Magicraft Meister Part 1

"The ship that Reiko was running is called ...... ah, an outer-wheeler."

It was a propulsion unit that Jin had hastily built in the port town of Potrock. Instead of oars, an outer wheel is attached.

The left and right wheels are independent of each other, and the golem paddles the boat, eliminating the need for a rudder.

Yes, that's right, an outer-wheeled boat. I'd like to make one of my own when I get back to ....... Is that OK with you?"

Jin was half impressed and half dismayed that Reinhardt, as expected, wanted to start magecraft as soon as he got home.

"Of course I don't mind. I'm ......, but are you sure?　What about Ms. Bertsche?

Reinhardt laughed when Jin said this.

"Don't worry about Belle. He likes me even though he knows I'm this kind of guy."

It was nothing more than a flirtation.

"Oh, well, thanks for the drink."

Jin smiled and said, "Oh, well, thanks for the food.

The next day, the 22nd.

The next day, the 22nd. Jin and his party left Koju at 9:00 a.m. for Banneh on the other side of the river.

As Reinhardt said, it was a wide shallow-bottomed boat.

Three such shallow-bottomed boats are towed by a large boat with a carriage in the lead.

The speed is about 6 to 7 kilometers per hour.

On board are Jin, Reinhard, and Reiko. On board are Jin, Reinhardt, Reiko, and Reinhardt's butler, Claude. Beth and Dolly, the maid-servants, have long since returned to their hometown of Banne, with Reinhardt's permission.

Banne is a provincial city that forms the center of my family's lands, Count Randall's domain.

On the ship, Reinhardt explains to Jin.

"Jin knows about the taxation system in the Kingdom of Klein, doesn't he?　I have never been to the Kingdom of Klein myself, but as a diplomat, I know what it's all about.

Reinhardt began his explanation with this preface.

"Our Shoro Kingdom is divided into several fiefdoms, each of which is governed independently.

I see, decentralization," Jin thought as he heard this.

"Basically, taxes are paid to the lords. And each lord also pays a certain amount of tax to the national government. Of course, some areas are under the direct control of the state. Along the main roads, for example.

Both decentralization and its opposite, centralization, have their merits and demerits. Smaller countries tend to be centralized while larger countries tend to be decentralized. At least in this world," said Jin, thinking back to the countries he had visited.

"Our lands are naturally ruled by my father, Wolfgang Randall von Morgan. Among them, Georg Randall von Amber, Elsa's father and my uncle, rules a small estate in the town of Exi. ...... where Elsa's parents live."

"Elsa's ...... I see."

There are many nobles without fiefdoms in the Shoro Empire. Most of them had a town or so within the territory controlled by the main family and ruled it as a small fiefdom.

"By the way, the Marquisate of Theoderic is next door to the west, and the House of Matheus governs two towns, Sagina and Mahahama, in the Marquisate of Theoderic.

It's complicated. Jin took in the gist of what was going on, and used it as background knowledge for the future.

In between these conversations, the boat approached the opposite shore, enjoying the scenery from the lake.

This area of the Shoro Kingdom is a broad plain, with only gentle undulations rising gently toward the north.

The May breeze across the lake was neither hot nor cold, and the boat glided along the rippling surface.

When we were more than halfway across, we saw a boat approaching from the opposite shore. It was a shallow-bottomed boat about one size larger than the one Konin and the others were on.

"That's ......."

"Reinhardt-sama!"

It was Reinhardt's fiancée, Bertsche.

"This is more comfortable for you, isn't it?"

Now Reinhardt, Jin, and Reiko are on board the shallow-bottomed boat that Bertsche has just boarded. Claude, the butler, stayed behind with the luggage.

"It's just about lunchtime, and I've prepared some food for you," said Berthe.

Saying this, Berthe ordered her automata, <>, to prepare lunch.

Bread cut into small pieces for easy eating, various fruit jams. Fruit juices in water bottles are chilled by the magic of ice.

Dried meat seared on the grill was still warm, as if it had not been cooked for a long time.

Then came the grilled pink tromon, a specialty of Lake Tosmo.

All the dishes were first-rate and Jin and Reinhardt were satisfied.

While they were eating, Reiko was free. So Neon walked up to Reiko and bowed to her.

Reiko, how are you? Do you remember me?

"......Neon-san, right?"

Yes, that's right. I'm glad you remember me, Reiko.

"............"

As he had said before in the town of Riale, Neon wants to be friends with Reiko. He talks to Reiko to get her attention, but Reiko gives him a curt answer.

