On October 6th, following breakfast, Jin and Lordtoss sat together to discuss their next move.
"I think we've gathered about as much information as we can here in the Klein Kingdom. I’d like to move on to the next country," Jin suggested.
Lordtoss nodded in agreement. "I think that’s a wise choice. In that case, is there anything left in this city you wish to see?"
"Actually, yes. I was wondering if the Raglann Company is still around." As it was a merchant company he had once known well, Jin couldn't help but feel curious about its fate.
"Oh, most certainly. They are the premier merchant company in the entire kingdom."
"Is that so..."
Jin fondly recalled the faces of Erik, Roland, and the others. The fact that the company had grown so large made him feel the weight of the four hundred years that had passed since his time.
They decided to spend the morning visiting the Raglann Company’s main branch. After a quick lunch, they would depart for the Kingdom of Elias.
Finding the Raglann Company was no challenge at all. It was housed in an impressive four-story stone building, with each floor dedicated to different types of merchandise. To Jin, it felt remarkably like a modern large-scale electronics retailer.
The first floor focused on daily necessities and relatively affordable items. There was even a bargain corner.
"This layout makes it very inviting for customers," Jin noted, impressed by their business acumen.
The second floor was dedicated to high-end lifestyle goods. The interior decor was far more luxurious, clearly targeting a wealthier demographic.
The third floor was a complete departure, filled with hobbyist items. This was the area that piqued Jin’s interest the most.
"Is that a..."
The first thing to catch his eye was a kite. Specifically, it was a Flexible Kite. It was the exact same design as the one he had once made in Moft Village, back in the Kingdom of Elias. He felt a wave of nostalgia, realizing the design had traveled across borders and survived for centuries to reach Alban. They were sold in various styles, from simple to vibrant, alongside matching spools of string.
Next, Jin spotted a board game—sugoroku. It had likely gained popularity around the time he and his companions had played it. The board’s design was refined, and the difficulty seemed balanced at a medium-class level, without an excessive number of "return to start" or "skip a turn" spaces.
He also found karuta cards. These appeared to be for children, featuring the world’s alphabet so they could learn their letters while playing.
Then, inevitably, he saw the camera.
"The design has become so much more sophisticated."
The very first camera Jin had ever built had been a simple rectangular box—a pinhole camera. While its high sensitivity allowed for decent shutter speeds, it lacked the ability to achieve telephoto or wide-angle effects.
"A zoom lens, too..."
Upon closer inspection, the model was equipped with a zoom lens capable of modest wide-angle and telephoto adjustments. Jin felt a deep sense of respect for the developers who had continued his work, even if the price tag of 129,900 Toll—roughly 1.3 million yen—was staggeringly high.
The floor was also lined with various other magi-devices and mundane tools, providing Jin with invaluable insight into the current state of technology.
Finally, they reached the fourth floor. This area was designated as a memorial hall rather than a retail space.
"Welcome. This floor is dedicated to the historical exhibits of the Raglann Company," announced a company member who seemed to be stationed there as a guide.
The room was packed with priceless artifacts, making it feel more like a museum than a corporate office.
"Wow."
There was the first pump Jin had ever made—unmistakably an early prototype. Beside it sat an early-model magic stove.
And then...
"They even kept this?"
A rubber ball made from the sap of Kaina Village's specialty tea trees. It had inevitably deteriorated, growing hard and cracked over time, but Jin was amazed that it had been preserved at all. Other exhibits included pen nibs, refrigerators, monocular microscopes, vacuum cleaners, and distillers.
"Most of the items you see here were created by the peerless magi craftsman who passed away approximately three hundred years ago—the Magi Craft Meister, Jin Nidou-sama," the guide explained, stepping closer to Jin. "Every piece is innovative, practical, and crafted with exquisite precision. They are truly marvelous."
Jin felt a wave of intense embarrassment.
"Jin Nidou-sama was a close associate of the Raglann Company, so we established this hall to preserve his legacy and share his achievements with future generations."
"I... I see..."
"Though I must say, what we have here represents only a fraction of his work. It is a pity that we can likely only convey a ten-thousandth of his true greatness."
Jin wanted nothing more than to flee the room immediately, but Lordtoss was examining the displays with profound interest, and Reiko was snuggling up to Jin’s side with a proud, beaming smile. Hope followed Lordtoss with a blank expression, though his internal thoughts remained a mystery.
Ultimately, it was nearly noon by the time they finally left the Raglann Company building.
After finishing their lunch, Jin and his companions set off for the Kingdom of Elias as planned.
"You're in a wonderful mood, Reiko," Jin noted. He had sensed her joy since the moment they stepped out of the merchant house.
"I am, Father. Seeing how much you and your creations are respected by that company made me very happy."
"Yeah, I suppose you’re right. It made me happy too."
Lordtoss chimed in from the side. "It truly was impressive. I hope to become someone like you, Jin-san—someone whose name lives on through the ages."
The Taube soared southward through the clear, blue sky. As they crossed over the Kingdom of Egerea, Jin looked down with nostalgia at a fortified city he recognized as Blue Land. Once they passed it, the border between Egerea and Elias was just ahead.
"The Kingdom of Elias."
Thinking back, it was one of the countries that had served as his starting point.
"This is where I met Marcia, entered the Golem Boat Race, and met Reinhard... and Elsa."
They were precious memories. As Jin reminisced, the Taube, piloted by Hope, flew past Borgia, the capital of the Kingdom of Elias.
"Where was it you recommended we go again?" Jin asked, double-checking with Lordtoss.
"Yes, Florenz, the capital of Zaus Province."
Florenz. Jin remembered it fondly as the province once governed by Marchioness Firenziano.