Magi Craft Meister

705

21-16 Plans for the Year-End and New Year

For the next two days, Jin spent his time leisurely in Portrock.

He felt a bit guilty toward Reinhardt, who was busy in his role as official ambassador, but Jin nonetheless enjoyed a swim in the sea and visited the proprietress of Uminari-tei for the first time in a while to say hello.

Elsa, being the vice ambassador, was not as busy as Reinhardt and could spend about half of her time with Jin, which kept her in high spirits.

Marcia, although not fully recovered, returned to her shop. She brought Rodrigo with her and introduced him as “my father.”

She also announced that they would be running the workshop together from now on, which greatly surprised Jeremy and Bacchus.

However, since Jin had previously mentioned that Rodrigo was the one who designed the catamaran, they accepted him rather quickly.

From now on, father and daughter would be operating the workshop together.

“Sir Jin Nidou, could I have a moment of your time today?”

On December 29, shortly after breakfast, Marquis Firenzeano spoke to Jin.

“Yes, of course,” Jin answered.

“I’d also like Sir Reinhardt Randall and Lady Elsa Randall to join us, if possible.”

“All right, I understand.”

The three of them had no urgent business to attend to, so they followed the marquis to his office within the guesthouse.

This was the room where Marquis Firenzeano, as the local lord, carried out his duties whenever foreign dignitaries, such as ambassadors, visited. It was also a place where informal ceremonies and other formalities could be conducted.

“Well then, let me get right to the point.”

The marquis held up some papers in his hand for them to see.

“It seems the Klein Kingdom has asked our country for support with Topopo, including its recipes.”

It appeared that the advice Jin and Elsa had given when they treated the illness of the Klein Kingdom’s king was starting to bear fruit.

This message had likely been shared out of consideration for Jin’s status as an honorary knight of the Klein Kingdom. Reinhardt and Elsa were present because they were Jin’s friends.

“However, taking into account the distance between the Elias Kingdom and the Klein Kingdom, as well as the state of the roads…”

Reinhardt murmured with a grave expression.

“Yes, indeed.”

Between the Elias Kingdom and the Klein Kingdom lie two countries: the Egelea Kingdom and the Celuroa Kingdom. Worse yet, there is no roadway linking the Egelea Kingdom and the Klein Kingdom.

“That’s why we’re considering using ships.”

“Huh?”

But even if they used ships, the Klein Kingdom has no coastline. Even if they were to land in what was once the Leonard Kingdom—which is the shortest route—transporting goods from there would be extremely difficult, Jin thought.

Reinhardt and Elsa seemed to share his opinion, both of them wearing similarly troubled expressions.

However, what the marquis said next opened their eyes.

“We plan to use the river.”

“…Ah!”

A river—namely, traveling north up the great Naudaria River, which forms the border between the Celuroa Kingdom and the Egelea Kingdom.

South of the Celuroa Kingdom’s capital, Esiah, the Naudaria River splits into the Azur River and the Torres River. If one ascends the Torres River all the way before reaching Lake Cedrolia, the Klein Kingdom’s capital, Alban, is practically next door.

It should have no waterfalls or shallows, making ship navigation relatively straightforward—though Jin vaguely imagined the propulsion system required for traveling against the current would be a concern.

A rough calculation indicated a journey of around 600 kilometers.

They could rely on riverside towns for most of their food and water, so minimal provisions would suffice.

Still, since it was a river rather than the open sea, a shallow-draft boat would be advantageous.

They might link together a number of vessels each under 10 meters in length…

Jin was envisioning all of this when the marquis’s voice brought him back to reality.

“…Our Zaus Province intends to prioritize this trade, looking ahead to future developments. I would very much appreciate any advice you three might provide on the design of ships suitable for this trade.”

With that, the marquis bowed.

“As for the Shouro Empire, I have already discussed this matter in a routine report the day before yesterday. Lord Reinhardt, Lady Elsa, I ask for your assistance. And Lord Jin, if you would…”

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

Jin agreed before the marquis could finish.

“Thank you very much. I can assure you, I will provide ample remuneration.”

Marquis Firenzeano clearly distinguished between official business and private enterprise.

Once they had finished their discussion, they all relaxed with some Kūhé.

The marquis was the first to break the silence.

“By the way, what are your plans for the New Year?”

It was December 29. By the custom of these small states, official duties ended on the 30th, and both December 30 and January 1 were holidays. January 2 was typically for greetings and get-togethers, so actual duties resumed on the 3rd.

“Well… I’m returning to Kaina Village.”

Jin’s answer had already been decided.

“I see. And the two of you?”

“Um, I…”

Elsa blushed slightly as she glanced at Jin. Noticing her look, Jin answered in her place.

“Elsa will be going with me.”

Though the marquis looked quite surprised, he didn’t show it on his face, and only now did he notice the significance of the ring on Elsa’s left ring finger.

“Ah, so that’s how it is. That’s wonderful.”

“I plan to bring Reinhardt along as well,” Jin added, covering for Reinhardt’s plans too.

“Of course, we’ll be back by the morning of the 3rd.”

He made sure to clarify.

“I see. With your airship, I suppose that’s possible,” the marquis said, satisfied.

In reality, Jin had considered quietly sending Reinhardt back to Belche via the Warp Gate or bringing her here instead.

Sensing this, Reinhardt remained silent.

“All right, so you’ll be leaving this afternoon, I take it?” the marquis asked, perceptively.

In fact, with the Warp Gate installed on Jin’s airship, there was no real need to hurry. But Jin appreciated the marquis’s thoughtfulness and chose not to correct him.

“Yes, if that’s all right with you,” Jin replied.

“Certainly,” the marquis said with a pleasant nod.

As for the crew of the Bernstein, they would most likely spend the New Year here in Portrock.

Finished with their meeting with Marquis Firenzeano, Jin, Reiko, Elsa, Edgar, and Reinhardt headed over to Marcia’s shop.

“Ah, Reinhardt! Glad you could come! …Though, I guess I shouldn’t talk so casually now?”

Marcia seemed to realize too late that she should mind her manner of speaking, but Reinhardt just laughed.

“Haha, don’t worry about it. I’d be happier if you treated me as a friend.”

“R-really? Thank you.”

“Oh, so you came too, Reinhardt.”

Rodrigo appeared from the back of the shop.

“Hey, Rodrigo. Good for you,” Reinhardt said.

“Yes, all of you have been a tremendous help,” Rodrigo replied.

“Not at all. We didn’t do much.”

Their conversation was cheerful and relaxed. Seeing the smiles on Marcia’s and Rodrigo’s faces, Jin felt truly glad for them both.

“Rodrigo, you’re leaving the ship, right?” Reinhardt asked.

“Yes. I feel a bit sorry for them, but this is my home…”

Rodrigo spoke somewhat apologetically, though Marcia behind him looked pleased.

“The captain gave me permission. Mr. Jin, Elsa, Reinhardt, thank you so much for everything.”

Rodrigo bowed deeply, but Jin stopped him.

“It’s fine. Marcia and I are friends who competed together in the Golem Boat Competition. Of course I’d help the father of a friend.”

“Jin, thank you. Elsa, Reinhardt—I’d like to thank you both as well,”

Marcia, who had been silent until then, lowered her head to the three of them.

Though it was late December and winter, the wind blowing through Portrock carried a gentle warmth.