Jin, Reinhard, and Mattheus were making steady progress toward Loizart, the capital of the Shouro Empire.
They planned to stay in the city of Lindau on May 10th and in Fonde on May 11th. The journey was generally peaceful, allowing Reinhard to leisurely enjoy the final legs of their trip.
On the morning of the 11th, Jin set aside a block of time to be alone in the carriage—with Reiko, naturally—and flew back to Kaina Village.
"Oh, it really is a castle..."
Since Jin didn't offer any further critique, he had likely either sensed this outcome or simply realized he had wanted to build one all along.
The castle stood near the Erme River, reaching approximately thirty meters in height. It was the tallest structure in Kaina Village. However, since it sat in the lowlands by the river, the view from the top floor was only slightly higher than the village's highest point. With the mountains looming just beyond, there wasn't much of a sense of looking down on the town.
Even so, the castle exerted a powerful presence when viewed from below. A shelter stood right next to it, serving as a functional emergency evacuation site, though Jin doubted such a dire day would ever come.
"Master, please allow me to show you inside," Butler A said, greeting Jin at the entrance.
The interior of the stone foundation corresponded to the first and second basement floors. Atop this base sat a five-tiered, six-story structure. The first floor featured a Great Hall, large enough to host a banquet for the entire village population. It was fully equipped with restrooms and even a bath.
The second floor contained guest rooms and reception areas. The third floor housed an office and a records room, as well as a library that Jin intended to stock over time. The fourth floor was ostensibly reserved as a spare level, but in reality, it was riddled with traps.
The fifth floor served as Jin's living quarters and included a bedroom. Finally, the sixth floor was an observatory. The first basement floor functioned as a larder, stocked with enough food to sustain the residents of Kaina Village for a full month. For some reason, the second basement floor featured a dungeon.
"Each level contains hidden rooms and passages where the Ninja Unit can lie in wait. Naturally, the ceilings are designed with similar features."
The "Ninja Unit" was an alias for the Hourai Island Secret Mobile Unit, otherwise known as the SP. Butler A explained that he used the name because "Ninja" felt more appropriate for the castle's aesthetic than "Secret."
"The first, second, and fourth floors are equipped with trapdoors and suspended ceilings that can be lowered at will."
Hearing this, Jin could only manage a wry smile.
Basically every room featured air conditioning, and the walls were built with soundproofing, insulation, shock resistance, and magic resistance. The Great Hall on the first floor had wooden flooring and was stocked with one hundred cushions.
The second-floor guest rooms ranged from lavish suites to simple yet elegant quarters, allowing for flexibility depending on the visitor. Servant quarters were also located on this floor.
Jin's office on the third floor even featured a revolving wall. It made him feel like he was in a ninja mansion.
As for the fourth floor, the traps included a room designed to stun intruders, as well as rooms capable of extreme heat or cold, and the aforementioned suspended ceilings.
The living quarters on the fifth floor contained a Warp Gate dedicated solely to Jin. It was programmed to be usable only by Jin and Reiko; anyone else attempting to use it would be teleported to a truly unpleasant destination. Fearing the answer, Jin decided not to ask where that might be.
"It also allows for travel back and forth to the basement of Martha-san's house."
It was undeniably convenient.
"Well, messengers or dignitaries from the Klein Kingdom might visit eventually, so I'm glad it's finished in time," Jin murmured. He contacted Laojun via a cleverly hidden manacam installed in the office.
『There are other facilities I have yet to describe, but as their importance is secondary, I will explain them as the need arises,』 Laojun concluded.
"Laojun, thank you for the hard work on the construction. Now, as for the permanent staff, I want you to create and dispatch two more Butlers. Assign them the designations B and C."
『Understood. I will arrange it immediately.』
With this, Butler A would remain at Jin's home at Martha’s house, while Butlers B and C would staff the castle.
『My Lord, if you intend to entertain guests, would it not be wise to station several golem maids here as well?』 Laozi suggested.
Jin agreed that it was a sound idea and decided to have one of each of the Five-Colored Golem Maids sent—five in total. He chose all five colors simply because he didn't want to show favoritism. He opted for golems rather than automata to avoid displaying too much high-level technology, though he failed to realize that it was already far too late for such considerations.
"Well, I've seen the castle, so I'll head to the village. I don't have much time."
With that, Jin and Reiko used the dedicated Warp Gate to teleport to the basement of his home at Martha's.
It was just after noon. Lunch appeared to have ended recently, as Mine and Belle were coming outside to wash dishes.
"Ah, Jin-sama!" Belle cried out when she spotted him.
"Welcome back, Jin-sama," Mine said with a calm greeting.
In contrast, Belle looked utterly bewildered. "Wh-When exactly did you get back?!"
Hearing the commotion, Hanna and Elsa emerged as well.
"Ah, Onii-chan, welcome back!"
"Jin-nii, welcome back... Is that the scent of Airbeil?"
Ripe Airbeils had a lovely fragrance. Elsa, possessing a keen sense of smell, had caught the scent of the fruit in the basket Reiko was carrying.
"Correct. I brought souvenirs," Jin said, pointing to the basket. He had woken up early that morning to buy them at a local market.
Belle, Elsa, and Mine stared at the fruit, their eyes wide.
"Th-Those are Airbeils! And they're perfectly ripe! Where did you get these?!"
