The next day began with installing dampers on the old-style carriages.
The process was straightforward: attach a viscoelastic material to the brackets supporting the wheels.
The material of choice was, naturally, the skin of the Grand Mud Frog.
By stretching it diagonally to support the wheel brackets, the vibrations were suppressed.
A quick test ride proved the modification was remarkably effective.
"Wow, this is excellent! Jin, once I return home, I’ll be sure to reward you for this!"
Seeing Reinhard so pleased made Jin happy as well. This would significantly alleviate carriage sickness.
They were so occupied that they didn't realize how much time had passed until Reiko informed them it was already noon.
When they arrived at the dining hall, Count Kuzuma was waiting for them. It seemed his official duties had finished early.
"Ah, there you are, you two. I have something to discuss."
With that, he beckoned them to the lunch table.
＊ ＊ ＊
During tea after lunch, Count Kuzuma broached the subject.
"The matter is none other than the upcoming Golem Party."
He looked at Jin and continued.
"Representing Blue Land will be Duke Blue, myself, and Count Guarana."
At the mention of the latter, Elsa’s expression soured. It was clear she truly loathed the man.
"We depart in three days. It takes three to four days to reach the capital, Asunt, so we should arrive about two days before the Golem Party begins."
"I understand," Jin replied.
The count continued.
"Furthermore, the day after tomorrow in the afternoon, Jin, you will accompany me to meet the Duke. The golem Lotte will come along as well, of course."
Essentially, they were to present the golem intended for the party and its creator to the Duke ahead of time.
"Because of that, I would like Jin to register with the Mutual Aid Society—the magi craftman guild."
Jin had worked as a freelance magi craftman in Port Rock, but the count felt he needed formal identification for an event of this scale.
"I will act as your guarantor, and for a recommender..."
"I’ll do it," Reinhard volunteered. With the count as his guarantor and Reinhard—who hailed from a comital house despite being a fourth son—as his recommender, he would be able to register without any issues.
There were virtually no downsides for Jin, so he agreed immediately.
"That is good to hear. I shall draft a letter to the Mutual Aid Society later today."
That afternoon was spent finishing the damper installations on all the older carriages. In their spare time, the two also added the dampers to Count Kuzuma’s personal carriage.
＊ ＊ ＊
"This is the letter addressed to the Mutual Aid Society."
The next morning after breakfast, Jin was handed a scroll sealed with wax. He decided to head to the society right away.
To be honest, he was curious about the organization.
In Port Rock, he had only stayed long enough to make the Marcia figure and hadn't really seen how the system worked. He was interested to see if the society in this country differed.
Reinhard accompanied him as his recommender, and Elsa joined them as well.
"I’m coming too. It's boring staying here alone," she said.
And so, the group of four—Jin, Reiko, Reinhard, and Elsa—set out.
Elsa’s wet nurse, Mine, had wanted to join them, but Reinhard and Count Kuzuma had advised her to stop coddling the girl. She had reluctantly yielded.
The open-topped light carriage carrying the four of them departed from the estate. They headed for the Blue Land branch of the Mutual Aid Society, located near the city’s fortress walls.
"Oh! The swaying is definitely reduced!"
"Indeed. This makes the ride much more comfortable."
Reinhard and Elsa shared their impressions. Unlike the test ride within the estate grounds, they were now experiencing the dampers' effects firsthand on dirt roads and cobblestones.
"The only question left is durability, but I have high hopes for the Grand Mud Frog skin."
"Yes. And it's not a particularly expensive material anyway. If we carry spares, it should be perfectly practical."
As they talked, the city walls drew closer.
"That over there is the Blue Land branch of the Magi Craftman Mutual Aid Society."
Jin recalled what Reinhard had told him yesterday.
The Mutual Aid Society was an organization similar to an agricultural or fishing cooperative.
It provided resources to those in the profession, protected their rights, and occasionally punished those who brought dishonor to the trade.
Beyond the magi craftman, there were societies for architects, merchants, handymen, and various other professions.
The Magi Craftman Mutual Aid Society was a two-story building constructed from a stone that looked much like Oya stone.
"We have arrived."
The taciturn coachman announced their arrival as the carriage came to a Stand Still before the building. Once the four of them stepped out, the coachman moved the carriage to the designated parking area.
"Huh, they even have a parking lot," Jin noted, impressed. Using a carriage was proof of either high status or significant wealth, meaning such people visited here frequently.
Reinhard opened the door, and the group stepped inside.
"I see."
The interior featured white stone accents that lent the space a bright, airy atmosphere. To Jin, it felt reminiscent of a bank or a post office back home.
A young woman at a desk near the entrance acted as a general receptionist.
Beyond her was a long counter with several windows, each with its own staff member.
There were signs for Information, Requests, Consultations, Accounts, Registration, and Punishment. Jin and the others headed for the Registration window.
"Welcome. Are you here to register?"
The man behind the counter appeared to be a few years younger than Jin.
"Yes. We have a letter here from Count Kuzuma. Please deliver this to the branch head immediately."
Prompted by Reinhard, Jin handed the sealed scroll to the clerk. After confirming the emblem on the wax seal, the young man gave a short nod.
"At once."
He hurried toward the back.
While they waited, Jin looked over the other windows as Reinhard explained their functions.
Information: Though there was only one person at the window, five others were visible working behind them; clearly, they prioritized data.
Requests: Magi craftmen without patrons came here to find work.
Consultations: They provided expert advice on difficult commissions, naturally for a fee.
Accounts: Members could borrow money based on their performance or receive bonuses from the society for remarkable achievements.
Materials: They helped source rare components or provided introductions to suppliers.
Registration: The window where Jin was currently waiting.
Punishment: This handled procedures for those who brought the society into disrepute, though Jin didn't care to hear the specifics.
The young man soon returned.
"Please follow me to the second floor. The branch head would like to speak with you."
Guided by the clerk, Jin’s group headed for the upper level of the Mutual Aid Society.