Once they finished crossing the bridge over the wide moat, the scenery beyond the window transformed completely.
"Oh, fascinating," Jin murmured.
In Loizart, waterways branched out in every direction, and just as he had expected, they were used for transport and shipping. Some houses were even built directly over the canals, a sight he found particularly intriguing. Reiko listened to Jin’s quiet observations and, figuring they would serve as valuable reference material, continued transmitting data on the scenery and layout to Laojun.
Though Jin had never seen the places in person, the city struck him as an even split between the historical streets of Edo and the canals of Venice.
However, as they moved closer to the heart of the capital, the number of waterways dwindled, eventually feeding into the inner moat that encircled the Imperial Castle. Numerous sluice gates were situated along the paths, ensuring that no one could approach the castle with ease.
"The inner moat looks to be about ten meters wide..."
It reminded him somewhat of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Rather than a bridge, there was a single stretch of land directly in front of the Imperial Castle where the moat did not run. The procession headed for that spot, coming to a Stand Still before a long line of the royal ritter corps. There, they finally stepped out of their carriages.
The area within the inner moat clearly constituted the Imperial Palace grounds. All the carriages were parked in a sprawling lot, and the horses were led away to stables by attendants—with the exception of Jin’s Golem horse. The mechanical steed drew many admiring glances from the palace staff as it was led away.
"Jin-dono, please board this carriage. You as well, Lady Reiko."
Three roofless carriages intended for transport had arrived. Reinhard took the lead, and Jin boarded the second. The third appeared to be for luggage, so Jin handed over his bags.
The three carriages rolled forward over pristine cobblestones. Once they passed through a massive, sturdy gate, they were officially within the Imperial Palace.
"Incredible..."
Given his surroundings, Jin couldn't exactly shout, but a soft gasp escaped him regardless. Before them stood the Imperial Palace of the Shouro Empire, a structure boasting three hundred years of history.
Built from granite, the castle stood three stories tall. It was more sprawling than it was tall, lacking any soaring spires or towers. To Jin, it looked less like a traditional castle and more like a massive, sturdy manor. Protected by ritters and soldiers, Jin and his companions finally stepped inside.
Reinhard went with Mattheus to report the successful completion of their mission, leaving Jin to wait in a reception room. He was attended by two staff members: a male butler and a female maid.
"Please, help yourself."
As he caught the scent of the tea they served, Jin paused. The aroma was strangely nostalgic. He took a sip.
"...Is this roasted green tea?"
The flavor was remarkably similar to the houjicha he remembered. He decided to ask the attendants about it.
"Is this tea a specialty of the Shouro Empire?"
The butler was the one to respond. "Yes. It is a local product from the southern regions of our empire."
"Do you know how it's produced?"
The butler hesitated. "I... am not certain if it is my place to divulge such details."
Jin caught on immediately. If it was a regional specialty, the production method was likely a closely guarded secret that couldn't be shared with a foreigner.
"I understand. Just think of this as me talking to myself, then. You harvest the young leaves, steam them, and then dry them. After that, you Heat them again until they give off that savory aroma."
The butler’s face went pale. "H-How could you possibly know that!?"
"...Just a guess. It’s very similar to a tea from my home, you see."
The butler let out a breath and regained his composure. "I see. I had heard our guest was a brilliant magi engineer, but I did not expect you to be a connoisseur of tea as well."
In truth, Jin was simply recalling the lectures he’d received from the Orphanage Director, who had been a tea fanatic, but he kept that to himself.
"By any chance, do you also have tea that is produced by applying Heat immediately after the leaves are picked?"
Jin was curious if they had standard green tea. Tea leaves naturally ferment due to internal enzymes. Simply put, letting them ferment results in black tea, while Heating them immediately to stop the enzymes produces green tea.
"You even know of that?! That is the production method for 'green tea' that was developed about a century ago!"
So they do have green tea here, Jin thought, feeling a swell of joy. The tea grown on Hourai Island was based on the "imitation" variety from Kaina Village, so he had always felt the flavor was slightly off. This, however, was the real thing.
"May I have another cup?"
When Jin finished his tea and asked for more, the maid busily refilled his cup.
"Ah, that’s the stuff."
As Jin enjoyed his drink, the maid’s expression brightened.
"Her family runs a tea farm," the butler explained. "She is delighted to hear you enjoy it."
The maid’s face turned red at the mention. She was quite a silent woman; Jin wondered if she was perhaps forbidden from speaking in his presence.
"I assume it’s cultivated in the warmer regions?"
"You are very well-informed. That is correct. This area around Loizart is effectively the northern limit for its growth."
If they had tea, there was a good chance they had rice as well. Jin decided to press his luck.
"Excuse me, are there any other specialty grains in the Shouro Empire?"
