"What? Jin-dono has sent us a 'hot air balloon'?"
During the periodic contact on the afternoon of July 27th, the Shouro Empire relayed information regarding a gift from Jin: a vehicle known as a hot air balloon. The news reached both the Klein Kingdom and the Kingdom of Egerea.
At the same time, information concerning the demon race was shared. Combined with the letters previously sent by Maquina, a wave of tension rippled through the leadership of both nations.
However, there was a vast difference in the distance between each kingdom and the demon race's territory, and the intensity of their alarm varied accordingly.
＊ ＊ ＊
July 29th, 10:00 AM, in Alban, the capital of the Klein Kingdom.
"Oh, I see it!"
"Wow, Jin and the others are actually on it!"
"It has been quite some time."
"Truly impressive..."
In the square before the Royal Castle, a crowd had gathered: a large contingent of royal ritters, Chancellor Powell, Princess Lieschen, Prince Ernest of the Kingdom of Egerea, and Niclas Fahlheit—Lishia’s father. They all stood waiting for Jin’s arrival.
Prince Ernest was currently visiting the Klein Kingdom, having escorted Princess Lieschen home. Niclas was present because he was one of the few who had witnessed the Unifilar's hot air balloon during the battle at Tetrada.
As they watched, the hot air balloon carrying Jin landed in the center of the square. Only Jin and Reiko disembarked this time, as the balloon was heavily loaded with cargo. Elsa had remained in the Shouro Empire to visit her recovering parents.
"Jin!"
Prince Ernest was the first to run forward, with Princess Lieschen following close behind.
The royal ritters who were unfamiliar with Jin looked on with twitching brows, but those who knew him—such as the Royal Ritter Commander Glenn Dabroad and the young ritter Heinz Rush—remained perfectly composed.
Jin bowed to the two approaching royals.
"It has been a long time, Prince Ernest, Her Highness Princess Lieschen."
"Jin, it’s been a while. But... is that how you usually talk?"
"Indeed," Lieschen added. "As Ernest says, is that not a bit too stiff?"
"Thank you. In that case..." Jin cleared his throat once. "It's been a long time, Your Highnesses," he said with a smile, resetting his greeting to a more casual tone.
"Jin-dono—no, Magi Craft Meister Lord Jin Nidou, welcome." Chancellor Powell approached Jin and presented him with a silver plate. "This is a certificate granting you permission to enter and leave our country. Just as the Shouro Empire has done, we permit you up to ten companions."
"Thank you very much." Jin accepted the plate with a word of thanks. "Now then, without further ado, I shall teach you how to operate this hot air balloon."
Jin began with its construction and proceeded to explain the operation. For this particular unit, the envelope was made from dragonic eel skin rather than sandworm. He had chosen it because the dragonic eel was a magical beast found within the Klein Kingdom.
Once the explanation was finished, Jin took Chancellor Powell and Niclas aboard, and the hot air balloon ascended into the sky.
"Ho ho, this is quite comfortable!"
"Indeed. It is no wonder the Unifilar were so enamored with their perceived superiority."
"I don't mind it being used to counter the demon race, but please, do not use it for conflicts between humans," Jin said, repeating his wish that the technology not be turned against other people.
He knew, of course, that almost any technology could be repurposed for military might.
"Yes, I understand well," Niclas replied. "What Deus Ex Machina-dono meant, and the mysterious power he wielded... they are still vivid in my memory."
Having stood on the front lines at Tetrada, Niclas understood the futility of war in his very bones. As for Jin, he could do little more than trust in the reason and goodness of others.
"Normally, an honorary baronet is appointed by the King himself. I apologize that I must serve as his proxy," the Chancellor said, bowing to Jin once they had moved to the reception room.
When Princess Lieschen had spoken of the title in the Shouro Empire, it had only been a notification; here, Jin was being formally appointed.
"Currently, the King’s health has failed him, and he is bedridden."
"My father was never physically robust to begin with. I, too, am quite worried," Princess Lieschen added with a somber face. "Ernest-sama has also come to pay his respects, so I hope I have been able to show at least some filial piety."
The fact that his youngest daughter’s engagement was settled was likely a great comfort to the King. Jin tentatively asked if he might be able to meet the King, but he was told that only the royal family, close aides, and the royal physicians were permitted entry.
(Well, I suppose it can't be helped.)
Jin didn't know the symptoms, so he couldn't guarantee a successful Behandeln, and he didn't feel obligated to force a meeting just to perform a Diagnose. Instead, he explained everything he knew regarding the demon race to the Chancellor and the Princess.
"...I see, I understand. Just recently, Gloria Allstatt returned with nine soldiers; she reported being attacked by the demon race, just as Maquina-dono's letter warned. It seems they use magical beasts. Speaking of which, while it wasn't a magical beast, Maquina-dono recently exterminated a giant centipede..."
