The wedding ceremony and reception for Count Kuzuma and his new bride concluded without a hitch.
"It would be a pity to keep the young couple tied down forever."
Thanks to Duke Blue’s considerate arrangement, the reception drew to a close by 4:00 PM. Normally, such celebrations were known to stretch well past midnight. Jin knew he wouldn't have been able to keep up with festivities that long anyway, so he found the early conclusion a blessing.
"But we should make sure not to get in their way."
"Un."
Jin and Elsa exchanged those brief words and decided to head back to the manor a short while after the couple.
＊ ＊ ＊
"..."
"I wonder what's going on over there."
When they arrived at the Count's manor about five minutes later, they found the Count and Beena standing at the entrance, locked in an embrace with Maroom, the Chief Maid.
"...I think I heard that Maroom-san served as Louis-sama's nurse while he was growing up."
"I see. So this was her way of welcoming them home....But what's with all that luggage?"
"I couldn't say."
Sensing that some things were better left unprobed, Jin and Elsa slipped through the side gate and quietly entered the manor.
"Now then, we’ll finally be departing for the Shouro Empire tomorrow morning."
Jin laid out the plan, with Barrow and Belle present for the briefing.
"Yes, we're ready when you are."
"I'm sorry we have to rush off so soon, especially after you two became such good friends with the siblings here."
"No, we understand, Jin-sama. You don't want to be a nuisance to the newlyweds."
Belle spoke up, though she still looked a little downcast. Jin decided to offer a bit of reassurance.
"Well, as you've seen from this trip, it's a distance that can be covered in a single day if we use the airship."
"Yes!"
Catching the unspoken implication that they would likely return, the two nodded energetically.
The next morning, after sharing breakfast with the Count and Beena, Jin prepared for an early departure.
"I wish you could have stayed longer," Count Kuzuma admitted.
"We'll definitely come again once you two have settled in. You know as well as I do that it's possible, right?" Jin replied.
He was subtly hinting at the Warp Gate.
"Yeah, you're right. Well then, take care, Jin, Miss Elsa."
"Jin, come visit again soon. Elsa, do your best."
"See you again sometime."
"Yes, someday soon."
While Jin and Elsa were parting ways with the Count and his wife, Barrow and Belle were likewise exchanging farewells with Nana and Raldo.
"Well then, Nana, Raldo, stay healthy."
"Belle-san, Barrow-san, you both take care of yourselves too."
Once the masters and servants had finished their goodbyes and stepped out of the estate gates, they found one of the Quinta, Regulus 5—acting as Beat—standing by with four Golem horses.
"Ji-Jin-sama, why are these horses here?"
Golem horses were common enough in Kaina Village that both Barrow and Belle had ridden them before. However, they were stunned to see them in a place like this. Even though their sense of what was "normal" was starting to erode, they both knew that Golem horses weren't something one found just anywhere.
In truth, Jin had temporarily brought them through the Warp Gate installed on the outskirts of Blue Land.
Dividing themselves among the four Golem horses—Jin and Reiko, Elsa and Edgar, Barrow and Belle, and finally the luggage and Beat—the group headed for the outskirts.
The airship had already been moved to the open square. The efficiency of Regulus 4—acting as Mark—was impressive. Jin praised Mark for the setup and thanked Beat for his hard work.
"Alright, let's head out."
The airship carrying Jin and his companions slowly gained altitude. Only the two Quinta were present to see them off.
"I’m going to pick up the speed."
The distance between Blue Land and Kalts Village, Reinhard's territory in the Shouro Empire, was just under 900 kilometers. If they were to stop overnight, they would have to do so in the Celuroa Kingdom, which Jin wanted to avoid for several reasons.
Therefore, Jin intended to fly all the way to the Shouro Empire in a single day. Even if it meant resorting to a few "cheats"—not that such things were out of the ordinary for him anymore.
"We're going to high altitude."
The Celuroa Kingdom had not granted Jin permission to enter or exit. To avoid any unnecessary trouble, he planned to soar at a super-high altitude. Furthermore, he intended to use a wind barrier to its maximum potential to reduce air resistance and increase speed. The thin air of the upper atmosphere was perfect for that.
"Whoa..."
The view from an altitude of 10,000 meters was breathtaking. Because atmospheric pressure and temperature were maintained by the barrier, the passengers were unaffected, but it was an environment where humans normally could not survive. In exchange for the risk, they were treated to a world beyond the ordinary.
A sea of clouds stretched as far as the eye could see. Above them, a piercingly clear blue sky spanned the horizon.
"We're above the clouds; it's clear skies all year round here."
Even as he spoke, Jin was captivated by the sight.
"...Beautiful."
Elsa also gazed at the mystical scenery, entranced.
Even at such an altitude, they would not lose their way; the magi-detector kept them locked onto the direction of Kalts Village. The airship raced through the sky at nearly 150 kilometers per hour.
After flying for about five hours, they were already well inside the borders of the Shouro Empire. Jin began to lower their altitude and speed. The weather in the Empire was clear, and the airship descended steadily without even needing to pass through a cloud layer.
"Um, Jin-sama? Where are we?"
"Ah, we should be near Magiroots."
"What!"
Because Regulus 9, who was stationed in the neighboring town of Mont, was guiding them, they had been able to maintain a perfect course even from above the clouds.
"U-U-Um, Jin-sama, are you serious?"
"Yeah, that's right. Doesn't it look familiar?"
"Well..."
Barrow was flustered and surprised, while Belle stared intently at the ground.
"Ah, Barrow, look! Look, it's the village! There's no mistake! That's the Village Chief's house—that watchtower right there!"
The surrounding area was covered in withered cornfields. Crops suitable for dry regions, such as corn and beans, were the staples here, and this entire region seemed to be a corn-producing hub.
As Jin's airship approached, the villagers noticed it and began pointing at the sky in a panic. For those who hadn't attended the Technology Expo, such a reaction was only natural upon seeing an airship for the first time.
Jin landed in a grassy field on the outskirts of the village. Regulus 9 came running over to meet them. He was a young man-type Automata with brown hair and brown eyes, dressed in the garb of a noble's servant.
"Chief, I have been waiting for you."
"Good work. Look after the airship for me. It'll be dangerous if the kids try to mess with it."
The faces of children could be seen among the villagers watching from a distance.
"Ah, Big Brother!" one of the children shouted.
"It really is! That's Barrow!"
"Belle is here too!"
"Just who the heck are they with?"
Just as the chatter among the villagers reached a fever pitch, a man stepped forward.
"Excuse me, but who might you be? I am Felix Becker, the tax collector in charge of the Etrant Region."
He was a sturdy man in his late twenties or early thirties with chestnut hair and blue eyes—features commonly seen throughout the Shouro Empire.
"I am the Magi Craft Meister, Jin Nidou."
"And his sister, Elsa. I'm a magi engineer."
Jin and Elsa introduced themselves.
"A 'Magi Craft Meister'?! You're that one!"
It appeared Felix Becker had heard the name, as he immediately performed the formal salute of the Shouro Empire, placing his right hand over his chest. It was the same sign of respect shown to lower-ranking nobles of baron rank or below.
"Forgive my rudeness! Do you have some business in this village, sir?"
Jin nodded and answered simply.
"Yes. These two, Barrow and Belle, work for me. I've brought them home today for a visit."