It took a full two days for word to reach Miyako from Seki Town and for a response to return.
The distance between the two locations was less than a hundred kilometers. A carrier pigeon could have made the round trip in under four hours. Jin guessed that the delay was likely due to the time required for the leaders to reach a decision rather than the travel time itself.
"Chief Hiro Mutu of Mitsuho says he heartily welcomes Lord Reinhard’s visit and eagerly awaits your meeting."
Upon hearing this from Crow, Jin and his party boarded Konron 3. Almost all the residents of Seki had come out to see them off, though it seemed half of them were simply there to get a look at the flying vessel.
"Wow, being able to fly through the sky like this really is somethin' else."
Maya had joined them as their caretaker. Jin had wondered if she shouldn't be busy preparing for her wedding, but apparently, Oliver was currently in Miyako to handle the paperwork, and she needed to meet him there. She was sure to be shocked when she arrived in Miyako aboard Konron 3.
"Quite the timely opportunity, then."
"Ah, that’s the one. They say the Magus used to use turns of phrase like that, too."
While they talked, Konron 3 began its slow ascent.
"Oh, we’re really flyin'! This is incredible!"
Familiar townscapes took on a fresh charm when viewed from high above.
"Ah, so that's what Seki Town looks like... And the office where the Bailiff stays... that’s it over there."
Then Konron 3 began to move forward.
"Ooh, we’re fast, we’re fast. But the highways look so thin from up here."
The gray lines cutting through the wilderness were the highways. They passed Ehmu, Temae, Narudo, and Yashima. Once Lake Sayama came into view, they knew they had reached Miyako.
"Ah, there's Lake Sayama."
"Looks like they're working on something," Jin noted.
"Land reclamation? No... they're digging a waterway."
It appeared they were constructing a canal that would circle the city center and its surroundings.
"It reminds me of Loizart," Reinhard remarked aptly. The scene was indeed reminiscent of the Shouro Empire's capital.
Konron 3 began its descent. As the altitude dropped, they could see a crowd of people gathered in a square on the southern side of Miyako.
"Looks like we should land there."
Jin gave instructions to the pilot, Edgar.
"Yes, I understand, Jin-sama."
Edgar, now a veteran pilot, skillfully guided Konron 3 toward the square.
"Ah, no mistake about it. Mii’s right there."
Following Maya's gaze, Jin peered closely and saw Mii standing in formal attire, waving her hand. She was flanked by officials holding flags. Edgar brought Konron 3 to a perfect stand still in the center of a vacant lot roughly fifty meters across.
The door opened, the gangway was lowered, and Reiko stepped out first, followed by Jin, Elsa, and finally Reinhard.
"Lord Jin, Lady Elsa, Reiko-sama, welcome!"
Mii Mutu, granddaughter of the Mitsuho Chief, Hiro Mutu, offered a formal bow.
"We received word and have been waiting for you. And you must be Lord Reinhard. Welcome to Miyako, the capital of Mitsuho. You are most welcome here."
"I am Reinhard Randol von Adamas, a diplomat of the Shouro Empire. It is an honor to meet you."
Reinhard returned the greeting with diplomatic grace. At that moment, cheers erupted from the previously quiet spectators.
"Welcome, Magi Craft Meister!"
"Lord Jin! Welcome back!"
The crowd roared with enthusiasm for Jin.
"Jin, this is incredible... I didn't realize your reputation here was this great."
"No, even I'm only just realizing the extent of it now."
"Jin-nii, considering how it was when we left Miyako last time, you should have expected this," Elsa pointed out calmly.
"I just thought that was a passing craze," Jin replied.
He had assumed the enthusiasm would have cooled over time. Back in modern Japan, he had seen many "booms" and trends explode in popularity only to fade away. But here, things were different.
"Lord Jin! Lord Jin!"
"Long live the Magi Craft Meister!"
"...This is embarrassing," Jin muttered under his breath as he walked, led by Mii.
"I am so sorry. I asked them to keep the reception as small as possible, but once word spread that you’d be arriving by air, it turned into this."
It seemed Jin was, to some extent, the architect of his own misfortune.
"Maya-san, thank you for your help. From here, the staff of Miyako will guide Lord Jin and his party."
"I understand. Jin-han, well then, I'll see you later."
"Yeah, Maya-san, thank you for everything."
Having completed her duty as their guide, Maya headed off to find Oliver.
"Welcome, Lord Diplomat. I am Hiro Mutu, the Chief of Mitsuho."
"I am Reinhard Randol von Adamas, diplomat of the Shouro Empire."
Reinhard and Hiro exchanged a firm handshake. Reinhard then presented the sovereign letter from the Empress. Hiro Mutu received it and opened the scroll. Reinhard waited in respectful silence while the Chief read.
Eventually, Hiro Mutu gave a deep nod. "I see. I understand Her Majesty's words well."
He looked up from the document. "The idea of loosely binding this world together for the sake of peace and tranquility—this concept of a 'World Conference'—aligns perfectly with the teachings of the Magus."
So Shuuki Tsetse really was preaching the concept of something like the United Nations, Jin thought, observing the scene as a bystander.
"I would like to accept the invitation to introduce Mitsuho to your world and participate in the World Conference. However, this is not a matter I can decide entirely on my own; I must consult with the council."
Though the Chief possessed significant authority, especially in times of crisis, he was not a dictator.
"That is perfectly fine," Reinhard replied. "How much time should we allow for your deliberations?"
"Could you give us about two days?"
Hiro Mutu promised a final response by January 30th. Since that fell within the timeframe he had promised the Empress, Reinhard agreed.
"Understood. I look forward to a favorable reply."
"In the meantime, please enjoy your stay in Miyako."
"Thank you, Chief."
"Lord Jin, Lady Elsa, Lord Reinhard, please relax here."
Mii led the party to the Guest House where they had stayed during their previous visit.
"Thank you, Mii."
"I will be personally attending to your needs during your stay."
"I feel a bit bad making you do that."
"Please, don't give it a second thought. I volunteered for this myself."
Meanwhile, Reinhard was staring wide-eyed at the architecture, particularly the roofs covered in tiles.
"Ho, this is very similar to Jin's mansion."
"That’s right. The garden is beautifully designed as well, so you should take a look."
The Japanese-style garden here had served as the inspiration for the garden at Jin’s estate in Loizart.
"Oho! This is quite something!"
Even for Reinhard, who had learned a fair amount about the culture of Jin's homeland, the sights of Miyako were fascinating. His eyes sparkled with interest as they toured the grounds.