Ten days had passed since the Gigant Peeder incident.
Stearena had safely entered the Celuroa Kingdom. Naturally, she spent nearly every day during the daylight hours visiting Hourai Island.
"I’m going to sell off the estate the moment I get back!" she declared openly. It seemed she had completely lost all affection for her home country.
Reinhard and Berche spent most of their time in their territory, Kalts Village. Since they had only recently been appointed as its lords, such dedication was only to be expected.
"From what I hear, a new lord has also arrived in Toka Village, right next to Kaina Village. I’d like to sit down and discuss territorial management with them at some point," Reinhard mentioned.
Saki, finally liberated from the stifling life of a noble, was flourishing as she immersed herself in research. She spent her time tinkering with whatever piqued her interest.
"Kufufu! I don’t have to worry about meals, and I have all the materials I could ever want. This is the best!"
Ar reportedly watched over her with a look of constant concern.
As for Mine, she spent her days working alongside the Perido units in a process of trial and error to reproduce the bread yeast Jin had suggested.
The fermentation of wine and beer is caused by yeast—specifically, yeast fungi. There are many varieties, and the ones most suitable for baking are isolated and used as bread yeast.
Jin knew that much, but the specifics of the process were beyond him.
However, since research into yeast also paved the way for miso and soy sauce, Jin considered it a priority field. The Perido units were working diligently to meet his expectations.
As a result of their efforts, they had just finished identifying a strain of yeast specifically for bread.
"Bread baked with this is so light and fluffy—the flavor is on a whole other level!"
It looked as though Kaina Village was about to have a new local specialty.
Naturally, Jin did not neglect his role as a teacher. Three days a week, he held study sessions at Nidou Castle.
The sessions were no longer held at the Village Chief’s house because Sally had opened a clinic there.
Though the walk was now a bit longer, not a single child skipped class, as a delicious lunch was provided as part of their school meals.
＊ ＊ ＊
During that time, Elsa traveled back and forth between her family home, Kaina Village, and Hourai Island.
She visited her family home to see her father, Georg, who was now bedridden. Of course, she did so under the pretense of traveling from Reinhard’s territory in Kalts Village.
Even with Elsa’s healing magic, Georg’s condition showed almost no change. Elsa bit her lip, feeling a profound sense of helplessness.
Then, one day, an unexpected reunion took place.
"...Elsa, welcome home."
"...Mother?"
When Elsa arrived at the estate, her stepmother, Marlene Randol von Nehra, had returned from her convalescence and was caring for her husband, Georg.
"I’ve heard some of what happened. You’ve been through so much... I’m sorry. I’m sorry I couldn't be there for you when you were suffering."
With those words, Marlene gently pulled Elsa into an embrace.
"M-Mother..."
This was the woman who had raised her and loved her like her own child since she was small. The gentle arms, the soft voice, and the nostalgic warmth overcame Elsa, and she began to cry.
"...I suspected he was starting to lose himself, but I was too cowardly to speak up. Even when he took it upon himself to arrange your engagement to the Marquis, I was so afraid of being struck that I stayed silent..."
For the first time, Elsa learned that Georg had been violent toward his wife. Marlene had been a victim as well.
Her convalescence had been largely an excuse—a way to put distance between herself and Georg.
"Can you forgive me? For running away... I truly was a terrible mother."
"...No, it’s... it’s okay now."
Wrapped in the warmth of the woman who raised her, Elsa wept like a child for a long while.
Once she had finally calmed down, Elsa sat close to Marlene and talked. Elsa did most of the speaking, recounting her journey with Reinhard. Marlene listened with a gentle smile.
"...I see. You’ve had quite the experience. I’m glad I sent you on that journey... And this Jin-san? I’d like to meet him at least once."
"Jin-nii would surely come whenever—ah."
Realizing she had called Jin her brother out loud, Elsa’s cheeks turned crimson.
"Hehe, I never expected to see Elsa make a face like that."
Marlene teased, poking Elsa’s cheek with a fingertip.
"M-Mother!"
Marlene watched as Elsa pulled back in surprise, then spoke with a serious expression.
"Elsa, I will be here to look after him from now on, so you don't have to worry. You have things you want to achieve, don't you?"
"Thank you..."
Tears began to well up in Elsa’s eyes once more.
"Goodness, I thought you had grown up, but you're still such a crybaby."
As Marlene wiped Elsa’s face with a handkerchief, a blue bruise peeked out from her sleeve.
