February 20, 3458. It was two days before the Celuroa Kingdom’s Founding Anniversary Ceremony.
In the city of Dali, within the Celuroa Kingdom, heads of state and high-ranking dignitaries from various nations were beginning to arrive in succession.
The first to arrive were Reinhard Randol and Mattheus from the Shouro Empire.
They had traveled via hot air balloon, accompanied by the Schwarzritter.
Awaiting them were colossal airships. Floating high above the hot air balloons as if to intimidate the newcomers, they loomed over Reinhard’s party.
However, Reinhard was well-versed in Jin’s technology. While he feigned an expression of astonishment, he remained entirely unfazed in his heart.
But Captain Mattheus Geist von Realgar, who accompanied him, did not share his composure.
"R-Reinhard, did you see that?! Those giant airships! And there are four of them!"
"Yes, it’s quite a lot."
Even Reinhard felt that building four airships in such a short period was a commendable feat.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Yes. That’s what happens when you spend time with Jin."
"...I see."
Next to arrive was the delegation from the Kingdom of Egerea.
Duke Angus Blue Pyroid and Earl Guarana arrived, split between two hot air balloons. Since Duke Blue was the king’s cousin, he had come as the royal representative, with Earl Guarana serving as his attendant.
For security, they were accompanied by two of the Kingdom of Egerea’s original golems. One was gaudily gilded—undoubtedly a reflection of Earl Guarana’s personal taste.
"Hmm, this is impressive. The Celuroa Kingdom is indeed a nation not to be underestimated."
Though Duke Blue bore himself with dignity, he felt a flicker of pressure within.
On the other hand, Earl Guarana was completely overwhelmed, exactly as the King of Celuroa had intended. His face turned pale, and his anxiety was plain to see.
(Whoa, what is this? These giant airships...! I shouldn’t have come!)
"Earl, compose yourself. The prestige of our nation is at stake."
"Y-Yes, of course."
Rebuked by the Duke, Earl Guarana struggled to maintain his composure.
The third arrival was from the Kingdom of Franz.
Duke Lufort de Orange, commonly known as the "Southern Duke," arrived as the plenipotentiary representative with ten subordinates in a carriage.
This arrival confirmed that a road omitted from official maps existed between the Kingdom of Franz and the Celuroa Kingdom.
However, no one pointed this out publicly. If they claimed to have crossed Azul Lake by boat while still in their carriage, there would be no way to refute it.
"My, my, this is truly magnificent technology! Our country cannot hope to match such a feat."
As soon as he stepped out of the carriage, Duke Orange began praising the airships without reservation.
The fourth to arrive was the delegation from the Klein Kingdom.
They also arrived divided between two hot air balloons. One carried the royal representative, Prince Arthur, and his attendant and tutor, Liones Ashford. The other carried their guard, Jessica Norton, and Boulton Allstatt, who held the title of technical advisor.
"Hmm... The thought of what would happen if these were used in war makes my blood run cold."
"Yes, I agree. At that size, I probably couldn't even bring them down with my fire magic."
"Haha, if Lady Jessica says so, then they truly are a threat."
Jessica and Boulton were visibly unsettled by the Celuroa Kingdom’s airships.
"Prince, what do you think?"
"Hmm. I can acknowledge their technical skill to an extent, but the mindset of using it for such intimidation is lowly. I do not believe he has the caliber to lead a nation."
"Haha, quite right. When I think of Lord Jin’s true capabilities... though I have yet to grasp their full extent myself, they make this look like nothing more than a hollow display of vanity."
Prince Arthur and Liones were aware of Jin’s Konron 2. Although they kept their expressions neutral, they had already seen through the four giant airships as mere bluster.
"Hahaha! Everyone seems stunned. How delightful."
Aboard one of the airships, looking down at the world below, King Richard of Celuroa let out a joyful laugh.
"All that’s left is the Kingdom of Elias and... that 'Lord of Kunlun' fellow. Plus, the other groups from the Shouro Empire and the Klein Kingdom who said they would arrive separately."
Richard gulped down the wine he was always drinking.
"Hmph, as expected, this is delicious."
The drink Richard favored was a fortified wine. By adding high-concentration alcohol, such as distilled spirits, during the fermentation process, the yeast was killed and the fermentation halted; this resulted in an exceptionally high alcohol content.
Richard’s favorite was a potent liquor with an alcohol content of approximately 25%. Furthermore, secret additives had been used to further enhance the taste and aroma.
"Drinking this clears my head. My kingdom is secure."
However, the time was coming for that smile to falter.
