「My goodness! What a lovely building!」
「This is... truly incredible.」
「I’ve never seen this style before, but it is quite beautiful.」
「I would expect nothing less from the Lord of Kunlun.」
These were the impressions shared by the guests upon seeing the Jade Pavilion.
「Welcome, everyone. I am Loll, the general manager of the Jade Pavilion.」
The blue-haired automata, Loll, stepped forward to greet them. Standing at her sides were one hundred Five-Colored Golem Maids—twenty of each color—waiting in silent, perfect rows.
「How... how impressive...」
「Please, follow me.」
Jin led the delegation through a grove of trees, guiding them toward the Hall of Five Virtues.
「Oh! And what is this structure?」
Once again, the group stopped to stare in wonder.
「Welcome, everyone. I am Refa, the okami of the Hall of Five Virtues.」
「What a charming outfit...」
Refa, acting the part of the young okami, offered a polite greeting while dressed in a tomesode-style kimono. Flanking her were another one hundred Five-Colored Golem Maids, all dressed in yagasuri-patterned kimonos and aprons.
＊ ＊ ＊
「This Japanese-style room is wonderful... and the garden is so refined.」
「It is exactly as you say, Your Majesty.」
The Empress and Marchioness Firenziano were conversing in the drawing room of the Hall of Five Virtues.
This particular room featured wooden flooring and was furnished with Japanese-style tables and chairs, allowing the guests to relax without feeling too out of place.
「I find the lack of walls quite refreshing; it allows one to look out over the entire garden,」 remarked Marquis Godfar, the Chancellor of the Kingdom of Elias. He seemed to have taken quite a liking to the place.
「The architectural style is fascinating. But beyond that, the technical skill required to construct a building of this scale entirely out of wood is marvelous,」 said Degauss, the Shouro Empire's Magic Technology Minister, his professional interest clearly piqued.
「Even so, I expect our actual lodgings will be at the Jade Pavilion over there.」
「Indeed, Your Majesty. While the Lord of Kunlun has guaranteed our safety, staying in a place as open as this might be considered a bit reckless.」
In truth, since the magi-brain Taihaku—who once managed an entire magifortress—was monitoring the grounds, both buildings were equally secure.
「Now then, Your Majesty, shall we head to the Jade Pavilion soon?」
「Yes, let us do that.」
Due to the time difference, it was already evening by the time the group had settled in on Kunlun Island. It was now 6:00 PM, and the sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon.
＊ ＊ ＊
「Oh, the view of the sea from here is marvelous as well.」
The ocean seen from the balcony of the VIP room in the Jade Pavilion was an exceptional sight. Since the Shouro Empire's capital, Loizart, was landlocked, the Empress watched the twilight sea with profound emotion.
＊ ＊ ＊
「...Is it really all right for us to be treated this well?」
「Look at this futon. It’s so soft and fluffy!」
The servants had also each been assigned a room in the Jade Pavilion, and they were wide-eyed at the luxury of their accommodations.
「...Hey, have you tried the toilet yet? It doesn't smell at all, and it's incredibly comfortable!」
「Yes, I saw it! And look! The room has its own bath. There's a washbasin, too—and hot water comes right out of it!」
「This is more comfortable than my childhood home...」
「I’m starting to wish I could live here forever...」
＊ ＊ ＊
「Your Excellency, what is your assessment?」
In one of the VIP rooms assigned to the Kingdom of Elias, Marquis Godfar and Marchioness Firenziano were speaking in private.
「Hmph. It is just as you said. The Lord of Kunlun is different from us in some fundamental way.」
「Yes. However, at his core, he is much like us. He is a human, after all.」
「Quite....I certainly know he is the one man I would never wish to have as an enemy.」
Marchioness Firenziano gave a knowing smile.
「Then that is simple. He only grows angry when his peace is disturbed.」
「Indeed. It is simple, yet a most difficult task to ensure.」
「Is that not exactly why we are gathering for this World Conference?」
「You are right. Quite right.」
＊ ＊ ＊
Dinner was served in each individual room.
The meals were modeled after the specialties and court cuisines of the guests' respective nations. The quality was so high that not a single person had anything but praise for the food.
＊ ＊ ＊
The guards were also taking a moment to relax—with a few exceptions.
Fritz and Flora stood watch outside the Empress's door. While Jin had stationed golems at various key points throughout the building, they took pride in the belief that the final line of defense should be held by their own nation's soldiers.
「Lady Flora, are you sure you shouldn't be inside with Her Majesty?」
Fritz wondered if Flora, as a female royal ritter, ought to be guarding from within the suite.
「No. Her Majesty told me that I did not need to remain by her side for tonight.」
「Doesn't that usually mean you're free to rest?」
Flora shook her head at Fritz's suggestion.
「No. My duty is to protect Her Majesty.」
「You're quite the serious one, aren't you, Lady Flora?」 Fritz said with a wry smile.
「Of course. That is my role.」
「Well, I suppose I understand. However, if you don't learn to be a bit more flexible, you won't be as effective as you could be.」
「...What is that supposed to mean?」
Fritz spoke to her in a calm, advisory tone.
「Think about it. Think of Lord Jin's power. We couldn't hope to match him. And it is that very same Lord Jin who is protecting this island.」
「But just in case something happens!」
「Exactly. And that 'just in case' would be a threat from much closer range.」
Flora blinked, looking puzzled.
「Let me put it simply. If there were an army capable of attacking this island, Lord Jin has more than enough power to keep them at bay. However, if an assassin were to slip into our own ranks and try to harm Her Majesty, he might not be there to stop it. That is why you must conserve your strength for those specific moments.」
「...Are you talking about after tomorrow, when the delegations from other countries arrive?」
It seemed she had grasped the core of Fritz's logic, and Flora began to ponder the situation more deeply.
「Who can say? It's just an example. Regardless, if you can’t give it your all when the moment truly counts, you’ve failed as a guard, Lady Flora.」
With that, Fritz sat down on the floor of the hallway.
「Wh—! Fritz-dono, do you intend to stay there all night?!」
「Yeah. I'm a soldier. A night shift in an environment this comfortable is a luxury. Besides, I can't exactly enter Her Majesty's private chambers anyway.」
「...I see. Very well, Fritz-dono. I shall leave this post to you for tonight. From tomorrow onward, I intend to protect Her Majesty without ever leaving her side.」
「Yeah, that sounds like a plan.」
With that settled, Flora retired to her own room. Her room was directly adjacent to the Empress's, so she could rush to her side the instant she opened the door.
Fritz, meanwhile, spent the entire night sitting in the hallway.
It is said that when Elsa heard about this from Taihaku later, she couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle.