"Happy birthday, Elsa."
"Happy birthday!"
"Congratulations."
"...Thank you, everyone."
On March 15th, the Jin Family gathered on Hourai Island to celebrate Elsa's birthday.
Elsa had previously told Jin that since Hanna hadn't had a celebration, she didn't need one either. However, Reinhard, unaware of that sentiment, had gone ahead with the preparations anyway.
(I still feel a bit bad for Hanna-chan, though...)
Elsa whispered this only to Jin before fully embracing her role as the guest of honor for the day.
"Are you feeling all right, Berche-san?" Elsa asked, looking toward Reinhard's wife, who wore a pleasant smile.
"Yes, thank you. My morning sickness isn't too severe, so I'm doing just fine."
"She seems to find a lot of relief by drinking Persica juice," Reinhard added.
Persica juice produced on Hourai Island was rich in free ether. It was possible the substance was providing some kind of medicinal benefit.
"Heh, it seems there is still much to learn about free ether," Saki said with a chuckle. She looked rare in her formal dress, yet she couldn't forget her research even at a party—a dedication that was truly admirable.
The gathering was limited to their inner circle, giving the party an informal, relaxed atmosphere. They had decorated the dining hall of the Hourai Island laboratory, and the tables were laden with masterfully prepared dishes crafted by Perido and the other golem maids. Social standing meant nothing here; everyone celebrated as equals, bound together as "family."
"...Still, this is quite an illustrious group," Marcia murmured with a wry smile, still not entirely accustomed to the atmosphere.
"Regarding that, I'm thinking of further developing Kunlun Island in the future to make it a place we can use more casually than this," Jin said as he sipped his wine. "I'm known to the public as the 'Lord of Kunlun,' after all. I need to establish Kunlun Island as my base of operations for the outside world."
"Ah, that’s right. Since you've been recognized as the 'Lord of Kunlun' by various nations, that place is officially your territory, Jin," Reinhard agreed. He was currently enjoying some "sake made from rice" brought from Mitsuho—in other words, Japanese sake. "You know, this sake really pairs perfectly with fish."
Reinhard ate his meunière—made from a fish similar to flounder—while drinking at an unusually brisk pace.
"Dear, please try not to overdo it," Berche cautioned. Since she was pregnant, alcohol was strictly forbidden for her, and she looked a little envious as she watched him.
"So, Mitsuho, eh? I've never been, so it definitely piques my interest," Toa remarked. Stearena, who had registered her marriage to him just over a month ago, glanced at her husband from the corner of her eye.
"Why don't you two go there for your honeymoon?" Jin suggested. "I'm sure if you make a formal request to Her Majesty, Toa-san, she would grant permission."
Jin figured that as a top-tier alchemist, Toa could easily get authorization under the guise of a national research expedition. Incidentally, the members of the Jin Family were all familiar with the concept of a honeymoon because Jin had explained the custom to them.
"That's a lovely idea. Dear, won't you try asking?" Stearena asked.
"Hmm, yes, I suppose I should."
Both Toa and Stearena seemed quite keen on the idea.
"Oh, in that case, I'd like to tag along—sorry, never mind," the storyteller, Vivienne, started to say she wanted to go with them, but she quickly went quiet once she realized she would be a third wheel to the newlyweds.
"Actually, I'm hoping to go there myself if I can find the time," Jin said, offering her an out.
"Oh? Would you let me join you then?"
"I don't see why not."
However, Vivienne stared intently at Jin's face before shifting her gaze slightly to the side. "...Actually, I think I'll pass. Tonight's birthday girl is looking a bit conflicted."
"Eh?"
"I—I'm not!" Elsa stammered, her face turning bright red at the mischievous comment.
"Ufufu, look at you blushing. How cute," Vivienne teased.
Elsa’s face turned even redder.
"Vee, that's enough," Stearena scolded. If she hadn't intervened, Vivienne looked ready to say plenty more.
"Still, Kunlun Island... it’s out of reach for our current ships," Rodrigo muttered with a solemn expression.
"You're right, Father. We have to keep striving to improve," Marcia added. As members of the Jin Family, Marcia and Rodrigo had chosen not to simply be handed advanced technology but to develop their skills through their own efforts. Jin respected that choice.
"But your boat was very stable, wasn't it, Marcia? It seems you made it back to Port Rock Town without any issues."
"Well, yeah. The sea was a bit rough, so we hugged the coast. Sometimes, depending on the waves, it's actually calmer further out, though."
Swell waves involve the vertical movement of seawater, so they tend to peak higher in shallow areas. However, with wind waves—surface waves caused by strong gusts—the land can act as a buffer near the coast, making it safer to stay close to shore. Marcia explained that being able to tell the difference was the first step toward safety at sea.
Elsa turned to Marcia and asked a quiet question. "Was there no race this year?" She was referring to the Golem Boat Race.
"Ah, usually it's in mid-February, but with the commemorative ceremony for the Celuroa Kingdom this year, everything got pushed back to March. It's scheduled for the 20th."
"Are you not entering?"
"No, the workshop is just too busy. We have five boats built by our workshop entering the race! All of them are waterwheel-driven catamarans."
"Heh, that's impressive," Jin said, genuinely struck.
"Right? I think we could win if I entered with the Cygnus, but if I did that, I'd just be discrediting my own workshop's products..."
It was true; if the new models lost to the old one, the customers would lose faith. The biggest factor was actually Arrow, but the general public wouldn't understand that.
"I see your point. It would be different if the race had different regulations."
"Exactly. The Golem Boat Race has only gotten more popular since then..."
"Well, that's a good thing."
According to Marcia, the number of spectators wanting to watch the race from the open sea had grown, and it seemed many large ships were being prepared for the crowds this year.
"Tourism is an industry of its own, so it's a positive development," Reinhard added. During last year's race, he had been Jin's rival, entering with his own boat and his mermaid-type golem, Lorelei. "And those swimsuits are still popular. Last year and this year, the number of beachgoers wearing them has increased significantly."
The swimsuits he referred to were the jersey-knit one-pieces Jin had introduced. Before that, loose-fitting, short-sleeved, and short-pants styles had been the standard.
"Well, they're common on Hourai Island and in Kaina Village," Reinhard noted. From his perspective, it was probably better that they had become widespread. Beside him, his wife gave him a sharp look, though he didn't seem to notice.
"Come to think of it, Elsa liked those from the start, didn't she?" Marcia said, reflecting on the past.
"Yes. I thought they were... easy to move in. Or rather, easy to swim in."
"Well, that’s certainly true," Marcia laughed, recalling those days.
Watching the warm circle of friends from a slight distance was Elsa’s biological mother, Mine.
(That child looks so happy...)
No parent could fail to be moved by the sight of their child laughing with such joy.
(I am truly, truly glad she met Jin-sama.)
High above Hourai Island, the stars continued to twinkle in the night sky.
For the record, the presents this year were:
Reinhard: A mithril silver dagger (presented once more). Berche: A new set of outing clothes (with a slightly more mature design). Saki: New shoes (to match the clothes). Toa: A new hat (for outings). Stearena: Perfume. Vivienne: A scarf. Marcia: A bouquet of flowers. Rodrigo: A handkerchief. Mine: Nail clippers.
And from Jin, a three-piece set consisting of a brooch, necklace, and earrings.
Each piece was adorned with aquamarine, which also served as a target for a magi-radar. Simultaneously, they acted as markers for a transporter. Jin believed that by having her wear multiple systems of such equipment, he could ensure her safety was as absolute as possible.