Sion answered Jin's question without a moment's hesitation.
"I want to save my sister. That is my true, unvarnished wish."
"I see... Even if it means postponing the food aid?"
Jin asked the question wondering if members of the demon race valued family above their society as a whole.
"Yes. Food is certainly necessary, but it's not a problem that will destroy us in a day or two. But my sister’s situation is different. If we don't hurry, her life might be in danger."
"I see."
She had clearly given the matter considerable thought.
"All right. In that case, we'll set out to save your sister tomorrow. Spend today resting and recuperating. I'll get the necessary preparations underway."
"...I understand. Thank you. I'm counting on you."
Acknowledging that Jin's suggestion was reasonable, Sion suppressed her mounting anxiety and agreed.
＊ ＊ ＊
"The Kingdom of Franz, huh..."
Back on Hourai Island, the real Jin was lost in thought. Reiko had returned to his side as well.
"There's just too little information on that country... Maybe I should try asking Reinhard."
While it was past 6:00 PM on Hourai Island, it was only just past noon in the Shouro Empire—around 12:30 PM at the latest. Guessing it was likely their lunch break, Jin used a Warp Gate to travel to Reinhard’s estate.
Reinhard had finished his meal and was enjoying tea with Berche.
"Oh, Jin. What brings you here?"
"Yeah, I had something I wanted to ask you, Reinhard."
"Please, come this way, Jin-sama. I’ll have some tea brewed for you immediately."
While sipping the tea served by Berche's automata, Neon, Jin explained that he wanted to learn more about the Kingdom of Franz.
At the same time, he made sure to mention that Sion of All-Creation was with him and that her sister had been captured.
"Hmm, the Kingdom of Franz. How should I put it... It's a country where the King's authority is absolute. An absolute monarchy... if that term makes sense to you?"
Reinhard explained, selecting appropriate terminology from the modern knowledge Jin had previously gifted him.
"I didn't visit the Klein Kingdom or the Kingdom of Franz during my last diplomatic tour, so I can't say I have a perfect grasp of the current situation. However, that country is essentially a vassal state of the Celuroa Kingdom."
"Ah, I’ve heard that before."
"The King's name is... ah, right. I believe it was Lijoun de Berkeley."
After explaining that much, Reinhard offered a suggestion.
"I think you could get more detailed information if you asked the Princess of the Klein Kingdom, though."
However, Jin shook his head.
"No, I want to keep the demon race—or rather, Sion and Lucas—a secret from the public for now. I want to wait and see until we've rescued Istalis, Sion's sister."
Jin bowed his head, asking Reinhard and the others not to report the presence of the demons to their government yet.
"I understand. I'll keep quiet until then. Ordinary people harbor deep prejudices against the demon race, after all. Even if becoming friends immediately is impossible, I think it would be good if we could at least establish a relationship where trade is feasible."
As a former diplomat, Reinhard's perspective was encouraging to Jin.
"But you'll have to report it eventually, right?"
"Yeah, of course. But I want to do that only after I have a firm grasp of the situation."
"Also, Jin, even if the Kingdom of Franz is a relatively small nation, don't let your guard down, okay?"
"Yeah, I know. I won't do anything reckless."
"Jin, if it were just a sightseeing trip, I wouldn't say a word. You have Reiko-chan with you, and I'm sure the Secret Mobile Unit is watching from the shadows. But you're going to rescue captured demons, aren't you?"
"Ugh..."
It was a perfectly valid point. Jin found himself speechless.
"Observing and gathering info is fine. But when it comes time for the rescue, Jin, you must stay out of it. If possible, return to Hourai Island while it's happening."
The memory of the time Reinhard was rescued from the Unifilar—and Jin was struck by an enemy golem—was still burned into Reinhard's mind. He was truly worried for his friend's safety.
"I understand. Thanks for the advice."
After thanking the couple, Jin returned to Hourai Island.
"Father, as Reinhard-san suggested, why don't you try asking Princess Lieschen?"
Reiko made the proposal. It was 7:00 PM on Hourai Island, which meant it was just past 4:00 PM in Alban, the capital of the Klein Kingdom.
"Hmm, I suppose so. I did finally gain the right to enter and leave the country freely..."
There was a Warp Gate located near Alban as well. Following Reiko's suggestion, Jin passed through the gate to seek an audience with Princess Lieschen.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Going there without any prior notice might be a bit of a problem, though..."
Jin muttered to himself as he walked through the streets of Alban under the still-bright summer sky.
"Father, let us look for an acquaintance."
He had a few connections in the capital, such as Gloria, Jessica, Pascoe, and Heinz. Since several were knights, there was a chance they might be out on patrol, making a chance encounter possible.
