Day 73 had been absolute madness.

I watched in equal parts amusement and anxiety as Hitomi dangled precariously from the top of the Scout's chassis, her legs wrapped around a reinforced strut while she reached down into the engine compartment with both arms.

"Naoki! I need the forward body panel, the curved one with the wind runes!" she called out, her voice muffled by metal.

"Which curved one?" Naoki shouted back, surrounded by a sea of identical-looking panels. "They're all curved!"

"The one that says 'S-04' on the back!" Hitomi's voice emerged, increasingly frustrated. "We labelled them all yesterday!"

Masato jogged over, scanning through the panels with practised efficiency before extracting one with a flourish. "Got it! But Hitomi, you're trying to mount the wrong panel. The sequence is..."

"I know the sequence!" she snapped, then immediately softened. "Sorry. Just... hand it up, please?"

The vehicle assembly process was in full swing across our sanctuary's expanded outdoor workshop. Three separate teams clustered around each chassis, attaching the carefully crafted body panels under Hitomi, Hina, and Kazuki's supervision. What had once been skeletal frames of metal and magic were rapidly transforming into distinctive vehicles, the sleek Scout, the sturdy Bus-kun, and the utilitarian Truck-kun.

I could have easily built all three vehicles myself with my Transform ability, it would have been faster and arguably more precise, but that wasn't the point. Watching everyone work together, developing their skills and confidence, was worth the extra time and occasional mishaps. This was about building more than just vehicles; it was about building a community capable of solving its own problems. Classic isekai protagonists might solo-build everything, but that approach doesn't exactly foster team spirit.

"Andie," Kazuki called, beckoning me over to where he stood with a set of schematics spread across a makeshift table. "We need to discuss the wheelbase."

I joined him, noting Hina and several others gathered around the plans. "What's the issue?"

Hina pointed to the diagrams with her ever-present clipboard. "We've just finished mounting the first set of body panels on the Scout, but we're noticing a stability issue when we simulate full passenger and cargo loads."

"The calculations don't match our test results," Kazuki added, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I think we need to extend the wheelbase on all three vehicles by approximately one metre."

"One metre?" I glanced at the vehicles, mentally calculating the work involved. With my abilities, I could make the adjustment in minutes, but I knew that wasn't the right approach here. "That's a significant change at this stage."

"But necessary," Hitomi interjected, having extracted herself from the Scout to join our discussion. Her usually immaculate hair was dishevelled, with a smudge of grease across her cheek. "I've just tested the weight distribution, and Kazuki's right. We need the extra length for stability, especially when we hit rough terrain in Takejin territory."

I took a deep breath, considering the implications. "Alright. How much time will this add to our schedule?"

"Half a day," Hina responded immediately. "But it's worth it. Safety first."

"Safety first," I agreed. "Let's do it."

What followed was a blur of activity as the teams reorganised to extend the chassis of all three vehicles. Masato and the jocks handled the heavy lifting, literally stretching the metal frames while Hitomi and Kazuki supervised the structural integrity. Masato's expertise with metalwork was particularly impressive as he seamlessly extended each frame with practised precision. Kurenai and Yuna worked on adapting the magical reinforcement runes, and Hina managed the overall workflow with characteristic efficiency.

I moved between the teams, offering guidance when asked but mostly staying out of the way. There were moments when I itched to step in and simply Transform the chassis to the right specifications, but I resisted. Seeing Hitomi's face light up when she solved a complex mounting problem and watching Masato's confidence grow as others sought his metalworking expertise was worth the extra time.

By mid-afternoon, we had three reconfigured universal chassis ready for testing. The extra metre made each frame look more proportional, though they were still largely skeletal without their body panels fully attached. Our design philosophy had centred on creating a universal base chassis that could accept any of the three body configurations, a stroke of genius from Kazuki that would give us maximum flexibility.

"Time for another test run!" Ryota announced, his enthusiasm undiminished despite hours of labour. "Who's driving this time?"

"Not Hitomi," Miyako said firmly, approaching our group. She'd been helping coordinate resources all morning. "She and Andie had their turn yesterday. Let's get more drivers trained."

"I volunteer!" Airi's hand shot up immediately, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Me too," Yuna added more quietly, though her expression showed equal enthusiasm.

"And I'll take the third," Kurenai stated confidently.

