On July 1, two members of Nostalgia, Edda Eema and Lauria Matsuta, visited the Jagus Principality.
As tribute, they delivered thirty kilograms of magi-stones, fifteen kilograms of magi-crystals, and one general-purpose combat golem.
"Mm, good work."
Minister of General Affairs Zain Mejeebe received and inspected the offerings.
Edda Eema made a request to the minister.
"Um, during our previous... delivery, we were told we would be allowed to see Lady Elena this time."
"Hm?...Mm....Right, then... Wait here a moment."
Since the minister was already aware of the promise, he had the two wait while he went to confirm with the Chancellor.
Edda Eema and Lauria Matsuta waited in complete silence.
This was enemy territory, where eyes could be watching from anywhere. They were careful to avoid any unnecessary conversation.
After a thirty-minute wait...
Minister of General Affairs Zain Mejeebe finally returned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I confirmed it with the Chancellor. I shall let you catch a glimpse of Elena."
"Thank you very much."
The two were careful to maintain a humble demeanor, ensuring they stroked the minister's vanity.
"Very well. Follow me, then."
With that, the minister led them outside.
He had them board a waiting golem carriage and brought them to the Tower.
"...Lady Elena is in here?"
"Indeed. However, you will only be allowed to see her."
Zain Mejeebe led the two to the entrance of the Tower.
Four soldiers stood guard, ensuring no one could easily escape.
Furthermore, combat golems patrolled the grounds.
Edda Eema and Lauria Matsuta were unaware, but because Jin and Lordtoss had successfully escaped, twice as many guards had been mobilized compared to before.
Regardless, Edda Eema and Lauria Matsuta were made to remain at the Tower's entrance. Meanwhile, the minister climbed the stairs, opened the door ahead, and went inside.
Two more soldiers stood at the top of those stairs.
After another ten-minute wait...
The door opened, and the fake Elena appeared.
Minister of General Affairs Zain Mejeebe accompanied her.
The minister descended the stairs, but the soldiers stopped the fake Elena, leaving her to merely look down from the top of the landing.
"Well? I let you see Elena. She looks healthy, does she not?"
Lauria Matsuta noticed that the minister's breath carried a faintly sweet, pastry-like aroma as he spoke.
"Lady Elena!"
As if overcome with emotion, Edda Eema cried out.
As if in response, the fake Elena smiled and waved. Then, urged on by the soldiers, she vanished back beyond the door.
"Now then, that fulfills the promise....With that in mind, regarding the next delivery, we have an additional demand."
"Huh? Last time, you said it could be the same as the first..."
Edda Eema offered a gentle protest, but Zain Mejeebe brushed it off entirely.
"We have our own circumstances here, you see."
He stated this without the slightest hesitation.
"...And what is it you desire?"
In response to Edda Eema's question, Zain Mejeebe answered:
"...Seasonings."
"...What?!"
"I said, add an assortment of seasonings to the list."
Come to think of it, Edda Eema recalled from prior reports that the fake Elena had been treating those around her to home-cooked meals.
And Lauria Matsuta realized:
(Ah, so that sweet aroma earlier was because he had been snacking on cookies or something...)
"Understood."
Since adding seasonings posed no real difficulty, Edda Eema and Lauria Matsuta agreed to the terms.
"Very well."
They were then escorted back to the golem carriage and sent on their way.
"Well then, see you in five days."
On that same day, Jin was in the Darato Principality.
To be precise, he had arrived the previous day.
Using the diplomatic pass granted by the Duke, he had landed in the royal capital of Radatora and requested an audience with the ruler.
Naturally, he was ushered into the inner palace without delay to speak directly with Duke Gilberto de Darato, whose condition had improved considerably.
"So it has been decided that we will indeed form the Three Principalities Alliance."
Just as expected, Duke Gilberto nodded.
"Thanks to your aid, my health has improved immensely. I am ready to participate at any time."
Five days had passed since his treatment, and he was reportedly practicing walking little by little.
"That is wonderful to hear."
Jin handed over the twenty bottles of Persica juice he had brought along.
"By the time you finish these, your body should be completely restored."
"Oh, Jin-dono, you have my deepest gratitude."
Jin then informed him that the signing ceremony would take place four days later, on July 5, aboard Deus Ex Machina's craft, the Aristotle.
"A hundred-meter airship, you say... I look forward to boarding it."
The Duke's eyes sparkled.
"I will come to pick you up aboard the Hurricane," Jin told him.
From the Hurricane, they would be able to transfer to the Aristotle via the Eagle Unit 1.
Since the Eagle Unit 1 seated six, it could accommodate four passengers alongside Jin and Reiko.
Transporting the four guests—the Duke, the Chancellor, the minister of foreign affairs, and a guard—would pose no problem at all.
If more people needed to attend, they would simply make a few extra round trips.
Alternatively, Jin considered that setting up a magic circle for Teleportation would work just as well.
"So, the rendezvous point will be east of Lake Kotsushi, correct?"
"That is the plan."
Holding it over the sea south of the Mimaka Principality or the Darato Principality carried the risk of Onogoro Island being discovered, which had led to this decision.
An illusion barrier protected Onogoro Island, of course, making accidental discovery exceedingly unlikely.
Furthermore, holding it in the airspace above the Nameless Peak between the Four Principalities carried the risk of being spotted and attacked by the Jagus Principality.
Therefore, the area east of Lake Kotsushi—territory belonging to no nation—had been chosen.
Jin was held back for the rest of the day, fielding questions and explaining various aspects of life and culture in the Conference Countries.
"...As for transportation, we have horses, carriages, golem carriages, blow floaters, sailing ships, golem boats, and the like..."
"As for meals, we make use of a wide variety of ingredients..."
"As for academics, if one wishes to study..."
The following day, on July 1, Jin returned to the Mimaka Principality to deliver his report.
"Jin-dono, thank you very much. Both the Mimaka Principality and the Norha Principality have agreed that July 5 is acceptable."
With that, schedule coordination among the three principalities concluded smoothly, leaving everyone to simply await the signing ceremony.