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20-08 Projects
“Jin, are you willing to partic.i.p.ate as well?”
Seeing Jin’s enthusiasm, the Empress asked for confirmation.
“Yes, if possible.”
“That would be very helpful. We’d like you to play a role as an advisor, okay?”
Considering Jin’s relatively free position and ability to lead, he was a.s.signed the position of advisor.
“Of course, Jin is not solely a citizen of the Shouro Empire, so there’s no obligation. However, it would be appreciated if you could support this project to the end.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Jin responded with a nod to the Empress’s request.
“Now, with Jin joining us, let’s delve into more detailed explanations.”
The Prime Minister began explaining further.
“For the future development of our country, we are thinking of improving our transportation infrastructure and strengthening our transport capabilities. This is not for the short term but for the medium to long term.”
The Prime Minister shared that he learned this idea from Jin’s gifted book “Führer.”
Hearing this, Jin felt pleased, as the knowledge was being used for the benefit of the people.
“For land transport, we are considering ma.s.s production of Goliaths.”
The large, 6-meter-tall golems could carry approximately 10 tons of cargo, but for practical use and considering mana consumption, it was more suitable for carrying around 5 tons.
“Goliaths will not only be used for transport but also for a.s.sisting in large-scale construction.”
Jin was impressed as he also used the heavy-duty golem Daidara on Penglai Island, realizing the potential of such heavy machinery in this world where cranes and forklifts did not exist.
“Additionally, we want to ma.s.s-produce golems for human a.s.sistance.”
Jin could understand this too as he used the “Smith” golem for his work.
“Lord Reinhard Randle recently provided a template for the ‘Black Knight Schwarze Ritter.’ We decided to officially adopt it, although we’ll make some adjustments in materials.”
“I am honored.”
The initial Schwarzeritter operated with the application of ‘Trans.m.u.tation Forming,’ which was an efficient method when perfected.
“We’ve already completed the shipyard in the town of Simos on the sh.o.r.es of Lake Wa.s.s in the south.”
Jin could tell from the preparations that the project was proceeding systematically and not just a pa.s.sing idea.
“Magic Engineering Minister Degauz will be responsible for this project, but Undersecretary Christoph will act as the de facto coordinator.”
Christoph Balde von Tarnat had previously served as the witness at the wedding between Reinhard and Belche.
“As for the magic engineers, currently, we have Lord Reinhard Randle, Zenelos Fort, and Claire Altmann. We might add one or two more.”
“Understood. When does it start?”
“Christoph has already arrived on-site. We’d appreciate it if you could head there as soon as possible, preferably by tomorrow.”
The Prime Minister looked at Jin, probably expecting to rely on Jin’s airship.
The distance between Royzart and Simos town on the sh.o.r.e of Lake Wa.s.s was approximately 150 kilometers, and an airship could cover that in half a day.
“I’ll send a message with a pigeon today, so please be ready.”
In this way, Jin and Reinhard were a.s.signed to their new roles.
Later, the group returned to Jin’s residence on Penglai Island after their visit to the Imperial Palace. Elsa came along as well.
Reinhard wanted to see the “Shark” Jin had created. He also had several things to discuss before they began the project.
“Wow, this is amazing. Can I take a ride?”
“Yes, of course.”
In turn, Jin, Reiko, Edgar, Elsa, and Reinhard boarded the Shark.
A dedicated pier had been constructed, making boarding a smooth process.
“I see, the bigger the ship, the more you have to think about boarding and disembarking.”
Reinhard began studying it immediately.
“Jin, did you make this all by yourself?”
“Oh, right, all by yourself, or well, with a bit of help from Reiko,” Jin replied.
Reiko, upon hearing this, cast a sideways glance at Elsa.
“I wanted to help,” Elsa pouted, turning her head away.
“Well, Elsa wasn’t around, though,” Jin added as an afterthought. “I mean, it was lonely without you.”
“Eh?”
Elsa didn’t seem to have heard this part.
“Huh? Oh yeah, that’s right. Jin lived all alone before meeting Elsa and Reinhard.”
Reinhard chimed in, eager to get moving.
“At that time, even though you were there, Reiko and the others helped me a lot. But now, I have friends with me. Let’s go!”
Jin activated the Water Magic Propulsion Unit, Aqua Ruster.
The Shark began to move slowly.
“Wow, it moves so smoothly.”
In contrast to the golem-powered boats, the Shark moved without swaying as it cruised gently through the calm waters of Tatsumi Bay.
“Now, let’s pick up the speed.”
Turning the bow of the ship toward the open sea, Jin opened the throttle.
“Wow, what is this?”
“…Fast.”
Reinhard and Elsa couldn’t hide their surprise at the Shark’s speed, which exceeded an estimated 50 kilometers per hour.
“This ship is so fast for its size!”
As experts on ships, Reinhard and Elsa could estimate the speed by feeling the wind on their faces.
“Maybe it’s even faster than during the Golem Boat Racing, Jin?”
The time when Jin and Marcia won with their “Signus.” They likely reached speeds close to 40 kilometers per hour during the final sprint, but the Shark’s speed exceeded that.
Of course, Jin had faster aircraft at his disposal, but the impressive part was that the Shark achieved this speed without any special materials.
In a way, Elsa’s ability to discern the absence of special materials in the Shark with just a brief glance revealed her growth as a magic engineer.
“Big brother Jin, it’s amazing!”
“Yeah, it’s really something. Jin, this ship is incredible! To achieve this speed without any special materials!”
Reinhard also sensed that no special materials had been used in the Shark’s construction.
“Thank you. Well, from here on, let’s move on to the next world.”
“Eh? Big brother Jin?”
“The next world?”
Jin playfully grinned and turned on the Force Generator, a force field generator.
“Acceleration time!”
“Wh-Whoa!?”
The Shark accelerated rapidly, exceeding the previous test speed of 150 kilometers per hour.
“W-What’s with this speed!?”
“Big brother Jin, could this…?”
Elsa seemed to have figured something out.
“Right, this is the completed ‘Force Generator’ propulsion.”
“‘Force Generator’ propulsion?”
“That’s it.”
Jin acknowledged with a smile. He stopped the Shark, and it gradually slowed down.
“Aah, so, I wanted to gather the family, but Elsa had gone back to her family, and Toa and the others were out, so we couldn’t get everyone together.”
As he mentioned this, Jin turned to Elsa and Reinhard.
“At least it’s a first meeting for everyone except me. Reiko, show them!”
“Yes, Father.”
Jin and the others ascended to the roof of the Shark. The roof had handrails and built-in chairs for convenience.
“Here we go!”
Reiko vanished in front of Reinhard and Elsa. Or rather, she seemed to have disappeared.
“Huh?”
“Up there,” Jin pointed. Elsa and Reinhard were surprised to see Reiko floating upward, unsupported.
“‘Force’ can be directed in any direction, including up.”
“However, even so…?”
“I thought so, Jin?”
Reiko seemed to have sensed something.
“Yeah, it’s the completion of the ‘Force Generator."”
“‘Force Generator’? Really?”
Elsa and Reinhard were astonished to witness Reiko’s precise control and levitation, as well as her aerobatic flight, including loops, sharp ascents, rapid descents, rolls, and figure eights.
“They can see that I made the ship with ordinary materials…!”
“Congratulations, Jin!”
“…I wanted to help.”
Reinhard and Elsa admired the demonstration as they looked up in awe.