Novel Full Chapter 713
Chapter 713
Chapter 21-24: Jin’s Plan
January 3rd, 3458. In the Egelea Kingdom.
A group had gathered in the courtyard of the royal castle in the capital, Asunt.
It was the Expeditionary Survey Corps of the Former Leonard Kingdom.
The commander was Bruno Tales Bright, vice-captain of the Royal Guard Knights. By sending a Royal Guard, it was clear that the Egelea Kingdom placed great importance on this expedition.
The team consisted of five knights, along with a MagiCraftsman, Jade Nephroi, included for his expertise in ruins and relic investigation. In addition, this mission doubled as a field test for a newly developed magical device, kept secret until now.
“Do well. We expect results.”
“Yes, sir!”
At Chancellor Boyd Nors Gualelli Marquis’ exhortation, the group saluted in unison.
They would depart from Asunt, travel through Blueland, take the coastal road, cross the border from the eastern village of Faist, and enter the Former Leonard Kingdom. Their first destination: the settlement of Newlea, famed for its honey and known for its friendly inhabitants. There they hoped to find local guides.
“After that, we’ll have to rely on improvisation. If we keep north along the border mountains, we should eventually encounter the Klein Kingdom’s expedition.”
The expedition was to be supported by hot air balloons. Like Faist, another was stationed at the Yorkjam Mines along the border, ready to take off and provide aerial guidance as needed.
“…And that is the plan,” explained Marquis Fiorenziano the following morning, January 3rd. Jin, Elsa, and Reinhardt listened from within the state guesthouse.
“Whether the two expeditions meet will depend on the hot air balloons,” Reinhardt observed.
“Exactly. Our kingdom can do nothing but pray this mission succeeds,” the Marquis replied, before sipping her quhu.
“Also, yesterday evening, I received a reply by pigeon.”
This time she spoke to Reinhardt, the official envoy.
“Your requests, Sir Reinhardt Landl, have all been accepted.”
“I see… I’m relieved.”
As ambassador, Reinhardt finally seemed at ease, his duty accomplished.
“Furthermore, should the Klein Kingdom request it, we shall not hesitate to provide them with topopo, together with recipes for its preparation.”
“Thank you,” Jin said, as a nominal Klein Kingdom affiliate.
When the conversation paused, Jin seized the moment.
“Marquis, I have a request.”
“Yes?”
“Please allow me to meet with the king in the capital, Bolgia.”
Elsa and Reinhardt were surprised—Jin had said nothing of this before. But knowing him well, they soon understood his intent.
“…Could it be that you intend to offer them a hot air balloon?” the Marquis realized.
“If it is acceptable.”
“How wonderful! I shall contact the capital at once. With pigeons, a reply may arrive as early as this evening.”
Messenger pigeons could fly over 1,000 meters per minute, an average speed of 80 km/h. The distance between Potlock and Bolgia was only about 120 km. A round trip would take less than half a day.
“Thank you.”
After they withdrew, the Marquis immediately penned the message and dispatched it.
“Jin, that came out of nowhere,” Reinhardt remarked once they were alone.
“I was surprised too,” Elsa added. Her tone wasn’t reproachful, just curious.
“…Sorry. I should have told you beforehand.”
“Never mind. But you seem in a hurry. Do you have something in mind?”
“Yes. In truth, I want to have Konron Island officially recognized as my territory.”
“What?” Reinhardt blinked.
“Oh…” Elsa, however, understood.
“I’ll explain. Reiko, could you bring tea?”
“Yes, Father.”
Once they each had a cup of quhu, Jin elaborated.
“The trigger was shipbuilding. Ships will continue to advance and eventually venture out to the open sea. When that happens, if not Horai Island, then Konron Island will soon be discovered. So I’d rather have it internationally acknowledged as mine. It’s a small island—it might be possible.”
Horai Island was roughly the size of Tochigi or Gunma Prefecture, while Konron Island was about the size of Izu Ōshima. Jin had once thought Horai was as large as Shikoku, but aerial surveys had corrected that error.
“Konron was originally meant as a decoy for Horai. Now it could finally serve that purpose.” Jin smiled wryly.
“If others recognize Konron as the easternmost limit, it will be easier to hide Horai. By then, the illusion barrier should be perfected too.”
“I see. You’ve thought this through,” Reinhardt admitted, and Elsa nodded.
“Also, I want to see if we can cautiously reveal the existence of warp gates.”
“That’s…” Reinhardt frowned, aware of the implications.
“I know. But as we discussed yesterday, if managed under national authority, it could prevent transport technology from becoming distorted.”
“…It will require careful conditions,” Reinhardt warned.
“Yes. But there’s already a gate here in Potlock, and Count Kuzma and Beena even know about the one outside Blueland. Beena has used it.”
“That’s true…”
“That’s why I want both Konron Island and the warp gates to be disclosed, carefully and peacefully.”
Reinhardt and Elsa fell silent, considering how this might be done.
“Father,” Reiko relayed suddenly, “Lao-kun reports: ordinary mana tanks cannot supply the energy needed.”
“Ah, of course.”
Warp gates consumed immense ether—on the order of 10¹² joules per use, equivalent to a kiloton of TNT. Only a massive Ether Converter or Magi Reactor could sustain repeated usage.
By modern magi-engineering standards, the cost-effectiveness was far too poor. Perhaps before the Ether Stampede, it had been viable.
Therefore, even if deployed, warp gates would never become casually used.
“…If that’s the case, it might be manageable,” Reinhardt murmured.
“I don’t plan to announce it immediately. We’ll look for the best approach. But I’ll need your help.”
Jin summarized. Reinhardt and Elsa nodded firmly.
“Of course. I owe warp gates much myself.”
“I’ll always help you, Jin-nii.”
“Father, both I and Lao-kun will gather information to support you,” Reiko added.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Jin felt, from the bottom of his heart, that he had been blessed with truly dependable companions.