By the time the second group reached Checkpoint 1 to claim their markers, the lead pack had already secured their yellow markers at Checkpoint 2.
"The gap grows this much just from running on a mountain path?" Shu could hardly hide his admiration.
"That’s right. These aren't paved roads, so the golems have to contend with all sorts of adverse conditions. How they handle them makes a world of difference."
"Jin-sama, could you be more specific?"
"First, there's weight. On an uphill climb, the balance between weight and muscular strength becomes critical."
"Ah, I can understand that," Rubina nodded.
"Then there's the soles of the feet. They have to adapt to ever-changing conditions—soil, gravel, and rocky terrain."
Jin explained that applying a rubber coating, similar to a shoe sole, was one method.
"Another is making it so they can extend spikes. Look."
"Ah!"
The magi-screen Jin pointed toward showed the lead group stepping into the ice and snow zone near the summit. Among those seven, Bib #31 lost its footing.
"Watch out!"
A thin veneer of ice, known in mountaineering as "verglas," glazed the rocks. It was treacherous terrain that demanded absolute caution.
[Ah! Bib #31 has slipped! It can't regain its footing! It's sliding off!!]
A stir ran through the spectator stands. Bib #31 tumbled several meters, unable to right itself. Beyond its path lay a sheer drop into a valley.
[Ooh! It's going over!]
But then—
[Ooh! Bib #49, right on its heels, has narrowly managed to catch #31 before it tumbled into the ravine! A magnificent display!]
The stands erupted in applause at the display of sportsmanship.
However, the icy zone had split the lead group in two. While Bibs #1, #3, #51, and #40 proceeded at a steady pace, #31, #49, and #13 began to fall behind.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Hmm, so there are pitfalls like that to consider."
Jin was impressed by the cleverness of the course layout.
"So that’s why one has to be careful with specialized models," Shu remarked, seemingly having a realization of his own.
"Hey, Jin-sama, what would it be like if it were your golem?"
Since Rubina asked with genuine curiosity, Jin gave it some serious thought.
"Let’s see... essentially, I use a general-purpose or all-purpose model as the foundation and then add specialized functions. That way, there isn't much they can't adapt to."
The basic structures of Land, Marine, Sky, and the Golem Maids were all the same. The only outlier among the Hourai Island forces was the mermaid-type Mermaid units.
"Slipping is a disadvantage in almost every situation. In my case, I would... either use magical beast leather on the soles or make it so they could extend spikes, I suppose."
Unless the situation specifically favored sliding across the ice, friction on the soles was crucial for quick, precise movements. Of course, if this weren't a competition, they could simply bypass the terrain by flying with a force generator...
"The other thing is the ability to swap out options and equipment....Ah, look."
Jin pointed to Bib #17 in the second group. Just before entering the icy zone, the golem had attached snowshoe-like devices to its shins.
The effect was immediate and significant. Bib #17 broke away from the second group and sprinted up the mountain path with enough momentum to close in on the leaders.
"I see, so that's another way to handle it..." Rubina said, impressed.
"It’s the same for humans, isn't it? If it rains, we use umbrellas and wear boots. If it’s cold, we wear coats, and when we fight, we carry weapons."
"And it's the same for golems. I feel like the scales have fallen from my eyes," Shu said happily. It seemed he was finding the demonstration highly insightful.
"I wish I could broadcast this to Onogoro Island as well..." Jin muttered.
"Father, since Laojun is likely recording it, why not show it to them later?"
In short, a recorded broadcast.
"Ah, that would work perfectly."
Everyone there would probably enjoy watching it, Jin thought.
(I'll consult with Laojun about it later.)
＊ ＊ ＊
[Bib #1 has reached the summit in the lead! It has just secured the green marker!!]
A blizzard was howling at the summit, reducing visibility to less than five meters. Even so, the magic eyes were fulfilling their purpose.
[Following behind are #3, #51, and #40! No, wait—Bib #17 is moving up!!]
Bib #17, aided by its snowshoe-style attachments, was making remarkable time. It had already climbed its way up to fifth place.
Bib #1 immediately began its descent. Poles had been planted along the route with red magi-lamps lit, allowing the golems to discern the path even through the whiteout.
As they descended, visibility gradually improved. Once they were a hundred meters below the summit, the fog cleared and the blizzard ceased. The figures of the descending golems were now clearly visible to all.
And then, another unit slipped.
[Ah! Another slip! Bib #3 is sliding off!!]
Since it happened during a high-speed descent, the golem gathered momentum instantly, sliding toward the edge of the valley. Other golems reached out, but they were too late.
[Bib #3 has plummeted into the valley! We can only hope the damage isn't severe!]
Naturally, there were no magic eyes at the bottom of the ravine. What had become of Bib #3 remained a mystery for the time being.
＊ ＊ ＊
"The staff golems are likely recovering it as we speak."
There were golems stationed off the path to check for foul play as well. Jin figured that even if the unit was damaged, those staff members would surely retrieve it.
(Still, those are the kinds of logistical arrangements you need for an event like this.)
Jin made a mental note of the operation for future reference and returned his gaze to the screen.
"The descent is fast....While a sense of balance is vital in a situation like this, do you know what else is important?" Jin asked Rubina and Shu.
"Eh? Um, well..."
"...Reaction speed, perhaps?"
Rubina stammered, caught off guard by the sudden question, but Shu managed to voice his thoughts.
"Oh, you're on the right track. Certainly, having a high reaction speed makes it easier to handle various mishaps. Can you think of one more thing?"
"..."
When no answer came after a brief silence, Jin provided the solution.
"Physical flexibility—or degrees of freedom, if you prefer. To use an extreme example, a block of steel shaped like a human wouldn't be able to recover once it lost its balance, right?"
"Ah, I see! If the body is flexible, recovery maneuvers are easier to perform—or rather, they're more effective..." Shu provided the answer once again.
"Exactly. The basic control mimics the human body, but having a high degree of freedom provides various advantages."
"This is very educational."
"Ugh..."
While the praised Shu nodded happily, Rubina bit her lip, looking a bit frustrated with herself.
"The lead group is approaching Checkpoint 4," Lordtoss spoke up.
Jin and the others focused on the magi-screen. There, they saw Bib #1 securing the blue marker.