It was 5:00 PM, Kunlun Island time.
"We shall conclude today's session here," the moderator, Deus Ex Machina, declared. The attendees let out collective sighs of relief.
"Yes, it was a most meaningful time."
"Until tomorrow, then."
"Truly, we have the Lord of Kunlun to thank for making such a gathering possible."
The guests slowly stood and began to file out of the conference room, but two individuals remained behind.
"Maquina-dono, I was in your debt during that previous incident."
It was Lieutenant Colonel Fritz of the Shouro Empire.
"I did not expect to meet you here."
Beside him was Gloria Allstatt, a female royal ritter of the Klein Kingdom.
Having both been saved from peril by Maquina in the past, they had sought this chance to offer their gratitude once more.
"So you and Jin-dono share the same master. That certainly explains a lot," Fritz said. He then gave a polite bow. "I would like to stay and talk longer, but I have my guard duties to attend to. If you will excuse me."
He turned and followed after the Empress and her entourage.
"Maquina-dono, I feel the same," Gloria added. "I am only here today because you were there for me. Until later."
Gloria also hurried to catch up with the Klein Kingdom delegation.
(They are quite diligent people,) noted Laojun, who was operating the Body Double.
It was a summer evening, and the sky remained bright.
After taking a refreshing bath at the Mansion, Jin had come to the Hall of Five Virtues to enjoy the evening cool.
He sat on the veranda, gazing out at the garden. Beside him sat Elsa, her damp hair not yet dry, accompanied by Reiko and Edgar.
Since all the invited guests were staying at the Jade Pavilion, this side of the grounds was perfectly tranquil.
"Jin-nii, thank you for your hard work today," Elsa murmured softly.
"Ah, thanks. You did a great job too, Elsa."
Their careful preparations had paid off; the discussions regarding the monorail, the pressure cooker, and the mana stands had gone almost exactly as planned.
Then there was the matter of public hygiene.
Since its benefits were harder to visualize, Jin had felt there was only a fifty-fifty chance of it being accepted. However, he felt they had gained a solid level of understanding from the delegates.
"Shuuki Tsetse must have struggled quite a bit," Jin mused.
The more he learned about the man's past, the more it seemed like a continuous series of hardships.
"...Yes. But I think he found happiness even in the midst of it all."
Meeting his beloved wife, Adriana. Watching his daughter, Ado—to whom he could entrust everything—grow up.
"There truly is a special kind of happiness in having someone to whom you can entrust the future."
"I think so, too."
The Predecessor, through circumstances Jin still didn't fully understand, had ultimately ended up alone.
"Jin-nii has me. He has everyone. So, it will be okay," Elsa whispered, leaning her shoulder against his.
"Father, even 'Grandfather' spent many years spreading his knowledge. I do not think there is any need to rush," Reiko added.
"Yeah... Wait, 'Grandfather'?"
"Yes. The Magus, Shuuki Tsetse-sama, is Mother's father. Therefore, he is my 'Grandfather,' is he not?"
"Ah, I see. That makes sense."
Jin was convinced; from Reiko's perspective, that was indeed the case.
Just then, Refa, acting as the Okami, called out to them.
"My Lord, you have a visitor."
"A visitor?"
Looking toward the garden, he saw Gloria Allstatt standing there.
"Pardon me for interrupting your rest," Gloria said with a slight bow.
"Are you all right leaving your guard duties?" Jin asked.
Gloria nodded. "Yes, His Highness and the others are currently relaxing in their rooms. I received permission to come here."
She then turned toward Elsa and bowed again. "Elsa-dono, it has been a long time. I am always grateful to you for healing my injuries."
Perhaps because it had been a while, her greeting was stiff, causing Jin to give a wry smile.
"Gloria-san, we're not strangers, and this isn't an official setting. Why don't we use a more relaxed tone?" Jin suggested with a chuckle.
"It is an honor to have the host of this event, the Lord of Kunlun, say so."
With those words, the atmosphere softened.
"Oh? Gloria-san, are you growing your hair out?"
"Hm? Oh, yes. I've been letting it grow since this winter."
She explained that she had been letting it grow since her severe injury in January. Her hair, which had once been a very short crop, had grown into a short bob—though she likely trimmed the ends to keep it tidy.
"Jin-nii, you're far too slow to notice," Elsa teased.
"Eh?"
"I noticed the moment we boarded Konron 3."
"I-Is that so?"
At Elsa's remark, Jin became a bit flustered. Seeing this, Gloria chimed in.
"...Well, I suppose it simply means Jin-dono has eyes for no woman other than Elsa-dono. As his fiancée, shouldn't that be a point of pride?"
Elsa's face turned bright red at the comment.
"...But that is not what I came here to talk about."
"I figured as much."
Jin had suspected the moment he saw her face that she might want to talk about swords again, but he kept the thought to himself.
"...And so, well. Actually, I have something I wish to discuss with Elsa-dono."
"...With me?"
Gloria nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"I-It's about Fritz-dono of the Shouro Empire. He is your elder brother, is he not?"
"Yes."
"...Well, you see... Does Fritz-dono have... a, um, f-f-fiancée back in his home country?"
"I don't believe so," Elsa replied instantly.
"...He wouldn't happen to be... um... i-i-into men, would he?"
"...Of course not."
By now, both Elsa and Jin—who was listening beside her—had a very clear idea of why Gloria had come here.
"Gloria-san, are you... thinking about my brother...?"
When Elsa asked, Gloria's face turned crimson.
"N-No! That's not... n-no, actually... it is..."
She slumped her shoulders.
"We traveled through the Former Leonard Kingdom together this winter, and then even to the Celuroa Kingdom... At the time, I didn't understand what these feelings were... but when we met again this time, I finally realized..."
"I see."
This was the first time Jin had ever seen Gloria so vulnerable.
"...So, Gloria-san, are you going to confess to Fritz-san?"
Hearing Jin's words, Gloria shook her head with all her might.
"I-I couldn't possibly do something like that!"
"...Is it a matter of your positions, after all?"
"No, even before that, I'm already twenty-four."
"Huh?"
Jin was genuinely confused by her logic.
"...I can't help but feel that a more suitable young lady would be better for Fritz-dono..."
"Elsa, how old is Fritz-san this year?"
"Twenty-six, I believe."
"Then there's absolutely no problem, is there?"
"D-Do you really think so...?"
Jin and Elsa could only look at Gloria's face and fret along with her.
"A-Anyway, my heart feels lighter just having someone listen to me. Well then, until next time!"
"Ah..."
Whether she was satisfied now that she had opened up or was simply too embarrassed to stay, Gloria beat a hasty retreat.
Left behind, Jin and Elsa looked at each other and shared a thought.
"...Knowing Fritz-san, I have a feeling he hasn't noticed Gloria-san's feelings at all."
"Mm, I think you're right."
"First things first, we need to get tomorrow's meetings finished. We can think about this again once that's over."
"...Agreed."
In the sky above Kunlun Island, early stars were already beginning to twinkle.