After traveling north for roughly three hours, Capricorn 1 came to a stop before a frozen river. Jin and the others decided to stop there for lunch.
A silver world stretched out to the horizon in every direction. Even the legs of the Capricorn 1 were buried over a meter deep in the snow.
"The snow is starting to get heavier," Jin muttered while looking outside.
"It really is. It’s warm in here, but I wonder how cold it is outside?" Elsa asked.
"It’s about minus 25 degrees Celsius," Jin answered, checking the external thermometer.
"Um... that was called a thermometer, right?" Sion asked.
She seemed to remember what he had explained during their previous trip. As expected of the All-Creation clan, Jin thought, impressed.
"Let’s see... it’s a tool with a scale where the temperature at which water freezes is 0 degrees and the temperature at which it boils is 100 degrees, right?"
"That’s right. However, it won't work anymore once it hits about minus 40 degrees."
Since the device used mercury, it was susceptible to extreme cold. The freezing point of mercury is minus 37 degrees Celsius. For temperatures lower than that, one would typically use colored organic liquids like pentane, but Jin had not yet managed to produce and separate those materials.
"Hmm, but it’s still very convenient. As expected of Jin."
"Yes, Jin-nii is amazing," Elsa added, puffing Jin up even more.
"Well then, shall we head out?"
Capricorn 1 began to move again. About twenty centimeters of snow had accumulated while they were stationary, but it was shaken off as the vehicle started walking.
As they had before, they crossed the river. Since the surface was frozen solid and the water was shallow, they encountered no issues. By evening, they arrived at the residence of the Gospel clan. Since Jin had recorded the coordinates during his previous visit, he was able to find his way back with Laojun's guidance.
"Oh, Jin-dono, welcome."
Alectas came out to meet them. Seeing the Capricorn 1, he realized immediately that Jin had arrived.
The concealment barrier that had been active during their last visit was no longer in use. However, they were utilizing a wind-blocking barrier, which prevented snow from blowing in and created a relatively comfortable environment. The temperature inside the barrier was minus 3 degrees Celsius according to the external thermometer—more than 20 degrees higher than the wilderness outside.
"It has been a long time."
Jin stepped out of Capricorn 1 to offer his greetings. Perhaps because they were face-to-face, his speech was slightly more formal than when he had been interacting through his Body Double. Meanwhile, Elsa, Saki, and Sion were being escorted by Alectas’s wife, Mironia.
"What brings you here today?"
"Actually..."
While being invited inside, Jin explained the situation to Alectas.
"I see... searching for the shed skin of an Ancient Dragon, are you?"
"Do you know of it?"
"I have certainly heard of it."
They decided to discuss the matter further while being treated to dinner. Jin had brought fifty kilograms of flour as a gift, which he had delivered from Hourai Island via a Warp Gate. Using the flour to bake fresh bread to accompany soup and stew made for a luxurious meal.
"This almost makes me feel bad," Mironia remarked. "So, you are Jin-sama's fiancée, Elsa-san. I heard you are a skilled healer. If you wouldn't mind, could you examine my father-in-law later?"
The father-in-law she referred to was the Clan Chief, Fabius of the Gospel.
"Yes, if I can be of help," Elsa replied.
"Speaking of which, Fabius-san isn't here. Is he unwell?" Jin asked.
Mironia nodded with a worried expression. "Yes, his back has been in poor condition since the day before yesterday, and he has been confined to his bed."
"...That is concerning. We can see him after the meal," Jin suggested.
"Please, we would appreciate it."
Sion remained quiet. She was likely overwhelmed by being surrounded by members of the Gospel clan, who were practically legendary figures to her. It seemed her sense of intimidation wouldn't vanish easily.
As for Saki, everything she saw and heard appeared novel, and she was constantly looking around with wide eyes. She looked exactly like a tourist visiting a legendary city for the first time.
Alectas struck up a conversation with her. "Saki-san, I heard you are a talented alchemist. What sort of things interest you?"
"E-Eh, well, I'm still just an apprentice. Right now, I have my hands full just observing and learning about everything in creation."
The answer seemed to please Alectas. "Ho, how humble. Indeed, there are far more things in this world that we do not understand than those we do. Please, keep up your hard work."
"...Thank you very much."
Saki's face flushed slightly. She seemed genuinely embarrassed, which was quite unlike her.
The conversation eventually returned to the information they sought: the Ancient Dragon.
"I have heard rumors of a dragon that sounds like an Ancient Dragon appearing in the lands further north than here," Alectas said.
