Following a one-day interval, the goodwill mission set out toward the Norha Principality at 8:00 a.m. on June 27.
The straight-line distance from the garrison at Rekode to Resonare, the royal capital of the Norha Principality, was roughly 490 kilometers.
Cruising at 500 kilometers per hour, Hurricane covered the distance in a single hour.
Consequently, their arrival was right on time at 9:00 a.m.
"It truly is fast..." Illumina Ratkin, one of the deputy envoys, remarked to Jin.
"As expected of Jin-sama's craft!"
Her slight excitement likely stemmed from being Marikka's disciple. Considering they had traveled more than four times faster than on the previous visit, her reaction was only natural.
"We too would like to have an airship like Jin-dono's Hurricane someday... No, a large blow floater, rather," Gajue Tsuga murmured with deep feeling.
Meanwhile, they reached the airspace above Resonare, and Hurricane reduced both its speed and altitude.
"Oh, the welcoming balloons are rising."
While only four had appeared last time, ten hot air balloons ascended into the sky on this occasion.
Watching from aboard Hurricane, Gajue Tsuga felt that, even if intended as a show of force, they could look like nothing other than a warm welcome.
Just as on their previous visit, Hurricane touched down at the airfield on the outskirts of Resonare.
"Well then, Hope, keep watch while we're gone."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
Leaving Hope to look after the ship, Jin and the rest of the goodwill mission set foot on the soil of the Norha Principality.
"Welcome, honored members of the mission!"
Harley Bohmsun, a diplomat of the Norha Principality, was there to greet them just as before.
However...
"You must be the Third Generation Magi Craft Meister, Jin-dono! It is an absolute honor to meet you!!"
Zifola Movie de Norha, the prince of the Norha Principality who had been away on patrol during their previous visit, had accompanied the reception party.
Prince Zifola was seventeen years old, of medium build, with blond hair and gray eyes. Full of youthful vigor, he enthusiastically shook hands with Jin and every other member of the mission.
Just as before, the party boarded an old-model golem carriage and set off toward the royal capital of Resonare, but...
"Oh? This is... not good!"
An abnormal grinding noise echoed from the golem carriage.
"Please stop immediately," Jin requested, and the soldier at the wheel brought the vehicle to a halt.
"Excuse me, but could everyone please step out for a moment?"
At Jin's request, the mission members wordlessly complied.
Seeing them disembark, the four from the Norha Principality—Prince Zifola, the diplomat Harley, the driver, and the guard knight—followed suit.
Once everyone was clear, Jin turned to Manon and Reiko with instructions.
"Sorry to ask, but could you two lift the carriage?"
"Yes, Father."
"Yes, Jin-sama."
Reiko and Manon positioned themselves at the front and rear of the golem carriage, took hold of the chassis, and hoisted it simultaneously.
"W-Wha..."
Designed to carry ten passengers, the golem carriage weighed well over a ton. Watching the pair lift it so effortlessly left the Norha officials utterly speechless.
Meanwhile, seemingly oblivious to their shock, Jin crawled underneath the chassis.
"I knew it, right here," he muttered to himself, immediately putting his magi-craft to work.
"'Forming,' 'Toughening,' 'Fusion,' 'Forming,' 'Toughening'..."
"Whaaat..."
A mere twenty seconds passed.
"That should do it. Reiko, Manon, set the carriage down."
"Yes, Father."
"Yes, Jin-sama."
The two gently lowered the golem carriage back onto the ground without making a sound.
"That's taken care of. The transmission gears were heavily worn and on the verge of snapping. I've repaired everything, so it's perfectly safe to drive."
"Y-Yes..."
The repair had been completed so swiftly that the Norha officials couldn't quite process what had just occurred.
Amid the silence, Prince Zifola was the first to regain his composure.
"Jin-dono! What magnificent craftsmanship! Truly, you are the Magi Craft Meister!! To think I would witness it with my very own eyes!!!"
Trembling with excitement, the prince grabbed Jin's hand and pumped it vigorously up and down.
"Th-Thank you."
Jin recoiled slightly from the young man's overwhelming enthusiasm.
"Come, Harley, we must escort Jin-dono and the others to the Guest House at once!"
Yet the crisp, decisive manner in which the prince issued orders was every bit worthy of a future sovereign.
"O-Oh, quite right," Harley Bohmsun agreed, and the driver and guard knight snapped back to their senses and boarded the vehicle.
The golem carriage started moving once more.
"...! The accelerator response is completely different!" the driver reported, his voice filled with amazement.
"Ah, I also adjusted the brakes, so if you step on them with the same pressure as before, you'll brake abruptly. Please be careful."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Though astonished by Jin's explanation, the driver demonstrated true professionalism, providing a smooth ride that carried the party safely all the way to the Guest House.
After arriving at the Guest House and leaving their luggage in the guest rooms, the goodwill mission boarded the golem carriage once again and departed for the Royal Palace.
Upon reaching the palace, they drove between ranks of lined-up knights and arrived at the main gate, which served as the entrance.
From there, the party was guided into the Great Hall.
"Members of the goodwill mission, you are most welcome."
Duke Keith Tennick de Norha greeted the delegation warmly.
"Gajue Tsuga-dono, this is the second time I have received you. Are you serving as deputy envoy on this occasion?"
"Yes, Your Grace. Allow me to introduce our party. This is our chief envoy, Marquis of the Shouro Empire and current World Conference Chairman, Theobald Theoderic von Grain. Over there is the deputy envoy..."
Gajue Tsuga introduced each member in turn.
When the Duke heard Jin's name, he openly shared his delight at the meeting.
"Ah, so you are the Magi Craft Meister of this era, Jin-dono. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Representing the Norha Principality were Duke Keith Tennick de Norha, Prince Zifola Movie de Norha, Chancellor Premus Hai Yasuna, Minister of General Affairs Kaimu Roh Hasta, and Minister of Industry Daha Shomur, among others.
Just as on their previous visit, the discussions moved from the Great Hall to the council office.
"First, allow me to express our sincere gratitude for bringing the Magi Craft Meister, Jin-dono, as well as Tein Miyabe-dono of Mitsuho," Chancellor Premus Hai Yasuna began, and the formal negotiations officially commenced.