"Oh, so that’s how it was."
Mornings in Kaina Village started early. Village Chief Giebeck was already awake and had just finished breakfast with the healer, Sally Mileshann.
"In a sense, Telurus is a warped town..." Sally murmured thoughtfully, reflecting on the years she had spent there.
"So, Jin, what do you intend to do?"
Jin answered Giebeck's question clearly. "There are several orphans among them. If they wish, I’d like to have them live here in the village."
"Hmm, that shouldn't be a problem. And if—and this is just a 'what if' for now—someone wants to take them in as foster children, that might be an option as well." In Kaina Village, several households had lost children in the past.
"It would be wonderful if it worked out that way."
"Indeed. But again, that's a conversation for the future—a hypothetical. First, they’ll need to settle into the village."
Sally interjected then. "Beck, if that’s the case, I’d like for us to look after one of them ourselves eventually, too."
"I suppose so."
Watching the two of them, Jin ventured a question. "...Are you two, by any chance?"
The pair nodded, their faces flushing a light red.
"Y-yes. Barbara will likely be moving out to Erik's place soon anyway... so we decided to be together."
"Congratulations! And the ceremony?"
"A ceremony at our age?" Giebeck dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand, but Jin shook his head.
"Since it’s a special occasion, let’s do this: we'll have a banquet at Nidou Castle tonight."
"H-hey, don't make it such a big deal..."
But Jin wouldn't take no for an answer. "Why not? It’s Sally-sensei’s first marriage, after all."
Having practically forced the decision on them, he stood to leave. "Then please gather at the castle at five this evening!"
"...Good grief, he’s a handful," Giebeck muttered with a sigh after Jin had departed. However, contrary to his words, a broad smile played across his face.
"Beck, let’s just accept Jin-kun’s kindness," Sally said, her own expression full of happiness. Instead of answering, Giebeck gently squeezed her hand.
"Onii-chan, welcome back!"
Jin’s next stop was Martha's house. He was there to see Hanna, of course, but also to extend an invitation.
"Hanna, there’s going to be an anniversary ceremony in the Celuroa Kingdom on the 22nd. Why don't we go together?"
"Really? I can go out with Onii-chan?" Her face lit up with a beaming smile. She was clearly delighted at the prospect of spending time with Jin, who had been away frequently of late.
"Yeah. It’ll be a good learning experience for you."
For her safety, he intended to have the reorganized New Secret Mobile Unit (SP) handle her protection.
"Jin has certainly made something of himself," Martha noted, smiling as she listened. She was likely reminiscing about the day Jin first arrived in Kaina Village.
"So, you’ll be looking after those girls at the castle for a while?"
This came from Mine. Hanna had grown quite attached to her, and she had integrated perfectly into Martha’s household.
"Yes. And because of that, Mine, I was hoping you could take charge of their education."
"Ah, I see. Understood. Please, leave it to me."
His goal was to provide them with the knowledge they would need to gain even a small measure of independence. It wouldn't be anything advanced; they would start with reading, writing, and basic arithmetic.
The children of Kaina Village had already completed that level of primary education and were now at the stage where they were deciding what to study next.
"I figured it would help them stand on their own feet, even if just a little."
"I agree. I think that’s a very kind thing to do."
Jin then mentioned the plans for that evening. "Oh, that’s right. We're holding a banquet at the castle starting at 5:00 PM today."
Martha looked at him with a puzzled expression. "That’s sudden. Well, I don't think anyone in this village would dream of missing it, but do you have a reason for the party?"
"Yes. To introduce the girls I brought back... and to hold a wedding reception for the Village Chief and Sally-sensei."
At that, both Martha and Mine nodded in realization.
"Ah, I see. That’s a lovely idea. I hope the Chief and Sally-sensei will be very happy together!"
Elsa had guided the girls to the guest rooms on the second floor. There, the Golem Maids had already laid out futons for them.
"Wow, these futons are so fluffy!"
"Is it really okay for us to sleep here?"
"The floor smells so nice..."
At first, the girls were wide-eyed with surprise at the tatami mats and magisilk futons. However, between their full stomachs, the release of their long-held tension, and their lingering exhaustion, they fell asleep almost the moment they lay down. They clearly hadn't been able to rest properly aboard the airship.
Leaving their care to the Golem Maids, Elsa decided to take a short nap herself in a different guest room. She, too, was suffering from a lack of sleep.
About two hours after Elsa drifted off, Jin returned with Reiko.
"How are the girls doing?" he asked Topaz 101, who came to greet him.
"Yes, Master. After finishing their meal, they are resting in the guest rooms on the second floor."
"I see. They must have been exhausted. And Elsa?"
"Yes, Elsa-sama also appeared quite tired and is currently asleep."
Hearing that, Jin felt a pang of regret. Unlike himself, Elsa had been raised as a noble's daughter, and he realized he might be pushing her a bit too hard.
"I see. Let her sleep until noon."
Jin then headed to his own room on the fifth floor. Since he was feeling the weight of his own fatigue, he decided to take a nap as well.
"Reiko, wake me up at twelve."
"Understood, Father."
Though Jin hadn't fully realized it, he was also quite sleep-deprived. The moment he lay down, the sound of steady breathing filled the room.
"So that Father doesn't get cold..."
After checking the room temperature, Reiko activated the air conditioning magic tool and adjusted the climate to 24°C.
"Ah, I slept well."
At 11:55 AM, Jin woke up just before Reiko was set to rouse him.
"Father, it will be twelve o'clock in five minutes."
"Ah, right. Good timing....Well then, shall we go wake Elsa?"
After descending to the second floor, Jin paused as he reached Elsa’s door.
"...Wait, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to just barge in. Reiko, could you wake her for me?"
"Yes, of course."
Reiko entered the guest room in Jin’s stead, but she emerged almost immediately.
"Father, it appears Elsa-san is already awake."
"Oh, is that so? I wonder where she went, then."
Reiko was the one to answer his question. "Given the time, perhaps she is in the kitchen?"
"Ah, that makes sense. Let's go see."
Jin headed toward the first-floor kitchen with Reiko, drawn by the delicious aroma already drifting through the halls.