Once the astonishment at Jin's extraordinary capabilities had subsided, the diplomatic meeting resumed.
"Lady Rolona, will you also be overseeing the construction in Toka Village?" the Chancellor asked.
"Yes, of course," Rolona replied with a smile. "I plan to be under Jin-sama's care for a while."
"Ah, Kaina Village," the Chancellor nodded. "It is right next door, so that is indeed convenient."
Jin nodded as well. "Yes, I intend to let her take it easy there."
In truth, there was another hurdle regarding the Northern People's stay in the Allied Kingdoms: the concentration of free ether.
As evidenced by the fact that Laldus the Jest had once been able to operate under Earl Walter, the concentration of free ether in places like the Klein Kingdom was roughly the limit of their endurance. It was comparable to living at a high altitude with low air pressure.
While one could acclimate to a certain degree, being in a place where the concentration was extremely low was—to use a human analogy with oxygen—like being in the "Death Zone" of the Himalayas. Above 8,000 meters, where the oxygen concentration is only one-third of that at sea level, simply existing drains one's physical strength. They would eventually waste away without any hope of recovery.
Since the role of ether in their bodies differed from oxygen, it wasn't an immediate life-or-death situation. However, using magic would instantly deplete their internal mana and cause them to fall ill. Kaina Village was one of the few environments on the Lauren Continent where the Northern People could live in relative comfort.
If they're going to stay here for a long time or attend the World Conference, I'll need to make some ether condensers, Jin thought.
If he only needed to protect a single person, a magi-crystal would be more than sufficient.
I should have them wear them as pendants or brooches. It would be a problem if they lost one or if it was stolen, so I’d better provide at least two per person to serve as backups. Jin had already begun drafting the designs in his head.
The latter half of the meeting shifted into a general exchange of information about their respective homelands, with the Nord Federation and the Klein Kingdom explaining their living conditions and social structures. Jin stepped in occasionally to provide context or clarify technical points. Once the conversation moved away from engineering, the atmosphere remained harmonious until the end.
The meeting concluded on schedule at 5:30 PM, followed by a period for everyone to bathe and refresh themselves. Jin went with Ladeous, while Rolona accompanied Sion.
After a relaxing soak in the hot water and a change of clothes, everyone gathered at 7:00 PM for the dinner party. The venue was the grand dining hall of the Royal Palace.
"Now then, to celebrate the friendship between the Nord Federation and the Klein Kingdom. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!!"
King Alois III led the toast. The glasses were filled with a low-alcohol white wine—slightly sweet and chilled, making it go down quite smoothly.
The first dish to arrive was tempura.
As it happened, much of the water in the Klein Kingdom was hard water, and many sources contained baking soda. When baking soda is heated, it generates carbon dioxide, which causes the batter to puff up. However, if too much is added, the resulting sodium carbonate can impart a bitter taste. Whether it was the water or a skilled hand, the batter here had turned out perfectly light and crispy.
"This is delicious," Jin noted. It was tasty enough with just a pinch of salt.
There was vegetable kakiage and freshwater shrimp kakiage. Other vegetable offerings included sliced natsuri, bisuna, and marunegi. There was even river fish tempura.
Seeing the spread, Jin realized that every country he had visited since the World Conference had taken a liking to the tempura he had introduced and started developing their own versions.
Aside from the tempura, the guests could choose between rice or barley porridge. Steaks made from Cowbull meat were also served, drizzled with a delicious special sauce that seemed to have a red wine base.
It was a pleasant realization that the Klein Kingdom was putting significant effort into its culinary arts. Since the available ingredients were limited in the north, this dinner party was a particularly meaningful experience for Ladeous and his family.
Naturally, they stayed at the Royal Palace that night. Ladeous, Rolona, and Sion shared a guest suite, while Jin was given a separate room.
"I think today went well," Jin said, throwing himself onto the sofa as soon as he was alone with Reiko. "I'm a little tired, though."
"Good work today, Father," Reiko said, offering her support.
"Tomorrow we head to Toka Village, and then back to Kaina Village, I suppose."
"That seems to be the schedule."
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Yes?" Reiko answered.
"Jin, do you have a moment?" Princess Lieschen’s voice called out.
"Please, come in."
"Thank you. Pardon the intrusion."
"Coming in~!"
Jin expected only the Princess, but Sion was right behind her.
"Hey. What's going on?" Jin asked.
"Well... you see... it’s still a bit early for bed, so I invited Sion along to come play for a bit," Lieschen explained.
"T-That's right," Sion added.
"I see. I understand."
Jin surmised that since Princess Lieschen had finally found a friend around her own age, she wanted to deepen their bond—or, more simply, she just wanted to hang out.
"Hmm, let me think..." Jin looked around. He didn't have any toys or games with him, and there wasn't enough time or materials to craft anything elaborate. "In that case, how about a word game? Oh, wait, I know just the thing."
Jin remembered a TV program that had been popular in his old world.
"Let’s try a game of Magical Melon."
"Magical Melon? What’s that?"
"It’s a type of word-association game. For example, I’ll start by saying, 'Speaking of melons, they’re sweet,' okay?"
"Uh-huh."
"The next person says, for example, 'Speaking of sweet, it’s sugar.'"
"Okay."
"Then the next person says, 'Speaking of sugar, it’s white.'"
"I'm starting to get it now," Lieschen said.
"And then I'd say, 'Speaking of white, it's snow,'" Jin continued.
"So we just keep connecting them like that?" Sion asked.
"Exactly. You lose if you say something that isn't a clear association. You also lose if you repeat a word that's already been used. We keep the rhythm going with claps, so if you can't come up with something immediately, you lose as well."
"That sounds like fun!"
"But why is it called 'Magical Melon'?" Lieschen asked.
"I have no idea."
"..."
Jin's blunt answer made the Princess and Sion slump their shoulders for a second, but they quickly recovered.
"Alright, let's go in order: me, Lies, Sion, then back to me."
"Fine by me."
"Understood."
"Okay. Clapping starts now... Speaking of melons, they're round!" Jin started.
"Speaking of round, it's a ball!" Lieschen followed immediately.
"Eh? Eh?...What's a 'ball'?"
It seemed Sion had never heard of a ball, resulting in an immediate and involuntary defeat.