As Jin and Elsa were considering a magic-assisted diet, Laojun spoke up.
"My Lord, Hanna-san and Martha-san have arrived."
"Oh, great timing."
Jin, wanting Hanna's input in particular, asked for both of them to come over to the dining hall.
"Onii-chan, Big Sister Elsa, what are you up to?"
Hanna was the first to arrive.
Martha had been carrying produce harvested on Planet Hehl into the kitchen so it could be used for cooking, so she entered the dining hall a short while later.
"Jin, Elsa-chan, good to see you both looking well."
"Yes, you too, Martha-san."
Jin then explained that they were thinking about putting the Duke of the Jagus Principality on a diet.
"Well now, Jin's come up with another amusing idea, hasn't he?"
"That's our Onii-chan."
Both of them smiled, even if slightly exasperated.
"Is there any real benefit to slimming down that meatball of a Duke?"
"Yes, you see..."
Jin explained that the current Duke was quite capable, for better or worse. Even if a true change of heart was out of the question, Jin wanted him to remain Duke until things settled into peace, if only on the surface.
"I see. World affairs sure are complicated, aren't they?"
"They really are."
While Jin and Martha talked, Elsa and Hanna discussed the practicalities of the diet.
"...No matter how you look at it, losing fifty kilograms in a single day is impossible."
If they were to attempt it, one option would be to surgically remove the layer of fat in bulk and then apply healing magic.
Even on modern Earth, liposuction was an established procedure.
"Yeah, that makes sense. He's not a critically injured patient, so I don't think they should perform an operation like that."
"Still, given that it's the Jagus Principality, they might actually do it."
"Ehh... Is it really that kind of country?"
Having spent most of her time on Planet Hehl, Hanna wasn't very familiar with the situation on Planet Ars.
"Mm. A troublesome country."
"That's where Lordtoss-san was placed under house arrest right after Onii-chan arrived in this era, right?"
"That's the one."
"...What happens if the Duke dies?"
"Laojun says the citizens will panic."
"Ah, right. He's the pillar of the country, however flawed he might be, and it's even worse if a successor hasn't been chosen."
"Mm, exactly."
The conversation seemed to be drifting away from the diet itself.
"So, do you think he'll change his ways?"
"I doubt it. But if he's forced to realize that military might won't let him take on the whole world, I think he will behave himself, at least on the surface."
"Ah, true. If he's capable of thinking logically, that's how it should go. I just hope he doesn't lose his temper and do something desperate."
"Indeed. I agree."
Meanwhile, Jin and Martha continued their exchange.
"...People like that might be sharp, but they're basically spoiled children who grew up into adults."
They were discussing the Jagus Principality.
"Feels like someone needs to give him a good smack! across the face to wake him up."
"Ah, haha..."
As expected of Martha's bold personality; Jin could only manage a wry smile.
"Then again, it might already be too late. Once someone reaches that age, you can hardly fix their character anymore."
"I suppose so."
"So your plan is to show this Duke of yours how vast the world really is? You're taking the scenic route again. Well, I suppose that's just like you, Jin."
"Haha, thanks."
Jin chuckled evasively, but Martha remained dead serious.
"It'd be so much quicker if you dealt with it directly, yet you go out of your way to do all this. Taking troublesome burdens on yourself as always."
"No, it's only possible because everyone is here to help."
Hourai Island, the Jin Family, the Nord Federation, Onogoro Island... and the descendants scattered across the world.
"Just as they support me, I want to protect them too."
"If that's the case, learn to handle things a little more cleverly."
To me, it looks like you're taking on hardships you could easily avoid, Martha said.
"Thank you. You're the only one who gives me advice like that, Martha-san."
Jin lowered his head in appreciation.
"...So, back to the diet."
"O-Oh, right."
"Mm."
Jin, Elsa, and Hanna returned to the matter at hand.
As for Martha, she headed back to the kitchen, saying she would whip up some lunch using the ingredients she had brought.
"The basics are consuming the required daily calories and nutrients, along with moderate exercise."
Elsa reiterated the fundamental requirements.
"Beyond that, it all comes down to how seriously the person wants to slim down."
Hanna brought up the mental aspect.
"...Would it be unacceptable to put him on a diet using temporary brainwashing?"
"Wait, what?"
Jin and the others were caught off guard by Reiko's extreme suggestion.
"Hmm, shouldn't that be a last resort?" Jin asked, though Elsa seemed to view it differently.
"...If we have the consent of the patient and their family, temporary brainwashing or Seduce might not be a bad option."
When imposing dietary restrictions, the individual's willpower was almost always the main obstacle.
In ordinary moments, they might resolve to stick with it, but the second hunger struck, their determination would crumble.
The same applied to quitting smoking or drinking.
"Ah... Temporary brainwashing or Seduce might also be effective for treating euphoriant addiction."
It was ironic that both were technologies developed within the Jagus Principality.
"That would also require the patient's or family's consent, of course."
Even so, it would be far better than resorting to a forbidden spell, Jin noted.
"Ah, we've gotten sidetracked again."
"Mm."
"...At any rate, losing weight isn't simple, so strong personal willpower is essential."
"That's what it comes down to."
Here, Laojun chimed in with a proposal.
"In that case, should the Duke desire it, shall we suggest dietary restrictions enforced by brainwashing or Seduce?"
"Yeah, that might not be a bad idea."
Assuming the man himself agreed to it, of course.
Just then—
"All right, everyone, how about some lunch?"
Martha's voice called out from the kitchen.
"Made with wheat and vegetables grown on Planet Hehl."
She had whipped up a bowl of Kaina-style risotto.
"Ah, it's been a while since we've had your cooking, Martha-san."
"Grandma's food is always so good!"
"Mm, a comforting, familiar taste."
Jin and the others savored Martha's home-cooked meal together.
A cool, refreshing breeze drifted in through the open dining hall window.
On Hourai Island, summer was gently drawing to a close.