Around the same time Gajue Tsuga and his party were visiting the Mimaka Principality and the Darato Principality...
Back on Hourai Island, Jin was holding a meeting with members of the Jin Family.
The primary topic of discussion was the assortment of medicines recovered from the ruins of Mount Nakyu.
Because they had been stored in a repository on par with a mana tank, they had not suffered any degradation, serving as excellent research specimens for Saki and Hanna.
"So, you see, Onii-chan... This is one of them, and it turned out to be an extremely dangerous drug..."
Her expression clouded with concern, Hanna held up a medicine contained in a beautiful purple bottle.
"To put it simply, it's a narcotic..."
"A narcotic?! The Progenitors made something like that?!"
"Yeah. Well... I think it's habit-forming, but it doesn't seem to cause any physical harm. In that sense, maybe 'pseudo-narcotic' is a better term?"
"In other words, you get all the pleasure with none of the risks?"
"Yeah, exactly. Though I suppose you can't really call something risk-free once it's addictive..."
Jin and the others keenly understood the danger—experiencing intense pleasure alone was more than enough to form a severe habit.
"The Progenitors probably created this drug purely for entertainment, but..." Hanna offered her own conjecture.
Her reasoning was straightforward: if one could freely employ brainwashing magi-devices, there was no need to rely on narcotics for Domination.
However...
"If this can be used to make people subservient, there are bound to be people who covet it."
While it might not lead to absolute Domination, people would easily obey orders just to get their next dose—especially if the demands weren't unreasonable.
It was reasonable to assume that those in power would jump at the chance to possess it.
"And if it were distributed regularly, no one would ever think to oppose a nation that handed out such a drug, right?"
"Indeed. That's a terrifying thought."
"It really is."
Looking at it from that perspective, Jin and the others began to wonder if the Progenitors had used this pseudo-narcotic not just for personal recreation, but as a tool to keep the native population submissive.
"My Lord, that possibility is quite high. One could easily envision them granting small doses as rewards or distributing it during public festivities."
Laojun offered its own analysis.
"In any case, it seems unlikely anyone would ever think to rebel against a ruling class that provided them with such a pseudo-narcotic..."
As Jin voiced his thought, Reinhard offered a different perspective.
"No, there still might have been those who tried to overthrow the ruling class just to monopolize the supply for themselves."
"That's a fair point. Then again, if their opponents were the Progenitors, nothing they tried would have stood a chance."
"That is certainly true... And those under their rule might have even fought amongst themselves just to get their hands on it."
"That's a grim thought."
Narcotics and their kin seemed destined to toy with the hearts of the masses no matter the era or world... Jin reflected with a twinge of sorrow.
Putting the discussion about the pseudo-narcotic aside for the moment, they moved on to the next topic.
Hanna continued her presentation.
"You know there were other interesting things among the preserved medicines, right?"
"Yeah. The painkiller and the detox medicine, right?"
Hanna nodded.
"Yes. For now, I'd like to standardize their names as 'analgesic' and 'antidote.'"
No one raised any objections.
"So, did you figure out what they actually are, Hanna? Saki?"
"Yeah, Onii-chan. Big Sister Saki will explain that part."
With that, she passed the floor to Saki.
Clearing her throat with an exaggerated "ahem," Saki began to speak at an unhurried pace.
"Well, standard treatment medicine is usually made by inscribing magic into ethenol, but these seem to work on a completely different principle."
"Oh?"
Reinhard leaned forward with keen interest.
"Remember those 'nanomachines' Jin mentioned before? They contain an equivalent technology... what you might call 'nano-golems.'"
"What?!"
Even Jin was caught off guard.
"Kufu, thanks for the great reaction. Yes, these two medicines contain nano-golems—micro-class golems, in other words—that perform a designated function inside the subject's body before vanishing."
"Vanishing?"
"That's right. Because the material used to make these nano-golems is ice composed of magi-isotopes."
Saki elaborated on the details.
"Ice whose molecular bonding has been enhanced by free ether won't melt, even at normal body temperature. The golems crafted from that ice run on Forming, carrying out their preprogrammed tasks inside the body....Then, as they work, they gradually consume their free ether until they can no longer maintain a solid state... which is to say, they melt into water once their job is done."
"Fascinating..."
Everyone listening was thoroughly impressed.
"Leave it to the Progenitors to come up with something like that..."
"Kufu, truly. By the way, it looks like they had many other varieties of medicine besides the analgesic and antidote, but they completely ran out of stock."
"Hmm... The concept is brilliant. I'd love to research it myself," Jin murmured.
"Jin-nii, let me know when you start. I want to help."
Elsa looked thoroughly intrigued as well.
"I'll help too, of course," Reinhard added.
"Onii-chan, I'll lend a hand as well!" Hanna chimed in.
In the end, every single member of the Jin Family volunteered.
Setting the development of nano-golems aside for the time being, the group proceeded to the next item on their agenda.
"Next up is the matter regarding the Nido Medical Welfare Organization."
This was the issue currently occupying most of Jin's thoughts.
"I'd like to ask Lishia to serve as an advisor..."
"Wait, me?"
"Yes. You're a seasoned veteran when it comes to Healing magic, Lishia."
"Are you sure I'm the right person for the job?"
"Without a doubt. Please, we need you."
"Understood! I'd be glad to!"
Lishia accepted the request without a moment's hesitation.
"Hey Jin, wouldn't it be a good idea to reach out to Nostalgia as well?" Goose suggested.
"Nostalgia, huh..."
Nostalgia also held considerable sway in this world. Particularly within the Kingdom of Elias, they enjoyed broad public acceptance, thanks in part to their current headquarters being nearby.
"All right. Let's ask Elena too, then."
With that, the matter was settled.
Finally, Jin brought up the last topic for the day.
"This should be... the final item on the list. I'd like to give a report on the practical implementation of the three-dimensional magic circle."
"Oh, I've been waiting for this one!" Reinhard leaned in eagerly.
"I want to hear what all of you think, so please, don't hold back."
With everyone's attention captured, Jin began his explanation of the three-dimensional magic circle.