“Rai-nii and the others can take the guest room at the front. Jin-nii, you take the one in the back.”
Now that the discussion had concluded, the group took the opportunity to relax. With Moritz currently incapacitated, Elsa had stepped in as the temporary head of the household, issuing instructions to the servants.
Once that was settled, Elsa retreated to her own room. It had been maintained exactly as it was before she had departed on her journey with Reinhard. There was no dust, nor even a hint of mustiness. The servants had clearly been cleaning it regularly.
She threw herself onto the bed with a soft thud. Rolling over to stare at the ceiling, she saw the familiar light magic tool hanging from above.
“It hasn't changed at all.”
The room was the same, but Elsa felt deeply that she was not. Before she left on her journey, she had been virtually ignorant of the world. Now, things were different. She possessed Craft Magic, healing magic, and the scientific knowledge Jin had bestowed upon her. Combined with the wisdom and experience gained from her travels, she was a different person. She knew she was still immature, but her growth was undeniable.
“For the sake of others...”
Compared to the days when she had been entirely dependent on those around her, she could now do so much more on her own. Most importantly, she had acquired skills she could truly be proud of. Just as her thoughts began to wander, a knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
“Pardon the intrusion,” Reinhard said as he entered.
“Rai-nii.”
“It seems a special envoy from the capital has arrived.”
“What?”
＊ ＊ ＊
Jin, Elsa, and Reinhard made their way to the reception room. There, the bedridden Moritz was fulfilling his role as the acting head of the family by receiving the messenger. However, his face was as white as parchment, and he looked as though he might collapse at any moment.
The special envoy had been sent by the Empress to deliver an imperial decree; he was a man of high standing, equivalent to an Administrative Vice-Minister. Jin and the others assumed they would have to watch from the sidelines, but the envoy spotted them and beckoned them forward.
“Lord Jin Nidou, Lord Reinhard, and Lady Elsa. You also have a right to hear this. Please, join us.”
The three took seats slightly apart from the center of the room to witness the proceedings. The envoy had Moritz stand, then began reading the document aloud.
“Regarding the insults directed at His Highness Ernest, a guest of the state, by those under your command. And likewise, the hostile actions taken against Lord Jin Nidou.”
Moritz swayed on his feet as the charges were read.
“The falsification of the rules of the magi-doll competition, the Gonkrenz, through the bribery of judges.”
It was a clear reference to the underwater search event.
“Furthermore, the disruption of the National Commemorative Ceremony known as the Technology Expo via disturbances in the spectator seating and the destruction of equipment.”
With so many witnesses and spectators, there was no room for denial.
“These acts are beneath the dignity of the nobility and cannot be overlooked. Therefore, in light of these facts, Georg Randol von Amber is hereby stripped of his title of viscount and ordered into retirement.”
Moritz's head slumped. Then came the final sentence.
“Simultaneously, the branch house of the Randol family is abolished. The eldest son, Moritz Randol von Amber, shall be placed under the custody of the Main House Randol.”
“...I understand,” Moritz whispered, bowing his head in total defeat.
“Furthermore, as for the second son, Fritz Randol von Gross, his military rank shall remain unchanged. His specific reassignment will be determined later. Elsa Randol von Lazula shall remain under the custody of Reinhard Randol von Adamas, as previously decreed.”
That concluded the notification.
With those words, the branch house of the Randol family vanished. Though they were still of noble blood, they were now at the very bottom of the social hierarchy, stripped of their title and land. As soon as the envoy departed, Moritz collapsed once more.
＊ ＊ ＊
“So, does this mean Moritz will be under Reinhard's care—or rather, the custody of the Count Randol family?” Jin asked from the sidelines. He had always been uncomfortable with this kind of political maneuvering.
“Yeah, that’s essentially it,” Reinhard replied. “Though, I suspect my father will order Moritz-dono to continue governing the town of Ekishi. It'll probably be business as usual for him.”