"Airbeil... How nostalgic."
"Ah, Airbeils. I used to go picking them often. Elsa loves them, too."
The three of them reacted in their own ways.
"Yeah, I was finally able to bring back a proper souvenir. Hanna, wash these and share them with everyone."
"Okay! Onii-chan, thank you! Wow, they smell so good!"
A plant called "Wylie" grew around Kaina Village that resembled wild strawberries, but the fruit was tiny, sour, and generally unpleasant. In comparison, Airbeils were almost identical to garden strawberries—sweet, tart, and delicious.
"Jin-nii, thank you. I'm so happy."
Seeing Elsa's joy made Jin feel that bringing them had been worthwhile.
"Ah! Jin-sama! When did you return?!"
Barrow appeared and greeted Jin as well, though he was just as shocked as the others to see the Airbeils.
"You seem to be in good health."
Jin was relieved to see the healthy color in the faces of both Barrow and Belle.
"Yes, thanks to you. Um... thank you so much for the medicine back then." Belle bowed deeply.
"I'm just glad you're well. Have you two adjusted to the village?"
When Jin asked, both of them nodded.
"Yes, everyone here is so kind."
"I thought so. I personally believe this is the best village in the world."
Just then, a loud voice called out to him.
"Ah! Jin-san!"
Jin turned to see Roland.
"Ah, Roland-san, it's been a while."
Roland, however, was visibly agitated. "Jin-san! I’ve been so desperate to see you! The misunderstanding was cleared up ages ago, yet you never came back! Then I heard you were in Alban just the other day!"
"Ah, hahaha..." Jin was taken aback by Roland's intensity.
"Seriously, I haven't been able to get any rubber balls since then, and the customers are hounding me! Please, I'm begging you, sell me some rubber balls!"
"I-I understand," Jin replied, recoiling slightly.
Once Roland's excitement cooled, his face suddenly went pale. "Ah... my deepest apologies!" He bent ninety degrees in a formal bow of respect.
"Eh?"
"I-I heard! That Jin-sama has become the owner of Kaina Village!"
"Ah..." Jin scratched his head. "Roland-san, I just happened to do a favor and received this as a leased territory. I haven't changed at all. Please, just treat me the same as always."
Roland looked up, though he still seemed hesitant. "But that would be disrespectful to your position, Jin-sama."
"Right, and I'd like you to stop with the '-sama' as well."
After a bit of back-and-forth, Roland finally agreed to call him "Jin-san" again. It seemed Jin's threat to withhold the rubber balls had done the trick.
Jin promised to have the rubber balls ready by the next morning before Roland left Kaina Village. He planned to make one hundred baseballs, one hundred handballs, and one hundred dodgeballs. They were bulky but light enough to transport easily. Since he hadn't explained the manufacturing process in detail before, he figured producing that many in a single night wouldn't seem too suspicious.
With that settled, Jin moved on to casual conversation. "By the way, I heard that salt has been selling quite well?"
Roland’s expression turned somber. When Jin asked what was wrong, Roland explained that he had sold so much salt on the road that he had none left for Kaina Village. He also mentioned that the very last jar he had saved had been stolen.
"...And yet, you see? When I checked my cargo later, I found eighty kilograms of salt!"
"Well, isn't that a stroke of luck?" Jin said. Having heard the summary from Laojun, he already knew the truth, but Roland shook his head.
"I can't look at it that way. I don't know where it came from, and I certainly can't sell something of unknown origin. What if it's been poisoned?"
"I see..."
Jin was impressed by Roland's integrity, but he also felt a pang of regret for his own thoughtless method of replenishment.
"In that case, let me examine it," Jin suggested. "If I check the composition with Craft Magic, you'll be able to rest easy, right?"
"If you could do that, it would be a huge help to the villagers."
Jin immediately began his inspection. "Analyze."
It was an analysis spell. He already knew the answer, of course—there were no harmful substances whatsoever. After checking all four jars, Jin gave them his seal of approval. Roland was overjoyed.
"Thank you so much. Now I can distribute the salt."
"Eh?"
"Since this salt isn't on my ledgers, I can't rightfully sell it. I'll just give it to everyone for free."
Roland gathered up the salt and headed off. Watching him go, Jin felt certain that this was a merchant he could work with for a long time.
A short while later, Jin paid a visit to the Village Chief.
"Oh, Jin, welcome back."
"I'll be leaving again soon, though. Giebeck-san, what do you think of Barrow and Belle?"
"Hmm? Those two? Aye, they're good kids. They've already made friends with almost everyone in town."
As expected, Giebeck understood Jin's underlying question perfectly.
"I'm glad to hear it. In that case, if they're willing..."
"Yes, there would be no problem at all."
Relieved, Jin hurried back to Martha's house. It was almost time for him to return to Reinhard's group. When he arrived, he found Hanna, Elsa, Barrow, and Belle still enjoying the Airbeils.
"Ah, Onii-chan, these are so good! Thank you!"
"Jin-nii, I missed this taste. Thank you."
"Jin-sama, it tastes like home. Thank you so much!"
Martha and Mine had also tried some and confirmed they were delicious. Seeing everyone so happy brought a smile to Jin's face.
"I'm glad. It was worth bringing them back."
Jin turned toward Barrow and Belle, his expression warm. "If you two are willing, would you like to become permanent residents of this village?"