We accelerated with a back-up technique, so we easily covered the distance of 260 km, and Asunto, the capital of the Kingdom of Egelea, came into view even though it was still mid-morning.

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Incidentally, although we were crossing over the Kingdom of Celuloa, there was no such thing as airspace violation because there had been no aircraft in the area before.

Therefore, there is no problem as long as the aircraft passed over at an altitude of 100 meters or higher.

However, it would be a problem at an altitude as low as 10 meters.

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"Oh, that was fast. How long would it take a horse-drawn carriage?　I didn't realize how comfortable it is to fly without any obstacles!

Prince Ernest remained in high spirits the whole time.

Meanwhile, Lila Soluç, who was riding with Reiko, was still in a high state of excitement.

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"......"

"............"

She was silent from the beginning to the end.

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"Oh!　They're here, Your Majesty!

Much faster than expected!

"The wind must have been good."

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At the castle of Assunto, King Harold Luan Autoclase-Egelea, Queen Catherine Riina Sphare, and Prime Minister Boyd Noreau. The Prime Minister, the Marquis Boyd Norse Galuelli, and a hundred civil and military officials were waiting to welcome the hot-air balloons.

"Oh, ...... what a great thing. Father, he's so excited that Jin is coming.

Prince Ernest, seeing the scene from above, muttered half in disgust and half in joy.

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Jin honestly hoped that they would not make a big deal out of the ceremony, but there was no turning back now that they had come this far.

He decided to put on the half-coat of Honorary Magical Craftsman Onorari Magi Craftsman that he had prepared.

And just at noon, the hot air balloon carrying Jin, Reiko, Prince Ernest, Lotte, and Lyra landed at the outer palace of the Royal Castle of Asunto.

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"Welcome, Magecraft Meister, Sir Jin Nido!"

The Prime Minister steps forward and shakes hands with Jin.

"Ernest, we are so pleased to see you back safe and sound."

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"Yes, father, I'm home."

The prince also exchanged words with his father.

"Sir Jin Nidor, since you have all of your staff, both military and civilian, I would like to hold a ceremony to officially appoint you as the Magecraft Meister of the Kingdom of Egelea.

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A proposal from the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister's proposal also includes the judgment that Jin would probably leave this place in a huff if he were to stay.

Yes, yes...

All right. Good.

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At the Prime Minister's signal, a female knight with a long coat that had apparently already been prepared approached. Upon closer inspection, she is Laila's older sister, Iris Solyus.

She had recently been promoted from a member of the Kingsguard to Captain of the 3rd Kingsguard.

"As our country's first Magecraft Meister, this long coat is unique to me. At the same time, it is a sign of honorary knighthood.

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It seems that the Shoro and Klein kingdoms have made Jin an honorary baron, and have decided to give him the same rank in the Kingdom of Egelea.

The long coat worn by Iris is the perfect length for Jin. The color is white with an antique gold line.

"Sir Jinn Nidor, in recognition of the favors you have brought to my country, and in recognition of your wisdom and skill, I hereby confer upon you the title of Magecraft Meister and the rank of honorary baron.

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King Egelea said briefly.

To say the least, this was an exceptionally fast ceremony.

This was due to the fact that Prince Ernest had warned Jin on the manaphone the other day that the ceremony must be finished in a short period of time or it would cause displeasure, considering Jin's personality.

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By holding the ceremony in a single, rapid succession, Jin was given no chance to refuse.

Jin, who is not good at showy things, was a little bewildered, but Reiko was happy to see his recognition and looked at him smiling from beginning to end.

* * * * * * * * * * *

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After the ceremony was over, the hundred civil and military officials in attendance disappeared like the tide receding, leaving King Egelea, Prince Ernest, Prime Minister Boyd, Minister of Magic Kerichdole, Minister of Defense Juddle, Iri, Laila, and a few Kingsguard knights.

"Sir Jin, or rather Sir Jin Nido, would you like to have lunch?"

"Yes, I ate my lunch on the plane.

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"Father, it was very nice to eat while looking down on the world below."

I see. Then, may we get down to business?

After receiving the Prime Minister's words, Jin began the transfer of the hot-air balloon.

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He explains the structure of the balloon, its various parts, and gives a lecture on how to operate it. The air sacs are made of dragonhead eel leather from the Kingdom of Klein. This was done in consideration of the friendship and commerce between the two countries.

