“I believe the core issue here is the sense of distance.”
The conference was still in session.
“‘Far’ versus ‘near.’ ‘Time-consuming’ versus ‘instant.’ That disparity is everything.”
The speaker was Cesar, the King of the Celuroa Kingdom.
“Therefore, our nation shall devote its full resources to the refinement and improvement of Warp Gates.”
The attendees murmured their agreement.
Jin, too, had often reflected on the fact that the ultimate source of inequality was likely distance. In modern Japan, the reason populations clustered in urban centers was that people sought the convenience of being closer to their workplaces and entertainment.
However, cities had their own drawbacks—inflated prices, high land costs, and air pollution.
The countryside for a home, the city for a life—Jin had occasionally toyed with that philosophy himself. Yet, no matter how much transportation technology advanced, individuals willing to endure a two-hour commute just to live in the rural countryside remained a rare breed.
“If travel becomes instantaneous, the distinction between a distant nation and a neighboring one effectively vanishes,” Cesar continued. “Let us consider the future of the Former Leonard Kingdom under the working premise that Warp Gates will be fully practical.”
Applause broke out across the hall.
“I see, I see. This is the very essence of it—this is what it means for technological progress to truly contribute to society,” Crown Prince Alphons of the Kingdom of Elias said in admiration. “King Cesar, I wholeheartedly support your initiative to advance the development of Warp Gates.”
“Of course.”
Aircraft, expressways, and even high-speed railways had never truly succeeded in making the world feel small. But Warp Gates could. It was only natural for the leaders to place such high hopes in them.
A variety of opinions were voiced afterward, but the final consensus was a cautious one.
“It is best that we do not rush to a final conclusion.”
As Jin expected, territorial disputes were never quite so simple.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Well, well, it has been a most fulfilling three days.”
“Indeed it has.”
“Until a year ago, I never dreamed the representatives of every nation would gather like this under one roof.”
The dinner on the third day was held as a buffet-style party. This format allowed for even more active networking between the heads of state than before.
“Your Majesty, thank you for your hard work over these past three days.”
Amidst the festivities, Jin went to offer his regards to the Empress.
“Thank you, Jin-kun. It was a demanding three days, but I found them quite enjoyable,” she replied with a graceful smile.
“Jin-dono, the preparations must have been an enormous undertaking for you as well,” Prince Arthur said as he joined them. “It is a shame I could not bring my sister along this time.”
“I share your sentiment. I regret that I could not bring my son,” King Harold Luan Autocrace of the Kingdom of Egerea added as he approached.
“Your Majesty, my sincerest congratulations on the engagement of the Prince and Princess,” Jin said, offering his formal well-wishes once more.
“It makes me happy to hear such words from the ‘Lord of Kunlun.’”
“When do you expect the ceremony to take place?” Jin asked. Since the setting was unofficial, he felt comfortable enough to pose the question.
“They are fourteen this year, so it will likely be next year.”
In this world, fifteen was considered the age of adulthood, so the timeline was perfectly standard.
“Please let me know when the date is set.”
“Of course. There is no world in which I would fail to invite the ‘Lord of Kunlun.’”
Elsewhere, lively conversations were taking place.
“I see, so Gloria-dono also passed the first screening.”
“Does that mean you did as well, Fritz-dono?”
“Yeah. All that's left is the final screening. Serving in the ‘World Security Guard’ seems like a truly worthwhile endeavor.”
“Hehe, I agree.”
“If we end up as colleagues, I’ll be counting on you.”
“A-Ah, same here.”
Nearby, the ‘Golden Princess,’ Elena, was also a center of attention.
“Elena-dono, I am honored to make your acquaintance.”
The man addressing her was Maayas Kurudam, the minister of general affairs of the Shouro Empire.
“Minister of General Affairs Maayas Kurudam of the Shouro Empire, was it? The pleasure is mine.”
“The organization known as Nostalgia is quite impressive.”
“You flatter us. We are merely a gathering of volunteers.”
King Cesar of the Celuroa Kingdom joined them then.
“Volunteers they may be, but you have many talented individuals in your ranks.…Isn’t that right, Donald?”
His last remark was directed at Donald Callow, who stood by Elena’s side.
“Y-Yes… Your Majesty.”
“Haha, there is no need to be so stiff. Even I feel that our nation went a bit too far during the reign of the predecessor. I have no intention of holding a grudge now for you leaving your post.”
“I am humbled by your kindness.”
Meanwhile, King Alois III of the Klein Kingdom was speaking with Jin.
“Lord of Kunlun, I haven't had much chance to speak with you privately. Could you spare me a moment?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
When Jin agreed, Alois III gave a weary laugh.
“I find myself thinking of it often… if only I had welcomed you with the hospitality you deserved when you were still in my kingdom… in Kaina Village.”
“…I am honored that you would say so.”
“I have wondered countless times how things might have changed if I had gone to meet you myself instead of leaving matters to the incompetent.”
Alois III’s face was flushed. It was clear he was intoxicated. His personal guard, Pascoe Rush, stood a short distance away, watching over him with a concerned expression.
“But there is no use in complaining about the past. You have reached a station equal to the royalty of every nation. No—in terms of sheer capability, you likely surpass us all.”
“Your Majesty…”
“A man like you could probably unify the entire world by force if he so desired. Why is it that you do not?”
“…I believe I’ve said this before, but it’s because I have ‘no interest’ in such a thing.”
“Hehe, ‘no interest,’ is it? To brush aside the dreams of countless kings and nations throughout history with a simple ‘no interest’...”
“Er, I’m sorry, I guess?”
“No, it is I who should apologize. I don’t know what has come over me.…I seem to be a bit drunk. Please, forget I said anything.”
With those parting words, Alois III moved away from Jin’s side.
(I wonder what he really meant by that...)
Jin wondered if, in the end, the King simply wished he could have kept Jin under his own wing.
There were times when Jin, too, imagined a version of himself running a small workshop in some quiet town.
(Maybe that path existed for me, too.)
The path he had chosen instead was difficult and winding. For a mere engineer and a commoner at heart, the journey ahead promised to be a harsh one. But since he had made his choice, Jin intended to see it through to the end, no matter what.