June 29th was the final day of June.
While a standard month in this world consisted of thirty days, the long summer months of June, July, and August each had only twenty-nine. This meant a year fit perfectly into 357 days. Since the concept of days of the week did not exist, every year could follow the exact same calendar without issue.
"Ah, I have to give my answer today..."
It was the deadline for his response to Empress Gerhardt Hilde von Rubis Shouro.
"I’d considered suggesting Fusou Island as my answer, but..."
That plan had been scrapped.
"Still, I can't just brush off Her Majesty or the country that bestowed the title of Magi Craft Meister upon me..."
The night before, after consulting with Laojun, Jin had decided on the best path forward for his current situation.
＊ ＊ ＊
The Shouro Empire's Imperial Palace.
"I wonder if Jin-kun is here yet."
Empress Gerhardt paced restlessly in her office, waiting for Jin. The mountain of paperwork on her desk hadn't shrunk at all. The chancellor had been away on business since morning, leaving only a single maid serving as a guard in the room with her.
At 9:00 AM, there was a knock at the door, and a messenger announced himself.
"Your Majesty, Lord Jin Nidou requests an audience."
"S-show him in at once!"
After a fifteen-minute wait, the office doors opened and Jin entered.
"I have been waiting for you, Lord Jin Nidou."
"I apologize for the delay, Your Majesty."
"And? Will you let me hear your answer?"
"Yes."
The Empress leaned forward eagerly. Jin’s expression softened into one of regret as he spoke softly.
"...I cannot enter your service."
"Oh...?"
The Empress recoiled as if she had been physically struck.
"I... I see... That is... unfortunate. Truly, truly unfortunate..."
She looked as though she were on the verge of tears.
"I am deeply sorry for failing to meet your expectations," Jin said, bowing his head in apology.
"However," he added, looking at the visibly dejected Empress. "I believe I can offer to impart 'science' to your people."
"What!"
The Empress’s head snapped up.
"...Does that mean the method for doing so is just outside the door?"
"Bring them in! Bring them inside at once!"
Before Jin could even finish his sentence, the Empress granted her permission. The maid-guard standing beside her seemed to twitch slightly in surprise.
"Y-yes, well then... Reiko, the permission is granted. Bring him in."
"Yes, Father."
The door opened, and Reiko entered alongside another automata.
"And who is this automata?"
He was male in appearance, appearing to be in his mid-twenties with features that could only be described as ordinary. His build was likewise average. He wore an outfit rarely seen in the Shouro Empire—a white dress shirt paired with a navy blue suit jacket and trousers. It looked very much like a job-hunting recruit suit.
"This is Fuhrer. I have programmed him with scientific knowledge and other such fundamentals. I am presenting him to you."
It was a compromise Jin had agonized over. He had transcribed scientific and mathematical knowledge roughly equivalent to a modern Earth elementary school curriculum. Jin's solution was to have this automata serve as a teacher so the people of the Empire could learn the foundations of science.
He had omitted anything he deemed too dangerous, such as knowledge pertaining to explosives or poison gas. This was the extent of what Jin was willing to provide.
"...Thank you, Jin-kun. And what of you? What will you do now?"
"I intend to travel the world."
"The world, I see..."
Jin wanted to learn more about this world and seek out those who could become his comrades.
"Your Majesty, may I say one more thing?"
"Oh? What is it?"
"...What I desire is a world without borders. A world without war. Such a thing may be an ideal, or even a mere fantasy. But I want that kind of world... for my own sake."
"For your own sake?"
"Yes. No matter how I justify it with logic, in the end, it comes back to me. A world where I can do what I want and create what I want alongside my comrades and friends. A world where honest people are rewarded and effort bears fruit. That is the world I want."
"I see. I think I understand your feelings, Jin-kun."
"Thank you for listening. Now, if you will excuse me."
As Jin prepared to take his leave, the Empress called out to stop him.
"Ah, wait a moment. As a token of my thanks for Fuhrer, I want you to have this."
She held out a plate bearing the crest of the Shouro Imperial Family. On the front were Jin’s name and his title as a Magi Craft Meister; the back was engraved with text.
"It is an identification card that grants you access to this Imperial Palace and all public facilities at any time. It also serves as a permit for you to reside freely within this country."
Jin immediately grasped the weight of what this card represented and felt a swell of gratitude. It meant that even if he used Warp Gates to travel between nations, his presence would not be questioned—at least not within the Shouro Empire.
"I suppose I knew deep down that I couldn't keep you all to myself. But please, come visit whenever you like."
"...Thank you very much."
Jin gave the most respectful bow he could manage and departed the office. Once the door closed, the Empress let out a quiet, lonely sigh.
"I expected this, but I really couldn't tie him down, could I...?"
She looked at Fuhrer standing beside her and offered a small smile.
"But I did receive you, didn't I?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. My father was deeply conflicted. It was only after much agonizing that he created me."
"I see. Jin-kun did that..."
The Empress stared at the closed door. Through the heavy wood, she felt as if she could see Jin’s receding back as he walked away.
"Jin, how did it go?"
Reinhard, who had been waiting in the palace’s first-floor hall, called out to him.
"Yeah, Her Majesty was very gracious about everything."
"I see... As a public official, I find it incredibly regrettable that you didn't join the service, but as a friend, I'm actually relieved."
"The Marquis told me something similar. I think I'll spend some time traveling to look for comrades."
"That sounds like a plan. In that case... what about her?"
"...Stearena?"
"Exactly. I heard she’s heading back to the Celuroa Kingdom today or tomorrow."
Jin decided then and there to approach her first.
"Where would she be?"
"Probably the Guest House."
Jin set off for the Guest House with Reinhard. It was only a five-minute walk from the palace. By presenting the identification card he had just received, he was granted entry without any trouble.
After asking for Stearena, they waited five minutes in the entrance hall.
"Jin-kun, Reinhard-kun! Did you come to see me off? I’m sorry to say I don't leave until tomorrow."
Stearena appeared, already addressing Jin with casual familiarity.
"Actually, there are some things I wanted to discuss with you."
Stearena’s eyes lit up with delight.
"Oh? What kind of talk could a Magi Craft Meister have for me? Well then, shall we go up to my room?"