After departing the Klein Kingdom, Jin and his party landed on the snow-covered ground in front of Nidou in Kaina Village.
"Oh, snow! How rare!"
Reinhard seemed uncharacteristically excited, having rarely seen a truly snowy landscape. Jin found his reaction surprising.
"I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic," Jin remarked.
Elsa offered an explanation. "It might be because the Shouro Empire is inland; they don't get much snow there."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense."
"Besides, as a diplomat, he would avoid traveling during seasons when heavy snow might disrupt his schedule," she added.
Jin nodded. He remembered that they hadn't seen much snow when he traveled with Elsa’s group from the Kingdom of Elias, either. He wondered briefly if Elsa had been so playful during their past snowball fight because she, too, had been caught up in the excitement of the snow.
"Onii-chan, Onee-chan, welcome home!"
Hanna came running toward them. It seemed she had spotted Jin’s airship and rushed out to meet them.
"We're home, Hanna," Jin replied. Although he knew he would be leaving again soon, he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible while he was here.
"Oh! Um... right, you’re Uncle Reinhard, aren't you?"
"U-Uncle..."
Reinhard’s shoulders slumped at the "Uncle" greeting.
"Rai-nii, don't let it get to you," Elsa said, attempting to comfort him. Jin wondered where she had picked up that particular phrasing.
Jin and Elsa played with Hanna until the sun began to set. Afterward, they moved to Hourai Island for the first full gathering of the Jin Family in 3458.
"A bit late, but Happy New Year to everyone. I look forward to working with you all again this year."
After exchanging standard pleasantries, Jin stood before the group to state his resolutions. He spoke of his desire to have Kunlun Island officially recognized as his territory. He also mentioned his long-term hope of seeing the Leonard Kingdom restored, ideally with Ernest and Lies as its new King and Queen.
"I’m sure everyone has their own thoughts on the matter, but regarding Kunlun Island, I’ve already received recognition from the Klein Kingdom, the Kingdom of Egerea, and the Kingdom of Elias. They’ve granted me the title of 'Lord of Kunlun.'"
Jin paused his explanation to let the others speak.
"Using Kunlun Island as a decoy—in the original sense of the word—is a sound plan. Though it’s hardly a decoy anymore; it’s your official territory now," Reinhard said, opening the discussion. "However, restoring the Former Leonard Kingdom will be a massive undertaking. There will be friction with neighboring nations, and it certainly won't be a simple process."
"You're right about that," Jin admitted. "I might have phrased it poorly. I don't intend to step forward and lead the restoration myself. It’s just that with the survey teams from the Kingdom of Egerea and the Klein Kingdom active right now, and seeing how Ernest and Lies both have the potential to be excellent rulers, it felt like a waste to leave things as they are."
"I see. So it’s more that you’d like to steer the current of events in that direction if possible," Stearena said, catching Jin’s true intent.
"Exactly. I don't plan on going around and personally petitioning every nation."
The others nodded in understanding at Jin’s clarification.
"That’s a relief. For a moment, I thought Jin-kun was planning to rule the world from the shadows," Vivienne remarked with a storyteller's flair.
Jin scratched his head. "I wouldn't dream of it... it sounds like far too much trouble."
"Hehe, that 'too much trouble' is classic Jin," Saki added with a laugh.
Once the room settled, Jin moved to the second item on the agenda. This time, Laojun took over the explanation.
"There are significant movements regarding maritime development across several nations," Laojun began in a calm, steady voice. "In the Shouro Empire, the success of the Bernstein has spurred the construction of more large-scale ships. However, progress is somewhat stalled without the presence of My Lord or Reinhard."
Reinhard gave a wry smile at that.
"In the Kingdom of Egerea, they have begun mass-producing shallow-bottomed boats for river transport alongside their larger vessels," Laojun continued. Jin remembered suggesting the use of poles for such boats. "The Kingdom of Elias is following a similar path. I have reports that Marcia’s workshop has received several orders for medium-sized ships."
