Now, the next item is ...... a gift from the Kingdom of Egelea.
The Kingdom of Egelea is the country that can be said to be on the worst terms with the Kingdom of Cerroa. Perhaps for that reason, only two people, apart from the guards, are visiting this time.
They are the king's cousins, Duke Angus Bulu Pyloid and Count Galana.
This is ......
Something as tall as a man is covered with a cloth. When the cloth is removed, what appears is...
"...... Oh!
What is that?
The people who were looking at the magic screen cheered.
"Hmm, a golden golem.
Yes, it's a golden golem.
Not the golden one. A golem made of pure gold. Designed as a knight in heavy armor.
Count Galana's golem guards are also golden, but only in appearance. This one is solid gold.
It can be used as an ornament for everyday use and as an escort in times of need. That's very thoughtful.
Richard was the one who gave his evaluation in a high-handed manner.
Next was a gift from the Kingdom of Elias.
Interesting.
Since the actual gift was stored in the warehouse, the inventory, some topopo and its preparations were laid out as samples.
Topopo as a salvage crop weighs 10 tons. And topopo flour (starch), which has recently been produced. The Marquis of Topopo is in his element.
It's strange. ...... this white powder is not the same as flour.
Richard picks up the topopo flour on the plate and smells it.
But I did not know that such a potato could become such a snack.
Richard takes a bite of the topopo chips and fried topopo that the cook he brought with him made, drinks the wine in his hand in one gulp, and nods in satisfaction.
The role of an agricultural country is a big deal.
He was looking at us from a superior point of view.
And then the Kingdom of Klein.
"Oh, the blowout pump?
The original name was <> but it had been changed to something more impressive.
Part of the magic screen disguised as a wall switched to show the outside again.
Soldiers from the Klein Kingdom, who must have been escorted by their guards, were working.
He set the pump in the water channel and moved the handle. Then, water shot up from the spout to a height of about five meters.
"Oh!
Without even using magic!"
(...... Jin's work, right?)
All who saw the scene were amazed and impressed. Except for Reinhardt, who knew what was going on, only the female emperor had guessed that it was Jin's creation.
It was not a magic tool, but it could make water gush out of it. That's quite a feat for a small country. But our country would be able to do the same thing more easily with water magic.
This is a statement that is typical of the Kingdom of Cerroa, a country that believes in the supremacy of magical technology.
Next is the Kingdom of Shoro. What's this?
The maid of honor brought a piece of wooden paper. Richard took one of them.
Richard took a piece of it. Paper, yes. But this is ......
Richard orders the butler to bring a pen and ink.
What is it? I don't know what it's made of, but it's quite comfortable to write with. The ink runs well. In addition, it is thin and white in color. ......I must say that you are indeed a great country, the Shoro Empire.
I should say that even a rotten fish is a sea bream. Richard seems to have understood the cultural value of this paper.
And there is more. Is this ......?
Miso soup, prepared by the cook who had brought him, was served. Of course, it had already been tested.
The ingredients are meat of a grasshopper (a beast similar to a pig) and maru-negi (onion). In other words, it was a simple pork miso soup. Jin might want to add some topopo.
...... Hmmm, it tastes different, but it is not bad. On the contrary, it's ...... delicious.
Pork miso soup with bonito flakes seems to suit Richard's palate as well.
It's not a good match for wine, but it's good. It's interesting that you could not surpass our country in magic technology and resorted to such an unorthodox move.
It was a rude thing to say, but the emperor ignored it as if it were a breeze in a willow.
Jin was thinking idly that sake would be the best match for the pork miso soup.
Now, let's see what has to show us for the last time.
Was the gift of Jin brought last simply to save the fun for last, or was it because he thought it was the best gift to compare with the gifts of other countries?
Anyway, King Richard ordered his maidservant to remove the cloth covering the gift that was as tall as he was.
"...... Oh!
"...... Splendid!
"Wonderful workmanship!"
"...... Jin, my brother, ......"
From under the cloth emerged a nude woman made of pure white marble.
The pose is not that of the Venus de Milo, but that of the one called <>, who is on a shell with her hands on her breasts and her hair and hands covering her breasts.
Jin, who is aware of his lack of artistic taste, made the statue based on this famous painting, relying on his memory.
This was changed to the Venus de Milo instead of the armless Venus de Milo, since Richard's taste, as the fifth column (Quinta) had gathered, was for mature and voluptuous female beauty.
The workmanship of the Venus is not as fine as that of the Earth, but this kind of plastic art was not yet developed in the Ars world to begin with. Those who saw it were struck by the beauty of its form.
Only one person, Elsa, was able to see that the proportions were Marcia's and gazed at her with half-opened eyes. .......
(To Jin's credit, Marcia was the only one with whom he could envision a body line suitable for Venus. Furthermore, Jin wanted to use Stearina as a model ......)
Wow, ......! This is quite a wonderful ornament. ....... I see, <> is known in many countries as <>.
Richard now has a mixed expression on his face, wondering whether he should be happy to receive such a wonderful gift or grimacing at the talent and skill that he does not have in his country.
It is a very daring technique to express the work without coloring it, using only the materials. First of all, I would like to thank you.
His words sounded as if he was coming to terms with his inner conflict.
Well, now the unveiling of the gift is complete. I would like to thank you once again.
Richard, the king of the Kingdom of Selroa, said in a pompous manner.
The image of Richard disappeared, and the sky appeared in its place. The airship was no longer there.
Well, let's have a luncheon. Please eat to your heart's content.
The time was around 11:30.
As soon as the king had finished speaking, his attendants brought in the food on wagons.
I won't list them all, but the menu was too sumptuous for a time of food crisis.
Both Jin and Erza had their own opinions, but since there was no point in saying anything at this point, and since leaving something behind would be a desecration of the food, they ate all the food that was brought to them.
Of course, I did not ask for a refill.
After lunch, we went to Cerroa.
After lunch, according to the custom of the Kingdom of Selroa, there is an after-dinner break. It is said to last about an hour.
As Jin was drinking the fruit juice that had been brought to him, thinking that he had no time to spare, King Richard's voice rang out.
Gentlemen, I would like to show you a test for your intermission amusement.
"A trial?
Jin wondered. He may not have heard it, but Richard's voice continued,
"See for yourself the skill of the golem, the pride of my kingdom.
in his own pompous words.
Then, the wall, or rather, the magic screen, brightened.
There were five battle golems standing in a row.
Four of them were about two meters tall. They were dull silver-gray in color.
One had a sword, one a spear, one a hammer, and one, unusually, a whip.
The fifth one was the large golem we have just seen, four meters tall. This one had a shield and a sword.
From now on, each of you will show me a part of your abilities, so enjoy the show.