On July 10, Jin D visited the Mimaka Principality.
Since Hurricane, piloted by Hope, had remained stationed near the Principality, traveling there was effortless.
Incidentally, due to the significant time difference, Jin only piloted the Doppel himself during daytime on Hourai Island. At all other times, Laojun took over the controls.
Hurricane touched down at an airfield on the outskirts of the royal capital, Quonale. Jin D and Reiko slowly descended the gangway, setting foot upon the soil of the Mimaka Principality.
Reiko was carrying an object roughly the size of an orange crate.
"Welcome, Jin-dono. Welcome, Lady Reiko."
The diplomat Yaharu Sumi was there to receive them.
"I have come today on an urgent matter. I request an audience with His Highness the Duke and His Excellency the Chancellor."
Jin D stated his business bluntly, suiting the direct nature of the nation's culture.
"Understood. Since this request comes from none other than you, Jin-dono, I shall convey it at once."
As they rode a golem carriage toward the city center, Yaharu Sumi promptly saw to Jin D's request.
Thanks to his Free Pass privileges, the usual red tape was bypassed. Within thirty minutes, Jin D was seated at a conference table with Duke Gaspar de Mimaka, Chancellor Moitz Myas Rohdai, Minister of General Affairs Ryuji F. Katsuki, and Minister of Industry Jintsuo Mihoyasu, whom he was meeting for the first time.
"First, allow me to deliver my report. Up until yesterday, I was in the Norha Principality. Prince Zifola was setting out on an inspection tour toward Lake Yato, so I accompanied him."
At the mention of Lake Yato, the expressions of the Mimaka officials shifted noticeably. Even so, none of them interrupted.
Jin D continued.
"To begin with, regarding the fishing disputes on the lake, the one who authorized disregarding the fishing vessels of the Mimaka Principality was the local bailiff governing that territory."
Pausing briefly to ensure there were no questions, Jin D resumed his explanation.
"Furthermore, neither His Highness the Duke, Prince Zifola, nor anyone in the royal capital had any knowledge of those orders. It was entirely the bailiff's own reckless doing....Consequently, taking two local fishermen along as witnesses to confirm that the bailiff had issued those directives, we confronted him at his estate."
The officials listened and nodded in silent agreement. Jin D pressed on.
"When we interrogated the bailiff, his behavior was clearly abnormal. Upon subjecting him to the beam of a Weckener, he returned to his senses."
"What...!"
At last, an exclamation broke the silence.
"With the brainwashing dispelled, the bailiff has regained his sound judgment. He will undoubtedly crack down on any future misconduct against your fishermen."
Jin D concluded by conveying Prince Zifola's assurance that a formal explanation and apology regarding the incident would be delivered at a later date.
"...I see. So it was all the fault of a brainwashed bailiff."
Duke Gaspar de Mimaka spoke with an air of palpable relief.
"And you say the Norha Principality will offer a formal apology?"
The Chancellor's stern countenance softened as well.
"Yes. For now, I came ahead of their delegation to explain the circumstances to you here in the Mimaka Principality."
"We understand completely. Jin-dono, you have our deepest gratitude."
The Chancellor reached across the table to shake Jin D's hand.
With the primary matter settled, the discussion shifted to other topics.
"Given their long shared border and the Jagus Principality's ambitions of expanding eastward, I suspect the Norha Principality sits in the most precarious position."
In comparison, the Mimaka Principality shared only a negligible border with the Jagus Principality.
Since they met only at the peak of Nameless Peak, it was no exaggeration to say they had virtually no direct contact at all.
"Even so, complacency is dangerous. To begin with, please accept this."
Jin set the large parcel Reiko had been carrying onto the table and untied its cord.
"This is a Weckener. As long as it remains active, any brainwashing or mental suggestions will be neutralized."
"Oh, that is truly a blessing."
Duke Gaspar de Mimaka showed genuine delight.
"Not knowing who is friend and who is foe only breeds paranoia, after all."
"Indeed. And to render such threats harmless with a single magi-device... Jin-dono, your prowess is truly marvelous."
The Chancellor nodded emphatically, filled with admiration for Jin's craftsmanship.
"It covers an effective radius of roughly ten kilometers, which should easily protect the entire royal capital."
Securing the heart of the nation would provide immense peace of mind, Jin D noted.
They activated it as a test, but fortunately, no one within the Royal Palace showed signs of having been brainwashed.
"Let us install it at once."
Given the need to place it deep within the Royal Palace, they decided to set it up in the Duke's private office.
Following a brief break for lunch, the talks resumed.
Sandwiches were served, and the atmosphere turned casual as they conversed over the meal.
The conversation naturally drifted toward the subject of food.
"In the Norha Principality, they mentioned that fish yields in Lake Yato have been declining."
When Jin brought this up, Minister of Industry Jintsuo Mihoyasu nodded in agreement.
"Did they say so over there as well? Here, too, we consider the drop in catch to be a grave issue."
"Tell me, what kind of fish are typically caught in Lake Yato?" Jin asked, wanting to be sure.
"Our primary catches are karp, lugill, and hotrout, for the most part."
Karp was evidently a carp-like fish, lugill a variety of bass, and hotrout a relative of trout that thrived in warmer waters.
"The decline is almost certainly the result of overfishing," the Minister of Industry remarked with regret.
"Are you not practicing aquaculture?" Jin D asked.
"Aquaculture? No, we do no such thing."
At least he's familiar with the concept, Jin D thought.
"For instance, hatching the eggs, raising the fry until they reach a viable size, and then releasing them into the lake should make a substantial difference."
Jin explained that fish were at their most vulnerable and prone to predation during the fry stage.
Aquaculture was not limited strictly to raising fish in preserves.
"I see... That method actually sounds quite feasible."
The Minister of Industry's face brightened with interest.
As an aside, Jintsuo Mihoyasu had only assumed the post of Minister of Industry two years prior and had yet to achieve any notable accomplishments.
However, taking this casual chat to heart, he would later commission research into artificial egg incubation, drastically boosting the region's fish yields and earning a prestigious medal in his later years—though that is a tale for another time.
"Now then, regarding the water shortage."
Jin D offered technical aid to address the water scarcity plaguing all the principalities in common.
"If you grant me permission to conduct a brief geological survey, I should be able to determine the presence of any underground water veins."
"Oh! You can do such things as well, Jin-dono?! Incredible! By all means, we welcome your survey!"
Minister of General Affairs Ryuji F. Katsuki praised Jin with eyes full of deep respect.
"It is merely an application of magi-craft," Jin D replied, requesting that they determine the schedule and target areas for the investigation.
"No, we leave all of those details entirely in your capable hands, Jin-dono."
They seemed to vaguely recognize that an investigation of this nature yielded far better results without clumsy bureaucratic restrictions.
With both the Duke and the Chancellor in full agreement, Jin D decided to begin his independent survey the very next day.
To prevent any needless friction in the field, the Principality also arranged to issue him an official permit and a formal letter of authorization.
"Very well. I shall begin the survey tomorrow."
"Jin-dono, we are counting on you."
"Of course. Leave it to me."
With official clearance secured, he was now positioned to conduct a far more thorough and detailed investigation than anything possible through Peepers alone.