On November 7th, a visitor arrived at Jin's mansion.
"Hello, Jin! This is quite the mansion you have here."
It was Reinhard. It seemed he had been summoned by the Empress.
"Jin-sama, allow me to congratulate you on your appointment as the Imperial Honorary Advisor."
Since Berche had not been present at the recent Reaction Magic Symposium, she took this opportunity to offer her well-wishes.
"Thank you," Jin replied, accepting the congratulations graciously.
"Reinhard, I heard you're being granted a barony today as well?"
"Yeah, thanks to you."
Because he had collaborated with Jin to establish the desiccant plant—rendering a significant service to the nation—the crown had decided to grant him the rank of baron. Jin had received word of this the previous evening.
"Most of the credit really belongs to you, Jin. I feel a bit guilty about it."
"What, is that all? I’m sure they’re evaluating you on your ability to create a production pipeline for the common people, rather than just the technology itself."
"No, if you’re going to put it that way, then the credit goes to Toa-san."
Reinhard remained humble. Jin thought the modest attitude was very much like him.
"So, what brings you here today?"
"Oh? Did you not know? The investiture ceremony is being held at the Imperial Palace today."
"Wait, what?" Jin looked at Elsa.
"Mm. I knew," she said.
"...I didn't hear anything about this."
"The palace sent word yesterday morning. You should have heard it too, Jin-nii. Barrow reported it to you properly."
"Uh..."
Two days prior, Shiide had come to visit, which had prevented them from heading to Hourai Island to eat the miso soup made with the new katsuobushi. Consequently, the meal had been postponed until yesterday. Jin had been so restless with anticipation for his long-awaited soup that Barrow’s report had likely gone in one ear and out the other.
"Ah... sorry about that."
"You’re the same as always, Jin," Reinhard said with a wry smile. "Anyway, I just came by to see the mansion you were given."
"Oh, right. In that case, this is perfect. Reinhard, feel free to use this place as your own whenever you're in Loizart." Jin laughed and told him he could claim any of the vacant guest rooms as his private quarters.
"I see, that's a big help. Up until now, I’ve been staying at my father’s estate." Reinhard laughed along with him. "Well then, shall Berche and I have a look around the house?"
"Topaz, please show them the way."
"Understood, Master."
Once Reinhard and Berche went to tour the mansion under Topaz’s guidance, Jin spoke to Elsa in a low voice.
"We should probably get Reinhard a gift to celebrate."
"Yeah. What should it be, Jin-nii?"
After some deliberation, Jin and Elsa decided to give him a hot air balloon. It would be a special custom model; they planned to make the envelope out of ground spider silk—specifically, GSS. While it would look like a standard hot air balloon on the outside, the internal specifications would be on a completely different level. Jin initially thought about adding Reinhard's crest to the envelope, but Elsa stopped him.
"If he's establishing his own house, he'll likely create a new crest."
Realizing she was right, Jin decided to wait until the very end to add the emblem.
That same day at 1:00 PM.
"Well then, we'll head out ahead of you."
As one of the guests of honor, Reinhard departed for the Imperial Palace a bit early with Berche. Jin and the others were set to leave about an hour later.
At 2:00 PM, Jin, Elsa, and Hanna prepared to head out. Reiko and Edgar naturally accompanied them. The notice written by the Empress herself had specifically requested that Hanna be brought along.
Jin and Reiko each wore their newly received honorary cloak and robe. Hanna was dressed in a fine gown.
The one who had truly struggled with her preparations was Elsa. She had worried about how to present herself in a formal public setting where other high-ranking nobles, such as Marquis Theoderic and Reinhard’s father, Count Randol, would be present.
To put it plainly, she was conflicted over her identity: should she introduce herself as the magi engineer Elsa Randol, or as Elsa Nidou, the sister of Magi Craft Meister Jin Nidou?
While her father, Georg, had been stripped of his title, the Empress had informed Elsa that she would consider the matter if Elsa intended to establish her own branch house. However, Elsa had let time slip by until today without giving an answer.
Rather than reviving the branch House Randol, I'd much rather...
Elsa wanted to remain by Jin's side. If possible, as someone more than just a sister.
"...I've decided," she whispered to herself.
She reached into her closet and pulled out her choice.
"Onii-chan, are we going to the castle?"
Hanna was in high spirits after hearing she was invited by the Empress, whom she had met recently.
The vehicle they boarded was a Golem carriage brought over from Hourai Island, drawn by a pair of Golem horses. It was a newly built model; while the design remained traditional, it bore both Jin's personal crest and the crest of the Shouro Empire, matching the insignia on Jin’s honorary cloak.
Jin decided to leave the driving to Butler D. Steward was currently stationed back on Hourai Island.
"Is Elsa ready yet?"
"Ah, here comes Onee-chan!"
Accompanied by Edgar, Elsa arrived at a brisk pace.
"Wow, Onee-chan, you're beautiful!"
She was dressed in a gown of pale, spring-green shades that she favored. The coordination was sophisticated, and Jin honestly thought she looked stunning. However, he felt a strange sense of incongruity.
Without being able to put his finger on what it was, Jin and the others boarded the carriage and set off for the Imperial Palace.
The Golem horse carriage was quite conspicuous on the streets. However, once the citizens realized it belonged to the Magi Craft Meister, they all nodded in understanding.
"This way, please."
"Thank you."
Since Jin held a rank equivalent to or higher than a count—at least in name—as the Imperial Honorary Advisor, he could have walked through the castle with great pomp. However, being a commoner at heart, he responded politely even to the servants guiding him as they made their way to the hall.
The venue was the Great Hall. Several other nobles besides Reinhard were being granted titles today, and a dinner party was to be held simultaneously to celebrate the occasion.
"Oh, Jin-sama."
Jin turned around at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Ah, uh... Karen-san, right?"
Platinum blonde hair and grey eyes. She was the fourth daughter of Marquis Gaylen Theoderic, Karen Theoderic von Banners. She was Saki’s aunt.
"It has been quite a while. I am a bit late in saying so, but congratulations on your appointments as Magi Craft Meister and Imperial Honorary Advisor."
"Thank you very much."
As they spoke, Karen noticed Hanna, who was holding Jin's hand.
"Oh, what a lovely young lady. Is she your sister, Jin-sama?"
"Yes, my name is Hanna," she replied with a graceful curtsy, causing Karen’s face to beam.
"If my father saw her, he might not leave her alone... Oh, I'm only joking, just joking!"
Seeing Jin’s expression stiffen, Karen hurriedly laughed it off.
"Hanna-chan is far too young even for my father. Though I can't say for sure what will happen in five years."
She couldn't help but add that unnecessary quip.
"It has been a long time, Elsa-san....Oh?"
As her gaze shifted to Elsa, Karen’s eyes went wide.