Jin decided to conduct a few small experiments in the weightless environment.
First, he tested fire. He used magic to ignite a small twig.
"Oh, how interesting," Saki remarked, pointing as she spoke.
The twig caught fire, but the flame didn't flicker upward. Instead, it formed a glowing blue sphere and extinguished itself almost immediately.
"Hmm. I suspect it’s because there’s no air convection," Jin mused. "It probably ran out of oxygen right away."
"That makes sense."
As they continued their experiments, a report came in from Laojun.
"My Lord, the Adriana is approaching for its return landing."
"Oh, is it? Well then, let's go have a look."
"Yeah! I can't wait!"
"Hehe, I wonder what it’ll look like."
As the four of them stood on the floor, Laojun slowly restored the gravity to normal.
"...Whew... My body feels strangely heavy now."
"I agree," Reinhard said.
"This certainly makes it easy to believe that staying in zero gravity for too long would weaken your bones," Jin muttered, recalling something he had heard back in modern Japan.
Reinhard and Saki both whirled toward him in surprise.
"What!?"
"Ji—Jin, what was that? I heard something rather alarming just now!"
"Oh, well..."
As they walked, Jin explained that because bones are meant to support the body's weight, the body stops feeling the need to maintain their strength once that burden is removed.
"I see..."
"That’s why what we did earlier was just training for emergencies. We won't be staying in that state permanently."
"...Burp."
"Saki-nee, that’s bad manners," Elsa scolded.
"Sorry, sorry. My mistake."
Saki continued walking, having let out a burp, while Elsa chided her.
However, the girls didn't know—couldn't have known—that burping in zero gravity is a dangerous affair. Without gravity, the gas in the stomach doesn't separate from the liquids and solids.
In other words, a burp in weightlessness usually brings the entire contents of the stomach up with it.
They had been very, very lucky...
＊ ＊ ＊
"W-Whaaaaaa! What in the world is this!?"
"Rai-nii, you’re being too loud. Follow Saki-nee’s example."
"..."
"Actually, Elsa-sama, if I may... I believe Saki-sama is simply in a state of shock."
If Saki was being quiet, it was because she was standing catatonic at the sight of the 300-meter spherical spaceship, the Adriana.
After a moment, they composed themselves.
"...Jin, this is incredible! It’s far too incredible! Just what have you created?!"
Though he had calmed down slightly, Reinhard’s excitement was still palpable.
"Man, I give up. This was entirely unexpected—it’s far beyond anything I imagined, Jin."
Saki looked utterly dumbfounded. Jin began to explain the situation to them with patient care.
"Laojun and Reiko both insisted that for me to safely travel into space, the ship had to be at least this substantial..."
"Ah, well, I suppose I can understand that."
"Yeah, that sounds like them."
The two of them accepted Jin’s somewhat defensive explanation. They both knew just how much Laojun and the others cherished and prioritized Jin’s safety.
"Are you two actually listening?" Jin interjected.
"Of course we are. But it really is a marvel. Will we be allowed to board it as well?"
"That’s the plan, naturally. The engines are perfectly fine, so once the interior is finished, I'll invite everyone. Let's all go to space together!"
"Oh, I'm looking forward to that!"
"Hehe, my heart is racing."
While Jin talked with Reinhard and Saki, Elsa was speaking with Laojun.
"...So, it isn't just ultraviolet rays? Even visible light is harmful?"
"Yes. Magical beast leather that was not infused with magic power deteriorated in no time. While the vacuum of space is likely a factor, even low-grade magic dyes faded in less than a day."
"So the environment of space really is that harsh?"
"Precisely."
It seemed they were busy brainstorming their own countermeasures.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Phew, nothing beats a hot spring."
Reinhard, who had decided to stay on Hourai Island for the night, was relaxing in the water.
"...So, Jin, when are you holding the wedding?" Reinhard asked his companion.
Jin couldn't exactly play dumb.
"Hmm. I was thinking autumn, but maybe it’ll be closer to summer..." Jin replied noncommittally. "I want to get the Moon investigation settled first."
He was, at the very least, thinking about it seriously.
"Elsa helps me in so many ways, so I feel bad that I keep putting it off."
Satisfied with the honest answer, Reinhard smiled.
"I see. Well, ultimately it’s a matter for the two of you, so it’s not my place to meddle."
As he spoke, Reinhard rubbed his midsection.
"Do you think it’s gone down a bit?"
He mentioned that because Berche had pointed out his weight, he had been exercising in between his duties.
"Berche’s stomach must have gotten quite large by now."
"Yeah, it has."
Soaking in the warm water, Reinhard smiled happily. Seeing that expression, Jin suddenly wondered if he, too, would be able to build a happy family like theirs.
Meanwhile, Saki and Elsa were bathing together as well.
"Ah, the hot spring is wonderful. It really is different from just plain hot water," Saki said wistfully, stroking her arm. "I'm glad to see you and Jin are doing so well, Elsa."
"...Saki-nee, what about you and Goose-san?"
"Eh? Hmm, I wonder. To be honest, I don't really know myself." Saki offered a carefree smile.
"From my perspective, I think Saki-nee and Goose-san are a good match."
"Hehe, do you think so?"
"...Mm. Though it’s probably not my place to say."
"That’s not true. You’re much more of an adult than I am, Elsa."
"...I’m not."
Elsa looked down, and Saki gently patted her head.
"You really have grown up, Elsa....It’s probably because you have Jin. I’m a little jealous."
"Saki-nee..."
Elsa turned beet red.
"Ahaha! But you’re still the same as ever in that regard."
"...Oh, stop."
The breeze blowing across Hourai Island was warm; it was a night that carried the first faint scents of the coming summer.