With drivers selected, navigators volunteered, Haruka for Airi, Yui for Yuna, and Ayaka for Kurenai. The impromptu race preparation began, with Hitomi providing a quick but thorough briefing on vehicle handling and the RCU systems.

Since we were testing the universal chassis design before completing the body attachments, Hina quickly marked each with a coloured flag, red for the one designated to become Scout, blue for Bus-kun, and green for Truck-kun, though we all knew that with our interchangeable design, any chassis could eventually receive any body configuration if needed.

I stood back, watching with Miyako as the new drivers donned their hastily-produced racing overalls and climbed into their respective chassis. Without complete body panels, they looked almost comical sitting in what were essentially exposed metal frames with seats and controls.

"How are you feeling about all this?" Miyako asked softly, her hand finding mine.

I glanced down at our entwined fingers, her engagement ring glinting in the afternoon light. "Proud. Excited." I paused, searching for the right words. "Seeing everyone find their place, develop their skills... it's better than if I had just built everything myself."

Miyako smiled knowingly. "That's why you're a good leader, you know. Not because of your abilities, but because you understand when not to use them."

"It feels like we're building something bigger than just vehicles," I added. "We're building... a way forward together."

Miyako squeezed my hand. "That's exactly what we're doing." She nodded toward the red-flagged chassis, where Airi was familiarising herself with the controls. "I'm just glad we have so many competent people stepping up. Though I'm a little worried about Airi's driving..."

"Why's that?"

"She drives like she games, full throttle, all the time."

As if on cue, the red-flagged chassis's engine roared to life with a magical hum that was several decibels louder than necessary. Airi's gleeful laugh carried across the clearing.

"Maybe we should step back a bit," I suggested, tugging Miyako a few metres farther from the course.

The second impromptu race began with considerably more chaos than our first. Airi immediately shot the red-flagged chassis forward with such acceleration that Haruka visibly slammed back into her seat. Yuna, typically so measured and careful, revealed a surprising competitive streak as she gunned the blue-flagged chassis forward with determined precision. Kurenai, piloting the green-flagged frame, adopted a steady, tactical approach that seemed to mirror her personality.

"They're a natural team," Noel observed, appearing beside us with Ruri. "Though perhaps with varying definitions of 'natural.'"

Ruri laughed, her silver-patterned ears twitching with amusement as Airi took a corner far too aggressively, causing the red-flagged chassis to momentarily balance on two wheels. "I think your Airi is trying to redefine the laws of physics."

"That's Airi for you," Miyako replied with a grimace. "Always pushing boundaries, usually without checking if they're load-bearing first."

The race continued with increasing confidence from the drivers. By the time they completed their three laps, Airi winning by a combination of recklessness and surprising skill, it was clear that our universal chassis design was sound even with the extended wheelbase.

"The Scout body configuration will be mounted on this chassis for our primary driver trainer," Hitomi announced as everyone gathered around the returned frames. "It's the most responsive and forgiving setup. We'll rotate everyone through training sessions."

"Everyone?" Emi asked nervously, her cooking apron still on. "Even me?"

"Especially you," Hitomi confirmed. "We need redundancy. Everyone must know how to drive in case of emergencies."

The rest of Day 73 passed in a blur of body panel attachments, driver training, and final adjustments. As the sun set, the vehicles were taking their final forms, the Scout sleek and agile, Bus-kun comfortable and balanced, Truck-kun sturdy and practical. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation.

I lost count of how many people took turns behind the wheel of the Scout under Hitomi's watchful instruction. Each session brought moments of laughter, nervous exclamations, and genuine progress. Even Keiko onee-chan took a turn, surprising everyone with her natural aptitude.

"I used to race go-karts in college," she explained with a wink as she executed a perfect drift around a tight corner.

By nightfall, exhaustion had settled over our group. Ten drivers had been trained, with thirty more to go over the coming day. The vehicles were nearly complete, needing only final touches and systems checks. As we retreated to the sanctuary for a well-deserved rest, I couldn't help but feel we were on the precipice of something momentous.

Little did I know just how momentous Day 74 would prove to be.

I awoke to the gentle glow of dawn filtering through the enchanted skylight of my hidden sanctuary bedroom. The warm weight of bodies pressed against me from three sides, a now-familiar comfort that still managed to send a thrill through me each morning.

