After enjoying their undersea expedition, Jin and Erza returned to Horai Island.

"It was a great success. We found undersea resources.

"Father, if you want to proceed with the development, I think you will need a sea base.

Reiko made an unusual suggestion.

"It would be more efficient if we send the mined resources to Horai Island through a warp gate.

"I see. I see. I will consider it.

Thus, the island of Horai embarked on securing more resources.

* * * *

On the following day, the 20th, Jin and Erza returned to the house of Reuthert.

Reinhardt was also there since he had been informed in advance.

"Hey, Jin. I heard you made something interesting again?"

"Yes, a submarine ......, no, a submarine."

"A submarine!　Take me for a ride sometime!"

"...... brother Rai, what more did you want to talk about?"

Erza chided Reinhardt who was getting excited.

"Yes, that's right. I've been summoned by His Majesty. He wants Jin to come too, if possible."

"His Majesty?　I don't understand...

He wants to talk about ships and stuff.

So Jin, Reiko, Erza, Edgar, Reinhard and the others decided to go to Miyagi. By airship, of course.

In Miyagi, Jin's airship had become so familiar that it had its own landing pad.

"Edgar, I'm sorry, but you'll have to stay here.

"Yes, sir, of course."

Leaving Edgar in charge of the airship, Jin and the others went first to the Prime Minister's office.

"Oh, Sir Jin Nido, Sir Reinhard Randall, Erza, and Reiko."

The Prime Minister stopped checking the documents and welcomed Jin and his party. He immediately sent his secretary to inform the queen.

"Jin, welcome!"

Within five minutes, the queen herself arrived. The Prime Minister, seeing this, looked a little reluctant.

"First of all, congratulations on your success in Bernstein. And I would like to thank you again. Thank you."

He added that he was sorry he could not attend the launching ceremony.

"The day before yesterday, I received a message by pigeon that she received a royal welcome from Asund when she docked at <>, a port in the Kingdom of Egelea, on the 18th. They will probably stay there for a few nights.

Nahrnekka is a town overlooking a bay south of Asund, the capital of the Kingdom of Egelea, and has a large harbor.

"I see, so you are already in Egelea. ......"

Reinhardt said in a deep voice.

"According to the report, we passed a large ship from that country in Kupu, at the southern tip of the Kingdom of Selroa. It is said that the ship is now anchored in the town of Jirisho in our country.

Jin had also heard this. The ship, <>, was in fact built by the 5th Quinta, Altaf and Gjenner, who had been dispatched by Jin.

"So, that's about all I have to say about the disappearance of the ship. Now we have a request."

Requests?

Yes. After all, this is a ship that's never been sailed before. It's no wonder there will be many requests later on.

The Empress then showed Jin and Reinhard the list she had compiled.

"Let's see... ......... I see."

1. make it possible to apply emergency braking.

2. please think about slow navigation when attached to a pier.

3. Flags and banners are suggested as a means of communication with land.

4. Signal lights should be installed in harbors and along coastlines.

The following were suggested.

Regarding the first item, braking, since small jet thrusters are used, should the number be increased or the output be raised?

Jin thought that increasing the number of thrusters would be easier to use.

Reinhardt came up with the idea for the second one.

How about deploying a mermaid-type golem at the port and having it manage such things?

By extension, the golem could also be asked to tow ships. A tugboat, if you will.

"That's a good idea."

Jin agrees.

"It might be a good idea to have one on board as a lifeguard.

Elsa mentioned the idea.

"Yeah, you're right," said Erza.

Jin had a similar idea. The idea was to let people know by the colors and patterns of the flags.

"If we do this, I think it would be better to make it common among all countries.

"Yes, Jin, you are right. ...... except for special ones, let's discuss it among countries."

4 is not a ship, but an administrative issue.

"That makes sense. Let's do something about it.

Thus, Bernstein's request was generally accepted.

"Now, let's talk about the next topic, the Kingdom of Klein.

Jin listened attentively.

"The Kingdom of Klein is sending a survey team to the Kingdom of Leonard early in the new year.

It seems that it has something to do with the procurement of food. They are thinking of hunting not only grain but also wild animals for food.

"At the same time, the Kingdom of Egelea is going to do the same. Hopefully, they will be able to open up a road that allows people to come and go without having to go through the Kingdom of Cerroa.

At the moment, the territory of the Kingdom of Celuloa lies between the Kingdom of Klein and the Kingdom of Egelea, so it is not easy to travel back and forth by land.

Hot air balloons are possible, but they lack transportation capacity.

Therefore, they would like to open up a new overland route.

Jin is thinking secretly that it would be a good idea to rebuild the old Leonard Kingdom and let Ernest and Rieschen rule it if possible.

"And lastly. In my country, I will take Sir Jin Nido's advice and dispatch an advance party at the beginning of the new year to open diplomatic relations with the different peoples."

"What!"

Jin, Erza, and Reinhardt all exclaimed in surprise.

"But it will be small at first. I'm thinking of about ten ambassadors, deputy ambassadors, and guards.

"I see. ......"

Jin was happy. If the empress was serious about opening diplomatic relations with the ...... Mitsukho, there would surely be mutual benefits.

"How about Sir Reinhard Randall as ambassador?"

"What?"

Again, the Japanese were surprised.

"Reinhardt has a proven track record in diplomacy and is an excellent magi engineer. I think he is the right person for the job.

"......"

Reinhardt does not have an immediate answer.

"If not, we could choose someone else as ambassador and Sir Elsa Randall as vice-ambassador.

!

We're visiting a foreign country, we can't force them to do anything. Please think it over.

I understand.

"I understand."

Reinhard and Erza replied, looking down a little.

"And now, my other idea..."

The Empress proceeded.

"I would like you to go to the Kingdom of Elias as the ambassador of the Shoro Kingdom.

"The Kingdom of Elias?

Yes, all three of you have been to the Kingdom of Elias. ...... Bernstein is on his way there now, and he will arrive in Potrock on the 23rd or 24th.

Jin and the others had a rough idea of what to expect.

"In this connection, I would like to discuss our future course of travel.

The emperor took a breath and looked alternately at Reinhardt and Erza. This is also important in terms of setting up trade routes.

"If anything, we would be more grateful if you would accept this one. In that case we will send someone else to the different peoples. What do you think?"

"Yes. ......"

Jin is not a citizen of the Shoro Kingdom (though he is an honorary citizen), so he will not accompany the Shoro as an official emissary. Therefore, I have not been asked, but I thought it would be interesting no matter which way I went with him.

However, I am more interested in the Potrock at the moment. He was also curious about the ship he had worked on and about the father and daughter of Rodrigo and Marcia.

Reinhardt seemed to feel the same way,

"In that case, I would like to go to Potrock.

Reinhardt seemed to feel the same way and replied, "In that case, I would like to go to Potrock.