"So, July has already come to an end."
Lucol and Vivienne were talking at the entrance of an inn on the outskirts of Esaia, the capital of the Celuroa Kingdom.
"Yes. It's a shame, but this was the plan from the very beginning."
"I suppose so. I've enjoyed our time together, Via."
"Me too, Lucol."
Vivienne had intended to conclude her research trip at the end of July and return to her home country.
Today was August 1st. As scheduled, she would now part ways with Lucol and return to her place of exile, the Shouro Empire.
"If the opportunity arises, I would love to conduct research with you again."
"Thank you. I feel the same way."
"Well then, take care on your journey."
"I will."
One of the hired male helpers was to accompany Vivienne for the first leg of her trip.
"Make sure you guard Via properly, you hear?"
"Heh, I've got it covered, boss," the man replied with a somewhat crude grin.
They rented two horses and set off. Since Vivienne's riding skills were modest, they maintained a brisk walking pace of about eight kilometers per hour.
Once they passed through the city gates and traveled for thirty minutes, the crowds thinned until there wasn't a soul in sight. The man led Vivienne toward an even more secluded area.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Lord of Kunlun, you have been an immense help. Allow me to offer my thanks."
In front of the Celuroa Royal Palace, Konron 3 was preparing for departure. King Cesar himself had come to see them off.
"I intend to move forward with the monorail project as well."
"I'm glad to hear it. I'll come back to provide support when needed."
"I'll be counting on you... Lady Elsa, stay well. And finally, Lady Reiko—thanks to you, we were saved."
After exchanging farewells, Jin, Elsa, and Reiko boarded Konron 3.
While the Five-Colored Golem Maids were ostensibly already on board, they had actually returned to Hourai Island long ago.
"Until next time."
The doors hissed shut, and Konron 3 ascended slowly into the sky.
"We certainly had quite a few breakthroughs this trip," Jin noted.
"Mhm," Elsa agreed.
Inside the airship, Jin, Elsa, and Reiko sat together to review their findings.
"But we've picked up more mysteries along the way too."
"Indeed, Father. The religious conflicts from five hundred years ago, and that mysterious southern island?" Reiko asked.
"That's the one. We managed to get a sample of that liquid metal, but it's not exactly a material I'm eager to use."
"I agree," Elsa said. "If someone were to get poisoned by it, the consequences would be horrific."
While they could have the Smiths handle the manufacturing to avoid human exposure, the biological materials they currently employed were already superior in performance. Liquid metal seemed to pair well with foamed metal, but Jin couldn't see a pressing need for it yet.
"Besides, we might learn something if we investigate Freciaus Nakar, the man who was Jix's master."
"That's true. Those brothers were so obsessed with revenge that they didn't seem to care much for history itself."
"Yeah. I also wanted to ask why they studied under Jidan Casey, but that wasn't a topic for a public conversation with the Celuroan officials."
"Very true."
Konron 3 set its course for Loizart, the capital of the Shouro Empire.
＊ ＊ ＊
Vivienne stood outside the walls surrounding Esaia with her hired helper. They were on a desolate stretch of the Azul River's banks, where massive boulders jutted out from the uneven ground.
"No one is watching here, ma'am," the man said before making a specific signal.
Suddenly, something that had been perfectly camouflaged against the landscape flickered into view. It was Pelican 3.
"After you, Vivienne-san."
"Thank you."
Vivienne stepped into Pelican 3 and used its onboard Warp Gate to return to Hourai Island.
Once she was gone, Pelican 3 reactivated its Invisible barrier and vanished from sight once more.
The man left behind—ostensibly the hired help—was actually Regulus 39, a Quinta operative known as Glenn. The one currently staying with Lucol was Regulus 40, known as Lowa.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Jin-kun, I heard the news! You're finally having your wedding!"
"Ah... yes."
About thirty minutes after Jin had parked Konron 3 on the roof of his Loizart mansion, the Empress arrived on an imperial progress.
"Elsa, congratulations."
"Th-thank you very much."
"The reception here in our Empire will last for a full week, celebrations continuing day and night—"
The Empress caught sight of the look of sheer exhaustion and reluctance on Jin's face and let out a small giggle.
"—Or perhaps we should keep it a bit more modest."
"I would appreciate that, Your Majesty."
Jin then provided the Empress with a thorough report on the Gonpetition held in the Celuroa Kingdom.
"I see. So Erich Siflo finished in fourth place overall."
Jin decided to ask a question that had been lingering in his mind.
"Your Majesty, why didn't Reinhard's Schwarzritter participate?"
The answer was straightforward.
"Because Reinhard declined."
He was apparently swamped with his duties as a lord, and he was reluctant to leave the country because of Berche.
"She's nearly eight months pregnant now, isn't she? It's only natural for him to worry."
Since it was her first child, Reinhard and everyone else in their circle were being extra cautious.
"I think I'll go visit them tomorrow," Jin said.
The Empress looked like she wanted to stay longer for casual conversation, but duty called. She finished her single cup of tea and a plate of sweets before departing.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Well, tomorrow is August 2nd."
"Father, that's Stearena-san's birthday," Reiko reminded him.
"Ah, that's right."
"Toa-san and Stearena-san are expected to be back as well."
Having once made the mistake of completely forgetting Hanna's birthday, Jin had made sure to ask Laojun and Reiko to assist him with his schedule.
"I'll head over to Reinhard's place to see how Berche is doing, then I'll go to Hourai Island."
"Mhm, that sounds like a good plan," Elsa agreed.
"Toa and Stearena will probably be thrilled to hear the news from this trip, too."
"And I hear Vivienne-san is back as well."
"Is that so? Even though we were practically next to each other, it feels like it's been ages since we last met."
The Ars world was still shrouded in many mysteries, but the bonds shared by those around Jin remained warm and steadfast.