On the morning of March 8th, the various national representatives began their journeys home—some by hot air balloon, some by carriage, and others by ship.
"Jin-dono, Lady Elsa, I am in your debt."
The Konron 2 was scheduled to be the very last vessel to depart the Celuroa Kingdom. King Cesar was there to personally see them off.
"But are you quite sure? Leaving without even taking your reward?"
"Yes, I have the inventory list. Besides, I couldn't possibly load it all now. I'll come to collect what I need as the occasion arises."
To be honest, Jin didn't particularly desire any materials besides amber. That was why he wasn't fixated on bringing everything back with him immediately.
"I see. Then please, come again. You will always be welcome here."
"Well then, Your Majesty, we shall take our leave."
Jin, Reiko, Elsa, Edgar, and Rita boarded the Konron 2.
Looking up at the airship as it slowly rose into the sky, King Cesar of Celuroa let out a deep sigh.
"……If only I had his power, ruling this country would be so much easier……"
He immediately scolded himself for such a dependent thought and turned back toward his office.
＊ ＊ ＊
"……W-Wow…… We’re really flying……"
Ever since the ship had lifted off, Rita had been glued to the window, staring at the world below.
Jin and Elsa found it only natural and let her watch to her heart's content.
Currently, the Konron 2 was heading for Kaina Village. This was to reunite Rita with her companions from the same village, where she was intended to stay for a while.
Then, in about two months’ time.
After receiving the minimum education required to serve as a maid, Rita had decided to head to the Shouro Empire to work under Fritz.
The distance to Kaina Village was a little over 400 kilometers; they would likely arrive shortly after noon.
＊ ＊ ＊
Fritz had just finished crossing the Azul River, leading the five Golias units he had kept stored in Dali.
Even though he was finally on his way home, his mood was uncharacteristically low.
For some reason, he couldn't shake a sense of restlessness, a lingering loneliness he couldn't quite name.
Without understanding the reason, Fritz simply marched the Golias units forward in silence.
＊ ＊ ＊
When the Azul River merged with the Torres River and became the Naudaria River, the water's width grew significantly broader.
The current became somewhat gentler, but that mattered little to the new model ship.
The trimaran carrying Marchioness Firenziano, Marcia, and the golem Arrow was racing down the river at speeds approaching 60 kilometers per hour.
Even considering they were riding the current, this speed was nothing short of phenomenal.
"It's so fast. At this rate, we might even reach Narnekka before sunset."
"Your Excellency, that's a bit reckless."
Over the ten or so days they had spent together, Marcia and Marchioness Firenziano had grown even closer.
"I’m joking. We’ll likely stay in Dakosoth tonight. I sent word yesterday, so I expect the ship coming to meet me will arrive the day after tomorrow."
Since the sea had been somewhat rough lately, they had judged it too dangerous to take the small trimaran all the way to Port Rock Town at the southern tip of the Elias Peninsula. Consequently, the plan was for Marchioness Firenziano to wait for the arrival of a hot air balloon at the coastal town of Dakosoth and return to the Empire from there.
Marcia had been told she was on vacation—or rather, that she was free to return at her own pace. She had been given more than enough funds for the journey.
"Still, even though the trimaran is small, its stability is excellent. It feels very secure."
The Marchioness murmured with a touch of regret as she thought about eventually disembarking.
"I’ll be heading back slowly along the coastline," Marcia said.
"Yes, make sure you get back safely."
Even if the sea was a bit rough, the danger was low as long as she stayed near the coast. Furthermore, Marcia wanted to see the ships from various coastal regions with her own eyes.
＊ ＊ ＊
Inside the carriage racing along the highway, the Empress of the Shouro Empire was reflecting on the thrill she felt when she had ridden the Konron 2.
"……I wonder when Jin-kun will feel like providing the technology for that 'airship' to every nation, instead of just hot air balloons."
She asked herself the question.
"……Once the world is at peace and all nations are united toward a common future, surely…… right?"
To that end, the Empress made a new resolution to spare no effort herself.
"But that prince…… I can’t let my guard down around Prince Arthur, can I?"
With her keen intuition, it seemed the Empress had sensed something deep within the second prince of the Klein Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, even so, there is no mistake that he is capable. I believe the vital thing is to maintain a good relationship with him," Marquis Gaylen Theoderic, who was riding in the carriage as an escort, offered his opinion.
"You’re right. First, I must focus on my own country."
＊ ＊ ＊
"……It ended prematurely, but I suppose it couldn't be helped."
Arthur, the second prince of the Klein Kingdom, was heading for his home country in a hot air balloon along with his attendant and tutor, Liones Ashford.
"Indeed, there were too many unpredictable events this time. However, Your Highness’s leadership surely left a deep impression on the representatives of every nation. Since you achieved a certain level of results, it can by no means be called a failure."
"That is a relief."
In another hot air balloon, Jessica Norton was riding with the general-purpose golem that Jin had repaired.
"……Prince Arthur's performance this time was magnificent…… No other member of the royalty could have done it. As I thought, the next king should be Prince Arthur……"
It was said that Jessica could be heard whispering such things to herself.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Ah, the road to our homeland is so long!" Gloria grumbled with a sigh.
"It really is. I haven't seen my mother's face in such a long time," Cynthia agreed.
Gloria and Cynthia were about three days ahead of the others.
This time, they were not crossing the Torres River, but were instead heading straight for the Klein Kingdom along the highway that stretched to the northeast.
In the past, this route was only permitted for state guests, ambassadors, or those of equivalent status, but this time they were traveling with the express permission of King Cesar.
This route allowed them to enter Klein Kingdom territory much more quickly.
"But tomorrow we shall cross the river and set foot on the soil of our homeland!"
Gloria’s father, Boulton, shouted in an especially loud voice to cheer them up.
The safety of their group was being watched over by the surveillance satellite Watcher, though naturally, no one among them knew of such a thing.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Onii-chan, welcome back!"
"I'm home, Hanna."
Shortly after noon that same day, the Konron 2 arrived in Kaina Village as scheduled.
Jin, who had picked up Hanna as she came out to meet him, turned toward Rita, who was being led by the hand by Elsa.
"Rita, this is Kaina Village. And that over there is my home, Nidou. Your acquaintances are waiting for you there."
Just as he said, a group of girls was standing in front of Nidou, waving their hands.
"Rita—!"
"Are you doing well—?"
"Everyone’s here!"
Hearing those voices, tears began to well up in Rita's eyes. Jin gave her a gentle pat on the back.
"Go on, then."
"Y-Yes!"
Rita started running with all her might. The girls from her village rushed forward to welcome her.
"That worked out well."
"Mm."
"Onee-chan and the others look so happy!"
Jin, Elsa, and Hanna looked at one another and shared a smile.