Opening my eyes, I found myself surrounded by my three fiancées, each wearing the enchanted lingerie I'd crafted from Dodecaessentia Silk. Miyako was curled against my right side, her platinum blonde hair with pink highlights splayed across my chest. Ruri lay to my left, her silver-patterned rabbit ears twitching slightly in her sleep. Beyond her, Noel slept peacefully, one cream-coloured ear with gold tips flopped adorably over her face.

The sight of them, these incredible women who had somehow chosen to share their lives with me, still felt unreal. Just months ago, I'd been Andie Ryuu, unremarkable student with a secret gaming hobby and a collection of figurines. Now I was in another world, leading an expedition, and engaged to three women who each outshone any dream I could have imagined. If someone had told me this would be my life back on Earth, I'd have assumed they were describing an anime with an improbably specific title like "My Ordinary Life Changed When I Was Transported to Another World and Became Engaged to Three Magical Women While Building Fantasy Vehicles."

As I lay there, taking in the moment, Miyako stirred first. Her amber eyes blinked open, immediately finding mine.

"Morning, Player 1," she murmured, a sleepy smile spreading across her face. "Watching us sleep again?"

"Just for a moment," I admitted. "It's still hard to believe this is real."

"Which part?" she teased, stretching against me. "The magical world, the vehicles we built, or waking up with three gorgeous women in lingerie?"

"Yes," I replied simply, earning a soft laugh.

Her movement disturbed Ruri, whose lavender eyes fluttered open. "Ara ara, such serious conversation so early?" she purred, her silver-patterned ears perking up. "I hope you're discussing something entertaining, Andie-kun."

"Just my continued disbelief at my good fortune," I said, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks despite our intimacy.

"Your fortune is precisely what you deserve," Noel's measured voice joined the conversation as she brushed her flopped ear from her face. "Though I understand the sentiment. I occasionally find myself wondering if this is all an elaborate dream."

"If it is," Ruri said with a mischievous smile, "it's a very pleasant one." She stretched languorously, the quarter-cup bra of her lingerie set doing little to contain her impressive figure.

"Yesterday was exhausting," Miyako commented, sitting up and running a hand through her tousled hair. "I don't think I've ever seen so many people working so frantically."

"The vehicles are coming along beautifully," Noel observed, her diplomatic tone already in place despite the early hour. "The extended wheelbase was an excellent suggestion."

"And watching everyone learning to drive was quite entertaining," Ruri added with a laugh. "Especially Emi's face when Hitomi told her she'd have to take a turn."

I smiled at the memory. "At least we had the kimonos and yukata finished already. That freed up everyone to focus on the vehicles."

"Speaking of which," Miyako said, glancing at the folded garments on a nearby chair, "we should probably get dressed and head to breakfast. There's still so much to do today."

With reluctance, we disentangled ourselves and prepared for the day. As my three fiancées donned their regular clothes rather than the enchanted kimonos, saving those for more formal occasions, I found myself reflecting on the significance of what we were building. The vehicles weren't just transportation; they were freedom, safety, unity. They represented our adaptation to this world and our determination to thrive in it together.

By the time we entered the Great Hall for breakfast, the atmosphere was notably subdued compared to yesterday's frenetic energy. Exhaustion had clearly caught up with most of our group. Bleary eyes and stifled yawns dominated the tables as Emi and her kitchen helpers distributed a hearty breakfast.

"Morning," Hitomi greeted us with a tired smile as we joined her table. Her usually immaculate hair was pulled back in a simple ponytail, dark circles evident beneath her eyes. "Ready for another day of chaos?"

"Define 'ready,'" Kazuki replied dryly, pushing his glasses up his nose. Despite his apparent fatigue, he had a stack of notes beside his plate that he was actively reviewing.

"Today we need to finish attaching the body panels for Truck-kun and Bus-kun," Hina stated, consulting her clipboard. "Scout is essentially complete apart from final systems checks. We also need to train the remaining thirty drivers."

"And test the RCU systems under full load," Hitomi added. "Plus run a comprehensive range test."

I nodded, taking in their planning. "What's the shift schedule looking like for driving once we depart?"

"Four-hour shifts," Kazuki replied. "Four drivers per vehicle, rotating to prevent fatigue. That gives us twelve active drivers per day, with everyone else resting or serving as navigators and lookouts."

