The conversation about holding an air race in Toka Village had shifted to discussing the redevelopment of the village itself.
"Either way, doing it completely free of charge comes with all sorts of problems, I think," Beena said.
"True. It would be one thing if it were our own territory, but doing it for free on land that's seemingly unrelated just feels wrong..."
Jin understood that point as well.
"Then what should we do...?" Lishia asked, looking pensive.
"How about we lobby the Klein Kingdom to secure a budget for it?" Louis suggested.
"How would we do that?"
In response to Jin's question, Louis answered:
"We use the pretext that volunteers from the Nord Federation want to hold a Blow Floater race on the Lauren Continent, and that they chose Toka Village because it's relatively close and has advantageous terrain."
As expected of the former assistant to the lord of Blue Land.
"I see... If it's the Nord Federation, there'd probably be plenty of people who pilot Blow Floaters."
"Yes, there are quite a lot," Marikka confirmed.
"In that case, we'll need to bring this up with Sion and Lordtoss as well."
Jin remarked that he felt it was about time they told those two about the current Jin Family anyway.
"Everyone on Onogoro Island already knows, after all."
"That's true. Sion-san also knows that Hanna-san was researching homunculi," Marikka added, suspecting she might already have an inkling.
"Then I think we can confide in Lordtoss and Ludmila as well."
After all, those two were members of the current—the 2nd Period—Jin Family.
"All right, let's proceed with that in mind."
Holding a Blow Floater competition in Toka Village sponsored by the Nord Federation—that part was fine.
The problem was that they had no major connections to the Klein Kingdom.
"The current king was Melicalance I, wasn't it...?"
As far as Jin was concerned, the only ideas that came to mind were approaching them through the Kingdom of Egerea or the Empire.
By the way, going through Avalon was not even considered, as Tomax Bartman looked like he was on the verge of working himself to death.
"Then shouldn't we just have Sion-san bring the matter to the Klein Kingdom as well?"
"I suppose that really would be best."
Hearing Marikka's suggestion, Jin had no choice but to agree that it was their best option.
"That sounds interesting."
"I'd love to try it."
Jin traveled to the Nord Federation alongside Reiko.
He immediately brought up the topic with Sion of the All-Creation clan.
Conveniently, Lordtoss of the Puppet clan was also present, making it a stroke of luck that Jin only had to explain things once.
"I think five or six workshops will participate, starting with the Marikka workshop. Aside from that, individuals like Ro will probably join too."
"Aren't you going to enter, Jin-san?"
"I was thinking of staying behind the scenes this time."
"Is that so? That's a bit disappointing."
However, Jin wanted to demonstrate the technical prowess of the Nord Federation and spread the fun and significance of such competitions, so for this occasion, he wanted it to be handled solely by the Nord Federation's engineers.
"I see, so that's your goal."
Once he explained that, Sion readily agreed.
"I'll give you our full cooperation."
"Thanks. Leave the financial side to me."
"I'd like to thank you for offering, but we're fine. We have plenty of economic leeway right now."
And with that, Jin secured the cooperation of the Nord Federation.
"For now, I've left the request with Sion," Jin reported to everyone upon returning to Hourai Island.
"Next, we just need to find the right time to develop the infrastructure in Toka Village."
However, Jin added:
"When you don't do things yourself and leave it to others, it really takes time, doesn't it...?"
"That's just how things normally are, though."
It was Louis who chimed in to tease Jin over his grumbling.
"That's right. Ever since I got involved with Jin, I feel like my definitions of 'common sense' and 'normal' have been rewritten quite a bit."
Beena laughed as she agreed.
"Well, I understand what Jin is trying to say. If Jin took care of most of it, the infrastructure development would be finished in less than a day, after all," Reinhard said.
"Yeah... but when things are built like that, I wonder if people fail to appreciate them, or if they just don't last for future generations..."
Jin sounded a little lonely as he muttered that, prompting Elsa and Reiko, sitting beside him, to quietly shift closer to his side.
At any rate, since things were set in motion, Jin and the others would have some free time on their hands for a while.
However...
"Let's use this downtime to confide in Sion, Lordtoss, and Ludmila," Jin proposed.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
The other members agreed as well. Marikka, looking relieved, added:
"Keeping it a secret from Sion-san has been weighing on my conscience anyway."
And so, they decided to discuss the procedure for breaking the news.
"She might be busy, but should we start by having just Sion come to Hourai Island?"
"Yes... that's right. That would be best."
"Yeah, definitely that."
Originally, Sion was part of the Jin Family, meaning she already knew everyone here—which made her situation different from Lordtoss and Ludmila.
Unanimously, they decided to invite Sion first.
After a brief discussion, Jin decided to contact Sion through the Fellowship Bracelet.
"Sion, you might be busy, but could you come over here for just a bit?"
'How rare of you to ask, Jin. It's fine, I'll head over right now.'
With the Warp Gate, traveling back and forth was instantaneous. Sion arrived at the laboratory on Hourai Island just two minutes after the call.
To begin with, Jin went out alone to greet Sion. The venue was the dining hall, which also doubled as a conference room.
"Welcome, Sion. Sorry for calling you all the way out here."
"No, it's fine. But what on earth is this about?"
"Please don't be surprised..."
As Jin said that, Marikka appeared, just as they had planned.
"...Sion... san..."
"Marikka!!"
Sion rushed over to Marikka and embraced her tightly.
"Ah, it really is you, Marikka?! I knew it...! I'm so happy to see you again!!"
"I-I am too..."
It was an emotional reunion between Sion and Marikka.