Naturally, the New Year also comes to Horai Island.

Jin and Erza, who spent a happy New Year's Day in Kaina Village, came to Horai Island on the same night.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

The golems, under the leadership of the master of Horai Island, greeted the two of them.

"Ah, Happy New Year. I look forward to working with you this year.

<

"Since it's the New Year, I'd like to talk about my ambitions for this year.

"First, I would like to make the Kun Lun Island my official territory."

"What do you mean?　What do you mean, Brother Jin?

Erza's question is obvious. The only people who know about the Kun Lun islands are Jin and the Jin family, and I don't think any other known power can come in and take them.

"Oh, by 'officially,' I mean, to have the nations recognize it."

>

That is correct.

Originally, the island of Kunlun was developed as a dummy for Horai Island. It was supposed to be where Jin and Jin's master lived.

"That's what I mean. But before we discuss that, let's talk about our other goal.

<

"I want to rebuild the old Kingdom of Leonard, and I want to appoint Ernest and Lys as King and Queen."

The old man seems to have a good understanding of Jin's plan.

"Understandable. Then, since Kunlun Island is to the east of Leonard's Kingdom, there probably won't be a territorial problem if Jin's brother helps to establish Leonard's Kingdom."

This time Erza gave the correct answer.

"Yes. Besides, we can build a road between Klein and Egelea without passing through the Kingdom of Selroa."

<

The more we know about the problems we need to clear, the easier it will be for the old man to move.

"Yes. First of all, at the beginning of the year, there will be a move from the Kingdom of Klein to investigate the former Leonard's Kingdom.

> to help us.

"Oh, my brother?"

It was Elsa's own brother, Fritz, who was responsible for leading the <> from the Shoro Kingdom to the Klein Kingdom to bring <>.

Roland had visited the former Leonard Kingdom several times as a merchant, so he was entrusted with guiding and negotiating with the locals. However, the fact that he recruited civilians shows a lack of human resources.

"And there was a resistance organization in the Franz kingdom, wasn't there?"

<<

"Yes, that would be nice. For example, we could accept such malcontents as citizens of the Leonard Kingdom when it is rebuilt.

"You could say that.

Then Jin continued.

"The rest is just details, so it's not quite the same as aspirations.

"But let me hear it."

Jin replies to Elsa's request.

"Oh, about the management of materials and environmental considerations..."

"Do you care about ......?"

Erza is talking about the usage of materials in Horai Island, which she pointed out when she made <>.

"A little, yes. But, well, I think most of it was necessary, so I don't think it was a waste. ......

His voice got a little quieter towards the end.

"So, for those, I'd like to do more research on free magical elements (ether).

"...... why?"

"In my world, energy depletion is a problem. The free magic element (ether) was also drastically reduced by the "ether stampede," so it seems that it is not an inexhaustible supply.

Jin and his group are now using it as they like as a non-polluting energy source, but he was beginning to think that if it were to run out, the very foundations of this world would be shaken.

<

"Yeah, that's certainly a good trend. > "Yeah, that's certainly a good trend. Then why is there more in the north and less in the south?　We don't even know this."

"Then why don't you ask 700672?"

. He is an artificial life form created by the mage , the so-called .

He is the oldest being in the world of Ars where Jin and the others are now.

"Well, to be honest, I think it's shameful to ask just because I don't know, and I don't think it's a good idea to become dependent on them..."

"Father, isn't this time special?　It's about the very foundation of this world."

Reiko offers her advice. The old man agrees with her.

"Hmmm, I see."

Reiko and the old man said to Jin, and he glanced at Elsa's face, and she nodded. Jin's mind was now made up.

"Okay, okay. I'll go there now."

We know where the 700672 is. It is in the White Room, inside the ship that will never fly again.

Jin has maintained it and installed a warp gate, so we can go there immediately.

"Brother Jin, take me with you. It is thanks to the 700672 that I was cured of my excess of magic power.

"Okay, okay."

So Jin took Persica juice as a souvenir and went with Reiko, Elsa and Edgar.

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

"......This is ......<>......"

The warp gate is located in front of the white room.

When I shifted, I was greeted by craftsmen (smiths) 32 and 33 who maintained the warp gate and were examining the <>. They were here in shifts.

"Welcome, master.

"Good day. Is there anything unusual?

No, sir.

"I see."

After a brief exchange of words, Jin puts his hand on the door of the white room.

The door slowly opened in recognition of Jin.

"...... Jin-sama?"

Standing on the other side of the door was a white girl named Neige.

"Ah, Neige, it's been a long time. I'm here to see your father."

"Yes, come in. It's been a long time, Mr. Leco. Who's that at ......?

Neige stiffened a little when she saw Elsa and Edgar.

"She's Elsa. And that's Edgar."

"Elsa and Edgar?"

"Yes."

Elsa nodded.

"I am cured, thanks to your father. I wanted to thank you for seeing me once."

Neige's face broke into a smile. Her mood suddenly improved.

"Yes!　Yes!　Father, father!"

Neige calls her father a little louder toward the back of the room. Apparently, 700672 has recovered from his bedridden state.

"What's wrong, Neige?　...... Oh, isn't that you, Mr. Jin?"

It's been a while.

700672 walked slowly from the back of the room and looked happy when he recognized Jin.

"Welcome, welcome. I have something to show you."