06-41 Jealousy

On the next day, Egelia Kingdom’s royal castle had finally calmed down and recovered.

In the morning, Egelia’s n.o.bles who were inside the castle a.s.sembled, and according to Earl Kuzuma they were explained to about the present condition and the plans for the future.

And then before noon.

This time, all the invitees including the Magi Craftsmen like Jin and the others a.s.sembled.

To begin with they announced that this time’s riot was orchestrated by the [Unifilers], that the Celuroa Kingdom’s special envoy Dominique was the direct culprit, that using Elradrite she launched a large-scale attack, that countermeasures already exist and preparations to spread the technology to other nations hereafter are already underway, and other such things.

And finally was the conclusion of the golem party.

“We were delayed by this unexpected incident, but We would like to offer Our thanks to you ladies and gentlemen who gathered here for the sake of Prince Ernest, and announce Our evaluation of the golems you brought.”

All of the people present bowed their heads deeply as the King spoke.

Then, the Minister of Domestic Affairs William took over the rest and was made to announce the results.

“First place, His Highness Ernest’s favorite golem, ‘Lotte’. Second place, regrettably destroyed but nonetheless one that was beautifully molded and a pleasure to look at, the crystal golem ‘Ceres’.”

Everyone could understand the ranking.

And then in the third place was Schwarz Ritter. There was no fourth place or lower. This time there was surely no other option.

“To the one who presented ‘Lotte’, the a.s.sistant feudal lord of Blue Land, administrator of the eastern section, Earl Kuzuma we bestow additional territory, and a reward to the manufacturer, Magi Craftsman Jin.”

Jin would also get a reward. This must’ve been that other reward apart from Reiko’s case.

“We would also like to express our grat.i.tude to the Magi Craftsman who manufactured ‘Ceres’, Stearina-dono.”

It looked like Stearina also got something.

“Finally, we’d like to similarly thank the manufacturer of Schwarz Ritter, Shouro Empire’s diplomat Reinhardt-dono, and in addition present a gift.”

Right after Egelia Kingdom’s compliments were given, the rewards were announced.

However, today Elsa had been looking depressed since the morning. Reinhardt noticed it and,

“Elsa, are you feeling ill?”

He asked with a whisper. However, Elsa silently shook her head.

“If that’s the case, alright…”

The reward Jin got was the t.i.tle of Egelia Kingdom’s ‘Honorary Magi Craftsman’ and a badge with an extremely tiny piece of Elradrite fitted into it.

Gifting Elradrite, which was a resource completely controlled by the country, was a gesture that Jin was treated similarly to a state guest. Just that meant that he was considered a dependable and trusted person.

“Jin, it’s going to be difficult after this…”

There was no mistaking that now every country would unanimously covet Jin. Only when Reinhardt whispered that, Elsa who heard him raised her downcast eyes.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Aah, I’m tired.”

Lying down on his bed in the guest house, Jin complained. He wasn’t good with formalities.

Just then he heard a knock. Come in, Jin said, and Reiko opened the door. Jin got up and greeted the guest while sitting on his bed. To put it bluntly, with bad manners.

“Excuse me.”

The one who talked and entered the room was the Royal Secret Maid Laila. Yes, she was supposed to be monitoring Jin, but ever since that golem riot sometimes she went elsewhere.

And, this time she entered the room after expressly knocking.

“U-umm, it was just for a short while, but I apologize for causing you trouble!”

That was the first thing Laila said.

“Eh? A short while?”

“Y-yes! After today’s events, I have been released of my duties of monitoring Jin-sama!”

Apparently it would be discorteous to monitor someone who has received the t.i.tle of ‘Honorary Magi Craftsman’.

Even Jin could guess that. Then,

“Oh, is that so. Thank you very much for your work until now.”

Jin gave his thanks.

“Yes, I think I’ve been lacking in many areas, so please forgive me.”

Jin said that while he didn’t know if she managed to monitor him properly or not, but as a maid he’d give her around 75 points out of a hundred.

“T-thank you very much!”

Laila blushed with deep emotion and said. She then once mored made a deep bow and,

“Well then, I’m reluctant to part but I’ll be going now, please excuse me.”

She said and left. And forgot to close the door.

“…Make that 70 points.”

Jin muttered with a strained smile while watching Reiko close the door that was left wide open.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Elsa, really, what’s wrong?”

After returning to the guest house, Reinhardt was worried and visited Elsa’s room.

