On the following day, May 4th, Jin considered the best way to present the new golem. He eventually decided that delivering it through Avalon would be the most effective approach.
He resolved to head to Avalon at once.
"What about everyone else?" Jin asked, looking around at the group.
"I'll pass," said Marikka.
"Count me out as well," Rubina added.
"I'll stay behind too," said Greena.
Naturally, Eris and Freddie also declined, leaving Jin to make the trip alone.
"All right then. Marikka, while I'm away, I'm leaving you in charge of Freddie's training."
"Understood," she replied.
"Greena, I'm counting on you too."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
With that settled, Jin prepared to depart for Avalon aboard the Hurricane, accompanied by Reiko. Tempo had been deactivated, and its Master-Slave Magic registration had been reset to a blank slate.
"Hope, it's in your hands."
"Yes, please leave it to me," Hope replied.
With Hope at the controls, the Hurricane took off, setting a course for Avalon.
"Have a safe trip!"
"See you later!"
With Marikka, Rubina, Greena, Eris, and Freddie seeing them off, the Hurricane carrying Jin ascended into the skies above Hourai Island.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, in the chief administrator’s office in Avalon.
Tomax Bartman was reviewing the latest reports.
"Hmm... So the Magi Craft Meister wants to gift a golem to celebrate the coronation of the New King of Elias. That would be quite helpful."
It was common knowledge in Avalon that the new king had once been a sympathizer of the Magic Federation. In fact, although Avalon’s operating budget was funded by contributions from various nations, the king had already suggested he wanted to cut his kingdom's share.
"It wouldn't be a catastrophe if they didn't pay, but still..."
Avalon was currently on firm financial footing. Its primary revenue came from the magi-devices and magi-devices manufactured on-site. These products were only possible because Avalon had been at the forefront of reviving the magi-craft that had withered following the Magic Federation Rebellion.
Those sales alone provided more than enough capital to operate the World Security Guard and the World Conference. Even so, they continued to request contributions from member nations as a gesture to show that the microcosm of Avalon remained an integral part of Ars.
"Wait, the Magi Craft Meister is arriving... today!?"
Tomax Bartman hurriedly issued instructions.
"Manon! Jin is coming. Inform all departments to prepare for his arrival immediately."
"Yes, I understand."
Manon was a secretary automaton Jin had gifted to Tomax. She was as efficient as five human secretaries and had been calibrated to use beginner-level Healing to soothe Tomax's chronic stomach issues.
"...Phew... I see. Jin is bringing a gift for the new king. If that's the case..."
Tomax began to wonder if this presented an opportunity to mend Avalon's strained relationship with the Kingdom of Elias. He eventually hit upon a plan.
"But... I should probably discuss this with Jin beforehand."
Tomax had no desire to operate behind Jin's back and risk offending him.
＊ ＊ ＊
At 2:00 PM Avalon time, the Hurricane touched down at the Avalon airfield.
"Welcome, Jin."
Tomax Bartman himself came out to greet him.
"Thank you for the welcome."
Accompanied by Reiko, Jin stepped off the Hurricane and shook hands with Tomax.
"I've been briefed on the situation. The golem is aboard the airship, I take it?"
"That's right. It hasn't been activated yet."
"I see. In that case, would you mind if we moved the entire ship into the hangar?"
"That's fine."
With the formalities concluded, the Hurricane was moved into a storage facility at the airfield. Once the ship was secured, the pilot, Hope, joined them.
The group boarded a waiting automobile and headed toward the heart of Avalon. Along the way, Hope asked Jin a question.
"Master, was it truly all right for me to leave the ship?"
Even inside a hangar, the Hurricane was currently vulnerable.
"There's no need to worry about that," Jin assured him. He knew Laojun was monitoring the area through a Peeper.
Jin didn't say it out loud, but Hope understood immediately.
"Understood."
As they talked, the car entered the interior of the city-state, traveling along a private road to a terminal near the chief administrator’s office. They covered the remaining distance on foot—a standard security measure.
A three-minute walk from the terminal brought them to Tomax's office.
"Please, make yourselves comfortable."
The office was equipped with a reception set for guests. Jin took a seat on the sofa with Reiko beside him, while Hope stood at attention behind them.
Manon served tea—a cup of hojicha, Jin's favorite. It had been perfectly cooled to the ideal temperature.
"Thank you." Jin took a sip. "Tomax, is something on your mind?"
He had sensed from the man's demeanor that something was weighing on him.
"...No, I wouldn't call it a 'trouble,' exactly, but..."
Tomax shared the details of the notice he had received from the New King of Elias.
"Some here argue we should use this as an excuse to decline all foreign aid and strike out entirely on our own, but I'm opposed to the idea."
"I see..."
Jin felt a wave of weariness; he hadn't expected to be drawn into such heavy political matters so suddenly. Tomax was quick to catch the shift in Jin's expression.
"Ah, no, ignore that. These are our problems to solve, and I don't mean to burden you with them. Please, just consider it idle conversation."
He then moved to the main point.
"As you likely know, the new King of Elias harbors a deep-seated dislike for magi-craft. At one point, he even sympathized with the Magic Federation's ideology."
Jin nodded.
"...And yet, despite that, he is a great lover of golems. Combat golems, in particular."
"I've heard the rumors," Jin confirmed.
"Our hope is to make him realize just how far the Kingdom of Elias has fallen behind in golem development, and perhaps use that to pique his interest in magi-craft."
"I see. So you're asking for my cooperation."
Jin’s directness seemed to catch Tomax off guard.
"Ah... Well, yes, that is essentially correct."