When Jin reported on the progress of the redevelopment in Toka Village, Reinhard asked a question.
"I wonder what the Klein Kingdom's response will be?"
"The Village Chief didn't seem to know the details either. It might actually be better to ask Sion."
"True enough....And so, Jin, are you going to build a 'bus'?"
"Yeah. I'd like to frame it as a donation or lease from Deus Ex Machina."
"Knowing you, Jin, you'll probably start on it tomorrow, won't you?"
"Of course."
When Jin nodded, Reinhard's face lit up.
"I'll help!" he declared, and Jin gave a chuckle as he agreed.
"Also, I'll have the Quinta look into the quartz plug that was blocking the hot spring."
Since it was a simple object from quite a long time ago, Jin wasn't sure how much they would be able to uncover, but he felt it couldn't simply be left ignored.
The next day—the day Reinhard had been eagerly awaiting.
The moment he finished breakfast, Reinhard clapped a hand on the shoulder of Jin, who was still sipping his tea.
"Jin! Come on, let's go!"
"Berche-san, is it really all right to let him run off like that?"
A slightly exasperated Elsa asked Reinhard's beloved wife, Berche.
"Fufu, isn't it fine? In his previous life... oh dear, that sounds rather odd to say....At any rate, 350 years ago, he was so busy with his duties as a lord and diplomat that he could hardly enjoy making things like he loved. We ought to let him do as he pleases every now and then."
"...Is that how it works?"
"That is how it works."
Watching Berche smile gently, Elsa felt her heart warm as well.
"It will seat thirty passengers and have plenty of room for luggage."
Jin was explaining the concept of the bus to Reinhard.
"I'm thinking of making it an eight-wheeler to handle rough terrain."
Compared to modern Japan, the quality of generally available tires was poor, so distributing the load over more wheels would reduce the burden on each individual tire.
After all, local technicians wouldn't be able to maintain components built to Hourai Island standards.
"I see. So from a technical standpoint, you want to avoid using anything overly advanced, right?"
"That's the idea....Though I'll make sure the critical components won't break."
Jin intended to construct the core mechanisms so durably that they would never fail under normal operation.
"What do you plan to use for the frame... the chassis?"
Since steel-based alloys would be too heavy, Jin answered that he planned to use 64 light silver.
"Probably 64 light silver."
Unlike 400 years ago, 64 light silver had become reasonably cheap.
64 light silver was an alloy Jin frequently used, composed of 64 light silver (Planet Ars's titanium) mixed with 6 percent aluminum and 4 percent vanadium.
Original 64 light silver was itself an isotope of titanium—atomic number 22 titanium, with most of its 26 neutrons replaced by magi-particles, granting it high mana affinity. The 64 light silver alloy further enhanced its physical properties.
"We'll use a ladder frame to combine rugged durability with ease of maintenance, and..."
Modern Japanese automobiles used what is called a monocoque structure, where the chassis and body are integrated into a single unit to provide structural strength.
While this offered the advantage of being lightweight, it had the disadvantage that deformation or damage to a single section would compromise the overall structural integrity.
What Jin was referring to was a 'ladder frame,' commonly utilized in heavy vehicles and certain specialized-purpose vehicles such as four-wheel drives.
"For the suspension system, I think I'll go with leaf suspension."
Also called a 'leaf spring suspension,' it was simple, robust, and relatively inexpensive, making it widely used for heavy vehicles like trucks and buses.
It was even used in passenger cars during the Showa era.
The friction between the layered leaf springs also provided a dampening effect against vibrations.
After deciding on these primary specifications, Jin set to work crafting.
Because the vehicle was large, they didn't work in the usual workshop, but rather in the dedicated large-class workshop built behind the laboratory.
With the assistance of five Smith golems, Jin began the build.
As for Reinhard, he was hardly content to just watch, and eagerly pitched in to help.
"Jin, is this part good like this?"
"Yeah, that's plenty."
"Shall I take care of this one over here, too?"
"Sure, could you handle that for me?"
"Leave it to me!"
At this brisk pace, the eight-wheel bus was completed within the day.
"Oho, this is quite impressive."
Saki, who had come by to see it, expressed her admiration.
"It'll be driven by a dedicated golem, right?"
"That's the plan."
"We probably shouldn't sell this, though."
Louis came over as well and offered his advice regarding its deployment.
"A rental would be best, I think."
"Yeah, you have a point..."
No matter how much of it was built using conventional technology, suddenly offering a bus of this high degree of completion for sale wasn't a wise move.
Furthermore, donating it would set a poor precedent for surrounding nations; people would almost certainly ask why a single country was receiving preferential treatment.
"You'll be transporting VIPs with it, right? Once they experience its excellence over and over, they'll understand how wonderful this bus is. Wouldn't it be better to consider selling it after that?"
"I see. That's very helpful."
"Haha, I have to be useful once in a while!" Louis laughed. His friend Reinhard laughed along with him.
Louis then added another piece of advice:
"Also, if we present it as a new creation by Maquina and frame the deployment as an operational trial, that will provide a plausible reason for offering it at a bargain rental price."
"Oh, that's great! Let's go with that."
The plan was to transport this bus to the royal capital of the Klein Kingdom aboard Deus Ex Machina's Aristotle, and then lease it to either the Chancellor or the King.
"Though I don't really know many people in the Klein Kingdom right now..."
As Jin pondered what to do about that, Reinhard offered a suggestion.
"Things would probably go much smoother if we asked Sion to act as an intermediary."
"Yeah, I suppose that's our best option."
And so, the debut of the new eight-wheel bus was settled.
Incidentally, the driver was assigned as Driver 1, with Assist 1 as the assistant. Both were technical and skilled golems based on the Smith model.
"My, you built a bus?...And you want to lease it to the Klein Kingdom through me, is that it?"
"Yeah, that's right."
Jin had promptly flown to the Nord Federation to discuss the matter with Sion.
"...Honestly, you certainly work an old lady hard."
"Ah, s-sorry."
Jin hastily apologized.
Indeed, Sion was turning 513 years old this year. She was well past the age where she ought to have retired.
"Fufu, just kidding. Very well, let's head out tomorrow."
"That's a huge help. Thank you."
While thanking Sion, Jin thought to himself that he might want to prepare a Doppel for her as well.