The Empress’s eyes went wide at Jin’s claim that he had no desire for girls.
“Jin-kun, does that mean... well, is that how it is?”
“What do you mean, ‘how it is’...?”
Even with her asking him that way, Jin had no idea how to answer. The Empress changed her approach.
“Not girls, but maybe... someone much younger? Or perhaps you can’t be satisfied unless they’re much older than yourself?”
“That’s not it at all.”
“Th-then... could it be you prefer men?”
“Why would you even jump to that?”
Jin clutched his head. He never would have imagined that the normally wise and dignified Empress would say such things.
“Surely not... with dolls...”
“Please, stop...”
The Empress could easily tell that Jin was sincerely denying her suggestions, so she decided to let the matter rest for now.
(To tell the truth, I was hoping he might end up with Elsa or Saki.)
Without giving voice to those thoughts, the Empress changed the subject.
“There is still so much we don't know about the demon race. It’s unsettling.”
“I suppose so. But I’ll do what I can.”
“Yes, hearing those words from you, Jin-kun, is as reassuring as having the strength of a thousand men. My country will do everything it can as well, so please, tell me if you need anything.”
“Yes, I will.”
After that, the sky journey continued in silence for a time. When the Imperial Palace began to look small in the distance, the Empress whispered a tiny, private thought.
“...I want power.”
“Power, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, power. Talent, economic strength, weaponry. I want more and more power to protect my people.”
“...”
Jin could find no words to respond to that statement, which sounded as if it had been wrung from the very depths of her soul.
However, borrowing the ears of Reiko, who was accompanying them, Laojun was listening intently.
The hot air balloon landed safely in the square before the Imperial Palace.
Jin disembarked first and took the Empress’s hand. As she stepped back onto solid ground, the chancellor rushed over to her.
“Your Majesty, I am overjoyed at your safe return.”
“Yes, thank you. It was a comfortable journey through the sky, without any danger.”
The Empress turned then and smiled at Jin.
“Lord Jin Nidou, you have my thanks.”
The group returned to a conference room within the Imperial Palace, where Stearena and Vivian were waiting.
“Jin-kun, she—Vivian—has become the second registered foreigner residing in the Shouro Empire,” the Empress explained personally. She was so informal that the chancellor stood beside her with a look of concern.
“Ah, that’s good. Will you continue to accept defectors in the future?”
It was a casual question from Jin, but the Empress answered with a smile.
“Yes, that’s right. Provided that the person is truly in trouble.”
Jin recalled the rumor that Her Majesty could discern a person’s true nature. If someone attempted a false defection with the goal of scouting the Shouro Empire’s internal affairs or acting as a mole during wartime, would she see through it? If so, that was a relief.
(Regardless of everything else, I have many friends in the Shouro Empire...)
It was only natural that Jin felt inclined to favor them.
“...and so,”
While he was lost in thought, he missed part of the Empress’s statement. It was a very disrespectful lapse.
However, perhaps sensing Jin’s internal fluster, the Empress rephrased her explanation and said it once more.
“In short, I intend to have the Randol family—Reinhard’s family home—take charge of defectors for the time being. This takes into account Reinhard’s track record as a diplomat.”
Stearena, and now Vivian. The Shouro Empire had accepted two defectors in a short period of time. Considering the instability of the Celuroa Kingdom going forward, it was hard to imagine that defectors would stop coming. Therefore, they decided to let House Randol serve as the initial reception point.
Hearing about the Shouro Empire’s stance put Jin at ease. There had been the option of refusing the defections and sending them back, but it seemed the Shouro Empire had prioritized securing talent over maintaining friendship with the Celuroa Kingdom.
Indeed, Jin’s honest impression was that it was difficult to imagine maintaining normal diplomatic relations with the current Celuroa Kingdom.
“That is how things stand. Reinhard. We will send the letter of appointment to your father, Count Randol, shortly,” the chancellor concluded.
After spending a night in the Imperial Palace’s guest rooms, Jin and the others departed early the next morning. Thanks to that, they reached Koju well before noon.
“Heh, three paddleboats, huh?” Jin said, sounding impressed.
Floating before Jin’s eyes was the Scarlet Trail, which Reinhard had built, along with two other paddleboats of the same model.
“Yeah, they’ll probably be responsible for water transport on Lake Tosmo from now on. As a magi engineer, nothing makes me happier. Though, I have to apologize to you, Jin.”
“Apologize for what?” Reinhard looked at Jin’s puzzled face and spoke seriously. “For mass-producing the paddleboats.”
But Jin simply laughed off the remark.
“Now that’s just unnecessary. Didn’t you just say it, Reinhard? A magi engineer’s joy is creating things that are useful to people.”
“I’m relieved to hear you say that.”
“However, if that’s the case, I do have a proposal on how they could be improved.”
“Oh, that’s excellent! Why don't you tell me all about it on the boat to Banne!”
Stearena and Vivian watched the two of them with expressions that were half-envious and half-exasperated.
“Master Reinhard, preparations for departure are complete.”
“Oh, good work. Well then, everyone, shall we go?”
Reiko, Jin, Stearena, Vivian, Noir, and finally Reinhard boarded, and the Scarlet Trail set off. Because the mermaid-type Golem Lorelei provided extra propulsion, she was even faster than the other paddleboats.
Even though it was summer, the breeze crossing the lake was cool. Stearena and Vivian enjoyed the journey on the water while feeling that refreshing wind.
And as for Jin and Reinhard...
“...So, if we extend the deck to cover the front and back of the paddlewheels...”
“Hmm, hmm, that would certainly make getting on and off easier...”
“I also want covers to keep the water spray off.”
“Ah, and also...”
During the boat ride from Koju to Banne, they talked about nothing but engineering.
“...They certainly get along well,” Vivian said, her expression having moved past exasperation.
“It's fine, isn't it? It’s proof of peace,” Stearena replied with a laugh.
The future lay in opaque darkness, but the light to illuminate it certainly existed right here.