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When Jin went to the square, the arena was filled with people even though it was only 8 o'clock.

Rumors were spreading that a magic puppet competition (Gonkrenz) was going to be held.

"Well, you didn't run away, did you?

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Like Jin, Viscount Georg Randall had also arrived.

"I heard that a few more people have expressed interest in participating in the Gonkwrenz competition, is that all right with you?

Yes, I don't mind.

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"Yes, I don't." "Well, you've got a lot of nerve."

Then, as Georg was about to turn around and walk away, Jin asked, "How is Erza?

"How is Elsa?"

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"How is Elsa?　"How is Elsa?　She's fine. ...... Here."

Georg stroked his chin and pointed in the direction. Looking in that direction, he saw Erza sitting in the front row of the arena, flanked by soldiers under the Viscount's command,...... or rather automata.

"I am also a military advisor to the Imperial Army. I also have the latest automata and golems. If you want to escape, now is the time to do it."

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But Jin's mouth twisted slightly. Instead, it was Reinhardt who opened his mouth.

"Uncle, you are the one who will be humiliated. All the automata in our country are no match for the automata of Jin.

But Georg would not listen. He walked away without looking back.

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"Jin, did you hear that?"

Jin went to his assigned seat, and the emperor's wife came over to him.

"There must have been a mistake."

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Jin turned a sullen face to the empress.

"Yes, yes. There's been a mix-up.

"I can only apologize for the Viscount's behavior, I'm sorry."

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Jin was flustered as the emperor bowed to her.

"Oh, no, no, please raise your head. I'm not ...... sorry, but it's not your fault. It's also my fault for not being clear with the Viscount.

"I am relieved to hear you say so. Please don't hate my country. I will give the Viscount what he deserves according to the law.

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But I had to add that in this case the punishment could not be so severe.

"The most serious crime is insulting a state guest, and it's not as if the person who was insulted had asked for it that day. ......"

Jin did not intend to do so, so he did not say anything. The same is true for Prince Ernest, who was similarly mocked by Marcus.

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"But as far as I'm concerned," he said, "I'm sure we'll be able to spread the word about Jin-kun's abilities, and to be honest, I'd welcome a magic puppet competition (gonkrenz).

"Even if your golems and automata lose as a result?"

But the emperor kept smiling.

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"Defeat, that's fine too. It proves that we still have room to grow. You just have to aim for a higher level.

"Oh, so you're positive."

Jin, who had been reluctant, smiled at me with his smile.

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"Hmmm...yes. The women of the Shoro Kingdom are very positive.

Hearing this line, Jin remembered that Erza was also positive.

"Well then, good luck. I am also concerned about Erza.

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With these words, Gerhard Hilde von Rubies-Scholo left the room.

It is now time for the Gonklentz competition to begin.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

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"Ladies and gentlemen, on the third day of the technology exposition, as a special event, we are going to have a magic puppet competition (Gonklentz)!

The MC's voice echoes through the arena.

"The promoter is Viscount Georg Randall, and the challenger is Jin Nido!

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The crowd cheered.

"Also jumping in are Engal Herdus, Theodoros Gabanas, and Kelly Galvani!　All three are up-and-coming young magical engineers!"

This was also greeted with applause.

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"In addition to the five familiar competitions, the clown race, the weight throw, the long-distance swimming, the search-and-dive, and the mock battle, there will also be a special mock battle with the giant golem, Goliath!

Goliath is the golem of the participant Marcus. He must be very confident to make such a proposal.

"Now, participating automata or golems, please step forward!

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Christoph Bardet von Tharnat, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic and Technology, the referee, said, and the automata and golems stepped forward from their respective participants.

Engal Herdus, Theodoros Governors, and Kelly Galvani each had six golems, two each. One for land and one for underwater.

From Viscount Georg Randall, or Marcus, two automata and two golems. Their appearances are easily recognizable as being for use on land, in the water, or in battle.

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The one for land use is light and slim, while the one for underwater use has fins on its arms and legs and wears a tight-fitting swimsuit. There are two combat golems, one of which looks like an armor-clad golem. The other is a burly but unarmored golem.

"Well, I guess Marcus is still the winner.

Viscount Georg Randall was smiling as he saw that the attraction was not going to be a match for him.

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At that moment, there was a thunderous cheer.

"What?"

This is the reaction of the audience when they saw an automaton coming out of Jin's camp.

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The automata, which looked out of place, was a girl in a black one-piece dress and a white apron dress. It is the well-known Reiko.

And it is only one Reiko that Jin has allowed to participate.

Surprise, admiration, bewilderment, and anticipation...... were the emotions that came together in a cheer.