Since Rodrigo had returned to help, Jin, Reinhard, and Elsa felt confident that her business would thrive.
"As for the Celuroa Kingdom, following Eckart's success, there are apparently movements within the government to requisition his ship."
"What?! That’s outrageous!" Reinhard shouted. It was a natural reaction; the idea that a state would simply seize a large vessel that a private merchant had poured his life’s work into was madness.
"They likely cannot tolerate having fallen behind the other nations," Laojun analyzed calmly, though the explanation did little to satisfy the group.
"That country is going to run out of talented people before long..." Reinhard muttered, a sentiment shared by the entire Jin Family.
"Next, regarding the survey teams in the Former Leonard Kingdom: both the Kingdom of Egerea and the Klein Kingdom have dispatched expeditions."
"Brother Fritz said he was assisting as well," Elsa added.
"Correct. Fritz is participating in the Klein Kingdom’s team, leading five Golias units. By pushing through to the Kingdom of Egerea, they likely intend to blaze a trail that will make their return journey much easier."
With five Golias units, the path behind them would be packed down as firmly as a rudimentary paved road. In a world without modern road rollers, it was a revolutionary approach to logistics.
"The Klein Kingdom's team is progressing steadily and reached the Tsubou Settlement today."
A red line appeared on the map projected onto the magi-screen, with the Tsubou Settlement highlighted by a red circle.
"In contrast, the Kingdom of Egerea's team is moving very slowly. This is due to their discovery of numerous magi-crystals and combat golems within the Soldrake Ruins."
Jin and the others were well aware of this, having witnessed the discovery through the magi-monitor.
"Additional forces have departed from the Kingdom of Egerea specifically to recover those assets."
"That’s understandable. The Kingdom of Egerea took a major economic hit during the chaos of the Golem Party," Reinhard noted, nodding to himself.
"Still, ancient ruins... that certainly sounds interesting," Toa said, looking like he wished he could join them.
"Hehe, Father, settle down," Saki teased, poking him with a smile.
"Even so, it really is intriguing," Vivienne the storyteller agreed.
"It appears the Celuroa Kingdom has also caught wind of this and is preparing to send their own survey team," Laojun added.
"That country again..." Reinhard sighed.
"Finally, in the Shouro Empire, a diplomatic mission to the foreign tribes is set to depart tomorrow."
"Wait, tomorrow?"
"Yes. The ambassador is Count Woodruff Abelain von Elm, your neighbor to the right in Loizart."
The word "neighbor" felt oddly domestic in this context, and Jin nearly laughed.
"I believe his official title is Chief of the Technology Department within the Ministry of Magi Technology," Elsa added thoughtfully. Having handled the introductions when they moved in, she was more familiar with their neighbors' titles than Jin was.
"Precisely as Elsa says. It is likely because My Lord suggested that someone proficient in magi-engineering would be the best choice."
The foreign tribes—specifically the Mitsuho Kingdom—suffered from a chronic shortage of technicians capable of repairing ancient magic tools. Jin’s advice had been that providing such technical aid could serve as a bridge to friendship.
"The guard captain is Mattheus... who is Bell's older brother."
"Ah, my brother did mention he had a new assignment," Berche said.
"Since the situation in the Mitsuho Kingdom is stable, there should be no immediate danger. For now, the primary concern remains the Former Leonard Kingdom."
Everyone agreed with Laojun’s assessment.
"Right. Brother Fritz and Gloria-san are both there."
"Sky 21 is monitoring the area from above as a precaution," Laojun assured them.
"...Thank you." Elsa thanked Laojun, relieved to know that help could be dispatched at a moment's notice.
The current state of the world was coming into focus, and it was undeniably chaotic. With the threat of famine also looming over the Klein and Celuroa Kingdoms, 3458 was shaping up to be a turbulent year.