When Jin expressed his desire to go, Reinhard offered a word of caution.
"Jin, that might be fine for you, but what about Elsa?"
The two were scheduled to be married very soon.
"Yeah, that’s why I thought it would be a good honeymoon."
"What did you say...?" Reinhard looked a bit exasperated.
"Ah, don't get the wrong idea. I don't intend to investigate the entire Southern Hemisphere all at once. I just thought it would be nice to have a relaxing cruise on a large ship."
"...I see. Put that way, I think I understand." Reinhard felt a bit relieved.
"Given the matter of the long-period planet, we'd only be gone for a month at most. I was thinking... maybe as far as just before the Tropic of Capricorn?"
Laojun took the initiative to display a map on the magi-screen on the wall.
"See, there are several islands heading southwest from Port Rock Town, right?"
"Ah, there are."
"Small islands are scattered along the Equator, and to the south of those are islands as large as Kunlun Island and Hourai Island. I thought visiting that area might be fun."
"I'd love to go!" Marcia was the first to react. "My ship can't make it that far. But a ship built by Jin could do it, right? Ahahaha!"
"Hehe, I'd like to go too."
"Yes, me as well."
Saki and Toa also seemed interested.
"In terms of practical matters, we know that free ether is supplied without any problems at all up to the Equator. So I don't think there is much danger," Jin explained, addressing the safety concerns. "And if we form a fleet with several ships, we can avoid risks even more effectively."
Above all, Jin felt that a honeymoon should involve cruising on a large vessel.
"The wedding is on the 11th, so I'm thinking of departing after we've visited the various countries..." Jin looked at Elsa.
Elsa grasped the meaning of his gaze and nodded. "...If that's what you want to do, Jin-nii, then I'm fine with it too."
"Listen to Elsa go," Beena chimed in from the side.
"Well, it sounds safe enough then. You'll be taking various safety measures, of course?" Reinhard stopped looking so stern and asked.
"Right. Besides lifeboats, I'll have Pegasus 1 on board and equip the ships with Warp Gates. I'm also thinking of taking the Aqua unit and the Mermaid unit along as guards."
"The Watcher will likely be keeping an eye on Father and the others as well," Elsa added.
Having heard that, Reinhard asked one last question. "What are your thoughts on backup energy?"
"We'll be carrying a large amount of magi-crystals as mana tanks, and I'm planning to install additional magi reactors so we can manage even if the free ether becomes thin."
"Hmm, with those measures in place, you should be fine....Now I'm starting to want to go too." Reinhard looked a little disappointed.
"In that case, you can use a Warp Gate to come visit for a bit when we reach a beautiful island. With Berche, of course."
"I see, that's an option!"
"A-Atashi... I mean, we would like to go too..." Beena spoke up, starting with her usual vigor but ending in a somewhat reserved, refined voice.
"Yeah, that's fine. Everyone in the Jin Family should come."
However, someone called for a halt.
"Jin-dono, I have to wonder about that. This is meant to be a honeymoon for you and Elsa-san, isn't it?" It was Rodrigo.
"...That's true, but if we go with two ships, and we stay on one while everyone else stays on the other..."
"I see, then you could have your private time."
"Yes. Besides, it'll be more fun if things are a bit lively during the day."
Jin figured that even on modern Earth, cruising tours on large passenger ships involved being with many other passengers; surely it would be much more enjoyable with the members of the Jin Family.
"Hmm, I suppose that's true....In that case, I'd like to go as well!"
As expected of a man of the sea, Rodrigo was curious about unknown waters.
"Then let's consider moving forward in that direction," Jin declared, before addressing the gathered group. "As you've heard, after Elsa and I have our wedding and finish the receptions in each country, we will set out by ship for the southern seas on our honeymoon. It will likely be in late August. For safety's sake, I intend to form a fleet. If anyone wants to come, please let me know by then."
"Jin, I'm going!" Marcia was the first to volunteer.
"Hehe, me too," Saki followed.
"I'd like to go as well," Vivienne added.
"We're going too," said the couple, Toa and Stearena.
It seemed they were the only ones who would be accompanying the voyage from the very start.
"Berche and I will participate on a spot basis," Reinhard said. He meant he would come temporarily whenever they reached islands or other landmarks.
"Beena and I will do the same," Count Kuzuma agreed. Since it was impossible for them to be away for the entire duration, they decided to join occasionally.
"I'll stay behind because of the shop, but I'd like to go every now and then," said Rodrigo.
And then...
"...I will stay behind," said Mine, who had been silent in the corner until now.
"Mother, won't you come with us?" Elsa invited her biological mother.
"Elsa, wouldn't it be strange for a mother to accompany a newlywed couple?"
"That's true, but... if you're on a different ship..."
For Elsa, it was lonely to see Mine always keeping herself at a distance.
"Mine, go with them," Reinhard added his support.
"I want you to come not just as a mother, but as family," Jin said honestly.
"Jin-sama... Reinhard-sama... thank you very much." As Mine bowed, her eyes were slightly moist.
"That leaves Goose and Hanna, I suppose."
"Eh? Goose?" Saki let out a startled cry.
"Yeah. I thought it might be interesting if we invited Goose too."
"T-That's true." Saki's face looked a little red.
"Do you know where he is now?"
"Yes, he came back from his travels and has been staying at my house since the day before yesterday." Saki's voice as she answered Jin's question sounded a little happy.