After finishing their hotcakes, Jin and the others spent a little more time tidying up their various tasks before preparing to head back.
Elsa went to check on Lisa, who was already working alongside the golem maids. Reinhard continued to verify Noir’s motor functions. Berche and Mine, ever diligent, set about cleaning up the dishes and the kitchen.
Jin headed back down to the underground hall to check on the latest progress with Laojun.
"My Lord, I have an interim report regarding Marcus."
"Understood. Let’s hear it."
"Yes. As you suspected, My Lord, your intuition was correct. By using Level 8 Trans Info, we have uncovered a great deal of information."
It seemed that even when a person believed their memories had been erased, fragments remained. It would be more accurate to say the memories hadn't been deleted, but rather rendered impossible to recall.
To use a computer analogy, it was as if the files had been protected against being read, or perhaps the File Allocation Table had been wiped. Even if the data appeared to be gone on the surface, the core information still existed.
"I see! So, what did you find?"
"Yes... there were several significant revelations. First, there is no doubt that the one manipulating Marcus was a member of the demon race."
That much Jin had already predicted. Now, they had proof.
"His name is Marcosius. It appears he targeted Marcus simply because of the similarity in their names."
Marcus seemed to have been incredibly unlucky to have been chosen for such a trivial reason.
"The following is even more critical: Marcosius—or rather, the entity using Marcus—was investigating human technology, biology, and society."
Marcus had mentioned as much to Elsa—that he was measuring their potential. That had clearly been his mission.
"He performed various experiments to observe human reactions. He exploited Georg Randol’s inferiority complex toward his brother, using a magic similar to Seduce to manipulate his actions."
According to Laojun's analysis and deductions, the magic had awakened and amplified the desires buried deep within Georg’s heart.
"I see. That explains his erratic behavior."
"Indeed. Furthermore, the decision to poison the Marquis was Marcus’s own initiative. Of that, there seems to be no doubt."
That was good news. It changed the context of the crime considerably, and Jin knew Elsa would be relieved to hear it.
"Anything else?"
"Yes. The Seduce magic placed on Mine was also part of that same investigation."
Laojun concluded his report there. This was a golden opportunity to learn about Marcosius's specific abilities and the technology of the demon race.
"Understood. Keep at it."
Jin felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The poisoning of the Marquis hadn't been directly ordered by Elsa’s father, the former Viscount Georg Randol.
Come to think of it, the timing had always seemed poor. It would have been far more advantageous to wait until Elsa was married and had produced an heir before killing the Marquis.
With this knowledge, the lingering guilt Jin felt whenever he visited the Marquis began to dissipate.
Two hours later, Jin and his companions returned to the Randol estate.
The next morning, June 26th. Jin and the group had intended to head straight for the Theoderic estate, but an unexpected development occurred.
"Jin!"
"It has been three days, has it not?"
First, Prince Ernest and Princess Lieschen arrived at the Randol estate, Reinhard’s family home.
And then, things became even more formal.
"'Jin Nidou-dono, we hereby appoint thee as an honorary baronet, and simultaneously, the Kingdom of Egerea confers upon thee the title of Magi Craft Meister.'"
"'Jin Nidou-dono, we hereby appoint thee as an honorary baronet, and simultaneously, the Klein Kingdom confers upon thee the title of Magi Craft Meister.'"
The Prince and Princess read the official decrees aloud. Both the Kingdom of Egerea and the Klein Kingdom had decided to grant Jin the title of Magi Craft Meister.
"Manaphones are truly convenient," Ernest said with a grin. "The morning before last, I reported everything that happened at the Technology Expo to my father, and by yesterday morning, I received word that he wished to grant Jin the title."
"It was the same for us," Lieschen added. "Father was surprisingly quick to decide. I suspect he didn't want to be outdone by other nations."
After finishing the official business, the two royals returned to their usual, relaxed manner.
"Jin, congratulations! Recognized by three nations—you are now an indisputable Magi Craft Meister!" Reinhard cheered, looking as happy as if he’d received the honors himself.
"Jin-nii, congratulations," Elsa said.
"Jin-sama, congratulations," Mine added.
"Jin-sama, I offer my most heartfelt congratulations," Berche said warmly.
"Father, congratulations!" Reiko cried. She was visibly brimming with joy, looking as though she might burst into dance at any moment.
"Say, Jin, what exactly is a Magi Craft Meister anyway?" Lieschen asked. It seemed she didn't quite know the history of the title she had just helped bestow.
"Lies, a Magi Craft Meister refers to the legendary magi craftmen who were said to have existed in the ancient past," Ernest answered before Jin could.
"Oh, I see. So Jin is being treated as their successor?"