"Everyone needs to be trained as a backup," Hitomi emphasized. "Redundancy is our friend."

Miyako nodded in agreement. "We can't afford to rely on just a few drivers. What if someone gets sick or injured?"

As the conversation continued, detailing schedules and contingencies, I found my thoughts drifting to another concern. Our vehicles were nearly ready, but there was still one critical element we hadn't fully addressed.

"We need to discuss the tele-portal situation," I said during a lull in the conversation. "Having vehicles is great, but if we run into serious trouble in Takejin territory, we need an escape option."

The table fell silent as everyone considered my words.

"You're thinking of mounting a portal anchor in one of the vehicles?" Noel asked perceptively.

I nodded. "Ideally in Truck-kun. That was my previous plan. It's the most stable platform and has the space for it."

"But we haven't successfully created a functioning portal yet," Kazuki pointed out. "We've been close in our experiments, but there's still something missing."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"I think we're closer than we realise," I replied. "Especially with..." I glanced at my three fiancées, thinking of our magical connections through the rings and enchanted garments.

Miyako caught my meaning immediately. "The rings," she said quietly. "And possibly the other enchantments too."

Ruri's ears perked up with interest. "That's actually quite brilliant. The ability sharing could be the missing component in our portal experiments."

"I propose we split into teams today," I suggested. "Most people continue with the vehicle assembly and driver training, while the four of us," I gestured to Miyako, Ruri, Noel, and myself, "focus on the portal development."

There was a moment of consideration before Hitomi nodded decisively. "That makes sense. We've got enough hands for the vehicles, and the portal could be crucial for our safety."

"It's settled then," Hina said, making a note on her clipboard. "After breakfast, the portal team will get to work while the rest of us finish the vehicles."

As breakfast concluded and people began dispersing to their assigned tasks, our little quartet remained at the table, planning our approach.

"We should use the tele-portal room we've already set up," Ruri suggested. "The runes are already in place, and it's a controlled environment."

"Agreed," Noel said. "But where do we want to establish the other end of the portal?"

"Crossroads," Miyako answered without hesitation. "Specifically, the Adventurers Guild back room. It's secure, familiar, and would give us access to resources and allies if needed."

I nodded, impressed as always by her strategic thinking. "Perfect. But how do we establish the anchor point there? We need someone physically present at both locations."

A moment of silence fell as we considered the problem. Then Miyako smiled, her ring glinting as she reached for my hand.

"The personal teleportation spell," she said. "Two of us stay here to maintain the sanctuary anchor point, while two will teleport to Crossroads to establish the other end."

"That could work," Ruri agreed, her ears twitching with excitement. "Andie and Noel could go to Crossroads since Noel is familiar with the diplomatic protocols there, while Miyako and I remain here."

"And we can communicate via the rings' telepathy," Noel added, touching her own ring thoughtfully.

The plan taking shape, we made our way to the tele-portal room we'd established in the sanctuary. It was a simple chamber, its walls inscribed with complex runes that we'd copied from the ancient texts found in the hidden library. In the centre of the room, a circular pattern of inlaid stones formed the foundation of what would become our portal.

"Let's review what we know," I said as we gathered around the circle. "The ancient texts describe tele-portals as doorways between fixed points in space, requiring anchors at both locations and a stable magical current to connect them."

"Our previous attempts failed because we couldn't generate enough magical current to sustain the connection," Ruri continued, her scholarly side emerging. "Even with four of us channelling, the energy dissipated too quickly."

"But now we have these," Miyako added, holding up her hand to display her ring. "And these." She gestured to her torso, where the enchanted lingerie set lay hidden beneath her clothes.

"Let's test something," I said, an idea forming. I focused on my Transform ability, visualising a simple change to the stone circle, adding a raised rim around its edge. To my surprise, I felt a strange resonance through my connection to the three women, and the stone responded more readily than expected.

"Did you feel that?" I asked, looking up in wonder.

Noel's eyes widened. "The enchantments on the lingerie, they're not just sharing your abilities; they're actually teaching us to use Transform ourselves!"

"Exactly!" Ruri exclaimed, her ears perking straight up. "The Dodecaessentia Silk isn't just channelling your power; it's helping us learn the transformation technique directly." To demonstrate, she gestured at a small section of the floor, which smoothly transformed into a slightly raised platform under her direct control.

