On May 3rd, with spring in full bloom, Jin successfully managed to rendezvous with Reinhard.
"Mattheus, this is Jin. He was awarded the title of Honorary Magi Craftman in the Kingdom of Egerea, but in reality, he’s a freelancer."
Reinhard introduced Jin to Mattheus, who was both his friend and the officer in charge of his escort.
"Jin, this is Captain Mattheus Geist von Realgar. He's the captain of the 3rd Company of the Imperial Guards and a close friend of mine. He’ll eventually be my brother-in-law."
"I’m Jin Nidou."
"Mattheus."
The two men exchanged greetings and shook hands.
"I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Reinhard during our journey. He says you’re a magnificent Magi Engineer."
"Hahaha, that’s right! Jin is a Magi Engineer beyond even my level! I guarantee it!"
For some reason, Reinhard answered boastfully in Jin’s stead. Mattheus knit his brows for a brief moment at the display, but his expression quickly smoothed over.
"That’s something to look forward to, then. So, are we to assume you'll be traveling with us from here on?"
Again, Reinhard answered the question.
"Oh, absolutely. Jin is my guest!...Jin, I’d like to ride in your carriage right away, if that’s alright?"
"Ah, yeah, of course. I’ve got plenty of things I want to talk to you about too."
"Right! With that settled, Mattheus, let's head out!"
"............"
Looking slightly exasperated by Reinhard's high spirits, Mattheus issued orders to his subordinates. A group of fifteen men was currently guarding Reinhard as they made their way toward their homeland.
"Move out!"
The carriage Reinhard had been using started moving without its master. The coachman knew Jin, so he didn't find it particularly strange; such occurrences had been frequent in the past.
Mattheus, however, felt differently. His charge, friend, and future brother-in-law had gleefully climbed into the carriage of a man he had just met—a random nobody of unknown origin, regardless of his claims to be an Honorary Magi Craftman.
Also riding with them was a young girl called Reiko. She was supposedly an automata, but that only made her more mysterious.
The carriage itself was of an unfamiliar design, driven by what appeared to be an iron golem. Mattheus could see that it was significantly inferior to Reinhard’s Schwarzritter in every respect.
However, the golem horses pulling the vehicle were another story. On this point alone, he was willing to tip his hat in respect.
(To mimic the movements of a horse so perfectly... This man is deeper than he looks.)
In short, Mattheus found himself unable to fully gauge the foreign Magi Engineer known as Jin Nidou.
"Is Elsa doing well?"
"Yeah. She’s in Kaina Village right now, teaching the local children."
"I see. That’s good to hear. Well, as long as she’s happy, that’s what matters."
Saying this, Reinhard lowered his voice.
"...Jin, about Elsa’s brother, Fritz. The fact that he was acting so strange... no, the fact that he’s back to his old self, that was your doing, wasn't it?"
Jin’s carriage was equipped with a soundproofing barrier, so there was no risk of being overheard, but they both instinctively slipped into whispers.
"Yeah. It was that Hypno and Seduce business. Previously, I broke the spell on Lucol by getting him worked up and then using Stun, but I’ve found that it can be cleared much more efficiently with a spell called Shock."
Jin then went on to explain how Unifilar had reorganized into Nostalgia and how the new group had begun providing technological aid to various countries.
They became so engrossed in their conversation that time slipped away. Before they knew it, they had arrived at their destination for the day: the town of Ganys.
"Looks like we've arrived," Reinhard said, glancing out the carriage window.
"The time really flew by while I was listening to your stories. We'll stay here tonight, and tomorrow we'll be in Toscosia, right before the border. I’ve already secured the permits to cross, so I don't think we'll be delayed."
"Yeah, I’m really looking forward to seeing the Shouro Empire."
"I'm glad to hear that. Well, shall we step out for a moment?"
The carriage came to a halt in front of a simple checkpoint at the entrance to Ganys.
As the highest-ranking member of the party, Reinhard had to show his face when passing through.
Mattheus watched Reinhard with a scrutinizing gaze as he stepped down from the carriage. Then, for a split second, he glared sharply at Jin inside the vehicle.
"?"
