January of the year 3901 turned out to be a hectic month for Jin.
First, construction of the Adriana Barbora Tsetse Memorial Hall was slated to begin in earnest in the Shouro Empire.
Furthermore, construction was scheduled to start on the automobile race track in the Kingdom of Franz.
Among these projects, the one in the Shouro Empire would not require Jin's direct hands-on work for some time yet.
Since the details—such as the layout and garden design—were already settled, the Shouro Empire would begin the construction work on their own.
Jin only needed to go and inspect it from time to time.
However, since Jin was tasked with handling the ground leveling himself using Daidara, his turn would come once the plots were properly marked out.
"First, we need to hammer out the details of the race track in the Kingdom of Franz."
There were still many things to decide, including the course layout and surrounding regional development plans.
"Well then, Elsa, shall we head out?"
"Mm."
Elsa, for her part, seemed concerned about the situation surrounding the Kahn family, including the condition of Najas's father, Viscount Astero de Kahn.
Though in truth, her concern was largely because it directly affected Najas's future.
At any rate, the two of them, along with Reiko and the others, entered the Kingdom of Franz on January 5 aboard the Hurricane, piloted by Hope.
"Happy New Year. We look forward to working with you again this year."
Jin and his companions exchanged New Year greetings in Queen Caroline de Lafayette's office.
Present on the Kingdom of Franz's side were Chancellor Joachims de Drow, Minister of General Affairs Chro de Schone, Minister of Magic Jonas Tigrina, and Minister of Finance Oneca de Cleo.
"Happy New Year to you as well....That 'Akemashite' greeting is quite interesting. Is it a custom from the Shouro Empire?"
"No, rather, it is a greeting passed down from the Magi Craft Meister."
"Ah, is that so?"
"It certainly expresses the spirit of celebrating the new year. 'Akemashite omedetou', is it? Hmm."
The Chancellor also seemed to take a liking to the phrasing.
Fragrant tea was served, and after some light conversation, they moved on to the main topic.
"I would like to discuss the circuit planned to be built here."
"Umu. Jin-dono, though I cannot stay until the end, I would like to hear at least the beginning of the discussion."
"Me as well."
Both the Chancellor and the Queen had many other duties to attend to, their expressions showing that while it was regrettable, it could not be helped.
"Then, I would like to speak with Najas-san for a bit."
Elsa, for her part, was still mindful of Najas.
"Indeed. Then let us summon her here."
Minister of General Affairs Chro de Schone said as much and ordered his subordinate to go fetch Najas.
"Elsa-sama, Jin-sama, it has been a long time!"
As soon as she stepped into the room, Najas gave a deep, respectful bow.
"I'm glad to see you looking well. I'd like to hear a little about how things have been since then."
"Yes, with pleasure!"
With that decided, the two of them stepped into the adjoining small conference room to talk. Hope accompanied them inside.
"Now then, shall we proceed here as well?"
Once Elsa and Najas moved to the next room, Jin spoke up.
He then unfolded a sheet of paper from the documents he had brought, displaying a proposed course layout.
"I considered various options. Also, after receiving advice from a friend, this is the final shape it took."
"Oho..."
It was a course layout featuring an oval track in the center, with hairpin turns and S-curves branching out from it.
"I asked a friend about the advantages of an oval course, you see."
An oval course might look simple, but it offered the advantage of allowing drivers to take optimal racing lines in parallel, making it easier to stage close racing and exciting overtakes—or so Jin had been told.
In contrast, a course with a complex layout had only a single optimal line, meaning multiple vehicles would jostle for that one path, creating a completely different style of competition.
In other words, one could not definitively say which was more entertaining.
Furthermore, if they ever wished to hold horse races, the track would need to be turf or dirt; a hard paved surface would ruin the horses' legs.
Jin began by explaining that this point was what differed from their previous tentative meeting.
"I see, that makes sense."
"Horse races could simply be held on a separate course."
"Yes, regarding that, we would only need to build a dirt track for racing."
Jin stated that he would like to discuss that aspect as well.
Meanwhile, Elsa and Najas were in the adjacent room.
"...How is the Viscount's condition?"
"Yes! Half a month has passed, and his complexion has improved considerably. He no longer seems to get short of breath!"
"It is all thanks to you, Elsa-sama," Najas added, bowing deeply.
"Mm, that's good....In that case, let's Diagnose him now....Is that all right?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Then let's go....Hope, come along too."
"Yes, Elsa-sama."
With that, Elsa and Najas left the small conference room and headed toward the former infirmary, which had now been converted into a dedicated patient room. Naturally, they had already obtained permission from the guards.
"This way, please."
The patient room was located on the first floor of the Royal Palace.
"Hm? Najas, what brings you here at this hour? Your treatment was already... Oh, Elsa-dono!"
"Yes, Father. Elsa-sama has offered to Diagnose you."
"Oh, that is truly gracious of you. Please, by all means."
Elsa had the Viscount lie down and began the examination.
"'Diagnose'...Mm, he has improved considerably."
From what Elsa could observe, his lung function had recovered by more than half. His bronchitis had not recurred either, indicating that his immune system was returning to normal.
"He is recovering smoothly. It would be best to begin rehabilitation soon."
Elsa recommended that he gradually begin moving his body, which had grown weak from being bedridden.
"You must be careful, as suddenly engaging in strenuous exercise will have the opposite effect. Overexertion is strictly forbidden, all right?"
"...Understood."
"Then let us start by having you stand up....Hope, support him."
"Yes, Elsa-sama."
Supported by Hope, the Viscount first raised his upper body, slowly turned, and lowered his legs from the bed.
Najas slipped hospital slippers onto his feet.
"Now, please try to stand."
"Y-Yeah."
Because he had been bedridden for so long, his balance was poor; even with Hope's support, it took some time, but the Viscount managed to stand firmly on the floor.
"Let's try walking just a little."
"Umu."
Supported by Hope, he walked about twenty paces and returned, breathing slightly heavily.
"That will be enough for today. Tomorrow, let's try extending the walking time a bit."
"Understood. Elsa-dono, you have my deepest gratitude."
Watching this, Najas also seemed to gain a clear understanding of how to proceed with his rehabilitation.