But reality is rarely so convenient. Even after an hour of searching, he hadn't seen a single familiar face.
"Perhaps if we caused a commotion in the castle town, someone would come out to investigate," Reiko suggested.
Holding back Reiko, who had started making suggestions that were either very dark jokes or serious threats, Jin began walking again. It was then that a voice reached him.
"Oh, if it isn't Jin-san?"
Someone called out from the crowd. Turning toward the voice, Jin saw a familiar face.
"It has been quite a while. Is my son doing well?"
It was Roland, Erik's father and a senior managing director of the Raglann Company.
"I've been meaning to come and pay my respects to you, but the company's business has been even busier than I anticipated."
"If business is booming, that's great news."
At Roland's invitation, Jin and Reiko headed to the Raglann Company's headquarters. They were shown into a luxurious reception room.
"This is my father-in-law, Erik's grandfather, and the chairman of the company, Raglann Eastwood."
"I'm Jin. It's a pleasure to meet you. This is Reiko."
"Jin-dono, I have heard many rumors about you. I have long hoped for the chance to meet you in person."
Raglann had a sturdy build that didn't look like that of a man over sixty; he seemed to overflow with vitality. On the other hand, his slightly thinning hair was the same shade of brown as Erik's.
"I have wanted to meet you ever since I first saw that marvelous invention you call a pump! And now my wish has finally come true!"
The man who had built the Raglann Company from nothing and led it to its current scale was a very different type of merchant than Eckart, whom Jin had met in the Celuroa Kingdom.
"Pumps, magic stoves, wheat, balls, pens, and nibs... Jin-dono, you are the company's greatest benefactor! We can never thank you enough!"
The time was already approaching 6:00 PM. Raglann ordered his subordinates to prepare a meal.
"By the way, what brings you to Alban? Is it business or sightseeing?"
At that moment, Jin had an epiphany. The royal family weren't the only ones who would be well-informed about the Kingdom of Franz.
"Actually, I was hoping to learn more about the Kingdom of Franz."
"Hmm, I see. I won't pry into your reasons. In that case, Roland would be the best person to ask."
Prompted by Raglann's gaze, Roland began to speak.
"My last visit to the Kingdom of Franz was about three years ago, so my information is based on the situation then. That country's political system is best described as a dictatorship."
Jin nodded silently, noting that it matched Reinhard's assessment.
"The wealth inequality is also extreme. A small number of nobles live in absolute luxury, while the common people can barely manage to scrape together enough to eat. As a result, it wasn't a very promising market for us."
"..."
Jin frowned.
"At the time, I traveled as far as Bubulo, the town neighboring the capital of Sanjerton. But the nobles there, despite having plenty of money, were incredibly stingy with their payments. Seeing that there was no profit to be made, I turned back."
Having said that, Roland shared a few other observations with Jin, including the names of some nobles who were considered relatively decent. He also provided several points of caution for anyone planning to visit the Kingdom of Franz.
"Thank you very much. This is a huge help."
"No, no. This doesn't even repay a tenth of the benefits we've received from you, Jin-dono."
Both Raglann and Roland laughed as they spoke.
"Oh, if you don't mind, could I take a look inside the shop?"
Jin remembered that when he had visited Alban with Elsa and Hanna previously, they had missed the opportunity to see the company's main branch.
"Of course. Roland, please show him around."
Raglann smiled and gave Roland the instruction.
"Then, Jin-san, please follow me."
Leaving the reception room, they entered the shop area.
"The main branch primarily deals in smaller merchandise."
First were the stationery goods. Rows of pens and nibs supplied by Jin were on display. Alongside them were inks, parchment, pen stands, and pen trays.
Next were the tableware and kitchen supplies. Deep plates, shallow plates, small bowls, and larger basins. Spoons, forks, and knives. Cleavers, tongs, pots, and frying pans.
"This is our section for magic stoves."
Magic stoves utilizing magi-stone sand, the production method of which Jin had shared, were lined up here.
"We trained our own craftsmen, and we've finally managed to produce them entirely in-house."
Jin inspected one of the stoves; the craftsmanship was excellent.
"And here are the general daily necessities."
Magi-lamps, monster-repelling bells, and hand mirrors. The rubber balls were displayed in this corner as well.
"Erik consolidates the orders for us, which is a great help."
Erik compiled the necessary quantities every month and placed the orders, so Jin or Elsa could make them in bulk whenever they visited Kaina Village. This ensured a stable supply for the market.
"Oh?"
In a corner of the shop, something caught Jin's eye.