"Wow, what a lovely scent."
As they stepped through the wide entrance of the Hall of Five Virtues, a Japanese-style building constructed on Kunlun Island, the fragrance of fresh wood drifted toward them.
The structure made liberal use of timber nearly identical to the hinoki cypress, cedar, and hiba found on Hourai Island and Kunlun Island. Like many things here, it had been crafted using the Japanese architecture stored in Jin’s memories as a reference.
"There is a hallway inside, but the south side is connected by an engawa."
From the wet veranda, which had been treated for waterproofing and rot resistance, one could look out over the sprawling garden.
"The tatami smells wonderful too."
The room was floored with the fresh green tatami that Elsa loved so much. It featured a traditional alcove and built-in closets; even the sliding fusuma and shoji screens had been perfectly replicated.
"This is incredible. I can’t believe they managed to do all this so quickly."
"Mm. It’s just like you, Jin-nii."
"…What do you mean by that?"
When Jin asked for clarification, unsure of exactly what Elsa was praising, she replied:
"The total lack of restraint. It’s just like you."
"…Is it really that bad?"
Jin tilted his head in confusion, only for Elsa to add, "It’s often hard to see these things about yourself."
"Is that so…?"
Jin voiced his doubt, feeling somewhat unconvinced, but even Mine chimed in to agree.
"It is exactly as she says, Jin-sama."
Facing the weight of their combined opinion, Jin decided to steer the conversation away from his own habits.
"W-Well, whatever. Let’s keep looking around."
"This is the irori room."
A square hearth was cut into the center of the wooden floor, with an adjustable pothook hanging from the ceiling above it. This specific layout was likely a jumble of memories from various folk museums Jin had seen, but strangely, it didn't feel out of place.
In the earthen-floored area, there was a well and a row of traditional stoves called hettsui.
"This reminds me of the folk museums in Takayama…"
He remembered visiting Hida Takayama during a middle school field trip; the sight of those old houses seemed to have left a lasting impression on him.
"Well, it’s not like anyone in this world knows what 'formal' Japanese architecture is supposed to look like anyway…"
Jin figured that if there were someone in this world who could look at this building and tell him it was wrong, he would be more than happy to ask for their guidance.
"And this is the tea room."
"…"
Since Jin knew nothing about the Way of Tea, he couldn't tell if the tea room was technically accurate either, but it looked the part, so he deemed it acceptable.
After they had finished the tour, a thought occurred to him.
"Refa, you’re in charge here, right?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"Then it would be more fitting if you wore a kimono as the Okami. Let’s make the kimono maid the standard uniform for the other Golem Maids when they work here, too."
Jin imagined them dressed in kimonos with tucked-back sleeves, wearing kappougi-style aprons and triangular headscarves.
『My Lord, I believe that is an excellent idea. Let us implement it immediately.』
Laojun, who had been monitoring the conversation, gave immediate approval.
Following the same logic, Loll was appointed as the General Manager of the Jade Pavilion.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Now then, regarding the schedule for the World Conference."
『Perhaps for three days, starting from July 10th?』
That left a window of about twenty days from the current date.
"Let’s try reaching out with those dates first."
『Understood.』
＊ ＊ ＊
On the morning of June 21st, Konron 3 landed in the plaza before the Royal Palace of the Celuroa Kingdom.
"Jin-dono—no, Lord of Kunlun, it has been a long time."
"Yes, it has been a while, Your Majesty."
Jin was currently holding a meeting in the royal office with King Cesar. Also in attendance were Kirk-at, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and Balfaza Walker, the Chairman of the Ministry of General Affairs.
"Regarding the land transport improvement plan you requested the other day, I have completed the first proposal."
"Oh! That was fast!"
"As I requested at the time, I would like this proposal to be discussed alongside other nations."
"Jin-dono, that is…"
Balfaza hesitated for a moment.
"Yes, I understand. This is just one 'proposal.' If this one isn't to your liking, there can be a second or a third. There is still plenty of time left before the deadline, after all."
He had accepted the task with the understanding that it would be finished by the end of the year.
"In addition to that, there are several other topics I would like to discuss. I was hoping to hold a 'World Conference' where various matters could be debated."
"A World Conference… You mentioned that once before."
The King recalled their conversation during the Celuroa Kingdom’s Founding Anniversary Ceremony.
"Yes. The location would be Kunlun Island. I intend to invite the leaders of the Shouro Empire and the Allied Kingdoms for a period of about three days."
Jin presented an invitation detailing the outline of the conference, which he had compiled with Laojun.
"The invitation may be clumsy in terms of diplomacy and etiquette… No, it's completely lacking in those areas, but…"
King Cesar took the wood-paper and looked it over.
"Hmm, interesting. I would very much like to visit Kunlun Island, your base of operations."
The King promised to consider the proposal favorably.
＊ ＊ ＊
On the same day, Elsa visited the Imperial Palace in Loizart, the capital of the Shouro Empire, in her capacity as a Reichsarzt. Only Edgar accompanied her.
"Welcome, Elsa."
The Empress granted her an audience between her official duties.
"I hope Your Majesty is in good health…"
The Empress held up a hand to stop Elsa’s formal greeting.
"I don't have much time, so you can skip the formalities. You have something important to discuss today, don't you?"
"Yes, thank you. Actually…"
Elsa submitted the same documents that Jin had shown the King of Celuroa. After skimming through them, the Empress seemed to take a keen interest.
"A World Conference, is it? And you say there will be an important announcement there. Along with some useful proposals."
"Yes, that is correct."
"Furthermore, the Lord of Kunlun’s base interests me. I imagine it must be a wonderful place?"
"That would depend on the person, but I was overwhelmed when I first visited."
"Ah, I knew it! Very well, I shall try to adjust my schedule.…I take it Jin-kun is currently visiting the Celuroa Kingdom?"
As expected, the Empress had seen through their intentions immediately.
"You thought that if the Celuroa Kingdom and the Shouro Empire agreed to participate, the other nations wouldn't be able to say no… didn't you?"
"…Your will be done."
Having been seen through so easily, Elsa felt a bit small.
"Oh, it's fine. I’m not angry. I was just impressed that Jin-kun actually thought things through so well for once."
The Empress laughed, remarking that until now, Jin always seemed like the type to act immediately on whatever came to mind. Hearing this, Elsa felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.
"Very well. I shall cooperate. I will also extend invitations to the other nations on my end."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Deeply moved by those words which exceeded her expectations, Elsa bowed her head low.