That same evening, Jin’s party arrived at the All-Creation clan settlement. The village was already a hive of activity.
Word of Jin’s arrival had spread like wildfire, and members from various other clans had gathered via Teleportation Magic to meet him.
“Jin, it’s been so long!”
Sion was perhaps the most delighted of them all.
“Hey, Sion. You look like you’re doing well.”
“Jin-sama, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
Sion’s older sister, Istalis, stepped forward as well. Her right arm was linked with Netros’s left. Jin wasn’t so dense that he failed to grasp the implication—at least when it came to other people.
“Elsa-san, it’s been a long time.”
“Mm. I’m glad to see you’re okay.”
Sion and Elsa already knew each other, and they exchanged brief, polite greetings.
“And this is my companion, Saki.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Saki.”
“Saki-san, is it? I look forward to getting to know you.”
“I am Okearus of the Divergence clan. A pleasure.”
“I am Anemosdeus of the Loftiness clan.”
“And I’m Doneicia of the Jest clan.”
With so many representatives from different clans present, the introductions were a busy affair. Once the greetings were finished and the air had settled, Sion’s grandfather and the Chief of the All-Creation clan, Baldius, spoke on behalf of the group.
“Jin-dono, we owe you a great debt for your assistance back then.”
“No, please. We had our own reasons for helping.”
“Even so, you have fundamentally changed our way of life.”
“I’m just glad I could be of use.”
“The greenhouses are magnificent,” Baldius continued. “We no longer have to worry about starvation. We should be able to weather this winter with ease.”
With the pleasantries out of the way, Jin presented his gifts. First was the Persica. They were packed into large containers weighing about a hundred kilograms each. In the freezing winter, they would easily keep for a week. He had brought three such boxes. Only Reiko could have hauled them all here.
“Oh, how generous. Fresh fruit is a precious rarity in the dead of winter.”
“Please, share them among everyone. And then, there is this.”
Next, he produced Topopo seed potatoes.
“These are called Topopo. They are a crop that can be cultivated even in cold climates. Please plant them once spring arrives.”
“Ah! This is the crop you mentioned before!” said Sion’s mother, Rolona. She was the clan’s agricultural expert, and Jin had touched on the subject of Topopo during his previous visit.
“That’s right. I’ll provide the specific cultivation knowledge to the Agrii units. I have one warning, though: the sprouts of the Topopo are poisonous. Be careful not to eat them.”
“I understand. It’s a self-defense mechanism to prevent pests from eating the tubers,” Rolona replied. Her quick comprehension was a clear trait she had passed down to her daughter.
“Ji-Jin-sama! I—I’ve improved quite a bit since we last met!”
It was Marikka. Seeing her potential for Craft Magic, Jin had previously taught her how to maintain magic tools and the agricultural Agrii golems.
“Oh? That’s good to hear. You’ve been working hard.”
“Yes! I can handle the Agrii maintenance with no problem-sh!”
Jin offered a small, wry smile. It would have been perfect if she hadn't tripped over her words at the very end.
“Now then, as for the purpose of this visit...”
Finally, Jin reached the heart of the matter. Everyone present leaned in, listening intently.
“Are any of you familiar with a magical beast known as the Ancient Dragon?”
“The Ancient Dragon?”
“Ancient Dragon... wait, that sounds familiar...”
While most of the demons tilted their heads in confusion, one person’s face lit up with recognition.
“I’ve heard stories of a giant white dragon living far to the north,” Sion said. “My memory is certain!”
True to the name of the All-Creation clan, she puffed out her modest chest, boasting of having the sharpest memory in the village.
“Hmm. Now that you mention it, I may have heard of it as well,” Baldius added, nodding slowly.
As it turned out, only those two had any inkling of a lead. Baldius turned to his granddaughter.
“Sion, in that case, you shall accompany Jin-dono and assist him in his search for this Ancient Dragon.”
“You got it!” Sion agreed with visible excitement.
In contrast to Sion’s beaming face, Elsa, sitting beside Jin, looked slightly miffed.
