Jin D, who had returned to Saichi Village, was being operated by Laojun.
In other words, it was fully aware that the Village Chief had been brainwashed and that the newcomer, Alto Elbein, was a spy from the Jagus Principality.
Furthermore, it knew that Alto had sworn his loyalty to the Jagus Principality through education, not Brainwashing Magic.
"I am curious to see his reaction when he learns the truth," was Laojun's current sentiment.
"Village Chief, I have returned," Jin D called out.
"Oh, Jin-sama! How did it go?"
"Well, since the waterway was roughly twenty-five kilometers long, I erected one hundred bridges at intervals of two hundred and fifty meters."
Jin explained that it had been finished quickly since it was merely a matter of having one hundred Smith units construct one bridge each.
"...I-Is that so?...Ah, Undersecretary, thank you for your hard work as well."
"......No, I didn't tire out physically, but..."
Nahams Marow, the Ministry of Technology Undersecretary, murmured, subtly implying that he had been mentally exhausted instead.
Incidentally, Reiko followed quietly behind Jin D in silence.
Without Jin physically present, her attitude was inevitably different.
"Ah yes, this is Mr. Alto Elbein, a traveling merchant. He arrived from Kurosusu today."
"Ah, is that so? I am Jin Nidou. I serve as this generation's Magi Craft Meister."
"I am Nahams Marow, Undersecretary of the Norha Principality's Ministry of Technology."
"I am a traveling merchant by the name of Alto Elbein."
After exchanging simple greetings, the Village Chief invited everyone to sit down.
"Ah, this tea was kindly provided by Mr. Alto," the Village Chief said, offering the brew.
"Oh, is that right?...Mmm, what a wonderful aroma."
Nahams Marow seemed quite fond of tea, drinking the cup brought by Alto with apparent relish.
Taking a sip himself, Jin D instantly recognized that its composition was identical to the tea distributed by Nostalgia.
("I see. If he sells tea of this quality at a low price, customers will certainly take a liking to him.")
However, it was also clear that it could not be profitable.
("In that sense, he is second-rate. A first-rate merchant would set the price and quality so as to turn a profit.")
Of course, if this disguise as a traveling merchant was only a one-off affair, it was somewhat understandable, thought Laojun.
("Even taking that into account, he is merely one-and-a-half-rate. He falls short of being truly first-rate.")
When viewed as Younin, the Quinta units blended completely into their respective regions, with some even generating more profit than necessary.
"This is wonderful tea. Around how much do you plan to sell it for?"
Jin D asked a slightly mischievous question. Depending on his answer, Alto's evaluation would likely change.
"Yes, to tell the truth, this tea appears to have been imported from the Eastern Country rather than from within the Principality. Therefore, I intend to sell it at a deliberate loss to attract customers."
I see, thought Laojun as it operated Jin D, raising Alto's evaluation by one notch.
"A loss leader to draw in customers, then? And you make up your profits with other goods."
"That is correct."
Since this was not a bad tactic for a merchant, even Laojun had to award him a passing grade.
("To think he is capable of conducting himself to that extent... I must not underestimate him.")
And then...
"Jin-sama, I actually received a bit of pepper from him earlier. Is there any good way to use it?" the Village Chief asked Jin D.
"Let's see..." Jin D pondered for a moment. "When it comes to things that taste great with salt and pepper... meat would be one, I suppose....Ah, also, ganran (cabbage) is surprisingly delicious when stir-fried with salt and pepper."
In short, many dishes became flavorful with just a bit of pepper added to a salty base.
"Ah, I think it would go well with pasta too."
"I see, I'm glad I asked. Thank you very much!"
"Not at all."
Having received the advice, the Village Chief said he would immediately try using salt and pepper for tonight's dinner.
Then, while it was still light outside, Jin D, Nahams Marow, and Alto Elbein decided to visit the public bathhouse.
Since it was still the time of day when the villagers were out doing farm work, the bathhouse was entirely reserved for them.
"Oho, so this is what the inside looks like."
It resembled the dressing area of a typical hot spring inn.
Rather than lockers, it used a system where one placed their undressed clothes into changing baskets.
Since no valuables were brought in, there had been no trouble with mix-ups or thefts so far.
Of course, whenever Jin or Jin D entered, Laojun monitored the area with a Peeper, ensuring complete peace of mind.
Jin D explained to Alto that one should pour hot water over oneself and wash one's body before soaking in the tub.
"I see, so that the water is kept as clean as possible."
"Precisely."
After washing their bodies with Rita fruit, they leisurely soaked in the hot water.
"Ah, what a wonderful bath."
At this very moment, Jin himself, rather than Laojun, was directly operating Jin D. Naturally, this was to check how comfortable the bath felt.
"...Phew, Jin-san, this is truly wonderful."
Alto also seemed to genuinely appreciate the comfort of the bath.
"It is an indescribably pleasant feeling."
"Isn't it? After sweating in the heat, taking a bath like this allows your body to truly relax."
"I can certainly see that."
"Then again, this is only possible if you have an abundance of water."
Alto Elbein took the bait.
"Come to think of it, how is it that this village is able to take hot baths like this?"
"We dug a deep well to secure the water. As for heating it, we use a dedicated magi-device."
"I see... Jin-san, you are a Magi Craft Meister, after all."
At this point, Nahams Marow chimed in.
"Indeed he is! Jin-dono is simply incredible! Why, even today..."
Still riding a wave of excitement, Nahams Marow began recounting Jin's (Jin D's) achievements of the day.
"No, that was accomplished by the golems."
Jin D demurred humbly, but—
"No, no, was it not Jin-dono who created those golems in the first place?!"
Nahams Marow insisted, refusing to back down.
(...By golem, does he mean the one I saw the other day...? I see, so they are construction golems, then.)
Alto Elbein came to that conclusion.
Even after that, Nahams Marow continued to praise Jin's greatness, but Alto Elbein took it with a grain of salt.
(I'll keep it in mind, but I still need to confirm it with my own eyes.)
After thoroughly enjoying the bath, the three of them strolled slowly back to the Village Chief's house to cool off in the evening breeze.
Along the way, Reiko, who had been following in complete silence the entire time, spoke up.
"...Children are playing near the reservoir."
Hearing this, Jin D said, "Ah, right... It's dangerous, so I should put up a fence around it."
Muttering that, he headed toward the reservoir.
"Excuse me, but due to that, I need to make a brief detour."
When he said this to Alto Elbein and Nahams Marow, the two of them offered to come along as well.
"We might be able to help with something, after all," Nahams Marow said.
And as for Alto Elbein...
(With this, I should be able to witness the true ability of this so-called Magi Craft Meister with my own eyes.)
...he thought to himself.