The , which had been held over lunch at the Viscount's residence, came to an end when the daylight shifted a little to the west.

"It was a very meaningful time. Thank you, Mr. Jin and Mr. Rhodoth.

The baroness bowed her head in a graceful gesture.

By the way, her daughter Paula looked tired and was rowing the boat on a chair.

"Oh my goodness, what a girl..."

The baroness giggled. But there was a hint of fatigue on her face, too. No wonder. Jin and Rhodes were tired too.

Jin admired her enthusiasm, but he also wondered why she was doing so much.

The answer would soon become clear.

It is 3:00 p.m., tea time.

While enjoying a cup of kuhe brought from the Kingdom of Elias, they are chatting.

The butler says, "The master has returned.

the butler says.

The baroness says,

"Excuse me for a moment.

and went to meet her husband, the viscount.

"I wonder if he works at the castle.

Jin muttered to himself, and Paula, who remained behind, seemed to have heard his words with a keen ear,

"Yes, my father is the director of the Ministry of Magic.

She explained, "Yes, my father is the director of the Ministry of Magic.

Jin imagined that Mrs. Kikkawa's interest in magic and science might be due to the influence of such a viscount.

"Welcome, my guest."

Just then, the Viscount appeared with his wife. Jin and Rhodes stood and bowed.

"Oh, don't be so formal. I am Devair Nolas Charnedo. I am Viscount Devair Nolas Charnedo. I am the head of the second department of the Ministry of Magic.

The viscount is about 40 years old, slight build. His body is toned.

His hair was beginning to have a hint of white in it.

"Thank you very much for your kindness. I am Jin Nido, <>.

I am Rhodoth, Magi Bachelor.

"Yes, my wife told me. My wife and daughter have taught me a lot, thank you.

Thank you.

You should take a seat instead of standing around talking.

"Yes, I will."

The Viscount will take the first chair, Mrs. Kornishko will take the second. Paula will take the third seat. Then Jin and Rhodes took their seats.

A new kouhe was brought in, and the Viscount took a sip.

"Well, my wife told me last night what you were talking about. I see that you are well versed in both magic and science.

No, not really.

No need to be modest. The reason why my ...... wife asked such a question has to do with the state of this country."

"The way things ...... are?"

"Mm-hmm. This is nothing confidential and I don't mind talking about it, but there is a debate among mages about whether they should support <> or the >.

"Is that so?"

At this point, Jin wondered if he could use this opportunity to get more in-depth information. After all, in front of him were the mages of the Klein Kingdom, the people who belonged to its core.

Rhodes was the first to speak.

"I'm not sure about that, but <> does not intend to have any quarrel with the <>. It's more like the League of Magic is unilaterally burning a sense of rivalry. ......"

"Yes, I am aware of that. I studied at <> for a short period of one year.

There is a system of study abroad. In many countries, excellent mages are often allowed to study in <> for a short period of time.

"However, the organization known as the <> was a force to be reckoned with."

The viscount used the past tense.

"At the moment, the League of Magic is decreasing its power.

"Is that so?"

This is good news. Rhodes knows a lot about it, but since there is no <> power in the Nordic Federation, he inevitably misses out on the most current information.

"Hmmm. Are you interested in ...... such a story?"

"Yes, very much."

Jin answered honestly.

"I see. Then I will tell you a few words to thank you for the hospitality you have shown my wife and daughter.

The baron took another sip of ku hee and continued.

"The people in the federation like to get involved in everything, but recently something has happened and the number of people in the federation has decreased.

"When was this?"

I think it was after the middle of September.

I see. ......

This coincides with the time when Jin destroyed the fleet surrounding Horai Island.

"Well, it's refreshing to have fewer noisy people around."

The viscount laughed.

"Before that, about two years ago and maybe five years ago?　Before that, about two years ago and about five years ago, there was some sort of internal turmoil in the federation, and even then it lost some of its power.

"So you don't have much power now?"

But at Jin's question, the Viscount shook his head.

"No, not really. It has always been very powerful. Even if it has declined a little, its influence is still strong. Besides, many of its members are fanatics, so it can't be fooled."

"I see. What kind of things do they interfere with you, ......?"

"Hmmm. ...... most notable is the technical department. When it comes to magic tools, they complain about it to the point of annoyance.

"Are there ...... people who, uh, ...... work there?　Are there any members?"

The viscount heard Jin's question and clapped his hands together.

"Oh, you didn't know that. At the moment, there are ten mages dispatched by the <> and stationed in the castle.

And they are responding to various events and troubles.

"The most important role is that of a , but I don't like to ask for advice.

This gives advice on a wide range of subjects, including politics and economics, welfare and medical care, magic and magical tools, etc. "It is true that I have knowledge of magic," he says.

"He certainly seems to have a deep knowledge of magic. But he's kind of ...... old-fashioned."

"Outdated ......?

Yes. You have not progressed in what you are talking about. You are too nostalgic.

The word "nostalgia" reminded Jin of something.

"Well, what do you know about <>?"

"Yes, the <>. I know a little about ....... I think they are not as narrow-minded as the <>, but now they are in the minority. But now they are in the minority. Because the <> snatched away the <>'s personnel, equipment, and other things."

"Oh, is that true after all?"

The viscount nodded bitterly.

"Yes, that's true, isn't it? I don't know what kind of magic they used, but there are rumors that the <>'s guard golem and others became the property of the <> overnight."

"Hah ......"

Jin imagined that they probably used <>.

(But ......<> time was the time of <> and <>. After becoming <>, it became <>. (Can we say that history repeats itself, or is it a matter of karma and retribution? ......)

As Jin was thinking about this, the Viscount said to him.

"Well, the sun is setting. What are you two going to do?　We would be happy if you would join us for dinner.

It was around 4:30 in the afternoon.

"No, no, we are going back to the inn.

Jin refrained from being so brazen.

"I see. Well then, I'm sorry to leave, but I think it's time to call it a night.

At the Viscount's words, Jin and Rhodes left the table.

"As for me, I am very interested in the golem and automata you have with you.

He seemed to be giving Hope and Reiko a compliment in a roundabout way.

"Well then, thank you, Mr. Jin and Mr. Rhodes, for all the information you have given us."

"Thank you very much!"

Jin and Rhodes received thanks from the Viscountess and Paula, and left the Viscount's mansion.

Incidentally, they were escorted to <> by a horse-drawn carriage.

Jin and Rhodes returned to their lodgings, feeling good about their modest harvest.