up in various negotiations within the Shouro Empire.
Jin didn't press them for the details of their work.
"Truly, I never imagined we would meet like this."
Simply being reunited with them was enough to make Jin happy.
But the surprises weren't over.
"I’m sorry I’m late! Jin-sama, it has been far too long!"
Sion's older sister, Istalis, also arrived to greet him.
"It really is you, Jin-sama... You look so young."
Istalis’s appearance now reflected the centuries she had lived through, but the traces of the woman Jin once knew were still there. It was a nostalgic moment for him, and spending time with these familiar faces warmed his heart.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Finally... tomorrow's the day..."
That night, alone in his bedroom, Jin let his thoughts wander.
"Once I liberate Hourai Island... I suppose things will start to change."
His mind turned to the people waiting for him in his own era.
"Elsa..."
The face of his beloved wife appeared clearly in his mind's eye.
"I wonder if the children were born safely..."
Sion had assured him they would be, but he couldn't help but worry. He wondered if he would be able to make it back before the birth.
"If I can, I want to be there for her..."
Elsa had always been so slight of build; he worried that childbirth would be a grueling ordeal for her.
"...Please, just wait for me..."
As he reached out across time to the era that was his future and this world's past, Jin drifted off into a deep sleep.