June 20, Jagus Principality.
Three members of Nostalgia—Elena, Edda Eema, and Lauria Matsuta—arrived on an official visit aboard an airship.
Because it was an official mission, their diplomatic reception was handled by Pringles Kubo.
The meeting took place at the Guest House in the royal capital, Jags.
"Well, well! An all-female goodwill mission makes for quite a delightful and glamorous sight, doesn't it?"
Edda Eema was twenty-three this year, while Lauria Matsuta was twenty-one. Elena was an eternal seventeen... so to speak.
(This man has not been brainwashed, it seems...)
Elena reached that conclusion as she watched Pringles Kubo smirking before her.
Being capable of harboring such varied emotions toward women was prime evidence that he remained in control of his own mind.
After all, free will and brainwashing were fundamentally incompatible.
"For this visit, we have brought magi-stones and magi-crystals as gifts," Elena said.
Pringles Kubo broke into a broad smile, displaying genuine delight. "Oh, that is a tremendous help!"
"In exchange, if you would indulge us, we would very much appreciate an opportunity to view your country's golems."
"I cannot decide that entirely on my own authority, but I shall do my utmost to accommodate your request."
"We would be most grateful."
...Following that brief exchange, Elena and her companions were granted an audience with Duke Niestro Kirilo Jagus.
"I am the Duke, Niestro Kirilo Jagus."
"I am Elena, representative of Nostalgia. These are my associates, Edda Eema and Lauria Matsuta."
"Oho, did you say Matsuta? Are you a native of Mitsuho or Fusou Island?"
"Yes, Your Grace. Lauria Matsuta hails from Mitsuho," Elena answered on her behalf in her capacity as delegation head.
"I see, is that so?...By the way, I understand you brought magi-stones and magi-crystals as gifts. You have my thanks."
"You are very welcome."
Nodding magnanimously, the Duke continued.
"...I am told you ladies wish to inspect our country's golems?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"I am not entirely opposed, but what do you intend to do once you have seen them? Let me hear your reasoning."
"Certainly. While we develop our own golems, word reached us that Your Grace's models possess unique designs, so we hoped to observe them for our future reference."
Elena offered her answer smoothly.
Her ability to maintain a flawless poker face made her exceptionally well-suited for high-stakes diplomacy.
"Oho, I see."
The Duke chuckled in amusement.
"Then I have a counterproposal....I would like to see your golems as well. That should make us even."
This reaction had been largely anticipated during Elena's prior consultations with Laojun.
Consequently, appropriate measures were already in place.
"Understood....We have such a golem aboard the airship we arrived in. We would be pleased to present that one."
"Heh, very well."
The Duke gave an intrigued smirk at the turn of events.
Under Elena's supervision, Nostalgia's general-purpose golem was unloaded from the airship's storehouse.
It was presented before the Duke in the courtyard of the Royal Palace.
"Oho, so this is Nostalgia's golem?"
Built along the lines of an Adriana-style structure, its exterior was remarkably understated. In essence, it bore the precise silhouette of a human.
"Yes. It can be fitted with heavy or light armor as required. Furthermore, when relegated to rear support, operating unarmored affords it superior agility."
"I see. So it is a 'general-purpose' model?"
"Correct, though this particular design is primarily geared toward combat."
"Hmm."
The Duke nodded with deep interest before asking, "Is our technician here?"
Chancellor Beyax Geer, standing in attendance nearby, stepped forward. "Yes, Technical Administrator Rokou B. Sihalo is present."
"Good. Summon him at once."
"Right away, Your Grace."
About five minutes later, a middle-aged man arrived alongside the Chancellor.
"Rokou B. Sihalo reporting, Your Grace."
"Good work. Before you is Nostalgia's general-purpose golem. Can you gauge the level of its craftsmanship?"
"May I examine it up close?"
"You may."
Before Elena could interject, the Duke had already granted permission.
"Excuse me, then."
Rokou B. Sihalo approached the prone golem and commenced his inspection.
"...This... bears a slight resemblance to the Unifilar golem we analyzed some years ago."
Hearing this, Elena was inwardly taken aback.
However, she quickly deduced that this must trace back to the period Jin spent working as a technician in the Jagus Principality shortly after arriving in this era, just as Laojun had explained.
Oblivious to Elena's thoughts, Rokou B. Sihalo continued his evaluation.
"The joint construction and the quality of the artificial musculature are remarkably sophisticated."
"Understood. That is enough."
Noting that he could provide a far more comprehensive breakdown if granted additional time, Rokou B. Sihalo stepped back from the golem.
"Lady Elena, we have inspected your golem. Now, let us present ours in return."
Duke Niestro Kirilo Jagus shot a knowing glance toward his Chancellor.
The Chancellor promptly relayed the order to the attendants nearby.
Roughly two minutes later, three golems marched into the courtyard.
"These are our nation's combat golems, Lady Elena," the Duke declared with evident pride.
"I see. They are quite impressive."
Elena had begun analyzing them the second they came into view.
(Every one of them has been polished far beyond practical necessity... Purely for show, no doubt.)
At a glance, the trio appeared to be outfitted in heavy armor, light armor, and light armor, respectively.
Every surface gleamed with a mirror-like shine.
(Judging by their gait, they aren't Adriana-style....Most likely ball-joint style.)
Elena reasoned that the design had been chosen for its ease of manufacture and structural durability.
Even so, it carried the distinct disadvantage of stiff, restricted movement due to its lack of flexibility.
(That doesn't look like an ether converter. A mana tank, perhaps?)
Their operational duration had to be quite limited, Elena deduced.
"Now then, Lady Elena, if you are amenable, I would like to see your golem pitted against ours in a match," Duke Niestro Kirilo Jagus proposed.
This, too, fell entirely within the scope of what Elena and her companions had anticipated.
"Certainly, if that is your desire."
Elena accepted the challenge without hesitation.