Homecoming
Homecoming
Since the ‘Scarlet Trail’ was too fast for the other luggage boats to keep up with it, whenever they would be in free waters, Reinhardt decided to run several tests.
Things like maneuverability, acceleration and deceleration, and stability.
"Alright, except for stability, I’d say that’s enough for now."
He was now able to do very tight turns thanks to his ability to control a normal rudder and paddle wheel.
Still, his stability was still lacking. The ship rocked a bit more than what he had anticipated.
This could be said to be an adverse effect of having narrowed the ship’s width.
If one uses too much force when trying to level the hull back when turning, it could end up throwing itself to the opposite side. Then one would need to try to level the hull back again and again until it’s leveled.
"That’s it! All I need is to add something that acts as a shock-absorbent!"
The pondering Reinhardt finally arrived at a solution. Ships were really something flexible to work with.
There are extensions one can add to both sides of a ship called ‘bilge’ and ‘bilge keel’, which when set up diagonally and downwards under the ship’s hull, can help prevent the water rolling under the ship when turning, which prevents shaking.
"Well then, let’s give that a go once we reach our destination!"
The paddle wheel was excellent in terms of acceleration and deceleration, especially deceleration.
And…
"Okay, this is how powerful it is without Lorelei pushing it…"
When sailing with genuine paddle wheels, the maximum speed it could reach was about 20 kilometers per hour, about half as good as before.
One could easily understand just how superior Lorelei’s swimming ability was.
After performing several tests and having a light meal onboard, they finally arrived on Koju a little earlier than the luggage boats. That ended up being very convenient when it came to picking up their luggage.
There were no complaints from Berthie nor Jin about him doing some sightseeing on the lake.
"Here’s the lodging house."
Reinhardt’s butler, Claude, who had safely managed to carry their luggage, took the party to the lodging house.
It was a high-class hotel in the middle of downtown Koju. There was a reception hall right next to it.
"The Expo will be held at a multipurpose facility that has been built recently near the harbor."
It seems that such a facility was built there since Koju was close to the capital city Roizart, and as a means to create a front door to promote the development of the area around Lake Tosmo.
It reminded Jin of the buildings found in the Makuhari and Ariake districts in Tokyo, though he had never actually been to any of those districts before.
Jin and Reinhardt carried their display items as they headed for their designated place at the facility where the Expo would be held.
By the time they were finished carrying them, it was already nighttime.
Then the two returned to the hotel and enjoyed a wonderful dinner together with Berthie and Saki.
"Tomorrow’s the big day, huh?"
After the meal, Jin said those words while enjoying a cup of tea in his room, filled with anticipation.
Jin’s room had a living room in addition to two separate bedrooms, one of which had already been prepared by the hotel’s employees. Each of the bedrooms was for two people. This was very convenient.
He had plans to bring Elsa along early on the next day.
The night in Koju went on quietly.
＊ ＊ ＊
The time difference between Koju and Kaina Village is about 3 hours and a half. It was 5 AM in Koju, so it would be about 8:30 PM in Kaina village.
Jin and Reiko went to the Warp Gate inside the carriage they had left at the hotel and teleported to Kaina Village.
"Morning, Jin."
"Good morning, Master Jin."