"Welcome, Shouro Empire Ambassador, Lord Reinhard Randol and Lady Elsa Randol. And to you, Magi Craft Meister, Lord Jin Nidou and your squire, Lady Reiko Nidou."
The group was met by Marchioness Dominic de Firenziano, the ruler of Zaus Province in the southern Kingdom of Elias, which included Port Rock.
Reinhard and Elsa offered a formal greeting in the style of the Shouro Empire. Jin followed their lead.
＊ ＊ ＊
Following a lively welcoming ceremony, Jin and his companions were escorted to the Guest House in the northwestern district of Port Rock. Steward moved the airship to the Guest House's inner courtyard.
"It has been quite some time, Reinhard-sama."
Once they were away from the public eye, Marchioness Firenziano offered them some Kuhe and greeted them warmly.
"I must offer my congratulations on your promotion to baron."
Even though the Marchioness held a much higher rank, she maintained her characteristically humble and courteous demeanor.
"And Lady Elsa, I understand you have been appointed as a Baronet. My congratulations to you as well."
The Marchioness then turned her attention to Jin.
"And Jin-sama, your fame as the world's only 'Magi Craft Meister' precedes you. I also hear that Reiko-san has been formally granted the rank of squire."
She gave a small, respectful bow to the entire group.
"To think that the people I met not so long ago have risen to such heights in the world."
She spoke with a genuine smile.
"Marchioness, it might be rude of me to say this, but as you are the one with the higher rank—and since we aren't exactly strangers—it would put us more at ease if you could be a bit more informal in private," Reinhard suggested tentatively. Jin agreed and gave a deep nod of support.
"Is that so? Well, if you insist... would it be all right if I addressed you as Reinhard-kun, Jin-kun, and Elsa-san?"
All three nodded in approval. As for Reiko, the Marchioness would simply continue to call her Reiko-san as she had just done.
"Then, allow me to say it once more. Welcome to the Kingdom of Elias. And welcome to Port Rock."
The Marchioness’s tone was now significantly more intimate as she expressed her hospitality.
"The new ship that arrived yesterday, the Bernstein, was magnificent. It is frustrating to admit, but Port Rock... no, the entire Kingdom of Elias does not yet possess a vessel of that caliber."
As a nation almost entirely surrounded by the sea, the Kingdom of Elias took great pride in its shipbuilding, but it was clear they had fallen behind.
"However, I believe our country’s counteroffensive is about to begin."
The Marchioness smiled confidently. Given the wealth of talented shipwrights in the Kingdom of Elias, Reinhard and the others knew they couldn't afford to be complacent.
"More importantly..."
The Marchioness fixed her gaze on Jin.
"Jin-kun, your 'airship' is absolutely marvelous. A true wonder! You have turned the dream of mankind flying through the sky into a reality."
There was a note of pure admiration in her voice.
"A messenger pigeon arrived this morning. Our kingdom wishes to officially recognize Jin-kun as a 'Magi Craft Meister' and treat you with the honors befitting an honorary baronet."
"That is..."
As a nation allied with the Shouro Empire, and considering their proximity to the Kingdom of Egerea and the Klein Kingdom, it was clear that the Kingdom of Elias wanted to secure a strong bond with Jin.
At that moment, a maid arrived to announce that dinner was served. The group followed her to the dining hall.
The wide room was filled with a spread of lavish dishes. Among them, several caught Jin's eye.
"Oh?"
Noticing his reaction, Marchioness Firenziano smiled.
"Ever since Jin-kun taught me how to make topopo chips, I have been researching different ways to prepare topopo."
Spread across the table were fried topopo, topopo salad, and hashed topopo.
"One can make so many different dishes with topopo. Moreover, it has the potential to be a staple food. I felt it would be a tragedy not to utilize such a wonderful crop."
Jin had been briefed on most of this through reports from Quinta, but he hadn't realized the Marchioness was pursuing topopo cuisine with such fervor.
"Our harvest of topopo has tripled this year."
She explained that almost immediately after Jin had taught her the recipe for topopo chips back in late February, she had issued orders to increase the acreage dedicated to the crop.
"That is an honor to hear."
The emergence of a new major food source was excellent news. Jin thought that her decision to triple production so quickly was a masterstroke of leadership.
"I understand that other nations in the Allied Kingdoms are suffering from poor harvests this year."
The Marchioness seemed well-informed on the regional situation.
"If there is a demand for it, I intend to export the crop along with our cooking methods."
"I hope you do."
Jin kept his response brief, feeling it wasn't his place to interfere in international trade.
However, this development suggested that at least a portion of the regional food crisis could be mitigated.
From there, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, focusing largely on the Marchioness's dedication to the crop.
"Because of my efforts, some have started calling me 'Marchioness Topopo' behind my back."
Despite the nickname, her expression was bright and cheerful.
I think she might have filled out a bit, too... Jin noted privately, though he was wise enough not to say it aloud.
As the evening wound down, Jin decided to ask a question he had been holding onto.
"Marchioness, do you happen to remember Marcia?"
"Marcia?...Ah, the girl who teamed up with Jin-kun to win the race? Yes, I remember her. I believe I heard she opened a shop in a neighboring town and that it is doing quite well."
This was Port Rock Town in Port Rock City. Jin recalled Marcia mentioning that her family had been shipwrights for generations in a neighboring town.
"I believe it is Portoa Town," the Marchioness added after confirming with her butler. "She is quite famous there, so I'm sure you'll find her easily. I'm told her shop is on a street right along the harbor."
"Thank you very much."
Jin planned to go and visit her the very next day.
＊ ＊ ＊
Jin and the others were staying in a three-room suite. Their individual bedrooms opened into a large central parlor, where they were currently relaxing.
"The Kingdom of Elias is desperate, isn't it?" Reinhard said suddenly.
"Eh?"
"About wanting to recognize you as a 'Magi Craft Meister.' They probably want hot air balloons."
"Ah, that makes sense."
Jin had only gifted hot air balloons to the countries that had participated in the Shouro Empire's Technology Expo and officially recognized his title. Since the Kingdom of Elias hadn't attended, they had missed out on the technology.
"Well, I don't really have a problem with giving them the technology."
"Jin-nii, you have to... take proper compensation. You must," Elsa insisted, checking his usual easygoing nature. "Hot air balloons are a technology that can change the world. It isn't good to treat them lightly."
"Haha, Elsa beat me to the punch. Jin, it’s exactly as she says. You have a tendency to agree to things far too easily."
"Mm. That is one of Jin-nii's good points, but being kind depends on the person."
Reinhard stared at Elsa with a look of surprise.
"Whoa there, Elsa. Are you flirting with him already?"
Elsa’s cheeks flushed at the remark, but Reinhard’s expression turned serious as he looked back at Jin.
"Jin, regardless, why don't we try this approach?"
"You have an idea?"
"Yes. Jin, you are also an honorary baronet of the Klein Kingdom. That makes you an interested party. So..."
Jin immediately saw where Reinhard was going with this.
"Ah, I see. You're going to ask them to export to the Klein Kingdom... or rather, to provide aid as part of the deal."
"Exactly. Though, of course, we’ll need to discuss it properly with the Klein Kingdom as well."
"I see..."
"So, could you leave these sorts of diplomatic negotiations to me?"
Reinhard was incredibly reliable in these matters. Jin gave him his full authorization, more than happy to let him handle the details.