It was Jin’s first morning back in Kaina Village in quite some time.
"Ah, what a nostalgic scent."
The aroma of green wheat fields, the smoke from morning fires, the fragrance of the trees, and the crispness of the breeze—Jin breathed them all in deeply, filling his lungs with the familiar atmosphere.
After breakfast at Martha's house, Jin brought up his decision from the day before.
"I’m thinking of taking Elsa back and returning to my laboratory for a while."
Hanna was the first to react.
"Onii-chan, are you leaving...?"
Expecting she might say that, Jin immediately offered a follow-up.
"Would you like to come with me, Hanna?"
Hearing that, Hanna was so happy she nearly jumped for joy.
"Eh, really!? You’re going to take me to your house, Onii-chan?"
"Yeah, as long as Martha says it's okay."
Before Jin could even finish his sentence, Hanna was already pleading with Martha, her words tumbling out in a rush.
"Hey, hey, Grandma! Is it okay if I go to Onii-chan's house?"
Martha gave a faint, wry smile, but she didn't hesitate.
"Yes, it’s fine. But you mustn't cause trouble for Jin, alright?"
"Nn! I'll do whatever Onii-chan says!"
And so, it was settled: Hanna would be coming along to Hourai Island as well.
"Well then, Hanna, I'm sorry, but could you let me blindfold you until we arrive?"
"Nn, okay!"
It was a suggestion born of Jin's abundance of caution; he worried that if she knew how they traveled, unwanted prying eyes might eventually turn toward her. Hanna, however, accepted the condition with pure, uncomplicated excitement.
Jin carried the blindfolded Hanna on his back. Just being there seemed to make her happy.
"Onii-chan's house. I’m so looking forward to it~"
She chattered away on Jin's back the whole time. Walking beside them, Elsa watched Hanna and narrowed her eyes with a soft, affectionate look.
Before long, they crossed the village boundaries and reached the shelter that housed the Warp Gate.
"I should have... come through here. But I couldn't find the exit afterward."
Elsa spoke as she recalled the day of her arrival. Jin replied with an apologetic tone.
"Ah, that's because there are multiple layers of barriers meant to keep anyone from accidentally wandering in."
"Is that... so?"
"That's right. A barrier to hide the entrance, a barrier to repel intruders, and a barrier to make it undetectable by magic. Though they're inactive when you're leaving from the inside."
Elsa tilted her head slightly at Jin's explanation.
"But then, Jin-nii can't enter either."
Jin answered her doubt with a smile.
"My magic pattern is the only exception. Magic patterns are unique to each person; no two are ever the same. That's why no one can use this gate except for me, the golems, and the automata I’ve made."
As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Jin reached his hand into a spot that appeared to be empty air and pulled open a door.
To Elsa, the door remained invisible. The mana imbued in her brooch was insufficient to pierce the concealment. Seeing her confusion, Jin took her hand.
"Ah."
The word escaped her in a gasp of surprise.
The moment Jin’s hand closed around hers, a door appeared before her eyes. It was the same door she had emerged from two days ago—the door she had searched for relentlessly, desperate to find a way home.
"Come on, let's go."
Jin pulled gently on Elsa’s hand as they stepped through the threshold into the shelter. Reiko followed close behind. And though they remained unseen, Hanna’s personal Secret Mobile Unit, Iris and Azalea, followed as well.
The group first emerged on Hourai Island via the Warp Gate, then immediately jumped to Kunlun Island.
Only after they stepped outside did Jin remove Hanna's blindfold. Hanna, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since they approached the shelter, finally spoke up.
"Wow! Is this Onii-chan's house?"
"Yeah, that's right. But how we got here is a secret, okay? You mustn't tell anyone except for Martha. If you can keep that promise, I'll bring you here again."
"Nn! I promise! I won't tell anyone! It's a secret between Onii-chan and Atashi!"
Hanna gave her promise with a delighted grin.
"Elsa! Jin-sama!"
Mine came running toward them. Despite her composure, she had clearly been worried about Elsa’s return.
"Who is she?" Hanna asked, looking puzzled.
"She’s Elsa's mother," Jin informed her.
Hanna's eyes went wide. "Eh? Then is she Onii-chan's mother too?"
"No, Elsa and I are siblings by bond, so we aren't related by blood. Mine is only Elsa's mother."
"Hmm..."
Hanna nodded, though it was unclear how much of the nuance she grasped, and stared intently at Elsa and Mine as they embraced.
After a brief exchange with her daughter, Mine turned toward Hanna.
"You're Hanna-chan, right? I am Mine, Elsa's mother. It seems you've taken great care of my Elsa; thank you very much."
She offered a polite bow. Hanna blushed slightly, looking a bit flustered.
"Y-You're welcome," she managed to reply.
"I need to head off and finish some work," Jin said as they stood before the Mansion. "I'll be back in an hour or two."
Mine spoke up immediately.
"Jin-sama, Elsa has already caused you enough trouble. I will take responsibility for looking after Hanna-chan."
Jin had been planning to ask Reiko, so this was perfect timing.
"Then may I rely on you?" he asked, entrusting Hanna to Mine. He then looked at Hanna with a slightly worried expression. "Hanna, I'm sorry, but I have to do just a little bit of work. Will you wait for me?"
Mine watched Jin's concerned behavior with an air of curiosity.
"Nn! It’s okay! Atashi will wait!" Hanna answered energetically.
Jin let out a sigh of relief.
"Jin-nii, it's okay. I’ll stay with her too," Elsa added.
With those reassurances, Jin finally felt at ease enough to return to Hourai Island.
"The Celuroa Kingdom's army is pushing back the Kingdom of Egerea's army."
"The Kingdom of Franz's army is beginning to overwhelm the Klein Kingdom's army."
Reports from the various battlefields were coming in.
"Heh, everything is proceeding exactly according to our script."
Another voice echoed in the room, transmitted via a device similar to a manacam.
"How could the current kingdoms, in their state of decline, ever hope to defeat the technology of old?"
"Ah, Elena. Is there news from your end?"
"No, nothing significant. However, there is someone interesting in the city where I am currently stationed."
"Oh? And who might that be?"
"Reinhard, a magi craftman from the Shouro Empire."
"What? Is that the magi craftman Marcello was supposed to have secured?"
"Yes. It appears he arrived here in Astan yesterday."
"I see. Donald was there with you, wasn't he?"
"Indeed, we are together."
"In that case, Elena, could you find a way to meet that man?"
"It should be simple enough. I only need to use Seduce on one of Reinhard's servants."
"Then do so."
"Understood. Shall I abduct him?"
"I'll leave that judgment to you. If you believe he has utility, abduct him. If you judge otherwise... eliminate him."
"As you wish. I do hope he proves to be of use—both for Reinhard's sake and for ours."