Chapter 429

13 Stronghold Enhancement Arc

13-05 The Results …

“Brother Rei, you can use the front guest room, and Brother Jin can use the back guest room . ”

Everyone decided to relax after all the discussions were over .

Now that Moritz had fallen asleep, Elsa took over as a temporary head of the family in giving instructions to the maids .

“… How nostalgic . ”

After everything was settled, Elsa entered her room .

It was kept as it was before she left on a journey with Reinhardt .

There was no dust and no musty odor . The maids must have been cleaning it regularly .

She threw her body into the bed . Staring up, she could see the familiar Light magic tools hanging down the ceiling .

“Nothing … changed . ”

Although the room had not changed, Elsa truly felt that she had .

I didn’t know anything before going on that journey .

But now, I have learned Magi Engineering, Healing Magic, and Jin taught me science . In addition, I gained more knowledge and experience from the journey as well .

I’m aware that I’m still immature . But I’m certain that I have grown .

“For the sake of someone . ”

Compared to when I let others took care of everything, I can do more things myself now . Above all, I have acquired the skills I can be proud of .

Someone was knocking at the door while Elsa was immersed in her own thoughts .

“Come in . ”

“Excuse me . ”

It was Reinhardt .

“Brother Rei . ”

“… A special envoy from the kingdom seems to have just arrived . ”

“Huh?”

* * *

Jin, Elsa, and Reinhardt headed toward the living room .

Moritz had awakened to greet the special envoy as the acting leader of the house .

However, his complexion was as pale as a ghost, and seemed like he would collapse anytime .

With a rank comparable to the Under Secretary, the special envoy came under the imperial command of Her Majesty the Empress .

Jin and his friends could only witness from a distance . … Or so they thought, but when the special envoy beckoned to join in upon noticing them .

“Lord Jin Nidou, Lord Reinhardt, and Miss Elsa . All of you have the right to listen as well . Please . ”

Jin and his friends sat a little away and watched the development .

With the help from the special envoy, Moritz stood in front of everyone . The special envoy started reading the letter .

“Slander toward a state guest, His Royal Highness Ernest, by his subordinates . Similar slander toward Sir Jin Nidou . ”

Moritz was about to collapse upon hearing those charges .

“Falsification of the rules of Gonkurrenz by referee bribery . ”

It was clearly referring to the underwater search compet.i.tion .

“In addition, regarding the commotion caused at the audience seats that interfered with the National Memorial Ceremony, the Technology Expo, as well as the destruction of some facilities . ”

There were a great number of eye-witnesses . There would be no way to talk his way out of these charges .

“Coming from an aristocrat, these actions are absolutely intolerable and shall not be overlooked . Given the above charges, Georg Randol Von Amber shall be stripped of his t.i.tle as Viscount . And is ordered to have a mandatory retirement . ”

Moritz hung his head down . And the final order was announced .

“At the same time, the Viscount Randol family is ruined . The Randol family will be under the supervision of the eldest son, Moritz Randol Von Amber . ”

“… I humbly accept . ”

Moritz bowed to the messenger .

“The second son, Fritz Randol Von Groche, will remain in the military position . His deployment will be discussed later . Elsa Randol Von Razura will remain under Reinhardt Randol Von Adamas’ supervision . ”

Such was the notification from the special envoy .

The Viscount Randol’s family had disappeared from then on; although still aristocrats, the family had no t.i.tle and was of low social standing .

After the envoy left, Moritz fell back asleep .

* * *

“In the end, would it be all right for Moritz to stay at your place? In other words, he would be under your supervision, Reinhardt . ”

Jin, who had been listening to the announcement, asked . I’m bad at this kind of conversation .

“Yeah, it is what it is . Well, since my father would be taking over ruling this town of Exxi, I think it would be fine for Moritz to stay the way he is . ”

That was Reinhardt’s a.s.sumption .

“It would be a waste to let another person rule now . That’s how I thought anyway, since Moritz has originally been working on it . ”

The reason was clear enough .

“But … . ”

Reinhardt mumbled .

