After Princess Lisabeth left for her private chambers accompanied by the wet nurse automata Alice, Jin began discussing the compensation with her father, King Melikalans I, the Chancellor, the Minister of Finance, and the Magic Technology Minister.
"J-Jin-dono, what would be appropriate compensation for Alice?"
At that moment, Jin realized—as he so often did—that he had blundered.
He should have named a price beforehand, yet they had only gone over the specifications.
If he were to say, "I'll leave it up to you" now, it would only put his hosts in an impossible position.
After all, he had just handed over an automata of legendary, national-treasure caliber. Leaving its valuation to them meant they could hardly afford to lowball the estimate.
It was much like those rare restaurants that tell patrons, "Please pay whatever you feel is fair after your meal."
Faced with undeniable quality, one could hardly offer a pittance in return.
"El... na, what do you think?"
Jin turned to Erna—Elsa's Doppel seated beside him—and asked.
It was hardly unusual for a wife to manage the household finances.
While that provided good cover, it was also simply easier for Elsa herself back on Hourai Island to consult directly with Laojun.
"We have ample funds, so I believe it would be best to receive compensation in goods... that is, in materials," Laojun advised Elsa.
"There is the Kutsudo Mine to the west of Toka Village. If you request the mining rights there for a limited period of one month, then..."
Not only would Jin profit, but the shafts developed by Hourai Island would continue to yield returns for the Klein Kingdom long afterward.
"Oh? Would you truly be satisfied with that?"
Meanwhile, back with Jin's group.
When Erna relayed the proposal Laojun had formulated, the Klein Kingdom attendees—starting with the King—looked on in surprise.
"Yes. From a craftsman's perspective, materials and raw resources are often far more appreciated than coin."
The proposal Laojun had devised and Erna had presented carried another underlying motive—or rather, a hidden benefit.
It would grant Hourai Island's forces an excuse to develop the area around Toka Village.
For the single month they held the mining rights, Jin would be officially permitted to improve the surrounding infrastructure with his own hands.
Naturally, inspectors from the Klein Kingdom would likely be sent, but they would have no reason to object to developments that directly benefited their own realm.
Jin intended to construct a refinery to smelt the extracted ore, along with an airfield where airships could take off and land to transport it.
He planned to transfer the refinery to the Klein Kingdom at a modest price afterward, and the airfield would prove invaluable when volunteers from the Nord Federation arrived for the air race.
Furthermore, he planned to hand over the airfield under the pretext that rare ores—or vast quantities of high-grade minerals—had been unearthed from the Kutsudo Mine, presenting it as a gesture of gratitude.
Even if no such ores were actually found, he had already considered secretly teleporting some in from Hourai Island.
"The Kutsudo Mine, is it? I see no issue with that," the King said.
"No, that mine has been on the decline. If anything, I worry it offers Jin-dono far too little benefit," the Minister of Finance interjected.
Such an honest assessment was offered only because the King had ordered nothing to be hidden.
"Please, do not worry on that account. With the techniques of a Magi Craft Meister, we can mine deep veins and low-oxygen areas that human miners cannot reach," Jin replied.
"Oh... Indeed."
"Jin-dono does possess golems, after all."
With that, the Klein officials readily understood that the tunnels left behind once Jin departed would bring substantial profits to their realm as well.
"Indeed. For a craftsman like Jin-dono, raw materials truly are the finest reward."
To those unaware of his vast reserves sourced from Hourai Island and the asteroids, Jin had successfully fostered the impression that raw resources were what he—a man without extensive lands—desired above all else.
The dinner party was attended by Jin, Erna, Reiko, Sion D (Doppel), and Maquina, while the King, the Chancellor, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of General Affairs, the Magic Technology Minister, and the Reichsarzt attended on behalf of the Kingdom.
As on the previous evening, Norma Dope Harcourt and Catherine Pillar Gloshin attended to Jin and Maquina, while Mariel Lacca Pactora attended to Erna.
Norma's demeanor toward Maquina remained unchanged from the day before, but Catherine kept a respectful distance from Jin—likely mindful of the presence of his wife, Erna.
Mariel, assigned to Erna, was an apprentice Reichsarzt. Naturally quiet and gentle, and paired with the equally reserved Erna, the two exchanged few words.
"Still, it is a blessing that peace has returned to the world," King Melikalans I murmured quietly toward Sion D.
"Indeed. The Magic Federation Rebellion is behind us, and cultural prosperity lies ahead."
At Sion D's words, the gathered officials nodded in unison.
"Four hundred years ago, the Nord Federation lagged behind the nations of the Lauren Continent. Yet thanks in large part to the cooperation of the Magi Craft Meister of that era, our nation underwent tremendous growth."
"Quite so. Whereas we were led astray by the Magic Federation and their ilk, inflicting grave wounds upon our own culture and civilization," Melikalans I replied with a tinge of regret.
"Today, your nation surpasses ours in so many regards. It is truly enviable," the Minister of General Affairs remarked with heartfelt sincerity.
Depending on how one took it, however, such phrasing could easily be interpreted as, "In the past, your nation was inferior."
The Chancellor broke out in a cold sweat internally.
Fortunately, the current Sion—or rather, Sion D in attendance—carried herself with great maturity.
She possessed the grace to overlook a slight slip of the tongue or two.
Sensing her tact, the Chancellor bowed his head in silent gratitude.
Jin idly watched Sion and Melikalans I. Naturally, the Queen, seated on the opposite side of Melikalans I from Sion, caught his eye as well.
She seems like such a gentle, easygoing person, was his first impression. With her blonde hair and green eyes, Jin could see that Princess Lisabeth took closely after her mother.
Meanwhile, Erna had gradually begun exchanging sparse remarks with Mariel Lacca Pactora.
"...I believe healing magic still has considerable room for improvement."
"In what manner, my lady?"
"...For instance, it would be wonderful to have diagnostic magic capable of instantly discerning the precise treatment a patient requires."
"Ah, that certainly sounds plausible."
Their conversation revolved entirely around healing magic rather than light social pleasantries, but Jin felt that was perfectly fine in its own way and refrained from interrupting.
His only minor grievance was having their back-and-forth dialogue pass directly over him.
The dinner party concluded without incident, and Jin and his companions retired to the guest quarters to unwind.
"Still, I never expected Elsa to attend via Doppel....Ah, I mean not this quickly."
Knowing Jin, she had assumed he would prepare a Doppel eventually, Sion D remarked with a chuckle.
"Even so, Elsa—or should I say Erna for now? She turned out wonderfully. Anyone with a trained eye might tell it's Elsa, but ordinary folk would never guess you're the same person."
"Mm. Now I can accompany Jin-nii outside."
"Exactly. And we won't have to worry about any honey traps, either."
"Come on, now."
"Hehe....Still, be sure to take the others out, too, won't you?"
"I know. Once we head back, I plan on making Doppels for everyone."
"Ah, that's good to hear."
Sion D seemed thoroughly satisfied with that response.
"Though deciding on their appearances must be a real headache, isn't it?"
"It really is."
"I don't think you need to fret over it too much, honestly. Hardly anyone around today would remember them."
"Even so, if old photographs are still floating around..."
And with that, Jin replied that he would at least like to alter their hair colors.