Magicraft Meister Part 1

"...... so you've made up your mind."

Karen smiled, looking down a little more than at Elsa's face.

"Hmm?"

Jin followed her gaze. He could see Elsa's hand.

As usual, her fingers are white and thin. On the middle finger of her right hand is a guard ring made by Jin. Her nails are neatly trimmed and she does not wear any kind of nail polish.

Jin recalled an anecdote that on Earth, people grew their nails long to show that they did not have to do manual labor.

"Huh?"

Jin feels a slight discomfort. A clearly visible hand: .......

"I see."

Yes, he noticed now that Elsa was not wearing gloves.

Noblewomen always wear gloves when they are at a party......, Jin thinks back to his memory.

"Elsa, did you forget your gloves today?"

"No,......."

"Then, is there a reason?"

"...... yes."

What's the reason?

"...... can't tell you."

Elsa turns her head to the side, as if not wanting to explain to Jin for some reason. Jin decided to ask Karen.

"Karen, do you understand?"

But Karen only smiles at him.

"No, I can't tell you either. Jin-sama, you must understand."

With these words, Karen walked away rather quickly.

"I'm not wearing gloves either, honey..."

Hannah fluttered her hands to Jin. Jin gently patted Hannah's head.

But she is still concerned about something.

"......el......"

Jin was about to ask Erza again, when she answered.

"The Emperor is here!"

A voice rang out and everyone in the room stopped talking and looked toward the back of the room.

The door on the right opened and the female emperor, Gerhard Hilde von Rubies-Scholo, appeared.

"Ladies and gentlemen, your presence is cordially requested.

He said a few words and sat down on his throne. The Prime Minister, Jung Forschung von Köbsler, took over and opened his mouth.

"We are gathered here today to announce the birth of the four new barons of the Shoro Empire and to celebrate the future of our nation.

As soon as the voices died away, the door to the left opened and four young men entered.

They lined up side by side on the podium, which was a step lower than the throne.

"The knighting ceremony went off without a hitch. There are four new barons.

The voice of the secretary presiding over the ceremony rang out.

"Reinhard Randall von Adamas, Lord of the village of Kurtz. Lord of Etco, Clarg Schell von Dormuth. Brause Alhauss von Furth, lord of the village of Eno. Captain of the Kingsguard, Matheus Geist von Rialger. That is all."

The four names are read out. Matheus, on the far left, is a friend of Reinhardt's and Bertsche's brother.

"I see that Matheus also received a baronetcy."

The two in the middle seem to be lords of local towns and villages, but Jin did not know them.

The one on the right is Reinhardt.

The four men were wearing brown robes, which are the symbol of baronetcy in the Shoro Kingdom.

Within two minutes of their entrance and the reading of their names, the attendants were handing out glasses of white wine to the people in the pews.

When the Empress stood up again, everyone had a glass of wine in his or her hand. Hannah's glass was filled with juice.

"Well then, let us drink to the birth of the new baron!

At the voice of the Empress, everyone raised their glasses and drank the wine that had been poured.

"From now on, we will have a reception. Make yourselves at home."

With these words, the emperor and the prime minister left the room.

The room became lively at once. The guests congratulate the new baron and talk among themselves.

"Hello, Jin.

"Jin-dono, long time no see."

Reinhardt and Matheus came to Jin together. Bertsch and another woman with blond hair and blue eyes were standing next to them.

"I am Matheus' wife, Ciara.

She greeted Jin.

"You are new here, Jin-dono. I heard that the Heckerat family lives across the street from Jin-dono's house.

Yes, that's right.

Yes, but that's Ciara's family home.

Ciara's maiden name is Hekerath. Ciara Hekerath von Lavra. Now, of course, it is Ciara Geist von Lavra.

"Hello Matheus, and Ciara. Congratulations."

Again the familiar voice.

"Jin-dono, I'm sorry about the other day."

A blonde-haired, blue-eyed female knight much like Ciara. She is Flora, who was escorting the emperor.

"Sister Flora, it's been a long time.

Sister-in-law, it's been a long time.

Flora's full name is Flora Heckerath von Merante. She is the eldest daughter of the Heckerath family and Ciara's older sister.

"Matheus is a baron too. He's finally overtaken me.

Flora is a female knight, or a baroness, which means that Mateus, who is a baron, is a little higher than Flora.

In terms of the military, Flora is a knight of the Kingsguard, and Matheus is a captain of the 3rd company of the Kingsguard. It is quite difficult. To tell you the truth, I am not familiar with military affairs.

"No, no, your sister-in-law Flora is more distinguished than you, being able to serve at your majesty's side."

"Oh, please stop calling me names. I don't like it."

"Oh my sister, do you still care about that?"

"......?"

Jin did not understand the meaning of the conversation between Matheus and the others. Ciara, perhaps sensing his concern, gently explained to him.

"My sister has always been a manly woman. She even went to a knighthood school. She always says she doesn't like the name Flora because it sounds too feminine.

"...... Hey, Ciara!　Don't say a word!"

Flora's blonde hair shines as she turns around. Her straight hair was cut in a bob and fluttered with her movements, reflecting the light.

"I graduated from ...... in the same year as my husband, and became a regular knight after serving as a squire. She is a manly but serious person, and she is not very flexible, but I hope you will be good friends with her."

"Ciara!"

Jin was thinking that it was somewhat disrespectful to the women of this world that there were no feminine knights like Gloria Allstadt of the Kingdom of Klein or this Flora.

Come to think of it, no woman who is < in Jin's opinion would ever think of becoming a knight.

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

In the evening, at 5:00 p.m., the reception ended and we disbanded.

Jin heard from Reinhardt as he was leaving that the reception was held during the daytime because it was for the new baron and that it was small in scale.

"Jin-dono, Erza-dono, Hanna-dono, Reiko-dono, His Majesty wants to see you."

"Yes?"

Jin and the others were on their way home when they heard a call from the emperor's secretary. The name of Reiko, a cavalrywoman, was also called.

"......What in the world is this?"

They thought about it, but could not find an answer. Jin and the others are led by the secretary to the office.

"Your Majesty, I've brought you something.

Please come in.

The emperor and the prime minister were waiting for them in the office.

"I'm sorry I called you here on my way out. It took me until now to finish my work."

But the emperor's eyes turned to Hanna.

"Hello, Hannah."

"Hello, Heika."

The Empress beckoned to Hanna. Hannah walked to the emperor's side. Taking Hanna's hand, the Empress explains the reason for her invitation.

I want to talk to Elsa today. The Prime Minister will give you the details.