Chapter 689: Strengthening Plan for Penglai Island

Once the discussion progresses further, the chapter’s subtitle will be added.

『My Lord, considering the increasing use of large ships, I believe it is necessary to strengthen both Penglai Island and Kunlun Island.』

It was December 17th. Laojun proposed a plan to Jin, taking future developments into consideration.

“Hmm, that might be true.”

Though not an immediate concern, there was a possibility that Kunlun Island and Penglai Island could be discovered once ships began exploring distant seas.

Especially Kunlun Island, which was at greater risk.

『And then there’s Fuso Island.』

Jin had once considered developing Fuso Island as an educational institution but had only partially developed it.

It was close to the former Leonard Kingdom, and if ships sailed along the eastern coast of the continent, the island would likely be discovered.

“For now, let’s abandon Fuso Island.”

『That’s a wise decision.』

There were no staff stationed on Fuso Island at the moment, so it was left to be abandoned.

At this point, Jin had a vision for the near future, but with too many uncertain factors, he hadn’t shared it with anyone yet.

“How’s the practical application of the illusion barrier coming along?”

Jin was referring to the 3D projection-like barrier that had once surrounded the former Leonard Kingdom. It could deceive not only visual and auditory senses but also sonar and radar.

『We’re one or two steps away… The data needed to create the illusion is massive.』

Even for Laojun, creating an illusion large enough to cover an entire island wasn’t an easy task.

“Hmm, what about the barrier then?”

『That’s already taken care of. We’ve deployed the barrier projectors.』

“That’s reassuring, at least.”

“Father, considering the construction of submarines might also be a good idea.”

Reiko offered her suggestion.

“Submarines, huh… Yes, we’ll need those.”

Jin began to think about underwater exploration.

“Oh, right. A submarine wouldn’t be noticeable when we’re out at sea!”

It seemed like a switch had been flipped in Jin’s mind as he began to immerse himself in his thoughts.

“Jin… Jin, lunch.”

At that moment, Elsa arrived. She still occasionally almost called him “Big Brother Jin,” which was endearing.

“Ah, right. I’ll be there.”

“Are you thinking about something?”

“Can you tell?”

“Yes, that face says you’d rather build something than eat.”

She had seen right through him. As they walked to the dining room, Jin explained the plans he had been discussing with Laojun to Elsa.

“Strengthening Penglai Island is necessary. And submarines… that sounds interesting.”

“You think so too?”

Jin’s voice rose with excitement, feeling understood.

“Yes. But for now, it’s lunchtime.”

“…Alright.”

In the research institute’s dining hall, Elsa’s homemade lunch awaited them.

It was tempura soba, topped with small shrimp and onion fritters, along with a shrimp tempura.

“Crisping up the tempura batter is difficult.”

Elsa had learned from Pelidorida, but she still felt she hadn’t mastered it yet.

“Well, the broth is going to soak it anyway. Thanks for the meal.”

Being sensitive to heat, Jin took small sips.

“How is it?”

“It’s delicious. The broth is just right.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Hearing Jin’s review, Elsa began eating too. Like Jin, she had a refined upbringing and was also sensitive to heat, blowing on her noodles before eating.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Here, Master.”

What followed was soba tea, made from roasted soba seeds—another product of Pelidorida’s careful craftsmanship.

“Oh, this is delicious.”

Jin’s face lit up, reminiscent of the taste he had enjoyed in the past.

“…So, about submarines. They need to withstand water pressure, so a spherical shape would be ideal… but it looks too clunky, doesn’t it? Like a spaceship.”

No sooner had he finished eating than Jin’s thoughts returned to submarines.

“Yes, it does seem that way.”

Elsa, well-acquainted with Jin’s nature, responded naturally.

“Also, it should look like a normal ship when it surfaces.”

“Agreed… though it might still look a bit unusual.”

“True.”

Leaving the cleaning to the golem maids, Jin and Elsa returned to the workshop.

Jin pulled out a whiteboard and began sketching some rough designs.

“The submarines I know of are cylindrical, but that shape might compromise agility. I’d prefer a teardrop shape.”

“In that case, what about doing this here?”

“Ah, that could work… Reiko, what do you think?”

Noticing Reiko standing a bit behind with a somewhat lonely expression, Jin called out to her. Instantly, her face lit up with joy.

“Yes, I think attaching a force field generator would allow for any shape.”

“That’s true. We can also use a water-repelling barrier during high-speed travel.”

Like the torpedoes they had recently developed, Jin planned to utilize supercavitation technology.

“Then we’ll shape it like this…”

“A crew of six to eight people?”

“Yes, that should work. The propulsion system will use both the force field generator and the Aqua Thruster.”

“Father, we don’t know what kind of monsters we’ll encounter underwater. Please equip it with powerful weapons.”

“Got it. Homing torpedoes and…”

Thus, the design for the new Penglai Island’s defense force submarine began to take shape.

“Alright, we can start building the first model tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

“Of course, Father.”

Now, with Elsa joining Reiko, Jin was ready to take on this new project.

***

“Thank you for the meal.”

Dinner that evening was prepared at the manor, courtesy of Soleil and Luna, who took turns cooking. They also handled the cleaning afterward.

After dinner, the inevitable question arose.

“Jin… are you taking a bath?”

“Yes. But, Elsa, can we talk about how you call me?”

“You don’t like it?”

“It’s not that I don’t like it… it just feels odd and makes me restless.”

Since he wasn’t used to being addressed like that, it felt unnatural.

“But it’s strange to call you ‘Big Brother Jin’ now, and ‘Jin-kun’ feels too distant.”

“That’s why I said you can just call me by my name.”

“But… Jin.”

“Yes, that’s fine…”

However, this time it was Elsa who resisted.

“No, I can’t. I don’t like calling you just by your name.”

“Well, that’s a problem.”

They couldn’t seem to find common ground.

“How about calling him ‘Darling,’ ‘Honey,’ or even ‘Dear’?”

“!!”

Reiko’s sudden suggestion took both Jin and Elsa by surprise. Neither of them had expected such words to come from her, and they nearly jumped out of their seats.

“I-I can’t say something so embarrassing.”

“You’re quite innocent.”

Reiko had stopped interfering with Jin and Elsa’s relationship but now occasionally teased them with comments like this.

(Well, it’s probably a sign her emotions are developing…)

While it was a good thing, for some reason, Jin couldn’t fully embrace the sentiment.