"This is the main thoroughfare."
"Wow, it’s incredible!"
The Central Thoroughfare in Asunt, the capital of the Kingdom of Egerea, was as broad as a ten-lane highway in modern Japan.
It featured a ceremonial walkway in the center, flanked by rows of trees—a layout reminiscent of the Dankazura, the raised approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura. This central path was reserved for nobles and higher-ranking officials traveling to or from the Royal Palace and was typically closed to the general public.
As Lianna provided these explanations, Jin and his companions began their tour of the capital.
"Are there any clothing stores around?"
Thinking of the interests of Elsa, Hanna, and Lishia, Jin posed the question. Lianna answered immediately.
"Yes, certainly. Right this way."
She guided the group to a shop occupying a prime location on the Central Thoroughfare.
"Oh, wow..."
Fashion in the Kingdom of Egerea differed notably from that of the Shouro Empire or the Klein Kingdom. While the Empire prioritized functionality and the Klein Kingdom leaned toward heavy winter wear due to its climate, Egerean styles were more open and elaborately decorated.
This was a draw the women could not ignore. Elsa, Hanna, and Lishia were soon in high spirits, picking up blouses and jackets to try them on.
On the other hand, while Jin could appreciate their excitement, he found it a bit taxing to wait around for the entire duration of a shopping trip. He leaned in and whispered to Lianna.
"Is there a magi-device shop nearby?"
"Yes, there is. Just two doors down," she replied.
Leaving the rest to Lianna and Edgar, Jin quietly slipped out of the boutique. Only Reiko accompanied him.
"Ah, I’m definitely no good at those kinds of places."
"Fufu. As I thought, those shops really don't suit you, Father," Reiko said with a smile. She seemed to be in an excellent mood, as it had been quite some time since the two of them were alone together.
"This is the place."
The storefront was quite impressive—grander than even the Raglann Company’s branch in the Klein Kingdom. The interior was roughly the size of two school classrooms, with about half the space occupied by display shelves.
When Jin stepped inside, he saw about ten customers. Shop clerks were busy assisting half of them with explanations. A clerk approached Jin as well, but he politely declined, stating he wanted to browse the store at his own pace.
"Hmm, they have a pretty decent selection."
The store was divided into sections for weapons, accessories, household tools, and hobby items, with each category featuring anywhere from several to over a dozen different products.
"Oh, they even have a refrigerator here."
Jin approached the familiar magi-device.
"This is Beena’s work."
It appeared to be an item imported from Blue Land. It clearly bore the mark of Beena’s craftsmanship. Jin mused that if such magi-devices were being wholesaled to the capital, the economic situation in Blue Land must be doing well. Of course, he knew he couldn't judge everything based on a single item.
"Father, this also appears to be one of Beena’s creations."
"Let’s see... Oh, this is..."
It was a water heater. It was a variation of the design Jin had developed with Beena back in Blue Land to sell at their street stall—essentially a heating element integrated into a wooden bucket. However, the one before him was far more refined.
Instead of a bucket, it used a ceramic jar that had undergone a Toughening treatment. Because it could be easily sealed, it was more resistant to dust and debris, and its thermal efficiency had been significantly improved.
"I see. She’s firing the heating element right into the bottom of the jar."
By using a heat-resistant magi-circuitry plate, the component could indeed survive the firing temperatures of the ceramic.
"Beena’s really working hard."
Since he hadn't seen the other members of the Jin Family lately, Jin hadn't realized she was developing such advanced magi-devices.
"It would be nice if we could all live together as a family... but that’s just a dream. It’s not realistic."
Everyone had their own lives to lead.
"Besides, we have Warp Gates and manacams now."
He told himself that they could get in touch whenever necessary.
"Father, let’s look over there as well."
Perhaps sensing his melancholy, Reiko steered him toward the accessory corner.
"Hmm... I see..."
Since this was, in a sense, outside his area of expertise, Jin soon forgot his gloom and began to browse with genuine interest.
"Since they’re magi-devices, it looks like they have various effects attached to them."
A certain brooch possessed a very slight Healing (Cure) magic effect.
If someone wore this, it might be enough to ward off something like motion sickness, Jin thought, somewhat impressed by the idea.
But at this quality, the effect will probably run out within two years...
With only the magi-crystal attached to the brooch, once the internal free ether was exhausted, the device would simply stop working.
If it were me, I’d configure it so it only activates when it’s actually needed.
However, such detailed writing in was something no one but Jin could manage, which was why the market was filled with such crude magi-devices.
"And these are weapons? Daggers, I suppose."
Since this wasn't a dedicated armory, they only carried a few daggers that doubled as magi-devices.
"This is... Wait, what?"
When Jin performed an Analyze and an Inspection, he discovered that the dagger was designed to trigger Stun magic.
This is on the same level as the Stun Rod Beena had when we first met... Maybe they share the same creator.
Even so, Jin didn't quite see the utility of giving a lethal dagger a paralyzing effect.
"Father, wouldn't it be useful if the opponent was paralyzed even if the blade only grazed them?" Reiko suggested in a low voice.
"Ah, you’re right. Thanks, Reiko. That clears it up."
Exactly as Reiko had deduced, since the stun effect would activate with even a mere graze, having such a property on a sword or spear would be surprisingly useful.
Finally, Jin and Reiko headed to the hobby corner.
"Oh, this is interesting."
It was a place overflowing with the most miscellaneous and cluttered assortment of goods.
"But they aren't magi-devices, are they?"
It truly was just a corner for simple hobby items.
"Dolls, stuffed animals, and... what are these?"
There were several items that looked like faces painted onto eggshells. The colors were vibrant, and they seemed intended for children.
"Those are Funny Eggs."
"Oh, Lianna."
Before he knew it, Elsa, Hanna, and Lishia had caught up with them.
"You put sweets inside the shells and give them to small children. I’ve heard that recently, it's become popular for lovers to hide rings and other gifts among the candy."
"I see..."
Jin thought it sounded like the Easter Egg custom on modern Earth, though he didn't actually know much about the details of that tradition either.
"Jin-nii, look at this. It's interesting."
It seemed Elsa had found something that caught her eye.
"Oh, this is cute!"
A short distance away, Hanna was picking up another display item.
"Wow, this is lovely!"
Lishia joined in as well.
Surrounded by his suddenly lively companions, Jin gave a wry smile, feeling the quiet happiness of not being alone.