This was merely Reinhard’s intuition.
“It would be inefficient to bring in someone new now. Moritz-dono was the one actually running the place anyway, so I imagine that's how it will play out.”
The logic was sound. However, Reinhard hesitated before continuing.
“...As for my uncle, if it ever comes out that he tried to poison the Marquis with arsenic, he’ll almost certainly face the death penalty.”
Elsa’s face drained of color. No matter how much she resented her father, she couldn't remain indifferent to the news of his potential execution. Seeing her distress, Jin spoke up.
“The only ones who know about that are the people in this room. Besides, the only evidence is that some wine and arsenic were found in the same place. We can’t exactly trust notes left by a demon; they might have been left there just to cause chaos.”
“Is... is that all right?” Elsa asked, looking up at Jin.
“That said, if the Marquis were to make an official complaint, we wouldn't be able to keep it quiet... and given Saki's feelings, keeping it a total secret doesn't feel right either.”
Troubled, Jin looked to Reinhard for help.
“You're right... I think we should talk to the Marquis about this after all.”
The Marquis was, after all, the primary victim.
“If we had some kind of gift to smooth things over... wait, I've got it!” Jin slapped his knee and turned to Elsa. “Elsa, why don't you build an automata for the Marquis? We'll bring it as a get-well gift and tell him the truth then. You can apologize on behalf of the family.”
Jin explained that they had to bet on the Marquis's character—the man who had found Reiko adorable—and his lingering affection for Elsa.
“Hmm... I agree that we have to talk to him, so that's probably the best approach. It feels a bit like a bribe, though.”
“It's not a bribe. It's a 'get-well gift.' Isn't that right, Elsa?”
“...Jin-nii, you're making a very wicked face,” Elsa remarked, watching him explain the plan with a grin.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Now then, I have something I want to discuss with all of you,” Jin began, addressing the gathered group of Reinhard, Berche, Elsa, and Mine.
“In addition to Hourai Island and Kunlun Island, I'm currently developing a place called 'Fusou Island.' It's located in the sea not far from the former Leonard Kingdom. I think I've mentioned before that the Leonard Kingdom is gone, so technically, that area is unclaimed. I'm planning to develop the island and open it to the public.”
Jin finished his explanation and looked around at their expressions. A brief silence followed before Reinhard spoke up.
“I understand the goal. It would certainly be risky to open Hourai or Kunlun to the public. But if you do that, do you intend to make the means of travel public as well?”
Since it was an island, Reinhard noted, no one could reach it without a Warp Gate.
“Yeah. That’s the plan. I’m thinking of setting up specific Warp Gates that anyone can use.”
“Where would you put them?”
“For now, I'm thinking the Shouro Empire, the Kingdom of Egerea, and the Klein Kingdom.”
These were the nation that had named him a Magi Craft Meister and the kingdoms where he was close with the royal families. It was more than enough reason. Jin went on to explain the heavy security measures he would implement.
“I’ll assign two specialized golems to each gate. Unless those two authorize it, the Warp Gate won't function. And if anything happens to the golems, the gate is rigged to self-destruct.”
“I see. So you're making sure the underlying technology isn't exposed.”
“Exactly. I'm also planning several other measures to keep everything low-key.”
“Hmm, then I suppose that side of things is covered. What about the facilities themselves?”
“I want to model them after the laboratory on Hourai Island. I want it to be a place where research into magi craft, engineering, and alchemy can transcend national borders.”
The others nodded in agreement as they listened to Jin's vision.
“I think it's a great idea,” Reinhard said.
“I'm in favor of it too,” Elsa added.
“It sounds wonderful,” Berche agreed.
“I don't understand the technical details,” Mine said, “but a place that goes beyond nations... that sounds very nice indeed.”
All four of them gave their approval.
“Thanks. Now I just need to discuss this with Saki.”
Jin then told his Family that they would head to Hourai Island the next day to hammer out the details.