8:00 PM.
Jin, Elsa, Stearena, and Dominique were gathered in Reinhard’s room.
The maids in attendance were Reinhard’s personal attendants, Rianna and Mary, along with Elsa’s maid, Kate. Lyla, who was assigned to Jin, was not present.
Neither were the maids for Stearena or Dominique; the room would have simply become too cramped otherwise.
"I would very much like to hear more about your Schwarzritter, Lord Reinhard," Dominique said, her blue eyes shimmering as she gazed at him.
"Even if you ask, I’m not quite sure what to tell you..."
"Oh? I’ve heard the stories. Was it last year? The combat golem exhibition match held in the royal capital of the Celuroa Kingdom—you won the championship, did you not?"
That had been the Schwarzritter’s debut.
The Schwarzritter had pushed past a field of formidable golems and, in the final match, achieved a brilliant victory by defeating the Adamas Warrior, which was said to be the finest in the Celuroa Kingdom.
"Oh, I truly wish I could have seen it. If only I hadn't been away from the royal capital on official business...!"
As she spoke, Dominique gradually sidled up closer to Reinhard.
"...Why is she clinging to Rai-nii like that?"
Standing a short distance away, Elsa spoke in a displeased tone. Jin, standing beside her, replied quietly.
"I suppose she’s interested in Reinhard, after all."
He took a sip of his fruit juice.
"It’s strange. Normally, women don't flock to Rai-nii like that."
Jin couldn't help but suppress a wry smile at Elsa's remark, which was difficult to answer.
Stearena was also vying for Reinhard's attention alongside Dominique.
"Well, he is a nobleman and an excellent magi craftsman. It’s only natural for people to be interested, right?"
Elsa dismissed the idea flatly.
"But as a magi craftsman, you're far better, Jin-kun."
"Haha, I’m honored you think so, Elsa, but I’m just an ordinary guy."
"Liar. If you’re just an ordinary guy, then the rest of the world is a lie," Elsa said, leaving Jin unsure whether he was being praised or insulted.
Uncertain how to respond, Jin decided to change the subject.
"S-Speaking of which, Beena hasn't arrived. I wonder if something happened?"
Mentioning her name caused Elsa to recall their time in the bathhouse earlier.
＊ ＊ ＊
Earlier, after dinner, Elsa had gone to the baths to wash away the day's grime.
Beena had entered the bathroom at the exact same moment.
Because the Royal Secret Maids had been mobilized to help with the cleanup, the two of them had judged it a good opportunity to bathe in peace.
"Ah, Beena."
"Lady Elsa... I mean, Elsa-san."
Beena still couldn't seem to break the habit of using formal language.
"I told you Elsa is fine."
"Yes, but... Elsa."
"Mm. That’s better."
As Elsa soaked in the hot water, Beena rinsed her body and joined her.
"Um, could I ask you something?"
"Mm? What is it?"
Beena looked around the bathroom to confirm they were alone.
"Elsa-sa... Elsa, what kind of relationship do you have with Jin?"
Elsa tilted her head slightly.
"Jin-kun is a friend," she replied.
However, that wasn't the answer Beena was looking for.
"T-Then, Elsa... what do you think of Jin?"
"Mm? How is that different from your first question?"
Beena timidly tried again.
"Do you... like him?"
"Mm. I like him," Elsa answered simply.
Beena lowered her gaze.
"I... like him too," she confessed.
Elsa smiled.
"I thought so. You like Jin-kun just like I do. We’re the same."
Seeing Elsa’s reaction, Beena pressed further.
"...When you say you 'like' him... do you mean you like him enough to marry him?"
＊ ＊ ＊
(Marriage... with Jin-kun?)
Elsa gazed at Jin beside her.
(Marriage... living a life like my father and mother? Giving birth to children and raising them?...)
She looked at Jin once more.
(No, that’s not it.)
She felt it intuitively. Being with Jin was fun. He knew mysterious things and he was reliable. But she couldn't envision a future where she was raising a child with him.
That was why she hadn't been able to answer Beena in the bathroom.
"Elsa?"
She snapped back to reality at the sound of her name. Turning toward the voice, she saw Jin looking at her with a puzzled expression; she had suddenly fallen silent.
"Did something happen with Beena? You went quiet the moment I asked about her."
"No, nothing happened," Elsa replied. "It’s just, I heard Beena received a formal marriage proposal from Count Kuzuma."
She exposed the bombshell quite casually.
"I-Is that so? I figured that might happen."
Jin was visibly flustered. Elsa watched him.
"Jin-kun, what do you think about it?"
Before he could answer, the others interrupted them.
"Excuse us, young lady. We’d like a chance to speak with Jin-kun as well."
It was Stearena who spoke. Dominique was with her. Reinhard had finally been released and was quenching his thirst with fruit juice.
"That lovely Automata girl—you were the one who built her, weren't you, Jin-kun?"
She was referring to Reiko. After the way she had fought, it was impossible for her to go unnoticed.
"Yes, that's correct."
"I knew it! She’s incredible. To think she could brush aside those golems with a body like that... I wonder what kind of internal structure she has?"
For a brief moment, Jin thought he saw a glint in Stearena's eyes.
"That's a secret. As a magi craftsman, I can't go around revealing my secret techniques so easily," Jin said, offering a polite refusal.
Then Dominique, who was standing behind her, spoke up.
"I wonder if that girl also has countermeasures against Master-Slave Rewrite Magic, just like the Schwarzritter?"
Jin realized Reinhard must have mentioned it to them.
"Yes, of course she does."
"Oh, I knew it!" Dominique cried out. "Please, won't you let me meet her?"
She pleaded with Jin, lowering her posture and looking up at him with upturned eyes as she took his hand.
Jin frowned slightly.
"I—I understand. I'll go call her, so please wait a moment."
He pulled his hand away and stepped out of the room, returning shortly after.
Reiko followed close behind him.
"This is my Reiko. Reiko, this is Stearena-san and Dominique-san. Greet them."
Reiko pinched the hem of her skirt in a small curtsy.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Reiko."
The moment she saw her, Dominique seemed to lose control. She lunged at Reiko and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Kyaa! So cute! I want a girl just like this!"
She rubbed her cheek against Reiko's. Reiko remained passive, but a clear expression of disgust was written across her face.
Finally unable to watch any longer, Stearena spoke up.
"Dominique, what are you doing to someone else's creation? That's enough."
Dominique’s voice dropped to a predatory low, completely different from her previous tone.
"You're right. If I want her, I should just make her mine."
As she spoke, she pulled a glowing green gemstone from her pocket.
"Wait—is that an Elradrite?" Stearena cried out.
At that exact moment, Dominique unleashed her Craft Magic.
"Erase! Write In!"
A magnified Master-Slave Rewrite Magic, cast at point-blank range.
In the next instant, all expression vanished from Reiko's face.