Eventually the meal was over. Neon started to clean up. Reiko decides to help him.

"Thank you, Reiko-san."

Neon thanks her. Bertsche bows to Reiko and Reinhardt,

"Thank you very much for your help.

She said smilingly.

By this time, Banne on the other side of the river was getting closer. A wide moat runs inland.

It seems that this is another type of city that uses moat walls instead of outer walls to protect it from outside enemies.

After entering the moat wall and proceeding for about 20 minutes, the ship carrying the group arrived at the port.

"Mr. Reinhard, your father and your brothers are all here today.

Bertsche said to Reinhard as they pulled up to the pier.

"Oh, I see. I haven't seen my father and brother for a long time."

The ship docked at the pier. Reinhardt was the first to land and offered his hand to Bertsche.

Bertsche smiled, took his hand, and went ashore beside Reinhardt.

Reiko, who had been watching the scene, went ashore ahead of Jin and offered her hand, but Jin, tilting his head, said something was wrong and asked Reiko to pull him up.

Count Randall's carriage was already waiting for them at the port, and Jin and Reiko got into the large carriage with Reinhardt and Bertsche.

The shallow-bottomed ship that Bertsche had prepared was fast, so the large ship with the luggage and carriages had not yet arrived. The Randalls were responsible for delivering such luggage and Jin's carriage.

Fifteen minutes drive from the port on a paved cobblestone road, we came to the lord's mansion.

It is a sturdy three-story stone mansion. It is about one-third the size of the palace in Leusert.

The spires on both sides are the main difference between the two, but the rest of the building is very similar.

"Ah, it's been a long time!

Bertsche smiled at Reinhardt, who was delighted to be home for the first time in a long time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

That night was a celebration of Reinhardt's homecoming and his successful completion of his duties as a diplomat. The party was even more exciting as it was a welcome party for Jin, the guest of honor.

Jin had been fed up with being taken care of by the lady-in-waiting and the butler since he arrived at Reinhardt's house, but since Reinhardt had told him to stay , he put up with it.

"Reinhard, thank you for your service as a diplomat.

With these words, his father, Wolfgang Randall, proposed a toast. He has gray hair and eyes, similar to Reinhardt's, but not the same robust physique.

I have heard of the exploits of your Black Knight (Schwarzritter) in the Kingdom of Celluloid and of Lorelei in the Kingdom of Elias.

This was said by Reinhardt's older brother, Leonhard Randall, the eldest son. He looks just like his father.

"I have heard about you too, Jin-dono. I know you don't like formalities, but just for tonight, please come with me.

The man who addressed Jin was his second son, Wilhard Randall. He is platinum blonde with blue eyes and looks like his mother.

The third son, Erhard Randall, seems to be the one who claps Reinhard's shoulder encouragingly though he does not talk much. He has blond hair like his mother and gray eyes like his father.

Reinhardt, who had Bertsche by his side, was answering them every time they came to him.

Jin was in front of Reinhardt, so he could see them clearly.

"...... family, huh? It's nice."

Coming from an orphanage, Jin does not know what a normal family is. For him, his family consisted of the director, who sometimes played the role of mother and sometimes father, and the younger children.

"Jin-san, may I call you that?"

"Ah, yes."

The woman who came to Jin's side was a tall, beautiful woman, with a full figure and a narrow waist. She is Reinhardt's mother.

"My name is Isolde Randall von Terfur. Nice to meet you.

Yes, it's nice to meet you too.

The soft atmosphere she wears and her proportions. Jin thought that perhaps Reinhardt's ideal mother would be like this.

"I heard that my son was taken care of during the trip. I would like to thank you again.

"No, I'm ...... grateful for all the help he gave me.

"Hmmm...she talks about Jin-san as if he were her own person with such a happy face. I've never had a friend like that before. I hope you will continue to be a good friend to her.

"Yes, of course. I'd rather have you as my friend.

"Oh, my God, that's so nice of you."

Isolde, Reinhardt's mother, said a few words to Jin, then bailed and returned to her husband Wolfgang.

Leonhard, Wilhard, Erhard and others came to greet Jin. Finally, Reinhardt's father, Wolfgang, arrived.

"Jin-dono, my son has told me many things. I have only one thing to say. Take good care of my son.

"Yes, of course."

Jin's bold, yet caring gesture made Reinhardt's father like him. No, it would be more correct to say "to the whole family".

On the other hand, Jin's mind was filled with thoughts of Erza.