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Jin began to study the specifications with great enthusiasm.

He thought that it should be double-layered like a knight's armor, with muscles of magical fiber in between (......), or that the armor itself could be deformed by forming magic.

In any case, the basic form is armor. It is also essential to have defensive power.

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"Anyway, let's make a prototype.

First of all, Jin thought of the process of making an armor that fits him, placing muscles on the outside of the armor, and armoring the outside of the muscles.

It was quite difficult since he had never made armor before. The material is the usual light silver. It is necessary to make it light.

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After having lunch at Persica, Citran, and Apurul for the first time in a long time, Jin worked on his armor until almost evening.

"Father, you must go back soon".

He was so absorbed in his work that if Reiko had not warned him, he would have been working on it until midnight.

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He was so enthusiastic that if Reiko had not warned him, he would have stayed up all night.

"Thank God, I made it in time.

When I returned to the hotel, it looked like the dining room was just about ready.

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"Ah, Mr. Jin!"

A voice called out to me. I turned around to see Claude, Reinhardt's butler.

"Ah, Mr. Claude."

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"You're back late. We'll be dining out tonight, so please get ready.

Outside?

Outside? Yes, at the invitation of Miss Elsa's brother, Mr. Fritz.

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Jin understood. He had not seen her in two years, so he would like to talk with her at leisure.

"Yes, I understand."

"Then I will be waiting for you in the lobby in 30 minutes.

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So Jin went back to his room and got ready in a hurry.

Since Elsa's brother was going to be with him, he decided to put on the half-coat of the Honorary Magician Magi Craftsman.

I wanted to take a bath first, but there was no time, so I just wiped myself off with hot water. Anne and Reiko helped me.

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I finished my preparations in 20 minutes and went to the lobby, where Reinhard and Claude were waiting for me.

"Hey, Jin. Erza's already gone. It's a little early, but we should go too.

Reinhardt said as soon as he saw her face. He let Claude lead him out of the hotel.

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"It's just around the corner, sir."

True to his word, we arrived at the restaurant in about five minutes.

It was a three-story building made of marble-like stone. The lack of unnecessary ornamentation could be seen as austere or functional beauty.

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A man wearing a cloak, who looked like a junior officer, came to me,

"Are you Mr. Reinhardt?　The major is waiting for you. Please come this way.

He shows us the way. The man's crisp movements were those of a military man, and Jin, who did not have a good impression of military men, was secretly impressed.

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The officer knocked on the heavy-looking door on the second floor of the restaurant and said, "Major, please come in,

"Major, I have brought a guest for you.

He said, "Major, I have a visitor for you. Immediately the door was opened and Jin and the others were invited in.

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"Welcome, Reinhard," said Fritz in the back.

Fritz, who was in the back, said. Elsa was sitting next to him, wearing her favorite young grass-colored dress.

"Come, sit down."

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Reinhard and Jin were led by the waiter to their seats. Jin is seated at the bottom of the table. Claude stands by the wall. Erza's nanny, Meine, was also there.

"Well, tonight is on me.

Fritz says and raises his glass of wine.

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"To the health of my sister Elsa. And to our engagement."

But no one chanted, their faces scrunched up in surprise.

??

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"What is that, brother? I've never heard of it before."

The most surprised person was probably Elsa. She rushes over to Fritz. But Fritz is unconcerned.

"What, you didn't know?　I read in your father's letter that you were aware of this..."

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Elsa shakes her head,

"I don't know. I have no intention of doing so."

But Fritz looks at her with a serious face and says, as if admonishing her, "Elsa, I don't know.

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"Elsa, you turned 17 a few days ago, didn't you?　You turned seventeen last time I saw you, Elsa. Didn't you promise to marry her after this trip?

"No, I didn't."

Meane was staring at the exchange between the two siblings with a terrible look on her face, but only Jin noticed it. Since Meene had been eyeing me so much, I thought that she must have been looking at me in this kind of situation, and as I asked her about it, it turned out that she was right.

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But as expected, Meene did not say anything to Fritz.

"I read in the letter from your father that Elsa promised to marry him when she got back from this trip.

When Fritz said that, Reinhardt said,

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"I think you're expanding on what I said about wanting to see the big world before marrying."

But Fritz was not listening.

"Well, you're of the right age, and you're marrying into a marquise!

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He pushed him away.

"You know, because we live next door to each other, don't you?　You know the Marquess Gehlen Theodoric von Eisen, don't you? His wife passed away a few years ago and he was looking for a companion.

Elsa's face turns pale when she hears this. But Fritz did not seem to notice this and continued talking.

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"This is a great thing. It's a big deal. Isn't that great?"

"......"

Elsa is speechless. Seeing this, Jin could no longer remain silent.

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"Um, Mr. Fritz. What about Erza's will?

But Fritz glanced at Jin and laughed snidely,

"Will?　A daughter of a nobleman who is not his heir has no will. It is a woman's duty to marry a man who will benefit her family.

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Hearing these words, Elsa's complexion turned as white as paper. Reinhardt, who could not bear to look at her, said as if to appease her.

"Fritz, that's a bit much, don't you think?　Even Elsa would be surprised to hear about your engagement out of the blue.

"Well, Reinhard, I don't suppose you're thinking of taking Erza as a concubine, are you?　You have a fiancee in the country, you know."

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Fritz's face is red. Despite appearances, he may not be very good with alcohol.

"Yes, of course she is. Elsa is my little younger cousin too. Nothing more, nothing less. But that's why I want her to be happy.

But Fritz is too heated to listen.

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"That's why I'm telling you that there is no greater happiness than marrying into the Marquise's family.

Elsa nods, her eyes brimming with tears. But Fritz interpreted this as just embarrassment,

"Well, everyone, let's have another toast to the happiness of my sister Elsa!

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He is saying that and spitting out a popular song, but Erza, Reinhard, and Jin are downcast and it looks like a wake.

Naturally, the food did not go down well, and most of the dishes served were taken down as they were.

However, Fritz, who was the cause of the situation, seemed to think that it was only because he was tired from the trip and had no appetite.

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* * * * * * * * * * *

That night, after Jin returned to the hotel, he visited Reinhardt's room.

"Jin, huh? I was just thinking of coming over there myself."

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Reinhardt offered him a chair. Jin sat down and Reinhard bowed.

"Jin, I'm sorry. Fritz wasn't always like that.

But Jin stopped Reinhardt,

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"It's not something Reinhardt should apologize for. I'm more worried about Erza.

"Yes, I agree with you. I didn't expect you to suddenly ask me about our engagement.

"It's bad enough that he seems to really think he's doing it for Erza's sake.

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Reinhardt chuckles when Jin expresses his true feelings.

"It's true, being a marchioness would be a big deal. It would be a great honor for Erza's family. But then again, we're dealing with the same people. ......"

"Is it terrible?"

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Jin's question is straightforward.

"Well, the Marquis is 53 this year. He's quite fat. Well, he's better looking than Count Galana."

Even after hearing this, Jin did not think he was a good match for the Marquis.

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"Is that what marriage between nobles is like?"

"Yes. But the old-fashioned aristocracy is like that. Especially military families. My father wouldn't say such a thing, but my uncle is, how to say, obsessed with the desire for success. ......"

Reinhardt looked uncomfortable, but Jin said,

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"Reinhard, you don't have to speak ill of your relatives. Let's go check on Erza.

"Yeah, let's go check on Erza."

The two went to Erza's room together.

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Adberg, the butler, answered the door.

"The young lady has already gone to bed."

"Well, that's good."

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If she has gone to bed, we'll see her tomorrow, Jin and Reinhardt said to each other, and went back to their rooms.