"So even when we're separated," Miyako added, testing her own newly developing Transform ability on another section of stone, "we can still use this magic independently."

"This is perfect for our portal creation," I said, excitement building. "Each of us can maintain our own section of the anchors without relying solely on my ability."

"Let's put it to the test," I suggested. "Noel and I will teleport to the Adventurers Guild in Crossroads and attempt to establish an anchor point there. Miyako and Ruri, you'll maintain the anchor here."

We spent the next hour preparing, reviewing the ancient texts one more time, ensuring our understanding of the process, and establishing a clear procedure for our attempt. Finally, we were ready.

"Telepathic communication check first," I said, focusing on our ring connection. Can everyone hear me?

Loud and clear, Miyako's thoughts came back immediately.

Perfectly, Ruri confirmed, her mental voice carrying her characteristic playfulness.

The connection is strong, Noel added, her thoughts precise and clear.

"Good," I said aloud. "Noel and I will go first. We'll establish contact once we're in position."

Noel moved to stand beside me, her cream-coloured ears with gold tips twitching slightly with anticipation. I focused on the personal teleportation spell we'd learned during our magical training sessions, visualising the Adventurers Guild back room that had become familiar during our time in Crossroads.

With a silent invocation of the spell's key components, I felt the familiar rush of magical energy enveloping me. The world blurred and shifted, and when it refocused, I was standing in the dim back room of the guild. Wooden shelves lined the walls, filled with supplies and records. A small window let in a shaft of morning light, illuminating dust motes in the air.

I had barely a moment to get my bearings when another shimmer of magic announced Noel's arrival, directly above me. With reflexes born from months of adventure, I reached up and caught her, finding myself holding her in a princess carry as she fully materialised.

"Oh!" she gasped, her violet eyes wide with surprise, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she found herself in my arms. Her cream-coloured ears with gold tips twitched in embarrassment. "I... it seems the spatial coordination of my teleportation spell needs adjustment."

I couldn't help but smile at her flustered expression, so different from her usual diplomatic composure. "Are you alright?"

"Quite alright, thank you," she replied, regaining some of her poise despite her position. "Though perhaps you could..."

The door to the back room suddenly swung open, revealing a startled Solenari guild employee whose eyes widened comically at the scene before her. I stood frozen, still holding Noel in my arms, both of us caught like teenagers by a parent. Of all the awkward timing. It's like the universe has a special sense for setting up embarrassing moments in this world.

"Madame Noel!" the employee exclaimed, her rabbit ears standing straight up in surprise. "I... we weren't expecting... that is..."

"Telia," Noel acknowledged with remarkable dignity given the circumstances. "A slight teleportation miscalculation. Nothing to concern yourself with."

I carefully set Noel down, feeling my own face heating up. "We, ah, we're here to establish a tele-portal connection," I explained hastily. "I hope that's not an inconvenience."

The employee, Telia, blinked rapidly, processing this information. "A tele-portal? Here? That's... I should inform..."

"Please do let Sera know we're here," Noel said smoothly, her diplomatic training kicking in. "We're establishing a direct connection to our sanctuary as part of our preparation for the Takejin expedition."

Telia nodded, backing toward the door. "Of course, Madame. Right away." She disappeared, closing the door behind her, but not before I caught a glimpse of her excited expression. News would spread quickly, I realised.

"Well," I said, turning back to Noel, "that wasn't exactly a subtle arrival."

A smile quirked at the corner of her mouth. "Perhaps not, but it was certainly memorable." She straightened her clothing, resuming her dignified bearing. "Shall we contact Miyako and Ruri?"

I nodded, focusing on our mental connection. We've arrived at the guild, though not without a bit of... awkwardness.

Oh? Ruri's curious thoughts came immediately. Do tell.

Later, Miyako interjected practically. Are you in position to begin the anchor establishment?

Yes, I confirmed. We're in the back room, alone for the moment. Ready when you are.

We're in position at the circle, Miyako reported. Ruri has activated the base runes.

Noel and I moved to the centre of the room, standing back-to-back to create a stable foundation for the magical work ahead. I closed my eyes, focusing on the Transform ability, visualising the creation of a matching stone circle on the wooden floor beneath us.

To my surprise, the ability flowed sluggishly, as if meeting resistance. Something's not working, I communicated. The Transform isn't taking hold properly.

