“Alright, time for your Otoshidama.”
As their lord, Jin distributed New Year’s gifts to the children of Kaina Village—specifically, those aged fifteen and younger.
“Yay!”
“Thank you, Jin-niichan!”
The children continued to call him “Jin-niichan” just as they always had, and Jin didn't have the heart to correct them. In fact, being addressed that way made him happy.
To Jin, Kaina Village was his second home. In his heart, the children of this village were all his “family.” It was a sentiment perhaps unique to someone raised in an orphanage, but it was one Jin held dear.
Instead of money, the envelopes contained beautiful, polished magi-crystals. If converted to cash, each would likely be worth no less than 1,000 Toll—roughly 10,000 yen—but the children had absolutely no intention of parting with them.
“Wow, what a pretty stone!”
“I’m going to treasure it!”
Jin watched over them with a beaming smile.
The girls who had arrived in the village last year, such as Rita and Luu, seemed to have integrated perfectly into the community.
“Jin-sama, we’re living very happily here, thanks to you.”
Barrow and Belle also seemed to be enjoying a peaceful life, having taken over the responsibility for the village’s livestock.
Once the formal greetings were over, it was time for the festive sake provided by Jin to the villagers.
“Ooh!”
“I’ve been looking forward to this!”
“Wait, I recognize this brew!”
Since Jin’s funds only ever seemed to accumulate, he believed that spending them was a way to help stimulate the world economy. Consequently, he preferred to stockpile goods rather than just hoarding gold. Alcohol was one of those goods; he had purchased large quantities of high-proof spirits that kept well, and he was now releasing a portion of his reserve.
Even the village wives, who were usually quite vocal about their husbands’ overdrinking, held their tongues in honor of the New Year’s celebration. Besides, with Hourai Island’s special recovery medicine on hand, any hangovers or overindulgence could be treated immediately.
Jin enjoyed the festivities in Kaina Village until 11:00 AM before departing for Loizart. He left the remaining social duties to his Doppel.
Elsa had returned to the mansion ahead of him and was waiting when he arrived.
“Happy New Year to everyone at the mansion as well. I’m counting on you all again this year,” Jin said to the Golem Maids as he quickly prepared himself.
At 9:00 AM Loizart time, Jin made his way to the Royal Palace. He attended as one of the few permitted to join the Empress for her New Year’s audience with her high-ranking officials.
“My friends, I am heartened that we have all welcomed the New Year safely once again,” the Empress’s voice resonated through the Great Hall. “This year will surely bring its own set of challenges. However, we must never stop our progress; we must continue to march toward a better future.”
She spoke of the pressing matters of the World Conference and the World Security Guard.
“...Let us all strive to make the year 3459 a prosperous one.”
With those words, the Empress concluded her address.
“Today is merely a formal meeting. Spend the rest of the day resting and gathering your strength. Tomorrow, I expect you to resume your work for the sake of the empire and its people.”
＊ ＊ ＊
Returning to the mansion before noon, Jin and Elsa relocated to Hourai Island. He wanted to finalize the arrangements for the New Year’s party he was hosting that evening for the entire Jin Family.
“Oh, looks like everything is ready.”
“Yes, Master.”
The Five-Colored Golem Maids had been working enthusiastically since dawn. With the exception of the hot dishes, the feast was fully prepared.
“Hey Jin, Happy New Year.”
“Jin, Happy New Year.”
The first to arrive were Saki and Goose.
“We don’t have any official duties, so we were just bored,” Saki remarked casually.
“Onii-chan, Happy New Year!”
“Jin, Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year, Hanna, Martha-san.”
Martha and Hanna arrived next. Since the greetings in Kaina Village had been directed at the entire community, they took this moment to exchange more personal well-wishes.
“Jin-kun, Happy New Year.”
Then came Milowina from Uni, the moon.
“Jin, Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year.”
The father-daughter pair, Marcia and Rodrigo, joined the group.
“Jin-san, Happy New Year,” Lishia said politely.
“Jin-sama, Happy New Year.”
“Jin, Happy New Year.”
“Daa!”
Reinhard and Berche arrived with their infant daughter, Juliana.
“Jin-kun, Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year.”
Toa and Stearena made their entrance.
“Happy New Year....This greeting has such a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Vivienne noted.
“Jin, Happy New Year!”
“Jin-dono, Happy New Year.”
Beena and Louis Waltz Count Kuzuma arrived together.
“Jin-sama, Happy New Year....Did I say that correctly?”
“Jin, Happy New Year!”
Marikka and Sion rounded out the guest list.
Of course, Elsa’s mother, Mine, had been on Hourai Island since the morning assisting the Golem Maids with the preparations. With her present, the family was complete.
“Once again, Happy New Year to everyone!”
“Happy New Year!”
The party began in earnest following Jin’s toast. The primary topic of conversation was, naturally, the exploration of Hale and the progress of the construction ship Vulcan. Jin explained the recent developments, though he intentionally skipped the overly technical details.
“I see, so that’s how it stands...”
“It really is quite a complex situation.”
Marcia and Beena, who were the least familiar with magi-engineering, listened with interest.
“I’m very curious to see what Hale actually looks like,” Sion said.
“As am I,” Marikka agreed. Given their backgrounds, they were particularly invested in how the mission would unfold.
Eventually, the conversation shifted toward Beena and Louis—specifically, the child they were expecting this year.
“The due date is sometime in May, isn't it?”
“Do you want a boy or a girl?”
“Your belly has certainly gotten bigger.”
“This is a delicate time, so you have to be careful. Here, just stay seated and relax.”
While the women were preoccupied with their lively discussion, Jin, Reinhard, and Louis were drinking in a quiet corner.
“Shouldn’t it be about time for you as well, Jin?” Reinhard asked.
“As her cousin, I find the idea of Elsa becoming a mother quite moving,” Louis added.
“You’re getting ahead of yourselves. Elsa hasn’t said a word about that.”
“I suspect it’s only a matter of time, though.”
Just then, Elsa walked over to them. She seemed to have caught the mention of her name.
“What are you talking about?”
“O-Oh, nothing at all. Just idle gossip,” Reinhard stammered.
“Yes, exactly. Elsa-dono, please don’t mind us,” Louis added quickly.
“Really?”
Elsa tilted her head slightly. Deciding it would be awkward to discuss the prospect of children directly to her face, Reinhard and Louis did their best to play it off.