The ten Sam units pressed on with their investigation.
Before long, Sam 1 made a discovery.
<...What is this...?>
Resting on a table inside a small room was an object.
A silver-white mask.
<It is likely made of 64 light silver.>
<Indeed.>
Sam 10 agreed.
Though they wanted to pick it up and examine it, leaving behind no traces of their infiltration was not the only obstacle—the Sam units were simply far too small to pick it up in the first place...
<According to an inquiry with Laojun, it appears identical to the one worn by the "masked man.">
It was described as "appearing" identical only because Laojun knew of it through secondhand reports, having never actually seen the man or the mask in person.
<In other words, this is undoubtedly one of the bases belonging to the "mysterious ship" and the "masked man.">
Laojun shared the exact same conclusion.
They continued their sweep afterward, but found nothing else of particular note.
<It would have been helpful if we could have learned a little more regarding the "masked man.">
<True enough. All that remains now is to stay embedded here and wait for those involved to return.>
And so the decision was made. In short, they would maintain their surveillance.
"Alright, that's another step forward."
Since it was currently daytime on Hourai Island, Jin had also been receiving the reports as they came in.
"Yes, My Lord. I shall immediately begin analyzing the enemy's forces."
From Laojun's perspective, the "mysterious ship" and the "masked man" were designated as hostiles.
If they ultimately proved harmless, all the better. If they did harbor hostile intent, preparing now would preemptively eliminate any future concerns.
"It appears they made use of the Origin Clan's facilities, but the ruins were not in optimal condition, so I judge their crafted items to be of corresponding quality as well."
"Yeah, I think so too."
One of the reasons Laojun had arrived at this "conclusion" was the fleet of vessels that had once attacked Hourai Island.
Their exteriors had been largely wooden, with only a portion of the structural framing made of metal. Their total length was thirty meters.
"Those belonged to the Magic Federation, but wouldn't Markitus have built them using these ruins?"
"Yes, My Lord. The probability is high. They were not entirely metal, but it is believed that due simply to material constraints, only parts of the structural frame were metallic while the hull was constructed of wood."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Considering there had been over a hundred of them, they had seemingly chosen quantity over quality.
"That is most likely the case. Realizing they could not surpass Hourai Island qualitatively, they probably opted to prepare sheer numbers instead."
Even so, they had been utterly incapable of matching Hourai Island's quality...
"Furthermore, judging by the technological level displayed, I do not believe it poses a significant threat."
"Yeah, I agree on that point. However, since the masked man isn't here, nor are the personnel who should be operating this facility, I can't help thinking that at least one ship is out at sea."
"Yes, My Lord. The likelihood of that is exceptionally high....And the performance of that vessel is probably superior to the ones left behind."
"You think so?"
"Yes. Assuming as much beforehand will minimize the risk of complications later."
"Fair point."
Even if the ship proved underwhelming once they actually laid eyes on it, Jin agreed with Laojun's stance that preparing for the worst would keep them from panicking or making rash decisions.
"Regarding that vessel, judging from the dimensions of the shipbuilding area, it is estimated to be over one hundred meters and under two hundred meters in length."
In other words, its scale could be deduced from the size of the drydock.
"It should be around one hundred fifty meters, give or take."
Even so, by the standards of this world, that was a menacing size.
"Can we tell what type of ship it is, like whether it's a battleship or an aircraft carrier...?"
"No, there is too little data. However, as there are no indications of aircraft production, the likelihood of it being an aircraft carrier is low."
"That sounds reasonable."
Laojun then set about preparing the Peeper.
"If it is out on the open sea, I will locate it using Watcher and the Peeper."
"Right, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, My Lord."
Laojun initiated the search to pinpoint the target vessel.
"However, as there is a possibility it possesses an invisibility barrier, the search may take some time."
"Understood. Do what you can."
"As you command."
Leaving the search for the mysterious ship to Laojun, Jin decided to conduct an inspection of Hourai Island's naval fleet.
"Reiko, lend me a hand."
"Yes, Father."
Now that they knew their designated adversary possessed at least three 100-meter-class vessels and at least one even larger, Jin resolved to take every precaution available.
Hourai Island's large surface vessels consisted of ten 100-meter, 2,000-ton cruisers:
The Azusa, Katsura, Minato, Seki, Sai, Kamo, Miya, and Yodo, along with the special cruisers Azuma and Edo.
Incidentally, the reason those two were designated "special" was that Jin had used them for his honeymoon with Elsa, meaning their living quarters were extensively upgraded. However, their combat capabilities were reduced by a corresponding margin.
Then there were the three battleships. Measuring 250 meters in length with a displacement of 30,000 tons, they were the Hotaka Kai, Myoukou Kai, and Asama Kai.
For this inspection, setting aside the Azuma and Edo with their reduced combat efficacy for later, Jin began with the standard cruisers.
"Analyze... Alright, looks good."
Being able to complete the inspection of an entire 100-meter-class warship with a single casting of Analyze was possible only because Jin was the Magi Craft Meister.
Even so, because he had to scrutinize an immense volume of diagnostic data, it took about five minutes per ship.
Factoring in travel time between docks, the inspection of all ten ships—including the Azuma and Edo—took roughly an hour.
"Not a single abnormality."
"They are vessels built by Father, after all," Reiko declared proudly to no one in particular.
Next came the inspection of the three battleships.
These required roughly ten minutes each, bringing the total check to about forty minutes.
"No problems here either."
To begin with, Jin fundamentally aimed for "maintenance-free" designs in his craft.
So long as they were operated within anticipated parameters, they suffered virtually zero degradation.
Naturally, pushing them to their absolute limits during combat might necessitate repairs.
Under normal conditions, however, the Marine units serving as crew handled all routine upkeep, ensuring a flawless assessment just as expected.
"With this, they're ready whenever the need arises."
Just as Jin muttered the thought to himself, a communication came in from Laojun.
"My Lord, please come to the command room. We have located the 'mysterious ship.'"