"Whoa, Jin's maids are something else!"
"They've got even better hands than I do, for sure."
The maids were already accustomed to assisting with the wheat and rice harvests back on Hourai Island. Naturally, their movements were refined and efficient.
"Hey, your hands have stopped moving!"
"Oh, you're right. I can't let them outwork me!"
None of the villagers felt that their own labor was futile, even when faced with such an inhuman display of productivity. Every person in Kaina Village loved their trade and took great pride in their work.
"Luluna, come over here for a second."
"What is it, Kune?"
"Look."
"Ah... are those Jin-sama's golems?"
The girls from Lario Village, who had once been sold as slaves in the Celuroa Kingdom, had now completely integrated into life in Kaina Village. At the moment, they were busy reaping the wheat.
"Hey, Kana!"
"Rick? What's wrong? You shouldn't be slacking off."
Kana greeted her lover with a skeptical look as he ran toward her, puffing for breath.
"I'm not slacking. Jin is here right now, and he's brought his maid golems to help us out. The work is moving along way faster because of it."
"Ah, I thought so. I thought I caught a glimpse of them earlier."
"Yeah. And at this rate, it looks like we'll be able to finish both the reaping and the threshing today. But that means we're short on hands for the flour milling."
"Wait, what about the drying?"
"Oh, Elsa-san is taking care of that with her magic."
"Everything is possible in this village, isn't it?"
"Do you dislike it?"
"Of course not. This is the village where you are, Rick."
"Yeah, yeah, we get that you two are close... Anyway, Rick, so we should head over to the flour mill?" Sonia, acting as the group's leader, interrupted.
"Yeah, that's right. I'd like you to head to the flour mill once you hit a good stopping point."
"Understood. We'll head over as soon as we finish this section."
"I'm counting on you."
Rick ran off again. Sonia stretched her arms and then raised her voice energetically.
"All right, everyone! Let's get this section finished up quick!"
"Yeah!"
The girls' voices, every bit as spirited as Sonia's, echoed across the wheat field.
＊ ＊ ＊
"The flour mill seems to be running properly..."
Jin had arrived at the mill with Reiko. This was a handmade facility he had built himself before his first return to Hourai Island, and he had modified it last year to improve its efficiency.
"Oh, Jin, you're here."
Martha poked her head out to greet him.
"Yes. It's only for today, but since everyone seems so busy, I came to help out."
"I see. That's a big help."
Martha likely knew the weight of what Jin was carrying right now, but she said nothing of it, perhaps sensing that he needed the distraction.
"Jin-sama!"
Just then, the girls from Lario Village came running up.
"Hey, everyone. You all look well."
"Yes! Thanks to you!"
The particularly energetic response came from Sema, a petite girl with brown hair and brown eyes. Rumor had it she was quite close with Jeff.
"All right, then listen to Martha-san's explanation and give her a hand."
"Okay!"
"Yes, yes, this is a real help. Listen up, everyone. First, we use this Classification—the Kurasshi function—to sort the wheat and remove any sand or debris. And then..."
Sensing that he could leave the rest to Martha, Jin headed toward Jin Castle.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Prepare plenty of onigiri and tea!"
"Yes, Master."
Inside Jin Castle, Jin gave the order to prepare lunch for the villagers. It was currently 11:00 AM. The bells at Jin Castle rang in the morning, at noon, and in the evening; Jin guessed that the villagers would break for lunch when the noon bell sounded.
It was just like this when I was living here, he thought.
Since everyone was out working in the fields, he knew from experience that the wives would only have time to prepare simple meals. Anticipating this, he had already instructed Laojun to have a large amount of rice cooked in advance.
With all the Five-Colored Golem Maids stationed at Jin Castle working together, more than enough onigiri were finished by 11:30 AM, and the tea was ready as well.
"Good. Everyone, help carry them out."
"Yes."
Butler B and Butler C shouldered giant insulated barrels filled with tea while carrying stacks of paper cups. The Five-Colored Golem Maids held large baskets of onigiri in both hands.
"Let's go."
Reiko carried a giant basket of oshibori towels in both hands. Jin carried a reasonably sized one himself.
"Chief, I've brought some lunch for everyone."
"Oh, Jin, that's a lifesaver."
"These are oshibori. I thought everyone should clean their hands before eating."
"Ah, that's a great idea. We've finally managed to make washing hands before meals a habit lately."
"Ah, Sally-sensei, it's been a while."
The healer Sally, now Giebeck's wife, seemed to have been helping with the harvest as well; there were bits of straw caught in her hair.
"Jin-nii."
Right on cue, Elsa arrived.
"Good work, Elsa. You must be tired."
"Nn, I'm fine... Sensei, it’s been a while."
"Hey, Elsa. I'm glad to see you're doing well."
Just then, the bell announcing noon rang out. Everyone stopped their work and returned from the fields and the plaza in small groups.
"Everyone! Jin has brought us refreshments! Eat as much as you like!" Giebeck announced loudly to the villagers. "Someone go tell the others who aren't here yet. Tell them Jin brought lunch!"
"I'll go!"
"Ah, I'll go too."
And so, the villagers ate the onigiri Jin had provided, drank their tea, and enjoyed a relaxing lunch break.
Above Kaina Village, a clear, blue autumn sky stretched out toward the horizon. For a time, Jin forgot his worries and enjoyed his stay in the village to his heart's content.