“Oh, right. I almost completely forgot.”
When they returned to the office after the test drive, the Empress handed Jin a pouch filled with money.
“It’s Mitsuho currency. Our coins can be used over there too, but take this just in case.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Please, check the contents.”
At the Empress’s prompting, Jin emptied the pouch to inspect the coins.
“Copper coins are 10 en, holed cupronickel coins are 50 en, cupronickel coins without holes are 100 en, silver coins are 1,000 en, and gold coins are 100,000 en.”
“...en, is it?”
The conviction that the magus had truly been Japanese took deeper root in Jin’s heart.
Inside, there was a total of 300,000 en.
“It’s only about as much as pocket money, but even the Empire doesn’t hold much of Mitsuho’s currency.”
“No, this is plenty. Thank you.”
Since the Shouro Empire and the Allied Kingdoms had shared the same currency until now, the concept of exchange rates—the ratio at which different currencies are swapped—likely didn't exist yet. They probably hadn't even imagined the idea of foreign exchange reserves.
Unfortunately, Jin didn't feel he could offer much useful advice on the matter.
For the time being, he was told that 10 en was worth roughly 1 Toll.
After discussing the current state of Mitsuho for a while, the conversation returned to the automobile.
“This is the instruction manual,” Jin said, handing over the document. “I’ve included the blueprints as well, so please use them for reference.”
“Hmm? Are you certain about this?”
The Chancellor was visibly bewildered. Jin was handing over the design blueprints for such an incredible magic tool—no, such a Magi Machine—without a second thought.
“Yes, it’s fine. Please, use them.”
Jin had heard from the Quinta that the Kingdom of Egerea, which he had previously gifted Golem horses, had failed in their attempts to replicate the technology. He figured that if it was going to be copied eventually anyway, he might as well hand over the drawings with good grace.
He couldn't deny a spark of pride, a quiet challenge of ‘see if you can replicate this’ at the back of his mind.
Furthermore, this act would allow Jin to travel to Mitsuho in an automobile without any reservations. While it might seem like an unequal trade to an outsider, it held great benefit for Jin.
“Lastly,” Jin added, “I would like to purchase copper as a raw material. Could you perhaps introduce me to a supplier?”
“Oh, I see. It seems you use a lot of bronze. Don't worry about an introduction; I’ll have some delivered to your mansion later.”
“Thank you very much.”
That should have been the end of it, but at the very last moment, the Empress insisted on providing ‘payment.’
“I would feel bad simply receiving the gift, so please consider this a contribution toward the material costs.”
She handed him a manifest as she spoke. The contents listed were:
Copper: 1 ton Tin: 50 kg Quartz (including crystal): 50 kg Iron: 100 kg
The amounts of copper and tin were likely calculated with 5 percent tin bronze in mind.
“You may come to collect it whenever you like.”
With that, the Empress returned to her duties.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Well, that ended safely enough.”
“Mmhmm.”
Jin and the others had returned to the mansion and were finally relaxing.
“Should we call Saki and Hanna tomorrow?”
“Eh? Only those two?”
Elsa looked at him blankly. Jin didn't quite understand her reaction.
Reiko stepped in to help.
“Father, what is tomorrow’s date?”
“Hmm? It’s April 1st, right?”
“Yes. And Jin-nii’s birthday,” Elsa added.
Once it was put that way, Jin finally realized the significance.
“Ah, that’s right...”
Last year, on the night of the day he fought the Gigas—the super-weapon from the past—Reinhard and the others had celebrated his birthday in Yada Village.
“We’re going to do it in style this year,” Elsa declared.
“N-No, I’ll pass.”
“No passing.”
“Father, you must not be so modest here,” Reiko insisted.
Being scolded even by Reiko, Jin found himself unable to say no.
“It’s okay. It looks like Rai-nii has taken the lead as the organizer and is preparing all sorts of things.”
“I really owe Reinhard for so many things...”
Reinhard’s birthday was apparently May 10th. Since no one had told him last year, Jin hadn't been able to celebrate it for him.
Reinhard himself had laughed it off, saying, “Well, I’m not really at an age where I get excited about being celebrated anymore,” yet he was still determined to celebrate Jin’s.
“That’s just how he is,” Elsa said with a smile.
“Sigh... I mean, I do appreciate it.”
“Jin-nii, you’re being stubborn.”
“No, Father is merely feeling shy.”
“...You guys.”
Jin thought about arguing back, but since he knew they were right, he ultimately held his tongue.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Happy birthday, Jin!”
“Congratulations!”
“Happy birthday!”
“Onii-chan, happy birthday!”
On April 1st, the Jin Family gathered in the laboratory dining hall on Hourai Island to celebrate Jin’s birthday.
Reinhard and Berche brought high-quality wine. Marcia and Rodrigo brought in a large quantity of fresh fish. Toa, Saki, Stearena, and Vivienne brought fresh fruits and vegetables. Mine used those ingredients to carefully prepare a feast. Hanna and Reiko had gone to the foot of Mount Hourai to pick Airbeil. And as for Elsa, she had finished making a massive cake.
It was a proper sponge cake topped with fresh cream and decorated with Airbeil.
“Perido Leader taught me how to bake the sponge cake. Reiko-chan handled the centrifugal separation for the cream.”
When milk undergoes centrifugal separation, it divides into a cream layer and skimmed milk. That cream layer is then sterilized and aged to make fresh cream, a quite labor-intensive process.
Reiko had performed the separation herself, and Perido and the others had turned it into fresh cream. They had spent a long time through trial and error to finally master the cake, but they had chosen to remain behind the scenes for Elsa’s sake.
“Thank you, everyone.”
Jin offered his heartfelt thanks to everyone who had gathered.
The sky over Hourai Island was clear and blue, and a spring breeze blew in from the sea.