Chapter 406 (1/2)
397
12-47 The Exchange
“Are you Elsa Randol?”
Empress Gelhart Hilde Von Rubies Shouro inquired to confirm upon seeing Elsa’s face.
In the presence of Her Highness, Elsa took off her disguise and revealed her true appearance.
“Yes, I am, Elsa.”
The Empress gently smiled at the nervous Elsa.
“Were you caught by the Unifiers? That must have been hard on you.”
“Y-yes.”
It was a fact that Elsa was caught by them in the past. That was not a lie. Since it was a fact in that respect, Laojun reckoned that it should be fine supposing the Empress could see through it.
“Why did you want to return to your home country immediately?”
“… I didn’t like the marriage proposal my father recommended. Besides, I’m learning Magi Craftsmanship with Lord Maki … na, because I wanted to be useful for my kingdom.”
This response was premeditated as well.
“I see. So you entrust Jin with your creation to be displayed here. Those creations were quite lovely. If I’m not mistaken, you are a full-fledged Magi Engineer. … Is that right? Degauss, Gebalt?”
The two sturdy men responded in turn to the Empress’ inquiry.
“Yes, Your Majesty. As far as the creations of Elsa Randol are concerned, they may be considered creations of a first-class Magi Engineer even in our kingdom.”
“As Your Majesty mentioned, her creations are no doubt the most superior among the exhibits today.”
The Empress nodded in agreement with their responses. Immediately, Reinhardt asked her a question.
“Your Highness, in our kingdom, there is a law stating that ‘Once a daughter of a noble is full-fledged, she can decide regarding her marriage herself.’ This term ‘full-fledged’ is extraordinarily ambiguous, would it be acceptable to assume as in a full-fledged Magi Engineer?”
This question as well had been discussed and prepared for beforehand. The conversation progressed in the direction as predicted by Laojun. All that remained was ….
“That’s right. Age is irrelevant. As a Magi Engineer should technically be acceptable as well. I shall acknowledge it. Elsa Randol is considered full-fledged.”
That was the answer. While glancing at Jin, the Empress turned a blind eye and uttered the answer that Jin and the others had wished for.
The Empress might have noticed Jin’s intention, but she was not someone to show her true feelings.
“Thank you very much. I’m relieved to hear that.”
Jin bowed his head. Elsa and Reinhardt followed suit and bowed as well.
“… And you said your name was Mine? Are you really Elsa’s mother?”
The Empress started to question Mine next.
As predicted by Reinhardt and Laojun, the Empress would try to finish the conversation right there. They were thankful for the Empress’ acknowledgment since Elsa’s father might meddle in later on.
Although informal, it could be considered as a public audience since Degauss the Minister of Magical Technology and Gebalt were also there.
After finishing questioning Mine in general, the Empress drew her conclusion.
“I approve the return of Elsa Randol and Mine to their home kingdom. I shall have the clerk record it afterward.”
Jin, Elsa, Mine, and Reinhardt bowed in unison.
“For the time being, I’ll have Reinhardt take custody of both of you. Jin and everyone, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
After saying those words, the Empress left Jin’s booth.
“….”
“….”
“Phew.”
Jin and the others took a deep breath and relaxed their shoulders.
“… That went well.”
“Yeah. Laojun’s prediction was extraordinary. Almost everything went exactly as he predicted.”
“… Jin, Rein, thanks.”
“Jin, Reinhardt, thank you very much.”
Smiles returned to Elsa and Mine’s faces as the tension was finally released.
“Elsa, just in case, please put on that disguise again from earlier. I think it would be less troublesome that way.”
“Yeah, got it.”
Elsa put on the wig and safety goggles once more.
Soon after, a visitor came by.
“Jin, that mini-golem was amazing. As one would expect of you.”
After the Empress, Steirleana popped up.
“It’s something I can never create. I tip my hat to you. ”
While commenting, Steirleana noticed a music box on their display.
“Oh? What’s this?”