The following day, Jin and Lordtoss toured the town of Florenz to gather information, but their efforts bore little fruit.
What did catch Jin's eye, however, were the Magic Federation recruitment posters plastered across every corner of the town. Furthermore, individuals who appeared to be recruiters would occasionally attempt to approach them, only for Reiko to sense their intent, take Jin and Lordtoss by the hand, and lead them away. This happened five times in total.
"As expected, this really is the Magic Federation's home turf..."
"It certainly is," Lordtoss agreed.
"If you would permit me to cause a disturbance, Father, I could eliminate them all," Reiko offered.
"Don't do that for now, Reiko."
"Understood, Father. If that is what you wish."
And so the day went.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Well, let's head back for now."
"Yes."
Jin had wanted to stop by Port Rock Town to see how Marcia's workshop was progressing, but he decided to postpone the visit.
"That will have to wait until we've finished dealing with the Magic Federation."
For the same reason, Jin was also refraining from visiting Onogoro Island to see his descendants.
Jin, Lordtoss, Reiko, and Hope headed toward the airport. After paying a late fee of 1,000 Toll, they retrieved the Taube from the rented warehouse. It was in pristine condition, looking exactly as it had when they first left it.
Though Jin suspected Laojun had likely been keeping a watchful eye through a Peeping Telescope, ready to deal with any troublemakers, he didn't voice the thought.
"Alright, let's go."
Jin gave Reiko her instructions, and the Taube took off.
"Father, our destination is the Nord Federation, correct?"
"No, we're going to Hourai Island."
"Eh?"
"What?"
Both Reiko and Lordtoss asked back in surprise.
"Father, do you mean to say... we are taking Lordtoss-san to Hourai Island?"
"That's right."
Lordtoss was the one who panicked at the statement.
"Ji-Jin-sama! Is... Is it truly alright for me to go to Hourai Island?"
Jin nodded.
"Of course it's alright. If anything, I think I've waited a bit too long to invite you. You've helped me in many ways, and I'm sure I'll be relying on you in the future as well."
Jin reached out his hand.
"Will you join us as a member of the Second-term Jin Family?"
Lordtoss gripped the hand firmly.
"With pleasure! It is an honor, Jin-sama!"
Thus, the Second-term Jin Family was officially inaugurated.
It went without saying that Lordtoss was left utterly speechless when he saw Hourai Island with his own eyes for the first time.
＊ ＊. ＊
"Now then, this is the Fellowship Bracelet for Lordtoss."
Jin handed Lordtoss a marble-patterned bracelet of white and light blue.
"T-This is..."
"Yes, it's the same as the ones Sion and Marikka have. It features barrier functions, communication functions, and is used for personal authentication."
"Th-Thank you very much!"
Lordtoss bowed deeply.
"For a long, long time... ever since I was a child, I've heard stories from my great-grandmother and longed for this place! To not only be invited to Hourai Island but to receive a bracelet as well...!!"
"Ah, yeah."
Jin was a bit taken aback by the young man's sheer level of excitement.
"..."
"Have you calmed down now?"
"Y-Yes, my apologies."
Having finally returned to his usual state, Lordtoss sat quietly in the command room in the basement of the laboratory. Jin understood how he felt, so he decided to leave him to his thoughts.
"Laojun, that sums up the information I’ve gathered this time."
"My Lord, thank you for your hard work. The information regarding the current state of Kunlun Island will be very useful."
"I see."
"I was unaware that Elena-san had met with such circumstances. It was an oversight on my part."
However, during that period, Hourai Island had been completely focused on the Magic Federation's fleet surrounding the island, so the lapse was understandable.
"As for the liberation of Kunlun Island, I believe a lightning-strike operation to restore Taihaku's sanity would be most effective."
"So that's the plan after all."
"Yes. If we prepare a magi-certifier for Taihaku in advance and send it in via transporter along with a Smith squad, the matter should be settled within a minute."
"Will it really be that simple?"
"Yes. To begin with, the current Magic Federation is incapable of organized movement. Guillermo Marukitasu, who overwhelmed Elena-san, is likely reorganizing them, but they are not a cohesive force yet. In that sense, the earlier we act, the better."
"Understood. If there are no issues, let's do it immediately."
"As you wish. We shall make them realize exactly who they have picked a fight with."
"Keep it within reason," Jin cautioned.
With that, Jin gave Laojun the go-ahead to retake Kunlun Island.
＊ ＊ ＊
"My Lord, it is finished."
Just as declared, Kunlun Island was successfully recaptured in the blink of an eye.
"Good. For now, the Magic Federation hasn't noticed, right?"
"Yes, of course."
"Good. Don't let them realize we've retaken it for the time being."
"Understood."
At this point, Jin asked something that had been on his mind.
"Laojun, do you think I should look into what my past self created?"
Jin thought that doing so might save him the redundancy of developing things that already existed.
"My Lord, I wonder if that is best."
"What do you mean?"
"I humbly suggest that knowing everything in advance might dampen the joy of discovery."
"I suppose you're right..."
Efficiency wasn't everything. Laojun had a firm grasp on Jin's nature as someone who lived for the craft.
"How about this: whenever My Lord is about to create something, if you consult with me, I will tell you whether your past self had already created it?"
This was Laojun's way of being considerate, ensuring that Jin's creativity wasn't unnecessarily constrained. Jin thought about the proposal for a moment before agreeing.
"You're right, let's go with that."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Then let's start immediately. Did my past self ever create something like this?"
Jin proceeded to explain his idea.
"Yes, My Lord. It exists."
"I see. I figured I'd made one—a magi-deceiver."
A magi-deceiver. It was a device designed to "deceive" control cores and magi-brains.
The sensors used in magi-craft take physical inputs like light, sound, or heat, but their outputs are always mana. The magi-deceiver is what tricks those sensor outputs. One could call it a highly localized, specialized version of an illusion barrier.
"Jin-sama, what do you intend to do with that magi-deceiver?" Lordtoss asked, having finally composed himself.
"Well, you see..."
Jin proceeded to explain his plan to Lordtoss, Laojun, and Reiko.