August 11, 3458.
From the break of dawn, Hourai Island was gripped by a feverish energy.
"Is this outfit okay?"
"I haven't forgotten anything, right?"
"Oh, for heaven’s sake, your collar is standing up!"
"Yes, you look wonderful."
Though all the preparations had been finished well in advance, no one could truly settle their nerves once the big day finally arrived.
"Everyone, the groom and bride are ready. Please gather at the venue."
Laojun’s voice rang out, announcing the start of the ceremony.
The venue was the large conference room. There stood Elsa, draped in a shiromuku—a pure white wedding kimono—and Jin, dressed in a formal crested montsuki.
They were recreations based on Jin's hazy memories of Earth, so some of the finer details were likely inaccurate, but no one present cared about such trivialities.
"Oh wow, Elsa-san, you look absolutely beautiful!"
"Jin, I hardly recognized you!"
The guests showered the couple with praise, marveling at the unfamiliar yet elegant garments and the two people wearing them.
"Now then, shall we depart?"
Sensing the timing was right, Reiko spoke up.
Jin began to walk, accompanied by his guardian, Milowina. Elsa followed, accompanied by her biological mother, Mine.
Reiko led the way.
For this special day, even Reiko and Mine had traded their usual attire for kimonos specially prepared for the occasion.
In the corridor outside the conference room, the Five-Colored Golem Maids were lined up in perfect formation on both sides. Reiko walked through the center, followed by Jin and Elsa, then Mine and Milowina, with the rest of the attendees trailing behind.
They climbed the stairs to the second floor.
More golem maids were standing at attention there.
Reiko walked slowly toward the door where Soleil and her subordinates, the Planes, stood on one side, while Luna and her subordinates, the Satellas, stood on the other. She paused for a moment and looked back at Jin and Elsa.
The couple stopped as well. Jin gave Reiko a small, firm nod, and Reiko slowly pushed the door open.
They entered the study of the Predecessor Magi Craft Meister, Adriana Barbora Tsetse.
The group walked quietly into the room, and Jin opened the door to the hidden inner chamber.
The other guests remained in the study; only Reiko, Jin, and Elsa stepped into the hidden room.
Directly in front of them sat a single paper crane.
Reiko was the first to speak.
"Mother, I have come to make a report."
Jin followed her lead.
"Predecessor, as of this moment, I, the Second Generation Magi Craft Meister, Jin Nidou, have taken Elsa Randol to be my wife."
Finally, Elsa spoke.
"From this day forward, I, Elsa Randol, become Elsa Nidou. I vow to walk beside my husband for all my days."
Mine and Milowina, who had been waiting just outside the doorway, offered their applause.
"I, Elsa’s mother, Mine, bless this union."
"I, Jin Nidou’s guardian, Milowina, bless this union."
Following them, the attendees in the study joined in with a warm, resounding round of applause.
＊ ＊ ＊
After making their report to the Predecessor, the group headed outside the laboratory.
"Whoa..."
"Shh."
It was only natural that someone let out a small gasp of awe.
The entire golem military force of Hourai Island was assembled before them.
There was the silver-blue Air Force, the Sky Squad.
Beside them stood the silver-brown Army, the Land Squad.
Supported by the silver-light-blue Navy—the Marine Squad—were the silver-white mermaid-types of the Marine Force, the Mermaid units.
Then there was the golden Space Force, the Cosmos Squad, accompanied by the small space-use golems, the Astros.
The Smiths held the Little-Smiths in their arms. Upon their shoulders perched the Mini-Smiths, and alongside them were the Inch-Smiths and Milli-Smiths.
Steward, Edgar, Anne, Loll, Refa, and the Nurse Golems were all present as well.
Even the members of the Secret Mobile Unit (SP) showed themselves to offer their blessings to the couple.
Between the rows of golems, Jin and Elsa followed Reiko toward the hokora.
Beside the shrine stood Laojun’s mobile terminal, Laozi. On his shoulders were the Finger Golems directly under his command, as well as the Shinobi Squad and other super-small golems like Sam and the Komas.
Rows of Butlers flanked the shrine on both sides.
