Beena sat within Count Kuzuma’s carriage, swaying with the rhythm of the road. Seeing her looking restless, the Count spoke up.
"Lady Beena, as it happens, I went looking for you today."
"For... me, Excellency?"
"Indeed. I’d heard word of a magi craftman selling intriguing magic tools at a street stall."
"Um... do you mean the lighters?"
The Count nodded.
"Exactly. However, you were out, so an assistant named Jin attended to me in your stead."
"Jin did? I see."
"Look, I purchased this from him."
As he spoke, the Count pointed to the refrigerator sitting in the corner of the seat.
"Ah, the refrigerator."
The Count nodded again.
"I spoke with him for a while, and he mentioned that your motto is to create things that are of practical use to the common people."
"Oh... yes, that’s right."
"To be honest, I had intended to recruit you as an exclusive magi craftman for my own household, but hearing that changed my mind."
"What?"
"I shouldn't let this be spread about too much, but..." The Count paused, his expression turning serious. "For about the last six months, golems and magical beasts have been appearing from the direction of the Celuroa Kingdom."
"What!?"
The Celuroa Kingdom shared a northern border with the Kingdom of Egerea, where Blue Land was located. However, Blue Land was situated relatively far to the south within Egerea, so rumors like the ones the Count mentioned hadn't reached Beena yet.
"Quite a few people suspect something is afoot. Because of that, the nobility has begun scrambling to hoard talented magi craftmen, hoping to use them to bolster their influence if conflict breaks out."
"..."
"Well, I believe possessing power is fine as long as it is used correctly. But most of those nobles... it’s painfully obvious they only wish to bring prestige to their own houses."
Beena didn't know how to respond, so she simply listened in silence.
"Compared to them, Lady Beena, you have a solid philosophy. One could say the commoners who pay taxes are the very foundation of this country. You, who strive to make magic tools that benefit those people, are truly admirable."
"A-Ah, thank you very much."
Being praised so highly by a high-ranking noble, that was all Beena could manage to say.
"Now then. We are approaching the city gates."
The carriage passed through the gates, reversing the protocol they’d used to enter earlier.
When they arrived in front of Beena’s house, Jin was already there waiting.
"Oho, it seems he was so worried he’s been waiting outside for you."
"J-Jin!?"
"Welcome back, Beena."
"I-I'm home."
Beena blushed slightly as she stepped down from the carriage. In reality, Reiko had detected the carriage’s approach, so Jin had only stepped outside moments ago. Beena had no way of knowing that, and Jin didn't bother to explain.
The Count opened the window and spoke.
"Master Jin, I have fulfilled your request."
With that, he signaled the driver to turn the carriage around, heading back toward the fortress once more.
Jin and Beena went inside the house and caught each other up on the day's events. When the topic of selling the popcorn maker came up, Beena bowed her head apologetically.
"It’s after the fact, but I’m sorry. Even though it belonged to you, Jin, I went and sold it on my own. To be honest, when he offered ten gold coins, I just couldn't..."
Hearing this, Jin laughed.
"Haha, it’s fine. You’re being honest about it, after all. Besides, a request from a noble is pretty much an order anyway."
"It makes me feel better to hear you say that. I'm really sorry. Anyway, here."
Beena held out ten gold coins to Jin.
"Right, I’ll take them."
Jin accepted the coins for the time being. He knew that if he didn't, Beena would never be able to shake her sense of guilt.
In return, Jin handed Beena the payment for the refrigerator he had sold. Beena immediately took half of it—five gold coins—and pushed them back toward Jin. He accepted those as well.
As they continued talking, Beena omitted the part where Count Guarana had tried to assault her, simply saying she had been forced to stay there against her will. She emphasized that she was only saved thanks to Count Kuzuma’s intervention.
"I see. Then we owe Count Kuzuma a debt."
When Jin said that, Beena nodded.
"Yeah. He’s a wonderful person."
She blushed slightly as she spoke. Jin noticed it and thought, Oh? but he kept the observation to himself.
"Well then, since you're back safely, Beena, I’ll be taking my leave now."
"Eh? It’s already late. You should just stay the night."
"No, I’ll pass. Goodnight."
Jin left the room before Beena could stop him.
"Geez, what's his rush..."
Left alone, Beena pouted for a moment, but then went to check on her siblings. Seeing them sleeping soundly, she crawled into her own bed and drifted off.
Meanwhile, with Jin.
"What do you think?"
After returning to Hourai Island, Jin was consulting with Reiko.
"Regarding the Celuroa Kingdom the Count mentioned? There is a high probability that they are conducting some form of magical experimentation."
"Magical experiments?"
"Yes. The golem you encountered, the golems reported to have attacked that country, the Hekatonkheir I encountered, and now the Count’s report. It all bears the scent of human design."
"Hmm..."
As Jin pondered with his arms crossed, Reiko spoke up.
"Father, isn't it about time we stopped visiting Blue Land?"
"Eh?"
"Beena is already capable of standing on her own, and we have already finished purchasing the various grains available there. I believe it would be best for us to move on to a different location."
It was true; Jin had fulfilled everything Beena had asked of him. As for the refrigerators, if the Count spread the word, other nobles would surely buy them. If that happened, she would be able to pay off her debts in no time. Her siblings' illnesses were also mostly cured thanks to the medicinal fruit Jin had provided.
"I can't keep commuting there forever, and you're right. Fine. I'll show my face a few more times, talk to Beena, and then we'll pull out."
"Understood."
The next day, Jin headed toward Beena’s house, planning to find a way to mention that he wanted to focus on his own research soon. Reiko was set to join him after giving instructions to the worker golems on Hourai Island.
However, when he arrived, he saw a carriage parked in front of the workshop.
"That’s..."
As he drew closer, he recognized the crest he had seen just the night before. It belonged to Count Kuzuma.
Jin gave the door a tentative knock.
"Jin!"
Beena came rushing out from inside with incredible energy.
"Thank goodness you're here! Listen, the Count has come to visit, and he’s ordering all sorts of things, and—"
Jin placed a steadying hand on Beena’s shoulder.
"I get it, I get it. Just calm down a bit."
Beena’s face turned bright red.
"R-Right. Sorry."
She invited Jin into the house.
"Ah, Master Jin."
Count Kuzuma was seated inside.
"I’ve come sooner than expected. That refrigerator of yours is quite convenient! The fruit I had for breakfast was far more delicious than usual after being chilled."
"I am glad to hear it pleased you."
"Come, join us. I wish to discuss several matters."
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
Beena sat down as well, and the Count got straight to the point.
"First, regarding that refrigerator. I would like you to make one about twice that size. If you require funds for materials, I am happy to provide an advance."
"Th-Thank you very much!"
If the refrigerators became a hit, it would mean a massive, steady income. For Beena, this was more than she could have ever hoped for.
"And also, I was just being shown this magic tool called a 'water warmer.' For the time being, I want you to make ten of them for me."
"Ten units?"
Swept up in the Count's generous business proposal, Jin found himself already calculating how they would manage to produce such a large quantity.