The stat mirror, Ruri realised immediately. You need to actively share your infinity stats with us through the rings.

Of course. I focused on the rings' Stats Mirror enchantment, consciously pushing my infinite attributes through the connection to my three fiancées. The sensation was strange, like watching parts of myself flow outward while still remaining whole.

Oh my, Noel's thoughts came with a hint of awe. So, this is what infinity feels like.

It's... incredible, Miyako added, her mental voice tinged with wonder.

Delicious, was Ruri's characteristic response, making me smile despite the concentration required.

With the stat sharing active, I tried again to Transform the floor beneath us. This time, the magic flowed effortlessly, responding to my will with unprecedented ease. A perfect circle of stone materialised on the wooden floor, complete with intricate runic patterns matching those in the sanctuary.

Anchor point forming, I reported. Noel, ready for the Solar infusion?

Ready, she confirmed, and I felt her drawing on her portion of my infinity attributes to channel a powerful stream of Solar magic into the newly formed circle. The golden energy flowed from her hands into the stone, illuminating the runes with warm light.

Ruri, Miyako, status? I asked.

Sanctuary anchor is pulsing in response, Miyako reported. I think it's working!

The resonance is building, Ruri added excitedly. My Lunar energies are aligning perfectly with Noel's Solar contribution. The balance is forming!

I felt the magic building around us, a tangible pressure in the air as the two anchor points began to connect. Noel and I maintained our positions, channelling steadily, while Miyako and Ruri did the same at the sanctuary.

Suddenly, the air between the circles at both locations shimmered, distorting like heat waves above hot pavement. A faint outline appeared, a doorway of light connecting the two spaces.

It's materialising! Miyako's excited thought came through. Keep the energy steady!

We maintained the flow, and gradually the shimmering coalesced into a stable oval of light, a window showing the tele-portal room in the sanctuary, with Miyako and Ruri clearly visible on the other side.

"It worked," I breathed aloud, amazed despite our preparation and confidence.

"We did it," Noel agreed, her voice filled with wonder. "The Solar-Lunar balance is perfect."

The portal stabilised fully, the edges solidifying into a permanent-looking frame. On the other side, I could see Miyako and Ruri embracing in celebration, their joy evident even through the magical connection.

Still maintaining our magical focus, Noel and I shared a spontaneous hug of triumph. The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming, we had recreated an ancient magical technique thought lost to time.

"Andie! Noel!" Ruri's voice called through the portal. "It's stable on our end. How does it look there?"

"Completely stable," I called back, my arm still around Noel's waist. "The frame is solid, and the connection is clear!"

A moment later, Miyako and Ruri stepped through the portal, appearing in the guild back room with expressions of delight that quickly turned to amused surprise when they found Noel and me still in a celebratory embrace.

"My, my," Ruri teased, her silver-patterned ears twitching playfully. "We leave you two alone for five minutes..."

Noel and I quickly separated, both of us blushing. "We were just..." I began.

"Celebrating success," Noel finished smoothly, though her cream-coloured ears betrayed her embarrassment by flattening slightly against her head.

"And quite right too," Miyako said with a grin, stepping forward to join us. "A functional tele-portal!"

"The first in forever," Ruri added, her silver-patterned ears twitching with excitement as she joined our group. "This is historically significant."

Our celebration was interrupted by the door opening again. This time, it was Sera herself who entered, her eyes widening at the sight of the glowing portal and our jubilant group.

"By the Three Moons," she breathed, her rabbit ears standing straight up in astonishment. "You've actually done it."

"Sera!" Noel greeted warmly, her diplomatic training evident in her measured enthusiasm. "Perfect timing. We've just established a direct connection to our sanctuary."

Sera approached the portal cautiously, examining it with the awe of someone witnessing the impossible. "A true tele-portal. Not a temporary gateway or a shimmer-path, but a permanent, stable portal." She looked at us with new respect. "This hasn't been achieved since before the Convergence."

"We had some... unique advantages," I explained, glancing at my three fiancées.

Sera's gaze sharpened, noticing something different about Ruri and Noel. "You both seem... changed."

Ruri and Noel exchanged glances, then both held up their left hands, displaying their engagement rings.

"We are bonded now," Noel explained with a touch of pride. "To Andie, and to Miyako."

