06-31 Approach
“In that case, I’d like you to not investigate matters regarding Reiko.”
“Hmm, wasn’t Reiko the golem, no, the Automata girl who repelled the other golems in a flash? …Very well. It is most exceedingly unfortunate, but We shall grant you your wish.”
The King gave some instructions to an aide who was waiting nearby,
“Thank you very much.”
“By the way, have you found this time’s culprit or the crime golem?”
“Your concern is natural. The magi knights are devoting all of their power to searching. In addition, according to reports the last one of the rampaging golems was suppressed not long ago.”
The current situation was that after having the guest of a guest Jin perform such a great service the Imperial Guard knight troops wanted to at least bring the matter to conclusion by themselves.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness, it looks like the danger has already passed. Please, feel free to go rest in your room.”
“In that case, Ernest, shall we take a rest? …Minister of Domestic Affairs, We shall leave the rest to you.”
With those words the King and the Prince retired to their room while escorted by guards.
“All of you who came to attend, I cannot apologize enough for a result such as this.”
“This place is in disorder and as it seems the guest house is safe, let us move over there.”
En route they all noticed that the thick iron gate separating the inner and outer palace was crooked, and most were struck with terror at the thought of golems rampaging to this extent. A few people however had an idea of just who did the deed, and didn’t regard it as particularly threatening.
Gathered in the hall of the guest house were the invitees and the nobles excepting those living in the royal capital. There the Minister of Domestic Affairs once more apologized.
With that preface the minister continued,
In this time of crisis they put aside their rank for the oncoming dinner, and so seating etiquette and wasn’t followed.
The Minister of Domestic Affairs thought about taking a bath, but thinking that as the attack occurred during lunch and when it was over it was evening they decided to prioritize having a meal.
Nevertheless, because of the hasty preparations there weren’t enough chairs or tables, and the meal again took the form of a stand-up meal. Because the heavily injured people were sent to the sickbay, Elsa and Beana were relieved that they could go without meeting Earl Guarana.
“Ah, come to think of it, I’m starving.”
Next to Jin, Beana kept close. From a little distance away Earl Kuzuma stared at them.
“Beana, about the Earl’s proposal. How did you take it?”
“S-stop it! I, I don’t know yet!”,
Elsa then arrived at the scene too. She held a plate in her hand that had a pile of Citrans on it.
She said and bowed so that it looked like if she leaned any further with her body the Citrans would spill over and fall off her plate.
“Mm. That time was really scary.”
“I’m grateful for Jin-kun and…Reiko-chan.”
“Speaking Reiko-chan, where is she?”
“She’s here. …Reiko!”
“!!”
“The enemy in the mountain pass used [Hide], right? I studied it and made a more effective version. …That’s all, Reiko.”
“I see. After all, Jin-kun’s amazing.”
Elsa and Beana showed different reactions.
Elsa explained. Hearing that, Beana said,
“…?”
“Beana, does your stomach hurt?”
“Oh? Alright then. …Ah, Rai-nii.”
“She’s…If I’m not mistaken, Dominique-san?”
“But flirting doesn’t really float for Reinhardt.”
“Flirting? Float? Rai-nii can’t fly in the sky. Or are you talking about swimming?”,
“Rai-nii has a fiancee back home.”
“Oh…really, Reinhardt does.”
“Hmm, how about the women?”
“There’s girls who get married as early as at the age of 13. Most usually get married when they’re between 15 and 19 years old.”
As expected this world’s age of marriage is low, Jin sincerely felt.
Elsa asked and peeked at Jin’s face. She even told her own age without asking.
Jin answered, and,
Beana who was listening to the conversation next to them raised a hysteric voice.
Jin cautioned Beana who said somewhat agitatedly ,
“Me too.”
“…Do I really look that childish?”
“Th-that’s not it. You’re just, uh, how should I say it…”
Elsa gave a helping hand to Beana, but saying that didn’t make Jin much more pleased.
However, formerly when he went to to high school his classmates used to say “Nidou-kun is kind of like an old man” or some such, so Jin was shocked greatly, so,
His self-deprecating muttering was understandable.
It seems Elsa didn’t think he was four years older than her so she decided to call him Jin-kun, however after being called that until now changing it would feel strange, and above all Elsa’s social standing is higher than his so the same manner as before would be fine, he said.
“Sorry for interrupting your talk, Jin-dono, wasn’t it?”
Just then Celuroa Kingdom’s leading Magi Craftsman who built the crystal golem Ceres, Stearina, came and greeted him.
—