“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Stearena. Stearena Gamma.”
“Ah, I’m Jin.”
The woman standing before him was an intellectual beauty with copper hair cascading down her back and sharp, reddish-brown eyes. She was slightly taller than Jin and possessed a superb figure.
“I’ve been hoping for a chance to speak with you privately. Do you have a moment?” she asked, casting a brief glance toward Elsa and Beena.
“U-Uh, yeah, sure.”
“I appreciate it.”
Stearena took a refined sip of wine from her glass before continuing.
“Your Craft Magic is truly remarkable. I find myself wondering who taught you. Would you mind telling me?”
She fixed her reddish-brown gaze on Jin. He carefully parried her inquisitive stare.
“I learned it from my master.”
“And what might their name be?”
“Her name is Adriana.”
Stearena’s expression shifted. “Adriana! That is the same name as the Great Mage from a thousand years ago. I see—so you were named in her honor.”
Including Reinhard and Elsa, she was the third person to recognize the name Adriana. And, like the others, she immediately jumped to the same misunderstanding about the name’s origin.
“I see. Your master must have been a truly exceptional person to carry the name of the legendary ‘Adriana.’”
Stearena’s eyes took on a distant look for a moment. Then, she refocused on Jin.
“I happened to overhear that you’re traveling to the Shouro Empire with Lord Reinhard. Is that correct?”
When Jin confirmed the rumor, she smiled.
“In that case, your path will surely take you through the Celuroa Kingdom. If you have the time, I would love to invite you to my home.”
“I’ll have to check with Reinhard first, but if our schedule allows for it, I’d like that.”
“Wonderful. I shall look forward to it.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, she bowed slightly.
“I shouldn't monopolize Jin-kun any longer, or the young ladies behind you might get cross with me. Until we meet again.”
With that, Stearena turned and walked toward Reinhard. As Jin watched her go, Elsa leaned in close.
“Do you like women with large breasts too, Jin-kun?” she whispered.
Jin jumped, nearly fumbling his glass. “W-What are you talking about?”
“...You were staring at her the whole time.”
Having grown up as an orphan, Jin had never known a mother’s presence. Perhaps because of that, he had a subconscious weakness for—or a longing for—older, more mature women. Stearena appeared to be in her early thirties, and her composed aura gave him a peculiar sense of security. However, explaining that to Elsa felt both embarrassing and pathetic.
“I was just curious because she was heading toward Reinhard,” he said, trying to deflect.
Elsa accepted the excuse with a simple nod. “...Rai-nii likes breasts,” she muttered softly to herself.
“Lord Reinhard, your Schwarzritter was absolutely magnificent!”
Dominique’s face was flushed, perhaps from the wine, and she spoke with palpable excitement.
“Haha, you’re too kind. Your ‘Loiseau’ were quite impressive as well.”
“Oh, you flatter me. Sadly, all three of them were broken during that chaos.”
“That is a pity. I would have liked to examine them more closely.”
“My, you certainly know how to talk to a lady,” she said, acting humble while looking genuinely pleased. “I really did want to show them to you and hear your professional opinion.”
She sighed regretfully, then her expression turned serious.
“By the way, Lord Reinhard... why is it that your Schwarzritter didn't go on a rampage?”
She couldn't help but ask. As a magi craftsman, the question had clearly been gnawing at her. Since Jin and Reinhard already intended to share their countermeasures for the Master-Slave Rewrite Magic, Reinhard decided there was no harm in explaining it to her.
“I’ve shielded the magi-device with a structure that protects it from magical wave interference.”
“My, what gave you the idea to do such a thing?”
Reinhard gave a brief summary, explaining that he had previously encountered a criminal who utilized a golem capable of using the Master-Slave Rewrite Magic. Dominique reacted with a somewhat exaggerated gasp of surprise.
“Lord Reinhard, I simply must hear more about this,” she said in a low, conspiratorial whisper. “If you’re willing, could we meet after dinner?”
“I don't mind, but—”
He was interrupted before he could finish.
“Well now, if you’re going to discuss that, I would certainly love to join the conversation.”
Stearena stepped smoothly into the circle.
“And you are...?” Dominique asked, her tone cooling.
“Like yourself, I am a magi craftsman from the Celuroa Kingdom. Stearena Gamma,” she introduced herself.
Reinhard’s eyebrows rose. “Ho, ‘Gamma’? That is quite impressive.”
“Oh? So Lord Reinhard is familiar with the meaning of the title?”
“Indeed. If I recall correctly, your country holds a selection meeting every few years to award honorary posts to its finest. You hold the third rank, if I’m not mistaken?”
He was a diplomat to the core, his knowledge of foreign honors impeccable.
“You are well-informed. Now, I would very much like to hear this story as well. Would that be acceptable?”
“Certainly. In that case, would you both care to come to my room?”
“Yes. Shall we say tonight at eight? I trust that works for you as well, Dominique?”
“...Yes,” Dominique agreed, her voice laced with a faint trace of bitterness.
“I wonder how Beena truly feels about me...”
Count Kuzuma was off in a corner, nursing a glass of wine in solitude.
“...Count.”
The voice belonged to Beena herself.
“Whoa?! B-Beena!?”
The suddenness of her appearance caused the Count to jerk, spilling wine across his sleeve.
“Oops!”
“Ah, please don't move. I’ll wipe it off.”
Beena quickly produced a handkerchief and began dabbing at the Count's sleeve.
“...I tried to get it quickly, but the color is still lingering a bit,” she said apologetically.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. I’ll just change once I return to my quarters.”
“No, I can fix this. ‘Cleanup’!”
The Craft Magic spell activated, and the wine stain on the Count’s sleeve vanished as if it had never existed.
“Oh! My thanks.”
“It was nothing. I’m not nearly as skilled as the others, but I can at least handle something like this.”
Seeing Beena’s slightly awkward, bashful smile, the Count felt a surge of resolve. He set his glass aside on a nearby table, reached out, and took both of Beena's hands in his.
“Beena,” he said, his voice steady. “Would you marry me?”
The proposal was finally out in the open. What would Beena's answer be?