"The liver? Just what in the world is that?"
Marquis Theoderic asked in return when Jin informed him that his liver was in poor condition. It was only natural, as he possessed no accurate knowledge of internal organs.
"The liver is an organ located right around here..."
Jin explained the position by pointing to his own body.
"It's also known as the 'lever,' and it's responsible for things like metabolism, detoxification, and digestion..."
Jin wasn't an expert himself, so he couldn't provide a particularly technical explanation.
"Hmm, I see. Which is to say, I have no idea."
As expected, the Marquis failed to grasp the concept.
"However, I am aware that a large organ resides in that area. I see, so that is the source of my ailment."
The Marquis gave a lonely smile, his expression shifting toward resignation.
"Though I have retired, I had hoped to serve the country for just a while longer. But I suppose this, too, is fate."
"Um, what did you plan to do after your retirement?"
"Well, I wanted to establish a school to nurture the next generation."
Hearing that, Jin felt that the Marquis wasn't as terrible a person as he had previously imagined.
The airship made a circuit over Lake Tosmo and began slowly losing altitude. Reiko was the one at the helm.
Jin gave the Marquis a brief explanation of how the vessel was controlled.
"Haha, Jin-dono, you have my thanks for such a precious experience. Personally, I would like to offer some kind of reward... no, a token of my gratitude..."
As the Marquis began to speak, Jin was about to say he didn't need anything, but then he caught himself.
"...Excellency, this is very difficult for me to say, but..."
"Hm? What is it?"
Jin paused for a beat before voicing his request.
"Could you please give up on Elsa Randol?..."
"Oh, that's fine."
"...She also has things she wishes to pursue rather than getting marr—eh?"
"I said, it's quite alright."
"O-Oh."
Jin was caught off guard by how easily the Marquis agreed to stop pursuing Elsa as his bride, but he understood after hearing the words that followed.
"With this body, even if I took a young girl as my bride, there is nothing I could do for her. I would only make her unhappy. I was quite fond of her, but that is precisely why I do not wish to make her miserable."
It seemed the Marquis had his own sense of ethics. Jin felt a wave of relief.
He decided to convey to the Marquis the same explanation he had given to the Empress. He had already instructed Reiko to slow the descent further.
"...Hmm, I see. So Elsa was averse to the idea of marrying me. Her father said no such thing. He claimed it was a match she herself desired, so he insisted upon it."
Since the Marquis said that, Jin figured the whole affair was likely due to Elsa's father acting on his own whims.
"All of my wives loved me... I believe. If I were to take one who did not desire it, I could not face them in the next life. I have done a terrible thing to Elsa. Because of this, she was captured by those Unifilar scoundrels and forced to endure hardships. I must apologize to her later."
Bringing up the subject of Elsa had been a gamble, but Jin was relieved that his judgment had been correct.
The Marquis certainly had a fondness for young girls, but he was a gentleman.
Shortly after, the airship touched down in the center of the plaza.
"Jin-dono, it was a delightful interlude."
Shaking Jin's hand, the Marquis stepped off the airship. His footsteps were unsteady. His subordinates immediately rushed over and supported the Marquis as they led him away.
The Arena was filled with cheers and applause.
Jin bowed to the audience, then ordered Steward to move the airship to the corner of the plaza and moor it.
After Jin's airship demonstration, any subsequent exhibit seemed lackluster by comparison.
Two other craftsmen gave presentations, but the reaction was lukewarm at best.
As for Jin, he had called Elsa and Saki to the waiting room and was speaking with them.
"..."
"...Hmm, so my grandfather said that, did he?"
After Jin finished recounting the conversation, Elsa remained silent. Saki appeared cold, but in truth, a look of slight worry peeked through her expression.
"And? You've told us all this, Jin... but what exactly is it you want us to do?"
As proof of her concern, her voice trembled slightly.
"I think Elsa can cure the Marquis's illness. However, if you just use magic vaguely, even 'Genesung' might have little effect. And also..."
"And also?"
"...No, there was something that caught my attention, but it's uncertain, so I'd like Elsa to confirm it as well. Elsa, what do you think?"
Asked by Jin, Elsa looked down and thought for a while, but eventually, she raised her head. Her face showed a sense of determination.
"...I'll try. If it's something I can do."
Hearing that, Jin also informed Elsa of the results Reiko had confirmed through her own Diagnose magic.
Of course, the current Reiko could also use Elsa's Genesung, but there was meaning in Elsa being the one to treat the Marquis.
"...I understand. Thank you, Jin-nii, Reiko-chan."
"Alright, the rest is just timing."
Jin believed it would be best to have the Empress present for the treatment.
With that, Jin and the others hurried back to the Arena.
In the Arena, the final exhibits had just concluded.
The spectators were beginning to disperse in small groups.
Empress Gerhardt, who had been in the most premium seat of the VIP section, was also standing up and descending. She spotted Jin and the others.
"Ah, Jin-kun, that was wonderful! Do you have some time after this?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I actually have a proposal from my side as well."
"Oh, what might it be?"
Since they couldn't just talk standing around, the group headed to a conference room within the facility.
Present were Empress Gerhardt Hilde von Rubiss Shouro, Chancellor Jung, Magic Technology Minister Degauss, and two ritter guards. They were joined by Jin, Elsa, Saki, Reiko, Edgar, and Ar.
"Then first, let us hear what Jin-kun has to say."
The Empress picked up on the urgent atmosphere. Jin bowed and explained Marquis Theoderic's medical condition.
"So, you are saying Elsa can treat the Marquis?"
"Yes, most likely."
"Then that is excellent news. Bring the Marquis here at once!"
A split-second decision. The Empress ordered one of the ritter guards to go fetch Marquis Theoderic. About three minutes later, the Marquis arrived, supported by his attendants.
"Your Majesty, did you call for me?...Oh, Saki!"
The Marquis, who had arrived dragging his feet, beamed with joy when he spotted Saki.
In contrast, Elsa's expression paled when she saw the Marquis. This was because he bore no resemblance to the man she remembered.
Seeing the once portly Marquis reduced to nothing but skin and bones, Elsa was in shock.
Saki had caught a glimpse of him as they passed each other after the airship flight, but facing him directly, her face twisted at his transformed appearance.
"Grandfather!...What happened to your body!?"
Saki usually referred to him as an "old geezer" behind his back, but he was still her blood relative. Seeing his emaciated and haggard form, she was genuinely worried from the bottom of her heart.
"Saki, so you worry for me. It is nothing; my time has simply come, that is all."
Saying so, the Marquis sat on the sofa as the Empress suggested, then looked toward Elsa and tilted his head.
"Now then, young lady, have we met somewhere before? I feel as though I recognize you, but I cannot recall."
This was because Elsa was wearing a wig and protective glasses.
"Marquis, that can wait. First, lie down there," the Empress interrupted, ordering him onto the sofa.
The Marquis hesitated, saying it was inappropriate to lie down in front of Her Majesty, but with the single phrase "It is an order," he reluctantly complied.
"Well then, I'm counting on you."
"...Yes."
Elsa stepped forward.
"Young lady, what is the meaning of..."
Cutting off the Marquis as he began to speak, Elsa started the examination.
"'Diagnose'."
Elsa focused her search on the area around the liver. Her expression shifted instantly.
"...Toxins."
"Eh?"
"...Toxins have accumulated in the Marquis's liver."