Jin wanted to gauge the skill level of the girls at the Marikka workshop—in other words, his grand-disciples—so he asked:
"How is your metalworking practice coming along?"
For anyone crafting accessories, this was an indispensable step.
After all, stone settings, pin clasps, and all other hardware were shaped through metalworking.
"Um, to begin with, we make them using 925 silver," Marikka answered.
It seemed she had properly chosen an alloy that was easy to work with.
Hearing the word silver, Jin thought:
(Ah, making a silver spoon as a congratulatory gift for Moritz-san sounds nice too.)
He remembered giving one to Reinhard in the past to celebrate Juliana's birth.
Elsa had handled the design back then, so Jin thought he would try coming up with his own this time.
"I see. In that case, have you practiced Forming enough?"
With this magi-craft, the results varied greatly depending on the caster's mental image.
Normally, one trained by repeatedly practicing making spheres and flat planes.
"Yes. I had them practice that thoroughly."
Marikka puffed out her chest with pride as she answered.
Since she spoke with such conviction, Jin was satisfied that she had indeed taught them the fundamentals with great care.
At that moment, one of the three students spoke up:
"Jin-sama, please make something to commemorate your visit!"
Following her lead, the other two quickly chimed in:
"Ah, that's a great idea. Please!"
"Yes, please do!"
"Well, alright... but what should I make?" Jin muttered as he picked up a large chunk of zirconia.
Then, after glancing over at Sion and Marikka, he set to work in an instant.
"...All right... 'Forming'."
"Huh?"
"Whoa!"
"Amazing..."
What Jin created were non-scale figures of Sion and Marikka, complete with their clothing.
They stood roughly thirty centimeters tall.
Faced with the skill required to sculpt two completely different figures simultaneously in just a matter of seconds, not only the three students, but even Sion, Marikka, Empress Emerita Hilde, and Flora were left utterly speechless.
"You've shown us something truly marvelous."
"Indeed. As expected of the Magi Craft Meister, Jin-dono."
Following the tour of Marikka's workshop, they took a tea break, and Jin, Empress Emerita Hilde, Flora, Sion, and Marikka enjoyed some leisurely small talk.
"Say, I heard a child was born to Elsa's older brother."
Having heard the news somewhere, Sion asked Jin.
"Ah, yes. I received word from Loizart via manaphone."
Jin emphasized the word manaphone, and Sion immediately caught his meaning.
"...I see, via manaphone..."
"Butler D is at the mansion in Loizart, after all."
Jin then informed Sion that he planned to wrap up their tour of the Nord Federation today and return to the Shouro Empire tomorrow.
"I see, understood....Hilde-sama, Flora-sama, are you satisfied with the visit?"
After nodding at Jin's words, Sion turned to the two of them with a slightly anxious expression.
"Yes, it was thoroughly delightful. Thank you, Sion-san, Marikka-san."
"We have nothing but gratitude for the two of you."
Empress Emerita Hilde and Flora each expressed their contentment.
And so, the pleasant conversation continued.
At that moment, Flora spoke up, prefacing her question with, "If you don't mind a simple question..."
"...Jin-dono, um, how did Butler D-dono find out that a child had been born to Moritz-dono?"
"...Er, well, a pigeon post was sent from his family's home in Ekishi to my brother-in-law Moritz in Loizart. He came to my mansion counting on the Konron 3, but as you know, I was over here."
He explained that although the Konron 3 was unavailable, Butler D at the mansion had lent him a Golem automobile at his own discretion.
With a Golem automobile, he could travel about thirty percent faster than by horse-drawn carriage.
"That was how he found out."
"I see, that makes perfect sense."
Unbeknownst to them, it matched the exact timetable Elsa had calculated.
Afterward, since they still had a bit of time before evening, the group toured the All-Creation clan territory.
"The fields appear to be quite fertile as well," Empress Emerita Hilde noted.
"Yes. It is thanks to the Agrii provided by Jin," Sion explained, but Jin remained modest.
"No, no, it's largely due to the efforts of your mother, Rolona-san."
In fact, Rolona of the All-Creation clan was currently serving in a role akin to a Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in the Nord Federation.
Even now, she had been away for several days providing agricultural instruction to other clans.
"Jin-kun, by supporting the livelihoods of the people living on this continent, you have helped prevent conflict."
Empress Emerita Hilde had accurately recognized the significance of Jin's achievements.
Besides this, there were several other small pieces of advice, and Sion would use them as fuel to further develop the Nord Federation, though that is a tale for much later in the future.
"Haaah, that was wonderful."
In the reception room of the Guest House, the Empress Emerita smiled with deep satisfaction.
With this, the scheduled tour had come to an end.
"Even though it was unofficial, I've come to see that the people living in the Nord Federation are humans just like us. I'm truly grateful to you, Jin-kun."
"I'm honored."
Flora added:
"To be completely honest, before coming here, I was overcome with anxiety, but being here has completely changed my impression."
She even went so far as to admit she felt ashamed for having been frightened out of sheer ignorance.
"I don't think there is any shame in fearing the unknown. Rather, isn't that an instinct that helps living creatures survive?"
Jin consoled Flora, who seemed to be reproaching herself more than necessary.
"Is that so...?"
"Indeed it is, Flora. You are still young. Just consider it a good learning experience."
Empress Emerita Hilde joined in to comfort Flora as well.
"Thank you very much... At this rate, I'm a failure of an attendant."
Flora blushed, feeling thoroughly embarrassed to be consoled by the very Empress Emerita Hilde she was sworn to protect.
"It's quite all right. This was an incognito trip, and even you have things you aren't fond of. That is precisely why Jin-kun brought the Golem Maids along with us."
"Yes. Thanks to that, my mental strain was considerably reduced compared to the beginning."
Flora said that she had now grown fond of this country.
"Yes, that's wonderful. Whether you go on to start a family and become a mother in the future, or return to your duties, this experience will surely be a precious asset for you."
"Yes, I am truly grateful."
Watching the warm exchange between mistress and servant, Jin quietly slipped away to his own room.