Returning to Toka Village after so long, Jin couldn't help but notice how desolate it felt.
When he asked Reiko about it, she provided an explanation.
"It was a lively place when Lishia-san was the lord. However, during the tenure of the lord two generations after her, a drought lasted for two years. He mishandled the response, which led to the village’s decline."
"I see."
"One more thing. Regarding those surveillance devices from earlier—they may have been installed here simply because this is the village neighboring Kaina Village."
"The Magic Federation, then?"
"Most likely."
It seemed the Magic Federation had deep roots in many countries.
"That means we should be careful in the towns as well."
"Indeed."
Strictly speaking, there shouldn't have been any information regarding Jin himself. He was supposed to have passed away roughly three hundred years ago, after all.
"Let's leave it at that for now and head to the Klein Kingdom."
"Yes, Father."
Jin and the others returned to the airfield. Just then, a voice called out.
"Could I have a moment of your time?"
It was the Village Chief, Yuzo Mayaka.
"Yes, what is it?" Jin replied, bracing himself slightly.
"No, it's nothing major, but the Blow Floater you were riding is truly magnificent."
"Thank you."
"Is this from a northern country?"
"Yes, that's right," Lordtoss answered this time. "It's the latest model from the Nord Federation. It's quite rare; there are only about ten of them in existence."
"Ho, is that so!"
It appeared the Village Chief was a true enthusiast when it came to flying machines.
"They've been increasing in number lately. I hear rumors of new models being developed in various countries, but they're only rumors. I've never seen the real things. But this!"
The Village Chief pointed toward the Taube.
"I saw it as it was landing. Its stability is on another level! I'm sure it's packed with other innovations as well, but..."
Yuzo Mayaka trailed off, implying he understood such matters would be classified.
He invited them for tea, and though Jin and his companions remained cautious, they made a brief detour to the Village Chief's house.
The house was located right next to the airfield.
They were served Kaina tea. After Reiko performed a taste test for poison, Jin took a sip. It was quite delicious, he thought.
"I've loved flying Magi Machines since I was young," the Village Chief said, his eyes sparkling like a boy's as he laughed. "When I was younger, I went to the royal capital aiming to join the Flight ritter unit... either the hot air balloon unit or the Blow Floater unit."
However, he hadn't made the cut and was instead assigned to an intelligence unit. His dream was crushed within a year, and he eventually returned to this village to serve as its chief.
Jin, Lordtoss, and Reiko all understood now—that background explained his unique way of walking.
"I envy the Nord Federation. I hear their magi-craft is quite advanced."
"No, not especially."
"Now, now, don't be modest. It was the Marikka workshop, was it not? I've heard their products are in high demand across many nations."
The Marikka workshop. Jin hadn't expected to hear that name here. He felt a swell of pride, as if the workshop’s success was his own.
"...Thank you for the praise."
Lordtoss didn't seem to mind the compliment either.
"You mentioned you were heading to the royal capital. Do you have urgent business there?"
"No, nothing like that. It's more to broaden our horizons, so to speak."
"Ho ho, I see. From what I hear, the culture there is quite different from the countries on the Lauren Continent."
"That is correct."
Jin was impressed; for a village chief, the man was quite well-informed about international affairs.
Jin decided to take this opportunity to gather some information.
"The capital is called Alban, right? Do you have any recommendations for inns or places we should see?"
"Let's see... I don't know if it will be to your liking, but for an inn, the Red Brick Inn in the eastern district of the royal capital has a good reputation."
"The Red Brick Inn. I'll keep that in mind."
"...And as for places to see, there's the National Factory to the north of the royal capital. The general public should be allowed to tour it."
"What do they do there?"
"They produce nearly half of the magi-devices circulating within the country."
"I see, that sounds interesting. Is there anything else...?"
Yuzo Mayaka was surprisingly knowledgeable.
Jin and the others were able to gather quite a bit of intelligence regarding Alban, the capital of the Klein Kingdom.
Since Lordtoss's knowledge was about five years out of date, this was a welcome surprise.
And then, Yuzo added:
"However, the Magic Federation is quite troublesome."
One reason the development of flying machines was progressing so slowly was reportedly interference from the Magic Federation.
According to them, magi-devices distorted the true nature of magic.
"And yet, they seem to use magi-devices themselves."
In short, it was a double standard.
Despite that, they apparently commanded a certain level of support.
To Jin, this bit of information seemed even more useful than the rest.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Thank you for the tea."
"Thank you for the meal."
The conversation had lasted longer than expected, and Jin and his group had even been treated to lunch.
"No, think nothing of it. I'm sorry I couldn't provide more."
As it was past noon, Jin and his party prepared to head toward Alban as planned.
"...By the way, Village Chief, are you aware that surveillance magi-devices have been installed in various places throughout this village?"
Jin decided to drop this bombshell as they were leaving. The Village Chief reacted instantly.
"What did you say!"
Seeing Yuzo literally jump in surprise, Jin realized the man truly hadn't known. His shock didn't look like an act at all.
"W-W-Where are they?!"
Startled by his intensity, Jin pointed to a nearby spot.
Specifically, right in front of the entrance to the Village Chief's house.
"In a place like this!"
Yuzo fetched a hoe from somewhere and began digging. After digging about fifty centimeters down, a single magi-crystal emerged.
"T-This is it...!"
The Village Chief glared at the magi-crystal, gripping it so hard it looked like he might crush it.
"...Who on earth did this?!"
Jin wondered who could have installed the surveillance devices if it wasn't the Village Chief, but...
"That looks like the recording type, so I expect someone will eventually come to collect it."
Jin offered that small piece of advice before finally making his departure.