"It’s been a while, Sion."
"It really has. You should come visit us more often."
Jin and his companions disembarked from Konron 3 and made their way toward the settlement of the All-Creation Clan.
"I’d love to, believe me, but I’ve been kept quite busy lately."
As Jin spoke, Sion’s expression brightened.
"Oh! That’s right! I heard about that recent meteor shower. You intercepted them before they could hit the ground, didn't you, Jin? Thank you so much!"
"Ah, well, it was nothing..."
"What’s with that? Don't be so modest."
Chatting as they went, they soon arrived at the settlement. The atmosphere was surprisingly festive.
"It’s quite lively here. Is there a festival going on?"
"No... Everyone is just welcoming you, Jin."
"What!?"
"Honestly. You're the Magi Craft Meister, Jin. You’ll be welcomed here whenever you visit."
Sion continued as they walked.
"Besides, the autumn harvest was excellent this year. Our self-sufficiency is finally on track, so we can face the winter without any worries."
Just as Sion finished her explanation, her mother, Rolona, and the magi craftsman Marikka stepped forward to greet Jin.
"Jin-sama, welcome back."
"Jin-sama, w-welcome!"
＊ ＊ ＊
Since the harvest had just concluded, the visit turned into a grand banquet starting from midday.
"Thanks to you, Jin-sama, we’ll be able to get through this winter with plenty to spare. It’s the same for the other clans, too."
The greenhouses, which utilized transparent cubic zirconia, were bound to prove their true value in the coming months.
"It makes me so happy to think we can harvest crops even in the dead of winter," Rolona said, bowing to Jin with a beaming smile.
"Plus, the Agrii units have been w-working s-so hard!" Marikka added, tripping over her words in her excitement.
Jin was genuinely pleased to see that his advice and handiwork were making such a difference in their lives.
"Come to think of it, where is Istalis?" Jin asked, noticing a familiar face was missing from the crowd.
"Oh, as for my elder sister... heehee."
"?"
Sion gave a meaningful, mischievous giggle, leaving Jin to tilt his head in confusion.
"Istalis is actually dating Belialus-san from the Puppet Clan," their mother, Rolona, whispered softly into Jin's ear.
"Oh, is that so?"
It was a somewhat unexpected pairing. However, Jin reasoned that since Belialus had finally been reunited with his sister, Arshel, a great weight had likely been lifted from his shoulders, allowing him the freedom to pursue such a relationship.
"By the way, that Goose-san is a very knowledgeable man, isn't he?"
Following Rolona's gaze, Jin saw Goose engaged in a lively conversation with Clan Chief Baldius and Sion's father, Ladeous.
Snippets of the conversation drifted over; it seemed Goose was eagerly absorbing various legends and traditions passed down through the clan. Similarly, Vivienne was busy interviewing the elderly clan members, listening intently to their stories.
"Jin-nii."
Elsa walked over to him, looking a bit overwhelmed but happy. It seemed she had become quite popular with the small children of the All-Creation Clan. Saki, too, was surrounded by a large group of locals and seemed to have integrated perfectly into the village atmosphere.
Waiting for a lull in the festivities, Jin approached Clan Chief Baldius to reveal the true purpose of his visit.
"As a second step toward our friendship, I’d like to invite a few people to visit my territory."
"Oh, that is wonderful news. And who did you have in mind?"
Jin had already considered the candidates and his reasons for choosing them.
"First, Sion, because she was the first among your people I ever met. And I’d also like Marikka to come along so she can learn more about the trade as a magi craftsman."
"Oh, I see. A fine choice. Very well, then."
Jin had originally thought of inviting Istalis as well, but he decided to save that for a future occasion given her new circumstances.
"Wait, I get to go to your territory again, Jin? I can't wait!" Sion said, overhearing the conversation and smiling broadly.
Marikka was summoned by the Clan Chief to hear the news. Though she looked utterly bewildered, she managed to stammer out that it would be "an h-honor."
Afterward, Jin’s group made short visits to the other clans—the Jest, the Puppet Clan, the Gospel, and several others. Having been informed of Jin's marriage to Elsa, the clans vied with one another to offer their congratulations.
Three days later, Jin and his party returned to the All-Creation Clan’s settlement one last time.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Hmm. I see a rather distorted level of technology here..."
Meanwhile, in the Shouro Empire, a traveler whose attire set him apart from the locals stood observing his surroundings.
"I knew that culture and civilization had regressed since the depletion of free ether some three hundred years ago... but to think it had fallen this far."
He wandered through the streets, muttering to himself in a voice so low it was inaudible to passersby.
He was in Toronam, a regional city located to the west of the capital, Loizart. It was a bustling place, serving as a hub for several intersecting highways.
"The magic tools are primitive. The materials in circulation are second-rate. No matter how I look at it, this place could never be a threat."
After spending half a day investigating the city, the traveler reached a firm conclusion.
"I am forced to conclude that the golem known as 'Land' is a total anomaly."
He spoke with an air of address, as if reporting to someone who wasn't there.
"In which case, there must be a 'someone' responsible for that anomaly."
The traveler began to walk with purpose.
"It seems I may find my answer if I head to the capital, Loizart."
His stride was steady and sure. Despite the encroaching twilight, he headed straight for the city gates.
Whether he realized that another human-shaped figure was trailing him from the shadows was impossible to tell. The two of them vanished into the darkness of the night.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Well then, thank you for everything."
"Not at all. I'm sorry we couldn't provide better hospitality."
"Jin-sama, please look after Sion and Marikka."
"Of course."
"Sion, make sure you mind your manners, okay?"
"I know, I know! I'm off!"
"Marikka, make sure you don't cause any trouble for Jin-sama."
"Hyai!"
"Saki-san, please come visit us again."
"I will, thank you so much."
"Master Goose, let us continue our discussion another time."
"I look forward to it."
"Vivienne-san, you are welcome here whenever you like."
"Thank you very much."
After their farewells, Jin’s party—now joined by Sion and Marikka—boarded Konron 3 and set a course directly for the south.