They waited for about ten minutes before the sound of approaching horses reached their ears. The crest on the vehicles confirmed they belonged to Count Kuzuma.
Two medium-sized, two-horse carriages pulled up.
"Jin!"
As the lead carriage came to a halt, the door swung open, and a red-haired girl practically leapt out.
"Beena, it’s been a long time."
"Yes, it really has. Has it been six months? No, even longer than that."
Beena was dressed in a gown devoid of any gaudy ornamentation, carrying herself with the poise of a true lady.
"Elsa-sama, it is good to see you again as well."
Beena pinched the sides of her skirt and offered a casual curtsy.
"I’ve left House Randol. I’m Jin-nii’s sister now. So, please don't use '-sama.' I’d like you to speak to me the way you used to."
Beena’s eyes widened at the declaration.
"What? You actually left your house? I thought it was just a rumor..."
Her words were cut short by another voice.
"Beena, there’s no point in standing around talking in the street. Jin-dono, Lady Elsa, welcome. I was quite surprised when I received your letter yesterday."
To Jin's surprise, Count Kuzuma himself had come to greet them. Jin had used Regulus 5 to send word of their arrival in Blue Land ahead of time.
"It’s been a while, Count."
Jin offered a forty-five-degree bow in the Japanese style.
"These two are Barrow and Belle; they’ve been serving as my butler and maid. And this is Elsa’s automata, Edgar. You already know Reiko. And he is—"
"Beat, wasn't it? I was startled when he delivered the letter yesterday. But enough of that—if I keep everyone talking here, Beena will have my head. Please, step inside."
Jin, Elsa, and Reiko climbed into the same carriage as the Count. Barrow, Belle, and Edgar boarded the second carriage. Since they only had their hand luggage, they brought it inside with them.
Beat—or rather, Regulus 5—did not join them.
"Jin-sama, I shall take my leave for now."
"Yeah, thanks."
The carriages set off, rolling down the road toward Blue Land. One might have expected a bumpy ride, but it was remarkably smooth.
"Beena went through a great deal of trial and error to get it to this point," Count Kuzuma remarked with a touch of pride.
Jin was genuinely impressed. Beena had likely only seen the carriage Jin built in the Kingdom of Egerea briefly, yet she had managed to develop the suspension and dampers entirely on her own.
They passed through the city gates and traveled deeper into the heart of the city along the Central Thoroughfare. By the time they reached the Kuzuma estate near the center, the short autumn day was already beginning to fade into dusk.
"Once again, welcome. Magi Craft Meister Jin-dono. And Lady Elsa."
"Welcome, Jin-sama, Elsa-sama."
In the entrance hall, Count Kuzuma and Beena stood side-by-side to formally welcome their guests.
They were then shown to a luxurious guest suite consisting of four connected rooms. Aside from the living area, there was a room for Jin, one for Elsa, and one for their servants, Barrow and Belle.
"Is it really alright for us to stay here too?" Barrow asked, looking nervous.
Usually, servants stayed in separate quarters. Barrow knew that much, having lived a harsh life in the Celuroa Kingdom.
"I’m sure it’s fine," Elsa said softly. "Louis-sama... Count Kuzuma likely considers you to be... yes, treated as guests as well."
To be blunt, Jin was a figure of state-guest status. As the world's only recognized Magi Craft Meister, it was impossible to treat his servants as common laborers. Count Kuzuma had decided that while Barrow and Belle could attend to Jin's personal needs in private, they were to be treated as guests in all other respects.
"Besides," Elsa added, "compared to the furniture and rooms Jin-nii makes, I think these are a bit lacking."
In terms of comfort, even a single futon from Hourai Island—crafted from magisilk and magic silk floss—was incomparable to anything else. Setting design aside, the sheer quality of Jin's magic tools and furnishings was naturally superior.
Still, having endured much worse in the past, Barrow and Belle found this treatment overwhelming.
Ten minutes after they had settled in, a maid from the estate knocked on the door.
"The bath is ready for you."
Jin and Elsa took fresh changes of undergarments from their luggage. While Barrow and Belle remained in the suite, Reiko and Edgar followed along as a matter of course.
They walked down the corridor and descended the stairs to a semi-basement level where the bathroom was located.
"The Young Mistress suggested this to the Master, and he had it built," the maid explained.
Evidently, Beena had enjoyed the hot springs on Kunlun Island so much that she had convinced the Count to install one here. Jin and the others found it heartwarming that the staff already referred to Beena as the "Young Mistress." Despite her commoner roots, she was clearly respected.
