"Entertainment, you say..."
After a brief post-lunch rest, the guests from the various nations split into three groups. Jin, Elsa, and Maquina each took charge of a group, offering them different ways to enjoy Kunlun Island.
Jin’s group included the Empress of the Shouro Empire, Prince Ernest of the Kingdom of Egerea, Third Princess Lieschen of the Klein Kingdom, the female royal ritter Gloria Allstatt, the female royal ritter Flora, Chancellor Boyd of the Kingdom of Egerea, Minister of Magic Kelichdore, Anne and Kate of the Royal Secret Maids, and several others.
Elsa’s group was composed of Marchioness Firenziano of the Kingdom of Elias, Magic Technology Minister Degauss of the Shouro Empire, Lieutenant Colonel Fritz, and a few other delegates.
Finally, King Cesar of Celuroa, King Rotaro of Franz, and Prince Arthur of the Klein Kingdom joined Maquina’s group.
"This way, please."
The group guided by Elsa boarded the Konron 3. They were to enjoy an aerial sightseeing tour around the perimeter of Kunlun Island.
"Please watch your step."
Simultaneously, Maquina led his group toward the Shark 10.
"Please wait just a moment longer... Ah, here it comes."
"Wh-What is that!?"
"Moving without horses..."
"...Jin-kun, that's an automobile, isn't it? But it’s so large..."
The vehicle Jin had summoned was indeed an automobile. He had newly constructed it specifically for island transport—essentially a bus. It was a large, thirty-passenger vehicle, and because the upper section was paned with quartz glass, it offered an excellent view. Given that Jin’s group was the most populous, it was the perfect choice.
Anne was the one at the wheel.
"Well then, let’s head out."
"All right for departure!"
Jin felt a twinge of cognitive dissonance hearing the driver, Anne, use those professional calls, but since he wasn't particularly inclined to say them himself, he kept his mouth shut.
The bus pulled away smoothly.
"O-Oh! It's moving!"
"I can hardly feel any vibration."
"It’s just like the carriage Jin made. It uses an active Golem arm suspension, right?"
Jin was a bit surprised to hear Prince Ernest mention the technical name, as he didn't recall teaching it to him.
"Uh, yes. By applying the mechanics of a Golem arm, it absorbs the shocks from unevenness in the ground."
"I don't quite understand the specifics, but it is an incredible technology..." the Empress remarked, sounding impressed.
Outside the windows, the scenery flew past. They were traveling at roughly fifty kilometers per hour. Because the roads had been given a simple pavement—leveled with Craft Magic and treated with Bonding—they were able to maintain that kind of speed with ease.
"I wonder where we're headed?"
In response to the question, Jin replied, "We’ll be visiting several sightseeing spots around Kunlun Island."
True to his word, the bus climbed to the summit of a small hill—or rather, a small mountain.
"This is an observatory. You should be able to see the layout of Kunlun Island from here."
When the bus stopped, everyone stepped outside and took in the view.
"Oh, what a magnificent sight!"
"The sea is visible from here."
"...Huh? Jin, what’s that building over there?"
Ernest pointed toward the Mansion—the dummy laboratory Jin had built on Kunlun Island.
"That is my laboratory. It serves as my base of operations."
"I see... Would it be alright if we had a look at it?"
"Sure, if everyone else is okay with it..."
As Jin began to reply to Ernest, others chimed in.
"I would certainly love to see it!"
"Indeed. If it is the base of the Lord of Kunlun, it is far more than just a local attraction."
"I, too, find myself curious, indeed," Lieschen added.
Not a single person opposed the idea; in fact, everyone was eager to see it. Jin gave a wry smile as he gave his consent.
"I can't guarantee you'll find it interesting, though..."
The party boarded the bus once more and set off.
The Konron 3, carrying Marchioness Firenziano and her group, traced an elegant trajectory as it circled Mount Kunlun, which towered at the center of the island.
"This is a wonderful view..." the Marchioness murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
"Hmph, to think it vibrates so little... This is fundamentally different from a hot air balloon. Just how far does Lord Jin’s technical prowess reach...?"
Magic Technology Minister Degauss was also impressed, albeit for different reasons.
"Oh, what’s that...?"
Fritz had spotted something below. At the foot of a small mountain to the west of Kunlun Island, something was moving.
"That is the large automobile Jin-nii made. He should be using it to guide the guests."
"I see! A large automobile! It looks like it could carry twenty or thirty people."
Elsa thought a bit bitterly that Fritz, being a soldier, was likely thinking about transporting troops. She loved her brother now that he was back to his old self, but she sometimes found herself unable to keep up with his military mindset. She told herself it was only natural given his profession, but even if she understood it with her head, her heart didn't always agree.
"Fritz-dono, you always seem to view things through a military lens, don't you?"
Just then, a woman's voice broke through Elsa's musings. It was Marchioness Firenziano.
"Yes, I am a soldier, after all."
Since she was a Marchioness of another nation, Fritz replied with more formal language than usual.
"I am aware. However, this conference is a gathering to strive for and realize world peace. While it may be unavoidable that you think that way, one should not voice such indelicate words so readily."
"...Yes, you are quite right."
Fritz scratched his head, looking chagrined. In her heart, Elsa thanked the Marchioness for saying what she had wanted to say.
"O-Oh, oh."
"It sways more than I expected."
The Shark 10 had a maximum capacity of eight people. Excluding the pilot, Marine 201, and Maquina, there were six passengers aboard.
"Please be careful. This ship was not built for passengers," Maquina warned.
King Cesar of Celuroa nodded. "Quite. But I have been curious about it ever since I saw it at the Founding Anniversary Ceremony."
"But truly, it is a wooden vessel, isn't it?" Prince Arthur asked, his voice filled with admiration.
The Shark series was treated with a Finish of urushi mixed with fine particles of 64 light silver, giving it a brownish-silver hue. Because of this, it looked like it was made of metal from a distance.
"It is. Jin said he wanted to demonstrate the possibilities of wooden ships."
"I see... the possibilities of wooden ships, eh? Those are quite profound words," Cesar mused.
"Truly, I never dreamed we could gallop across the sea at such a speed," King Rotaro of Franz remarked.
"Now then, we are approaching the northwestern side of Kunlun Island. We are near the sea area where we intercepted the Death Sea Serpents earlier."
"Ho, how interesting."
"It makes one a little nervous."
Despite the remark, three ships—Shark 11 through Shark 13—remained in that area in anticipation of just such an occasion.
"Look, they're in sight."
The Shark 10 slowed down. Before their eyes, the carcasses of the Death Sea Serpents were floating in the water.
"Th-This is..."
"They look quite grotesque up close."
The passengers drew back slightly at the sight of the magical beasts, which they were seeing for the first time.
(As expected, the power of the Lord of Kunlun is a threat...)
It was said that several of the world leaders were left with that very thought.