Jin decided to move forward with the plan to construct an artificial island to serve as Maquina's base.
"If we make it larger than Avalon, it'll probably cause various problems, so I think less than half that size should be plenty."
Avalon had a diameter of two kilometers. Therefore, Jin suggested going with an equivalent diameter of one kilometer.
"When you say artificial island, does that mean you'll be piling soil on top?"
Sensing Jin's intentions in deliberately avoiding the term megafloat, Elsa asked.
"Yeah. I want to make it clear that it's fundamentally different from Avalon."
In addition, he wanted onlookers to assume it was an ancient structure—even if it had actually just been built.
"Sounds like you're discussing something interesting."
Reinhard, sharp as ever, walked over.
Starting with him, Stearena, Marcia, Lishia, Louis, Beena... one after another, all members of the Jin Family—except for Sion, Lordtoss, and Ludmila, who had returned to the Nord Federation—gathered together.
Even Saki joined in.
"Just taking a little break to clear my head," she said.
"For the structural material, I think steel would be fine," Saki suggested.
"Yes, we have a literal mountain of it in stock, after all."
Part of the reason was simply that Hourai Island rarely made use of steel.
"If we turn it into a magi-type alloy, Reinforce it thoroughly, and properly apply Stabilize, it should have more than enough strength."
"It is just as Saki-sama says."
Laojun backed up Saki's assessment.
"Then we'll make the framework out of steel and cover the exterior in 64 light silver."
"I would recommend a laminated structure for that part."
Laojun proposed sandwiching a mithril mesh between 64 light silver (titanium alloy) and orichalcum (beryllium copper alloy).
"I see."
The mithril mesh would essentially act as "nerve wires." It would serve as a sensor array to quickly detect any structural anomalies in the exterior hull.
"What about the overall shape?" Marcia asked.
"Well, I was thinking of making the main body a low cylinder and piling soil on top."
"And the hull bottom?"
"The submerged section will be cylindrical. And rather than keeping it completely flat, I'm thinking of giving the base a gentle, rounded curve."
"That should provide good stability, and it'll be great from a structural strength standpoint as well."
Rodrigo agreed with the assessment.
"What about propulsion?" Reinhard asked.
"We'll arrange Magi Jet Engines along the submerged section. And of course, we'll equip it with force generators too."
"Will it fly through the sky as well?"
Reinhard clearly loved this sort of conversation.
"Well, I suppose I'll make it capable of flight. Though that feature will just be a bonus."
Jin stated that flight capability would strictly be a secondary function.
"Besides, it'll probably be easier to assemble it on Uni."
His reasoning was that the lower gravity on Uni compared to Planet Ars would offer better workability.
That said, if gravity was too low, that in itself tended to hinder efficiency.
"So, the main body will be assembled on Uni, and we'll build the aboveground section here? Designing the aboveground part sounds fun!"
This time, Stearena was brimming with enthusiasm for some reason.
"That's true. I suppose you could call it an extension of landscaping a garden."
Vivienne joined in on the excitement as well.
Whenever crafting was involved, everyone was eager to participate.
"Since it's a base, you'll probably build things like living quarters, a laboratory, and a workshop, right?" Louis asked.
"That's the plan," Jin replied, to which Beena eagerly chimed in:
"Having them all connected by underground passages sounds wonderful, doesn't it!"
(Did relaxing on Planet Hehl flip some kind of strange switch in everyone?)
Jin wondered, though his hunch was likely right on the mark.
In short, they had all caught the urge to build something akin to a secret base—perhaps inspired by seeing the Elder's house.
From then on, they all put their heads together in lively discussion over how to design the island, how to divide the interior sections, and more...
(Ah, this really is what the Jin Family is all about...)
Jin was filled with deep emotion.
Unable to wrap everything up in a single day, they spent the entirety of the following day hammering out the finer details of the artificial island.
"All right, let's go with this approach."
"Mm, no objections."
"Agreed!"
"I'm really looking forward to it."
As a side note, the Hurricane, loaded with the asphalt emulsion purchased in Mitsuho, had returned safely.
Saki was currently handling the research and development of the non-woven fabric masks, but she seemed eager to advance this project as well as soon as she had a free moment.
And so, construction of the base began on the Moon, Uni.
"All right, Jack, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, please leave it to me, Jin-sama."
All necessary data had been relayed to Jack via Laojun.
There was also an abundant supply of materials on Uni.
Since they were using steel-based materials, building in a vacuum prevented Oxidation, which provided another distinct advantage.
While Jin was on Uni, Elsa began researching the question she had long pondered: "Why magi-craft does not affect living bodies."
If this yielded results, it would surely be of immense benefit to the future of medicine.
Hanna and Lishia joined in to assist with the research.
Hanna contributed her outstanding theoretical knowledge, while Lishia aided through her practical experience using Healing magic.
"Let us do our best."
"Mm, I'll do my best."
"I'll help out too!"
The three of them began their joint research.
Whether it would bear fruit was something they did not yet know...
"Ah, Jin, come take a look at this!"
Having completed a working prototype of the non-woven fabric, Saki called out to Jin.