“Impressive...”
“This is most intriguing.”
“This is incredible!”
The camouflage Jin had established back when Reinhard, Elsa, and Beena first visited was already quite adequate. However, since he could not allow the Warp Gate in the basement to be seen, he had sealed it off in advance.
Several men and women were currently touring "the Mansion"—the dummy laboratory—with great curiosity. They moved through the dining hall, the workshop, and the living room.
The workshop, in particular, was the focal point of the guests' attention.
Leading the group was Prince Ernest, the third prince of the Kingdom of Egerea. His fiancée, Princess Lieschen of the Klein Kingdom, was surprisingly sticking close to Anne.
Then again, perhaps it was not so surprising. Anne was the same model as Tia, the princess's former wet nurse. Though Refa was technically the sister unit from the same production lot, Anne's resemblance to Tia clearly drew the princess’s interest.
“I wish I could study magi-craft in a place like this,” Ernest murmured innocently.
“Prince Ernest, you have always been fond of golems, haven't you?”
The one who spoke to him was the Empress of the Shouro Empire.
“Ah, Your Majesty. Yes, I love golems and automata!”
“Fufu, it seems you share a common interest with Jin-dono in that regard,” the Empress said, her expression softening into a smile.
“Hey, Jin, would you teach me Craft Magic?” Ernest asked suddenly.
“Eh?”
“Even just for a week... I want to learn from you, Jin.”
“...”
Ernest was royalty, and Jin could not simply grant such a request on his own authority.
“Prince Ernest, you're putting Jin-dono in a difficult spot. You should first obtain permission from your father before making such a request,” the Empress intervened, once again providing Jin with a graceful exit.
“...Right. Yes, you’re right. I understand.”
Ernest withdrew obediently.
“Jin, once I get Father’s permission, you have to teach me!”
“Ah, yes.”
With the prince so insistent, Jin could only nod.
Beside Shark 11 and Shark 12 as they towed the massive carcasses of the Death Sea Serpents, Shark 10 ran parallel, carrying the other world leaders.
“Still, seeing it like this is quite a spectacle.”
“Maquina-dono, what kind of materials can be harvested from a Death Sea Serpent?”
“Let’s see. The bones are quite sturdy, making them ideal for the hilts of swords or large knives. The fangs are even stronger and are used similarly. The meat is pungent and tastes terrible, so it is not fit for consumption. We usually incinerate it.”
As Maquina explained, the leaders listened with rapt interest.
“The skin is elastic and durable, suited for leather armor and sword scabbards. A more unique application is found in Port Rock Town within the Kingdom of Elias, where it serves as a component called a 'belt' for paddlewheel boats.”
“Ah, the paddlewheel boats produced in Marcia’s workshop,” Chancellor Godfar of the Kingdom of Elias remarked, speaking up with an air of recognition. Maquina nodded in agreement.
“That is correct. I believe Jin processes the components and supplies them to her.”
“Oh, is that so?”
It seemed the Chancellor did not possess that level of detailed technical information. In his position as a statesman, such oversight was understandable.
“As far as materials go, they are of upper-middle grade. For everyday applications, they are more than sufficient.”
When Maquina said that, Chancellor Godfar gave a slightly exasperated look.
“I suspect you and your associates are the only ones who would dare call a Death Sea Serpent 'upper-middle' grade.”
“Indeed,” King Cesar agreed.
“I certainly wish to remain on good terms with people like you,” Prince Arthur added.
“Yes, I dislike conflict as well. If the world is peaceful and I can focus on my magi-craft research, I am content.”
“Oh? You share the same philosophy as Jin-dono?” King Rotaro of Franz asked, sounding intrigued.
“Yes. Technical men like myself and Jin have absolutely no understanding of the desire to rule the world.”
“I see. To each their own, then,” Prince Arthur said, nodding with an impressed expression.
Shark 10 continued to cruise across the sea at about thirty kilometers per hour.
Looking out the window at the horizon, Prince Arthur whispered to himself.
“I am a little... envious that you can see the world that way.”
Flying through the vast sky, Konron 3 slowly lowered its altitude, grazing directly above Shark 10 as it moved across the water.
“Land, sea, and air. The Lord of Kunlun’s technology is truly bottomless.”
Marchioness Firenziano murmured in a deeply moved voice.
“Your Excellency, all of this stems from a single root,” Elsa said, turning toward her.
“A single root?”
“Yes. It can be summarized in a simple phrase: 'the realization of dreams.'”
“Dreams, huh?”
“Dreams...”
“Dreams...”
The dream of running across the earth faster than the wind. The dream of traveling freely across the great oceans. The dream of flying through the heavens at will.
“He says he is still only halfway there.”
“Halfway, is he...?”
Those who heard her words sighed in unison. Even with his current achievements, Jin still considered himself only at the midpoint of his journey.
“He says that once you become satisfied, progress stops. He also maintains that his best work is always the 'Next One.'”
“So that is the Lord of Kunlun,” Marchioness Firenziano said quietly, closing her eyes.
“I want to remain a challenger forever.”
Relaxing in the grand dining hall of the Jade Pavilion, Jin spoke to the Empress, Prince Ernest, and Princess Lieschen. In his passion, he forgot his usual formal speech and slipped into his informal first-person pronoun.
“The moment you think you’ve reached the peak, the decline begins. Therefore, I want to remain an eternal challenger. That is my current goal.”
“I see. So that is your mindset, Jin.”
“That is very much like you, Jin-kun.”
The Empress's gentle smile helped Jin relax.
“Normally, I only talk about things like this with Elsa.”
Feeling comfortable in the company of the world leaders, he let the extra sentiment slip out. It was a rare, pleasant moment for Jin.