On June 28, Jin decided to grant Milowina’s earnest request and take her to Kaina Village.
Their mode of transport was Konron 3, with Edgar taking the controls for this trip.
"I’ll keep us as low as possible," Edgar said.
"Oh, I’m so looking forward to it," Milowina replied, her voice brimming with excitement.
Jin, Elsa, Reiko, and the care golem Kai accompanied her.
"Ah, looking down from the sky gives such a different perspective, doesn't it?"
Konron 3 maintained an altitude of roughly 100 meters, cruising at about 300 kilometers per hour. Since Kaina Village was just under 800 kilometers away, the flight would take approximately two and a half hours.
"Oh, I see land!"
"Yes. We’ll be passing over the former Leonard Kingdom shortly," Jin explained.
"I see..."
The joy faded from Milowina’s face, replaced by a somber, focused expression. Jin lowered their altitude slightly, bringing the details of the landscape below into sharp focus.
"...There really is nothing left, is there?"
Her voice was steady, lacking the heavy melancholy Jin had anticipated.
"No. Last year, my companions and I visited the former capital. We found a magi-brain called the Messenger in a basement there. It told us the story of how the people teleported to the Moon to escape a plague."
"So that was the truth of it."
With that, Milowina fell silent, her eyes fixed on the world passing below.
Konron 3 climbed higher to clear the mountain range separating the former Leonard Kingdom from the Klein Kingdom. Once over the peaks, the Great Shama Marshland unfolded beneath them, a lush expanse of vibrant summer green.
"Oh, how lovely!" Milowina exclaimed, her mood brightening once more.
A section of the marsh was carpeted in white flowers. They reminded Jin of Japanese skunk cabbage.
"I believe those are called white kaiu?" he mused. It was a name he had learned back in Mitsuho.
"White kaiu... how beautiful."
Having left her ancestral homeland behind, Milowina seemed to have regained her usual composure.
"We’ll be at Kaina Village soon."
"That is your territory, isn't it, Jin-kun?"
"Yes, that’s right."
They skimmed the edge of the Great Shama Marshland and crossed over Togo Pass. Soon, Kaina Village appeared, punctuated by the distinct silhouette of Nidou.
"My, what is that building?"
Milowina’s eyes widened at the sight of the castle. Its architectural style was unlike anything found in Ars.
"That is Nidou. It’s my castle."
"Goodness, what a unique design."
Milowina leaned forward, clearly intrigued.
Konron 3 touched down in the plaza in front of Nidou. No. 101 and the other 5-Color Maids were already there to receive them.
"Welcome back, Master," they greeted in unison.
"Thank you. This is Milowina. Please see to her needs as a priority."
"As you command."
Since it was nearly noon, they prepared for lunch. Jin had the meal served in the drawing room on the second floor of the castle. As it was a Western-style room, they were able to dine comfortably in chairs.
The menu featured congee served with umeboshi, along with nori and kombu tsukudani—Jin had decided he would simply use those names for the seaweed from now on. It was a selection perfectly suited to Milowina’s tastes.
"This congee is quite delicious."
"It’s very easy on the stomach as well."
"Oh, then it’s even better for someone like me."
They finished the meal with cups of hojicha.
"This tea is wonderful too."
Once they had finished their leisurely lunch, it was time for a tour of the village. To save Milowina from the strain of walking the whole way, Jin had prepared a specialized rickshaw the day before, complete with a canopy for shade.
Butler C stepped up to pull it.
"My, my, what a fascinating little carriage."
Milowina climbed in with a look of delight. She seemed to find the vehicle quite charming. Between the suspension, the dampers, and the rubber tires, the ride was exceptionally smooth. Butler C pulled her along at a gentle, steady pace.
"Hey, Jin-niichan!"
"Oh, Jin! Do you have a guest today?"
"That’s an interesting ride. Not quite a handcart, is it?"
The villagers they passed offered a variety of friendly reactions.
"Ah, Onii-chan!"
Hanna came running toward them.
"Is this your guest?"
"That’s right. This is Milowina."
Hanna gave a bright smile and a polite bow. "It’s nice to meet you. I’m Hanna. Welcome to our village!"
"My, what a polite and lovely young lady. I am Milowina."
"Hanna, want to come with us?" Jin asked.
"Yeah! I’ll show you around!"
Hanna took to her role as guide with infectious energy.
"That over there is the wheat field! We just finished the harvest, so nothing’s planted right now."
"This is called a pump. Onii-chan made it for us!"
"That’s the village chief’s house. An auntie named Sally lives there—she’s a healer."
Milowina listened to the girl’s earnest explanations with a constant, warm smile.
"Ho, Jin, showing a guest the sights? Good on you, Hanna."
"Welcome, traveler. We haven't got much in this village, but I can promise you it’s a fine place to relax."
"Please, make yourself at home, ma'am."
The villagers working in the fields stopped to wave and greet them as they passed. Milowina beamed back at them, waving her hand.
"And this is the hot spring! It feels so good."
"That over there is the snow house. We pack it with snow in the winter so we can keep vegetables and meat cool even in the middle of summer."
"That way is the ranch. We have a lot more horses now!"
The horses at the ranch were the descendants of the ones Lishia and Pascoe had once brought to the village. With more foals born this year and the additions Jin had purchased, the herd now numbered seven.
"And those are the shops. They sell all kinds of things. The shopkeeper, Erik-san, is real close with Barbara-san from the chief’s house!"
Hanna’s enthusiastic commentary made for a pleasant stroll, bringing smiles to the faces of Jin and Elsa as they followed along.
"And this is my house! Right across the way is Jin Onii-chan’s house. The first floor is his workshop."
They decided to take a break once they reached Jin’s home. The workshop featured a deep overhang that provided a generous patch of shade. After setting out tables and chairs, it became a perfect resting spot.
Jin pulled a magic bottle from their supplies, pouring glasses of chilled Persica juice made back on Hourai Island.
"Ah, this is lovely."
"Yummy!"
Hanna, whose throat must have been parched from all the talking, happily went back for a second glass.
"Are you feeling tired, Milowina?" Jin asked, watching her let out a contented sigh as she sipped her juice.
"No, I’m quite alright. What wonderful people you have here."
It was clear that Milowina had taken a genuine liking to the residents of Kaina Village.