"That’s about right. At this rate, we might see messengers from the Celuroa Kingdom, the Kingdom of Franz, and the Kingdom of Elias soon enough."
Jin watched the two royals chat, feeling a bit left out but unable to suppress a smile at their friendly banter.
Jin knew that while the world saw a Magi Craft Meister as the pinnacle of magi craftmen, there was more to it. Only he understood the true nature of the title: the right of access to the Craft Magic library.
Those known as magi or wizards take in free ether from the atmosphere through breathing and refine it into mana within their bodies. This mana can be shaped into various forms of energy through the user's will and mental imagery. That is the essence of magic.
Incantations are merely a support for that imagery; if the mental image is clear enough, no words are needed. Simple phenomena like fire, light, or a breeze are classified as beginner-level magic and can be performed easily by anyone with the talent.
However, mid-to-advanced magic involves far more complex procedures. It is comparable to computer software—Craft Magic, for instance, is like high-end 3D modeling software.
This "software" is stored in the "library" of the world itself. Magic talent is essentially the permission to access that library.
Jin possessed almost unlimited access to the "Craft Magic" library. Conversely, he had almost no access to the library for attack magic.
It had been nearly three hundred years since this theoretical understanding of magic had been lost to the world, buried in the aftermath of the Great Magic War.
"How long will your highnesses be staying in the Empire?" Jin asked.
"Until the end of the month," Ernest replied. "Actually, we’ll have to take our leave of this house shortly. I wish I had more free time."
"Indeed," Lieschen sighed. "I feel the same way, Prince Ernest..."
The two royals shared a wry, sympathetic smile.
Due to the unexpected morning events, it wasn't until after lunch that Jin, Elsa, Mine, Reinhard, and Berche finally set out for the Theoderic estate in Mahahama.
Reiko, Edgar, Neon, and Noir accompanied them as usual, though Lisa was kept hidden under a hooded coat for the time being.
Once again, Noir rode a Golem horse, while Reiko sat on Jin’s lap to accommodate the carriage’s capacity.
The trip from Banne to Mahahama was roughly fifty kilometers. In a normal carriage, it would have been a full day’s travel, but Jin’s carriage could have made it in under an hour. However, due to traffic on the road, they had to slow down, and it ended up taking about an hour and a half.
The Marquis’s estate was a quiet stone building, three stories tall and flanked by spires, nestled in a lush forest.
"Hello, Jin, Reinhard, Berche, Elsa, Mine. It’s been a while."
A crowd of servants was lined up to greet them, and Saki stepped forward from their ranks. She was wearing an elegant dress befitting her station, complete with intricate hair ornaments.
Jin was stunned by the transformation. Saki, noticing his reaction, blushed slightly and gave a sheepish laugh.
"Heh. It doesn't suit me, does it?"
"A-Ah, no, that’s not it. It’s just... you look so different, it really suits you, I mean..."
Reinhard stepped in to rescue his friend. "No, you look wonderful, Saki. You're a natural beauty, so you can pull off anything."
Saki turned bright red and went silent.
"Welcome, everyone," Karen said, stepping forward to smooth things over. "Father has been looking forward to your arrival since we received your message. Elsa, I heard you’ve officially returned—congratulations."
Karen briskly gave orders to the servants and led the group inside. She was remarkably composed and didn't miss a beat, even acknowledging Elsa. She didn't speak to Mine, though it was unclear if she viewed her as just an attendant or if she suspected the truth of her parentage.
In the back of a vast drawing room, the Marquis sat in an easy chair on a plush carpeted section of the floor.
"Ah, Jin-dono, welcome. I heard you received the title of Magi Craft Meister. My congratulations. Please excuse me for remaining seated; my health is still returning."
Though he was still quite thin, his skin no longer looked jaundiced. He looked far healthier than before.
"Reinhard, thank you for looking after Jin-dono. And Lady Berche... no, Madam, how is your new life?"
"Ah, yes, it’s wonderful..."
"Mmm, you and Reinhard seem a fine match. You’ve certainly gained the glow of a married woman."
The Marquis laughed. It was the sort of remark that might have been considered inappropriate in another world, but no such concept existed here.
Elsa stood silently behind Jin, still seemingly uncomfortable. The Marquis noticed her.
"Elsa, come closer. Don't worry, I won't try to force you into marriage again."
Beckoned forward, Elsa cautiously stepped out from behind Jin.
"I always thought of you as just a girl, but you’ve truly begun to grow into a woman. Is this the result of Jin-dono’s influence?"
"E-Eh? Ah, yes."
Not quite sure how to respond, Elsa gave a slightly awkward answer. The Marquis watched her with warm, narrowed eyes before gesturing to the others.
"Now, everyone, please, make yourselves comfortable."