"Everything appears to have been quiet."
『Yes, My Lord. The Land squad deployed at the clinic also reports no abnormalities.』
"And the results from analyzing the magi-crystals we used Trans Info on?"
『About that...』
Laojun faltered, which was rare for him.
"What is it?"
『I cannot read them. Or rather, it might be more accurate to say that no information was transferred at all.』
According to Laojun’s explanation, data such as knowledge should have been extracted under normal circumstances, but the resulting information was entirely meaningless gibberish.
『Either some kind of protection is in place, or if they are indeed of the demon race, there is a possibility that Trans Info simply does not work on them.』
Jin sank into thought. It was a disappointment that he couldn't obtain information in advance, but he hoped to learn a fair amount by speaking with them directly today.
"I'll go check on them after breakfast."
Jin was considering that if they were in any condition to be moved, he wanted to transfer them to Nidou Castle. He conveyed this intent to Butler A, who had come by to check on him.
"Even if it's not today, I'll be bringing them there eventually."
"I see. Shall I prepare the dungeon?"
"N-No, I'm not sure about that yet. From what I saw yesterday, they didn't seem hostile. In that case, we'll use a guest room."
Even if they were of the demon race, Jin felt it wasn't right to immediately brand them as enemies. It wasn't based on logic, but intuition. He had gotten that impression during their brief encounter the day before.
Still, one could never be too careful. Jin checked his equipment.
"Barrier, Air Leichtern, Laser, Paralyzer..."
He went through the functions integrated into his personal bracelet. Everything was in perfect working order.
"Father, Elsa-san is here."
The house Jin lived in, built next to the Martha residence, was a two-story building. At Reiko's voice, Jin looked out the window. Elsa was standing there in her usual attire—a light green, short-sleeved dress and a white straw hat.
Jin went downstairs to greet her.
"Morning."
"Morning, Jin-nii."
"What's up? Did something happen?"
"No, the opposite. I heard something happened in Kaina Village, so I came to see how things were."
"I see."
Jin invited Elsa into the first-floor workshop and offered her a chair. Once he sat down as well, he gave her a brief explanation of yesterday's events.
"...I suspect those two are either demons or at least related to them. That's why I'm being extra cautious."
"I understand why you're being careful, Jin-nii. So, what do you plan to do?"
In response to her question, Jin spoke about his current plan—bringing them to Nidou Castle to keep an eye on them discreetly.
"...Yeah, that might be for the best."
Elsa had encountered members of the demon race before and had heard stories of how terrifying they could be, so she didn't object to Jin's precautions.
"...But I think we should confirm if those two really are demons."
"Yeah. But I want to do that at Nidou Castle too. The clinic is right in the middle of the village. If something were to happen, well..."
Elsa nodded.
"Mm. In that case, I'll go too. If I'm with you, I think Sally-sensei will give permission to move them."
"Ah, right. But be very careful, okay?"
"Yeah, I'm prepared."
To reassure the worried Jin, Elsa showed him her rings, which were capable of generating Barrier and Air Leichtern magic.
"Edgar, you stay alert too."
"Yes, Jin-sama."
And so, Jin headed toward the Mileshann Clinic accompanied by Elsa.
A cat dashed across their path, apparently chasing a mouse that was eyeing the stored wheat. The golems were proving their worth already.
"Onii-chan! Big Sister Elsa!"
Hanna, who was out playing, spotted the two and came running over with a wave. They exchanged morning greetings, and Jin noticed the golem cat Haku clinging to Hanna's feet. Just as Jin had hoped, Hanna had taken a liking to it. This also meant the golem cat was actively providing protection.
"Where are you going?"
"To the clinic. Sorry, Hanna, we have some complicated things to discuss, so I'll see you later."
When Jin subtly hinted that she shouldn't follow them, Hanna nodded obediently.
"Okay, I get it! See you later then! Come on, Haku!"
Hanna called out to Haku, who was crouching at her feet, and ran toward her house. Haku let out a single meow and scampered after her.
Watching them go, Jin and Elsa arrived at the Mileshann Clinic.
"Who's on duty?"
Responding to Jin's call, Land 1 deactivated his 'Invisible' spell and appeared.
"Master, it is I."
"Land 1, huh? How is the situation?"
"Yes, everything is peaceful. Those two are behaving themselves."
Relieved, Jin knocked on the clinic door. Nurse Gamma answered immediately.
"Master, good morning. There has been no change."
The phrase "no change" carried two meanings: that the condition of the mysterious pair remained stable, and that nothing untoward had happened.
"Understood. May we come in?"
"Yes, Master. Please, enter."
"..."
Seeing a golem that looked exactly like her calling Jin "Master" made Elsa feel a surge of embarrassment.
"Oh, Jin-kun, you've come."
"Yes, Doctor. How are they doing? I brought Elsa with me today."
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Elsa-san. It's heartening to have you here. Would you mind examining them?"
By now, Elsa had mastered healing and diagnostic magic to the supreme-level, so she held Sally’s deep trust.
First, they went to see Lucas and Sion. The two flinched slightly at the sight of Elsa, a newcomer to them, but Sally calmed them down.
"It's okay. When it comes to healing, this young lady is even more skilled than I am."
"...Elsa. Nice to meet you."
"I am... Sion."
"I'm Lucas."
After they introduced themselves, Elsa asked for permission to examine them and cast 'Diagnose'. For a brief moment, Elsa's face seemed to stiffen at the result, but she quickly masked it.
"...Aside from being a bit physically weak, they are healthy."
"I see. My diagnosis was the same. That's a relief."
Sally looked genuinely eased.
"Doctor, about that... I'd like to take them in at Nidou Castle. It must be a burden for you to have them staying here."
In a separate room, Jin made his proposal. Hearing it, Sally’s expression turned hesitant.
"Hmm, considering they only arrived yesterday... If Elsa-san is with them, then perhaps. But I can't say anything for sure without hearing their own intentions."
Since she put it that way, Jin had Laojun weigh the options through Reiko. An answer came back almost instantly.
"Doctor, we believe those two have come here with a specific objective. I suggest asking them about it directly."
Reiko made the suggestion to Sally.
"Hm, you're right."
They returned to the patient room once more.
"It seems you two have recovered quite a bit. Aside from the exhaustion likely caused by hunger, you're almost entirely healthy," Sally informed them.
Hearing this, Sion and Lucas both looked relieved.
"So, I must ask—did you come here with a specific purpose? If so, the Jin-kun here is the lord of this village. He has connections with high-ranking officials in the country. It might be best to consult with him."
As Sally spoke, Jin and Elsa watched the children’s expressions tighten with subtle tension.
"A-Ah..."
Sion seemed to want to say something, but she hesitated, her words dying in her throat.
"Is it something difficult to discuss here? If you're willing, why don't you come to my castle? I can listen to your story there without any outsiders around."
At Jin's words, Sion fell silent and looked down, appearing to think deeply. Finally, she raised her head, stared into Jin’s eyes, and nodded slowly.
"U-Um... T-Then... please... I will accept your offer..."
"If My Lady says she's going, I'm coming too!"
Sion spoke haltingly, while Lucas was firm and clear.
"Alright, it's settled... Doctor, is that acceptable?"
Sensing that these two carried a heavy burden, Sally nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly.
"Very well. However, I shall accompany you to the castle as well."