The general information regarding the Ancient Dragon itself hadn't changed, but they gained new geographical insights.
"If you head further north past the 'Land of Beginnings,' you will reach a lake. We call it Lake Chikaguwa."
"Is the Ancient Dragon there?"
"No, you must go around the lake and continue further north. There is a table-like plateau called the Tsusuru Plateau. I have heard the dragon lives near Mount Giirutse, which towers above it."
This was very detailed information. Since Jin had topographical maps, he could calculate a precise route by cross-referencing them with these landmarks.
"That helps a lot. We'll set out tomorrow."
"However, during the winter, it storms almost every day in the northern lands. Please be careful," Alectas warned.
"Understood. We'll be prepared."
Jin had anticipated these conditions, which was why he had specifically outfitted the vehicle for extreme cold.
True to their word, after dinner, Elsa and Jin visited Fabius’s room. Saki went with Alectas to see more of the settlement, while Sion returned to the Capricorn 1.
"Oh, Jin-dono, it has been a while. And you must be Elsa-san. I am Fabius; it is a pleasure to meet you."
"I am Elsa. The pleasure is mine."
Fabius gave his greeting while lying face down on his bed. It seemed that even the slightest movement caused him excruciating pain. Since Mironia had already briefed her, Elsa immediately began her examination.
"...Your lower back pain is severe, then?...'Diagnose'."
After performing the spell, Elsa’s worried expression cleared.
"Ah, it is a compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae. There appears to be no damage to the spinal cord, so I can fix it....'Heilung'."
She cast the surgical healing magic to mend the fracture. As one ages, calcium metabolism tends to decrease and bone density often drops, making the bones brittle. In such a state, lifting heavy objects in an awkward posture or sudden movements can cause bones to break. In Fabius’s case, this had happened to his spinal column.
Because there were no external wounds, basic internal healing magic would only provide temporary relief without addressing the root cause. However, Elsa’s treatment was perfect for the injury.
"The finish. 'Heilverfahren'."
Finally, she cast a high-level internal healing magic to return his calcium metabolism to as normal a state as possible, completing the treatment.
"Oh! The pain is gone. I can move again!"
"Elsa-sama, that's amazing! Thank you so much!" Mironia cried.
It seemed Elsa had been promoted from "Elsa-san" to "Elsa-sama" in their eyes.
"Please try to consume more foods containing calcium," Elsa advised, recommending small fish, cheese, and legumes.
Afterward, the group engaged in a pleasant chat, now joined by the fully recovered Fabius. Saki and Alectas eventually returned and joined the circle. Saki was in high spirits, clearly delighted by the rare things she had been shown.
Jin also asked Fabius about the Ancient Dragon.
"I see, so Jin-dono has come looking for the shed skin of the Ancient Dragon."
"Yes. Alectas-san told us about the location. I believe I've sufficiently equipped Capricorn 1 for the cold, so we'll head out tomorrow."
"The cold of the northern lands is no ordinary thing; you would do well to be cautious," Fabius warned.
"Thank you. We will."
"Still, for Elsa-dono to possess such wonderful skill at such a young age... I envy you, Jin-dono."
"Th-Thank you very much," Elsa stammered, blushing at the praise.
"Wait, where’s Sion?" Jin asked, noticing her absence.
"Father, Sion-san is inside Capricorn 1," Reiko answered.
"Eh? I wonder what's wrong."
Concerned, Jin told the others he was tired and going to rest. He then took Reiko and returned to the vehicle. There, he found Sion sitting on one of the seats, hugging her knees to her chest.
"Sion."
"Ah... Jin?"
"What's wrong? You don't seem like yourself. Are you feeling unwell?"
Sion shook her head. "No, it’s not that. I just... feel a bit out of place."
Hearing those words, Jin realized his mistake. It was no wonder she couldn't fit in with the Gospel clan, who had been a mystery to her people for centuries. Despite her background, Sion was still only the equivalent of a fourteen-year-old—still a child.
"I see. Lucas isn't here, and being the only one from your clan among strangers must be lonely."
"I-It’s not quite like that..."
Jin placed his hand on the head of the flustered, blushing girl and gave it a light, reassuring pat. "Sorry. I wasn't being considerate enough."
"I-It’s not your fault, Jin..."
Jin reflected on his lack of attentiveness toward her feelings. Elsa and Saki, who had just arrived back at the vehicle, watched the scene quietly. Elsa wore a complicated expression, while Saki watched them with a small, wry smile.