The Chancellor paused, then suddenly bowed his head to Jin in apology.
"Jin-dono! I must apologize for our past actions!"
He was referring to the incident at Inado Mine. Although Jin had heard the details from Lishia, the Chancellor felt the need to offer a formal explanation and apology.
"To donate such an exhausted mine was an unacceptable oversight. Therefore, to Lord Jin Nidou, we wish to grant the First Class Order of Merit in addition to the title of honorary baronet. Will you accept it?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
Jin considered it for a moment. Refusing the honor here after accepting one in the Shouro Empire would likely cause friction, so he decided to accept it graciously. He had realized recently that being a noble provided many conveniences in this world. Even so, he intended to only use his status as a baronet when absolutely necessary.
"Now then, Jin-dono, regarding the matter of taking Prince Ernest to the Kingdom of Egerea in your hot air balloon... we received a reply just a moment ago, and they have granted their consent."
"I see."
Jin had intended to visit the Kingdom of Egerea anyway, and he thought that transporting Prince Ernest would serve as an excellent demonstration. Since he had already carried the Empress and her officials in Shouro, and the Chancellor here in Klein, he had requested the proposal be sent via manaphon during the periodic contact.
In the end, the royal house of Egerea had granted permission for Prince Ernest to travel to the capital, Asunt, in Jin’s hot air balloon. Needless to say, this was also due to a strong personal request from the Prince himself.
＊ ＊ ＊
The following morning, August 1st, at 7:00 AM.
Jin and Reiko had assembled the other two hot air balloons they had brought to the Klein Kingdom. They each boarded separate gondolas. Reiko looked visibly worried, but Jin patted her head and told her not to be. Naturally, he was carrying magi-crystals engraved with Air Leichtern magic, and the Falcons were providing security from high above.
"Jin, I wish to speak with you leisurely again sometime....Ernest-sama, it is time for our temporary farewell." Princess Lieschen looked lonely as she saw them off.
"Princess Lieschen, I will see you again soon."
"...Lies, the next time I see you, it will be to take you as my bride!"
"O-Ernest-sama..." Princess Lieschen turned bright red at the Prince’s blunt declaration.
"Then, Lord Jin Nidou, I leave His Highness in your capable hands."
Following Chancellor Powell's final words, Jin boarded his gondola.
"Yes. We shall depart now."
Jin and Reiko operated their respective balloons. As the two vessels began their slow ascent, Princess Lieschen waved her hand so vigorously it looked as if it might snap.
In Jin’s gondola were Prince Ernest and his dedicated golem, Lotte; in Reiko’s gondola was the attendant maid, Lyla.
"Ah, the sky really is wonderful! Perhaps I’ll ask Father to make me a dedicated hot... air balloon, was it?" Looking up at the clear sky and down at the vast land, Prince Ernest was in high spirits. "Jin, you really are amazing. I hope we can be friends forever."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Yeah. I’m sure you’ll stay our friend as long as we don't betray you, won't you? In that case, I shall strive to be a man worthy of your trust."
Whether it was royal intuition or a personal flash of insight, it was a remark that seemed to see right through to Jin’s true nature. Jin himself placed great importance on faith and integrity. To meet expectations and never betray trust—that was Jin’s creed. As long as someone remained sincere, Jin would respond in kind.
"Your Highness, you and Princess Lieschen seem to have become quite close."
"Yeah. I wondered what kind of girl she would be, but she’s a good one, isn't she?"
Given his position as royalty, Ernest could hardly hope for a romance born of free will, but this match seemed to be to his liking. Jin, who was also friends with the Princess, hoped for happiness in their future.
The way ahead was clear, without a single cloud.
"Your Highness, let me teach you a little trick."
"Eh? A trick?"
"Yes. There is a trick to make this hot air balloon fly much faster."
Jin gave a wry grin and deployed a spell.
"Wind Barrier."
Wind Barrier was a spell at the upper end of beginner-level wind-attribute magic. Essentially, it was a wind shield. It was also a form of Craft Magic used during outdoor assembly to keep parts from being scattered by the wind.
The effect, however, was immediate.
"W-Whoa!"
The hot air balloon accelerated with a sudden lurch. Seeing this, Reiko used Wind Barrier as well and followed after them.
Wind is simply the flow of air. By blocking that flow, the magic had the secondary effect of drastically reducing air resistance. In an instant, their speed more than doubled, reaching roughly 60 kilometers per hour.
The distance from Alban, the capital of Klein, to Asunt, the capital of Egerea, was approximately 260 kilometers. At this speed, they would arrive in just under four and a half hours.
"Wow! This is almost as fast as that airship from the other day!"
High in the sky, Prince Ernest cheered with innocent joy.