Chapter 414 (1/2)
405 Magi Craft Meister
12-55 Paternal Rights
Elsa’s father, Georg, laughed in mockery upon hearing Reiko’s warning.
“Hmph, what’s a mere doll like you prattling about?”
“A mere doll, you said?!”
Jin was irate and raised his voice when hearing the insult directed at Reiko. Taken aback by the sudden lashing out, Reiko had almost forgotten about her own rage for a moment and found herself staring at Jin’s face.
Marcus added fuel to the fire and said,
“Despite a mere doll, you’re acting like his daughter, eh?”
“As usual?”
Jin was parroting back, but Marcus paid no attention to it and continued,
“If she’s a full-fledged adult as he said, why not make her prove it, Viscount?”
The Viscount was enticed by that idea.
“… I see. That would be interesting. Marcus, how many golems and Automata of the latest version have you created so far?”
“Let’s see, there are 5 giant golems, 2 Automatas, and 3 military golems.”
Georg sneered as he learned this information.
“… Jin Nidou, if Elsa is your disciple, she would be able to show her Master’s skills. I’ll reconsider if she can win against the golems Marcus had created.”
“… What does Elsa’s true ability have anything to do with my skills?”
“Everything! I can’t acknowledge a disciple of a fake Magi Engineer as a full-fledged adult.”
“I won’t hold it against you if you withdrew because of lack of self-confidence.”
None of Jin’s words would have mattered unless he could earn Viscount Georg Randol’s recognition.
Besides, Jin was quite offended by the Viscount’s insult directed toward Reiko by calling her a mere doll. And hence, he decided to accept the challenge.
“… Understood. What’s the method? And when will it be?”
“Huh, so you accept? How brave. It will be a competition in Gonkurrenz*, where each party will take out a golem or an Automata. The competition will be held tomorrow. It will be perfect because there will be some spectators.”
“Gonkurrenz?”
“You don’t know what it is? It’s a golem competition held in this Shoro Empire. For more information, ask that guy over there.”
“Huh?”
Due to the commotion, Jin did not realize that Reinhardt was standing there listening in.
“Uncle, challenging Jin will only bring you embarrassment.”
Reinhardt tried to warn against it indirectly, but the Viscount paid no heed at all.
“Hmph, we shall see who will lose face in the end.”
On the other hand, the curious onlookers started a ruckus upon hearing the challenge.
“Oh! They said Gonkurrenz!”
“Is it the first time in a year and a half?”
“That Jin Nidou and Marcus will compete!”
Under Secretary of the Ministry of Magical Technology Christoph Valde Von Tarnat, who was also a member of the Technology Expo Executive Committee, got wind of the commotion and came rushing.
“Viscount, Lord Jin! What in the world is going on?”
“Executive Committee? Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just that we have agreed upon a Gonkurrenz tomorrow, where Magi Engineers Marcus and Jin Nidou will compete.”
“What …?!”
“These onlookers stand witness to the declaration of our competition in Gonkurrenz. We can’t back out now.”
According to Shouro’s law, a declaration of Gonkurrenz would be publicly recognized at the presence of at least 5 witnesses.
“Coincidentally, it will be a suitable performance for tomorrow, as it is the last day of the Technology Expo.”
“Uh, oh ….”
“… That being said, I’ll leave the preparation of the Gonkurrenz competition to you. Elsa, come with me.”
Viscount Georg Randol grabbed Elsa’s arm again.
“Ah ….”
Elsa’s face distorted in sadness.
Out of concern, Jin shouted in an attempt to stop him.
“Wait!”
“What? I am Elsa’s father. Do you have a problem with a father taking his daughter? Right, Elsa?”
“… Yes.”
Being scowled at by Georg, Elsa could only hang her head down and nod. Though reluctant, her compliance was witnessed publicly. Jin could say nothing more in front of so many spectacles.
“As I mentioned earlier, I’ll reconsider about Elsa if you win tomorrow. That’s a promise. See you.”
After saying that, Viscount Georg Randol pushed his way through the crowd of onlookers, and walked away while dragging Elsa. Marcus followed.
Jin and Reinhardt who were left behind felt bothered.
“… Lord Jin, pardon me but would you please explain the situation?”
Feeling the need to obtain more information, Technology Expo Executive Committee Christoph invited Jin and the others to a meeting room.
“… So, that’s what was going on ….”
Jin explained the situation.