The man who stepped out of the golem carriage appeared to be an acquaintance of Gajue Tsuga, calling out to him in a genial tone.
"Welcome and well met, Lord Tsuga."
Gajue Tsuga responded in kind.
"It has been a long time, Lord Sumi."
The two shook hands. Gajue Tsuga then turned to Fione Fias and Manon.
"This is Lord Yaharu Sumi. He is a diplomat of the Mimaka Principality."
"I am Yaharu Sumi. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
"My name is Fione Fias."
"My name is Manon."
Fione Fias subtly observed Yaharu Sumi.
He had brown hair and brown eyes—a thoroughly ordinary appearance. His build was of average height and weight, with nothing particularly conspicuous about him.
However, his gaze was vigilant, and his physical bearing was quite refined. Concluding that there was more to him than met the eye, she reminded herself not to let her guard down.
"First, please get in."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Although it was an older-model golem carriage, it was a large ten-seater, allowing the driver, Yaharu Sumi, Gajue Tsuga, Fione Fias, and Manon to ride comfortably, with ample room to load the crate of magi-stones as well.
As for the airship, the man who had accompanied Yaharu Sumi assured them that he would take full responsibility for looking after it. Deciding it would be unwise to show suspicion here, they left it in his care.
They were also informed that the pilots would receive hospitable treatment as well.
The party was guided to a building that served as a guest house.
"It's a wooden building, isn't it?"
Fione Fias was full of curiosity regarding the architecture of the Mimaka Principality, which she was seeing for the first time.
"Because the climate around here is tropical, trees grow exceptionally well."
Being close to the sea, precipitation was also plentiful.
They were ushered into a reception room.
Once Gajue Tsuga and the other two sat down in chairs,
"Please, enjoy."
They were served locally prepared Kuuhe.
The one who brewed and served it was a young lady's maid.
Gajue Tsuga recognized her face, though he did not know her name.
Incidentally, Kuuhe was a specialty beverage originating from the Kingdom of Elias, with a taste similar to cocoa.
Its base was a tree nut resembling a significantly smaller version of what modern Japan would call cacao.
Originally, the nut itself had been called Kuuhe, but the drink made from it eventually came to share the same name.
To return to the topic at hand.
Waiting until Gajue Tsuga and the others finished taking a sip of their Kuuhe, Yaharu Sumi spoke.
"Now then, what brings you here today?"
It was a blunt, straightforward inquiry, but as this was the style of the Mimaka Principality, Gajue Tsuga answered concisely.
"From the perspective of the World Conference, we are deeply concerned by the current situation where the Four Principalities are at odds with one another, and we have come to assess the state of affairs."
It was a direct declaration.
However, having heard beforehand that negotiations in the Mimaka Principality were fundamentally conducted without secrets, Fione Fias was not surprised.
(A national character where honesty is paramount... I can see it now.)
It must be a country where political games and underhanded tactics have no place, Fione Fias imagined.
(On top of that, with a short coastline, marine harvests are meager, and with scarce underground resources, its national strength is the lowest among the Four Principalities... I see.)
Fione Fias listened to the discussion between Gajue Tsuga and Yaharu Sumi, comparing it against the knowledge she had acquired in advance.
"I see. The Jagus Principality is as ambitious as ever, after all," Yaharu Sumi said.
"The World Conference wishes to put an end to such armed conflicts."
"You have maintained that stance from before, haven't you?"
"Yes. Because it is our unvarnished, sincere intention."
"...Understood."
Yaharu Sumi nodded in satisfaction.
"Tonight, I shall go confirm whether an audience—and further, discussions—with the Duke and Chancellor will be possible."
"Thank you. With that, please accept this in lieu of a gift."
Here, Gajue Tsuga indicated the crate containing the magi-stones they had brought along.
"May I look inside?"
"Please, go ahead and see for yourself."
"Pardon me, then."
Yaharu Sumi opened the crate placed in the corner of the reception room and let out a gasp of surprise.
"This is...!"
Inside rested a multitude of colorful magi-stones.
To reiterate, the difference between a magi-stone and a magi-crystal lay in its purity.
True to its name as a 'crystal,' a magi-crystal possessed a purity ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent.
In contrast, a magi-stone held a purity of only 1 percent to 50 percent.
Because the amount of contained free ether scaled logarithmically, even comparing top-quality specimens, there was a difference of a full five orders of magnitude between a magi-stone and a magi-crystal.
The purity of the magi-stones brought this time was around 30 percent. In other words, there was a seven-digit difference compared to the highest-grade magi-crystal.
Therefore, even if someone attempted to use them for magi-weapons, they would never properly activate, ensuring complete safety.
"With this much, we can operate a substantial number of lifestyle magi-devices."
"If you cease the conflicts among the Four Principalities and qualify to participate in the World Conference, you would be able to obtain this amount of magi-stones at any time, however."
Yaharu Sumi nodded deeply at Gajue Tsuga's words.
"The Duke and the Chancellor should be well aware of that as well... In any case, I shall go deliver my report, including the matter of the magi-stones we have received, so please wait in this building, Lord Tsuga."
"Understood."
"...Ah, forgive me, but I shall take the liberty of using one."
Yaharu Sumi took out a single water-attribute magi-stone from the crate and set it into a magi-device mounted high on the wall.
Immediately, a cool breeze began to blow from the ceiling.
"With this, the air conditioner in this room can function now. Well then, if you require anything, please instruct that lady's maid."
Having said that, this time he genuinely departed from the reception room.
"How was it?"
Taking a sip of the freshly refilled Kuuhe brought by the lady's maid, Gajue Tsuga asked Fione Fias.
"Yes. How should I put it... It was more fast-paced than I expected."
"I suppose so. But that is the style of the Mimaka Principality."
Circumlocution and underhanded maneuvering merely complicate the road to a conclusion—that was their philosophy, Gajue Tsuga explained.
"I can certainly understand the merits of that."
One of the disadvantages of democracy was that 'reaching a decision takes time.'
Aiming to reduce that as much as possible might be the underlying philosophy of the Mimaka Principality, Fione Fias analyzed.
"As long as people do not become emotional, it would certainly be effective," Manon, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.
"If speaking directly neither causes offense nor takes offense, it will undoubtedly shorten meeting times..."
Manon swallowed the words that were to follow.
This was because the lady's maid assigned to attend to the party was listening.
Remarks that could sound like criticism of the Mimaka Principality were best avoided as much as possible right now.
"Because they have such a national character, they will surely make time for us tonight," Gajue Tsuga remarked, finishing off his Kuuhe.