That night, Jin sat alone on his bed, tormented by his thoughts.
(...Should I take the position in the royal capital or not?...)
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Jin-sama, Mr. Jed Alamold is here to see you," Hope informed him.
"Understood."
Jin gave instructions to let Jed in.
"Forgive me for the late hour. However, I felt it was imperative that I speak with you."
"I see. Please, come in."
Jin led him into the bedroom. He had already checked the room and knew there were no eavesdropping-type magi-devices present.
Jin offered Jed the room's single stool and sat on the edge of the bed himself. Hope stood guard outside the door.
"I have been observing you ever since we met, and it seems you are entirely devoid of ambition."
"Well... power and authority are just more trouble than they're worth."
Jin spoke his honest feelings once again.
"More trouble than they're worth, you say?...That is the first time I have ever heard such a sentiment. That alone convinces me it is your true heart speaking."
Everyone else craves power and status, Jed remarked, wanting to live even a slightly more comfortable life.
"If possible, I would like what I am about to tell you to remain strictly between us."
"...I understand."
Jed Alamold took a deep breath and began to speak.
"This country, the Mercana Principality, is only independent on the surface. In truth, it is a puppet government... or rather, a puppet dynasty."
"A puppet? You mean... of the Jagus Principality?"
"Precisely. Independence is nothing but a name. The truth is, ruling this continent—which lacks any significant resources—is a chore. So they maintain the pretense of independence and established a puppet dynasty."
"...I see. But why are you telling me this?"
Jed turned to face him with a grave expression.
"Lord Paerova is... a man who wraps his desire to save this country in a veneer of ambition."
Behind his desire to strengthen his influence within the Royal Palace was a wish to make the country a truly independent nation, Jed explained.
"Of course, the seat of power likely holds its own charms for him as well. I will not deny that. After all... there is no such thing as a perfect monarch."
"I understand. If the way the country is steered benefits the people, then he can be considered a good monarch."
"I appreciate how quickly you grasp these things. Jin-dono, could it be that you... have come from the future?"
"What?"
"Your technology... it does not exist in this country. And likely not in the Jagus Principality, either. If it exists anywhere, it might be in the far-off Eastern Countries. But to me, I cannot help but feel as though you have come from somewhere beyond this world entirely."
"..."
Jin could not find the words to answer.
"No, if that is the case, it stands to reason that it would be difficult to answer. That is not what I wish to discuss right now."
Jed Alamold shook his head as if to clear his thoughts.
"What do you think this country exports?"
"Eh?"
Jin was startled to hear Jed bring up the exact same topic he had discussed with Kachea and Eira only a short while ago.
"Agricultural products? Mineral resources? Those are nothing more than a facade. The correct answer is... 'human resources.'"
"'Human resources,' huh..."
It seemed that "human trafficking" had been, if not exactly the right term, then certainly in the same vein.
"I suspect that several members of the Council of Ten are agents of the Jagus Principality. And the current situation is such that we must send out ten people per year—those deemed to be the most talented."
"Ten people... I see."
Jin thought that was an incredibly harsh number.
"If two out of those ten are recognized as useful by the Jagus Principality, then they are satisfied. If not, they will demand even more."
"That's terrible."
"Is it not? That is why the country is desperate to find talent. However, the drain of human resources is a direct factor in the decline of our national strength."
"I suppose it would be."
"Lord Paerova gave Lorenz strict orders to keep your presence a secret, but I wonder where the leak occurred that allowed the news to reach the royal capital."
They must have cleverly infiltrated spies, Jed said, his shoulders dropping as he hung his head.
"That failure is undoubtedly mine."
However, he immediately looked up again.
"Jin-dono, you will likely be sent to the Jagus Principality rather than being 'stationed in the royal capital.'"
He spoke with a voice full of conviction.
"I believe the reason the consultation is taking so long is because even the Council of Ten is divided in its judgment."
Jed shared his speculation with Jin.
"It would be too great a loss to hand you over to the Jagus Principality. I believe such opinions are being voiced."
"...By the way, what do you think will happen to Eira and Kachea?" Jin asked, concerned for his companions.
"Those two will likely not be sent. They will probably be stationed here in the royal capital. That, too, is a great shame."
In the end, they would be snatched away from Paerova's control.
"...What happens if someone isn't recognized by the Jagus Principality?"
"They are sometimes sent back. Groma Tray is one such example."
"Even he was sent back...?"
As far as Jin could tell, Groma Tray was one of the finest engineers in this country and on the entire continent.
The Jagus Principality, which would send someone like him back...
"Jin-dono, this is my personal opinion... but I believe it would be best for you to go to the Jagus Principality. In that country, there will surely be ample materials to help you search for your homeland."
"Jed-san..."
"Though Lord Paerova will certainly be disappointed..."
"..."
Jin found himself unable to respond.
"However, when I think that you might put those people in the Jagus Principality in their place, it does seem rather entertaining."
"...Jed-san, what do you think this country... the Mercana Principality, should be?"
"That is another difficult question. Let's see... this is also just my personal opinion."
After that disclaimer, Jed Alamold exhaled slowly and finally spoke.
"Rather than an independent country, I think a position more akin to an 'autonomous region' would be for the best."
"I see."
If it were an autonomous region, it would be natural for the suzerain state, the Jagus Principality, to provide aid. The prices of magi-type materials, magi-devices, and Magi Machines would likely decrease.
"However, there is far too little benefit in that for the Jagus Principality. No matter how well one negotiates, they would never accept those terms."
Jed seemed to have a solid grasp of the geopolitical reality.
"But let's change the subject. Jin-dono, are you familiar with the name 'Lord of Kunlun'?"
"Eh? Y-Yes."
"He was a legendary figure who lived about 400 years ago and is said to have changed the world. You might well be his second coming."
"I see... thank you?"
＊ ＊ ＊
In the end, Jed Alamold left without pushing Jin to reach a conclusion.
Jin's inner conflict resumed.
(...Still, the 'Lord of Kunlun,' huh... I wonder if that title is more famous than my real name in this era.)
Jin felt a bit bashful and embarrassed by the thought.
(I really do have to go to the Lauren Continent. After all, I'm someone who shouldn't even exist in this time.)
Finally, Jin's mind was made up.
If he could cross over to the Lauren Continent without any risk, that would be the best-case scenario.
(Well, it's not a certainty that I can go yet.)
In the event that he couldn't go, he had also considered secretly using a Warp Gate in the middle of the night.
If he had to do that, he would need to act the part of a spy and leave behind false evidence to avoid causing trouble for Kachea and Eira. He had even begun to sketch out a rough plan for that possibility.
It was the night of August 25th, and the month was drawing to a close.
A lukewarm breeze blew through the royal capital.