"The reason I’ve called you here today is simple. Miss Elsa, I have a request for you."
The Chancellor began to speak. Seeing no signs of distress on his face, Jin assumed the matter wasn't a life-or-death emergency.
"King Alois III of the Klein Kingdom has been unwell since the start of summer."
Jin had heard something about that not too long ago—specifically back in late July, when they had gifted the hot air balloon to the Klein Kingdom. The fact that the King’s condition hadn’t improved since then was a cause for concern.
"Since the report came through via manaphone, we don't have the full picture, but it’s said his condition is so poor that he’s bedridden."
"Do you know anything about his... complexion?" Elsa asked after a moment of thought.
"Hmm. I heard the whites of his eyes have a yellowish tint, but I know nothing more specific than that."
"I see..."
The possibility of liver cirrhosis—the same ailment Saki’s grandfather, Marquis Theoderic, had once suffered from—crossed Elsa’s mind. However, there was still far too little information to be certain.
"Because of this, the Klein Kingdom has reached out to both our Empire and the Kingdom of Egerea to see if any skilled healers are available."
It seemed the healers within the Klein Kingdom were unable to treat the King's illness.
"For our part, both Her Majesty and I are in agreement that you, Miss Elsa, would be the ideal candidate, given how brilliantly you treated the Marquis. What do you say? Would you be willing to travel to the Klein Kingdom as a Reichsarzt representing the Shouro Empire?"
"..."
Elsa fell into a deep silence. During her previous visit to the capital with Jin and Hanna, she had become friends with the Third Princess, Lieschen. Because of that bond, she truly wanted to help Lieschen’s father.
However, the desire to help and the actual ability to cure were two different things. If she were dispatched as the official representative of the Shouro Empire, her failure would be a failure for the entire nation. That was the source of her hesitation.
"Are you worried about the consequences if you cannot cure him? If so, put it out of your mind," the Empress interjected. Though she had appeared to be doing nothing but playing with Hanna, she proved she was still paying close attention. "They sought help from other countries because their own healers couldn't manage it. It would be intolerable for them to hold a grudge just because it didn't work out."
The Empress gave Elsa a reassuring smile. "I won't force you. If you truly don’t wish to go, you may refuse."
"..."
Elsa slowly looked around the room. Her gaze drifted to Jin, then to Hanna, then to Reiko, and finally back to Jin. Her decision was made.
"...I will go."
"Oh?"
"Please, let me go. I will... try to do everything I can."
"I understand. I shall officially grant you the title of Reichsarzt."
As for the schedule, they wanted her to depart the day after tomorrow—or tomorrow, if possible. Jin stepped forward and offered his assistance.
"I can deliver her personally via airship," he proposed.
"That would be a great help," the Empress replied. "It should be twice as fast as a hot air balloon. We won't have to worry about safety on the road, and Jin-kun already has some influence within the Klein Kingdom."
Finally, taking both Jin and Elsa’s hands in hers, she spoke words of encouragement.
"Jin-kun, please look after Elsa. And Elsa, you must support Jin-kun, alright?"
"Elsa, are you sure about this?" Jin asked once they had left the Empress’s office.
"Mm. I want to try. I’ve always been the one being protected by you and the others, Jin-nii. King Alois III is Princess Lieschen's father. If there’s a chance I can heal him, I want to take it."
"...I see. Alright. I'll do everything I can to help you."
"Thank you."
"Onii-chan, is the princess’s daddy sick?" Hanna asked, looking up at Jin with a worried expression.
"Yeah, it sounds like it. That's why Elsa is going to perform a Diagnose."
"Really? Big sis, please make him better, okay?"
Elsa wore a gentle smile as she patted Hanna’s head. "I will. I’ll do my very best."
They returned to the mansion to begin their preparations.
"I see, so that’s how it turned out," Reinhard said with a grave nod when they filled him in. "The King’s illness sounds quite serious."
"Yeah. I’m wondering if Laojun has picked up any more information."
Laojun should have had Quinta units stationed within the Klein Royal Castle. Jin instructed Reiko to establish contact. Since they hadn't installed a manacam at the mansion yet, she had to use her internal systems.
"..."
Reiko remained silent for a short while, exchanging data with Laojun.
"...Father, I have received more detailed information regarding King Alois III's condition."
According to the report, the King was suffering from jaundice and significant weight loss, yet his abdomen was abnormally distended.
"There is no doubt. It’s an abnormality of the liver," Elsa said, her expression hardening. "That’s enough for now. I don't want to go in with too many preconceptions."
She would confirm the rest with her own eyes once they arrived.
Next came the logistics. Jin intended to use the airship only for the public departure and arrival.
"We’ll set out by airship, then have Condor 3 rendezvous with us mid-flight. From there, we’ll head straight to Hourai Island. Once we’ve prepared everything there, we can use the transporter to warp near the Klein Kingdom. It’ll save time and, more importantly, it’s safer."
They decided to prepare specialized medicines and healing magic tools on Hourai Island and bring a Nurse Golem along for support.
"That just leaves Barrow and Belle. Should they stay here, or return to Kaina Village...?"
"Jin, why don’t I look after them at my place?" Reinhard offered.
"That would be a huge help. It’d be good for them to learn how things are run in a house like yours."
Jin accepted the offer readily. Since almost all of the staff at his own mansion were golems—with the exception of Mine—he felt it would be beneficial for the pair to learn the duties of human butlers and maids from professionals.
"Understood! We'll work hard and learn everything we can!" Barrow and Belle both seemed genuinely excited at the prospect of working at Rankenhaus.
"Now, Hanna, what about you?" Jin asked. "Do you want to come with us, or go back to the village?"
"Hmm... I want to see the princess. I want to tell her to be brave."
"I see. Alright then, you’re coming with us."
The group was set: Jin, Elsa, Hanna, Reiko, and Edgar.
The airship still had plenty of capacity, so Jin decided to pack samples of his new desiccant. Sixty kilograms of cargo was nothing for the ship, and he could always use Gravity Magic for Air Leichtern if they needed to shave off some weight.
"Alright, that’s that. I’ll finalize things with the Chancellor tomorrow, and then we leave."
Reinhard and his wife were scheduled to return to Kalts Village the following day, so they would take Barrow and Belle with them then. The mansion would be left in the capable hands of Butler D and the golem maids.
That night, they held a small party at the mansion—a dual celebration for Reinhard’s promotion to baron and a send-off for Elsa. Jin remained as relaxed as ever.
"Congratulations again, Reinhard."
"Thanks, Jin. I couldn't have done it without you." Reinhard then turned to Elsa with a supportive look. "Good luck, Elsa. Jin, I’m counting on you to support her resolve."
"Of course."
"And make sure you accept her ‘bare hands oath,’ won’t you?"
"Eh?"
"Rai-nii!" Elsa shouted, her face turning crimson as she glared at him.
"Wait, what? You haven't told him yet?"