Having decided to travel to the Klein Kingdom, Jin spent the following day making preparations.
Naturally, they would be taking Konron 3.
His traveling companions included Elsa and Hanna. Edgar was set to serve as the pilot, and Reiko would, as always, be by Jin’s side.
"Should I invite Lishia as well? Elsa, what do you think?"
"Mhm, I think that’s a good idea."
The highway reconstruction project was planned to reach as far as Toka Village, which meant that Kaina Village was bound to experience some degree of change. Elsa noted that since Lishia was a member of the Jin Family, there was no reason to keep her in the dark.
"All right. I'll use the Fellowship Bracelet to contact her secretly so she can get ready."
Jin decided to leave the logistics of the message to Laojun. Their departure was scheduled for the following day, February 24th. Until then, he made sure Roland and Raglann could enjoy their stay in Kaina Village to the fullest.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Jin-san, thank you so much for the invitation! Hanna-chan, Elsa-san, it’s been so long."
"Big Sister Lishia, it really has!"
"Lishia-san, it’s good to see you again."
As planned, shortly after noon on the 24th, Konron 3 touched down in Toka Village to pick up Lishia.
"The notice was a bit sudden. Was everything all right with your work?" Jin asked, though his concern was a little late.
"Yes, it’s currently the agricultural off-season, and there isn’t much paperwork to attend to, so it wasn’t a problem at all," Lishia replied with a warm smile.
"W-We’re actually flying through the air..."
"I-I’m starting to realize that even at my age, there are still many things in this world capable of surprising me..."
"..."
Roland and Raglann were in a state of constant excitement as they peered out the windows of Konron 3. Beaute, for his part, was speechless, his face practically pressed against the glass in wonder.
As a side note, Jin had promised the group that the horse-drawn carriage they had arrived in would be safely returned to its destination by his golems.
Konron 3 arrived at Alban, the capital of the Klein Kingdom, without even needing to push its engines to full speed. From there, it headed straight for the landing pad at the Royal Palace.
"J-Jin-san, are we going in there too!?"
Roland, ever the commoner, sounded panicked.
"Ah, that’s right. What should we do?"
Since the Klein Kingdom’s balloon unit had already identified Konron 3 and was currently acting as their escort, landing anywhere else was out of the question.
"I’ll just have to explain the situation and let you head home from the landing pad..."
"I-I suppose that’s the only way..."
Roland’s shoulders slumped in disappointment, but the elder Raglann remained unperturbed.
"Hmph. I wonder if any of my old acquaintances are still around."
As a former Baronet with a military background, Raglann took the situation in stride.
Finally, Konron 3 touched down. The first to disembark was the squire, Reiko.
"Oh, Reiko! It has been quite a while, has it not?"
"Her Highness Princess Lieschen, it has been a long time."
The Third Princess, Lieschen, had come out to greet Jin personally. Jin and Elsa followed close behind Reiko.
"Princess Lieschen, it’s good to see you again."
"Jin, it has been far too long. Elsa, you look as radiant as ever."
"Your Highness, I hope you are in good spirits."
"Ugh, you are so formal. Well, I suppose it cannot be helped in front of all these people."
"Princess, please forgive my intrusion."
"Ah, and you are... Lishia, was it? So you were with Jin as well?"
"Y-Yes."
As Lishia shrank back in modesty, Lieschen offered a reassuring smile. "It is quite all right. Today, I shall treat you as Jin’s friend."
"Th-Thank you very much."
Then came Hanna.
"Princess, it’s been a long time!"
"Oh, Hanna! You have grown quite a bit, have you not!?"
The moment she saw Hanna, Princess Lieschen lunged forward and pulled the girl into a tight embrace.
"I am so glad you came. I trust you will be staying for a while?"
"Yes, we have some things to consult with you about, but once that’s finished..."
"Mhm, mhm. I look forward to it."
Princess Lieschen nodded, clearly in a fantastic mood. Then, Raglann stepped forward.
"Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you. I am Raglann Eastwood, a former Baronet and former Vice-Captain of the 3rd Guard Unit."
"Raglann... Eastwood... Ah! I recognize that name! You were the vice-captain of the unit that performed so brilliantly during the conflict with the Kingdom of Franz!"
"Your praise is far more than I deserve."
Standing nearby, Jin was privately stunned. He had never imagined that Raglann Eastwood possessed such a distinguished military record.
"Are these men your family?"
"Yes, Your Highness. This is my son-in-law, Roland, and my grandson, Erik."
"I am Roland."
"I-I’m Erik."
Roland managed to keep a composed front, while Erik gave his deepest salute with a voice that was pitched a bit higher than usual.
"And behind them is our employee, Beaute."
"I-I am called Beaute."
Raglann Eastwood concluded the introductions with a deep, formal bow. "We hope to remain in your good graces."
"Mhm. The Raglann Company are the benefactors who popularized the pumps, are they not? I shall be counting on you in the future as well."
"We are deeply honored, Your Highness."
＊ ＊ ＊
After the greetings at the airfield concluded, the members of the Raglann Company were given permission to return to their shop.
Jin’s party, Edgar included, was then escorted to a drawing room within the Royal Palace.
"First of all... it really has been too long, Jin! Honestly, you can speak casually with me now!"
"...Yeah, it’s been a while, Lies."
Hearing that name, Princess Lieschen nodded happily, looking thoroughly satisfied. Jin and the others then offered their formal congratulations on her engagement.
"So, once again—Lies, congratulations on your engagement."
"Congratulations," Elsa added.
"My congratulations as well," Lishia said.
"Onee-chan, congratulations!" Hanna cheered.
"Mhm, mhm. Thank you, everyone."
"I have brought the tea."
Tia entered the room then, carrying a tray of Te-e.
"Jin-sama, Elsa-sama, Lishia-sama, Hanna-sama, Reiko-san, Edgar-san—welcome."
"Tia, how are you holding up?" Jin asked.
"Yes, I am in excellent condition, as always."
"That’s good to hear."
"So, what business brings you to the capital today?" Princess Lieschen asked while taking a sip of her Te-e.
"I heard about the highway reconstruction project from the people at the Raglann Company."
"Ah, that matter. It is a wonderful plan, is it not?"
Public works projects like this were being carried out in various countries to create jobs and stimulate the economy. The monorail construction in the Celuroa Kingdom served the exact same purpose.
"The plans have been refined even further since the initial announcement. This is perfect timing; I should like to hear your thoughts on the matter, Jin."
With that, Princess Lieschen began to explain the details.