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"Hmmm, are you a fool to participate in that outfit, or do you have confidence in yourself? Let's see how confident you are.

Unlike the Viscount, Erza, who was sitting at the front of the arena, had moistened her light blue eyes.

"Brother Jin ......"

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Jin, who hated to be conspicuous, had Reiko participate in the event. This meant that she was poised to win. At the same time, it is easy to imagine that Jin will be the center of attention like never before after this competition.

And Erza, sensing that this was all for her own good, felt a warmth flow through her chest.

"Now, let's start the first event, the 500-meter run!

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White lines were drawn on the square. The first course was Reiko. The second course was Marcus' automata. The third, fourth, and fifth courses are the golems who jumped in.

"About the position!　Three, two, one, start!"

Dust rises. A thud echoes through the air. Spectators covering their ears. And the next thing they know, Reiko is standing 500 meters away at the finish line.

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"What?"

I wonder whose words those were.

In less than two seconds, Reiko had moved 500 meters. Ten seconds later, Marcus' automaton reached the goal. Another 10 seconds later, three golems jumped into the race and reached the goal at the same time.

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Marcus' automata was indeed fast.

However, they were no match for Reiko, who was going faster than the speed of sound. The starting point where Reiko was was gouged out, showing how far Reiko had to go.

"I can't believe it. ......"

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Viscount Georg Randall rubbed his eyes repeatedly, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.

Then, a few dozen seconds later, the room erupted in applause. Everyone had forgotten how to react to Reiko's amazingness.

"...... Reiko is awesome after all!"

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Prince Ernesto was in the guest of honor's section. The prince, who had seen Reiko's performance firsthand, took this result for granted.

"Well, the winner, Jin Nido!　Runner-up, Marcus Grinwald!　......"

The name of the maker, not of the automaton, is mentioned.

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Markus's face was twisted in hatred.

"The second event, the weight throw!　This time we have prepared three kinds of weights!　You will throw them and compete in the distance you fly. The score is calculated by multiplying the weight by the distance, and the one with the highest score is in first place.

The MC explains.

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Then, please throw the projectiles in order, starting from the 5th place. The direction is Lake Tosmo.

The distance seems to be measured by dozens of underwater golems floating in the lake.

The first golem picked up three different weights and compared them, but chose the lightest one, a 10 kg ball. It is about 10 cm in diameter. It is probably a metal with a specific gravity comparable to that of adamantite. The ball was painted yellow so that it would be easy to see when thrown.

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The result was a distance of about 50 meters. Although it cannot be directly compared with the shot put, it is about three times as much as the world record set on the earth in terms of mass x distance.

The fourth- and third-placed golems were not far behind.

Then it was Marcus' turn. The burly one, a battle golem, stepped forward and picked out a 20-kilogram sphere about 17 centimeters in diameter. It was painted peach.

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He throws it with a cannonball-like form. The record is about 75 meters. The crowd cheered.

"That's amazing! Isn't that a new record?"

The emperor was impressed by the record.

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"Well, what do you think, Elsa?　How powerful is our new Marcus Golem?　It has surpassed the previous record by 10 meters.

Georg, who was watching the game from the front row of the arena next to Erza, says proudly. But Erza's reply was extremely calm.

"......Reyko is not like that. Father, watch. You'd be surprised."

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"What?"

Reiko had just lifted the heaviest ball there, a 30 kilogram weight. It weighs almost as much as Reiko. This one was painted white.

"Well, you can lift that one. Well, it has to be."

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Georg, who was showing his composure even after seeing this, peeked his eyes when he saw Reiko supporting the weight with one hand.

Reiko then threw the weight carelessly with a bowling ball-like form, i.e., a lower throw, as if she were throwing a cannonball.

However, the white-painted ball disappeared from the view of the spectators in the arena in an instant.

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The trajectory of the ball was almost straight and almost horizontal. It is hard to imagine how far it would have flown if it had been thrown at an angle.

"......"

Neither the MC nor the judges were at a loss for words. Reiko had no choice but to walk up to the referee and poke him on the back.

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The referee, Christoph, who had finally come to his senses, hurriedly called back the golem of Lake Tosmo and asked him some questions.

Ten minutes later.

"Yes, I'm sorry, but I didn't know the exact distance of the projectile!　The record is over 100 meters!　The weight is 30 kg!　So, the score is over 3000 points!　Jin Nido, you are in first place!"

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The Golem was deployed up to 100 meters. It probably flew 500 meters, but no one had expected such a distance.

As soon as it was announced, everyone in the arena stood up and applauded.

"I can't believe it. ......"

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Except for one or two people, Viscount Georg Randall and Marcus Grinwald, the audience applauded generously.