Groma Tray was relaying valuable information to Jin.
"Even though this Mercana Principality is technically independent, you know it's still under the domination of the Jagus Principality, right?"
"Yes."
"And you know that Jagus is hungry for human resources."
"I am."
Groma lowered his voice.
"...That country is constantly engaged in skirmishes with its neighbors, the Norha Principality and the Darato Principality. Because of that, they're desperate for talented magi and engineers."
"I see."
"If you go there, they'll likely force you to build golems."
"..."
After a brief silence, Jin asked a question that had just occurred to him.
"Um, Groma-san... you managed to come back from there, didn't you?"
"Yeah. It was a coincidence, really, but pressure was applied by the World Conference."
"Pressure?"
Jin summarized Groma's explanation in his head.
The Jagus Principality was locked in a cycle of small-scale conflicts with the neighboring Norha and Darato Principalities. In this era, warfare was primarily a series of 'proxy wars' fought by combat golems, leaving all three principalities desperate for powerful units.
Meanwhile, the World Conference viewed the situation with concern and had attempted to mediate, though they had yet to see any real success.
"They're well-behaved as long as the World Conference representatives are present, but as soon as they leave, the skirmishes start right back up again."
"Then shouldn't the representatives just stay there permanently?"
"I think so too, but apparently, there's an agreement within the World Conference not to engage in excessive interference."
"I see..."
If such an agreement existed, following it was the duty of a nation ruled by law. If the law no longer fit the reality of the situation, then the law would have to be changed.
"But Groma-san, why are you in this country?"
Jin asked because he didn't understand why Groma would go out of his way to work in a nation with such a poor environment.
"You ask why?...I'd rather not talk about it."
"I see..."
Jin decided to change the subject.
"...Groma-san, do you know anything about Avalon?"
"Avalon, huh... My teacher studied there. His name is Lordtoss, and he's originally from the Gondoa Continent."
"The Gondoa Continent!?"
"Oh? You recognize the name?"
"Y-Yes."
"Is that so... Hmm."
Groma fell back into thought for a moment, then spoke as if he had finally made up his mind.
"Jin, if you ever cross over to the Lauren Continent, you should try to visit my master. He should be receiving hospitality there as a guest of the Jagus Principality."
"Thank you."
"When you do... I'd like to give you something to prove you were introduced by me, but it would probably be confiscated during a baggage inspection. Instead, I'll give you a password. The word is 'Puppet'."
"Puppet!?"
"Does that word mean something to you?"
"...It does."
Groma gave a thin smile.
"...I said I didn't want to talk about it earlier, but... I came to this country at my master's request. My purpose was to find someone."
"What kind of person?"
"Black eyes, black hair, skilled in magi-craft, and named Jin....That was all the information I was given."
Jin certainly fit every one of those criteria.
"However, I've met two people so far who fit those conditions. You're the third. That's why I've decided to leave the final judgment to my master. Remember it—the word is 'Puppet'."
"Thank you."
'Puppet'. After Groma left, Jin pondered the meaning behind the word.
(Does it have something to do with the fact that the Mercana Principality is a puppet government, or is it...)
Jin closed his eyes, letting his thoughts drift to the past.
He thought of the country of his friends—those once called the 'demon race', who were now likely the 'Northern People' of the 'Nord Federation'.
(Belialus of the Puppet Clan, Arshel of the Puppet Clan.)
And then.
(Sion.)
The granddaughter of the All-Creation Clan Chief, the girl who should have been united with Belialus of the Puppet Clan.
"...I see. Since they're the Northern People... not the demon race... she's probably still alive."
When he tried to calculate it, if it was currently the year 3899 of the Continental Calendar, Sion—who had been 72 years old in the year 3458 when Jin was there—would be 513 years old.
Since their lifespan was roughly five times that of a human, she would be around 102 or 103 years old in human terms.
"Maybe I'll be able to see her again....And Marikka too."
Marikka was younger than Sion, so the possibility was even higher.
As he let those thoughts wander, Jin eventually fell into a deep sleep.
On September 1st, just as Groma had predicted, Jin received an official summons.
"You have one hour to prepare. You may take the golem you built with you."
With that brief message, the courier sent by the Council of Ten departed.
"..."
"This is just ridiculous..."
"Jin-san..."
The members of the team were at a loss for words.
Their lives were being upended simply for the convenience of the state, without any regard for their own will. Jin felt a profound sense of helplessness at the situation.
Since Jin only had hand luggage to begin with, his preparations were finished in three minutes.
"Jin, you've really helped me out in a lot of ways."
"Jin-san, thank you for everything..."
"I never imagined we'd end up saying goodbye like this."
Jin shared a bittersweet farewell with Eira and Kachea.
"Jin, take this. It's a parting gift."
Eira held out five gold coins.
"M-Me too."
Kachea offered three gold coins as well.
"I've been saving them up little by little."
"No, I can't possibly take these from you..."
When Jin tried to decline, Eira spoke in an unusually quiet, firm voice.
"Jin, you're going to need money over there. Just take it."
Pressed that way, Jin had no choice but to accept.
"...I see. Then I'll accept them gratefully. Thank you, really."
"I wanted to learn so much more from you, though."
"Please, take care of yourself."
"You too. Both of you stay healthy."
Though they had only been together for a short time, the three of them had formed a team that got along surprisingly well. Now, the one at its center was being forced to leave.
"You're Jin, I assume? Good. Let's move."
Two soldiers arrived to escort him away.
"Well then, good luck to you both."
"Jin!"
"Jin-san!!"
With only Hope to accompany him, Jin departed from the Mercana Principality.