On the morning of March 6.
"Elsa, I heard the wine ingredients are arriving today?"
"Yes, finally."
These were the base ingredients for the wine that Former King Richard had been so fond of. They were finally being delivered from the Corin region.
"Let’s see... King Cesar’s younger brother became the lord there, right?"
Jin hadn't known who took over the territory after Alain Desmon began serving his sentence, nor had he been particularly interested. However, Elsa had scolded him for his indifference, insisting that he ought to pay more attention to such matters.
King Cesar had four siblings: one younger brother and two younger sisters. The brother, named Bernard, was three years Cesar’s junior.
"That’s right. Apparently, he sent them out immediately after taking his post."
Elsa asked Jin to be present for the analysis, and he agreed. He was quite curious about the ingredients himself. Since the delivery wasn't expected until noon at the earliest, he found himself with some unexpected free time.
"A brief respite in the middle of the storm, I suppose."
It was a phrase meaning that even during the most hectic periods, one can usually find a moment of peace. Jin decided to use this opportunity to have a thorough discussion with Laojun.
"First, how is the investigation into the location of that mysterious Warp Gate going?"
『Yes. We are conducting the search while avoiding public notice, so it is taking some time, but we have uncovered quite a bit.』
"Good. Tell me everything you've found."
『Understood.』
Laojun began to present the results of the investigation to date.
『There appear to be many structures resembling "catacombs" remaining in that region.』
"Catacombs?"
Catacombs referred to underground burial chambers. On Earth, the ones in Rome and Paris were particularly famous. The Parisian catacombs had originally been limestone quarries for building materials, so one could say they had simply put the empty space to good use. In that sense, the abandoned Oya stone quarries in Japan might be a closer comparison for the visual.
『There appears to be another level even deeper than those hollows. The marker's response is originating from there.』
"Hmm... and knowing you, Laojun, you’ve already started looking deeper, right?"
『Yes, My Lord. I began with the Elrad Mine, but as I mentioned before, there are more people there than expected.』
"Even though it's the Former Leonard Kingdom?"
It was strange that people were still there even though the nation itself had collapsed.
『Yes. They are prospectors who have come secretly from the Celuroa Kingdom and the Klein Kingdom to mine Elradrite.』
"Ah, I see."
Jin wondered if Elradrite was being mined and circulated by these people, but he quickly spotted a contradiction.
"No, that doesn’t make sense. Elradrite isn't supposed to be available to the public."
『That is correct. Private trade of Elradrite is strictly prohibited. Therefore, it seems all mined Elradrite is purchased directly at the mine entrance.』
"I see."
That method probably worked out cheaper than hiring formal laborers. The authorities wouldn't have to worry about providing compensation for risks like cave-ins. Even so, Jin suspected that some people might try to pocket a piece or two.
『It seems they use a specialized magic to detect anyone in possession of Elradrite,』 Laojun explained, answering the unspoken question. 『The principle apparently utilizes the gemstone's property of magic amplification. If one emits magic related to "Light" or "Sound," it will be amplified if the person nearby is carrying Elradrite.』
"I see..."
Laojun hadn't actually witnessed the magic in use, so he couldn't speak with absolute certainty, but that was the conclusion he had drawn from the gathered intelligence.
"Fair enough. So, the investigation into the level below the catacombs hasn't happened yet?"
『I am sorry to report that is the case. To avoid detection, and because we do not know what might be waiting for us down there, we are proceeding with extreme caution...』
"Yeah, that can't be helped. Keep going as you are."
『Understood.』
Jin was somewhat interested in the mine where Elradrite was found, but there was something else weighing on his mind even more right now.
"I still have some time. Alright, I'm heading to Kaina Village."
He was thinking of Hanna, whom he had left alone for far too long. The time difference between Esaia and Kaina Village was about an hour and twenty minutes, which wasn't a major issue. Using the emergency Warp Gate installed on Konron 2, Jin decided to return home.
"Elsa, I'm heading out. I'll be back by noon."
"Okay. Have a safe trip."
Leaving Elsa behind to keep watch in case of an emergency, Jin took Reiko with him and transitioned to Kaina Village.
＊ ＊ ＊
"..."
"Ha—Hanna."
"...I don't know you."
Hanna was absolutely fuming at Jin, who hadn't sent word for over two weeks. She wouldn't even turn her head to look at him.
"Hanna-chan, Father is reflecting on his actions. Please, find it in your heart to forgive him."
"..."
Reiko tried to soothe her, but Hanna's pouting expression remained fixed.
"But a lot of difficult things happened. Please, just try to understand that much."
"..."
"I even brought a souvenir to prove I hadn't forgotten about you, Hanna."
"...Really?"
When he produced physical evidence instead of just a verbal apology, Hanna turned her face slightly toward him.
"Really. Look, here."
"...Wow."
It was a necklace of strung amber beads, something Hanna had never seen before. Amber is fossilized resin from ancient times; strictly speaking, it isn't a mineral. Regardless, because it was a fossil, it wasn't produced on the geologically young Hourai Island. It was a gemstone Jin had seen for the first time in the Celuroa Kingdom. It was no wonder it caught Hanna's eye.
"See? The color is a perfect match for your hair, isn't it?"
"...Yeah."
In Japan, the color "amber" sometimes referred to a reddish-brown pigment made from earth, but the amber of this world was a golden hue exactly like "honey-blonde."
"There, it looks wonderful on you."
Jin draped the necklace around Hanna's neck. The color looked beautiful against her golden hair and her slightly sun-kissed fair skin. At that moment, Hanna suddenly lunged into Jin's chest.
"...Hanna?"
"...Onii-chan, thank you. But what makes me the happiest is just that you came back."
"Hanna..."
"More than any souvenir, I'm just happy that you're healthy and that you're here with me."
In truth, Hanna had probably wanted to jump into Jin's arms the moment she saw him, but she had lost her momentum and ended up using the souvenir as a convenient excuse to forgive him. Jin gently stroked Hanna's head. Hanna closed her eyes happily, leaning into his touch.
"I'm sorry. I should have come back more often."
Because Jin was someone who could return whenever he truly wanted to, his sense of guilt was all the greater.
"...No, I actually understand. I know you're busy, Onii-chan, and that you're doing things only you can do. But..."
Hanna trailed off, but Jin understood her feelings perfectly. Even if one understands the logic, loneliness is still loneliness.
(After all, Hanna is still...!!)
He had thought she was nine, but Hanna's birthday was February 8. She was already ten years old.
(Aaaagh! I'm such an idiot!)
More than anything, Jin cursed his own carelessness for missing her tenth birthday entirely.