Volume 8 - Chapter 3 – Engagement (1/2)

08-03 Engagement

For the sake of reproducing the golem suit Jin began considering its specifications with great enthusiasm.

Shaping it like a knight’s armor with a two-layered structure, and having muscles of Magical Fiber in between…Or maybe it would be fine to have the armor itself move using [Forming] magic, or something else.

Either way, fundamentally it was armor. And so its defence capability was essential.

“For now, let’s try making a test piece.”

First he’d build armor to fit himself, add the muscle configuration to its outside, and on top of that add the exterior armor, was Jin’s plan for the course of action.

Because he had never built anything like armor it was considerably difficult. The material was the usual Light Silver. Because if it wasn’t light it would be troubling.

For the first time in a while, Jin had Pelshka, Citran and Appleles for lunch after which he hummed and hawed building the armor until evening.

“Father, we have to return soon.”

He worked with such zeal that if Reiko hadn’t advised him he would’ve kept going until midnight.

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“Nice, I made it in time.”

He returned to the hotel, where the dining room’s preparations seemed to be in good order.

“Ah, Jin-sama.”

There a voice called out to him. Jin turned around and it was Claude, Reinhardt’s butler.

“Oh, Claude.”

“Your return was rather late. This evening the meal will be had outside, so please prepare for that.”

“Outside?”

“Yes. At Elsa-sama’s elder brother Fritz-sama’s invitation.”

I see, Jin thought. He did say it had been two years since last time, so surely as a brother he wanted to have a talk with her.

“Got it.”

“In that case, they’ll be waiting in the lobby after 30 minutes.”

And with that Jin returned to his own room, and began preparing with great urgency.

Because he’d be with Elsa’s elder brother, he decided to put on the Honorary Magi Craftsman’s half coat.

He wanted to take a bath before it, but he didn’t have the time and so he only wiped his body with hot water. He had Ann and Reiko help.

Finishing the preparations in 20 minutes, he went to the lobby where Reinhardt and Claude were waiting.

“Hey, Jin. Elsa went on ahead. It’s a little early but shall we go too?”

Reinhardt said as soon as he saw Jin. Then he had Claude guide them, and they left the hotel.

“It is just nearby.”

Just as he said, after five minutes they found the restaurant in question.

It was a three-storey building made out of stone that resembled marble. It had no extra ornaments and Jin couldn’t decide whether to call it unrefined-looking or elegant in its simplicity.

Maybe because he had noticed Reinhardt, a cloak-wearing man who seemed like a non-commissioned officer came and,

“Reinhardt-dono, right? The major is waiting. Please come this way.”

He said and guided them. Because of the soldier’s brisk conduct, Jin who didn’t generally have a good impression of soldiers secretly had a good opinion of him.

The non-commissioned officer went to the second floor of the restaurant and knocked on a massive door and,

“Major, I have escorted the guests here.”

He said. Immediately he was commanded to open the door, and Jin’s group was invited in.

“Welcome, Reinhardt.”

Fritz who was inside said. Sitting next to him was Elsa in her favorite chartreuse dress.

“Come on, have a seat.”

Reinhardt and Jin were led to their seats by waiters and they sat down. Jin had the lowest seat. Claude stood next to the wall. Elsa’s nanny Mine was there too.

“Now, tonight is my treat so please eat to your heart’s content.”

Fritz said and raised his glass of wine.

“To my little sister, Elsa’s health. And to celebrate her betrothal, cheers!”

He led them in a toast, but no one joined him and instead had faces stiff with surprise.

“!?”

“Ni, nii-sama, what, i’ve, never, heard of this, before”

The most surprised one was probably Elsa herself. Agitatedly she pressed Fritz for an answer. But Fritz kept calm.

“What, you didn’t know? In the letter I got from father it was written that you knew.”

Elsa shook her head fervently,

“I didn’t know. In the first place I’m not interested in something like that.”

However, Fritz looked at Elsa with a serious expression and spoke as if admonishining her.

“Elsa, you turned 17 recently, right? A 17-year-old is a fine adult. Didn’t you promise to marry after finishing this trip?”