On March 29th, Jin traveled to Kaina Village accompanied by Elsa. Reiko and Edgar followed behind, carrying several large pieces of luggage.
The group headed straight for the Martha residence.
"Jin, Elsa-chan, welcome. What is all this luggage for?" Martha asked. She had been weeding the garden but stood up to greet them as they arrived.
"I’ve decided to have Elsa live here for the time being," Jin explained.
Martha nodded understandingly. "Ah, that’s a wonderful idea. It’s spring now, and the weather in the village is becoming quite pleasant. You seem so busy lately, Jin, so I’d be happy to look after her for you."
"Mine-san will be joining her later as well."
"Even better if Mine-san is coming. With Sally-sensei around too, you’ve made a good decision, Jin." Martha welcomed the plan with open arms. "I take it those big bundles are furniture, then?"
"Yes, that’s right."
While the luggage mainly consisted of bedding and clothing, there were also various small daily necessities packed away.
As Jin, Reiko, and Edgar moved to carry the items to the second floor of Jin’s workshop—located directly across from the Martha residence—Martha offered a word of caution.
"Jin, Elsa-chan, it might be fine for now, but eventually, I think it would be better for her to be living on the first floor rather than the second."
Jin realized his oversight immediately. "Y-You're right. In that case, I’ll expand the first floor right away!"
"That sounds like a plan," Martha replied casually. Jin spoke as if it were a simple task, and Martha accepted it just as easily.
"Well then, Elsa-chan, come inside our house for now." Martha invited Elsa in, suggesting she wait there until the expansion was finished. She knew well enough that the work would likely be done in less than a day.
The luggage was temporarily moved into Jin’s workshop for safekeeping. Jin immediately contacted Laojun to summon several Smith golems from Hourai Island.
"Ah, Big Sister Elsa, welcome!" Hanna, who had been helping with the dishes in the kitchen, noticed Elsa’s arrival and hurried out to greet her, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Hello, Hanna-chan."
"Hanna, Elsa-chan is going to be living here until the baby is born," Martha explained.
"Really? I’m so happy! What about Onii-chan?"
"Jin is expanding the house right now."
"Can I go watch, Grandma?"
"Of course you can."
With Martha’s permission, Hanna dashed outside.
"Onii-chan!"
"Hey there, Hanna."
When Hanna reached the workshop, she saw five Smith golems working alongside Jin. They had already completed the foundation for the new addition.
"Is Big Sister Elsa really staying here for a while?"
"That’s the plan. The environment here is good for her. That’s why I’m adding onto the first floor. I’m going to go pay my respects to the Village Chief now."
Since Jin was the lord of the area, he could technically do as he pleased, but he felt it was only proper to observe the correct etiquette and keep the local authorities informed.
"I see, I see. That sounds like a fine arrangement. I’ll be sure to tell Sally as well."
The Village Chief, Giebeck, offered a warm smile and welcomed Elsa’s stay. He promised to inform Sally, who was currently away on medical house calls.
"I appreciate it, Chief."
Just as Jin was speaking, Sally and Ruu returned. Ruu, the couple's adopted daughter, was thirteen this year and was currently training hard as a healer apprentice.
"Oh, hello, Jin-kun."
"Good afternoon, Sally-sensei. Ruu, I see you’re working hard."
"Hello, Jin-sama. Thanks to you, every day is very fulfilling," Ruu replied brightly.
Jin explained to Sally that Elsa would be residing in the village for the foreseeable future.
"I see. That’s good. Even if she is an excellent healer herself, people can be surprisingly blind to their own condition. Leave her to me." Sally readily accepted the responsibility. She even mentioned that she looked forward to discussing healing theories with Elsa during their downtime.
Knowing Elsa would have someone to talk to put Jin’s mind at ease.
By the time he returned from the Village Chief's house, the expansion was already complete.
"Good work, everyone."
The Smith golems were currently putting the finishing touches on the interior. Elsa was standing nearby, giving them specific instructions.
"Elsa, are you doing okay?" Jin asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I'm fine," Elsa replied. "Jin-nii, you worry too much. But... thank you."
With the maid golem Sara already stationed there, the combined support of her and Edgar meant Elsa would be well looked after.
The interior finishing took about thirty minutes. Once the furniture was moved in, the project was complete.
"Let’s take a look."
Jin and Elsa stepped inside to inspect the new quarters. The addition consisted of two 4.5-tatami Japanese-style rooms and a 4.5-tatami kitchen and dining area. It also included a toilet and a small but clean bathroom. The entire layout was barrier-free.
"The smell of the tatami is so nice. And the scent of the wood is lovely, too." Elsa noted that even when her morning sickness was at its worst, these natural aromas didn't bother her.
In the two rooms, Jin had placed Japanese-style beds that could also serve as sofas. Naturally, one was for Elsa and the other was for Mine.
"If there’s anything else you need, I’ll get it for you right away," Jin promised.
"Mm, thank you."
As a final touch, Jin added a roofed corridor connecting the workshop to the Martha residence, ensuring they could move between the buildings without getting wet on rainy days.
"Jin, you really are a perfectionist," Martha remarked.
"It just shows how much Onii-chan treasures Big Sister Elsa, doesn't it!" Hanna added.
"Is it finished already? As expected of Jin-sama... I mean, Jin-san."
Mine arrived just then, having been called over once the work was done. she carried only a small bag of personal belongings.
"My, what a practical and comfortable-looking home. We will be in your care for a while."
"Mother-in-law, please look after Elsa for me."
"Of course. Leave everything to me."
Martha watched the exchange with a wry smile. "To think the day would come when I’d see Jin acting like this."
"Onii-chan is such a devoted husband!"
Jin simply scratched his head in silence, his face flushing a deep red.
"Come, have lunch at our house before you go," Martha suggested.
Just as she spoke, the bell from Jin Castle rang to signal the hour of noon.
Jin, Elsa, Martha, Hanna, and Mine all gathered around the dining table. Reiko, Edgar, and Sara moved efficiently about the room, serving the meal.
"Food always tastes so much better when you eat with a big group like this," Martha said happily.
"I’ll try to come visit as often as I can," Jin added.
"Jin-nii, there’s a time difference between here and the island, so please don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Elsa said, turning the concern back onto him.
"Yeah, thanks."
Spring was in full bloom in Kaina Village. The sky was a vast, clear blue, and a gentle, pleasant breeze swept through the valley.