For the time being, the Large Ship Development Project was proceeding exactly as originally planned.
This was largely due to Jin’s firm stance: "I will not tolerate any outside interference while development is underway."
However, he hadn't forgotten to add a practical concession. "Given that we are planning for long-distance voyages—including trips into northern waters—equipping the vessel against magical beasts will be a necessity."
When it came to threats at sea, the Death Sea Serpent was the first to mind. They were ferocious creatures, much like the ones that had appeared just the other day.
Then there was the Bowall, a massive creature resembling a whale. While they were generally a docile species, they were terrifying when provoked; their twenty-meter-long bodies were capable of devastating ramming attacks.
Finally, though rarely encountered, there was the Sea Dragon. Given that they were known to prey upon Death Sea Serpents, one could only imagine how fearsome they truly were.
"Generally speaking, those are the three main types we need to be wary of," Jin explained. "A Bowall's swimming speed is only about thirty kilometers per hour, so it’s possible to outrun them. However, we will likely need the means to intercept Death Sea Serpents and Sea Dragons."
"..."
His audience was left speechless. They were simultaneously reminded of the sheer terror of the deep and astonished by the breadth of Jin’s knowledge.
"The best strategy is to attack from the air," Jin continued. "If we make a point of staying in port overnight and only sail during the day, we can use hot air balloons as a platform for aerial attacks."
"I see."
Reducing the risks of a voyage was always the top priority. The project members hung on Jin's every word.
"The real problem is an attack from beneath the waves. However, we can avoid that using Sonar magic."
"Sonar?"
"Yes. It's a type of magi-craft that pulses sound through the water. Most marine life finds the noise unpleasant and will move away to avoid it."
Jin shared his expertise on dealing with Death Sea Serpents right there on the spot. The team was convinced, agreeing to incorporate whatever features they could into the final design.
"Still, that Navy Marshal... Gaudino, was it? He was acting quite strangely," Sergio, the project leader, muttered to himself.
Jin, of course, had also found the man’s behavior suspicious. He had secretly ordered Laojun to investigate, and the results were reported to him later that night.
"My Lord, I have found the information you requested."
"That was quick."
Jin received the report while at Jin Castle in Kaina Village. Due to the time difference, he was settling in for the night; meanwhile, Elsa and the twins were spending the evening on Hourai Island.
"It is confirmed that a man named Gaudino Granata serves as the Royal Navy Marshal for the Kingdom of Elias."
"Right. And?"
"However, the Marshal himself is currently overseeing military drills at Port Dabesh in Toves Province, approximately seventy kilometers away from Port Rock Town."
"What!?"
"In other words, the man you met today was an impostor."
"Hmm... If that's the case, then what was he after?"
"As information is currently scarce, his goal remains unknown. However, I can offer several conjectures."
After taking a moment to consider his options, Jin decided to hear Laojun’s thoughts, thinking they might provide a useful lead.
"Let’s hear them, for reference."
"Understood. First, there is the possibility that the individual is simply unhinged. The actions of such a person are, by nature, unpredictable."
"I suppose so. That's a fair point."
"Second is the possibility of sabotage by a hostile faction. They could be attempting to delay the project by forcing design changes or complicating the procurement of materials. If construction had already begun, such demands could have forced a total rebuild."
Jin nodded. "That makes sense."
"Third, it could have been a test of the project's integrity—a surprise inspection to ensure the team wasn't just a collection of yes-men."
"If that’s the case, they have a twisted personality."
"Fourth, it could be a mere prank, though that is highly improbable."
It was simply a possibility that wasn't zero.
"I see. Good work. I hope it turns out to be the third option..."
Jin found it hard to believe that any faction currently existed that would be hostile toward the Kingdom of Elias.
"The Magic Federation won't be formed for a while yet, after all."
"Indeed, My Lord. That is correct."
"I’ll try asking Marchioness Firenziano about it tomorrow."
"Considering the potential long-term implications, that would be the wisest course of action."
"What? I’ve heard nothing of the sort!"
First thing the next morning, Jin visited the Marchioness at the manor house in Port Rock Town.
"Furthermore, it is unthinkable that the Royal Navy Marshal would personally engage in such antics."
"I thought as much."
The Marchioness explained that it was virtually unheard of for the head of a major organization to personally drop by a project to tack on additional demands.
"...Could it be sabotage?" Marchioness Firenziano mused, her expression turning somber. "If so, the question remains: who is behind it, and what is their motive?"
This was the same question weighing on Jin's mind. The thought of a hostile power that even Laojun hadn't detected was unsettling.
"I will conduct my own investigation into the matter," she declared. "As for the project, please proceed as if you never heard those demands."
"Understood."
Though the mystery remained, Jin felt much better about the project’s future.
"Is that so? Well, that’s a weight off our shoulders."
When Jin later relayed the Marchioness’s instructions to the project members, a collective sigh of relief swept through the room.
While Jin was visiting the Marchioness, Laojun had been using the Quinta units to hunt for the suspicious man.
"Have you located him?"
Just before noon that day, they found him. The discovery was made by Regulus 6, also known as Baat.
"Yes. However, something isn't right with him."
"Explain."
"He appears to be unconscious."
"What?"
"How should we proceed?"
Laojun calculated the next move for two seconds before deciding on a course of action.
"Restrain him so he cannot escape and bring him to Hourai Island immediately."
The order was executed at once.
Bound by ropes and a magical barrier, the man who had called himself Gaudino Granata was transported through the sea cave Warp Gate and brought before Laojun.
"This is..."
Laojun was genuinely surprised upon examining the impostor. The man was under the influence of brainwashing Master-Slave Magic—a technique used by the Northern People.
"Just who could have..."
Laojun reached out to Sion and Marikka via their Fellowship Bracelets to investigate, but no one capable of using such magic was found among their known contacts.
"Could it be... Lardus...?"
The only person Laojun knew of who could use brainwashing Master-Slave Magic and was currently unaccounted for was Lardus of the Jest clan.
"Is he attempting another prank... no, is he trying to cause real damage this time?"
Laojun used the magi-radar—calibrated with data from the dagger previously seized from Lardus—to search for him, but the scan came up empty. It appeared he was using some form of countermeasure.
"I must report this to My Lord."
That night, when Jin received the report at Jin Castle, he frowned.
"Hmm, Lardus, huh... To think he’d show up now of all times. Mobilize the mobile Quinta units and keep the Kingdom of Elias under high alert."
"Understood."
However, no further incidents occurred. Eventually, they came to the conclusion that if it really had been Lardus’s doing, it had likely been nothing more than a childish prank.