After breakfast, the group relaxed in the spacious lounge, chatting pleasantly among themselves.
"Well now, Jin-dono, Miyabe-dono, I have truly enjoyed every moment in Mitsuho! You have my deepest thanks."
Keith Tennick de Norha, Duke of Norha Principality, expressed his gratitude to Jin in high spirits.
"I would love to visit the other nations as well, though seeing them all would be impossible right now, so I shall look forward to the next opportunity," Gilberto de Darato, Duke of Darato Principality, said with an undeniably wistful look.
Naturally, the heads of state could not leave their countries unattended for long, and with concerns lingering over the movements of the Jagus Principality, everyone was scheduled to return home that very afternoon.
"So after this, you will be escorting each of us back to our respective nations, correct?" Gaspar de Mimaka, Duke of Mimaka Principality, asked to confirm.
"Yes. Due to the time difference, as long as we depart shortly after noon, we will arrive in plenty of time. That leaves us with the entire morning free."
Duke Gaspar de Mimaka leaned forward eagerly at Jin's response.
"In that case, I would love to look around and see more of this country!" he said, giving voice to his boyish curiosity.
"Indeed, we would certainly like to request the same," Keith Tennick de Norha agreed, and Gilberto de Darato nodded in support.
"If that is the case, it would be best to ask Ataru Mutou-san....Miyabe-san, what do you think?"
Jin felt it was a fine idea and turned to Tein Miyabe, who gladly agreed and offered to make the request on their behalf.
Ataru Mutou had no intention of refusing.
"It would be an honor to guide the esteemed Third Generation Magi Craft Meister and his companions!" he declared, happily taking on the role of guide.
"First, let us start here."
"..."
"This is the bronze statue plaza dedicated to Jin Nidou-sama, the Predecessor—the 'Second Generation' Magi Craft Meister who contributed so greatly to the restoration of Mitsuho."
(Please, spare me...)
"Oho..."
"So this was the man..."
Everyone aside from Jin gazed at the statue with deep fascination.
From the plaza where the noticeably idealized bronze likeness of Jin stood, the party split into several golem-rickshaws pulled by golems. They set off through the town of Miyako, listening to the explanations of Ataru Mutou as he led the way.
"Throughout the town, various elements were guided by the Second Generation Jin-sama, bringing it closer to a 'Japanese style.'"
At that explanation, Duke Keith Tennick de Norha spoke up.
"What does that term 'Japanese style' mean?"
"It refers to the aesthetic established by the Second Generation Jin-sama. I am told that wa shares its meaning with concepts like harmony and conciliation—essentially signifying 'living together in peace.'"
"I see. Thank you very much."
Hearing Ataru Mutou's explanation, Jin mused to himself.
(Well, it's true I couldn't exactly tell them it was the name of my home country. Four hundred years ago, I came up with quite the convenient excuse.)
Meanwhile, the golem-rickshaws continued their tour through Mitsuho.
"That building is the oldest in town, but having been renovated about five times, only its foundation and base stones remain as they were back then."
"That is the Central Library. It boasts the largest collection of books in the city. Browsing is open to all, though books cannot be removed from the premises. Copying is permitted for certain volumes."
"That is the National Park. It includes an annexed Botanical Garden, where roughly eighty percent of the plant species found in our country are cultivated."
"And this is the Museum. It exhibits tools that have fallen out of use alongside the implements of daily life today."
...Just as Mii Mutu had once shown him around, Ataru Mutou guided the group through the sights.
Jin was impressed, noting that the exhibits had progressed somewhat—or rather, quite significantly—since those days.
"The Museum displays historical materials that illustrate the history of Mitsuho, correct?"
"Yes, indeed."
"In that case, I would like to visit the Museum first."
"Understood."
Deciding that the Museum was the natural place to start, the party made their way there.
The Museum building had been modernized even further since the time Jin had last seen it.
To begin with, the first floor featured exhibits designed to walk visitors through the history of Mitsuho.
"Starting from the front and proceeding clockwise, the exhibits cover the dawning era, development era, first expansion era, decline era, restoration era, second expansion era, and finally the present day."
Small rooms—each roughly the size of two elementary school classrooms—were linked by a long corridor, arranged so that moving through them in a clockwise direction allowed visitors to follow the chronological history of Mitsuho.
As a side note, the clockwise layout was chosen because the written language was read horizontally from left to right.
"Oho, this is very easy to follow."
The dawning era was virtually synonymous with the mythological era. Because only sparse oral traditions survived, the accounts varied slightly depending on the region.
As this period formed the foundation of their culture and civilization, the number of reference items was large, though most consisted of written records accompanied by a few imaginative illustrations.
Even so, recognizing these as the roots of their own ancestry, the officials of Mitsuho descent examined the exhibits with great zeal.
"We also have booklets that briefly summarize the contents, so I shall provide copies to you later," Ataru Mutou offered.
Seeing that the guests looked ready to settle in and linger, he gently urged them along by mentioning the reference materials.
"Oh, that is truly helpful."
Given that reassurance, the group took the hint and picked up their pace.
After passing through the development era, first expansion era, and decline era, they reached the restoration era room, which presented descriptions and exhibits that somewhat exaggerated the achievements of Jin's past visit.
(...Give me a break...)
Jin swallowed the overwhelming urge to shout, I didn't do half of this!, and quietly slipped out into the corridor. Reiko followed silently behind him.
Before long, the rest of the party emerged to move on to the next room.
Jin and Reiko discreetly rejoined the group as they entered the second expansion era exhibit. They had managed to avoid notice by briefly casting the Hide spell.
Since the second expansion era covered a period the current Jin knew nothing about, he was able to view it with genuine curiosity.
The delegates from the principalities appeared even more deeply moved.
"So by participating in the World Conference, you were able to receive such wide-ranging aid."
"Indeed. One could say this is a glimpse of our own future."
(Ah, it looks like this was surprisingly a great choice.)
Watching the principality delegates envision their future with growing hope, Jin felt glad that the tour had made such a positive impression.
Then, on the second floor, the exhibits Jin remembered from the past came into view.
"Oh, such conveyances actually existed?"
Carriages, bicycles, rickshaws, kago, and koshi were all on display.
"This is called a bicycle, is it? How can it possibly stay upright without falling over?"
"A kago... I see, so it was carried between golems at the front and back."
"The reason carriages were scarce... Ah, an equine disease swept through, leaving almost no horses behind."
"And afterward, golem horses became widespread... Was this also the achievement of the Predecessor Magi Craft Meister Jin-sama...?"
"What an interesting shape for a knife."
"...I feel as though we had a knife resembling this in my household long ago..."
Looking at the displayed nakiri knife, Daiki Yuuma Tatsuta, Royal Ritter Commander of Darato Principality, wore a nostalgic expression.
Four hundred years ago, Jin had noted the same thing: while knives used in other regions of Planet Ars resembled what modern Japan called Western-style knives, the blades here closely mirrored Japanese-style knives.
"It is said to be a design passed down by the esteemed Magus," Ataru Mutou added by way of explanation.
Both those of Mitsuho descent and those from other backgrounds listened with rapt attention.
Seeing their genuine interest, Jin felt deeply gratified once more that he had brought them here.