“… If they found out that uncle knew about the premeditated murder of the Marquess by a.r.s.enic poisoning, he probably would be executed . ”

Elsa’s complexion changed upon hearing it . No matter how much I hate my father, I can’t stay calm when I heard that he would be executed . Seeing Elsa was anxious, Jin consoled her .

“… All of us here are the only ones who know about that . Moreover, the evidence gathered simply put the a.r.s.enic and liquor in the same room — not enough to show that your father knew about the plot . The demon memo is questionable as well . There’s a good possibility it was to create some confusion . ”

“… Is that really all right?”

Elsa glanced at Jin .

“With that said, we can’t hide it if the Marquess asked … . Besides, considering Saki’s feelings, I think it would be bad if we hide it from her … . ”

Jin looked toward Reinhardt seeking approval .

“You’re right … . I think it would be best for us to tell the Marquess . ”

The Marquess was the number one victim after all .

“When we visit, we should bring some gift … . Oh, that’s right!”

Jin slapped his knee as if he suddenly had a revelation . He then turned toward Elsa .

“Elsa, I’ll make an Automata for the Marquess . Let’s bring it as a gift and go visit him . And let’s tell him the truth . At that time, Elsa should apologize on behalf of your father . ”

Jin mentioned that they had no choice but to bet on the gentle heart of the Marquess that thought Reiko was cute, as well as his love toward Elsa .

“Hmm … well, I understand that we have to talk to the Marquess, but I wonder if it’s okay … . It awkwardly feels like a bribe . ”

“It’s not a bribe . It’s a ‘get-well-soon gift’ . Right, Elsa?”

“… Brother Jin, you’re making a wicked expression . ”

Elsa commented on the smirk Jin made while describing the plan .

* * *

“… All right, then . I have something to tell everyone as well . ”

Jin got the conversation going in another direction in the presence of Reinhardt, Berthie, Elsa, and Mine .

“Following Horai Island and Kunlun Island, we are developing an island called ‘Fuso Island’ . It’s located on the sea near Lenard Kingdom . I think I mentioned in the past that Lenard Kingdom had fallen into ruins . So the island doesn’t belong to any territory at the moment . I’m thinking of developing the island and opening it to the public . ”

Jin briefly explained his plan and antic.i.p.ated everyone’s reactions . After a brief silence, Reinhardt said,

“Yeah, I understand your point . I think it’s indeed risky to open Horai Island and Kunlun Island to the general public . But then, are you going to reveal the means to get there as well?”

The reason for Reinhardt to ask that question was because the island was isolated . A Warp Gate would be necessary for people to get there .

“Yeah . You’re right . For that, I’m thinking of setting up designated Warp Gates so people may use them freely . ”

“Where will they be installed?”

“For now, I’m planning to instal them in Shouro Empire and Egelia Kingdom; and I’m still considering Klein Kingdom . ”

Jin chose the two kingdoms that bestowed his Magi Craft Meister t.i.tle, and from where the closely acquainted prince and princess came from . Those were good enough reasons .

Jin also explained further that each gate would be given strict protective measures .

“I will attach two dedicated golems on each gate . People won’t be able to use the Warp Gate without the approval of both golems . Should something happen to both golems, I will destroy the Warp Gate myself . ”

“I see, so people will be able to use the gate without knowing the mechanism . ”

“Yeah . Aside from that, I have prepared several other un.o.btrusive measures as well . ”

“Hmm, then it should be all right . So, what about the facility?”

“I think I’ll create a facility similar to the research inst.i.tute in Horai Island . I want people to go beyond the borders of their countries and be able to study Magi Engineering, ordinary Engineering, Alchemy, and the like . ”

Everyone nodded in approval to Jin’s explanation .

“I think it’s good . ”

“I agree, too . ”

“I think it’s a good idea . ”

“I don’t understand complicated things, but being able to go beyond the borders of a country sounds great . ”

All four of them agreed .

“Thank you . I’d like to tell Saki next … . ”

Jin then told his “family” present at the time that they will depart for Horai Island the next day .

Author’s note:

A severe verdict had been pa.s.sed .