According to Laojun's explanation, the former grounds of House Tierra in Naminte on New El had been kept under strict management by Hourai Island.
"There have been no issues whatsoever. Palma has been fulfilling his duties admirably as well."
However, in recent years, the ruins investigation team from the Shouro Empire had begun heading north.
"At this rate, it is certain that they will reach Naminte within two years."
"I see..."
"Therefore, I would like to ask you to make a decision soon regarding what to do with the former grounds of House Tierra."
"Understood."
There really are so many things that need to be done in parallel, Jin thought, letting out a slightly weary sigh.
"That's because you've stopped doing everything yourself, Jin."
Perhaps having gauged Jin's state of mind, Reinhard offered that piece of advice.
"If you do everything on your own, it's easier on your mind. You can do whatever you like, after all."
Now, however, Jin would set the stage, but leave the crucial execution to the people of this world rather than doing it himself. That took time.
At the same time, as Jin felt himself, it also meant things could proceed in parallel.
"That's just what being an administrator is like."
It was an analysis typical of Reinhard, who had once managed a domain, even if it had been a small one.
In terms of managing a domain, the same held true for Louis, but because he was not an engineer, he seemed unsure of what advice to offer Jin.
Jin himself had almost exclusively worked under others and had hardly ever managed anyone.
Setting aside the fact that the golems and automata of Hourai Island were not human, they fulfilled Jin's orders to perfection, and thanks to Laojun, managing them required little effort.
Of course, that was precisely why he had created Laojun in the first place, but still...
"...Getting back to the topic, the question is what to do with the former grounds of House Tierra, right?"
There were broadly two approaches: relocate it, or leave it as it was.
If they relocated it, the question of where to move it would need to be considered.
If they left it as it was, would they protect it with a barrier or the like, or take another approach?
"Another approach would be to open it to the public as a memorial hall and protect it out in the open."
"Hmm, all of those options have their pros and cons."
"Nn. I agree with Saki-nee."
"Wouldn't it be best to clarify the advantages and disadvantages first?"
Saki and Elsa tilted their heads in thought, while Stearena spoke up with an idea that came to mind.
"Unlike the Predecessor, the name Adriana Tierra isn't well-known, so taking this opportunity to introduce it to the public might be a good idea."
"Even so, if you let the general public in, it'll get ruined."
Jin understood Reinhard's point very well. Having seen the fate of ruins turned into tourist attractions in modern Japan and on Earth, it was a troubling prospect.
"In that case, I think what matters most is how you feel about the former grounds of House Tierra, Jin-kun."
This came from Milowina.
"How I feel... you mean?"
"Yes. Do you want to preserve it forever, or are you fine with letting it decay? And do you care strongly about that particular location?"
"Care about the location?"
Not quite catching her drift, Jin asked in return.
"Yes. I mean whether you feel an aversion, or perhaps hesitation, toward the idea of relocating it."
In short, it came down to whether he considered that specific location to be an integral part of the heritage.
"Well... I suppose I don't care that much about the location."
On Earth, there were many buildings that had been dismantled and reconstructed elsewhere as memorial halls; if the purpose was to honor the past, he did not mind it too much, Jin said.
The other members seemed to agree with that sentiment.
"In that case, just like with Saki-sama's family home, I recommend relocating and reconstructing it."
"I see."
With Laojun suggesting that, the Jin Family members consulted further and decided to relocate and reconstruct the site on Hourai Island.
"Where would you like to place it?"
"Let's see... Somewhere quiet would be best, after all."
After considering various options, they decided to relocate it to the foot of a small hill located west-southwest of the laboratory.
All that remained was the method.
"What if we cut out the surrounding land along with it... say, a spherical section of space about one kilometer in diameter, and transported it?"
A normal barrier could not be deployed inside solid matter, but Aegis could.
Since it had become possible to deploy it spherically, they could use it to cut the section out, protect the cut surface with a normal physical barrier, and transport it.
"After all, Aegis cuts off and insulates space, so not even a force generator can affect it."
Naturally, they would need a rehearsal, so they decided to test the method on a rocky mountain in the wastelands of Planet Hehl.
The rock cut away during the test could then be put to good use as building stone.
And so, those who were free—which meant everyone in the Jin Family—traveled to Planet Hehl.
"Let's try it on that rocky mountain over there."
Jin pointed to a rocky mountain jutting out from the plains.
"If we apply Aegis to this..."
Since it was an experiment, they carried it out using the ten-meter Icarus 2.
A section roughly thirty meters in diameter was cut away, crashing to the ground with a rumble. That was because they had sliced through a sloped portion.
"Cutting it out seems to work without a problem."
Jin looked satisfied. Saki spoke to him as if a thought had just struck her.
"H-Hey, Jin, this Aegis can slice through objects on the contact surface of its perimeter, right?"
"Eh? Yeah, of course."
"Then couldn't you use this to chop an opponent to pieces...?"
Since it severed space itself, no matter what kind of substance it was, there was no way it could withstand the edge.
"...That's true."
If anything could block it, it would only be another Aegis.
"Right...?"
"In that sense, it really would be the ultimate last line of defense."
That was, of course, aside from whether they actually intended to use it that way.
Indeed, the concept of using a barrier as a slicing weapon existed in stories and novels back home too, Jin recalled with a touch of nostalgia.
"Well, setting that aside."
They could not lose sight of their original purpose for being here today.
"The cutting seems to work nicely. Next is the transport."
This time, the experiment was to cut out a flat section, cover it with a barrier immediately afterward, and carry it away.
Icarus 2 handled this splendidly as well.
"The question is whether it'll work just as well on a larger scale."
Ultimately, they intended to use the three-hundred-meter flagship Adriana, so the key was whether they could achieve the same results on a much larger scale.
They practiced about three times in empty wastelands rather than on mineral deposits, confirming that there were no issues.
Incidentally, they decided to leave the hemispherical depressions created during this process as they were, thinking they might prove useful for future experiments.
"Well then, the preparations are fully complete."
All that was left was to execute the plan.