"A shared bond," Ruri clarified, her usual playfulness tempered by sincerity. "Formalized under Liluna's full light."

Sera's expression shifted from surprise to understanding, then to genuine warmth. "I see. The ancient ways revived in more than one fashion, it seems." She bowed her head slightly. "My heartfelt congratulations to all of you."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for her immediate acceptance.

"This portal," Sera continued, returning to the magical achievement before us, "will it remain stable?"

"According to our research, yes," Ruri answered. "The anchors are permanently established at both locations. The connection can be temporarily deactivated if needed, but will reactivate with minimal magical input."

"Extraordinary," Sera murmured. "And you plan to create additional anchors?"

I nodded. "We're hoping to establish one in our transport vehicle as well. Having a mobile connection point could be invaluable during our journey."

Sera's eyes gleamed with interest. "These vehicles you've mentioned, I admit I'm quite curious about them. Perhaps..." She glanced at a timepiece on the wall. "Would there be time for me to see them? And your sanctuary? I've heard remarkable things about what you've built there."

I checked the time, still an hour before lunch. "We'd be honoured to show you," I said genuinely. "Would you like to come through the portal now? We could give you a tour and perhaps you could join us for lunch."

"That would be most welcome," Sera replied with a smile. "Let me just inform my staff of my whereabouts."

While Sera stepped out briefly to make arrangements, the four of us exchanged excited glances.

"This is working out even better than we hoped," Miyako said quietly. "Having Sera see our progress firsthand will strengthen our position with Crossroads leadership."

"And it demonstrates the practical value of the portal immediately," Noel added.

When Sera returned, we guided her through the portal with appropriate ceremony. Her expression as she stepped into our sanctuary's tele-portal room was one of wonder and approval.

"I'll speak with Emi about adding an extra serving for lunch," I said as the ladies prepared to show Sera around. "I'll meet you after the tour."

Leaving Sera in the capable hands of my three fiancées, I made my way to the kitchen where Emi was orchestrating lunch preparation with her usual efficiency.

"Emi," I called, catching her attention as she supervised a stew bubbling in an enormous pot. "Could we add one more serving for lunch today? We have a distinguished visitor."

Emi looked up, curiosity brightening her expression despite the evident fatigue from yesterday's exertions. "Of course. Who's visiting?"

"First Arbitress Sera from Crossroads," I explained. "We've successfully established a tele-portal connection between here and the Adventurers Guild."

Emi's eyes widened. "A working portal? Already?" She beamed with excitement. "That's wonderful news! And yes, we can easily accommodate one more. The food is nearly ready."

Just as we finished speaking, the tour group entered the kitchen area. Sera's eyes swept appreciatively over the well-organised space.

"This is impressive," she commented, nodding to Emi. "A fully functional kitchen capable of serving dozens, created within a natural cave structure."

"Emi is our culinary mastermind," I explained proudly. "She's transformed what was once bare rock into a heart for our community."

Emi blushed at the praise but stood a little straighter. "It's been a group effort, First Arbitress. Everyone contributes."

"And it smells delicious," Sera added with genuine appreciation. "I look forward to sampling your cooking."

The tour continued outside to where the vehicle assembly was in full swing. As we emerged from the sanctuary, the scene before us was one of organised chaos, teams working on each vehicle, driver training continuing with the Scout, and Hitomi overseeing it all with remarkable competence.

Every head turned as our group approached, expressions of surprise rippling through the workers as they noticed Sera among us.

"Everyone," I called out, raising my voice to be heard over the activity. "I have good news. We've successfully established a tele-portal connection between our sanctuary and the Adventurers Guild in Crossroads."

A cheer erupted from the group, with several people applauding spontaneously.

"First Arbitress Sera has joined us to see our progress," I continued, gesturing to our distinguished guest. "She'll be staying for lunch and a tour of our vehicles."

Hitomi immediately approached, wiping her hands on a cloth and bowing respectfully to Sera. "First Arbitress, welcome. We're honoured by your visit. Would you like to see our transportation project?"

"I would indeed," Sera replied with evident interest. "I've heard mention of these vehicles, but seeing them in person would be most enlightening."

