Saki and Elsa stayed in a guest room on the second floor. At Elsa’s specific request, they had opted for a Japanese-style room.
"Oho, what an interesting room."
A low table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by zabuton and floor chairs.
Stepping onto the tatami-matted floor with bare feet, Saki immediately took a liking to the sensation.
"It’s called tatami. I love lying down on it," Elsa said, rolling onto her back. Saki followed her lead and stretched out on the floor.
"It has a pleasant coolness to it, and the lack of humidity is refreshing. A carpet doesn't feel nearly as good."
It seemed Saki had also become a fan of lying on the floor.
"Yes. And then there's the futon."
When they slid open the closet doors, they found futons already laid out in the adjoining room.
"They're incredibly comfortable."
The golem maids rotated and sun-dried the bedding regularly, leaving the futons plump and fluffy.
Incidentally, all the bedding at Martha’s house had been replaced with these same sets. Elsa, their creator, planned to sell them to the residents as a Kaina Village specialty at the price of a standard mattress.
"Jin-nii gave the same kind of futon to Rai-nii as a wedding gift."
Saki walked over and lay down next to Elsa, once again amazed by the quality.
"This is wonderful! I want one for my own home."
It was a sentiment likely shared by anyone who had ever slept on one.
"I'll make one for you sometime," Elsa promised.
"Elsa, thank you!"
Overjoyed, Saki hugged Elsa right there on the futon. Depending on the observer, it might have looked like a rather scandalous sight.
Since it was still early and Saki had come from the Shouro Empire—which had a significant time difference—neither of them was ready for sleep. The two returned to the main room and sat at the low table.
Wearing the provided guest pajamas made them feel much more relaxed. Since no one else was watching, Saki adopted a very casual posture. She lay on her side, propped up on one elbow with her head resting in her hand. It was a pose more befitting a middle-aged man than a lady.
"Saki-nee, you haven't changed a bit."
"Kufu, that's right. I am who I am. You haven't changed much either, Elsa—still as well-behaved as ever."
Perhaps as a reaction to the strict discipline she had received as a girl, Saki occasionally indulged in such poor manners. Elsa, on the other hand, was so refined that it was hard to believe how tomboyish she had been as a child.
"Yes. Mother is very firm about it."
"Ah, right. You did say Mine... no, Mine-san was your biological mother."
It seemed Saki, like Reinhard, had suspected that Mine was Elsa’s real mother.
"But back then, Mine-san was... well, she was intense. Meeting her today, she seems so much calmer and kinder."
"Mhm. Mother is very kind."
Elsa gave Saki a smile that radiated genuine happiness.
"You have a good look about you now, Elsa. Before your journey, you were always so expressionless. But look at you now. Is this Jin's doing?"
"Yes. Jin-nii is my great benefactor."
"...That's not exactly what I was getting at, but never mind. Elsa, if you're up for it, would you tell me more about what you mentioned in the bath? This is my first time traveling outside the Empire, so I’m very curious."
"Mhm."
Responding to Saki's request, Elsa began to speak softly. In the bath, they had already touched upon the day Elsa left with Reinhard and how Reinhard’s Schwarzritter had defeated the Adamas Warrior in the Celuroa Kingdom.
"Um, after that, we went to the Kingdom of Elias..."
She spoke of participating in the Golem Boat Race. Meeting Jin.
Starting her journey with Jin. Flathead Village. Moft Village. Hanbarf Pass.
The attacks by bandits and golems.
Becoming friends with Beena in the Kingdom of Egerea.
The Golem Party and the incident that followed.
Fleeing because she couldn't bear the engagement to the Marquis...
The conversation flowed effortlessly, and before they knew it, the night had slipped into the early morning hours. Thanks to the self-illuminating Ether Light (AL), the two were able to continue their long talk.
"I see, I understand how you felt. That Marquis and you were a terrible match. Honestly, what a lecherous old fool."
Upon hearing about the escape, Saki was indignant at her grandfather’s greed. Her stance was that his selfish desires had placed Elsa in needless danger.
"Mhm... but maybe my father wanted it too."
"There are hints of that, certainly. But if the old geezer hadn't set his sights on you, such a proposal would never have surfaced in the first place."
Saki urged her to continue. Elsa picked up the thread of her story once more.
Being rescued by Jin. Being welcomed as Jin's sister figure.
Moving to Kaina Village. (She refrained from mentioning Jin's origins from another world, or anything about Hourai Island and Kunlun Island).
Visiting Alban, the capital of the Klein Kingdom.
Becoming friends with Princess Lieschen.
And finally, her current life, where she was learning magi craft from Jin.
"I see. You've gained some truly wonderful experiences, Elsa. I'm incredibly envious."
Saki smiled warmly.
"It's no wonder you've matured so much."
At Saki's praise, Elsa’s cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
"I'm still... immature. When it comes to magi craft, I can't even compare to Jin-nii."
"Well, having Jin as a goal is a tall order in itself. I've known him for less than a month, but I already know he's completely off the charts. He is undoubtedly the best in the world."
"Mhm, I know."
"Fufu, 'I know,' huh? You know that and yet you still make him your goal. Elsa, you truly are the perfect little sister for Jin."
"Thank you?"
Even past midnight, the conversation between the two showed no signs of stopping.
"...I'm so sleepy."
"Huaaa, we definitely stayed up too late."
Six in the morning. Having asked Ar and Edgar the day before to wake them at this time, the two managed to drag themselves out of bed while rubbing their eyes.
They were determined to make it to the morning bath—specifically, the hot spring.
Carrying bath towels and a change of clothes, they stepped outside.
The early summer sun had long since risen, and the morning light bathed Nidou Castle in a golden glow.
"It really is a peculiar castle."
"The view from the roof... I mean, the top floor, is amazing."
"Oho, is that so? I'll have to ask Jin to show me later."
With that, they walked toward the center of Kaina Village.
"This is the hot spring."
The two headed straight for the women's bath. Ar and Edgar remained outside to stand guard.
They undressed in the changing room and stepped inside.
There were no other bathers yet, so they had the place to themselves. They stretched out their limbs and soaked in the water without a care in the world.
"This feels wonderful."
"Mmm, so this is a hot spring. The water definitely feels different. It's as if there's something dissolved in it."
Ever the alchemist, Saki began to analyze the properties of the water.
Elsa, unconcerned with such technicalities, simply relaxed. The soak seemed to have finally woken her up.
Saki looked over at Elsa, who was stretching out beside her.
The girl's hair had grown a bit. Mine was the one who trimmed it, but it was noticeably longer than before.
Just then, another bather arrived.
"Ah, Elsa-san, good morning."
"Barbara-san, good morning."
Entering the room was a figure boasting a bust that made Saki lose what little confidence she had left. It was Barbara, the Village Chief's niece.
"Is this a guest?"
Barbara asked, looking at Saki. Elsa made the introductions.
"Mhm, this is Saki-san, Jin-nii's guest. Saki-nee, this is Barbara-san, the Village Chief's niece. She's the same age as me."
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Barbara. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"I'm Saki. Nice to meet you."
As Barbara bowed while stepping into the tub, Saki watched the impressive sway of her chest. She couldn't help but feel the crushing weight of the world's unfairness, seeing such development in someone Elsa's age.
"...I'm glad I wasn't wearing my glasses."
If she had seen the sight any more clearly, she would have been even more depressed. Saki sat in the hot water, brooding over the injustice of it all.