The road to the guest house was not a paved road, but a compacted dirt road.

It had not been raining recently, and there was a terrible cloud of dust after the Golem cars had driven on the road.

After about 10 minutes of driving on such a road, we arrived at the guest house of the Principality of Jagus.

"So this is the guest house of the Duchy of Jagus.

"It's magnificent."

Fiona Fierce wanted to say, "It looks fine," but she held her tongue in fear of her fellow diplomat, Pringles Kubo, who was also in the car.

The building itself was large, but the construction materials used were so cheap that one could tell at a glance that they were cheap.

To be more specific, first of all, the plaster on the walls. The main ingredient of plaster is slaked lime, which is mixed with glue and hemp to coat the walls.

Normally, slaked lime is supposed to be white, but it is different in color in some places.

Slaked lime is made by burning shells (calcium carbonate) to make quicklime (calcium oxide) and adding water to make slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) (this is called "slaked lime").

On the walls here, I saw a large amount of shell fragments mixed in.

Then there is the wood used.

Normally, only one or at most three types of wood are used for uniformity, but five types of wood were used just as far as I could see.

Since wood expands and contracts slightly depending on the humidity, combining different types of wood often causes squeaks and gaps due to the difference in expansion rates.

The other problem is that the building is distorted upon closer inspection.

This was probably due to the difference in the rate of settlement between the east, west, south, north, and west sides of the building, caused by the poor foundation work.

I can imagine that even Fionn Fierce, who is an amateur in engineering, could see such things.

* * * * * * * * *

The meeting was to take place the next day. Diplomat Pringles Kubo was to pick us up around 9:00 am.

By the way, I brought the Magi Stone as a souvenir.

"...... room is terrible."

At first glance, the room looks tidy, but there is dust in places you can't see.

"Leave it to me."

I would have had to sleep in the dusty room if Manon hadn't cleaned up the room so efficiently.

After settling down, we started our meeting. Of course, after making sure there were no wiretaps, we set up a soundproofing ward.

"The question is whether this treatment is intentional or not.

Gaju Tugga cut in.

"If they are treating us like this because they don't have the budget or are unable to help us, then we will give up, but if they are treating us with disrespect and disregard, then we should think about it," he said.

"In that regard, ......"

Unusually, Manon was the first to express his opinion.

"The building itself is not well built or well constructed, so there is no doubt that all those who come from the outside, that is, , will be treated in this way."

"I see. Is that so?

Yes. So I assume that this treatment is the same not only for us, but for everyone who comes here.

"Okay. ...... any other opinions?"

Fiona Fierce had no objections.

"Good. Okay, on to the next topic. What is the final policy of ......?"

The day before I arrived, that is, yesterday, we had a brief meeting. Several ideas were proposed, each with its own merits and demerits, and it was decided that we would make a final decision at the site of the meeting.

"On the way, the rejection at the unnamed peak, the welcome that could be seen as an act of demonstration, and the treatment here.... ...... and the reputation of the Duchy of Jags, which we have learned about in the three duchies."

Fiona Fierce spoke first.

"I think the key will be if we can convince them that it would be in their interest to establish friendly relations with us.

"Yes, that is very possible. "Yes, there is a lot of potential, but often there are those who misunderstand.

Gaju Tuga confirmed Fiona Fiasse's opinion, but also indicated that there were some concerns.

"That is, those who believe in their own superiority," she said.

"Oh, I understand."

At <>, such cultural anthropological studies were also taught.

"You mean, they can understand you, but they can't talk to you?

Yes.

History has proven that in such a case, you have to see the pain once in order to wake up.

"It would be a waste of time if the country is destroyed by such a , wouldn't it?"

Fiona Fierce said with a wry smile.

"Yes, indeed."

At this point Manon spoke up again.

"Well, how was it here in the Duchy of Jagus during the last year?　Why don't you check it out?

At the time, the stronghold of Malquitas was at Mount Nakyu on the continent of Pandor. So it was the Principality of Mercana that suffered the most.

"From what I have heard, there was no damage to us.

Gaju Tugga answered.

"After all, there is a vast ocean in between.

"That's true. However, the Principality of Mercana and the Principality of Jagus were connected by a transfer magic circle, and since the rebellion, tribute from the Principality of Mercana has stopped arriving.

Even if there was no direct damage, there may have been indirect damage, Manon said.

"That may be true."

"At least they couldn't have known that the Principality of Mercana, which they treated as a vassal state, had been attacked. And they didn't send help. This is true."

Gaju Tuga stated the premise.

"Either they could not afford to send help, or they simply cut it off. Either way, it was a cold-blooded decision."

Gaju Tsuga himself was on his way to the rescue at the time, and he remembers well how dire the situation on the ground was.

"I would have to say that he was a ruthless ruler for abandoning the people in that situation.

If we had sent even a token rescue, our reputation would have changed," concluded Gaju Tugga.

"Then we are going into the meeting with the assumption that we are dealing with such a person, is that correct?"

Manon checked with Gaju Tshuga and Fiona Fias.

"That's what I mean."

Once the meeting started, the three of them would not be able to discuss the matter in secret, so they were trying to coordinate and unify their opinions.

"One last thing. What do you think about ...... brainwashing?"

It seems certain that the people of the Principality of Jags are brainwashed.

What about the leaders?

"That diplomat didn't seem to be brainwashed.

The brainwashed can be distinguished by their eyes. In this case, the movement of the eyeballs is very slow.

This is mainly due to the slowing down of the frontal lobe.

"You said that it is similar to manic-depressive illness, didn't you?

Manic-depressive illness, now called , alternates between a depressed mood and a high-tension manic state.

Elsa analyzed that brainwashed people usually appear lethargic like in the depressed state, but behave like in the manic state when they are given specific orders.

Based on this knowledge, she observed the diplomat Pringles Kubo, who did not appear to be brainwashed.

"Yes, he was. ...... but it could be weak brainwashing at the level of suggestion."

Since suggestion is far less coercive than brainwashing, it is difficult to judge by appearance in daily life, unless special tests can be conducted.

In the worst case, they might try to brainwash Gaju Tsuga and Fiona Fierce.

"We can count on Manon against brainwashing."

"Yes, I'll leave it to you."

Manon, an automata, is ineffective against human brainwashing magic.

Furthermore, Manon is equipped with a .

Gaju TSUGA gave him these instructions so that he would be able to take immediate action if something should happen to him.

After a few other precautions, the group finally relaxed, took a bath, and ate their meals.

Fortunately, the facilities were in working order.