Jin’s "arts and crafts class" was a resounding success, attracting not only the children but also many adults who found themselves with time to spare during the winter months.
By the time the three-day "introductory course" concluded, every child in Kaina Village between the ages of seven and fifteen, seventeen wives with free time, and all the girls who had migrated from Lario Village had signed up.
"I like this. It feels right."
Jin had heard that in snow-bound regions on Earth, folk crafts like straw-boot weaving had flourished during the agricultural off-season. He had hoped to cultivate a similar culture in Kaina Village.
The variety of projects he introduced proved so popular that he decided not to categorize the subjects into specific tracks this winter. Instead, he simply divided the participants into children’s and adults’ classes.
"When Elsa or I aren't around, I’ll leave the instruction to the Smiths."
In Kaina Village, there was no prejudice or fear toward Jin’s golems. In fact, the villagers regarded them with genuine affection, making such an arrangement perfectly viable. Jin was heartened to see another aspect of the village’s cultural development proceeding so smoothly.
"Alright, today we’re going to work on sewing."
Jin explained that even boys would find it useful to know the basics, as they might need to mend their own clothes while out in the field. Consequently, every student listened to the lecture with a look of intense concentration.
"What I’ve handed out to you is called 'needlework practice cloth.' It’s a fabric specifically for training."
The white fabric was marked with faint red lines, and the exercise involved guiding the needle along those paths.
"Sewing needles come in long and short varieties, but let’s start our practice with the long ones."
"Okay!"
"Place the thimble on your middle finger and rest it against your palm."
For reference, when using short needles, the thimble is typically worn on the middle phalanx—the segment between the first and second joints of the middle finger.
"First, we’ll learn the 'running stitch'."
Since it was the foundation of all needlework, Jin had them practice it thoroughly. Initially, some of the children struggled to keep their stitches even.
"Look, Ruu, your stitches are going crooked."
"Oh, oops... Ow!"
"A-Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes... Healing."
Ruu, who had been adopted by Sally and Giebeck, was already quite adept at healing magic. She immediately treated her own prick wound.
"Ouch!"
"Ow!"
"Are you okay? Just a moment... Healing."
"O-Oh, thanks!"
She then made her way around the room, treating the other children who pricked their fingers while struggling with the unfamiliar task.
In traditional Japanese tailoring, the running stitch is the fundamental technique. It is also used in Western sewing for gathering and basting, so Jin ensured they practiced it at a steady, leisurely pace.
"Now then, let's try sewing a dishcloth."
Jin knew the children would eventually grow bored of practice cloths, so he challenged them with something practical.
"You can use it as a cleaning rag if you like. You can take whatever you make back home with you."
"Yay!"
The fabric was hemp, and the thread was hemp. Cotton from Mitsuho was still a rare and expensive luxury. However, because Jin had applied the Craft Magic 'Softening' to the material, it had a texture and softness comparable to cotton.
That day’s session concluded with the completion of the dishcloths. Jin couldn't help but feel that his arts and crafts class was starting to look a lot like home economics.
While Jin was conducting his classes in Kaina Village, various nations were deploying investigation teams to explore the Former Leonard Kingdom.
Among them was the Klein Kingdom’s contingent.
"Honestly, I can't help but wonder if it’s really alright for us to traverse paths we once struggled so hard on this easily," Gloria Allstatt, a female royal ritter of the Klein Kingdom, mused to herself.
Cold sweat still prickled her skin whenever she recalled the incident where she had prepared herself for death. However, what drove her forward now more than anything was her ambition to work at Avalon.
She had caught a glimpse of a magnificent world, and she wanted to help spread that technology across the entire continent. That was Gloria’s resolve as a knight.
(I want to see... even further beyond.)
And that was Gloria’s will as a member of the human race.
(A workplace where I can work alongside that man... everything about it is ideal.)
On top of that, she also possessed an extremely human, personal motive.
"The terrain is much easier to understand when observed from the sky, isn't it?"
Gloria’s thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Pascoe, I see."
Pascoe Rush, the third son of House Rush, had recently attained the rank of baronet. No longer an apprentice, he was officially participating in this expedition.
"An 'airship'... To think the Lord of Kunlun could create such a thing. I can only feel ashamed of how arrogant and foolish my past self was."
The murmur might not have been directed at Gloria specifically, but as the captain of the investigation team, she acknowledged his self-reflection.
"There is no harm in that. Everyone changes. If you have changed for the better, then you should consider yourself fortunate. The past is the past. Live in the present and build a better future."
"Yes, Captain."
Pascoe had indeed changed. Though their acquaintance was relatively recent, Gloria felt he had shed his former arrogance in favor of a genuine humility. She felt she could rely on him during this trek into the unknown.
"Up to this point, we are in known territory—the place where the investigation teams from the Kingdom of Egerea and our own country previously met while traveling from opposite directions. However, what lies beyond is uncharted land. We don't know what awaits us. Stay sharp."
"Understood!"
The investigation team consisted of eight members led by Gloria. Among the eight, there were three female knights, including Gloria herself. The other two female knights were healers, and Pascoe had grown quite close to one of them, Tiffany Bardak.
"We’re landing. Everyone, take your seats."
At Gloria’s command, those who had been staring out the windows returned to their places and fastened their simple seatbelts. The pilot operated the airship with practiced hands, bringing the vessel to a soft landing on the ground.
They had touched down in a small plaza—the site once known as the Botzfa Ruins.
"Those containers we found here certainly put us through the wringer..."
The memory still haunted her dreams occasionally, but Gloria possessed a mental fortitude that kept the trauma at bay.
"We’ll make camp here for the night."
They set up simple tents to establish a sleeping area.
"Captain, is there no danger here?" Pascoe asked, his expression somewhat anxious.
"Hmm? At most, you’ll run into rock wolves or saber boars. There are no magical beasts in this area."
"I-I see."
Pascoe Rush, who lacked significant field experience, looked a bit hesitant. Gloria offered him a few words of encouragement.
"We have a detection barrier in place, so we won't be caught by surprise. Relax a little."
"Y-Yes, ma'am."
Despite her reassurance, Pascoe couldn't quite shake his unease. With a slightly pale face, he took up his position for the night watch.