Jin, Reiko, Rubina, Shu, and Lordtoss set off for the Shouro Empire aboard the Konron 3.
Hope served as the pilot for this leg of the journey. For attendants, Shu brought Edgar, while Rubina was accompanied by Blitz and Donner. Lordtoss, meanwhile, had brought along a golem Jin had never seen before.
"This is a golem I crafted myself. His name is Urgan."
"I look forward to serving you all."
Despite his name meaning "Great Storm," Urgan offered an exceptionally polite greeting. He stood roughly 1.8 meters tall, and his design bore a striking resemblance to the Land squad on Hourai Island.
When Jin pointed this out, Lordtoss gave a modest smile. "Indeed. Your golems are the standard I aspire to reach, Jin-sama."
"By the way, Jin-sama," Lordtoss continued, "I would like us to maintain the story that this Konron 3 has been lent to us, the Northern People."
Since the name Konron 3 was prominently displayed on the hull, there was no hiding its identity, and its association with Jin was well-known. Lordtoss explained that this measure was necessary to protect Jin’s anonymity. Jin, fully aware that he was technically a man who shouldn't exist in this era, readily accepted the proposal.
Before long, they were cruising high above the world.
"Whoa... we're so high..."
On Onogoro Island, high-altitude flight had long been forbidden to keep the island’s location a secret. While the residents knew of balloons and airships, they rarely ever used them. Consequently, looking down from four thousand meters was a breathtaking new experience for the guests.
"I can see the clouds beneath us..."
"That’s Mount Hourai over there. I wonder if that white at the peak is eternal snow?"
Jin understood their fascination, so he left them to their wonder for the first half-hour. Once their initial excitement had settled and Rubina and Shu grew quiet, he turned his attention back to the flight.
The Konron 3 was currently crossing into the Lauren Continent. They were maintaining a speed of one thousand kilometers per hour, utilizing the force generators and a wind-blocking barrier.
"Let's go a bit higher."
Not wanting to be spotted flying at such speeds, Jin had Hope take the Konron 3 up to ten thousand meters. At this altitude, ordinary airships—which lacked pressurized cabins—could never reach them.
"So, the number of airships has really increased," Jin remarked to Lordtoss as he watched the world below through the magi-screen.
"Yes. Most are helium airships similar to the Konron 2 class. Of course, their propulsion systems are Wind Thrusters, so their top speed is 200 kilometers per hour at best."
Lordtoss explained that in addition to the smaller Blow Floaters, these large-scale means of transport had become much more common.
"The Shouro Empire, our destination, is much the same. They even have several catamaran-type airships like the ones you gifted them in the past, Jin-sama."
"Not just in Avalon?"
"Indeed. The various royal houses possess them now."
"I see."
Jin continued his discussion with Lordtoss. Although the Magic Federation had historically suppressed technological growth, it seemed that a dedicated minority of engineers had fought to preserve and advance their craft.
"Unlike other nations, the Shouro Empire was once the home of the Magi Craft Meister. Perhaps even the Magic Federation found it difficult to exert their influence there."
While other countries had stagnated, the craftsmen of the Shouro Empire had never stopped their research. Furthermore, they had bolstered their national strength through trade with the western lands of Mitsuho and Fusou Island.
"The successive emperors were quite capable," Lordtoss added.
"I see..."
"They were particularly passionate about science education. Aside from Avalon, the Shouro Empire likely leads the world in that field."
"Is that so?"
Jin thought of the motherly Empress he had known. It seemed the foundation she had laid for science had become the engine driving the Shouro Empire today.
"So the Fuhrer really did prove useful..."
As his creator, Jin couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
The Konron 3 was currently passing over the Celuroa Kingdom. Through the breaks in the clouds, the massive Azul Lake came into view. The submersible base there appeared to still be in operation.
While it would have been faster to travel via the submersible base, Jin had chosen this route specifically so Rubina and the others could see the world. After crossing the border while looking down at the high peaks of Mount Onoyuni, they had been in the air for about an hour and a half.
"Hope, drop our speed to two hundred kilometers per hour and descend to five hundred meters."
"Understood."
Now that they were inside the Shouro Empire’s borders, Jin lowered their profile. Loizart was less than three hundred kilometers away; at this pace, they would arrive in under an hour and a half.
They had departed Hourai Island at 10:00 AM local time. With a total travel time of three hours and a time difference of five hours and twenty minutes, they would arrive in Loizart at 7:40 AM local time. Since everyone understood the concept of time zones, the early hour didn't surprise them.
"Let's have a quick lunch while we have the chance."
Though it was breakfast time in the Shouro Empire, it was midday for Jin's party. They had a light meal of sandwiches and citran juice.
"Look, we're almost there."
By the time they finished eating, the Konron 3 had neared Loizart. Lake Tosmo glinted in the distance under a clear Shouro sky.
"We'll be in Loizart in about twenty minutes. Lordtoss, where should we land?"
Four hundred years ago, they would have landed on the roof of the mansion in Loizart.
"There is an airfield near Lake Tosmo. We should head there."
"Understood. Hope, you heard him."
"Roger."
The Konron 3 banked toward the shores of Lake Tosmo.
"Oh, look, another airship."
They saw a vessel of similar size and shape to the Konron 3 cruising nearby. Hot air balloons drifted in the sky, and they spotted several Blow Floaters as well.
"Wow, it really is bustling here."
The aerial traffic was far more advanced than it had been four hundred years ago—a level of activity Jin hadn't seen in any other country.
"Reduce speed to thirty kilometers per hour," Lordtoss suggested. Jin passed the order to Hope. "I expect the Air Force administrators will hail us shortly."
For foreign aircraft, the Shouro Empire Air Force conducted identification checks before granting landing clearance.
"They use wind-attribute magic for communication," Lordtoss explained. Wind-attribute magic acted upon the air; since sound was simply air vibration, it could be used to project a voice over long distances.
《This is the Shouro Empire Air Force, Tosmo Airport Security Officer. Identify your vessel.》
The contact came through clearly via the wind-attribute magic.
《This is the Konron 3. I am Lordtoss of the Puppet Clan, representing the Nord Federation.》
Lordtoss responded through the golem Urgan.
《Acknowledged. Konron 3, Lordtoss of the Puppet Clan, you are cleared to land in Airport Area 2.》
《Konron 3 acknowledges. Proceeding to Airport Area 2.》
As they had planned, they maintained the cover story that the Konron 3 had been borrowed from Jin by the Northern People long ago. Following the instructions, the Konron 3 turned its nose toward the section marked with a large number "2."