"Oh, a World Conference, you say?"
On June 22, invitations to the World Conference were delivered to the kingdoms of Egerea, Elias, Klein, and Franz, in that order.
Jin had traveled to each nation personally aboard Konron 3, making every effort to observe proper diplomatic protocol—after a fashion, at least.
"Most intriguing," remarked the King of Egerea. "From our Kingdom of Egerea, Chancellor Galueri and Minister of Magic Kelichdore shall attend."
"Indeed, I accept," said King Elias. "From the Kingdom of Elias, Marquis Godfar and Marchioness Dominic de Firenziano shall attend."
"We shall be there," stated the Klein Kingdom. "Second Prince Arthur and Chancellor Powell shall pay you a visit."
"I shall attend with pleasure," declared Fran, the monarch of Franz. "Chancellor Ardalc de Heebre and I will make the journey personally."
Every nation offered an exceptionally favorable response.
A major factor behind this success was the groundwork laid the previous evening during the scheduled manaphone transmissions, when the Empress of the Shouro Empire and the King of Celuroa had leveraged their influence to persuade the other monarchs.
Hearing that other nations were already committed triggered a psychological desire not to be left behind, and the strategy worked perfectly in Jin's favor.
Naturally, the Celuroa Kingdom confirmed that King Cesar and Latant, the Chief of the First Ministry of Technology, would be present. From the Shouro Empire, the Empress herself and Magic Technology Minister Degauss also pledged their participation.
As for guards and servants, each nation promised to consider their numbers and provide a response later.
These final confirmations reached Jin the following day.
"I see. That’s a good start."
"Jin-nii, congratulations," Elsa said.
"Thanks. But it’s not over yet. This is just the beginning."
There was still time before the World Conference officially began. Jin intended to spend the remaining days making the necessary preparations.
"Madam, will these suffice?"
A merchant who frequently visited the estate laid out magi-crystals, magi-stones, and bronze ingots.
"Yes, those will do perfectly. Thank you for your hard work."
The woman addressed as Madam flashed a satisfied smile.
"Now then, I can finally get back to work."
This was her private workshop, built specifically for her in the garden.
"Let’s see... the schedule is thirty lighters, ten water heaters, and three large refrigerators."
The woman's name was Beena Lauf Kuzuma. She was a Countess—the Contessa.
Having been discovered by a count while working as a commoner magi craftsman and eventually becoming his wife, she remained highly popular among the ordinary people.
Incidentally, her aristocratic name, "Lauf," had been granted to her by Duke Blue.
"Looks like quite the workload. Want a hand?"
"No, this much is business as usual for me."
"I see. Well, then I'll just watch from here."
"Sure, keep your eyes peeled... Wait, wha—!? Jin!?"
"Hey, Beena. It’s been a while."
Jin was standing right in front of Beena, accompanied by Reiko.
"It—it hasn’t been 'a while' at all! Why are you here, Jin?" Beena stammered, flustered to see a person who shouldn't have been there.
Jin tried to calm her down. "I came through a Warp Gate."
"That’s—that's not what I’m asking!"
"Easy now. You haven’t changed a bit, even after becoming a Countess."
"Beena, I’m the one who brought him here."
"D-Dear?"
Count Kuzuma appeared at the workshop door.
"...And that’s the situation," Jin explained once they had all settled inside.
"Hmm, a World Conference, I see."
"Yes. I believe official notice will reach you here through formal channels soon as well."
In response to Jin's words, Count Kuzuma spoke up. "Jin-dono—no, 'Lord of Kunlun.' Your rank is already higher than mine, and didn't I tell you before? Please... speak to me the same way you speak to Beena or Reinhard."
"I understan—no, I understand. I'll do that."
Jin nodded and corrected his speech. Count Kuzuma had made this request before, but Jin had forgotten after being away for so long.
"So, I was thinking of inviting you two to Kunlun Island personally."
"Oh, that is wonderful news," the Count replied. "Every time I heard about it from Beena, I found myself wanting to visit."
"Kunlun Island! I can go again? I’m so happy!"
The couple accepted the invitation with delight.
"Ah, and also, I brought a gift....Reiko."
"Yes, Father."
Jin handed over a basket that Reiko had been carrying.
"Oh, Persica! Thank you!"
Once the business regarding the invitation was finished, Count Kuzuma returned to the main house for his administrative duties, leaving Jin in the workshop with Beena.
"Sorry for interrupting your work."
"No, it’s fine. I was just a little startled."
"Sorry. I wanted to surprise you."
Beena puffed out her cheeks slightly at his comment. "...Good grief. But I really am happy you came."
Then, she set to work.
She arranged magi-stones on magi-plates and began writing in the magi-formulas.
"『Write In』."
"Lighters, huh? This brings back memories."
Back when Beena was still an unknown commoner magi craftsman being chased by debts, these were the magic tools she had started making with Jin's help. Remembering those days made Jin feel deeply nostalgic.
"Tools that benefit the common people, huh..."
"Eh?"
"Remember? Those were your words back then, Beena."
"Was that so?"
"It was. I... I need to get back to my roots, too..."
He thought back to the days when Hourai Island was still in its early stages of development, when he wasn't yet used to this world, and when Jin himself needed money and spent his days in trial and error.
Now he called himself the "Lord of Kunlun" and was an acquaintance of the leaders of various nations, but Jin himself hadn't changed. Or so he hoped.
"Alright, I’ll help too. No, let me help. You know, like back then."
"...Like back then?"
Hearing those words, Beena nodded. "Yes, I’d appreciate that."
"You got it."
Jin wrote the magi-formulas onto the magi-plates, and Beena arranged the magi-stones. Jin crafted the casings, and Beena performed the final assembly.
The thirty lighters and ten water heaters were finished in no time at all.
"Thanks, Jin. You’re as amazing as ever."
"No, your skills have improved too, Beena."
"...I never thought the day would come when I’d be praised by you," Beena said with a laugh, before moving on to the larger items.
"That’s a big refrigerator. Huh, a two-door type?"
"Yes. You can make ice in the top compartment. The bottom is a regular refrigerator."
In essence, it was a fridge-freezer. As far as Jin knew, modern models with three or four doors were the standard, but back in the Showa era, the two-door type had been the norm. Beena had come up with the design entirely on her own.
Jin couldn't help but feel that Beena truly had a gift for crafting magic tools that were deeply rooted in everyday life.