"Jin-dono, I am grateful for your decision."
The following day, when Jin informed Jed Alamold of his intent to go to Rofon, a look of relief washed over the man’s face, followed by a surge of good humor. Jin surmised he was simply pleased to have secured his cooperation without any unnecessary complications.
"In that case, please take today to prepare. I would like to depart tomorrow morning at seven. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes."
He couldn't back out now. Jin felt a pang of loneliness; he had spent over half a month here and was finally beginning to feel at home in the village.
"So, that’s how it is. This workshop is closing its doors at the end of the day."
"...It is... a shame," Kachea murmured, looking down dejectedly.
"Well, I guess it can't be helped!" Helga added. She had effectively become a second employee recently, showing up at the shop every single day.
"If there’s anything left to fix, I’ll take requests until the day is out," Jin offered.
"Understood."
"Though you've been working so hard on repairs for the last two weeks, Jin!" Helga noted. "Life has become so much easier thanks to you. We really should be grateful."
"No, if anything, I'm the one who should be thanking you for rescuing me."
"I don't know about that. I get the feeling you would have managed to survive on your own even if we hadn't found you."
"What do you take me for?"
"Jin is just Jin."
"..."
She wasn't wrong, which left him with no way to retort.
"Kachea, thanks for everything too."
"The pleasure... was mine. You allowed me to... earn some extra money."
"Oh, and please give my regards to Isaac."
"Ah, right."
Isaac had been out hunting across the river since the day before yesterday. Once he set out, he usually didn't return for at least a week.
Later, Jin took a final walk through the village to inspect the pumps, nightlights, and other equipment he had repaired.
Yeah, these should last about thirty years without needing maintenance, he thought, satisfied with his craftsmanship as he finished his rounds.
"Oh, Jin-kun, are you doing your rounds today?"
"Yes, just checking on the pumps I fixed."
"They're in great shape! The squeaking has stopped entirely."
"I'm glad to hear it."
After exchanging similar pleasantries throughout the village, Jin returned to the workshop. There, he found Kachea and Jed Alamold waiting for him.
"Oh? Is something the matter?"
"Indeed," Jed replied. "It has been decided that Kachea will also be accompanying us to Rofon."
"Wait, really?"
When Jin turned to Kachea for confirmation, Jed answered in her stead.
"I spoke with her for a while and found her to be quite skilled with arithmetic and bookkeeping. I decided this would be an excellent opportunity to bring her to Rofon."
"...That is... how it turned out..." Kachea nodded, her face looking slightly pale.
＊ ＊ ＊
That night, Jin was lost in thought.
Elsa... I wonder if the children have been born yet. I hope they're safe. No, Mother-in-law, Martha, and Sally-sensei are all there—plus Laojun—so everything should be fine.
He knew dwelling on it wouldn't change anything, yet the moment he was alone, his mind inevitably drifted back to them.
Trying not to think about it is a form of thinking about it in itself...
During the day, he could pretend to forget by immersing himself in work, but in the silence of the night, his worries always resurfaced.
Tomorrow, I leave for Rofon. I wonder if I'll find any clues there.
With those thoughts swirling in his head, Jin eventually drifted off to sleep.
＊ ＊ ＊
The next day, the clock in the village square was ticking toward seven in the morning.
Come to think of it, even having a clock like this is a bit different from Ars.
When Jin had investigated it secretly, he discovered that the clock tracked the movement of the Moon and reflected it on the hour hand. It only had an hour hand, though.
It likely tracks minute gravity fluctuations... Speaking of which, the Moon in this world looks exactly like Uni.
Jin rarely went out at night, so he had been late to notice, but the Moon of this world was a dead ringer for the lunar base Uni back in his world.
The theory that this is a near-identical parallel world is growing more plausible... No, no. I'm going to Rofon to seek new information. Preconceptions are forbidden.
"Jin... san, good... morning."
He turned to see Kachea approaching.
"...That's a lot of luggage."
While Jin carried only his personal essentials, Kachea had large bags hanging from both hands.
"Girls need to bring a lot of things, you know," Helga said as she joined them, carrying yet another heavy bag.
"Wait, is Helga going too?" Jin blurted out.
Helga laughed and shook her head. "Not a chance. This is Kachea's bag. Here, carry it for her."
"Me?"
"Kachea has both her hands full, doesn't she?"
"...Alright, fine."
"Jin-san, I'm... sorry," Kachea said, looking apologetic.
"It’s fine, but did you get permission from Mr. Jed to bring all this?"
"Yes, yesterday."
"Then it’s no problem."
The time was exactly seven o'clock. Jed Alamold arrived, leading two carriages. He and four guards were mounted on horseback.
"Ah, you are here. Excellent. Jin-dono, Kachea, please take the front carriage. Load the luggage into the rear one."
"Understood."
The carriage could seat four, meaning Jed, Jin, and Kachea could have ridden together, but the rear carriage seemed to be a spare rather than a dedicated cargo wagon. However, since Jed intended to ride his horse, only Jin and Kachea occupied the front carriage. Well, at least I won't be bored with someone to talk to, Jin thought.
As they finished loading the bags, the village chief Sergei and his wife Mina arrived to see them off. Kachea's parents and her aunt, Sonya from the general store, were with them.
"Jin-kun, take care out there."
"Jin-kun, I pray you find the clues you’re looking for."
"Jin, I had a great time with you! Kachea, do your best!"
"Kachea, be careful."
"Jin-kun, please look after Kachea."
"Thank you for everything. You’ve all been so kind to me," Jin said.
"I'm off, Father, Mother. Goodbye, Helga-chan!"
Jin and Kachea exchanged final farewells with the villagers.
"Very well, let us depart."
At Jed Alamold's signal, the carriage began to roll slowly forward.