No one else could truly grasp the depths of the work Jin had performed, but his modification of Dona was finished in a mere five minutes. Jin reassembled the head casing to its original state.
“Re...ko, that’s enough.”
“Yes.”
Reiko deactivated the ether eliminator. About three seconds later, Dona began to move.
“Was I deactivated?” she asked.
Jin answered her. “That’s right. During that time, I optimized your control system a bit. How do you feel?”
In response to Jin’s question, Dona moved her body to perform a self-check. She swung her arms, marched in place, rotated her neck, and swayed her torso back and forth.
Dona finished a diagnostic that was considerably longer than the self-checks performed by Jin’s—or rather, Adriana-style—automata. Then, she spoke an unexpected reply.
“I have found an abnormality,” she stated.
“Eh?” Jin looked at her dubiously.
“My operational efficiency has increased by thirty-five percent. I have no choice but to describe this as an abnormality.”
“Ah, so that’s what you meant.” Jin breathed a sigh of relief. Rather than a malfunction, she had meant that the change was simply unexpected.
“I optimized the parameters of the control system in your control core. That should have made your movements smoother.”
“Yes, indeed. Certain movements that previously felt heavy are now smooth... Thank you very much.”
Having learned of the improvements made to her body, Dona offered her thanks. Jin noted to himself that her thought system was far more sophisticated than he had anticipated.
“...And with that, the improvement was a success,” Jin announced.
The realization that the “abnormality” simply meant her performance had improved beyond all expectations caused the guests, Marquis Kuzuma included, to either breathe a sigh of relief or look on in awe.
“To increase efficiency by thirty-five percent just by optimizing the control system... the one who built Dona must be a truly skilled magi craftsman,” Jin added.
“A-Ah, y-yes, I suppose so,” Viscount Guarana stammered, nodding despite his flustered state.
“Well then, I believe I shall be taking my leave now,” Jin said, making his request once the lunch that doubled as a gathering had concluded.
“...I see. It is a pity to see you go, but I cannot force you to stay,” Marquis Kuzuma said, looking a bit disappointed. “Anna, please see them off with the utmost courtesy.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Lord Count Setena, Lord Viscount Rasahn, Vernon-sama, and Lord Viscount Guarana—I shall take my leave now.”
Jin gave his greetings to the visiting nobles.
“Shin-dono, Lady Reko, and Lady Lise, was it? Thank you for healing Logres.”
“I wished to see more of your skills, but let us meet again someday.”
“Shin-dono, stay well.”
“...Shin-dono, I acknowledge your skill. Until next time.”
“Yes, then.”
Guided by the Marquis’s Wife, Anna, Jin left the courtyard. Merine, the Chief Golem Maid, followed along behind them.
“Shin-sama, thank you for all you have done for my daughters, especially Pamela,” Anna said as they walked. “Truthfully, I wanted to invite my daughters to the gathering as well, but... there were some people present whom they find difficult to deal with.”
Jin understood immediately. She hadn’t wanted to bring her beloved daughters into a room where Viscount Guarana, who was targeting the seven-year-old Pamela, or Viscount Rasahn and his son Vernon, who were seeking a strategic marriage into the family, were present.
“No, I understand,” Jin replied, hinting that he had caught on to the situation.
“Please wait just a moment.” After seating Jin and the others on a sofa in the entrance lobby, Anna asked Merine to look after them and stepped away for a moment.
“...Jin-sama, thank you for everything.” Merine took the opportunity to offer her personal thanks to Jin.
“No, it’s fine. You were created by Beena; I couldn't bear to see you in such poor condition.”
Anna returned shortly after, accompanied by her three daughters.
“...Shin-sama, I would like my daughters to give their greetings as well.”
“That is very kind of you.” Jin and the others stood up.
“Shin-sama, Reko-sama, Lise-sama, I shall miss you,” Irene said.
“Shin-sama, Reko-sama, Lise-sama, I pray for your safety on your journey,” Mavis added.
“Shin-sama, thank you for your help. Reko-sama, Lise-sama, please take care,” little Pamela chirped.
The three daughters each gave their parting greetings, their slightly lispy speech sounding quite adorable.
“Lady Irene, Lady Mavis, and Lady Pamela, take care. Please look after your father and mother.”
Jin offered his final farewells. After the simple but heartfelt parting, he stepped outside the Marquis’s estate.
“Phew, that’s over. Reiko, Lise, good work.” Jin let out a long sigh of relief.
“Good work to you as well, Father.”
“Well then, shall we head home?”
Jin and the others began to walk slowly through the afternoon streets of Blue Land.
Jin had intended to head straight out of Blue Land and return to Hourai Island, but Reiko happened to catch wind of a troubling rumor.
“...They say that phantom thief group appeared again?”
“Yeah. Apparently, the great merchant Sedokas was hit last night.”
“Didn’t the bodyguards or guard golems help?”
“Doesn’t sound like it. Looks like the rumors were true.”
“The ones about them using super high-performance golems?”
Knowing that the phrase “super high-performance golem” would strike a chord with Jin, Reiko reported it to him faithfully.
“Hmm... a phantom thief group using super high-performance golems, huh... That is a bit concerning.” Jin agonized over what to do.
“Father, even if they appear, it will likely be at night. Why don’t you return home first before deciding?”
“That’s a good point.” Jin decided to follow Reiko’s suggestion.
Just then, an unfamiliar man approached and bowed to Jin.
“Chief, I am Regulus 1 of the Secret Mobile Unit (SP). My name here is Imings. It is an honor to serve you.”
Laojun had apparently revived and redistributed the Quinta units as the Secret Mobile Unit (SP).
“Please leave the intelligence gathering to us.”
“All right, I understand. I’m counting on you.”
And so, Jin and the others returned to Hourai Island with peace of mind.