They departed first thing the next morning, as soon as breakfast was finished.
The sky was perfect—not a single cloud in sight, and the air was almost perfectly still.
"It's better than being tossed around by a gale," Lordtoss remarked.
From Loloon Town, they headed north along the border of the Klein Kingdom. The lack of high mountains in the area made for ideal travel. Had they crossed directly into the Klein Kingdom, they would have been forced to navigate peaks over 4,000 meters high, such as Mount Taikazo and Mount Tahoka. By comparison, the 2,000-meter mountains in this region were much easier to manage.
However, the land beyond the mountain range was a Special Protected Area. With no human settlements in sight, any travel there was strictly at one's own risk. Because the day was so calm, Lordtoss had opted for this scenic route.
Below them, a coniferous forest resembling a taiga stretched toward the horizon.
"That's Lake Shirowa on the left," Lordtoss explained.
"And that..."
"Yes, the Pazdext Great Isthmus."
A nostalgic landscape finally came into view.
"The air currents are notoriously unstable here, so we'll stay low," Lordtoss said, bringing the craft down.
They glided along at an altitude of about fifty meters. As the coniferous canopy thinned out, the ground transformed into a reddish-brown wasteland. The Pazdext Great Isthmus lay just ahead; once they crossed it, they would be within the territory of the Nord Federation.
Whether by air or by land, Jin had traveled this route countless times before.
"The view hasn't changed a bit," he murmured wistfully.
In the brilliant midday light, the Gondoa Continent appeared below. However, the sight that met his eyes differed from his memories.
"There's so much green," he noted.
The areas he remembered as barren wasteland were now vibrant and lush. They were fields.
"Yes, we cultivate many cold-resistant varieties now. These fields here are mostly Devil's Potatoes," Lordtoss explained.
"I see."
Lordtoss went on to list their other crops: cold-resistant wheat, barley, buckwheat, and even early-maturing varieties of rice.
"That’s impressive. So you've achieved complete self-sufficiency."
"We have. It’s largely thanks to the work of my great-great-grandmother—Lady Rolona of the All-Creation clan."
Rolona was the mother of Sion and Istalis. By Jin's count, she had to be nearly six hundred years old by now.
"Lady Rolona is still with us," Lordtoss added. "She complains that her legs and back aren't what they used to be, but she still makes her rounds to inspect the fields every single day."
"Is that so!" Jin was genuinely happy to hear that he might see Rolona again.
As they flew further, an orchard came into view.
"Those are cold-resistant apululs and query trees."
Jin also spotted several greenhouses and plastic tunnels scattered about.
"Magi-plastic has made it much easier to build greenhouses. We can harvest vegetables all year round now."
"That's wonderful to hear."
It seemed the food security issues that once plagued the Northern People had been entirely resolved.
As the Blow Floater continued to descend, two similar craft approached them. Unlike Jin's collapsible model, these were of a much sturdier, permanent construction.
"This is Lordtoss of the Puppet Clan. I am escorting a guest."
Using wind-attribute magic, Lordtoss broadcast his identity to the two patrol craft.
"Understood. Safe travels to you."
The pilots waved to the group in the gondola before peeling away to resume their patrol.
"We can fly the rest of the way in peace now," Lordtoss said, dropping their altitude even further.
"Aren't we heading for the Puppet Clan settlement?" Jin asked, noticing the landscape didn't match his memory of that location.
"No, we’re going straight to my great-grandmother's home."
"Ah, right."
The old Puppet Clan settlement had been located almost due north of the Pazdext Great Isthmus, but the All-Creation clan territory where Sion resided was closer to the coast.
Sion and her sister Istalis were the daughters of the All-Creation Clan Chief, and one of them had been destined to succeed him. However, since Istalis had chosen to be with her servant Netros, Sion was expected to take a husband and become the chief herself. Jin remembered those circumstances well.
Belialus of the Puppet Clan had presumably become Sion's husband. That explained why Lordtoss, who also belonged to the Puppet Clan, addressed Sion as his great-grandmother.
"I ended up joining the Puppet Clan rather than the All-Creation clan," Lordtoss explained with a bashful smile. "They said I showed promise, so I was adopted as a candidate for Clan Chief."
Since he already carried Puppet Clan blood, he had been welcomed with open arms.
"Though, among the younger generation, there’s been talk of doing away with the boundaries between the clans altogether."
"I see."
Lordtoss laughed, noting that since the Northern People lived so much longer than the humans of the Lauren Continent, such social changes happened slowly. It might be another three to five hundred years before that vision became a reality.
"Preparing for touchdown."
They were now less than twenty meters above the ground, and the terrain was clearly visible. Lordtoss slowed the Blow Floater to about thirty kilometers per hour as they approached a plaza that served as an airport. Jin could see three other Blow Floaters parked there.
A small crowd had gathered to wave, having apparently heard of Lordtoss’s return. He brought the craft down for a flawless landing.
The first person to run toward them was a woman who appeared slightly younger than Jin.
"Brother! You're back! I was so worried about you!"
She had silver hair like Lordtoss, but her eyes were a sharp, spirited red. The color immediately reminded Jin of Arshel.
"I’m home, Vita. Sorry for the scare. But I was acting on our great-grandmother’s request, after all."
"I know, but... does your return mean you found him?"
"I did. This is the man."
Lordtoss turned to introduce Jin to his sister.
"Jin-san, this is my younger sister, Vita."
"I am Jin Nidou. Your brother has been an immense help to me."
As Jin greeted her, Vita’s face flushed slightly.
"E-Eh? Ah, u-um... I’m Vita! Vita of the All-Creation clan! Are you... are you really the Jin-san?"
Lordtoss gave his sister a wry smile and a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"He’s the real thing. Come now, let’s go to our great-grandmother."
"Y-Yes, of course."
Vita had arrived in a Golem automobile. Since it was a six-seater, there was plenty of room for Jin, Lordtoss, Hanako, and Hope. With Vita behind the wheel, the party left the airport behind.
Their destination was the Mansion of the All-Creation Clan Chief. They arrived ten minutes later at a truly magnificent estate.
Standing before the entrance was an elderly lady. Her silver hair was lustrous despite being touched with white, and her light blue eyes shone against her pale skin. She stood tall and straight, possessing a dignity that defied her years.
"Jin! It really is you, isn't it?"
"Sion...?"
Though the years had passed, her old self was still there in her features. Jin recognized her instantly.
"It is just as I was told. Welcome home, Jin."
Jin understood then that her "welcome home" wasn't just about his arrival at her house; it was about his return to Ars from the void of space. For the first time since he had set out to stop the space vibration, Jin had finally reunited with someone who truly knew him.
"I'm home, Sion."
It was perhaps only in this moment that Jin truly felt he had returned to Ars.
Above the Nord Federation, the sky was a brilliant, endless blue.