723

21-34　A Complicated Situation

After departing the Klein Kingdom, Jin and his group landed before Nidou Castle in Kaina Village, touching down on a blanket of snow.

“Wow—snow! How rare!”

Reinhardt, who had seldom seen snowy scenery, was visibly excited.

Jin found Reinhardt’s reaction surprising.

“That’s unexpected.”

Elsa gently explained.

“The Shouro Empire is inland, so it doesn’t get much snow.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

“And as diplomats, we avoid traveling during seasons when heavy snowfall might disrupt schedules.”

Jin agreed. He remembered that even during their journey from the Elias Kingdom, snow had been scarce.

He recalled the snowball fight—Elsa serving as the decoy. Perhaps she had simply been excited to see snow.

“Welcome back, big brother Jin, big sister Elsa!”

Hannah came running, having spotted Jin’s airship.

“We’re back, Hannah.”

He would soon have to depart again, but Jin wanted to spend as much time with Hannah as he could.

“Huh? Umm… right, you’re Uncle Reinhardt, right?”

“U… uncle…”

Hannah’s innocent remark caused Reinhardt’s shoulders to drop.

“Don’t mind it, Rai-nii.”

Elsa comforted him with a phrase she must have picked up somewhere.

＊　　　＊　　　＊

Jin and Elsa spent the rest of the day playing with Hannah until sunset.

Afterward, they moved to Hourai Island, where the entire Jin Family gathered for the first time in the year 3458.

“Happy New Year, even if a bit late. Let’s do our best again this year.”

After exchanging light greetings, Jin spoke of his aspirations.

First, he wanted to officially claim Konron Island as his territory.

Second, he hoped for the eventual restoration of the Former Leonard Kingdom, with Ernest and Reith as the future King and Queen. This was a long-term idea.

“I know you all may have opinions, but Konron Island has already been approved as my territory by the Klein Kingdom, the Egelia Kingdom, and the Elias Kingdom. They’ve even granted me the title **‘Lord of Konron.’”

Once Jin finished explaining, the family members began sharing their thoughts.

“Using Konron Island as a dec—no, not a decoy anymore. It truly is your official territory now,” Reinhardt said first.

“But restoring the Former Leonard Kingdom will be difficult. There will be conflict with neighboring nations. That won’t go smoothly.”

He didn’t forget to warn Jin.

“Ah, that’s true. And I worded it poorly. I don’t intend to personally lead its restoration. With both the Klein and Egelia Kingdoms sending investigative teams—and considering how promising Ernest and Reith are as rulers—it feels like a waste to leave things as they are…”

Stearina nodded, understanding.

“So you want to nudge the situation in that direction, rather than take action yourself.”

“That’s right. I’m not going to call upon each nation directly.”

Hearing his explanation, everyone nodded in agreement.

“That’s a relief. I thought Jin-kun was planning to manipulate the world from behind the scenes,” Vivienne said as a storyteller-like comment.

Jin scratched his head, embarrassed.

“No way… That sounds exhausting.”

“Kufu, saying ‘it’s too much trouble’ really is very Jin-like,” Saki laughed.

“Now, about the various movements happening across the nations… I’d like to summarize them.”

This time, the explanation was handled by Laojun (Old Lord).

＊　　　老君の報告　　　＊

“First, shipbuilding activity has intensified across multiple countries,” Laojun began calmly.

“In the Shouro Empire, the success of the Bernstein has spurred further construction of large vessels. Progress is slow without My Lord and Reinhardt present, however.”

Reinhardt chuckled wryly.

“In the Egelia Kingdom, they are beginning mass production of small, shallow-draft boats for transporting goods via river.”

Jin remembered suggesting the use of punt poles.

“The Elias Kingdom is following a similar trend. Marcia’s workshop has received orders for a mid-sized vessel.”

With Rodrigo home, Jin, Reinhardt, and Elsa agreed she would handle it well.

“As for the Celuroa Kingdom, after Eckart’s successful voyage, there are moves to seize his ship.”

“What!? That’s outrageous!”

Reinhardt shouted. It was indeed madness—seizing a merchant’s personally designed and constructed ship.

“They likely cannot accept falling behind other nations.”

Laojun offered calm analysis, but no one found it justifiable.

“That country is heading for a severe shortage of skilled workers…” Reinhardt muttered—echoing everyone’s thoughts.

“Next: the investigation of the Former Leonard Kingdom. Teams have been dispatched by both the Egelia and Klein Kingdoms.”

“Fritz-nii-sama said he’s helping too,” Elsa added.

“Yes. The Klein Kingdom’s team includes Fritz, leading five Golems ‘Gorias’. They plan to cross into the Egelia Kingdom afterward, creating a usable road for the return journey.”

With five Gorias golems, the path behind them would be packed as firmly as crude pavement—a revolutionary method in a world without steamrollers.

“The Klein team is making good progress and has reportedly arrived at Tsubou Settlement today.”

A red line and circle appeared on the magic projection screen, marking their route.

“In contrast, the Egelia Kingdom’s team is moving slowly. They discovered numerous Combat Golems and Magic Crystals in the Sord Lake Ruins.”

Jin’s group already knew this from watching via Magic Monitor.

“Additional forces have been dispatched from the Egelia Kingdom to collect them.”

Reinhardt nodded.

“I get it. Their economy took a heavy hit from the Golem Garden Party disaster.”

“But ruins, huh… Now that’s tempting,” Toa murmured longingly.

“Kufu, Father, Father…”

Saki nudged him with an exasperated smile.

“Still, it is fascinating,” Vivienne agreed.

“This has also reached the ears of the Celuroa Kingdom, and they are preparing to send their own investigation team.”

“That country again…” Reinhardt grumbled.

“Lastly, the Shouro Empire is dispatching a goodwill envoy to the Mitsuho Nation tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes. The ambassador is Count Woodluff Aberline von Elm—your neighbor in Loizart.”

The casual term your neighbor made Jin suppress a laugh.

“I believe he was the head of the Ministry of Magic Technology’s Technical Division,” Elsa recalled.

“Correct. My Lord recommended choosing someone knowledgeable in magic engineering.”

Mitsuho had a chronic shortage of technicians capable of repairing old magic tools. This envoy could help open diplomatic ties.

“The guard captain is Matheus, Belche’s older brother.”

“Oh, yes, he mentioned that,” Belche said.

“Mitsuho’s political situation is stable, so the envoy should be safe. The greater concern remains the Former Leonard Kingdom.”

No one disagreed.

“Mm. Fritz-nii-sama and Gloria-san are there too.”

“For safety, Sky-21 is monitoring from above,” Laojun added.

“Thank you…” Elsa said. Knowing rescue could arrive instantly gave her peace of mind.

After reviewing everything, the situation across the world was clearly chaotic.

With famine looming in the Klein Kingdom and Celuroa Kingdom as well, the year 3458 appeared destined for a turbulent beginning.