With the recovery and restoration of the two Quinta units, Hourai Island was finally back to full strength.
"Come to think of it, how is Taihaku on Kunlun Island doing?"
Taihaku was the management magi-brain of the former magifortress. After the facility was suppressed, it had entered Jin’s service and been assigned the task of overseeing Kunlun Island.
Jin had hesitated to ask until now for some reason, but he couldn't leave the matter unaddressed any longer.
"They did say the Magic Federation's ship came from Kunlun Island, after all."
"Yes, My Lord. Taihaku is currently in a state of complete dormancy."
"Is that so?"
It seemed that after Jin's disappearance, Taihaku had chosen to enter dormancy until the master it should serve appeared once again.
"That's why the Magic Federation couldn't find it, then."
"That is correct."
Kunlun Island was currently treated as a free territory open to all nations.
"So that's why the Magic Federation was able to use it as they pleased..."
Jin felt firsthand how difficult it was to draw the line between "freedom" and "selfishness."
＊ ＊ ＊
"Now, I suppose all that's left are the greetings."
These were the final tasks Jin had originally planned to complete in this era. He pondered this while soaking in the bath.
"I've reinforced Hourai Island's security."
While the existence of the Magic Federation was a concern, he felt strongly that as someone who did not belong to this era, he shouldn't interfere too deeply.
"And I don't fully grasp Hourai Island's current capabilities, either."
Jin only knew the specifications as they had been four hundred years ago; he had pointedly avoided asking about the facilities and equipment added after his time.
"Well, I'll handle the rest tomorrow."
Since it was nearly time for dinner, Jin climbed out of the bath. Reiko was there to dry his back for him.
After finishing a dinner filled with all his favorite foods, Jin sat on the veranda of the house and watched the sky grow dark.
"Greetings before I leave... huh."
Now that security had been reinforced, Shinkai had been reactivated for the time being. This meant that several Warp Gates were once again usable.
"First, No. 700672, then Sion and the others."
After that would be the Mercana Principality, but the current Jin would have no trouble traveling there and back.
"Equipment really is everything..."
Jin realized once again how powerless he had been with only the clothes on his back.
Reiko said nothing, simply gazing at Jin as if she were cherishing the short amount of time they had left together.
＊ ＊ ＊
September 15th.
With the idle thought that this used to be "Respect for the Aged Day" back in his old world, Jin teleported to No. 700672's base.
"Oh, Jin-dono. It seems you have successfully liberated Hourai Island."
Seeing Reiko kneeling behind Jin, No. 700672 smiled pleasantly.
"Yes, thanks to you....Here, I've brought the usual Persica juice."
Jin handed the package Reiko had been carrying to No. 700672.
"Oh, this makes me happy. It has been nearly three hundred years."
Growing even more cheerful, No. 700672 accepted the gift with delight. Neige and Rouge, who stood nearby, also looked pleased.
"...I cannot fully comprehend it myself, but it seems the relationship between time and space can indeed be explained via sub-ether."
"Yes. Laojun said that I should be able to go home soon."
Jin sat for a discussion with No. 700672.
"I am interested in the method... but it seems to require a vast amount of energy."
"That's right."
It was an amount of energy that could not be provided unless one had been collecting free ether over many, many years.
Probably about as much as a single star, Jin started to imagine before stopping himself.
"Well then, I'm heading to the All-Creation clan territory next."
After talking for about two hours, Jin decided to take his leave.
"It has been a pleasant time, for the first time in a long while....I suppose we shall not meet again."
"...Yes."
No. 700672 spoke with a hint of melancholy, and Jin affirmed it while feeling much the same way.
"Well then."
"May there be happiness on the path Jin-dono walks."
The two shook hands and parted ways.
"...That was quite brief, wasn't it?" Reiko said to Jin once they had returned to Hourai Island.
"I didn't want things to get too sentimental."
He understood the situation, but Jin felt hesitant about making a grand, overblown farewell.
"Alright, shall we head to Sion's place?"
"Yes."
This time, they would be traveling aboard Pegasus 2.
"My Lord, to save time, I shall send you via the transporter."
"Oh, I see. Then I'll leave it to you."
"Understood."
Via the transporter, Pegasus 2 moved a distance of about a thousand kilometers in an instant. The Pazdext Great Isthmus was already visible below.
"It's right there."
Kaina Village should have been close from there as well, but knowing that seeing its current state would only bring him heartache, Jin forced himself to focus on the Nord Federation instead.
"...Hope, we're going to Sion's."
"Understood."
Pegasus 2 headed straight for the All-Creation clan territory.
＊ ＊ ＊
"Jin, welcome!"
"Jin-sama, I am so glad you are safe!"
Sion and Marikka rushed out to greet them the moment Pegasus 2 touched down. Jin, Reiko, and Hope were soon being entertained at the All-Creation Clan Chief's mansion.
"Jin-san, just when I thought we had finally reunited, it's already time to say goodbye. It's so lonely."
Sion's mother, Rolona, was present as well.
"Jin-dono, it is a regret of mine that I could not repay even a ten-thousandth of the debt I owe you from the distant past."
Sion's husband and the current Clan Chief, Belialus, also joined them, a lonely expression on his face.
"Me too. But in this world, it's destiny that those who meet must eventually part."
That was the concept of Aibetsu-riku—the suffering of being separated from those we love. It was one of the "four and eight sufferings" of life. Jin didn't know the other seven well, but he remembered this one because the Orphanage Director had mentioned it so frequently.
"...It is sad, isn't it?"
"...Yeah....But because there are partings, there are also new encounters."
"Is that your outlook on life, Jin?"
Jin nodded at Sion's question.
"Though I feel a bit hesitant saying that to someone like you, Sion, who has lived many times longer than I have."
"...In the old days, I would have snapped 'How rude,' but since it's the truth, I suppose it can't be helped!"
Sion gave a small laugh. With that, the somber atmosphere lightened slightly.
"I should just be grateful that I was able to meet you again, Jin, even though we were supposed to have parted that day."
The transparent smile that appeared on Sion's face as she spoke, as if she were convincing herself, touched Jin's heart.
"Jin, let me say this much. I'm glad I met you. That hasn't changed, not four hundred years ago, and not now. Thanks to you, the demon race was able to start over as the Northern People and was unified as the Nord Federation. And I'm happy that I could be with Belialus."
"Sion..."
"Indeed, Jin-dono, you are a benefactor of the Nord Federation. Being able to meet you once again like this is truly a stroke of good fortune."
"That is true....Jin-san, you saw it, didn't you? Thanks to you, this country has become capable of self-sufficiency in crops... and has become prosperous."
"Thanks to Jin-sama, our magic technology has also advanced, and our lives have become easier. Because of that, the population has been increasing little by little, sh... s."
Not just Sion, but Belialus, Rolona, and Marikka all expressed their gratitude to Jin. They all knew that once they parted this time, they would never see Jin again; yet they still behaved brightly while conveying their thanks.
Jin felt his eyes grow hot, despite himself.
"...Thank you. I'm glad... I got to meet everyone, too."
Those were Jin's words from the bottom of his heart.