"Yes, there are several."
"Not wheat or beans... I’m thinking of something suited for wetlands. When it ripens, the stalks droop down under the weight of the grain..."
The butler’s eyes practically popped out of his head. "Where did you hear of such a thing?! You must be referring to the 'nogi' that is grown exclusively in the south!"
Jin was ecstatic. If there was something like rice, he was absolutely going to get his hands on some seedlings.
"Yes, that sounds like it. Are there any dishes made with—"
Jin’s question was cut short when the door opened. A young ritter entered the room.
"Jin-sama, please come this way. His Majesty the Emperor wishes to grant you an audience."
Jin walked down the corridor with Reiko at his side. No one had raised any objections to her presence, and even if they had, Jin knew Reiko would never have agreed to stay behind.
"His Majesty is very fond of meeting exceptionally talented individuals," the ritter explained. "However, once we enter the room, please keep your eyes lowered until His Majesty grants you permission to look up. Do not raise your head without leave."
Beyond that, the ritter told him there were no strict rules on etiquette. So long as he wasn't disrespectful, his natural manners would suffice.
They were led to an office. The room was guarded by two soldiers standing beside heavy double doors made of sturdy wood.
"I have brought Jin-sama."
The guide announced their arrival, and one of the soldiers pulled a cord beside the door three times. It seemed to be a mechanical doorbell. Moments later, the door was opened from within.
"Please, enter."
Prompted by the voice and his guide, Jin and Reiko stepped inside.
"Welcome, Jin."
Reinhard was already there. At the far end of the room sat a large, imposing desk, and the figure seated behind it was undoubtedly the ruler of the Shouro Empire.
"His Majesty expressed a strong desire to speak with you personally. Come, step forward."
Jin performed a deep, respectful bow—the best gesture of deference he could manage—and then walked forward. After seven steps, he came to a stop before the desk. He kept his head bowed, his eyes fixed on the floor.
"Jin Nidou, a magi craftman from a foreign land. He is an Honorary Magi Craftman of the Kingdom of Egerea and was recently named an Honorary Member of our nation's Magi Engineer Guild."
Reinhard’s voice introduced him clearly to the room.
"You are welcome here, Jin Nidou. Please, raise your head."
At the command, Jin looked up to see the sovereign for the first time. He was hit by a wave of shock.
"Welcome to the Shouro Empire. I am the Empress of the Shouro Empire, Gerhardt Hilde von Rubies Shouro."
The ruler was a woman—an Empress.
"Hehe, you look surprised. Everyone is the first time they meet me. It is quite all right. I am the younger sister of the Predecessor Emperor. I am merely serving as the Empress to bridge the gap until Ernst reaches adulthood and can take the throne."
Jin was stunned that she would reveal such internal political details so casually.
"Surprised again? Every citizen in this country knows as much. However, we don't exactly advertise it to the world, so most foreigners remain unaware."
She gave him a warm, gentle smile. Jin found himself staring, captivated by her face. It wasn't a romantic attraction, however. The Empress appeared to be in her late thirties or early forties, with dark brown hair and pale brown eyes. She was small in stature, and yet...
(She looks just like the Orphanage Director...)
She bore a striking resemblance to the woman who had raised him. Their features weren't identical, and the Director had possessed white hair, but the Empress’s calm manner of speaking, her kind eyes, and the very aura she radiated were almost the same.
Unaware of the emotional turmoil Jin was feeling, Empress Gerhardt Hilde von Rubies Shouro continued.
"I have heard much from Reinhard. He tells me you are a magnificent magi engineer. In the town of Hatata, you built a pump to draw water from the deep wells, and in Amberg, you created a magic tool called a vacuum cleaner. Not only that, but a... microscope, was it?"
"I am truly humbled, Your Majesty."
When Jin offered his modest reply, the Empress shook her head.
"Reinhard says you possess knowledge of a field called 'science.' If it is not too much to ask, I would hope you might impart even a fraction of that wisdom to our nation."
The Empress paused, catching herself.
"Listen to me, I’m getting ahead of myself. Jin-dono, please, take your time to see our country."
She gestured toward Reinhard.
"I have cleared Reinhard of all standard duties for the remainder of the year. He will serve as your official host during your stay."
Reinhard bowed his head in silence. Jin suspected this arrangement was intended to give Reinhard time off after his diplomatic mission and perhaps allow for his upcoming wedding to Berche.
"Please, see as much of our nation as you desire. See the good and the bad alike. And if, after seeing it all, you could come to like our country even a little..."
The Empress looked Jin straight in the eyes.
"Then I ask that you lend us your strength. Even a tiny piece of your knowledge would be enough. Do it for the sake of this land and its people."
As she spoke, the Empress of the Shouro Empire lowered her head in a slight, respectful bow.