"I report to the Magus, Shuuki Tsetse..."
In this shrine, which had been relocated from the Former Leonard Kingdom, Jin had enshrined the Magus Shuuki Tsetse.
He delivered his report just as he had to the Predecessor, and the ceremony on Hourai Island concluded without a single hitch.
＊ ＊ ＊
Next, the party traveled to Tsetse Island using the Warp Gate in the laboratory basement.
This was the final resting place of the Magus Shuuki Tsetse, guarded by the automata Nagi and Nami, who had been crafted by the Predecessor.
"Welcome, Second Generation-sama, and all of you."
"We are honored by your visit, Second Generation-sama. Reiko, I'm glad to see you as well."
"Big Brother, Big Sister. Today, I have come to report on my Father's marriage."
Reiko spoke to Nagi and Nami with a bright, joyful expression.
"Oh, truly? Congratulations, Second Generation-sama!"
"We look forward to serving you, Madam."
The two guardians of the island offered their heartfelt congratulations.
Jin and Elsa placed flowers at Shuuki Tsetse’s grave and offered a silent prayer.
"The greenery here has increased quite a bit," Jin noted.
"Yes. We have been putting effort into cultivating flowers and plants lately."
"I see. That’s good to hear."
Jin narrowed his eyes and looked out toward Magus Cape.
"Ah, the weather is wonderful today."
From here, Magus Cape at the eastern edge of the continent was clearly visible.
＊ ＊ ＊
"It was a bit unusual, but what a lovely ceremony it was."
"Elsa, you looked beautiful."
After returning to Hourai Island, the reception was held at the Jade Pavilion on Kunlun Island.
Jin and Elsa had changed their outfits, now appearing in a formal suit and a wedding dress. This also served as the traditional oiro-naoshi costume change.
Now, the moment had come for the cutting of the wedding cake, a masterpiece into which Perido had poured all her skill.
The cake stood about forty centimeters tall. Jin and Elsa held a single cake knife together and made a clean slice into it.
It was the first task they performed together as husband and wife.
"Congratulations, Jin!"
"Congratulations, Elsa!"
A chorus of cheers and blessings rose from the assembled guests.
<<Congratulations, My Lord.>>
Taihaku, the Brain that managed Kunlun Island, also offered his congratulations to the couple.
"...I'm so happy."
"...Mm."
Bathed in the warm wishes of their family and friends, Jin and Elsa were enveloped in a profound sense of happiness.
"Tomorrow we're heading to Kaina Village, so that’ll be fine, but I imagine we’ll be a bit exhausted after that."
"It... can’t be helped."
The cake was then sliced and distributed to the guests, delighting everyone’s palates.
"I have to say, I was stunned to see all of Jin's golems lined up like that!"
"Yeah, that was quite a sight."
In truth, because many units were still out on security duty, it hadn't actually been 'all' of them.
The harmonious, joyful banquet continued until the sun dipped below the horizon.
＊ ＊ ＊
By the time the moon—Uni—had risen to the middle of the night sky, the banquet finally came to an end.
The members of the Jin Family retired for the night, some staying at the Jade Pavilion and others at the Hall of Five Virtues.
Only Jin, Elsa, and Reiko returned to Hourai Island.
Jin and Elsa walked toward the 'home' together, but Reiko stopped at the threshold.
"Father, Elsa-sama, my deepest congratulations to you both. I shall take my leave here for tonight."
Reiko bowed deeply and remained standing by the entrance, making no move to go further.
Sensing her feelings, Jin gave Reiko’s head a gentle pat. Then, taking Elsa by the hand, he led her into the house.
They entered the inner room, a space rarely used.
The moonlight filtered through the shoji screens, bathing the room in a soft, dim glow.
"Are you tired?"
"...Mm, a little. But I'm okay. Because I'm glad. Because I had fun. Because... I'm happy."
"I see."
"I am quite inexperienced, but I look forward to our life together."
Having learned the proper etiquette from someone, Elsa sat in a formal kneeling position and bowed to him.
"I look forward to it as well."
Jin gently drew Elsa close and pressed his lips to hers.
That night, the two became husband and wife in both name and deed.