Jin fielded a few more questions after that, though they were mostly minor.
While he was occupied, Princess Lieschen appeared to have been deep in conversation with Refa.
"I see. So, Your Highness has one of my sisters in your service."
"Indeed, her name is Tia. She looked after me quite well when I was small. After that, she fell into a terrible state and ceased to function, but one day, Jin came and repaired her!"
"Is that so?"
Refa was already aware of the story from Jin, but since Lieschen was speaking so happily, she played the part of the listener, pretending she was hearing it for the very first time.
Eventually, Ernest finished his line of questioning as well.
"Well, is that enough for now? I can answer more if anything else comes to mind."
"Yes, thank you, Jin. I'm glad my doubts are cleared....Lies, my apologies for leaving you out."
Prince Ernest seemed to have grown accustomed enough to her presence that he remembered to show consideration for Princess Lieschen at the end.
"Not at all, Nest-sama. I have enjoyed myself as well."
Lieschen replied with a smile, then gave a small wave as Refa departed.
"Now then..."
Just as Jin was about to say something, a commotion broke out in the garden.
"What is that?"
"I wonder what happened?"
Ernest and Lies looked up toward the noise.
"...Wait. Isn't that Lyla?"
Several servants and guards were making a fuss. One of them was undoubtedly Lyla Soluce, the maid assigned to Ernest.
"I'll go take a look."
As the host of the World Conference, Jin couldn't let a dispute go unaddressed. He stood up, and Reiko followed immediately.
"I'll go as well."
As Lyla's master, Ernest rose to his feet.
"Then I shall follow too."
Naturally, Lieschen joined them.
When Jin and the others arrived, they found a heated quarrel in progress. Judging by the insults being hurled, the cause seemed to be something as trivial as shoulders brushing while passing each other or eyes meeting the wrong way.
"You lot, that's enough."
"Y-Your Highness!"
At the sound of Ernest's voice, Lyla spun around.
"Lyla, what's going on?"
"Yes, well, um... no..."
"Your Highness, these fellows were picking a fight with us."
The one who answered was Bruno Thales Bright, the Royal Ritter Vice Captain. He was the same knight who had fought valiantly to protect the royalty during the Golem Party.
"What are you talking about? It was you people who blocked our path!"
The man shooting back was—Jin didn't recognize his face, but his uniform identified him—a soldier from the Celuroa Kingdom.
The Kingdom of Egerea and the Celuroa Kingdom had been at odds for years. Even if their leaders had reconciled, it seemed it would still take some time for the subordinates to find common ground.
"Causing trouble in a place like this is the height of folly. You are doing nothing but dragging your masters' names through the mud."
Princess Lieschen stepped into the fray. As a member of the Klein Kingdom, she was a neutral third party in this local dispute. Her reprimand carried enough weight that, despite their lingering dissatisfaction, both sides agreed to stand down.
"Thank you, Lies. You saved me there."
Recognizing that both sides had backed off because the words came from a neutral observer, Ernest offered his thanks.
"Not at all, Your Highness. It was of no consequence."
Lieschen was already proving herself to be quite the supportive partner.
"Your Highness, we are terribly sorry for the disturbance."
Bruno and Lyla bowed their heads to the Third Prince.
"Well... it’s not exactly ideal, but whatever. So, what was the actual cause?"
"Yes..."
According to Lyla, she had been heading toward the edge of the Garden of Five Virtues to watch over Ernest and the others from a distance. While navigating the narrow path, they encountered the group from the Celuroa Kingdom.
There were three of them and only two in Lyla's group. The trail was barely wide enough for two people to pass each other. Lyla had stopped, hoping the others would move aside, but the Celuroans had immediately claimed she was in their way.
"That's a nuisance."
"...My apologies."
Mistaking Ernest’s remark for a reprimand, Lyla shrank her small frame even further.
"No, I don't mean you, Lyla. I just think that disputes between nations really do have deep roots, that's all."
"Nest-sama, your face will grow old before its time if you worry so."
"Ahaha, Lies, you're harsh."
Watching the two of them interact so harmoniously, even the dejected Lyla couldn't help but let a smile touch her lips.
In that moment, Reiko whispered softly to Jin.
"Father, it seems there was also some trouble over at the Jade Pavilion."
"...Shall we go see?"
This time, only Jin and Reiko headed out.
Elsa was supposed to be at the Jade Pavilion at this hour, and there were plenty of units from the Land squad stationed there as guards. That being said, the golems had been instructed not to interfere in guest disputes unless things turned violent. The general stance was that the guests should manage their own affairs as long as it didn't cause direct trouble for Jin.
With those thoughts in mind, Jin emerged from the trees into the garden in front of the Jade Pavilion. There, he found guards from the Kingdom of Franz and the Klein Kingdom.
(Ah, I suppose these two countries were on bad terms until quite recently as well...)
Jin sighed inwardly as he walked forward.
"...Hm?"
A crowd had gathered, but the atmosphere felt different. It didn't seem like a fight was breaking out.
"Is that... Fritz-san?"
Mixed in among the guards from Klein and Franz was Fritz, a soldier of the Shouro Empire. Beside him was a woman with familiar, bright brown hair.
"Is that Gloria-san?"
Jin didn't know the full details, but he surmised that the guards had been having some trouble here as well, and Fritz had stepped in to mediate.
It appeared his guess wasn't far off the mark. The matter had evidently been settled; although a few men were clicking their tongues in annoyance, they exchanged apologies and began to disperse.
"Fritz-dono, I... my apologies."
Gloria offered her thanks to Fritz.
"No, don't worry about it. I just didn't want any boorish disputes breaking out at a gathering hosted by my sister's fiancé."
"I-I see."
Gloria looked slightly taken aback by his blunt response. But then she paused.
"Wait, Fritz-dono, there's blood on your cheek."
Perhaps someone's fist had grazed him during the scuffle. Fritz gave a dismissive shrug to the worried Gloria.
"It's nothing, doesn't even sting. A wound like this will heal if I just lick it."
"...Do you intend to lick your own cheek?"
"What?"
"...Pfft."
The sound of someone stifling a laugh reached Jin's ears. It was Elsa.
"Ani-sama, I think that would be a bit difficult....Behandeln."
"Oh, thanks."
Under Elsa’s healing magic, Fritz's wound vanished in an instant.
"Mm... thank you for settling the trouble."
"Hah, don't mention it."
Fritz reached out and patted Elsa's head. Elsa puffed out her cheeks in a theatrical pout.
"Geez....Stop treating me like a child."
"Haha, sorry, sorry."
Watching the two of them from the side, Jin realized that any lingering awkwardness between the siblings had completely vanished.