After a flight of just under two hours, Konron 2 touched down on the roof of Jin’s mansion in Loizart, the capital of the Shouro Empire.
“S-So this is the capital...”
During the nearly two-hour journey, Saki had spent the entire time soothing Goose, eventually giving him a full explanation of the Shouro Empire.
“First, just relax and make yourselves at home,” Jin said as he led the way off the vessel. Barrow was already there to greet them.
“Welcome home, Jin-sama. I must admit I was quite startled when your message arrived out of nowhere this morning.”
“We have many guests today. I apologize for the sudden notice, but are the preparations ready?”
“Yes, everything is in order.”
As soon as Konron 2 had departed, Jin had contacted Butler D to arrange for their reception.
“Good. This is Goose-dono, our guest of honor. You know the others, right?”
Goose, Saki, Hanna, and Elsa disembarked in that order, followed finally by Reiko, Aaru, and Edgar.
“Welcome, Goose-sama. Saki-sama, Hanna-sama, it is a pleasure to have you. And Elsa-sama, welcome home.”
After descending from the rooftop, everyone headed straight for the baths. It was still before noon, but they had been unable to bathe the night before, and everyone was covered in dust from the road. The women, in particular, were overjoyed by the prospect.
Since Goose only had the clothes he was wearing, Jin had ordered a change of attire for him. By the time he emerged from the bath, he looked like a completely different man—refreshed and well-dressed.
“Those Shouro Empire-style clothes suit you quite well.”
“Ah, thank you, Jin.”
“Rest easy today. Tomorrow, we’ll head to the Imperial Palace to handle your naturalization procedures.”
Having just returned from a month-long journey, Jin wanted to avoid any rushed or frantic movements.
Before long, the women emerged from their baths as well. They had traded their travel gear for dresses, and the atmosphere in the room immediately grew more elegant.
“Jin, thank you. I feel so much better! Baths really are the best, aren't they?”
“It felt sooo good.”
Saki and Hanna both had rosy cheeks from the heat of the bath.
“Wait, where’s Elsa?” Jin asked, noticing she wasn't with them.
“She finished a bit before us,” Saki replied.
Just then, a voice called out from behind Jin.
“Jin-nii, I’m right here.”
“Huh?”
He turned to see Elsa standing there, dressed in her everyday clothes.
“Oh? Elsa, didn't you change into a dress?” Jin asked, sounding a bit puzzled.
“No. Since we have guests, I have to act as the hostess.”
“You didn't have to push yourself.”
“Heh, I suppose the Young Mistress has certain standards to uphold. Right, Elsa?”
Elsa’s cheeks flushed at Saki’s teasing.
“Saki-nee, you’re mean.”
“Heheh, sorry, sorry. But that’s the reality of it, isn't it?”
“...I can’t deny that.”
Jin spoke up to break the banter. “Saki, make sure to look after Goose, okay?”
“Eh? Me?”
“Yeah. He’s connected to Toa-san, after all, and the two of you seem to get along well enough.”
Saki hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded her consent. “Well, I’ll give it a try.”
A slightly late lunch was served shortly after.
“Oh, this is incredible!”
Goose was visibly moved by the white rice—fluffy Japonica rice cooked in a traditional pot. Beside it was miso soup made with katsuobushi dashi, containing Devil's Potato <Devil Bulb> and marunegi.
“Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve had this flavor.”
Jin was enjoying some grilled fish that tasted remarkably like horse mackerel. It wasn't exactly a standard lunch menu, but he had been craving it so much that he’d insisted on it.
“The bread is so good too!”
The bread Hanna was currently eating was made using the grape yeast that Perido had worked so hard to cultivate on Hourai Island. Drawing inspiration from the way wine ferments, Laojun had suggested it might be usable for bread, and after much trial and error, they had finally perfected it.
The flavor was subtly different from the bread they had been making with beer yeast. In fact, similar breads were produced back in modern Japan. Just like the beer yeast, this culture was maintained through starter propagation, ensuring a constant supply. Any starter that became too old was baked and used as feed for the fish in the ponds, so nothing went to waste.
“That was a wonderful meal.”
They finished with some Shouro Empire tea.
“Hmm, the tea here is excellent as well!” Goose remarked. Though the variety of the tea plant seemed slightly different, he judged both types to be equally excellent.
“I’m relieved, for now,” Jin said as he sipped his tea.
“Hmm? About what?”
“The food. You’re bound to miss the flavors of your hometown, right? I figured if you liked the food here, you’d have a much easier time settling in.”
Since Jin had put so much effort into recreating the tastes of Japan, he had been genuinely concerned about how Goose would adjust.
“Ah, as for that, my father cooked for us quite often. These flavors are actually very familiar to me.”
“I see.”
It seemed Goose’s father, Mark, had been quite comfortable in the kitchen. Even after reaching Fusou, he had apparently made sure to cook for his family.
“My father doesn’t cook much at all, though...” Saki muttered with a disappointed expression.
“But it’s not like you cook either, Saki-nee.”
“E-Elsa!?”
“...Payback.”
Since Saki had been teasing her relentlessly of late, Elsa had seized the perfect moment to strike back.
As they enjoyed the peaceful moment, Barrow entered the room.
“My apologies for the interruption. Jin-sama, you have visitors. Toa-sama and Stearena-sama have arrived.”
“Oh, that’s actually perfect timing. Show them in.”
“At once.”
“Hello, Jin-kun, sorry to drop by unannounced. Saki, I’m home....Or perhaps I should say, welcome home?”
Toa and Stearena had also just returned from their honeymoon in Mitsuho.
“Father, welcome home. And I'm home too.”
Father and daughter exchanged greetings before Saki asked abruptly, “Father, you remember a man named Mark, don't you?”
“Wh—Mark? Of course I remember him! He was my childhood friend and best friend. He left on an expedition and never returned...”
“Father, this is Goose—he’s Mark-san’s son!”
“What?”
Startled, Toa stared intently at Goose’s face.
“Hmm... The hair and eye colors are different, but his face is the spitting image of Mark’s...”
“Um, you’re Toa-san, right? My father told me a lot about you. Like the trouble you two used to get into as kids...”
Toa’s expression softened instantly. “Oh, is that so? And where is he now?”
The answer was somber.
“He passed away a long time ago.”
“I see... He’s gone, then....Goose-kun, was it? Would you mind telling me more about Mark?”
“Of course. And Toa-san, would you tell me about my father, too?”
“Certainly, I would be honored.”
Jin interjected. “In that case, you should talk somewhere more private. Barrow, please show them to a room.”
“Yes, Jin-sama.”
Seeing the two of them, Stearena also showed consideration. “Dear, I’ll stay here and talk with Jin-kun and the others.”
“Thank you, Lina.”
Toa and Goose headed off to talk, while Stearena joined the group in the dining hall.
“So you two are back already,” Saki noted.
“We only went as far as Miyako and back. It was about ten days,” Stearena replied. “It sounds like you all traveled much further.”
Jin and the others took turns telling Stearena all about the lands of the foreign tribes they had visited.