Jin and his colleagues took a break after the review meeting and decided to discuss some of the new findings.

"The existence of the basement, which we did not know even in the preliminary investigation of the fifth column (Quinta), we know that it was covered with special wards. We know this because we passed through it when we went underground. That's ......<>."

"Attenuation wards?"

"Yes. Ordinary wards just block things out. They can reflect at different angles, though."

Erza nods in agreement with Jin's explanation.

"...... understand. Basically, the purpose is to separate the inside from the outside world.

"Right. That's why when we use exploration magic, we can tell that there's something there because it reacts differently from the surrounding area.

"I see. It's like an enclosure on an empty plain.

Saki gave an interesting analogy.

"That's right. That's what I think. At ......, the boundary doesn't reflect or absorb the magic of exploration, like an electromagnetic wave that travels through the ...... space. It seems to attenuate naturally."

"To use Saki's analogy, it's the white surroundings that reflect. Absorption is the black surround. Attenuation is ...... a transparent enclosure?"

Now Stearina gave us a color analogy. It is a very apt metaphor.

"Yes, yes. Something like that. That's why it was so hard for me to figure it out. It seems that the < also exhibits similar characteristics, and even the fifth column (quinta) couldn't figure it out."

"...... You've got it all figured out, Brother Jin."

Erza looks at Jin with respect.

"Yeah, one of the purposes of going to the old Leonard kingdom was to analyze the warding. I had to be extra careful.

Jin explained that he wanted to solve the mystery of the illusionary wards over the former Leonard's Kingdom.

"I'm curious as to who in the world is doing this, but I also wanted to know how the golem's eyes are being fooled."

Depending on the design, the golem's eyes are better than human eyes. It can see in infrared and ultraviolet light if it wanted to, not to mention telephoto.

Even the Air Force Golem, which has such eyes, could not see through the illusionary wards. We wanted to know its secret.

"Well, I'm still having the 5th Quinta and the others investigate.

Jin concluded with these words.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

It was now lunch time, and the group decided to have lunch.

"Hey, is Hannah still outside?"

Jin muttered to himself, when Reiko and Hanna came back. Reiko is very good at this.

"Onii-chan, Reiko said it's almost time for bed, so I came back.

"Oh, just in time. Let's have lunch. ......Hannah, you were eating Persica earlier, are you okay?

"Yes, I'm fine!"

Hannah is full of energy. Her front teeth have grown in and she has no trouble eating.

"Today's lunch is udon noodles.

Soleil brought the freshly boiled udon noodles. Of course, it was udon with cold water.

"Udon?"

Yes, this is it.

"Wow, that's interesting!

Both chopsticks and a fork are provided. Naturally, Jin used chopsticks.

The dipping sauce is a special sauce made with fish sauce and kelp-like seaweed, which the peridos had painstakingly prepared.

"Yes, it's delicious!"

Jin is the first to start eating. The cold udon noodles feel good on his throat.

"Yes, it's delicious!

"...... delicious!"

"Delicious!

"It's delicious!"

The others started to eat with forks, but the food seemed to be generally well received.

Hannah had finished her portion of the meal, since it was a little smaller than she had expected.

"Thanks for the food. But Jin-kun, you used chopsticks, didn't you?　You're good with chopsticks, aren't you?

"Yes, well. I've been using them for a long time.

Seeing Jin picking up udon noodles with two sticks, Stearina praised his dexterity.

"Maybe I should practice, too."

"...... me too!"

"Me too!

The other three participants started to say such things, so eventually Stearina joined them and a lecture on how to use chopsticks was held.

First, let's decide on the length of the chopsticks. Open your fingers so that your thumb and index finger are at right angles ....... And 1.5 times that length is roughly the length of chopsticks that are comfortable to use."

"...... got it."

Erza is 22.5 cm, Saki is 24 cm, Stearina is 24 cm. And Hanna is 18 centimeters.

"Next is the weight. Do you want heavier chopsticks or lighter ones? ......Because it's the first time, let's go with the standard ones."

Jin remembered the knowledge he had learned about chopsticks from the director and made his decision.

The material of the chopsticks was decided to be query wood (close to cherry). They are hard and sticky. Jin also uses chopsticks made of this wood.

In case you are wondering, we clean chopsticks by < or after use.

We practice for about an hour. Hannah was the one who improved the most. Surprisingly, Saki is the worst.

"I'm sorry. I'm still clumsy. ......"

Jin consoled a slightly depressed Saki, saying "That's not true, anyone can learn to use it with practice.

After the practice, it was tea time. It was hot, so they decided to drink cold juice instead of tea.

"Well, what are we going to do after this?

Stearena answered Jin's words.

"Well, what are we going to do after this? ......Well, Jin, why don't you come visit us in the Kingdom of Celuloa?"

"The Kingdom of Celuloa? ......"

Yes. My home is in a place called Gore. Gore is a provincial city where many of the kingdom's magecraftsmen live.

Jin was a bit fascinated since he rarely visited the Kingdom of Cerroa due to the mess with the Unifilers.

"Hmm, Jin, I'm interested too.

Saki also wanted to visit.

"Don't worry, they don't have the same strict monitoring of comings and goings as Esaiah.

A carriage with a warp gate is kept at Stearina's main residence, and Stearina has been using it to go back and forth between the main residence and Horai Island.

It seems that the matter of her moving out of the house is now frozen.

"Is there any problem with the transfer?"

"Yes. Yes. Please feel free to come.

"Then let's go.

Hitoshi is also enthusiastic.

"Yes, yes, let's go!　You're welcome!"

So the same members of the group decided to go to the Kingdom of Celluloid. Tortoise is not used this time. And Aalu and Edgar can go with us this time.

We can come back to Horai Island or stay at Stearina's main house for the night. With this decision made, Jin and the others move on, taking only the bare necessities with them.

< and moves smoothly.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Selroa!

A bemused Stearina utters these words.

The place where the group left, in other words, where the carriage carrying the warp gate was kept, is a large warehouse.

Materials are placed around it.

"Next door is my workshop.

We moved there first. The large group of people in the workshop is Jin, Hannah, Reiko, Elsa, Edgar, Saki, Aal, and Stearina.

"Welcome home, miss.

The person who greeted them was a butler-like automaton from Dali's other house.

The house had been damaged in an attack by the Unifilers, so he had already moved out of it.

I'm home, Zafio. We have a lot of guests, so be prepared for them. Let Serene help you.

"Yes, sir."

Zafio bowed and left, and was replaced by Serene, a golem made of blue topaz, who came in with a drink. It looked like cold juice.

"Wow, she's beautiful!"

Hannah, who had never seen Serene before, exclaimed in surprise.

"Thank you, Hannah!

Stearina took a sip of the juice Serene handed out and smiled happily.