July 5, 3901, Lauren Continental Calendar.
At 8:00 a.m. local time, a massive airship flew into the skies above Quonale, the royal capital of the Mimaka Principality.
It was none other than Aristotle, the personal craft of Deus Ex Machina.
"Ah, here it comes. That's Maquina's ship," Jin explained, looking up at the sky from the airfield.
"I had heard about it, but to see it in person..."
"Indeed, seeing it with one's own eyes is an entirely different matter..."
There was not a single onlooker who was not left in awe at the sight of the gigantic vessel, spanning a full hundred meters in length.
Aristotle touched down smoothly and quietly onto the Quonale airfield.
"Seeing it up close makes it even more imposing," remarked Chancellor Moitz Myas Rohdai.
"Whoa, we get to ride that?!...Ahem, I mean, we are permitted to board?" Duke Gaspar de Mimaka blurted out, unable to suppress his youthful excitement.
Beside him stood his lady's maid and secretary, Sheena Sumiya, looking visibly pale given her fear of heights.
Joining the signing ceremony aboard Aristotle alongside them were Minister of General Affairs Ryuji F Katsuki, Foreign Minister Treyu Nau Yuuki, and Royal Ritter Commander Daiki Yuuma Tatsuta.
Upon hearing the surname Yuuki, Jin thought to himself:
(Come to think of it... was it Seki Town? There were people named Tsumugi Yuuki and Akari Yuuki... They might be related.)
Furthermore, both the first and last names of the Royal Ritter commander carried a distinctly Mitsuho-like ring.
Jin stepped forward to exchange handshakes with Deus Ex Machina as he disembarked.
"Jin, it's been a while."
"Maquina, thanks for making the trip."
"Think nothing of it. It's all for world peace, after all."
Jin then introduced Deus Ex Machina to the Mimaka Principality's Duke, secretary, Chancellor, Minister of General Affairs, Foreign Minister, and Royal Ritter Commander.
"This is my fellow disciple, Deus Ex Machina. He's somewhat more inclined toward the rougher side of our craft."
Maquina bowed politely in the style of Mitsuho.
"I am Deus Ex Machina. Jin might say such things, but I assure you, I'm quite the pacifist."
With that, he shook hands with each of them in turn.
"Whoa, this is incredible!"
Duke Gaspar de Mimaka could no longer contain his boyish delight.
"Looking down upon our land from above is truly a moving experience," Chancellor Moitz Myas Rohdai added, his voice brimming with deep emotion.
Although this was his second time taking to the skies—having already ridden in Jin's Hurricane—the vista from above remained truly extraordinary.
It was all the more striking for Foreign Minister Treyu Nau Yuuki and Royal Ritter Commander Daiki Yuuma Tatsuta, who were viewing their homeland from above for the very first time.
"Mm... This really drives home just how far behind we have fallen."
"Indeed. If an attack were to come from above, we would have no defense whatsoever."
The two exchanged solemn murmurs as they gazed out.
Jin himself had opted not to board Aristotle, instead setting course for the Darato Principality aboard Hurricane.
Only Jin and Reiko were on board. With Hope at the controls, they traveled at the craft's standard maximum speed of 800 kilometers per hour, reaching the royal capital of Radatora in roughly thirty minutes.
Waiting at the airfield were Duke Gilberto de Darato, Chancellor Gix Yabo Miyata, Foreign Minister Nitz Myo Shouki, Minister of Internal Affairs Maise Wai Haga, and the Blau Ritter.
Since there were no regulations mandating that escorts had to be human, its presence posed no issue.
"Jin-dono, we are in your care today."
Chancellor Gix Yabo Miyata bowed with deep deference, followed by respectful greetings from the Foreign Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs.
"The pleasure is ours. I look forward to working with you today," Jin replied courteously before turning to Duke Gilberto. "Your Highness, I trust you are in good health."
"Indeed, Jin-dono. Thank you for your assistance today."
Jin offered a nod of acknowledgment. "Well then, please, right this way."
He ushered Duke Gilberto toward Hurricane.
"Everyone, please follow this way as well," Reiko said, guiding the remaining three dignitaries and the golem.
Dispensing with superfluous ceremony and protocol, Jin, the Duke, the Chancellor, the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Blau Ritter, and Reiko boarded Hurricane in turn.
"Hope, we're cleared for departure."
After ensuring everyone was seated and buckled in, Jin gave the order.
"Yes, Master."
Hope woke up the blow floater. Accompanied by a distinctive rush of intake and exhaust, Hurricane rose smoothly into the air.
"Ohh!"
"I-It's flying!!"
The dignitaries stiffened with nervous excitement. Foreign Minister Nitz Myo Shouki, however, having flown in hot air balloons and airships on several occasions, calmly offered his impression:
"This provides an extraordinary sense of stability, does it not?"
For the return flight to the Mimaka Principality, they cruised at an easy 400 kilometers per hour, turning the trip into a leisurely one-hour flight.
"Hmm... So this is our southern coastline... It is almost entirely undeveloped."
Indeed, much of the coast far from the royal capital remained wild and untamed.
There was not even a proper highway linking it to the Mimaka Principality.
"Once our treaty is signed, I would very much like to pave a road through here..."
"Your Highness, modest though my abilities may be, I shall gladly devote myself to the endeavor," Chancellor Gix Yabo Miyata pledged with quiet resolve.
"Your Highness, you seem to have fully recovered your strength," Jin remarked.
"Indeed. It is entirely thanks to the nourishing tonic you provided, Jin-dono."
Hearing that, Jin smiled. "In that case, allow me to offer some to the rest of you as well."
He retrieved bottles of Persica juice from the built-in refrigerator and distributed them to everyone.
Jin took a sip first to set them at ease, though the Duke had already eagerly begun drinking his.
As the others took their first sips, their faces brightened.
"Oh, this is exquisite!"
"Truly delicious."
"I feel vitality surging through me already!"
Their praise flowed freely.
"Ah, to think the day would come when I could soar above the clouds like this... I am truly glad to be well again," Gilberto said, completely relaxed and speaking in his natural, unreserved manner.
The other officials settled into an easy comfort as well.
"So Deus Ex Machina-dono's airship is even larger than this craft? I can scarcely fathom it."
"Even so, has there ever been an occasion in our history where the rulers of all three principalities assembled in one place?"
"Indeed. Today shall surely be remembered as a historic day for our Principality."
Basking in their lively conversation, Hurricane soared eastward, winging straight toward the brilliant Sun.