Jin and Elsa entered the separate men's and women's baths. Count Kuzuma, understanding the situation, left the task of assisting them to Reiko and Edgar.
"Ah... I never thought I'd find a hot spring here."
Based on the water, it seemed to be a saline spring, the kind that was excellent for retaining body heat. Perhaps its proximity to the coast of the Kingdom of Egerea played a part.
"Father, how is the water temperature?" Reiko asked.
Knowing Jin preferred his baths hot, she was ready to assist.
"Yeah, honestly it's a bit on the lukewarm side, but let's not go heating up someone else's bath without asking."
"Understood."
Since it was milder than he was used to, Jin simply took his time soaking.
Once they were finished, Barrow and Belle took their turn in the servants' hot spring. The fact that the Count allowed his staff to use the facilities spoke volumes about his kind character.
"That really hit the spot."
As Jin emerged from the bath and began to relax, the same maid returned to announce that dinner was served.
"Jin-dono, Lady Elsa—and Barrow and Belle, was it? Please, join us."
Count Kuzuma had Barrow and Belle sit at the foot of the table. It was very like him to ignore the rigid social hierarchies of the era.
"Th-th-thank you very much," Barrow stammered.
Both he and Belle were incredibly tense at the prospect of dining with a foreign Count. Sensing their discomfort, the head butler leaned in and whispered to Count Kuzuma.
"I see... My apologies, Barrow, Belle. I suppose it’s hard to relax here. Please, allow one of the maids to show you to a more comfortable spot for your meal."
A maid guided the two of them to a separate room.
"I suppose they aren't used to such things yet," the Count said with a wry smile.
"Sorry about that, Count. Thank you for your consideration," Jin said.
Count Kuzuma waved it off. "No, no, Jin-dono. It was my own lack of foresight as a host."
"Now then, let's toast to our reunion!" Beena announced brightly, cutting through the heavy atmosphere.
Wine was poured into their glasses, and the Count raised his.
"To our meeting again, with gratitude. And to our health and happiness. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The clear ring of clinking crystal filled the room as the four of them took a sip.
"This is excellent wine."
It was a slightly dry white wine, perfect for an aperitif. Jin wasn't an expert, but even he could tell it was high quality.
"...Is this an Olsen 3450?" Elsa asked quietly.
"Correct, Lady Elsa! That’s impressive," the Count praised.
Jin and Beena looked at her in surprise, but Elsa remained humble.
"Just a coincidence. I’ve had this brand many times before."
Though it made her sound like a connoisseur, Olsen was simply one of the famous wine regions in the Shouro Empire. Since it was Reinhard’s favorite, they had encountered it frequently during their travels. Jin hadn't recognized it because they had finished their supply on the journey out and hadn't been able to find any for the return trip.
This sparked a lively conversation about their travels. In the Kingdom of Egerea, it was customary to converse cheerfully during a meal rather than eat in silence.
The discussion focused mainly on their journey after leaving the kingdom.
"I had no idea Lady Elsa had gone through such an ordeal..."
"Kidnapped and then rescued... you’re like a heroine out of a storybook," Beena added, her voice full of amazement. Given their relatively quiet lives, the string of dramatic events sounded almost fictional.
"Jin is just as bad," Beena laughed. "When we first met, I never imagined he was such an incredible person. All he did was criticize my work."
"Hey, I already said I was sorry for that. I just have a habit of speaking my mind."
"Oh, I know!"
The table erupted in laughter.
"By the way, it’s a bit late, but congratulations on officially becoming a Magi Craft Meister."
The topic shifted from the Technology Expo in the Shouro Empire to Jin’s new title.
"Thank you."
Count Kuzuma leaned in. "Jin-dono—no, would it be alright if I called you simply Jin? As a friend, I’d like us to be as informal with each other as you are with Reinhard."
Jin nodded readily.
"There’s only one Magi Craft Meister in the world, after all," the Count continued in a more relaxed tone. "And I should congratulate you on becoming an honorary baronet as well."
"Thank you, Count."
"Ah, drop the 'Count' as well. My name is Louis."
"I understand... Louis. Is this alright?"
"Perfect."
After discussing the title, the conversation moved to Prince Ernest.
"You know he’s engaged to Princess Lieschen of the Klein Kingdom, don't you?"
"Of course. I actually met them while I was in the Shouro Empire."
"Ah, that’s right. They were heading that way for the expo."
"They seemed very happy together," Jin said. "They make a good match."
"That is wonderful to hear."
The dinner party continued late into the evening, filled with warmth and friendship.