The morning of September 17th, the fated crossroads, had arrived.
"Father, is there anywhere I've missed?"
Jin was taking a morning bath, with Reiko washing his hair for him.
"No, that’s fine. Thank you."
After rinsing away the suds with lukewarm water, she treated his hair with a honey-based rinse.
"...Reiko."
"Yes?"
Reiko’s behavior was as unchanging as ever, which only made Jin feel a greater sense of guilt.
In all likelihood, the Reiko of this era would never be able to see Jin again after today. Never again.
Even so, she had faithfully assisted him, her Creator, in preparing to return to his original time, and even now she continued to attend to his every need.
Jin knew that once he returned to his own era, he would be reunited with the Reiko of that time, yet he still felt a profound reluctance to part with the Reiko who stood before him now.
"Thank you for everything."
"You are very welcome, Father."
Seeing Reiko answer with a smile made a sharp pang of grief shoot through Jin’s chest.
(When I get back, I’m definitely going to make sure I build an automaton of my own early on.)
Jin etched this resolution into his heart once more.
＊ ＊ ＊
『My Lord, the preparations are complete.』
Jin finished the breakfast prepared by Soleil and Luna, served to him by Reiko, and enjoyed a post-meal tea while surrounded by Anne, Loll, and Refa.
It was then that Laojun's voice resonated through the room.
"I see."
Jin answered in a slightly trembling voice and stood up.
『Please come to the front yard.』
"Understood."
Leading Reiko, Soleil, Luna, Anne, Loll, and Refa, Jin stepped out into the laboratory's front courtyard.
"This is..."
A massive magic circle had been drawn across the ground.
However, that was not what had left Jin speechless.
Every single golem on Hourai Island had assembled there.
The silver-brown Land squad, the Army Golems.
The silver-blue Sky squad, the Air Force Golems.
The silver-white Mariner-class Mermaid squad, being carried by the silver-light-blue Navy-class Marine squad.
The golden Space Force Cosmos squad, with the copper-colored space-use small-class Astro units perched on their shoulders.
The five-color Golem Maids: Ruby, Amez, Topaz, Perido, and Aqua.
Soleil and Luna’s subordinates, the Plane and Satella squads.
Deus Ex Machina and its servant, Rei.
The silver-black Smith Golems: Smith, Little-Smith, Mini-Smith, Inch-Smith, and Milli-Smith.
The Quinta units, who were supposed to be scattered across the various regions.
The Hourai Island Secret Mobile Unit (SP).
Laozi's direct subordinates, the five-centimeter mini-golems of the Finger squad.
The five-centimeter intelligence mini-golems of the Sam squad.
The Shinobi Squad.
The doctor and healer automaton, Lise.
The surgery mini-golems, the Jack units.
The nursing automaton, Nurse.
The Commands.
The Stewards.
The Butlers.
The general-purpose golems.
Showing their massive forms in the far distance were Titan and Daidara.
And the golem created in this world, Hope.
Finally... Laojun's mobile terminal, Laozi.
They stood in perfect formation, filling Jin's entire field of vision.
"Everyone..."
『My Lord, please forgive the presumption, but I took the liberty of summoning them all here.』
"Yeah..."
Jin’s voice cracked with tears.
『On their behalf, I, Laojun, shall offer a few words of parting.』
Laozi spoke Laojun's words.
『My Lord, Creator and Arch Master, Lord Jin Nidou. Thank you for bringing us into existence.』
Following those words, every single individual gathered there bowed their head toward Jin in unison.
『When you return to your original era, please give our best regards to our past selves.』
"Laojun, everyone..."
Jin responded, his eyes welling with tears.
"I am proud of you all....And after I am gone, I want you to continue living quietly until someone worthy of your service appears."
Jin deliberately used the words "continue living."
"If even that proves difficult, then move to Hale... and watch over Ars from there."
Jin left them with these final instructions: to generally let the people of Ars live as they saw fit, but to lend a hand if there was ever a great disaster or the threat of extinction.
"That is all from me."
At that moment, Reiko stepped forward.
"Reiko?"
Reiko gently embraced Jin.
"Father....I have served your children and their children as well, but in the end, I have only one Father."
Then, Reiko pulled away from him.
"Father, I was happy to have met you. Please give my regards to the past version of me."
"Reiko."
Jin stroked Reiko's head, knowing this would be the last time.
『My Lord, it is a regret that I cannot tell you everything due to the risk of time paradoxes.』
"Ah, it's fine, Laojun. I'll be in your care one last time."
『Yes. My Lord, I shall provide a brief explanation.』
Laozi, standing nearby, spoke.
『This is an application of teleportation magic circles. By further applying the technology of the transporter, the synergy between the two will allow us to travel back through time.』
"I see."
『From investigations on Hale, we discovered that the Progenitors had also been researching space-time travel. We are utilizing a portion of that data.』
"Is that so?"
『Because time travel requires a massive amount of energy, this will likely be a one-time operation.』
If they were to attempt it again, they would have to collect free ether for a period of a thousand years.
"Understood."
『We do not know what side effects may occur. Please keep that in mind.』
"I’m prepared for that."
『Very well.』
The magic circle beneath Jin's feet began to glow faintly.
The radiance grew stronger and stronger until Jin's form was obscured by the brilliance.
"Father!"
Reiko called out Jin's name.
"Everyone... see ya!"
Jin's voice echoed through the courtyard.
『Time Transfer!』
Laojun's voice rang out.
A blinding light filled the space.
A few seconds later, the light vanished. Jin was no longer there.
＊ ＊ ＊
Wrapped in light, Jin felt a sensation as if his body were floating.
The intense radiance felt as though it was burning his retinas even through his closed eyelids.
Perhaps because of that, his consciousness began to fade.
"Father!"
He heard Reiko's voice from somewhere far away.
"Everyone... see ya!"
Jin squeezed out his voice with every ounce of strength he could muster.
And then, everything went black.
Assailed by a sensation and agonizing pain as if his body were being torn in two, Jin let go of his consciousness.