On April 6, Jin headed for Kalts Village aboard the Hurricane alongside Magic Technology Minister Reglei.
"I must apologize for all the rude things I said last night. I am truly ashamed."
"Not at all."
Jin understood that letting off steam was necessary from time to time, so he had no intention of holding it against him.
In about three minutes, the Hurricane crossed Magiroots.
They parked on the outskirts of Kalts Village and set off toward Berlich Workshop. Hope, the pilot, remained behind to look after the Hurricane, while Reiko accompanied Jin.
Reiko hauled a handcart loaded with a bundle even larger than herself.
Having made an appointment the previous day on the 5th, there was no doubt that Berlich Becker would be at the workshop.
The three went straight there. It was Jin's first visit since July of the previous year.
After about a ten-minute walk, they arrived.
"Here we are... Ah..."
"Welcome, Lord Magi Craft Meister!"
"Welcome, Your Excellency Magic Technology Minister Reglei!"
Standing outside the workshop were over a dozen craftsmen and apprentices, and...
"It is an honor to meet you, Lord Jin Nidou."
The workshop chief, Berlich Becker, was there to greet them personally.
"We met once in Avalon, didn't we?"
When Jin greeted him with easy familiarity, Berlich replied with a hint of nervous tension in his voice.
"Y-You remember me? I am truly honored!"
Meanwhile, deputy workshop head Ludwig attended to Magic Technology Minister Reglei.
"Your Excellency, we are deeply humbled that you have taken the trouble to visit our modest workshop."
"No, think nothing of it. Stepping away from paperwork to get out into the field and speak directly with young engineers like this is time well spent."
The group moved inside to the workshop's reception and conference room.
Representing the workshop were Berlich Becker and Ludwig.
"Now then, the reason we have come today concerns the construction of the Adriana Memorial Hall, a project of national importance."
Magic Technology Minister Reglei took the floor to lead the discussion.
"Naturally, 'Adriana Memorial Hall' is merely a working title. However, the significance of its construction is immense. It will raise public awareness of magi-craft and serve as a museum dedicated to the discipline."
After setting the stage, he turned to the main topic.
"First, let us show you the real thing... Reiko-kyou, if you please."
"Yes."
Reiko began untying the large load she had hauled. Its contents were, needless to say, the power assist for civil engineering and construction.
"Oh, what is this...? It looks somewhat like a golem, but..."
"Behind the shoulders... does a person ride inside?"
Both Berlich and Ludwig stared with wide eyes.
"This is called a 'power assist for civil engineering and construction.'"
Jin took over the explanation from Magic Technology Minister Reglei.
"As Ludwig-kun noticed, it's perhaps easiest to understand it as a golem operated by a human rider."
He went on to explain that its applications and capabilities were strictly limited.
"Do you know the biggest reason for those restrictions?"
Jin posed the question to the two of them.
"It's not... cost, is it?"
"Hmm... Could it be to prevent it from being repurposed for military use?"
"Yes, precisely. Very impressive."
Jin praised Ludwig for arriving at the right answer.
"...Golem technology allows us to create soldiers who shed no blood—soldiers without life. However, I believe that power should be used only for defense, never for aggression."
Jin had already shared this philosophy with Emperor Ernst II and other officials of the Shouro Empire, earning their full understanding and support.
"I understand completely."
"It would be truly tragic if technology created to help people were turned toward destruction."
Both Berlich and Ludwig agreed wholeheartedly with Jin's conviction.
"Now then, back to business... To tell the truth, we are currently planning to manufacture one hundred of these power assists."
"O-One hundred units?!"
"Yes. They're still undergoing field testing, but the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. There's no doubt they will sell well to civil engineering and construction workshops."
Even so, Jin made sure to emphasize that profit was not the objective.
"Using these will take the brunt of heavy labor out of civil engineering. That means shortened construction times and lower building costs."
The surplus funds generated as a result could then be redirected into other endeavors.
"My hope is that this will help stimulate the broader economy."
"I see... Lord Nido, you truly possess remarkable foresight..."
Berlich Becker murmured in deep admiration.
"No, I simply want to make things that help people and put smiles on their faces."
Jin spoke from the heart.
"I can only hope to attain such a mindset myself one day."
Berlich gazed at Jin with unreserved respect.
"Well, thank you... More importantly, let's get back to the matter at hand."
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Jin steered the conversation back on track.
"First off, I won't say another word. I'd like the two of you to inspect it with your own eyes."
Jin gestured toward the power assist for civil engineering and construction.
"Understood!"
"We'll give it a thorough look!"
Berlich and Ludwig rushed over to the unit, examining its structure and materials while running their hands over its components.
About fifteen minutes later...
"You're probably in the middle of your assessment, but could I ask you to pause for a moment?"
Jin called out to the two of them.
"Based on what you've gathered so far, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this power assist."
Responding to Jin's request, deputy workshop head Ludwig spoke first.
"A thorough simplification has been applied across the entire design. Furthermore, it has been fine-tuned to maximize its efficiency within those exact constraints."
Next, workshop chief Berlich offered his assessment.
"The structural design takes full account of material strength, and it has clearly been built with ease of maintenance in mind."
They pointed out several other nuanced details, and Jin judged their comprehension to have comfortably passed muster.
"That is more than sufficient. We can entrust production to you with complete confidence."
Jin nodded toward Magic Technology Minister Reglei.
"With Jin-dono's endorsement, on behalf of the Shouro Empire as Magic Technology Minister, I would like to officially commission your workshop to produce these power assists."
"I-It is an absolute honor!"
The deadline was set for two months.
The order was for ten units.
An advance payment of 500,000 Toll (roughly 5 million Japanese yen) would be provided, followed by another 500,000 Toll upon delivery, bringing the total commission fee to 1,000,000 Toll.
All raw materials would be supplied by the government of the Shouro Empire.
On all ten power assists, the workshop's hallmark and serial number were to be engraved in a prominent location on the frame, as well as beside the cockpit's Activate key.
Jin would provide the templates and leave behind the sample unit.
Detailed terms would be drafted by ministry officials shortly thereafter to finalize the binding contract.