The Konron 3 touched down at the airport.
"Welcome to the Shouro Empire."
A port official approached them to handle the entry paperwork.
"The Konron 3, is it? That family crest... it belongs to the Nidou family, does it not?"
The official was surprisingly well-informed; he appeared familiar with the legendary Konron 3 of four centuries past.
"Y-Yes. We are currently borrowing it from the Nidous."
"I see, I see. To be on such intimate terms with them... how enviable. Now then, regarding the procedures..."
Jin was grateful that Lordtoss took the lead on the paperwork as their representative. Once the formalities were concluded, the Konron 3 was taxied into a covered hangar.
Similar-sized airships dotted the landscape.
"Those are Konron-class vessels," Lordtoss remarked.
It seemed the Konron 2 and Konron 3 had set the standard size for an entire grade of airship.
The procedures were finished in short order. By official record, Jin and the others were now traveling as Lordtoss's kin.
"Here are your provisional entry permits."
Jin, Rubina, and Shu received their documents. Provisional permits were also issued for Reiko, Hope, Edgar, Urgan, Blitz, and Donner.
Lordtoss, meanwhile, possessed a quasi-citizen identification card, thanks to his long-standing friendship with the Shouro Empire’s Magic Technology Minister, Reglei Gibbs von Besuvius. Traveling as the relatives of such a man allowed them to bypass the more tedious inspections.
"This is a huge help."
"No, not at all."
Jin felt deeply fortunate to be traveling with someone as well-connected as Lordtoss. At the same time, it highlighted the fact that he currently had no foundation of his own in this world.
I suppose I'll just have to establish myself in whatever country I end up liking, Jin thought.
As he was contemplating his future, a large covered carriage pulled up before them. It was drawn by a golem horse.
"This must be the escort from Reglei."
Apparently, Lordtoss had sent word in advance.
"Lordtoss-sama, it has been far too long."
The golem acting as the coachman offered a polite greeting.
"Hello, Playle."
The golem and Lordtoss were clearly old acquaintances.
Rubina and Shu climbed in first, followed by Jin, Reiko, Hope, Edgar, Blitz, Donner, and Urgan, with Lordtoss entering last.
"What kind of person is this Reglei-dono?" Jin asked once they were settled.
"Let’s see... he should be turning fifty-four this year. We met in Avalon back when we were both young. After going through a few things together, we hit it off."
"I see."
Jin found himself imagining a dynamic similar to the one he shared with his old friend, Reinhard.
"He is quite fond of golems and automata. In fact, I believe he is the one in charge of the Gonpetition this year."
"Is that so? Rubina, you might have quite a lot to learn from him."
"Eh? Ah, yes!"
Being in a foreign country for the first time had turned both Rubina and Shu uncharacteristically quiet; they looked for all the world like children on their best behavior.
"You don't need to be so nervous. Reiko and I are right here with you," Jin said, trying to put them at ease.
The golem carriage rolled smoothly over the cobblestones.
"This area used to be a town called Ari, but as Loizart expanded, it was incorporated as Ari Ward."
It seemed the satellite town had been swallowed up by the capital's growth.
"That shows just how much the empire is prospering."
"Indeed it does."
"Wow, what an interesting building!"
Following Rubina's finger, Jin saw a castle-like structure adorned with elegant spires.
"That is a manor house built over five hundred years ago, I believe," Lordtoss explained kindly.
"Lordtoss-san, what about that one?" Shu asked, looking out the opposite window.
"Ah, that’s a newer one. It’s the finest workshop in town."
"Oh? Let's see."
Hearing the word "workshop," Jin couldn't help but lean in as well.
"Ah, I see."
It had the look of a high-end ironworks. An office-like building was joined to a large warehouse and an expansive outdoor work area.
Seeing the way Rubina and Shu's eyes sparkled at the sight, Jin felt glad he had brought them along.
To broaden one's horizons, one really needs to see the outside world.
As he muttered this to himself, Reiko nodded.
"You are right, Father."
Rubina and Shu remained glued to the windows.
I might need to dispatch the Quinta again soon, Jin thought.
After about thirty minutes, the golem carriage arrived at a sprawling estate.
"This is the residence of Reglei Gibbs von Besuvius. We are situated on the outskirts of the old Loizart district."
The neighborhood had the quiet, refined atmosphere of an exclusive residential area. Jin had expected as much, given it was the home of a high-ranking official.
The carriage passed slowly through the gate and came to a stop in front of a covered portico.
"We have arrived," the coachman, Playle, said as he opened the door.
Hope, Urgan, and Blitz stepped out first to assist their masters. Reiko, Edgar, and Donner followed last, carrying the hand luggage.
"Lordtoss! Welcome!"
An elderly man with a shock of white hair came out to greet them.
"Reglei! It's been far too long!"
Lordtoss returned the greeting with a casual warmth. Jin correctly guessed that this man was the Magic Technology Minister.
"Has it been four years already? Honestly, you're acting like a stranger by staying away so long."
"My apologies. I was away in the western Principality on business."
"Hmm, I heard something happened out in the west... Well, no matter. I’ll refrain from prying."
"More importantly, are you not at the ministry today?"
"Ah, I took the day off. I’ve already finished the preparations for the Gonpetition starting tomorrow, so today is for rest."
"Efficient as always."
"As are you."
The two men exchanged news while shaking hands with broad smiles.
"Allow me to introduce my companions. First, this is a relative of someone I am deeply indebted to: Jin Nidou-dono. Likewise, we have Shu Nidou-dono and Miss Rubina Garrett."
"My name is Reglei Gibbs von Besuvius....Ho, quite the coincidence. You share a name with the legendary Magi Craft Meister. And the young man shares the surname as well."
"What if I told you... he was the man himself?" Lordtoss said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Reglei laughed it off immediately. "Hahaha, surely not. Besides, the name Nidou is common enough, and there are plenty of people named Jin. I even know two Jins myself."
"Fair enough."
"Pardon my manners, keeping you all standing at the entrance. Jin-dono, Shu-dono, Miss Rubina—welcome to my home."
With that, Reglei led the group inside. They were shown into a grand drawing room.
"Welcome."
A slender, elegant automata arrived with tea.
"Thank you, Juna."
"Lordtoss-sama, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Lordtoss seemed quite familiar with this automata as well.
"Jin-dono... Reglei isn't exactly a misanthrope, but he loves golems so much that everyone serving in this mansion is either an automata or a golem."
"I see."
Juna was a slender beauty. As Jin wondered if that was simply Reglei's preference, a second, more curvaceous automata arrived with a wagon of tea snacks.
"Oh, a new model?"
Even Lordtoss seemed to be seeing this one for the first time.
"Indeed. Her name is Yuana....Yuana, good work. You may go."
"Yes. Please excuse me."
As the two automata withdrew, Reglei turned back to Jin's party, his eyes bright with excitement.
"I must say, you all have brought along some truly magnificent automata and golems yourselves!"
The Shouro Empire's Magic Technology Minister, Reglei Gibbs von Besuvius, clearly loved his craft from the bottom of his heart—a fact that Jin, and everyone else in the room, felt quite clearly.