Jin noticed the look, but since he had no idea why he was being stared at like that, he decided to simply pretend he hadn't seen it.
The town of Ganys was not a walled city; a simple wooden fence was all that marked the town’s boundaries.
The town wasn't strictly contained within the fence, however. There were buildings on the outside as well, suggesting the area was currently undergoing expansion. It was clear, though, that the outskirts were of a much lower class.
Located on the frontier of Celuroa, the town’s relative prosperity was due to the mines halfway up Mount Carter, which loomed to the south. There were three precious mithril mines, and one of them was connected to Bororon by a road specifically for transporting ore.
"Hmm. I can see why Bororon would be busy, then, but why is this place so lively?"
Having heard Reinhard’s explanation, Jin asked the obvious follow-up.
"That’s because Bororon is a strategic stronghold, which means the Kingdom of Celuroa maintains very strict control there."
Jin understood immediately. In a town filled with government officials and soldiers, the "entertainment" districts would have a hard time flourishing.
"Well, you could say it’s a rather seedy town."
They left the carriage at a parking area outside the town and proceeded into Ganys on foot.
Reinhard, with his height and fine clothing, was immediately swarmed by various solicitors.
"My Lord, I’ve got a great inn for you! The food is top-class, and we’ve got lovely girls!"
"I’ve got magi-crystals fresh from the mines, sir! I'll give you a deal if you buy some now!"
"If you want a good time, come to Namina! It’s all-you-can-drink, and the rates are cheap!"
Mattheus drove all the annoying pests away.
"...Honestly, this place is always like this. Reinhard, the inn is already settled. Let’s hurry."
Mattheus had sent his men ahead to secure a proper establishment. He then turned back to Jin.
"Forgive me, but we have no room for you. I didn't anticipate our numbers increasing. You’ll have to find a place for yourself. My apologies."
His words were polite, but the apology was clearly perfunctory.
"Jin, in that case, you can stay in my—"
Mattheus cut Reinhard off.
"If you'd prefer, perhaps you would like to stay with the escort soldiers?"
Jin declined the offer.
"No, if worst comes to worst, I can just sleep in my carriage. Please don't worry about me."
"Understood."
With a curt reply, Mattheus had his men surround Reinhard and his attendants as they moved down the street. Reinhard started to complain, but he was ignored.
"Well then, Master Jin, we plan to depart at eight tomorrow morning. Don't be late."
Leaving Jin with those final words, Mattheus walked briskly down the street after Reinhard without waiting for a response.
(...Do I have a sign on my back? Does he just hate me?)
Jin tilted his head, unable to recall doing anything to offend the man.
Solicitors began approaching Jin as well, though not in the same numbers as they had targeted Reinhard.
"Hey there, handsome, why don't you come have some fun?"
"Hey, won't you buy a girl a drink?"
"How about spending the night with me?"
They were less like solicitors and more like prostitutes—or rather, most of them were prostitutes.
"You are in the way. Do not touch my Father with your filthy hands."
Reiko brushed all of them aside.
"...It has finally become quiet."
It took about thirty minutes for the solicitors and prostitutes to realize Jin wasn't a mark and leave them alone.
"I’ve never seen a town like this."
Given its frontier location, the town felt like it had poor public order. It seemed like the kind of place where it was best not to linger.
"There doesn't seem to be much to see. Let's head back to the carriage."
"That sounds like a wise decision."
"Look here, Mattheus."
Reinhard was about to complain because Mattheus’s attitude toward Jin had been a bit excessive, but Mattheus spoke first.
"Reinhard, we’ll be back in our homeland soon. You understand that, right?"
"? Yeah, of course."
"Then don't do anything that would make Berche cry."
"I'm not doing anything like that!"
"I know you haven't been visiting the brothels. But even so..."
Mattheus’s voice trailed off.
"But even so, what?"
Intrigued, Reinhard pressed him. Mattheus muttered something almost inaudible.
"...M—..."
"What was that?"
Reinhard couldn't hear him and asked again. Mattheus finally shouted as if he’d reached his limit.
"You don't have to start chasing after men instead!"
Mattheus had completely misunderstood the situation.