The day after Jin registered with the Mutual Aid Society, a meeting took place at Duke Blue’s estate. It was a gathering of the nobles scheduled to participate in the Golem Party, along with their golems and magi craftsmen.
“Eastern District Governor of Blue Land, Count Kuzuma.”
“Western District Governor of Blue Land, Count Guarana.”
The two counts announced their presence, followed by the introduction of their golems and their creators.
“Count Kuzuma’s golem, Lotte. Magi craftsman, Jin.”
At the sound of the introduction, Lotte and Jin stepped forward together and bowed.
“Count Guarana’s golem, Owl. Magi craftsman, Bauthes.”
Count Guarana’s Owl was a golem of solid gold. Larger than Lotte, she boasted a glamorous, feminine physique.
(Ugh, what terrible taste.)
Though both were golden, the difference was stark: Soleil, the assistant golem Jin had created for Reiko on Hourai Island, possessed a refined matte finish, while Owl was gaudily brilliant. Lotte, meanwhile, was a subtle matte copper.
(Nouveau riche, through and through,) Jin concluded privately.
The magi craftsman named Bauthes had gold decorative thread sewn into various parts of his clothing, making his preferences painfully obvious. As for Count Guarana himself, he appeared to be little more than a portly, middle-aged man with brown hair and eyes.
Next came the guest.
“Shouro Empire diplomat, Reinhard Randol’s golem, Schwarzritter. The magi craftsman is also Reinhard Randol.”
Reinhard’s Schwarzritter, participating as a guest of honor, was introduced to the room.
“Ho ho, everyone’s work is quite splendid.”
The man offering this praise was the lord of Blue Land, Duke Blue. He was a cousin of the King of Egerea.
He appeared to be around fifty years old, with blonde hair streaked with white, piercing blue eyes, and a sturdy build. Sporting a short mustache, he carried himself with considerable dignity.
“Now then, allow me to show you my own golem. Tauros!”
In response to his command, a golem standing over two meters tall and clad in heavy armor appeared. It looked formidable, clearly built for combat, and carried a massive sword across its back.
“This is my Tauros. The magi craftsman is Jade Nephroi.”
The man introduced, Jade Nephroi, was a lanky, middle-aged man. His gray eyes were sharp, and he watched Jin and Lotte with a calculating intensity.
“Starting with Lord Reinhard’s Schwarzritter, these creations are truly excellent. With quality like this, we need not feel any shame presenting them before the King of Egerea. Splendid indeed.”
Duke Blue was in high spirits.
“Since today is for introductions, let us spend the rest of our time socializing.”
True to his word, the meeting transitioned into a tea party. Light snacks and herbal tea were served as the participants began to mingle.
“Hello there. You’re Count Kuzuma’s magi craftsman, aren’t you?”
Jade Nephroi was the first to approach Jin.
“Yes, well... but I’ve only accepted a commission. I’m not exactly an employee,” Jin clarified.
Jade looked surprised by the response.
“So you’re a freelancer? How rare. To think a magi craftsman capable of producing such a golem would be unattached. I suppose there are still master craftsmen hidden away in the world.”
“Can you tell just how incredible that golem is?” Reinhard asked, joining them.
“Well now, Lord Reinhard. Your Schwarzritter is a magnificent piece of work. Its movements, in particular, are exceptionally smooth and natural.”
“No, no, your Tauros is the truly impressive one! I imagine it must be quite powerful?” Reinhard prompted.
“Haha, perhaps. Though the one who assisted with Tauros’s motion control is Sir Robert, the knight hailed as the strongest among the Duke’s men.”
Generally, when modeling a golem’s movements, creators sought the cooperation of a veteran in the field. Jin’s Lotte, for instance, had been modeled after the chief maid, Maroom.
“The model was Blue Land’s strongest knight? Then he certainly looks the part.”
“Not at all. I have heard rumors of the Schwarzritter’s strength—that he single-handedly defeated twenty units in a recent mock battle.”
