Jin landed first at Magus Cape to pay his respects.
The surrounding area was devoid of homes, consisting of nothing but a grassy plain stretching as far as the eye could see. Since it was currently autumn, the grass had turned the color of withered straw, yet it hinted at the vibrant colors that would surely bloom come spring.
To avoid damaging the plants as much as possible, Jin did not have the Pegasus 2 touch down. Instead, he kept it hovering in the air. Hope held the Pegasus 2 perfectly steady just ten centimeters above the ground.
"Well, I'm off."
Accompanied by Reiko, Jin stepped out onto the earth. In the slanting afternoon sunlight, the wind blowing off the sea felt pleasant against his skin. Walking at a leisurely pace, Jin headed toward the tip of the cape.
There stood a stone monument. It was a memorial built by Adriana Barbora Tsetse in memory of her foster father, Shuuki Tsetse. Although more than fifteen hundred years had passed, the monument remained unweathered, overlooking the sea from its perch on the cape.
"The Toughening and Hardening spells the Predecessor cast are still holding strong."
A wave of emotion welled up in Jin's chest. After bowing deeply toward the monument, he cast another layer of Toughening and Hardening upon it. Then, after gently touching the stone, he turned and returned to the Pegasus 2.
During the entire walk, Reiko did not say a single word, staying close by his side like a shadow.
"Next is Tsetse Island."
Jin instructed Hope to head east. However, Reiko stopped him.
"Father, Tsetse Island is currently surrounded by an illusion barrier. Approaching by air might be impossible."
"Ah, is that so? Well, I suppose it's better that way so it isn't disturbed. Then do we need to use a Warp Gate to get back and forth?"
"Yes, that is the only way."
"I see... In that case, let's land the Pegasus 2 somewhere."
Jin had the craft fly a bit further inland and landed the Pegasus 2 on a suitable stretch of flat ground.
"Alright. We'll use this Warp Gate to return to Hourai Island first, then head to Tsetse Island from there."
"Yes, Father."
"Hope, sorry, but I'll leave the Pegasus 2 in your hands for a while."
"Understood. Have a safe journey, Master."
With that, Jin and Reiko vanished from the Pegasus 2.
"Welcome back, My Lord, Reiko," Laojun greeted them.
"Laojun, we've come back for a moment because we're planning to go to Tsetse Island."
"I see. The Warp Gate is the third one from the far end."
"Got it."
The arrangement was the same as Jin remembered from long ago. However, there seemed to be over a dozen new gates connected to destinations the current Jin did not yet recognize.
Moments later, Jin and Reiko teleported.
"Welcome, Second Generation."
"Welcome, Reiko-chan."
The male automata Nagi and the female automata Nami were there to welcome them.
"Second Generation, you have grown quite young."
"Yeah, well, a lot happened."
Jin gave Nagi and Nami a brief explanation of his current circumstances.
"I see. So the current Second Generation is a duplicate."
"But you are exactly the same. In that case, nothing changes for us."
Jin felt relieved to be accepted by the two guardians.
"Anyway, I've come once again to pay my respects."
In moments like this, Jin's innate Japanese sensibilities often came to the fore. He joined his hands in prayer before the grave of Shuuki Tsetse, and Reiko followed his lead. Nagi and Nami stood by in a moment of silent prayer.
Once he was finished, Jin looked around at the surroundings.
"The flowers have increased quite a bit."
"Yes. Four hundred years ago, when you said you wanted to make flowers bloom on this island, we began sowing seeds and planting flowering trees."
"And they've grown without withering."
"Yes, the query trees that you like have grown quite large as well."
On the gently sloping, hill-like land, several massive trees stood tall. Four hundred years of time had allowed the young saplings to grow into giants.
"I believe they will be fine for a long time yet, as query trees are said to last for about a thousand years," Nami explained.
"Is that so? That's good to hear."
Jin then performed maintenance on Nagi and Nami.
"There's almost no wear and tear."
"Yes. As we are grave keepers, we do not perform any intense physical labor."
Even so, ordinary golems or automata would not have been able to continue functioning for four centuries. It was only possible because of the master craftsmanship Jin had put into them.
"Nagi, Nami. Good work. I'm counting on you to keep it up."
"Yes, leave it to us."
"Yes, leave it to us."
Jin remained on Tsetse Island until the sky began to turn red with the setting sun. After a string of busy days, the tranquility of the island—where time itself seemed to have slowed to a crawl—offered him a welcome respite.
"Well, see you later."
"Take care."
"Reiko-chan, please look after the Second Generation."
Seen off by Nagi and Nami, Jin and Reiko returned to Hourai Island.
"Welcome back, My Lord," Laojun said.
"I'm feeling a bit tired. I think I'll head to the Nord Federation after taking a bath."
Having said that, Jin went to soak in the hot spring. Naturally, Reiko accompanied him and washed his back.
"Thank you, Reiko," Jin said, his voice filled with quiet gratitude.
"Father?"
Not understanding his sudden sentiment, Reiko was slightly taken aback.
"Laojun, too, and everyone on Hourai Island... you all waited four hundred years for me. Because of that, I don't have to feel lonely."
"If you are going to say that, then we are the ones who must thank you. For it was none other than you, Father, who gave us these bodies that can live nearly forever."
As she spoke, Reiko rinsed the soap from Jin's back with warm water. Jin sank back into the bathtub.
"I'm a lucky man."
Having visited Magus Cape and Tsetse Island, Jin had become a little sentimental. Sensing this, Reiko slipped into the water beside him.
"Father, I am the one who is lucky. To be able to serve you once more like this."
"It was fun back then, when everyone was around."
Reiko understood that Jin was referring to the time when he was in his original form—the days of his youth. After all, Reiko had stayed by the previous Jin's side until his old age; she had even been there to see him through to his final breath.
"It will surely be fun from now on as well, I'm certain of it."
That was all Reiko could say. However, it was also her true conviction.
"I hope so."
"It will be. Let us make it fun together."
"You're right."
Jin managed a small smile. Reiko realized that Jin was suffering from a bit of mental fatigue. She concluded that it would be best for him to go to the place where the "family" he trusted most was waiting.
"Father, we should get out soon, or we will be late to see Sion and the others."
"Oh, that's right."
Jin nodded, and upon leaving the hot spring, he got dressed.
"Well then, Laojun, I'm heading out again."
"Yes, have a safe trip."
With Laojun seeing them off, Jin and Reiko teleported back to the Pegasus 2.