The second day of the World Conference had arrived.
"I would like to set today's first agenda item as 'Information Exchange,'" declared the Chairperson, the Empress of the Shouro Empire.
Following her proclamation, the Shouro Empire began the first formal presentation of the day.
"Minister Maayas Kurudam von Skila, the floor is yours."
"Very well."
Maayas Kurudam von Skila, the Shouro Empire’s Minister of General Affairs, stepped forward.
"In our Empire, the Sahara lies to the west, and further west beyond that reside various foreign tribes."
This much was common knowledge among the delegates.
"On January 12th of this year, our Empire established formal diplomatic relations with the nation neighboring those lands."
A stir rippled through the conference hall.
"Formal diplomatic relations?"
"Finally, it's official!"
However, as the establishment of provisional ties via manaphone had been announced the previous year, the reactions were not those of shock, but rather of acknowledgement. It was also already understood that their past history of aggression had been born of a misunderstanding.
"Indeed. That nation, Mitsuho, has no 'King.' In their place..."
The Empress took over to explain Mitsuho's political structure. The delegates listened with rapt attention.
"I see. So they utilize a system much like this World Conference to govern their nation."
"But in an emergency, would a council not be too slow to act?" Prince Arthur, one of the representatives from the Klein Kingdom, interjected. It was a characteristically sharp observation.
"To address that, the 'Chief' is granted a certain degree of authority," the Empress explained.
"I see."
"That being said, I do not believe it is necessary for us to follow their example."
"Quite right. Our own systems of government have long, storied histories..."
"If we adopt the strengths, leave behind the weaknesses, and make improvements..."
A flurry of opinions regarding governance filled the air. The Empress eventually called a temporary halt to the debate at an appropriate moment.
"I appreciate your active participation, but let us move forward for now."
The primary goal was the introduction of Mitsuho.
"If there are no objections, we would like to invite Mitsuho's Chief, Hiro Mutu, to the next World Conference," the Minister of General Affairs continued.
"That seems acceptable."
"In fact, we would welcome him."
The proposal was met with general consensus.
Jin watched with satisfaction. However, he realized he would likely need to visit Hiro Mutu again in advance to ensure the Chief would act as if they were meeting for the first time, regardless of whether he recognized Jin's face.
But then, a thought struck him.
(Wait, if formal diplomatic relations are established, there's no reason I can't visit on my own... Yes, let's do that.)
A better plan had taken root in his mind, and he made a firm mental note of it.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next presentation came from the Celuroa Kingdom. The speaker was their monarch, Cesar Valois de Celuroa.
"I bring tidings of great success from our kingdom."
Waiting for the exact moment when the delegates leaned in with curiosity, he dropped a bombshell.
"We have finally succeeded in reproducing the Warp Gate!"
"W-what did you say?!"
"A Warp Gate?!"
"Is that even possible?!"
The leaders of the various nations stared in astonishment.
"Many of you likely remember the Warp Gate located in the basement during the commemorative ceremony. We have subjected it to the most meticulous and exhaustive analysis possible."
Jin noted to himself that such a feat was likely only possible for the Celuroa Kingdom, given their advanced magi-craft.
"However, several challenges remain," Cesar continued, waiting for the commotion to die down. "First, it consumes a massive amount of mana. Despite that, it can currently only teleport two people at a time."
"Even so, is that not a monumental step forward?" someone called out.
"There is more. The distance is limited as well; for now, two hundred kilometers is the absolute maximum."
"But surely that can be improved in time?"
"Naturally. Once perfected, it will be a tremendous contribution to the world."
"Perhaps you should seek the cooperation of Jin-dono or Maquina-dono?" suggested Rotaro de Lafayette, the King of the Franz Kingdom.
"I have considered that. However, for the time being, I ask for your understanding in allowing our country to handle the development alone."
He wanted the nation that had made the discovery to take it as far as they could. Understanding that sentiment, no one pressed the matter further.
"In any case, it is a very exciting prospect," the Empress concluded as Chairperson.
＊ ＊ ＊
The third presentation was from the Franz Kingdom.
"Well... within our own borders, there was much debate over whether to share this, as it means exposing our national shame," the King began with an unusual degree of hesitation. "But we decided that this is a matter for all of humanity, and so we have chosen to announce it here."
Intrigued, everyone watched him closely.
"It concerns the summer of 3457. At the time, the king was Lijoun de Berkeley..."
Jin already had an inkling of what was coming.
"A group of people arrived from the northern lands....No, let me be blunt: they were members of the demon race."
"What?!"
"The demon race?!"
"You're saying they were demons?"
The hall erupted into an uproar. It was only natural; three hundred years ago, humanity had fought a war for its very existence against them.
"...Silence! Let us hear the rest of the account."
"It began when two members of the demon race arrived in a northern town called Inaku."
King Rotaro explained that they were a young man and woman. At the time, one of them had allegedly said:
'War brings only hatred to both sides; the land is ravaged, and the hearts of the people are desolated. National power declines, and the people are left to groan in the depths of misery.'
This matched the account Jin had heard from Catherine de Lafayette—the King's mother.
Without giving those words a second thought, the bailiff of Inaku at the time, Kutaaga Akutaa, had feigned a warm welcome only to poison them.
"The two were subsequently murdered while being transported. It is believed to have been the work of a faction with a deep-seated hatred for the demon race."
"..."
"..."
The delegates sat in stunned silence.
How did the members of the World Conference feel, knowing that those who had come seeking exchange—or at least a dialogue—had been deceived, captured, and ultimately murdered simply because they were 'demons'?
"How truly regrettable," the Empress said softly.
Her brief words were heavy with a wealth of emotion, a sentiment shared by every person in the room.