“…Rai-nii.”

Elsa, whose eyes were wet with tears for some reason or another and who lay on her bed face down, raised just her face up at Reinhardt and slowly opened her mouth. And then talked. About the conversation between Jin and Stearina she had eavesdropped on last night.

“…Hmm.”

“…After that, I turned a little gloomy. Why?”

At that moment, Mine who had been silent until now spoke.

“Young lady, what you’re feeling towards Jin-sama is…”

But Reinhardt interrupted her,

“Shut up, Mine. …Elsa, what do you think Jin and her were doing?”

He asked. Elsa only shook her head.

“…I don’t know. But I thought they seemed somewhat close. Ah, and then I got the impression that Jin-kun was taught by Stearina-san which is unusual.”

After Reinhardt heard that, he spoke of his conclusion.

“Elsa, that feeling is called ‘jealousy’.”

“Jealousy?”

Elsa, her head raised, repeated the word.

“Yeah. Way back, you always played with your brothers and me, right? At that time, when other kids were on good terms with your brothers and me you sulked and got into a bad mood.”

“…”

Elsa listened silently.

“It’s the same. You heard Jin talk with another woman like they got along nicely, and you got jealous. ”

“But, that’s-”

“Do you deny it?”

Reinhardt said and gently stroked the head of Elsa who was lying down.

“No matter how old you get, you never change huh. If something’s on your mind and even if it’s okay to just ask, you just bottle it in like this. Good grief, even though you’re such a tomboy you can be unusually timid.”

While talking, Reinhardt’s tone became milder and his arm stroking her head more kind.

“You’re 17 today, right? Despite that, you’re still a child.”

When he said that, Elsa pushed Reinhardt’s hand aside,

“…I’m not a child any more.”

Elsa said and stood up.

“Alright, that’s the spirit. Listen, be considerate to other people. That’s the adult thing to do.”

“To other people…”

“That’s right. When ‘Albus’ attacked us, didn’t you first and foremost protect Jin. Remember that feeling.”

“…”

“I’ll go check up on Jin after this.”

Reinhardt said and left Elsa’s room.

＊ ＊ ＊

Reinhardt arrived at Jin’s room and,

“Reinhardt, you came at a good time. I was just thinking I should go visit you.”

Jin said. Then,

“Today’s Elsa’s birthday, right?”

He confirmed. Reinhardt nodded, then

“Previously when we were touring in Bolgia, Elsa wanted a dagger, but is gifting a dagger as a birthday present alright?”

Jin asked. As expected it seems he wasn’t satisfied with just Stearina’s talk. Then like in support of her, Reinhardt said,

“Hmm, I guess not really if gifting it to an unrelated person. In general it’s something you’d gift for a relative. However, it’s not like it’s forbidden to gift one.”

“Huh, is that so.”

For Jin, it was a rather complicated answer. Jin thought it over for a while and then,

“In that case, Reinhardt, can you do me a favor.”

He said and presented Reinhardt the dagger,

“As you’re related to Elsa, it shouldn’t be strange for you to hand this over to her, right?”

Reinhardt took it and was surprised by the exquisitely styled scabbard and grip, and after unsheathing it was struck with admiration by the Mithril’s brilliance.

“Jin, could it be that you made this?”

Jin nodded, then,

“Hmm, you’re really loved by the G.o.d of crafting it seems. It’s magnificent, and the design is splendid. I couldn’t imitate it even a bit.”

Reinhardt praised the work to the skies, but Jin scratched his head and,

“No, actually I got the design from Stearina.”

He confessed. When Reinhardt heard that, he remembered the original reason he had for visiting Jin’s room.

“Speaking of her, Jin, it appears that you were up to something with Stearina-dono last night?”

Reinhardt tried asking in a casual manner. When Jin heard that he looked awkwardly embara.s.sed and,

“You’ve got me there, you could hear it from the hallway? Aah, I’m fatally poor at designing, so when I came across Stearina while searching for materials I asked for her counsel.”

He replied. Keep it a secret from Elsa, he also added.

I knew it was something like that, Reinhardt thought in his heart when he heard Jin. If you think about it, Jin comes with the sister-in-law (?) called Reiko included. With her seductive techniques wouldn’t work on Jin, he thought.

Reinhardt breathed a sigh of relief in his mind, and with a glad look,

“Alright, I’ll handle things regarding the dagger.”

He said and patted Jin’s shoulder.