December 1, 3899. In the laboratory on Hourai Island.
Jin and Reiko were in the underground command room.
"Well then, it's finally time to head to Onogoro Island."
"I am looking forward to it, Father."
"I am too, but... I’m also quite nervous."
Jin felt more nervous than he had since his corporate job interviews before entering the workforce.
"Jin-sama, thank you for waiting."
Marikka arrived. As the administrator of Onogoro Island, her presence was essential for this trip.
Marikka, who was prone to saying things like, "If anything happens to me, I leave the rest to you, Jin-sama," was 492 years old this year, though she looked to be in her sixties. She appeared as though she could easily live another century or two.
While the Northern People had always been long-lived, their lifespans had increased significantly thanks to improvements in nutrition, public hygiene, and the medical system.
Laojun speculated that the rise in free ether concentration had also played a part in their longevity.
"It's good to be healthy and live a long life," Jin mused.
"...Pardon?"
Jin had accidentally let his thoughts slip out loud, and Marikka, who had just entered the room, caught it.
"No, it's nothing. I'm just glad to see you're doing well, Marikka."
Being told this with such a straight face made Marikka flustered.
"Th-thank you very mush!"
"..."
Ever since the old days, Marikka had a habit of getting nervous and stumbling over her words whenever she was in front of Jin, and it seemed the habit was here to stay.
She can be so firm and dignified with others... Jin thought with a wry smile.
"Sion sends her regards. She said she won't be able to accompany us this time."
"I see."
Since Marikka and Sion had been alive since the Jin Family first migrated to Onogoro Island, their words carried immense weight.
Jin figured that if he suddenly showed up and told the residents, "I'm your ancestor," they wouldn't believe him. Having at least Marikka along to vouch for him was a relief.
"How are our supplies looking?"
Jin was acting like an elementary school student before a field trip. Marikka looked at him as if she were witnessing a rare sight.
"Ah, yes. Regarding the barrier covering the island—we haven't closed the Warp Gate, so we can send for anything we need later. It's fine even if you forget something."
Having the wind taken out of his sails by her blunt assessment, the tension finally left Jin's shoulders.
"With Reiko-san along, I'm sure there won't be any problems."
Oh, Jin thought.
Marikka and Sion had recently begun to use the native pronunciation for certain names. Hanako, whom Marikka had modeled after Reiko, also pronounced her own name correctly—it wasn't the flat, machine-like "Hanako" of a golem.
However, when they let their guard down, Reiko's name would still slip into "Reeko," which was perhaps unavoidable.
"Where is the Warp Gate for Onogoro Island installed?"
"There isn't one on Hourai Island, so we plan to add one today."
"My Lord, I will have Reiko take the primary components with her."
"I see."
The primary components of a Warp Gate were the Link cores. These connected two Warp Gates via ether waves.
"Currently, the Warp Gate is located at my house in the Nord Federation. Specifically, in a corner of the garden."
"I see."
It made sense, given that Marikka was the island's administrator.
"Then, Father, let us be off."
"Yeah....Laojun, I'm heading out."
"Have a safe journey."
Jin, Reiko, and Marikka first traveled to the All-Creation clan territory.
"Jin, welcome."
The Warp Gate room in the All-Creation clan territory was located in a sturdy, dedicated building constructed on the grounds of the Clan Chief's residence.
"Hey, Sion."
It was nice of Sion to come greet them, but...
"Sion, I thought you couldn't come with us this time?"
Sion laughed and nodded at his question.
"That's right, but it's fine. I still have some time."
"Time?"
"Yes. Today's Council of Elders meeting is being held here."
Since it was being held at her house, she was currently waiting for the members to gather. Sion explained that this gave her a little bit of leeway.
"So, I'll leave things to Marikka today. I just came to see your face, Jin. I thought you'd probably be excited."
"...Well, yeah. I'm looking forward to it."
"Hehe, it seems so....Marikka, I'm counting on you today."
"Yes, Sion-san."
After their brief exchange, Jin and the others headed to Marikka's house. In a corner of the garden stood a sturdy-looking building like the one they had just seen.
"It's over there."
"Alright, let's go."
"Yes."
Full of anticipation, Jin hurried toward the Warp Gate room.
"It's not like it's going to run away if you don't rush," Marikka said, trying to soothe him. Yet, her own pace had quickened as well.
"Well then, let us go."
Passing through a Warp Gate of the same type as the one on Hourai Island, they emerged instantly into the Warp Gate room on the Onogoro Island side.
A management golem bowed silently.
It was a unit entrusted with maintenance and oversight, similar in design to a Smith Golem.
"Father, the free ether concentration is about the same as on Hourai Island."
Those were the first words out of Reiko's mouth.
"The uneven distribution of free ether should have been largely corrected by now, too."
In the past, Onogoro Island had served the role of sending the free ether of Planet Ars toward Hale. Since that process had been halted, the distribution of free ether on Ars had been steadily returning to its natural state.
"Let us install the Warp Gate to Hourai Island first," Reiko said. Jin nodded, albeit somewhat reluctantly.
"Please use this Warp Gate."
Marikka pointed to a semi-completed Warp Gate.
"It will be ready once the Link core is set."
It seemed she had prepared it in advance with Jin in mind.
"That's a big help. Here we go....And, done."
Reiko was the best on Hourai Island when it came to installing Warp Gates. She finished the entire setup in five seconds.
"Now, I will perform a test."
Leaving them with those words, she stepped into the Warp Gate. Just as it seemed she had vanished, she returned in about ten seconds.
"There are no problems. It functions perfectly."
"Good job, Reiko."
With their return trip secured, it was finally time to head out.
"This is my first time seeing Onogoro Island since it was modernized," Jin murmured.
Taking a deep breath, he took his first step forward.