Turning the clock back just a little, to October 13th.
Having returned to Avalon, Zora Himmel and Ciel Azur of the Aviation Research Lab (Aviation Lab) were negotiating directly with their laboratory chief.
"Laboratory Chief! We must move forward with the development of small aircraft as well!"
"It's just as Big Sister says! Demand for personal-use craft is only going to grow from here on out!"
"Having smaller craft would offer tremendous versatility during operations too!"
"...A-All right, all right, I get it."
The laboratory chief, Roa Eisker, was a rather indecisive man. Overwhelmed by the dual verbal onslaught from his deputy laboratory chief and her subordinate, he ended up promising to allocate a budget for the project.
Around the same time, Avalon's Chief Administrator, Tomax Bertman, was receiving a visit from Deus Ex Machina.
"I apologize for dropping in so suddenly."
As Maquina apologized for the unannounced visit, Tomax waved his hand dismissively.
"No, you are always welcome here. Please, don't worry about it....So, what brings you by today?"
"Since I'm taking up your time without notice, I'll keep this brief....Three days ago, an air race was held in Toka Village in the Klein Kingdom."
"Ah, yes, I heard. Avalon sent two of our young researchers from the Aviation Research Lab to observe it."
"Indeed....Because of that event, I expect the development of small aircraft to flourish across many nations in the near future. And so..."
This was a prediction from none other than Deus Ex Machina himself. Tomax Bertman listened with rapt attention.
"...I see. You're offering to provide us with research data on small aircraft, then."
"Yes. It isn't everything I've researched up to this point, but..."
"That is only natural."
With that, Maquina produced three magi-crystals containing the stored data.
"The contents of each are identical. One for viewing, one for archiving, and one for emergencies."
"We are deeply grateful for this."
Tomax Bertman accepted them with deep reverence.
Just then, his secretary automaton, Manon, entered the room.
"Tomax-sama, the chief of the Aviation Research Lab, Roa Eisker-sama, is requesting an audience. How would you like to proceed? It appears his business concerns small aircraft."
Before Tomax could answer, Maquina spoke up:
"Oh, what wonderful timing. Please, hear what he has to say."
Prompted by this, Tomax Bertman gave the order to show him in.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Stepping inside, Roa Eisker was momentarily surprised to find Maquina present, but quickly realized how fortunate the timing was.
"I would like to submit a proposal regarding the development of small aircraft," he began.
"Mm. In fact, I have just received advice and assistance on that very matter from Maquina-dono."
Tomax Bertman held up the reference magi-crystals Maquina had provided.
"There is no issue with us pursuing the development of small aircraft here in Avalon as well, ensuring we don't fall behind the global trend. I will look into the budget."
"Th-Thank you very much!"
Having secured funding without needing to make an arduous case, Roa Eisker breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'll head back immediately to let my team know."
To that, Maquina called out to him.
"You are the laboratory chief of the Aviation Research Lab, correct? If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to pay a visit to your lab as well."
Maquina, along with Mentor—who remotely operated the double—and Laojun, Mentor's superior, intended to use this opportunity to assess the current state of Avalon's aeronautical development.
Back in the Aviation Research Lab, Ciel Azur was waiting impatiently.
"I wonder what's taking the laboratory chief so long..."
Watching her pace, Zora Himmel tried to calm her down.
"No matter how fast he is, it's only been about ten minutes since he left. There's no way he could already be—"
Just then,
"I'm back."
Roa stepped into the room.
"Whaaat?!"
"I-Isn't that way too fast?!"
Their shock was entirely understandable.
"C-Could it be that you were turned away at the door?!"
"You really don't pull your punches, do you?"
Roa gave a wry smile at Ciel's blunt tongue.
"More importantly, we have a guest."
At Roa Eisker's words, the two finally noticed his companion.
"A guest?...Wait, ah—ahhh?!"
"Deus Ex Machina-sama!"
"What?! Deus Ex Machina-sama is here?!"
The other research students deeper in the lab came rushing over, throwing the room into complete pandemonium.
Mentor and Laojun truly appreciated firsthand just how immensely popular Deus Ex Machina was among engineers.
"I came here intending to discuss the advantages of small aircraft, but it seems there's no need for that now."
Having already heard how passionately Zora Himmel and Ciel Azur had pitched the concept within the lab, Maquina continued:
"Therefore, if any of you have questions, I would be happy to answer them."
With that, he opened the floor for a Q&A session.
"That is a golden opportunity....In that case, may I begin?"
The laboratory chief, Roa Eisker, was the first to speak up.
"Yes, please go ahead."
"Thank you....Well, what concerns me most is the safety of smaller aircraft."
"Ah, I see."
It was a broad question, but Deus Ex Machina (or rather, Mentor) immediately grasped the underlying concern.
"Indeed, when it comes to structural strength, one must admit that smaller craft are inherently inferior to medium-class and large-class vessels."
It was comparable to the difference in structural resilience between a light car and a luxury full-size automobile—such was the comparison Mentor and Laojun drew, referencing Jin's modern knowledge.
"That said, whether large or small, falling from the sky will result in a catastrophic accident all the same, will it not?"
What would happen if an aircraft plummeted from an altitude of fifty meters? An emergency landing was one thing, but a catastrophic crash was another entirely.
"That is true," Roa conceded with a nod. Maquina continued:
"The Blow Floater proposed by Marikka-dono separates the function of 'lift' from the function of 'propulsion.' In other words, crashing countermeasures simply boil down to reinforcing the 'lift' function."
"Oh, I see!"
"Balloons and airships also separate these functions, but their lift mechanism cannot be reinforced in the same way."
"That's... very true."
With a Blow Floater, however, one could mitigate the risk by increasing the power of the Blow Engine responsible for lift, or simply by installing redundant engines.
"Hmm... That sounds like something we could put to great use within Avalon as well."
Although the construction was more complex than a standard balloon, the maintenance costs wouldn't differ drastically once built. And its cruising speed would be significantly higher.
"Adapting them to carry heavy cargo would also be far simpler."
With balloons or airships, the only option was to enlarge the gas bag, which had practical physical limits.
With a Blow Floater, all one had to do was increase the output of the Blow Engine.
"Indeed, the advantages are plentiful," Roa Eisker agreed.
"Now then, are there any other questions?"
"Ah, please let me ask!"
The next to raise her hand was Deputy Laboratory Chief Zora Himmel.