Sion and Marikka, having spent many pleasant days in Kaina Village, were now at Jin Castle.
Jin sat across from them in the dining hall, with Elsa by his side.
"Jin, thank you. It was fun."
"Jin-sama, it was very fun!"
"I'm glad to hear that....Actually, there is something I need to discuss with you both."
"What is it?"
Jin decided to start with the truth about his origins.
"I am..."
He explained that he was originally from a country called Japan, on a planet called Earth. He told them how he had likely been on the verge of death there.
He recounted how he possessed the same magic pattern as the Predecessor Magi Craft Meister, Adriana Barbora Tsetse, and how Reiko had summoned him just as his life hung in the balance.
Then he told them about all the things he had "gone overboard" with up until today...
"..."
"..."
Sion and Marikka were left speechless.
Marikka, in particular, looked as though her mind was struggling to process the flood of information.
"Um... that's the truth, right?"
Sion finally managed to respond, and Jin gave her a firm nod.
"It is."
"...Well, I knew you were a little... no, quite a lot more than ordinary, Jin, but I never imagined you came from another world."
"I think that’s the normal reaction."
"But when I think about it carefully, it starts to make sense. Besides, Elsa-san married you, and more than anything, this village... well, I can't quite put it into words, but they’ve accepted you as one of their own regardless of any of that."
Sion tilted her head, searching for the right expression.
"Oh, anyway! No matter where you're from or what you can do, they've embraced you!"
She took a breath and continued.
"If anything, now I understand why you're so incredible."
At that moment, Marikka seemed to "reboot" as well.
"Jin-sama is Jin-sama! I respect you, and that's all there is to it!"
"Ah, thank you."
Jin felt a wave of relief wash over him.
"You trusted us enough to tell us. Thank you for that, Jin."
Sion bowed her head toward him.
They spent a while longer discussing various topics. Sion was particularly curious about certain details.
"What did you do during that meteor shower the other day, Jin?" she asked.
And then, "Are you saying the Progenitors came from another planet?"
Since this information was necessary for them to understand the current situation, Jin explained everything without reservation.
"This 'Onogoro Island'?...It sounds incredibly suspicious."
"You think so too, Sion?"
"Yes. From what I've heard, it gives off a very sinister vibe."
Sion seemed to have intuitively sensed that Onogoro Island was not to be trusted.
"That's why I'm weighing my next move. In fact, this just happened recently."
Jin finally moved on to the most recent incident.
"...And that is the situation."
"What! That's completely unreasonable, no matter how you look at it!"
"W-what is going to happen now?"
Sion was indignant, while Marikka looked visibly anxious.
"That’s the thing... we’ll have to wait and see how they move."
If it came to an open conflict, Jin would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage. While he had to protect every region where humanity lived, the enemy only had to worry about Onogoro Island.
"But doesn't that mean, conversely, that we only need to attack Onogoro Island?"
Sion’s point was logically sound, but the situation wasn't quite that simple.
"In a sense, yes. But from another perspective, it's dangerous."
"How so?"
"I mentioned that Onogoro Island is gathering the free ether of this world and sending it somewhere, right?"
"Yes."
"There's a possibility that the party on the receiving end might join the fight."
"Oh, I see..."
Jin warned them that if the recipient was someone on Hale, they might possess technology far superior to his own.
"No way... you mean, even more advanced than you, Jin?"
Jin nodded.
"The possibility... no, I believe it's almost a certainty. We must act with that assumption in mind."
"...That is scary, for sure."
The gravity of the situation was finally starting to sink in for Sion.
"Because of that, I'm thinking of going to investigate Hale first. We're still in the middle of preparations, though."
"Still, that's incredible. Outer space, huh... honestly, I can't even imagine it. I'd like to see it for myself, though."
"I thought you might."
At this point, Jin finally revealed the true purpose of his invitation.
"With all of that in mind, I want you two to lend me your strength."
"Eh? But there's nothing people like us can do."
"Y-yes! Jin-sama is always the one helping us; there's no way we could be of any help to you!"
Sion and Marikka spoke humbly, but Jin shook his head.
"That's not true. I make mistakes, and there are things I can't do alone. In fact, I'm often helped by my companions, starting with Elsa."
Jin looked at each of them in turn.
"Join my group."
"Welcome to Hourai Island."
Jin delivered his customary greeting.
Sion and Marikka had agreed to join him, looking a little bashful but determined. And so, they had traveled to Hourai Island via a Warp Gate.
"Wow... so this is Hourai Island... Jin's true base of operations..."
"I-it's amazing..."
"It's quite warm here."
Located on the Tropic of Cancer, Hourai Island was significantly warmer than Kaina Village. Sion took off her coat made of frost-dappled fox fur.
"Now then, let me show you the laboratory first."
Due to the time difference, it was already evening on the island. Jin decided to save the outdoor tour for the next day and start with the facilities.
"This is my base, literally. I built both Capricorn 1 and Konron 3 here."
"Wow, I'm so excited!"
"Me too. My heart is racing."
Sion and Marikka did not yet know just how many more surprises were in store for them.