Since their introductions were mostly finished, the meeting transitioned straight into a luncheon.
A standard Avalon set meal was placed before everyone, except for those who were automata—Reiko, Elena, Rei, and Hanako—or golems—Hope and Urgan. This was done because Jin and Sion had expressed a desire to know the general standard of food on Avalon.
"We usually serve our guests something a bit more refined," Chief Administrator Tomax Bartman said, offering an apologetic explanation, but Jin and Sion were perfectly satisfied.
"No, this is quite sufficient."
Incidentally, these set meals changed daily, and essentially all employees ate the same thing. The meals were considered a part of their salary. Of course, one could also pay out of pocket to order whatever they liked from the cafeteria. It was best to think of it like school lunches.
That day’s lunch was a hamburger steak set meal. It consisted of a bread roll, vegetable soup, hamburger steak, fried topopo, a leafy green salad, and fruit juice. After the meal, they could choose between tea or coffee.
To Jin, the spread made him feel like he was at a family restaurant.
"Oh, this is good."
"It is delicious, isn't it?"
"It’s very tasty."
Jin, Sion, and Marikka all sincerely enjoyed the food.
"Hmm, quite good," Deus Ex Machina III added while eating.
In reality, he was an automaton controlled by Mentor, a subordinate of Laojun, but he ate along with the others to ensure his true nature remained undiscovered. Jin, however, couldn't help but wish he had rice instead of bread.
＊ ＊ ＊
After the meal, Jin chose tea and took his time savoring it.
"What would you like to do this afternoon?" Tomax asked.
Jin fell into thought for a moment, weighing his options. "Let’s see... I’d like to take a tour."
He was careful to specify it wasn't an "inspection." He didn't want to observe the city from a position of authority; he simply wanted to see the current state of Avalon for himself.
"In that case, we would like to join you," Lordtoss requested.
"Ah, then I shall as well," Elena added.
In the end, everyone except Maquina III asked to join the tour.
"But haven't those of you who arrived yesterday already seen quite a bit?" Jin asked, voicing his doubt.
"No, only Maquina-dono has been conducting an inspection," Tomax Bartman answered.
"I would also like to go around once more, especially in such company," Maquina III said.
Thus, it was decided that everyone would participate in the tour of Avalon.
＊ ＊ ＊
They traveled by Golem automobile. Since they couldn't all fit in one, they split into four vehicles.
Jin, Reiko, and Hope shared one car. Lordtoss, Sion, Marikka, Urgan, and Hanako took another. Elena, Arietta, and Wattes were in the third. Maquina III and Rei took the fourth. Tomax Bartman rode in Jin's car, while executive-class officials from Avalon rode in each of the other three.
The party left the Guest House and passed through a lush green belt.
"To your left is the headquarters of the World Conference."
The World Conference headquarters stood at the northern edge of a three-hundred-meter-wide opening located in the center of Avalon.
"The opening leads all the way down to the sea. Since the waves are calm there, it is used for swimming training and test voyages for ships," Tomax explained.
Incidentally, magi-devices similar to manacams were installed in each car, allowing them to converse even while moving.
The Golem automobiles carrying the group proceeded up the main boulevard, heading north from the World Conference headquarters toward the outer edge of Avalon.
"We are heading out to the perimeter. This Avalon is a megafloat with a diameter of two kilometers, and a road has been built to run all the way around the outer edge."
(That part hasn't changed...)
Jin gazed at the nostalgic scenery while listening to the explanation. The Golem automobiles proceeded counter-clockwise along the perimeter road.
"This area is the 1st residential district. It is mainly where the students live."
"This brings back memories," Marikka murmured.
"It certainly does," Lordtoss agreed.
Both of them narrowed their eyes with nostalgia. Both had lived in this district for a time while they were teaching at the Academy.
Next, the Golem automobiles arrived at an airfield.
"This is the general-use airfield. It is located exactly to the west of Avalon. Incidentally, the airfield where Jin-dono landed is to the due east; we call that the 'airport,' and it is reserved for official guests."
As they continued further along the road in a counter-clockwise direction, they passed through a small green belt and reached another residential area.
"This is the 2nd residential district, for the general public."
It was explained that this area was for people engaged in the general operations of Avalon.
"Ah, that includes those working in the factories as well."
The group then reached a large factory district.
"Including the underground levels, this is Avalon's largest factory district. Everything from the armaments of the World Security Guard to stationery memo pads is manufactured in this area."
"Ah, what is that green space visible to the north?" Jin asked.
"Oh, those are fields. While we cannot be entirely self-sufficient, we grow crops there so that we can have at least some fresh vegetables."
This was something that hadn't existed four hundred years ago.
"There are fruit trees as well, aren't there?" Reiko asked, her sharp eyesight catching the details.
"Yes. We have citran and ramon, which prefer warm climates, as well as a few Persica."
They eventually reached a section where the circular edge of the island appeared to be cut away.
"This is Avalon's only port."
Vessels of cruiser class or larger used this area. Any ships smaller than that used several piers located along the side walls of the Avalon megafloat. In Avalon's terminology, a cruiser was a wooden ship with a total length of fifty meters.
At this point, the road circling the perimeter made a crank-shaped turn to bypass the port. Beyond the harbor, the road resumed its arc, leading back toward the eastern airfield—the airport—where Jin had landed.
The Golem automobiles carrying the party finally stopped in front of the World Security Guard headquarters. They had completed nearly a full circuit of the perimeter.
"That concludes our brief tour of Avalon's surface. Do you have any questions?"
There was a short silence as everyone processed the sights. Then Jin spoke up.
"I understand the general layout now. If possible, I would like to see the Academy."
The Academy where Marikka and Lordtoss had once served as instructors—Jin wanted to see it with his own eyes.
"I see. However, it is currently winter break, so there are no students present. Is that alright?"
"Yes, that’s fine."
Here, Lordtoss interjected. "Aren't there still students and professors in some of the laboratories?"
It was a question only someone who had been a member of the faculty would think to ask.
"Yes, quite right. Well then, shall we go?"
The Golem automobiles began to move once more as the group headed toward the Academy.