"Well, having our first stop turn out to be a massive success is certainly a good omen."
Having returned from Quonale, the royal capital of the Mimaka Principality, to Rekode, where the World Security Guard garrison was stationed, the members of the goodwill mission took a well-deserved break and celebrated their achievement.
"I am well aware that the Mimaka Principality is the friendliest of them all," Chief Envoy Theobald Theoderic von Grain remarked, sipping on a glass of fruit juice.
Incidentally, for the duration of this mission, the delegation voluntarily abstained from alcohol unless it was offered to them by their hosts.
"Next is the Darato Principality, correct?"
"Judging by the outcome of our previous visit, negotiations there shouldn't prove too difficult either."
The following day, on the twenty-fourth, the delegation took to the skies, bound for the Darato Principality.
Covering a straight-line distance of roughly 450 kilometers, Hurricane arrived at the royal capital of Radatora in just one hour.
"She really is remarkably fast," Gajue Tsuga murmured in genuine admiration.
Upon their arrival in the Darato Principality, Chancellor Gix Yabo Miyata was there to receive them.
It appeared his primary motivation was to meet the Magi Craft Meister.
While his greetings with the chief and deputy envoys remained thoroughly standard—
"Welcome to the Darato Principality. We are honored to receive you."
—when it came to Jin, he grew visibly excited, reaching out for an eager handshake.
"It is a true honor to meet you!"
This reaction alone made it clear that including Jin in the delegation had been the right decision.
The next to receive a particularly warm welcome was Tein Miyabe, the representative of Mitsuho.
"It has been passed down that my own clan originated from Mitsuho as well. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
The selection of delegation members had turned out to be an absolute triumph.
Afterward, just as during their previous visit, formal talks commenced in a conference room at the Detached Palace.
This time, alongside Chancellor Gix Yabo Miyata, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mitts Myou Shouki and Minister of Internal Affairs Maise Wai Haga were also in attendance.
"...Please forgive the absence of our Duke. His Majesty is currently indisposed with an illness."
"...That is concerning to hear. Is his condition severe?" Marquis Theoderic, the chief envoy, inquired.
"His state could perhaps best be described as neither improving nor worsening."
The three principalities, though varying slightly in degree, generally preferred direct and straightforward communication.
For the Chancellor to offer such an ambiguous answer led Gajue Tsuga to deduce that the Duke's condition was truly in a constant state of flux.
Manon, who had also been part of the previous delegation, seemed to pick up on this as well.
"Forgive my presumption, but would you permit me to examine him?"
"You?" The Chancellor wore a look of mild skepticism.
Jin promptly chimed in with an explanation.
"Manon is an automata of my own creation. She possesses medical capabilities, so I believe she may be able to offer some assistance."
This revelation was met with sheer astonishment.
"Wh-What?!"
"This young lady is... an automata?!"
"I-It is hard to believe, but if Jin-dono says so, it must be true..."
"Your Excellency, what should we do?"
"...Our own medical practitioners have been unable to determine the cause..."
"Mmm... indeed..."
The Chancellor, the Foreign Minister, and the Internal Affairs Minister leaned in close to confer. At length, they reached their decision.
"Very well. We accept your kind offer."
Reasoning that strike-while-the-iron-is-hot expediency was best—and that a medical examination should never be delayed—the party wrapped up the meeting early and relocated from the Detached Palace to the Inner Palace.
In this country, the "Inner Palace" referred simply to the royal family's residential quarters, just to be clear.
They made their way to the Duke's bedchamber, situated deep within the palace. A few lady's maids were at work inside.
When the Chancellor knocked on the chamber door, it opened to reveal a young woman peeking out.
She had dark blonde hair and violet eyes—a graceful figure poised between girlhood and womanhood.
"You have all come together. Is something the matter?"
"Nanaria-dono, is His Majesty awake?" the Chancellor inquired on behalf of the group.
"Ah, yes....And who might these gentlemen be?...Are they the guests from the goodwill mission?"
"Indeed they are....Everyone, allow me to introduce Lady Nanaria Miyu Imai, His Majesty's fiancée."
"I am Nanaria Miyu Imai. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Nanaria offered a graceful curtsy. Her refined manners were entirely in line with those of the Conference Countries.
"I am Theobald Theoderic von Grain, chief envoy of the goodwill mission."
"I am Tein Miyabe, deputy envoy."
Jin and the others introduced themselves in turn.
Finally, when Jin gave his greeting—
"I am Jin Nidou. The current Magi Craft Meister."
—Nanaria's face lit up with radiant joy.
"Oh my goodness! Truly?! I am so very delighted to meet you!"
"...And so, since Manon here possesses medical skills, we thought to have her conduct an examination of His Majesty."
"Oh! My word, is that so? Then by all means, please do!"
Here, too, the prestigious title of Magi Craft Meister carried immense weight. Nanaria ducked back into the room for a brief moment before stepping out again.
"Everyone, please come in. Gilberto-sama has given his permission."
With her invitation, the entire party stepped inside the chamber.
"Forgive my undignified appearance."
There stood a magnificent canopy bed, upon which the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Duke had propped himself up.
Though tall in stature, he was severely emaciated, and his complexion looked dreadful.
"I am Gilberto de Darato, Duke of the Darato Principality."
"I am Theobald Theoderic von Grain, chief envoy of the goodwill mission."
Here again, everyone introduced themselves one by one.
Afterward, they explained Manon's medical capabilities and obtained permission for her to conduct the examination.
The verdict:
"...It is beriberi. There is an absence of the patellar tendon reflex, so there is little doubt."
An unexpected diagnosis was delivered.
"...So it truly is beriberi?"
"Even though he has been eating meals rich in B vitamins?"
Listening to the Duke and his fiancée, it seemed they had already suspected beriberi and were attempting dietary therapy.
"And yet, he has shown no signs of improvement..."
"That is because the root cause of his beriberi lies elsewhere."
"What?"
"Allow me to explain..."
With that, Manon began detailing the findings of her examination.