“Ah, well, that was a mock battle under very specific conditions...”
As Jade and Reinhard became engrossed in their conversation, Jin took the opportunity to quietly slip away. However, he was soon intercepted by Count Guarana’s personal magi craftsman, Bauthes.
“Hmph. You’re Count Kuzuma’s man, Jin, was it?”
Jin resigned himself to the interaction. “Yes, well... but I’ve only accepted a commission. I’m not exactly an employee.”
“Hmph, just as I thought. I suppose it takes a plain magi craftsman to make such a plain golem.” Bauthes puffed out his chest arrogantly. “Listen, how about entering Count Guarana’s service instead? If you do, I might be willing to teach you a few things.”
Jin lost any desire to engage further. “I’ll consider it once the Golem Party is over,” he replied flatly.
Taking this as a sign of interest, Bauthes walked away with a smirk. “Haha, a wise choice. There’s good money to be made serving the Count. There’s no reason to refuse.”
Watching him go, Jin marveled at the sheer variety of personalities among his peers.
“What are you doing over here, Jin?” Reinhard asked, finding him again. Jade was still with him.
Before Jin could answer, another voice cut in.
“Well, well, Lord Reinhard. I see Lady Elsa is not with you today.”
It was Count Guarana.
“Count Guarana. Today is a meeting for golems, so Elsa stayed behind,” Reinhard replied with a polite, if guarded, smile.
“Hahaha, quite right. But that cousin of yours... Lady Elsa? With her magical talent and her looks, I would very much like to welcome her as my second wife.”
Elsa came from a viscount’s house; becoming the wife of a count—even a second wife—could be considered a social promotion. It was a slight improvement over his previous comments about making her a concubine.
“I’m afraid she’s still a naive child. That’s why I’m having her accompany me on my travels—in the hope that she might learn something of the world,” Reinhard said.
“Nonsense, that innocence is her most irresistible charm. Please give her my regards when you return.”
Sensing that further pressure would be inappropriate in a setting without alcohol, Count Guarana turned and walked toward Duke Blue.
“Were you listening, Jin?” Reinhard asked.
“Yeah. It’s no wonder Elsa hates him.”
Elsa was an innocent girl who knew little of the world, and the Count was a greasy, portly man. It was the literal definition of the Beauty and the Beast. Moreover, this "Beast" was the type who would never turn into a prince, no matter who loved him.
“As if I’d ever let Elsa marry a man like that,” Reinhard muttered, his face contorted in a rare display of disgust.
“Sigh... Jin and Lord Reinhard are both at the Duke’s mansion, having all the fun.”
Left behind, Beena grumbled to herself in front of the workshop in Count Kuzuma’s courtyard. Elsa, who had been walking in the garden, overheard her.
“It can’t be helped. I’m actually relieved. I’d rather be here than have to see Count Guarana.”
“Eh? Elsa, do you know Count Guarana?” Beena asked in surprise.
“Elsa.”
“Huh?”
“Just Elsa is fine. I will call you Beena, too.”
“Y-Yes... So, Elsa, do you... know the Count?” Beena’s speech became a bit clumsy as she adjusted to the lack of honorifics.
“Mm. When I met him before, he told me I should become his concubine.”
“A concubine, huh...” Beena thought back to her own ordeal.
The man had used her sick siblings to threaten her, nearly forcing himself on her before Count Kuzuma had arrived to save her at Jin’s request.
“I’ve... almost been assaulted by him before, too,” Beena admitted.
“Assaulted? Does that man use violence against girls?” Elsa asked.
She didn't seem to understand the specific context of the word. Beena racked her brain, wondering how to explain it to someone so sheltered.
“Um, well, ‘assault’ means...”
As Beena struggled for words, Mine the wet nurse appeared.
“Milady, so this is where you were.” She approached with a proprietary air. “The wind is cold today. Please, come back inside.”
Mine practically dragged Elsa away. Watching them go, Beena sighed.
“...It looks like Elsa has a difficult path ahead of her, too.”