"Elsa! Thank you!"
With Gloria’s scars now fully healed, Fritz was finally permitted to enter the room. He immediately seized Elsa’s hand and gave her a deep, grateful bow.
Gloria, watching from the bed, was taken aback by the display.
"L-Lord Fritz..."
If her face looked a bit flushed, it was likely due to more than just her newly regenerated skin.
"Well, seeing you in such a state while we were on the march together... I couldn't help but feel responsible," Fritz said.
"..."
Even Elsa found her brother’s choice of words somewhat questionable. Fritz then turned back to Gloria and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Gloria-dono, I am truly glad. Yes, your face is as beautiful as it ever was!"
"Lord Fritz..."
Watching her brother naturally deliver such backhanded praise, Elsa let out a private sigh.
"Brother, Gloria-san, I shall take my leave now."
She chose to make a quick exit from the room.
"I see. That’s a relief."
Jin felt a weight lift from his shoulders after hearing Elsa’s report.
"Now we can proceed as planned tomorrow... though it's going to be a hassle..."
To Jin, the upcoming demonstration of Konron 2 was starting to feel like a tedious chore.
"...Jin-nii, you’re the one who suggested this. Please see it through to the end," Elsa said, nipping his procrastination in the bud.
"Whoa! This is incredible!"
The following day, Jin hosted Prince Ernest, the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Egerea, aboard Konron 2.
"The speed is one thing, but the stability is on another level entirely. You really are amazing, Jin."
"Indeed, this is magnificent! Our own country must strive to match such feats," added the other passenger, Minister of Magic Kelichdore.
Carrying the two dignitaries of Egerea, Konron 2 completed a turn over Blue Land and touched down quietly in the courtyard of the Outer Palace.
They were met by Chancellor Galueri, Minister of Defense Judle, and Kelly, the captain of the Royal Ritter Order.
That afternoon, Konron 2 took flight once again, setting a course for the Kingdom of Elias.
As a side note, as a token of gratitude for Jin’s swift response to the emergency, a contract had been signed granting him 100 million Tolls’ worth of magi-crystals from those recovered by the expeditionary force. Even Elsa, who knew Jin's habit of spending resources as quickly as he acquired them, was pleased by this substantial windfall.
"And there they go..."
Gloria, vice-captain of the Klein Kingdom Female Ritter Order, and Fritz Randol, lieutenant colonel of the Shouro Empire Expeditionary Force, stood side by side, watching the silhouette of Konron 2 shrink into the distance.
"I didn't get a chance to see Lord Jin before he left..." Gloria murmured, looking genuinely disappointed. She had likely intended to ask him to craft a replacement sword for her.
"Oh, Vice-captain. Speaking of Lord Jin, I have something he left for you."
Gloria’s adjutant, Cynthia, handed over a long, slender package.
"Hm? What is it?"
Her heart fluttering with anticipation, Gloria unwrapped the package on the spot.
"Oh...!"
It was the sword that had been partially dissolved by the fluid of the Copy—or rather, it was now perfectly restored.
"Lord Jin... when did he...?"
In truth, Elsa had noticed the state of the sword and had quietly retrieved it after the surgery. Jin had then repaired it as a gift to celebrate her recovery.
The new blade retained its adamantite edge, but the core was no longer ordinary iron. Instead, Jin had used corrosion-resistant chrome steel and plated the entire weapon in adamantite.
Recognizing the quality at a glance, Gloria beamed with a radiant smile. Cynthia, watching Fritz stare at Gloria's profile, could only let out a small sigh.
Meanwhile, the Chancellor and the Minister of Magic were also watching the departure.
"...They're gone."
"Indeed."
"Lord Jin Nidou truly creates the impossible," Chancellor Galueri remarked.
"I agree," Kelichdore said, nodding.
"The time the request for aid was sent to the Third Ritter Order, the time he arrived on the scene, and the distance... it defies logic. But I suppose it's best not to think too deeply on it?"
"I believe so. What profit is there in prying?"
Galueri nodded at Kelichdore’s pragmatic view.
"Quite right. More importantly, we have a pressing issue at hand."
"Yes—the fact that our nation's information has leaked to that country."
"Precisely. We must begin a thorough search for spies immediately."
Jin and his companions arrived in the Kingdom of Elias that same evening.
Marchioness Firenziano, who had been waiting in the royal capital, hurried to meet them. Since the trial flight was scheduled for the next morning, Jin and the others were invited to a banquet hosted by the Marchioness.
"Welcome, Lord of Kunlun. So this new airship is the Konron 2? What a marvelous vessel!"
"Yes, it’s quite fast. We can reach the Shouro Empire from here in just half a day."
"That is truly wonderful!"
The centerpiece of the meal was a pizza-like dish made with Devil's Potato <Devil Bulb> and cheese.
It was quite delicious.
"...Is this cheese from Moft Village?" Elsa asked. The flavor was familiar, and her guess proved correct.
The dinner concluded in a warm, friendly atmosphere.
"With this, we should be back in the Shouro Empire by tomorrow night..."
The distance between Borgia, the capital of Elias, and Loizart, the capital of the Shouro Empire, was slightly less than nine hundred kilometers. At a cruising speed of two hundred kilometers per hour, the trip would take only four and a half hours.
Jin was itching to return home and begin his research on materials.
"Jin-nii is the same as ever," Elsa said with a wry smile.
"Father, to do all this for me..." Reiko added, her voice filled with gratitude.
The night in Borgia was noticeably warmer than in Asunt. Opening her window slightly, Elsa could see the moon rising into the sky.
"...Someday, I'll solve the mystery of that moon, too," Jin muttered.
Elsa smiled at his words.
The morning of the 27th brought clear skies. Konron 2 soared gracefully through the air.
"It is truly spectacular, Lord of Kunlun, Lord Jin Nidou," said Marchioness Firenziano, who was aboard for the trial.
"Indeed. Our own kingdom must be inspired to develop such transportation," added Chancellor Marquis Godfar.
So far, among those who had seen and ridden in Konron 2, none had expressed a crude, unconditional desire to possess it for themselves. It was a testament to their correct understanding of Jin’s character.
Between the blue sea and the blue sky, Konron 2 glided through the air.
When they finally landed, both the Marchioness and the Chancellor looked reluctant to leave.
"Lord Jin Nidou, I hope we can maintain a long and lasting friendship with you," Marquis Godfar said, shaking Jin’s hand firmly as they parted.
"I look forward to the day we meet again," Marchioness Firenziano added with a smile.
"Until then."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Jin and Elsa boarded the ship and waved from the windows as Reiko took the controls. As Konron 2 grew smaller against the horizon, the Chancellor offered a formal salute, while Marchioness Firenziano continued to wave slowly.
"Ah, it's finally over."
As Jin let out a long sigh of relief, Elsa gave him a pointed look.
"Jin-nii, there’s still one last stop."
One could only wonder how the final showcase in the Shouro Empire would unfold.