“Elsa-san, Saki-san, I look forward to working with you!”
“Mm,” was Elsa’s only reply. Saki simply nodded and said, “Likewise.”
“By the way, what about Lucas?” Jin asked. The young servant had always been loyal to Sion, but he was currently standing far in the background.
“Lucas was told he still lacks training, so he was temporarily removed from his position as my servant,” Sion explained in a low voice.
Recalling his behavior during their last encounter, Jin had to agree that the boy was still immature. He didn't pry further out of respect for the boy’s pride.
That night, Jin and his party slept inside Capricorn 1. He felt a bit uneasy about sleeping out in the open in the demon territory during mid-winter. The vehicle's renovations proved their worth, and Jin, Elsa, and Saki were able to rest in total comfort.
The next morning, the calendar turned to February 1st.
After being treated to breakfast by the All-Creation clan, the group prepared for their departure.
“How do I look?”
Sion emerged dressed for the journey in a pure white fur coat and a matching snow hat.
“Heh, it suits you. You look like a Snow Queen.”
The white fur was a perfect match for her silver hair and pale skin.
“R-really? Hehe.”
Sion looked delighted by the praise. Elsa, on the other hand, wore a sour expression. Saki watched the interaction with a knowing smirk.
“With the two of you standing together like that, you almost look like sisters,” Jin remarked.
Elsa with her platinum blonde hair and Sion with her silver hair—both had fair skin and pale blue eyes.
“Yeah, you’re both cute,” Jin added, offering a rare, blunt compliment. Both girls, Elsa in particular, flushed bright red.
Saki, meanwhile, thought to herself, Jin is the same as ever... Elsa’s going to have a hard time with this.
“Jin-dono, stay safe.”
“Jin-sama, please look after my sister.”
“Sion, don’t get in Jin-sama’s way. Make sure you’re actually useful.”
“I know, I know! I’m off!”
After being seen off by her grandfather, sister, and mother, Sion headed toward Capricorn 1. The vehicle was waiting in a lowered, crouching stance.
“Well, shall we head out?”
Jin climbed in first and reached back to help Elsa into the airlock. The small chamber was full with just the two of them, so he closed the outer door to let her into the main cabin.
When he opened the outer door again, Sion was looking panicked.
“D-don’t close the door right in my face! I thought you were leaving me behind!”
“Sorry about that. This Capricorn 1 has a different boarding procedure to keep the cold out.”
Jin reached out his hand, and Sion gripped it firmly, even through their winter gloves. Once she was in the airlock, Jin explained that the inner door wouldn't open until the outer door was sealed. Sion nodded in admiration.
“I see. That’s clever. This way, you don't let the freezing air inside.”
Saki followed, and Reiko was the last to board.
“Alright, let’s go. North first.”
“Understood. Capricorn 1, departing.”
Under Land 1’s control, the vehicle stood up and began its steady walk across the snow. Baldius, Istalis, and Rolona watched from the settlement, staying until Capricorn 1 was nothing more than a speck on the horizon.
“The renovations were worth it! The ride is much smoother than before!”
Sion was in high spirits, exploring the cabin. Since it was warm inside, they had all shed their heavy coats. Sion was now dressed in a light knit outfit that allowed for easy movement. She was significantly smaller and more slender than Elsa, still possessing the silhouette of a young girl.
As Jin was making these mental observations, he found himself being glared at by both Sion and Elsa. Saki, meanwhile, was focused entirely on the view outside the window.
“S-Sion, heading north is the right call, then?” Jin asked, trying to change the subject.
Sion answered with a flat, judging look. “We’re heading for the Gospel clan’s territory, right? Capricorn 1’s speed is about thirty kilometers per hour? If we head north, we’ll hit a river. It’ll be easiest to cross that and then keep going further north.”
The plan was to reach the Gospel clan first to gather more intelligence. With Falcon 1 carrying Sky 1 overhead to provide aerial support, there was little risk of getting lost, but having a local guide was still invaluable.
Jin’s party continued their journey, making steady progress into the frozen north.