"Here, like this..."
On Onogoro Island, Marikka was busy crafting an automata. It was intended as a subordinate for Direk, the overseer of the island’s surface facilities.
While Direk was modeled as an elderly butler, the one she was currently assembling was a maid type. Only Marikka knew that they were modeled after Laozi and the Five-Colored Golem Maids, respectively.
"There... finished," she murmured, letting out a soft sigh of relief as she completed the first unit.
"How’s it coming along?"
Sion poked her head in at that exact moment.
"Oh, Sion-san. I just finished it."
"I see... Is this it? Oh, it’s lovely."
"You think so? Hearing that from you makes me happy."
Sion looked over the reclining automata with interest. "You’ve really improved your skills, Marikka," she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
"D-do you really think so?"
"I do. I’m not just being polite. Compared to three years ago—back when you first met Jin—your progress has been extraordinary."
"Has it really been that long?"
"Things were certainly hectic then..." Sion’s gaze drifted as she reminisced. She had traveled to the Lauren Continent with her servant, Lucas, and had been rescued by Jin in Kaina Village after collapsing from exhaustion.
Since then, they had rescued her sister, All-Creation, and fought against the Negadolls to liberate all the clans. During that struggle, the population of those formerly known as the demon race had been further depleted by localized Ether Stampedes triggered by the Negadolls.
"You know, since we’ve made Onogoro Island so much more livable, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have anyone who’s interested move here, would it?"
"I agree," Marikka replied. She saw no issue with members of the Northern People settling here if they wished. "The climate is quite warm since we’re right on the Tropic of Capricorn."
As a trial, twelve young people under the age of a hundred (roughly twenty in human years) had attempted to live there. However, they had grown bored within a month and returned to their clans.
Their feedback had been varied: "It’s too lonely with no one around," "I’m afraid I’ll grow soft living like this," "I prefer the home I know," and "It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there."
"It might be difficult to change one's lifestyle so suddenly," Sion observed.
The Northern People were evidently more conservative than she had anticipated. Moreover, thanks to Jin’s efforts, their own home territories had become far more comfortable and easy to live in.
Katarina, Miranda, and Vanessa were also hard at work.
The three of them, alongside Marikka, had recently received a direct lecture from Jin on the fundamentals of golem and automata construction.
"...Marikka, this part isn't fitting right..."
"Ah, that bit is easier if you assemble this section first."
"I see! That makes sense."
"Hey, hey, what about over here?"
"There’s a bit of a trick to that one... here."
"Wow, you're so good at this!"
"Um, Marikka-san, could you show me this part?"
"Of course. In my experience, I think it’s easier to put it together this way."
"You’re right."
Marikka was doing an excellent job mentoring the three as their senior. Sion watched her with an impressed smile.
"Sion-san, is Lady Rolona in?"
One day, Marikka visited Sion’s home with a question.
"Yes, she is. Mother! Marikka’s here to see you!"
Rolona emerged from the back of the house, greeting Marikka with her usual gentle, warm smile.
"Welcome, dear. What can I do for you today?"
"Well, while I’ve been working on Onogoro Island, I had an idea."
"And does that involve me?" Rolona asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Yes. I’m planning to set up self-sufficient fields on the island."
"I see."
"We have plenty of land, so I’d like to use a portion of the crops... well, actually, most of them, for everyone here."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful! It will certainly make our meals more diverse."
The Nord Federation’s climate ranged from subarctic to arctic, but Onogoro Island was subtropical. Naturally, the crops that could be grown there were quite different.
"That’s why I was hoping for your guid-sh... guidance on how to start the farm."
Rolona was an expert in agriculture. In fact, she was the Lead Officer in charge of it.
"I understand. You can count on me. Let’s see... I definitely want to try growing rice first."
Rice was originally a plant from the southern regions.
"Tea trees would be good, too."
Common tea plants couldn't be cultivated in cold climates, so all the tea consumed in the Nord Federation was currently imported.
"I’d also like to plant natural rubber trees, and fruit trees like Persica and citran."
Rolona’s vision for the island continued to grow.
"Mother, if that’s the case, we should ask Jin for help as well."
"You’re right. I’m sure he’d be happy to cooperate."
Sion was certain that Jin would provide his support for a project so focused on future development.
"If that’s the plan, I’m more than happy to help."
"Th-thank you very mush!"
Marikka tripped over her words as she thanked him.
"I’ll update the Agrii units with the know-how for cultivating those southern plants."
Agrii were the agriculture-specialized golems that Jin had created and gifted to the Northern People.
"Thank you, Jin-sama," Rolona added her thanks.
"I recall seeing something when I visited Onogoro Island before... it looked like you could harvest bamboo shoots there."
He had spotted a plant that bore a striking resemblance to Moso bamboo.
"Ah, yes, I believe I saw those as well."
"Excellent. That will be a great addition."
Jin proceeded to explain the various ways to prepare and eat bamboo shoots.
In this manner, as Onogoro Island was developed, the Nord Federation continued to grow more prosperous as well.