Gloma Trey had given Jin valuable information.

"You know that this Principality of Mercana, though independent, is still ruled by the Principality of Jagus, don't you?"

"Yes."

And that the Duchy of Jags is still in need of personnel?

Yes.

Then Groma lowered his voice,

"...... that country is in a constant skirmish with its neighbors, the Duchy of Norja and the Duchy of Dalat. That's why they need good mages and engineers."

"I see."

"If you go there, they will probably make you a golem."

"......"

After a short pause, Jin asked what had just occurred to him.

"Uh, Groma ...... is back, isn't he?"

"Yes. ...... coincidentally, the pressure from the <> was on."

"Pressure?"

Jin summarized Groma's explanation in his mind.

The Duchy of Jagus has been engaged in skirmishes with the neighboring Duchy of Norway and the Duchy of Dalat.

The wars and battles of this period are dominated by <> with battle golems, and the three duchies are in need of powerful battle golems.

Meanwhile, the <> is concerned about the situation and has attempted to mediate, but has been unsuccessful.

"As long as the representatives of the World Congress are present, they are quiet, but as soon as they leave, they start skirmishing with each other.

"So, why don't the delegates just stay there?"

"I think so, too, but apparently there is an agreement within the World Congress not to interfere too much."

"I see. ......"

If there is such an agreement, it is the way of a nation ruled by law. If it is not in line with the current situation, the law must be changed.

"But why did Mr. Groma come to this country?

I don't understand why you would go to all this trouble to work in a country where the environment is not so good," Jin said.

"Why, you ask? I don't ...... want to talk too much about it."

"I see. ......"

Jin changed the subject.

"......Groma, do you know anything about ?"

"Avalon. ......My teacher is a man who studied in Avalon and is from the continent of <. He is from the continent of Gondor."

The continent of Gondor?

You know the name of that continent?

Yes, yes.

I see. ...... hmmm...

Groma thought for a moment and then opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

"Jin, if you ever make it to the Laurentian continent, you should pay a visit to your master. I am sure that he is being welcomed as a guest in the Duchy of Jagus.

"Thank you."

"I would like to leave you something at ...... that will show that I introduced you, but you will probably be caught in a search of your belongings. So I'll give you the password. <.

Puppet?

You know that word?

"There is ......."

Groma laughed thinly.

"......I know you didn't want to talk about it earlier, but I came to this country at the request of my master. I'm here to find someone."

"What does he look like?"

"Dark eyes, dark hair, good at engineering magic, and his name is Jin. That's all they told me at ......."

Jin certainly fits the description.

"But I've met two people who fit that description. You are the third. So I'll leave the decision to the master. Remember, <>."

"Thank you very much."

Thank you very much.

<>. After Gromma left, Jin pondered what the word meant.

(Does it have something to do with the fact that the Principality of Mercana is a puppet government, or ......)

Jin closes his eyes and thinks about the past.

The land of his friends who were once called the <> and perhaps are now the <> and <>.

（Belialus the Puppet, Archel the Puppet.

And.

（Zion.)

The grandson of the chief of the <> clan, the girl who was supposed to be united with the <> clan's Belialus.

"...... Well, they're not demons ......, they're a northern tribe, so they must still be alive."

I calculated that if we are in the year 3899 of the continental history, then Zion was 513 years old in 3458, when Jin was 72 years old. Zion, who was 72 years old in 3458, would be 513 years old.

Their lifespan can be converted to about five times that of a human being, which means that they are about 102 to 103 years old.

"Maybe we can meet them. ...... and Marikka."

Marikka was younger than Zion, so it was more likely.

While Jin was thinking about this, he fell asleep.

* * * * *

On September 1, as Gromma had said, Jin received a call.

"You have one hour to get ready. You may take the golem with you.

With that, the liaison, who said he had been ordered by the Committee of Ten, returned.

"......"

"I don't know. ......"

"Jin-san ......"

Jin and his < were at a loss for words.

The < can easily dictate our lives. The will of the individual is not reflected there.

Jin felt a sense of frustration at such a situation.

Originally, Jin had nothing but his baggage. It took him only three minutes to get ready.

"Jin, thank you for everything you've done for me.

"Jin-san, thank you for everything you've done for me. ......"

"I never thought we would part like this."

Jin said goodbye to Eira and Katya.

"Jin, here's a parting gift."

Eira gave him five gold coins.

"Oh, me too."

And she gave him 3 gold coins.

I've been saving them little by little.

"No, I can't let you do this to me. ......

Eira's voice was quieter than ever as Jin tried to refuse.

"Jin, you may need money out there. Please take it."

Jin had no choice but to accept the money.

"...... Well, I'll take it gratefully. Thank you so much.

"I wish I could have learned more from you.

Please take care of yourself.

You too, take care of yourselves.

The three members of , who had been together for a short period of time, had unexpectedly lost their core member, Jin.

"Jin, right?　Okay, let's go."

When the time came, two soldiers came with Jin.

"Well, good luck, both of you."

Jin!

Jin-san!

Only followed them.

Jin thus leaves the Principality of Mercana.