"...... is that ...... what's going to happen now?"

Eira blurted out in front of the pile of rubble.

"We should be glad that there's still life ......."

Katya responds.

"I guess that's what I'm saying."

Gloma Trey interjected from the side.

Now they are cleaning up the destroyed research dormitory. More precisely, they are digging out usable objects and personal belongings from under the rubble.

The has set up temporary housing for them, so they have no need for a place to sleep for the time being.

The same goes for food.

And since they were provided with the bare minimum of clothing, they were able to manage food, clothing, and shelter.

However, they could not take advantage of this. We are trying to recycle what we can use. The Principality of Mercana is resource poor.

"......What's going to happen now, ......?"

And Eira complained again for the first time.

"Hey, the flight from <> has arrived!

At the sound of this voice, Katya and the others looked up.

Ten airships were about to land.

"This should make things a little easier for us," said Avalon.

"I hope so!"

Eira and Katya looked at the airships with tired faces.

* * * * * *

"Ah, Master!"

<.

"Oh, Groma. You look good."

Rhodes raised his hand and walked away from the group to join Gromma.

"Thanks for your help. Thanks to you we found the man we were looking for.

"So, that's the djinn, the master of ......?"

"Yes. That's who I was looking for.

That's ......!

Rhodes smiled and patted Groma on the shoulder,

"I've got things to do now. Let's talk tonight.

He walked toward the group of engineers.

"Hey, Groma, what was that?"

"What was that?　...... Oh, Eira. That's my master.

"Master of ...... you mean, of ?"

"Yes. Everyone calls him "Master Rhodes".

"I see. ......"

Eira stared at the backs of the group of engineers as they moved away.

* * * *

That night, Rhodes appeared in the dining room of the temporary housing where Eira, Caciea, Gromma, and the other former researchers were staying.

"Ah, master!"

"Gromma, can I come in?"

Gromma Tolley drank some tea,

"Yes, I've already eaten.

Rhodotos told Gromma that he was ready to eat.

Rhodes looked at Gloma,

Rhodotos asked Gromma, "Is there someone called Eira and Katya?

Rhodotos asked Gromma.

Cachéa, who was sitting back-to-back with Gromma, was startled when her name was called and choked on the tea she was about to drink.

Eira, who was sitting next to her, was unperturbed.

"Geez!

"Kacea, are you okay?　...... Master, this is Katya and the one sitting next to her is Eira."

"Oh. ...... excuse me for interrupting your meal. My name is Rhodos. < and also an adjunct technical advisor.

I'm, uh, I'm, uh, I'm Ka-Chaire.

EIRA SHIATA.

She introduced herself as "Cachéa" and Eira as well.

You guys ready?

"Uh, yes."

They had already finished eating and drinking tea, so there was no problem.

"Well, come here, please."

Rhodes, Gromma, Eira, and Katya left the temporary housing and walked under the stars to the airship where they had landed.

"There were buildings all the way around here," he says.

The area that was destroyed has been cleared and is now completely flat. It is no wonder, because the rescue airship cannot land without it.

"Well, come on in."

Rhodes invites them into a tent set up beside the airship.

"Well, I'm sorry to bother you, sir."

The tent is about 8 tatami mats in size and high enough that an adult's head would not bump into it.

It is illuminated by a magic lamp, so it is bright enough. Inside there was a table and about six chairs.

"Well, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?

"Well, I'll have some tea. ......"

Groma answered on behalf of the others. It was appropriate, since it was just after dinner.

Okay. ...... Hanako."

"Yes."

Hanako, the automata, brewed a pot of tea and put it in front of each of us.

"Oh, an automata(automata)......?　And such an elaborate ......!"

Eira and Katya are amazed. Gloma Trey had seen Hanako before, so he was not that surprised.

After taking a sip of his tea, Rhodoth spoke up.

"Now, before I get into the details of what I asked you here for, let's finish what you seem to be interested in."

Rhodes kept his mouth shut for a moment and looked around at the three of them before resuming the conversation.

"...... Jin-san, I'm talking about ...... Mister."

"Jin-san!　Are you safe!"

Katya was the first to bite.

"Yeah. I was asking for Gloma Trey over there. < to my place.

"So, Jin-san is at ......."

"Oh, no need to panic, no need to panic. I'll explain in order. First of all, Mr. Jin is a relative of someone I've taken care of."

"I didn't know that.

And Ka-CHEER.

"He's missing and I've been looking for him. Don't worry, he's back home now.

"I'm glad to hear that. ......"

Katya let out a small sigh of relief.

"No, Jin-dono was more worried about you guys.

"Oh, Jin-san was?

"Yes. Yes. This is the reason why such an uproar has arisen this time.

"Well, um, then, Mr. Jin, are you in a position to receive such information immediately?

This was a very perceptive question from Katya.

"Well, yes. Well, let's get to the reason why I called you here.

Rhodes took a sip of his tea to quench his thirst and continued.