In Fortress City Asunt, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Egerea.
Ernest Elm Andrea—the Third Prince and Honorary CEO of the Royal Factory, commonly known as Ernest XVII—had arrived at the airfield south of the royal capital alongside his close aide and childhood friend, Kanaji Barosopha.
More accurately, they had come to the research laboratory and workshop located on the airfield's grounds.
"Kanaji, that 'air race' the other day was truly striking."
"Yes, Your Highness. If you let your guard down for even a moment, technology swiftly leaps ahead."
Ernest XVII nodded.
"Indeed. If you stand still, you'll be left behind. In other words, doing nothing is practically the same as moving backward."
"As you say."
Master and servant conversed while gazing up at the hot-air balloons and airships floating in the sky above the airfield.
"We have finally managed to break free from the Magic Federation's influence, after all."
"Let us give it our all."
Just then, a royal ritter under Ernest's command approached to deliver a report.
"Your Highness, a man claiming to be a magi craftsman has just arrived outside the airfield, requesting an audience."
"A magi craftsman? Who is he?"
"We do not know. He gives his name as 'Sanmarco Podium'."
The royal ritters serving under Ernest XVII possessed at least a baseline knowledge of magi-craft. Yet even they did not recognize this magi craftsman...
"What is he seeking? Surely his goal isn't merely having an audience with His Highness?" asked his close aide, Kanaji Barosopha.
"Sir. He claims he wishes to offer assistance regarding 'aircraft'."
"Oho?...Fascinating. Bring him in."
"Are you certain, Your Highness?"
"I don't mind."
With that, the royal ritter stepped away momentarily and returned escorting the magi craftsman named Sanmarco Podium.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Sanmarco Podium, a wandering magi craftsman."
Sanmarco Podium had brown hair and brown eyes. His build was average in height... though perhaps slightly on the slender side.
His demeanor was neither arrogant nor servile, but brimming with quiet confidence.
"I hear you wish to assist us in our aircraft development."
"Yes, that is correct."
"Hmm. However, I know nothing about you. Would you be willing to demonstrate your skills in some way?"
"That is only natural....In that case, would you permit me to call in the servant who accompanied me?"
"Very well....Bring them in."
"Understood."
A few minutes later, a young girl carrying luggage arrived alongside the royal ritter.
Her hair was a brilliant, vivid crimson.
While Beena was described as having red hair, it was essentially a rich, warm brown; a crimson as vibrant as dyed hair did not naturally exist in this world. Which meant...
"This is the automata 'Lou,' whom I created."
"My name is Lou. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Still carrying the luggage, the automata girl Lou performed a curtsy, showing not the slightest strain from the heavy load.
"Ohh... This is magnificent."
"A splendid piece of work indeed. She looks just like a human."
Both Ernest XVII and Kanaji Barosopha marveled at the craftsmanship.
"What do you think?"
"There is certainly no faulting your skill....Well then, how about staying on as a guest for about a week?"
"A guest... you say?"
"Yes....No task can easily be accomplished alone. One must work collaboratively with comrades and colleagues. I'd like you to treat this as a period to acclimate to our workplace."
At the same time, it served as a trial period to assess his cooperativeness and character, though Ernest XVII, as the Honorary CEO of the Royal Factory, kept that part to himself.
"Understood. I look forward to working with you."
Thus, the mysterious magi craftsman Sanmarco Podium was welcomed to the Royal Factory of the Kingdom of Egerea as a guest for the time being.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Elias.
In the royal capital of Borgia, a magi craftsman calling himself 'Marukonen' had appeared, selling various magi-devices throughout the city.
Those magi-devices quickly gained a reputation for being inexpensive yet high-performing.
"Hey, have you heard?"
"Yeah, you mean that stall on the main street, right?"
"That's the one! I bought a magi-lamp there, and it was only 20 Toll! Even so, it's bright and incredibly light."
"So they say. And I heard the automata serving as his assistant is quite cute, too."
"Yeah. I caught a glimpse of her myself; she looks like a young girl around twelve or thirteen. Mind you, her hair is an impossibly vivid red, so you can tell right away she's not human."
Rumors like these spread swiftly.
In less than three days, word reached the kingdom's dignitaries, and...
"I see. There is someone with such talent?"
"Yes, Elena-sama."
It had even reached the ears of Elena, the leader of Nostalgia.
"...Just where could he have acquired such technology?"
No matter how she looked at it, Elena could only assume it was technology predating the rise of the Magic Federation, she murmured to herself.
"To think someone like that exists outside of ourselves and Jin-sama..."
With that, Elena decided to have the man investigated.
"Marukonen-dono, won't you please enter the service of our nation?"
In the Kingdom of Elias, Donalot Maka Zowane, the Technical Chief of the Ministry of Magi Technology, was actively scouting Marukonen.
As an aside, this Donalot was the successor to Bernarda Jash, the former Technical Chief of the Ministry of Magi Technology who had been an operative for the Magic Federation.
"Are you truly willing to hire someone of unknown background like myself?"
"Regarding that, I have taken the liberty of observing you over this past week, rude as it might have been. At the very least, there is no deceit in the things you craft."
"What does that mean? You judged me solely by what I made?"
"Precisely. For I believe that a craftsman's character reveals itself in their work."
Marukonen gave a wry smile.
"...I shall do my best to live up to that assessment."
"Oh, then, Marukonen-dono!"
Donalot extended his right hand, and Marukonen took it.
The two shared a firm handshake.
He was officially assigned to the State-Run Magi Workshop.
And so, at the State-Run Magi Workshop adjacent to the Royal Palace, a welcoming banquet was held, attended by many who already knew of Marukonen's reputation.
"My word, every magi-device crafted by Marukonen-dono is built upon such meticulous design that one cannot help but admire it."
"We hope to learn much from your guidance going forward."
"Above all else, the 'sky.' I heard through the grapevine that the 'air race' held recently in the Klein Kingdom was quite a grand success. Apparently, Deus Ex Machina and the Magi Craft Meister assisted in organizing it."
Upon hearing that, Marukonen's expression seemed to harden for a brief instant, though no one noticed.
"Everyone, let us give it our all!"
"Yeah!"
"Understood!"
Those involved were brimming with enthusiasm, eager to begin the Kingdom of Elias's comeback after falling behind in the realm of small aircraft.