What followed was a detailed tour of all three vehicles, with Hitomi, Kazuki, and Hina explaining the magical-mechanical systems with obvious pride. Masato demonstrated the metalwork techniques he'd developed to integrate rune-etched components with the vehicle structures, and Kazuki enthusiastically explained the universal chassis design that allowed for interchangeable body configurations.

"With this approach," he explained, adjusting his glasses, "we have maximum flexibility. If one chassis is damaged but the body is intact, we can swap configurations. We can even reconfigure for different mission needs on the fly."

Sera listened attentively, asking insightful questions about the rune-powered engines, the safety systems, and the overall design philosophy.

"These are remarkable achievements," she said when the technical explanation concluded. "You've combined Earth engineering principles with Voluptarian magical systems in ways I wouldn't have thought possible."

"It's been a true collaboration," I explained. "Our Earth knowledge providing the framework, while Voluptarian magic solves problems that would be insurmountable with technology alone."

"A perfect synthesis," Sera nodded approvingly. "And you intend to install a portal anchor in one of the vehicles?"

"In Truck-kun," I confirmed, pointing to the largest of the three. "It has the space and stability required for a permanent anchor point."

The lunch bell rang, calling everyone back to the sanctuary for a well-deserved meal. As we gathered in the Great Hall, the atmosphere was noticeably more energetic than at breakfast. News of the successful portal creation and Sera's visit had injected fresh enthusiasm into the group.

Lunch was a lively affair, with Sera seated at the main table alongside our leadership group. Emi had outdone herself, preparing a feast that showcased both Earth flavours and Voluptarian ingredients in harmonious combination.

"This is exquisite," Sera commented after sampling several dishes. "You've achieved with food what your engineers have done with vehicles, a perfect integration of two worlds."

"That's our aim in everything we do," Miyako replied with a smile. "Finding the best of both worlds rather than clinging to just one."

As lunch concluded, Sera prepared to return to Crossroads. "I must say, I am thoroughly impressed by what you've accomplished here," she said as we escorted her back to the tele-portal room. "Your sanctuary, your vehicles, your portal technology, all of it speaks to remarkable resourcefulness and cooperation."

"Thank you," I replied sincerely. "Your support means a great deal to us."

"You have it," she assured us. "And I believe the council will be equally supportive when they hear of your achievements." She paused at the portal entrance. "I look forward to your success in Takejin territory. Safe travels, and may the Three Moons guide your path."

With that, she stepped through the portal, returning to Crossroads and leaving us with a renewed sense of purpose.

The remainder of the day passed in a flurry of activity. With the portal technology proven viable, I was able to establish an anchor point in Truck-kun, though we still needed to test it to ensure proper function during travel. The vehicle assembly progressed rapidly, everyone working with renewed vigour following our morning's success.

By evening, all three vehicles were fully assembled and undergoing final systems checks. The atmosphere was one of triumphant exhaustion, we had accomplished what many would have deemed impossible just weeks ago.

"We should celebrate," Miyako suggested as the day's work wound down. "A dinner at the Golden Hearth, through our new portal."

The idea was met with enthusiastic agreement. Emi, who had been working tirelessly feeding our group, deserved a night off, and everyone was eager to revisit the comfortable inn that had been our home during our time in Crossroads.

That evening, forty excited travellers passed through our portal to enjoy a celebratory dinner at the Golden Hearth. The innkeeper, Ember, welcomed us with surprised delight, quickly arranging tables to accommodate our large group. The meal was festive, filled with laughter, toasts, and recounting of the day's achievements.

As I looked around at the gathered faces, Earth isekai travellers, Voluptarian companions, all united in this shared adventure, I felt a profound sense of gratitude and anticipation. Tomorrow would bring the final vehicle tests, and if all went well, we would depart for Takejin territory the following day.

The journey ahead would undoubtedly hold challenges we couldn't yet imagine. But with our vehicles ready, our portal technology working, and our group more unified than ever, I found myself filled with hope rather than trepidation.

Whatever awaited us in Takejin territory, we would face it together, not as displaced students or local guides, but as a true community forged through shared purpose and genuine bonds.

The portals were open. The vehicles were built. Tomorrow, we would test our creations one final time.

And then, our real journey would begin. I gazed at my comrades under the candlelit ceiling, a quiet smile forming as I thought, "I'd learned that true power wasn't in what I could build alone, but in what we could create together." A bit cheesy perhaps, but sometimes the classic isekai morals really do ring true.

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