"Reiko, is everything alright?"

Jin D also asked Reiko.

"Yes, father. I'm fine."

"I see."

Through Jin D, Jin could see that there was nothing wrong with Reiko's body.

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

However, Jin in Horaijima, after seeing the mock battle with Rubel, felt that Reiko's advantage would eventually disappear if things continued as they were now.

Reiko's strength, so to speak, is largely due to <> and <>'s dominance ......, or at any rate <>.

Another is the abundant use of carefully selected rare materials.

Such an advantage will shrink, or at least disappear someday."

>

"Of course. ...... physically we are close to the limit, the rest will be magical."

To this answer of Jin, the old man gives the correct answer in two seconds.

"Yes.

At this point, Reinhardt, who had been quietly watching and listening to the conversation, spoke up.

"Jin, are you by any chance enhanced by magic power?

"You guessed right."

Reinhardt seemed to have arrived at the correct answer.

"Well, I mean, if we compare it to <> or <>, the current strengthening is increasing the bonding force between molecules and atoms. So, what you are aiming for is beyond that, right?"

Hannah also expressed her thoughts.

"That's what I'm thinking."

Jin's <, etc. have been enhanced to almost the theoretical maximum. Any more than that and you get .......

"It means to strengthen the atom itself. That is, at the subatomic level.

"I suppose it would."

At this point, Hanna spoke up proudly.

"Well, I've been working on that for a while now!"

"Oh, and?"

"Well, I've gotten to a pretty good point!　...... I have a feeling."

"Just a feeling?"

Jin asked Hannah with a wry smile.

"No, I can't really verify that, is that what you're saying?"

According to Hanna, there is a link between the theory and the results, but there is no way to confirm that what is happening in the atoms is really what the theory says.

"And microscopes and electron microscopes are out of the question."

It might be nice to have a sub-free-magic microscope, but so far there is no hope of making one at all.

"But if we study it for another 20 or 30 years, we may be able to find out something.

That's a long time to wait.

Still, the fact that he now has a homunculus, an immortal body, is a great thing that will allow him to continue this kind of research.

"I'll do my best!"

Hannah is full of energy.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Marcosius looked refreshed as if all his possessions were completely gone.

"Thank you, Jin-sama. Now the coiled feeling inside of me is gone. I am willing to make peace with the past.

"Father-in-law!"

Markonen shouted impatiently. But Markosias shook his head.

It's okay. ...... I have to take responsibility for my actions."

Then to Reiko beside Jin D,

"You know that I have done wrong in the past, automata. You can bring me to justice.

and entrusted her with his fate.

But...

...... I don't know.

What?

Don't decide for yourself. I don't want you punished.

Reiko said coolly.

"There is no one in this world who can punish you."

"...... I see."

As Markosias hangs his head, Zion D. calls out to him.

"Markosias, you have sinned in the past. You have sinned in the past and you are suffering from it. But you can't undo them now, so think about what you can do to atone and how you can atone for them.

"How to atone ......?"

"Yes."

Zion D nodded and continued.

"You are a citizen of the Nordic Federation. Then it should be me, a citizen of the Nordic Confederation, who judges you.

"Indeed, you are right.

Then I tell you... I will tell you what I want you to do. ...... Use your knowledge and your skills for the betterment of the world. Educate your disciples and make them useful to the world.

* * * *

Zion D's words were heard simultaneously by all of the members of the Jin Family who were on Horai Island that day.

"Hmm, that's good."

Hearing this, Erza nodded her head with a slightly complicated expression on her face,

"I guess that's the best in this case.

Saki also agreed.

And Reinhardt also nodded,

"Obviously, the technology of Markosius is a little different from that of Adriana Barbora Zetsi. The world needs such technology, too.

He acknowledged the usefulness of the technology.

Then he added

The old man also declared.

"It would be great if we could add the best of Adriana Barbora Zetsi's lineage and the Markosian technology, which probably comes from the ."

Reinhardt looked forward to that day.

"Brother Rai, but isn't the lineage of Markosius the same as that of the <>?"

Elsa pointed out,

"No, I think the roots are the same, but the subsequent stages of development are different. So I am sure that there will be some useful information.

Reinhard replied. Erza agreed with him.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"For the good of ...... the world, sir."

Marcosius looked up and muttered.

"Yes. The world today is much larger than it used to be, with the continents of Laurent and Gondor, Pandor and Racir. Therefore, there are not enough good people to go around.

"I understand. I don't know how far I can go, but I will continue to train my students and send them out into the world.

"Yes, please. And from now on, the Nordic Federation will support you.

"What?"

Zion D laughed and said to Markosias, who looked doubtful.

"Markosias, you are undoubtedly one of us.

At these words, Marcosias shook with surprise and tears came to his eyes.

"Thank you ....... I always thought ...... that I was ...... alone."

Zion D. patted him gently on the shoulder,

"If you have a desire for redemption, then go for it. You are not alone.

The fact that they were called the at that time and were in conflict with the people of the Laurentian continent was not the fault of Marcosius alone," said Sion D. "You have committed a crime.

"The sins you committed may be the karma that all <> must bear.

But then again, it is in the interest of all mankind to create a better future, he concluded.

"I understand, Master Theon."

Marcosias seemed to have lost his mind.

I understand, Master Theon," Markosias said.

"That's a good thing you said, Zion."

Jin, who had temporarily left the control of Jin D to the old man, left the pilot's seat and was thinking about the future with the members of the <>.

"It has always been a difficult problem for a man to judge another man," said Reinhard.

Reinhardt smiled as he said this.

There is more than one way to atone for a crime.

Jin thought that it might not be up to human beings to decide what is best.

The wind in the northern part of the Laurentian Continent was already winter, but here in Horai Island, the sun was warm.