The day after Marcia's new partner, Balka, was completed—August 10.
Following breakfast that morning, the Jin Family had gathered in the laboratory.
The only ones absent were Sion of the All-Creation Clan, Lordtoss of the Puppet Clan, and Ludmila.
"Well, I did say yesterday that I'd share my thoughts, but to be completely honest, there are still parts I haven't quite settled on."
"...Yeah, I understand. Even so, please tell us what you're thinking, Jin-nii."
Elsa was the first to speak, anticipating what Jin was agonizing over, expressing her understanding, and gently prompting him to continue.
"Onogoro Island accepted Marikka. But what about the Nord Federation?"
Jin began to speak slowly.
"Sion and her relatives might be fine. But as for anyone else... it's probably out of the question."
Jin sounded full of regret.
"I thought that the Jin Family should be contained entirely within ourselves... including Sion, of course."
"..."
Everyone listened in silence.
"I just can't shake the feeling of, 'Who do we think we are?'"
"Yeah, I understand that."
Seeing Jin's troubled expression, Reinhard chimed in.
"Word of Marikka's rejuvenation will reach Sion from Onogoro Island sooner or later anyway, so I think it's fine for Sion and Marikka to meet just as they are."
"Yeah, I agree. In fact, I think it would be better if you told her yourself, Jin."
That would be proof of his trust in Sion, Reinhard added.
"You're right....I'll head over there after this....Also, I think it's best not to mention that we have plans for Sion's homunculus transformation."
"Ah, there's no need to say that."
"And from here on is the part that concerns all of you... I'm thinking we should keep our presence a secret from your descendants on Onogoro Island....Still, this is just my personal view. That's why I wanted to hear everyone's opinion."
"..."
After a brief silence, Reinhard was the first to speak.
"Yeah, that can't be helped. Honestly, I'd love to speak directly with our descendants, but it's probably something we shouldn't do."
He spoke in a slightly somber tone.
"I'm sorry."
"No, don't be."
Reinhard shook his head and turned to check with the other members.
"What about the rest of you?"
"Well, we can tell how they're doing from here anyway, so I'm fine with it," Louis answered.
"That's true. In the first place, ordinarily we wouldn't even be able to see them, let alone know how they're getting on," Rodrigo agreed.
"I mean, of course I think it would be nice to meet and talk with them. But if we repeat that over and over again... and what waits at the end is always parting, it's just too painful."
Beena expressed her feelings as well.
"Yeah. Couldn't we manage to cross paths with them briefly, just making sure they don't realize we're their 'ancestors'?"
Saki suggested casually.
"We just have to play it by ear, right?...I think Jin-san and the rest of us could manage that."
Vivienne agreed.
"In the past, I was lonely by myself, so I wished for golems or automata to stay by my side... but now that I can be with all of you like this, I won't ask for too much."
Milowina said that since she had no living descendants or acquaintances anyway, she didn't mind at all.
"Indeed. Becoming excessive and losing our sense of ethics is the scariest thing of all."
Lishia was also in favor of Jin's view.
The other members also shared the opinion that they shouldn't actively make contact with their descendants.
"Is everyone really okay with that?"
"Of course."
"I don't mind at all."
"I'm fine with it."
Thus, the consensus of the First Class Jin Family was united.
"Even if they wouldn't recognize our faces in person, the golems and automata from back then definitely would."
After the discussion, feeling somewhat weary, everyone was enjoying tea together.
"That's true. So if we ever do meet them, we'll have to choose a time when they haven't brought their golems or automata along."
Such conversations were being exchanged.
"That shouldn't be too difficult. Whenever we invite them to Hourai Island, we just have to make sure only the humans come."
Jin had already thought of a countermeasure—or rather, a way to handle it.
"And if they bring them along for some specific purpose, we just won't meet with them."
"Kufu, that's true."
Even so, Jin still felt a lingering restlessness, wondering if everyone secretly wished to meet Aaru, Neon, Edgar, Selene, Arrow, Arco, Veil, Schwarzritter, and the others once more.
"In that case, I think it would be fine if we had the person with their No. 1 priority order them not to tell anyone."
Elsa, seemingly sensing what Jin was thinking, offered some advice.
"That makes sense. Their original master is likely registered as their Arch Master anyway."
Jin could confirm that immediately with a simple check.
Hearing that put Jin's mind considerably at ease.
"Jin-san, do you know what has become of Kunlun Island?" Lishia asked while sipping her tea.
"Yeah. It should be open to the public as a resort area now."
"Then what happened to the Lord of Kunlun?"
"The Lord of Kunlun, huh..."
Four hundred years ago, Jin had assumed the title of Lord of Kunlun after being officially recognized by every nation.
"After you, My Lord, no one ever succeeded to the title."
Laojun provided an explanation here.
"While there is still someone serving as the Acting Lord of Kunlun today, the Lord of Kunlun ultimately remained a title held for only a single generation."
"I see."
Jin thought that was fine just the way it was. If the people of today were making good use of the Hall of Five Virtues and the Jade Villa, that was the best outcome.
"In that case, wouldn't it be a waste to leave Taihaku just as he is?"
This time, Hanna spoke up.
Taihaku had taken his name from Taibai Jinxing, Venus. Originally the management magi-brain of a magifortress, he had been entrusted with managing Kunlun Island after submitting to Jin.
"That's true."
Even if he continued managing Kunlun Island, a terminal would be more than enough, Jin thought.
"Even if we relocate him, where would we move him to?"
"Let's see... Hourai Island, or Planet Hehl, maybe."
"Making him the brain of a spaceship or a space station is an option too."
Elsa joined in on Jin's words.
"Right....Shall we let Taihaku decide?"
"That might be a good idea."
Hanna was the first to agree.
So, Jin decided to reach out to Taihaku through Laojun.
When they posed the question to him...
"I was originally the magi-brain of a fortress. Therefore, if possible, I would like to manage a space station."
...such was the answer that returned.