The two balloons took to the sky with Prime Minister Boyd, Minister of Magic Kelihidole, Minister of Defense Juddle, and Aili on board.

King Egelea looked as if he would like to take a ride, but he did not say anything until the end.

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"No, no, this is very comfortable!

"It is indeed. When the Unification Party (Unifiler) attacked us from the sky, we were completely helpless, but now we can see its superiority.

"The performance has been improved from what the Unification Party (Unifiler) used to use. We cannot thank you enough for this.

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The Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of Magic each express their own opinions. And what about Laila's sister, Iris?

"......"

She is crouched down with a pale face. Unlike her sister, she seems to be afraid of heights.

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* * * *

"Thank you again, Sir Jin Nido!"

The Prime Minister moved to his office and bowed to Jin. When he raised his head, the mood had changed completely.

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"Now, I would like you to move on to another story."

It was the well-known case of the demon tribe.

Jin explained the same thing as he had done yesterday in the Kingdom of Klein.

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"...... Hmmm, I am not sure of their true intentions, but at least they are not friendly."

"Fortunately, our country is far away from the territory of the demon tribe. It is less dangerous."

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic each expressed their opinions. The Minister of Defense, however, looked unconcerned.

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"No, Kelihidole-dono, according to what Jin-dono has told us, there is a high probability that the demon tribe has entered the Kingdom of Cerroa. If that's the case, then our country, which borders the kingdom, is also in danger.

"I see. So there is a possibility that the demon tribe may be inspired by Cerroa to attack us.

The Prime Minister is right. I think it's best to assume that the Unification Party (Unifilers) have simply turned into demons.

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"Oh, dear, we don't have much time to catch our breath. The finances are very tight.

Finance Minister Braoloat let out a pained voice.

"Now that His Highness Ernest's engagement has been finalized, it will be necessary to send out a relief force if the Kingdom of Klein is in danger, won't it?

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Various opinions were expressed, such as "If the Kingdom of Klein is in danger, it will be necessary to send out relief troops," and so on.

Jin gave advice from a technical point of view.

"However, gravity magic is very troublesome, isn't it?

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"Yes, but it doesn't seem to be able to be deployed over a wide area, so I think we can counter it by attacking from all directions.

"I see. I see. ......"

The meeting, which lasted until late in the evening, ended with the decision that it would not be a one-time meeting, but would continue in the future.

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"Speaking of which, I wonder how Count Kuzma and Bina are doing ......."

Jin decided to stay overnight in Asunto.

There was talk of a guest room, but he declined such a stuffy room, and asked to stay in the same lodging where he had stayed at the Golem Garden Party.

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"Well, I heard that you are going to get married soon...?

And the maid of honor was Lila.

The lady-in-waiting was Laila, who was a very chic lady-in-waiting.　It's a very chic idea.

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Is that so?

Yes. The Count will be working here until June, and until then Beena was training to be a bride.

It seems that the chattering sparrows in the castle are fond of gossip, and Count Kuzma's marriage was a good topic of conversation.

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(I'm sure Reinhardt will get in touch with them. ......)

Count Kuzma and Bina know that there is a warp gate on the outskirts of Blueland, so it would not be a surprise if they use it to visit.

"Um, Jin-sama?"

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"Oh, oh, sorry. I was just thinking. What is it?

"Well, thank you for letting someone like me ride in your hot air balloon!"

Lila bowed deeply.

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"What?　"Oh, don't worry about it. You're the prince's escort and lady-in-waiting, aren't you?　It's her right. Well, I'm sorry I put you and the prince in separate gondolas."

"No, no, I'm not sorry. It was my first time and the view was beautiful!

"Ha-ha, I'm glad to hear that."

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Just as Jin was enjoying such a harmless conversation, he said to his father, "Father, I'm sorry.

"I'm sorry, father..."

Reiko interrupted.

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"What's wrong?"

Reiko's mood is clear and Jin realizes that this is something he doesn't want Laila to hear, so he moves to the bedroom.

"I just got a call that Satellite 001 is ready."

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"What?"

He speaks in a low voice so that she can't hear him and won't know what he's talking about.

"Well, a new era is about to begin. Okay, I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning!"

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"Yes, I'll make the arrangements."

I'm looking forward to it.

Jin's thoughts have already flown to Horai Island.

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That is the essence of Jin, the Magecraft Meister, the magician who opens up the future.

The short, peaceful days were coming to an end, and Jin had the feeling that another busy day was coming.