Chapter 389 (1/2)

Magi Craft Meister 383

Terms of Independence

“On her own as a magic engineer?”

Reinhardt repeated, before grasping what Jin meant.

“I see… You want Elsa to be recognized by the Shouro Empire so she can return home?”

“Yeah.”

Jin confirmed before Elsa could respond to what Reinhardt said.

“Yeah. If things stay as they are, Elsa won’t be able to return home. ”

“Brother Jin. ……I……”

Jin stopped the troubled Elsa before she could finish her sentence and explained.

“Don’t get me wrong, Elsa. I’m not trying to get rid of you or anything. However, it’s not good to be in hiding forever. ”

“Hmm, I see. So Jin’s thought about this too. ”

Saki sounded impressed.

“Yeah. I heard that Saki’s dad was permitted to marry even though he ran away from battle because he became an accomplished alchemist.”

“Hmm, I see. Well, if she becomes a Magi engineer, she’ll be far more respected than she is as the Viscount’s daughter. ”

Berthie chimed in.

“That’s right, if you become a leading Magi engineer, you can expect help from your country and the support you’d receive would be far more solid than you have as a noble without rank.”

After hearing Saki and Berthie’s remarks, Jin was sold on his idea.

“Jin…”

“Elsa, you’ve been running away until now. You should return home proudly and then come back here proudly. ”

Jin smiled at her. Elsa realized what Jin meant and the worried expression on her face softened.

“……Okay, I understand.”

“Even so, Master Jin…”

Berthie frowned a little, and scolded Jin.

“The way you brought this up wasn’t right. I can see from her reaction you decided to bring this up without first talking to Elsa about it, so she suddenly heard about it now, right? ”

“Uh, yeah.”

“… That’s why Elsa misunderstood and worried. It isn’t hard to see why she might have felt like she was a bother you were trying to get rid of with the way you brought this up. ”

“……”

Jin had nothing to say in response.

“Hmmm, I want Master Jin to try to think about how us girls feel a little more.”

“……Sorry”

He could only apologize.

“Please apologize to Elsa, not me.”

Jin also apologized to Elsa.

“… I’m sorry, Elsa. I should’ve talked to you beforehand. ”

“No, Jin was just thinking about me.”

Elsa was currently an exile. She had committed no crime but her leaving the country was viewed as her having abandoned it of her own will.

According to the laws of the Shouro Empire, returning to Shouro was not allowed without demonstrating that there was a strong reason for leaving.

If she returned, only permanent exile awaited her.

It was said to be a natural punishment for abandoning Shouro for selfish reasons.

However, Elsa had apprenticed as a Magi Engineer under Jin, an Honorary Magi Craftsman. The talent she had developed could contribute to the country, which might be reason enough to forgive her emigration. Elsa would be publicly recognized as a Magi Engineer. Furthermore, Elsa would no longer be forcibly married for the sake of her house because she would be fulfilling a more important role in society.

“Yeah, I’ll back you up too if needed. So please return home proudly and seek an audience with the Emperor. ”

“Uh, what?”

Elsa was bewildered at the sudden mention of the Imperial Majesty. Yet, Reinhardt followed up Jin’s words.

“That’s right. If you can make an automata, you’re a first class Magi. As you are today Elsa, the Emperor will honor you with an audience. ”

“……”

Elsa felt more bewildered as the conversation went on. She didn’t know what to say.

“Elsa, you’re still young, so don’t let the pain you experienced from running away from your home go on forever. Both Jin and Reinhardt say they’ll help. It’s your turn to take them up on that kindness. ”

“But … What about mother? She’s still”

“I’m fine … I’m from the Kingdom of Egrea originally. I’ll get my health back here. the Shouro Empire isn’t my home to go back to anyway… ”

It was Jin who stepped in.

“Nah, Mine can go too. Mine was kidnapped together with Elsa by Unify. They threatened Reinhardt in order to capture you both. Mine was beaten because she tried to escape, and she was stabbed in the stomach and dumped in the Azur River to die. That’s when I found her and nursed her back to health. … Look, she’s all better now, right? ”

“Master Jin …”

“Yeah, I can testify about what happened too. ”

“Lord Reinhardt …”

Mine averted her eyes at the warm display of support from them both.

“Yeah, if you need more witnesses, you can ask Sally Millsehan, the healer who treated you.”

Mine started to cry out of happiness.