At 3:00 PM that same day, a small vessel arrived in Dali via the Azul River, having come from the sea and traveled up the Naudaria River.
Though small, it was about eight meters long. Its three separate hulls were connected by a deck, and it featured an unfamiliar Magi Machine attached to the stern. Its speed was visibly high.
"Grr, what is that ship?"
Richard questioned the Chief of the First Ministry of Technology, Latant, who was on board with him.
"Sire. From its appearance, it seems to be a vessel of the Kingdom of Elias. The propulsion method... is unknown from this distance."
It was the trimaran that Marcia had painstakingly developed. She had made further improvements to the prototype destroyed by the Bowall, equipping it with two screw-driven outboard motors.
Thanks to the crafting assistance provided by Arrow—whom Jin had upgraded and reinforced—it had been completed in a short time. Upon seeing it, Marchioness Firenziano had adopted it immediately.
Thus, they had arrived in the Celuroa Kingdom ahead of schedule. Despite departing later, they had overtaken the preceding fleet and arrived a day early.
On board were the representative, Marchioness Firenziano, and Marcia as the pilot, with Arrow serving as auxiliary personnel.
The maximum speed provided by the two outboard motors reached a staggering 50 kilometers per hour. They had covered the 400 kilometers from Port Rock to the mouth of the Naudaria River in less than nine hours. They had also navigated the 200 kilometers up the river in just over six hours.
"...Hmph, it’s just a tiny boat. Nothing worth worrying about."
King Richard scoffed and drained his glass in one gulp.
No other attendees arrived for the rest of that day. In the evening, King Richard returned to his Detached Palace in Dali.
The following day became even more bustling.
The first to arrive was the Empress of the Shouro Empire, Gerhardt Hilde von Rubis Shouro, traveling by carriage. The time was 8:00 AM. She had crossed the Azul River on the first ferry of the morning.
"Well, well, Your Majesty, welcome. We are honored by your presence."
Even for the Celuroa Kingdom, they decided they could not afford to be impolite when welcoming the leader of the great Shouro Empire. The First Foreign Minister, Beaujolais, came out to meet her personally.
Reinhard and Mattheus stood behind him. Upon seeing the two, the Empress nodded with a soft smile and responded to Beaujolais.
"I am honored to have been invited on this occasion."
Reinhard and Mattheus also offered their greetings.
"Your Majesty, we have been expecting you."
"I am delighted by your safe arrival."
"Good work to you both as well....Lord First Foreign Minister, another separate unit should be arriving shortly."
As if on cue, a cheer erupted from the onlookers.
"?"
As First Foreign Minister Beaujolais turned around, five giant golems, each six meters tall, were approaching.
"Those are our nation’s Golias units. I’m sure you’re already aware of them."
Since they had been granted permission to pass through the Celuroa Kingdom when transporting desiccant to the Klein Kingdom, many people were familiar with them. However, Beaujolais, unfortunately, was not.
"Y-Yes, they are quite something. Truly, as expected of the Shouro Empire."
And to his misfortune, an even louder cheer followed immediately. People were all looking up as one. Beaujolais followed their gaze.
"Oh...!"
An airship bearing the 'two horizontal lines within a circle' crest, the Konron 2, was descending.
"That would be Lord Jin Nidou," the Empress remarked.
"It’s the 'Lord of Kunlun'," Reinhard added.
The airship touched down silently at the edge of the landing field where the various nations' hot air balloons were moored. Immediately, golems wearing silver light armor leaped out and secured the ship to the bollards.
Once it was stable, a simple gangway was lowered from the rear, and the Lord of Kunlun, Jin, and Elsa made their appearance.
Naturally, Reiko and Edgar were with them, and serving as guards for the group were the new girl-type SP units, Lily and Rose. Dressed in light armor made of 64 light silver, they resembled noble female knights.
"A-Are you the Lord of Kunlun?"
Beaujolais, meeting Jin for the first time, looked at him with a hint of skepticism. It was perhaps understandable, as he had never seen the modern-style suits Jin and Elsa were wearing.
"Lord of Kunlun, it has been a long time," the Empress said, offering her support.
"Your Majesty, it has been far too long," Jin replied.
Reinhard also stepped forward.
"Lord Jin Nidou, it’s been a while. Lady Elsa, I’m glad to see you looking well."
"It has been a while, Lord Reinhard Randol," Jin said.
"Reinhard-sama, it has been some time," Elsa added.
In this manner, the Lord of Kunlun, Lord Jin Nidou, was formally and clearly recognized by the Celuroa Kingdom.