Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus of the Jagus Principality boarded a custom-made hot air balloon and arrived at the fort in the seaside town of Laralg from the royal capital of Jag in just ten minutes.
"Y-Your Highness, why are you here?!"
Minister of Military Affairs Buena Haiti and Laboratory Director Rokou B. Sihalo stared in wide-eyed shock.
"...I had... some thoughts on the matter... and came."
Although he had been dieting diligently and had shed nearly ten kilograms, his initial weight had been well over 130 kilograms. He was still far too heavy, which placed immense strain on his legs, back, and heart, leaving him breathless from merely walking in a hurry.
"...Prepare voice amplification magic."
The Duke issued the order to the Minister of Military Affairs, the highest-ranking officer at the fort.
"...Pardon?"
"I said prepare voice amplification magic! I shall now address the fleet of that... 'Magi Craft Meister' directly!"
"Y-Yes, Sire! R-Right away!"
Voice amplification magic was a wind-attribute spell that functioned almost identically to the "loudspeaker" magi-device Jin had developed.
"Preparations are complete. Target: the combined fleet of the 'Magi Craft Meister' and 'Deus Ex Machina'."
"Good."
Duke Niestol Kirillo Jagus took a deep breath and began to speak.
"I am Niestol Kirillo Jagus, Duke of the Jagus Principality! I address the 'Magi Craft Meister' or 'Deus Ex Machina'!...I repeat, I am Niestol Kirillo Jagus, Duke of the Jagus Principality! I address the 'Magi Craft Meister' or 'Deus Ex Machina'!"
Naturally, the voice of the Duke reached Hourai Island as well.
"The Duke of the Jagus Principality? Did he actually come out in person?"
Reinhard sounded rather exasperated, but Laojun offered a different perspective.
"No, Reinhard-san. Considering he has been speaking with 'magi-brain' and 'Eiji 1' about various matters, it is hardly surprising that his interest in My Lord has grown significantly."
"I see."
Laojun reasoned that if magi-brain and Eiji 1 had given the Duke an accurate understanding of the Magi Craft Meister and Deus Ex Machina, such actions made complete sense.
"Laojun, I'm curious to hear what the Duke has to say, so go ahead and respond."
"Yes, My Lord."
"This is the flagship 'Hotaka Kai'. Your Highness, Duke of the Jagus Principality, what is your business with us?"
Laojun replied using the vessel's onboard loudspeaker magi-device.
"We are about to pursue the 'Neo-Magias' vessels. We ask that you make your business brief."
"Oh, you hear me....Mm, pursue them, you say?...............I have one request....Would it be possible to allow me aboard your ship?"
"W-What did you say?!"
"Y-Your Highness?!"
Naturally, Minister of Military Affairs Buena Haiti and Laboratory Director Rokou B. Sihalo were utterly flabbergasted.
Listening in from Hourai Island, Jin and the others were equally astonished.
"Wh-What?!"
"What in the world is that Duke thinking?"
"..."
Laojun, however, remained calm.
"My Lord, Reinhard-san, Saki-san, this is a completely natural reaction."
According to Laojun, through recent conversations with Eiji 1, the Duke had developed an accurate understanding of the Magi Craft Meister and Deus Ex Machina.
"Furthermore, as we effectively deployed our fleet to protect the Jagus Principality, it is only natural that he would seek to seize this opportunity for direct contact."
"...Still, for the ruler of a nation... a Duke, to board an unknown warship in person?"
"Indeed. That is simply the Duke's nature. He likely wishes to verify everything with his own eyes."
Through Eiji 1's interactions with the Duke, Laojun had analyzed the ruler's personality.
"Hmm, does the Duke really not consider that he might be put in danger?"
Jin sounded somewhat baffled.
"When someone rules as an absolute monarch for so long, that sort of blind confidence is quite possible..."
Reinhard could easily imagine such a mindset.
"Well, having heard from magi-brain and Eiji 1, he should understand that My Lord and Deus Ex Machina are not the sort to casually harm the Duke of the Jagus Principality," Laojun noted pragmatically. "Opinions on his methods may differ, but to put it somewhat dramatically, his willingness to step forward in a 'moment of national crisis' is commendable. Whether one calls it true courage or sheer recklessness remains open to interpretation, however."
"Yeah... Well, it's true that we have no intention of harming him on our end... at least for now."
"Indeed, My Lord."
"Considering what lies ahead, it might actually be best to let him aboard."
Of course, we won't let him wander around the ship freely, Jin added.
"Kufu, so you're going to show the 'frog in the well' the vast ocean, quite literally."
Saki gave a chuckle.
"I see your point. If we want the Four Principalities to join the World Conference peacefully, the Duke of the Jagus Principality is the one who needs to change the most."
Reinhard agreed, hoping that the Duke would indeed change for the better.
"All right, let's allow him aboard, but restrict him strictly to the bridge."
"Understood. I shall make the arrangements at once."
At Jin's direction, Laojun set the plan in motion.
"This is the flagship 'Hotaka Kai'. Your request is accepted. How many will accompany you?"
"Oh, they agreed."
The Duke pondered for a brief moment before answering.
"A party of four, including myself. Will that be acceptable?"
"Flagship 'Hotaka Kai', acknowledged....Will you be arriving by hot air balloon? Or shall we send a craft to escort you?"
"We shall proceed by hot air balloon."
Naturally, the Duke wished to secure his own means of retreat.
"Prepare two hot air balloons immediately!"
"Y-Your Highness, are you truly going through with this?!"
"I am. Myself, Buena, and Rokou over there. In addition, select one more person. I will not repeat myself."
"Understood!"
Swallowing the words Me too...?, Rokou B. Sihalo slumped his shoulders in resignation.
Within five minutes, preparations were complete.
Using two spare craft from the Hot Air Balloon Squad, the Duke and the Minister of Military Affairs boarded the first, while Rokou B. Sihalo and an escort soldier boarded the second.
"I am Technical Officer Roa Temp, stationed at Laralg Fort."
"Mm. We are boarding that vessel to negotiate and to witness their technological prowess firsthand. I am counting on you for our protection."
"Sir!"
As an active member of the balloon crew, Roa Temp was of slight build, standing 165 centimeters tall and weighing 57 kilograms.
Consequently, the hot air balloon carrying him and Rokou B. Sihalo lifted off effortlessly.
On the other hand, the balloon carrying the 125-kilogram Duke and the 179-centimeter, 80-kilogram Minister of Military Affairs Buena Haiti struggled immensely just to clear the ground.
Three 60-kilogram soldiers plus a light amount of gear totaled 200 kilograms—the designated payload capacity for the craft.
The balloon carrying the Duke and his minister was five kilograms over that limit.
Nevertheless, through sheer persistence, the two hot air balloons managed to reach the deck of the flagship Hotaka Kai, anchored offshore.