"Hmm, Freciaus and Jidan, you say? I've never heard of them. What about you, Lord of Kunlun?"
"Yes. By Jidan, do you mean Jidan Casey?"
"Y-yes, that's him."
The moment Jin—speaking through his Doppel—mentioned the man's surname, Jix’s eyes began to dart about in panic.
"Ho? So the Lord of Kunlun knows him? Is this Jidan Casey quite a prominent figure then?"
"No, I couldn't say what his reputation is like in the world. He's simply a friend of an acquaintance of mine."
"I see. Is that so? Well, it is a small world indeed."
King Cesar, blissfully unaware of the underlying tension, let out a chuckle.
"Y-yes... I suppose."
In contrast, Jix had turned visibly pale.
Jin decided to press his advantage. He would use his Doppel's voice to dig a little deeper.
"On another note, it seems Phantom's armor is crafted from a material I've never seen before."
"Well, yes... something like that."
Jix’s reply was evasive. Jin abruptly shifted the topic again.
"Master Jix, for what purpose did you enter the Gonpetition?"
"Eh?"
"Since you went so far as to make a last-minute entry, I assume you had a specific goal in mind."
"..."
Jin suspected the primary goal was to have the golem learn combat techniques, but since he still didn't know what lay beyond that, he decided to ask a direct question.
Eventually, Jix spoke, his words slow and measured.
"...First, I wanted to gauge Phantom's true strength. Second, I wanted to demonstrate Phantom's performance to the world."
Suddenly, Jix dropped to one knee before King Cesar.
"And by doing so, I wish to enter your service. That is my third reason."
＊ ＊ ＊
"Hmm, so he's looking for a job. In that case, the Celuroa Kingdom is certainly a better prospect than Count Guarana."
"My Lord, all that remains is his motive."
Back on Hourai Island, Jin and Laojun were discussing the situation after hearing Jix’s explanation through the Doppel.
"I had wondered if he intended to market Phantom to secure research funds."
"Ah, that's right. He wasn't after the prize money, then?"
The prize money for the Gonpetition wasn't particularly high. Jin hadn't been interested in the rewards, so he hadn't bothered to remember the specifics.
"Jin-nii, first place was one hundred thousand Toll. Second place was fifty thousand Toll."
Elsa had remembered.
One hundred thousand Toll—roughly equivalent to one million yen—would be meager as far as research funds went.
Unlike the Kingdom of Elias's Golem Boat Race, where the winning prize was one million Toll, the Gonpetition was primarily about prestige and establishing connections with influential figures.
"Seeking a position, huh... But I wonder if King Cesar will actually accept him."
The King was a man who had noted the names of every official and noble who had permitted Jix’s irregular entry. Jin decided to see how the situation would unfold.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Hmm, seeking a position. I see."
As a craftsman who surpassed even Donald Callow—formerly known as 'Alpha'—Jix likely possessed absolute confidence in his worth.
"Well, this isn't a topic for a banquet. Let's discuss this properly tomorrow."
King Cesar smoothly brushed off the intense glint in Jix’s eyes.
"Y-yes. I look forward to meeting with you tomorrow."
"Umu. I shall keep my word. I will send an escort for you at nine o'clock in the morning. Where are you staying?"
"...To be honest, I couldn't secure an inn in time, so I was planning to sleep in my carriage."
Upon hearing this, King Cesar called over a nearby attendant and whispered a command.
"I shall lend you a guest room here in the Second Guest House. Follow this man."
"Yes, thank you very much."
Jix was led out of the banquet hall by one of the King's attendants.
"Now then, Lord of Kunlun," King Cesar said, turning back toward Jin. "Apologies, but would you be willing to be present for the meeting tomorrow as well?"
"I don't mind, but what is Your Majesty's true intention? Do you actually intend to hire him?"
"...I cannot say here. However, I have no love for those who believe the ends justify any means."
Jin guessed the King was referring to the last-minute entry and the people who had facilitated it, so he refrained from asking anything more.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, Vivienne and her companions were enjoying a pleasant meal.
"Oh? So you weren't a magi craftsman?" Lucol said, looking slightly surprised.
Garik Ash gave a small nod. "My primary profession is an alchemist. Though I've dabbled a bit in magi-craft as well."
"I see. Being able to do both sounds quite convenient," Vivienne remarked. She then casually mentioned that she had acquaintances who were a magi craftsman and an alchemist.
"Oho! And what might their names be?"
The moment he asked, Vivienne slightly regretted letting the detail slip, but it was too late to take it back.
"Um, the alchemist is Toa Eschenbach. The magi craftsman is his wife, Stearena."
She had no choice but to give the names of her friend and her husband.
"That's incredible! He's one of the most prominent alchemists in the Shouro Empire. And Stearena... Could she be the one who was once 'Gamma'... no, 'Beta'?"
It seemed Garik was familiar with both names.
"Yes, that's right."
"My, I have certainly made an acquaintance with someone extraordinary!"
Garik cheerfully tossed back his wine.
And then, Lucol dropped a bombshell.
"On a related note, do you happen to know a man named Gunno Asher?"
"Pffft!"
Garik sprayed out the wine he had been drinking.
The liquid seemed to have gone down the wrong pipe; he coughed violently and wiped his mouth with a napkin, his breathing heavy.
"W-where did you hear that name?" he asked, his eyes slightly watering.
"A friend of mine is a man named Jidan Casey. It seems the fellow was his disciple, but he suddenly vanished—"
Before Lucol could finish the sentence, Garik stood up.
"Ah, I just remembered some urgent business. Thank you for the meal today. Let's meet again somewhere."
With that, he abandoned his seat and hurried out of the restaurant.
"What was wrong with him?"
Lucol tilted his head in confusion, while Vivienne grimaced and buried her face in her hands.
Even Vivienne hadn't expected Lucol to be so utterly devoid of tact.
Because Vivienne was a 'storyteller,' she was well-versed in social nuances, and she had already suspected Garik Ash was hiding something.
She had been carefully considering how to probe him when Lucol threw a straight pitch right down the middle.
"...I never imagined Lucol would be this honest to a fault."
Vivienne let out a heavy sigh.