Having completed his inspection on Planet Hehl, Jin returned once more to Hourai Island.
"Well then, what should I do next?"
At the moment, Jin was simply in the mood to keep himself busy, and Laojun was quick to sense it.
"My Lord, why not pay a visit to the Shouro Empire?"
"To Daiki and Kokona's place?"
"Yes. That is part of it, but aside from that, there appears to be a bit of trouble brewing within the country."
The mention of trouble caught Jin's attention.
"What happened?"
"Yes, My Lord. Although the influence of the Magic Federation was relatively minor in the Shouro Empire, it was not entirely nonexistent. As a result, some friction seems to have arisen within their educational institutions."
"Would it be better if I went?"
"Yes....I thought it might be of some interest to you."
Intrigued by Laojun's somewhat deliberate phrasing, Jin's curiosity piqued.
"What do you mean?"
"Yes, My Lord. Do you happen to remember Gimnas and Lance from Mount Suhront?"
"Let's see... Gimnas was the descendant of the researchers who took refuge in the underground shelter at Mount Suhront before the Great Magic War, right?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"And Lance was the leader of the golems and automata created there, wasn't he?"
"Just as you say."
It was said that Degauss, the Magic Technology Minister at the time, had met with Lance daily to learn a portion of their technology.
"That was around late September of the year 3458. Half a year later, the space vibration occurred."
"...Which sent me hurtling into the future, huh."
In other words, the current Jin had no idea what became of Gimnas and Lance after that, nor how they had been treated.
"So that means this recent unrest in the Shouro Empire is connected to Gimnas and Lance in some way, right?"
"Yes, My Lord."
Understanding why Laojun had recommended the trip, Jin felt satisfied.
"If that's the case, I suppose I'll go have a look."
"Please do."
With that decided, Jin set off aboard the Hurricane.
As usual, Hope took the controls, while Reiko accompanied him.
During the flight, Jin asked Laojun to fill in a few more details about what had happened to Gimnas and the others afterward.
"Lance was exceedingly cautious. He negotiated with Magic Technology Minister Degauss for over a year and conferred with other cabinet ministers before finally determining that it was safe for his master, Gimnas, to reside in the Shouro Empire."
"Ah, that sounds like him."
Jin recalled how Lance had carried himself back then. Given his fierce loyalty and proud demeanor, it was entirely in character.
"It took place one year after your return following your disappearance, My Lord."
By that time, Gimnas would have been seventeen or eighteen—an age and appearance that wouldn't easily invite disdain, Jin reasoned.
"As the sole surviving member of that lineage of researchers, he was initially granted living quarters within the Royal Palace."
"That's exceptionally generous treatment."
Such accommodations wouldn't have been granted without an immense degree of trust, Jin noted. Even so, he realized that Lance must have spent that entire year laying the groundwork specifically to secure such terms.
"Later on, he was also gifted a mansion in the capital, but Gimnas spent the vast majority of his time within the Royal Palace."
Laojun explained that, having lived as a recluse for so long, Gimnas had never been particularly fond of going out.
"While he never held public lectures, he fostered a number of individuals who could be considered his inner disciples."
"I see."
Jin could easily picture it; after spending his formative years shut away in an underground shelter, socializing would hardly have been his strong suit.
"Thanks to the great many people who went on to study under those inner disciples, it can be said that they never succumbed to the interference of the Magic Federation."
"That makes sense."
Steadfast, grassroots education was never something to be taken lightly.
Core principles instilled from a young age remain deeply etched into a person's heart long after they reach adulthood.
Jin believed that militaristic regimes exploited that very principle to force distorted education upon young children.
"When Gimnas passed away, the Shouro Empire bestowed upon him the title of Honorary Count."
Jin figured that reflected just how highly the Empire had valued his contributions.
"The me from four hundred years ago must have stayed in touch with him, too, right?"
"Yes, My Lord. You invited him to your mansion in Loizart on numerous occasions."
"Sounds like something I'd do."
At this point, Jin asked Laojun what had become of Lance.
"I was just about to address that. Following Gimnas's death, Lance returned to Mount Suhront."
"I suppose that makes sense."
Master Loss Syndrome. Jin imagined that Lance, faithful automaton that he was, had likely succumbed to it as well.
"Did Gimnas leave behind any descendants?"
"No, My Lord. Although he married, it appears they were never blessed with children."
"Is that so..."
While it was deeply regrettable, nothing could be done about it now. Besides, it had all unfolded centuries ago, Jin thought.
"Did I not do anything back then?"
"No, nothing in particular. However, it seems Elsa-sama frequently offered counsel to Gimnas's Madam."
"Elsa did, huh..."
Jin let out a quiet sigh, reflecting on how he and his wife had also never had any other children after Yuu and Mio.
It seemed neither he nor Elsa had been particularly enthusiastic on that front.
"Consequently, having had no children, Gimnas's family line ended with him."
"...That is a bit of a shame."
"Yes, I agree. However, after his passing, those who wished to carry on his legacy founded a facility known as the Gimnas Magi-craft Research Laboratory. Guided by the principle of passing down what they learned from Gimnas to future generations while refining it into new technology, it has endured for 320 years, continuing to this very day."
"Ah, so there were people who stepped up like that."
"Indeed."
Even though it had nothing to do with him directly, hearing that left Jin feeling warmly satisfied.
The dedication to preserving technology, paired with the drive to push it even further—it was an attitude he wholeheartedly admired.
After quite some time away, Jin arrived in the Shouro Empire's capital, Loizart.
Taking in the view, he found himself pondering the local air traffic control.
"It sure would be nice if they developed some form of wireless radio communication."
For the time being, voices were carried across long distances using wind-attribute magic.
Jin requested permission to land on the roof of his mansion rather than at the airfield, which was promptly granted.
Hope brought the Hurricane down onto the mansion's rooftop without the slightest hitch.
Since the vessel was roughly the same size as Konron 3, landing there posed no problem at all.
"Jin-sama, welcome!"
Having been notified in advance, the caretakers of the estate, Daiki Nido and Kokona Nido, stepped out to greet him.
"It's been a while. Sorry to impose on you again."
"Not at all! We are simply looking after the mansion on your behalf, Jin-sama. Please stay whenever and for as long as you like."
"Thank you."
The ever-courteous couple had already prepared a meal to welcome Jin.
As it happened to be lunchtime, Kokona remarked with a smile, "I'm so glad we asked about your preferences beforehand."
Since it was midday, the spread was kept on the lighter side.
Rice porridge, miso soup, umeboshi, bite-sized portions of soba, pickled vegetables, tsukudani of small fish, and more—it was a menu that clearly showed just how much care and research had gone into preparing it.
As for the taste:
"This is delicious," Jin praised, genuinely impressed by the quality.
"Then all that practice was well worth it," Kokona replied, beaming with pride.