"Mother, what happened to your arm?"
Marlene hurriedly pulled her arm back.
"...Oh, you saw that? It’s actually much better now. A month ago, the entire arm was discolored."
"The large blood vessels must be damaged."
"Eh? Blood vessels?"
"Yes. Leave it to me."
Elsa stood up, sat back down next to Marlene, and rolled up her stepmother’s right sleeve.
"Elsa?"
"Völlig Genesen!"
The healing magic enveloped Marlene’s arm, mending it in an instant. The blue, discolored flesh returned to a healthy, natural tone.
"E-Elsa? You... not just magi craft, but healing magic as well..."
"Yes. I hadn't mentioned it yet, but thanks to Jin-nii, I’ve become able to do things like this."
Rubbing her restored arm, Marlene smiled warmly at her daughter.
"Elsa, you must walk your own path. Magi craft, healing... you must make full use of your talents. I will always be praying for your happiness."
"Mother..."
Elsa shed tears for the umpteenth time that day.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, Jin was receiving a visit from Lishia.
The highway had been in a state of ruin, but the soldiers stationed at Toka Village had worked diligently to clear it. It was now at a point where horses could pass, even if carriages still could not.
This was no obstacle for a Golem horse. They could traverse the distance between Toka and Kaina in a single day—and with energy to spare.
Setting out from Toka Village at 6:00 AM, the Golem horses reached Kaina Village by 2:00 PM. On this trip, Gloria had been persuaded by Lishia to tag along, riding a Golem horse borrowed by Pascoe. She had been left speechless by the quality of the ride.
"Jin-san, I, Lishia Fahlheit, have been promoted to Baronet and granted Toka Village as my territory. I’ve come to report this news to you."
"Jin-dono, I, Gloria Allstatt, have come as an escort for Baronet Fahlheit!"
"Welcome. It's been a while, Lishia. And Gloria-san."
Jin met with them in the office of Nidou Castle.
"Let's drop the formalities and speak as we always have."
When Jin suggested this, the two women looked at each other and nodded.
"Phew... it’s a relief to hear you say that, Jin-san."
Relaxing her posture, Lishia handed a package to Jin.
"Jin-san, this is a personal letter from the King of Klein. It is your official recognition as a Magi Craft Meister."
"Thank you."
Jin opened the package to find the certification from the Klein Kingdom, along with compensation for his help during the magical consumption fever outbreak and for providing the recovery medicine to Lishia and Pascoe.
Furthermore, there was a letter and a contract stating that Inado Mine would be officially transferred to Kaina Village’s jurisdiction as of August 1st.
Finally, the King offered an apology regarding Viscount Bayer’s illegal mining operations and a statement that all resources extracted during that period would be granted to Jin.
"Ah..."
Regarding the help with the fever, Jin truly had no intention of asking for anything in return, and he found himself grimacing at the documents.
Inado Mine had completely collapsed during the Gigant Peeder incident, and based on what he knew of its yields, he didn't particularly want it.
Jin was barely suppressing the urge to say, "This is a hassle, I don't want it," when he suddenly remembered something he had heard from the Land units that had scouted the tunnels. They had mentioned finding some unfamiliar magic tools.
If I build a specialized golem to investigate the depths, it might be interesting, Jin reconsidered, and he decided to accept the mine.
Once Lishia saw that Jin had finished reading, she bowed her head. Gloria followed her lead.
"I know an apology from someone of my standing isn't enough, but please, allow me to apologize first!"
"Jin-dono, I must also offer my apologies. Even if he was acting on orders, my father was involved in that plan. I am truly sorry."
Jin had no intention of holding a grudge against them, but he felt that if he was too soft, people would start to take advantage of him. He decided to speak his mind.
"I don't really care about this country's resources. But doing things behind my back... that’s what makes me angry."
"Y-Yes, I will convey that!"
Lishia flinched at the rare sight of Jin looking displeased. She resolved to make sure the Chancellor heard every word.
"...Well, complaining to you two won't solve anything, so let’s consider the matter closed. But make sure you pass the message along, okay?"
"Y-Yes, absolutely!"
Knowing that Jin’s anger wasn’t aimed at her, Lishia breathed a sigh of relief. To shift the mood, she brought up a question that had been on her mind.
"By the way, Jin-san, may I ask you something?"
"Sure, if it's something I can answer."
"Thank you... Um, Jin-san, I heard you were recognized as a Magi Craft Meister in the Shouro Empire just the other day. When, and how, did you return?"