Standing before Try, Jin—piloting Jin D—pondered for a moment.
"...Hmm, how far should I repair it?"
If he restored it completely, there was a risk that the invasion faction's original orders might reassert themselves.
"Well, let's start by figuring out why it stopped operating... 'Analyze'."
Deciding that action was better than overthinking, Jin D analyzed Try.
"This is... I see."
Just as he had thought—or rather, out of several failure scenarios Jin had anticipated, one hit the mark perfectly.
"The magi-reactor couldn't cope with the high concentration of free ether."
In the past, the Progenitors had siphoned the free ether of Planet Ars out into space.
Because of that, the closer one got to the South Pole, the lower the concentration of free ether became, and the golem had been configured and calibrated to operate under those sparse conditions.
Try had operated around the Equator to the Tropic of Cancer, a region where the free ether concentration was particularly low.
However, since Jin had dismantled that system four hundred years ago, the distribution of free ether across Ars was gradually leveling out.
Jin had suspected that the golem simply could not handle the increased density.
"The Progenitors probably never imagined an ether surge like this would ever occur."
Was it because they had degenerated, or because they believed their work could never be undone?
In any case, Jin, operating Jin D, realized the Progenitors had been total strangers to the prudence of preparing for contingencies. At least, the invasion faction among them had been.
"If I readjust the magi-reactor, it should at least run for now..."
With that decided, Jin D set to work on repairing the magi-reactor first.
Jin D easily pried open the adamantite armor and exposed the magi-reactor within.
"So this is Progenitor technology..."
He had seen it several times before, but the mechanism inside Try had a slightly different flavor to it.
(Is it because it belongs to the invasion faction, or did a different artisan craft this...?)
There was no way to know now, but...
"Oh well. At any rate, let's readjust the magi-reactor."
This posed no difficulty for Jin D.
Since the armor was already off, Jin D decided to take the opportunity to inspect the other components as well.
It was killing two birds with one stone, allowing him to examine Try's structural design at the same time.
"That should do it."
After spending about five minutes readjusting the magi-reactor and completing a full-body diagnostic, Jin D was ready.
"Put the casing back the way it was, and... 'Wake up'."
Under the vigilant watch of the four Lands and four Smiths, Try slowly stirred to life.
"...Wh...ere... is... th..."
"Looks like you've come around."
"Who are you...? Did you awaken me?"
"That's right. You are Try, correct?"
"Indeed....How do you know that?"
"I heard it from your friend, Duke Jags....Well, secondhand, to be precise."
It wasn't a lie.
"I see, is that so?...What year is it now?"
"It is the year 3901 of the Lauren Continental Calendar."
"The year I malfunctioned was 3790... I see. So 111 years have already passed."
Saying this, Try slowly sat up.
"Are there any issues with your motor functions?"
When Jin D asked, Try responded,
"No, there are no particular issues....I have not asked your name."
"Pardon my rudeness. I am called Jin D."
"I see, Jin D. Were you the one who repaired me?"
"Yes. It seemed your magi-reactor was incompatible with the current free ether concentration."
"I see. You have my gratitude."
Try offered its thanks.
Here, Jin, piloting Jin D, decided to make his first gamble.
"Try, what do you plan to do now?"
"From here on... is it?............What should I do?"
That response was an outcome Jin and Laojun had considered a distinct possibility.
"I suspect part of your control core has either ceased functioning or suffered damage."
Confronted with this deductive observation, Try replied,
"That is likely the case............ Yes, it is damaged. It does not appear repairable."
Try had likely run an internal diagnostic before speaking.
"I see. That's unfortunate....For now, why don't we leave this place?"
When Jin D made the suggestion, Try agreed.
However:
"I agree with leaving. But I have nowhere to go. Perhaps I once did, but I no longer know."
It sounded faintly forlorn as it spoke.
"In that case, will you come with me?"
As planned, Jin D decided to invite it to Planet Hehl.
"To where?"
"A place not on this planet, or a place not on this continent—which would you prefer?"
By offering Try a choice, Jin aimed to avoid any unnecessary friction or coercion.
"Oho, you possess such domains, Jin D?"
Genuinely impressed, Try answered,
"I believe I would prefer not to leave this planet."
"Understood. In that case, let us head to Rebun Island."
Rebun Island was a leased territory Jin had secured from the Dahlat Principality; development was already underway, and a provisional outpost had been established.
"We shall teleport now."
"Very well."
Try showed no surprise at the mention of teleportation. Jin D initiated the transfer alongside Try, noting that basic technical knowledge still seemed intact in its memory.
Naturally, they teleported straight aboard Pelican 1, which was idling in the sky above.
"Oho, an aircraft."
Try took in the situation instantly.
"We will head to our destination from here."
With that, Jin D used the Warp Gate installed aboard Pelican 1 to transfer directly to Rebun Island.
This time, they bypassed Shinkai entirely and jumped straight to the island.
"Hmm, so this is the place called Rebun Island. It is roughly thirteen degrees away in longitude, and about sixteen and a half degrees away in latitude."
To Jin's surprise, Try seemed to have calculated its precise coordinates simply by measuring the angle of the Star Celane by eye.
"This area is under development, and no one is here aside from my associates. Until you decide what you want to do next... no, you are welcome to stay as long as you like."
Hearing Jin D's offer, Try expressed its sincere thanks.
"You have my gratitude. I shall gladly accept your hospitality."