The next day, at Sion’s request, Jin prepared to travel to the Puppet Clan territory.
This was the home of the family that had adopted Lordtoss.
"It will help foster inter-clan relations and provide you with some cooperation, Jin," Sion explained. "And, well… it’s also an apology."
"Cooperation? And an apology?"
"We’re looking for information to solve the mystery of how Golbart Marukitasu can use Divieniunschiavo."
While the magic was known to the Northern People—formerly known as the demon race—brainwashing magic was considered a forbidden spell, and those capable of casting it were few and far between.
"We might learn something if we ask around there," Sion added.
"I see. Thank you, Sion."
"Don't mention it. As for the apology… it’s for keeping Ro away for so long."
She had, after all, prevented the young man from returning to his adoptive family for over three years.
"I’m sorry. That was my fault," Jin said.
"It wasn’t your fault, Jin. It was my own decision."
With that settled, Jin set out on a tour of the Nord Federation aboard Pegasus 2, accompanied by Sion, Lordtoss, and the others.
Their first stop was the landing pad in the Puppet Clan territory.
The pad was relatively spacious, with several Blow Floaters already parked there. Hope handled the controls, bringing Pegasus 2 down in a flawless landing. They then taxied the craft into a covered area and secured it in place.
"Welcome home, Lordtoss-sama!"
A woman who appeared to be about twenty years old came out to meet them. She started to rush toward Lordtoss but caught herself, turning instead to greet Sion with a bow.
"Welcome, Sion-sama. And… who might these guests be?"
"This is Jin-sama, a very important guest of Great-grandmother Sion," Lordtoss introduced them. "And these are Jin-sama’s automata, Lady Reiko, and our pilot, Hope-kun."
"Oh, I see. I am Mira of the Puppet Clan. I am Lordtoss-sama’s fiancée."
Mira gave a deep, formal bow. She possessed the distinctive features of the Puppet Clan: long gray hair and golden eyes. She was slender and stood just a little shorter than Jin.
"Where is Jikarato?" Sion asked.
"Father has been out on patrol since this morning, but I expect him back at any moment."
"Do you mind if we wait for him?"
"Not at all. Please, come inside. All of you, please."
Mira led them into a drawing room, where she sat down close beside Lordtoss.
"It has been so long, Lordtoss-sama. Has it really been three years?"
"About that long, I suppose."
"I feared you might have forgotten me entirely."
"Mira, I must apologize to you for that," Sion cut in. "That’s part of the reason we’ve come today."
"Is it?"
"Yes. I’ll explain everything once Jikarato returns."
Just as they were speaking of him, a servant arrived to announce his arrival.
"The head of house has returned."
A moment later, the man himself entered the room.
"Oh, Sion-dono, I see you’ve arrived. And Lordtoss, it’s been a long time! I don’t believe I recognize these guests, however…"
Jikarato, the Clan Chief of the Puppet Clan, was a sturdy, middle-aged man standing nearly 180 centimeters tall.
"Allow me to introduce them," Sion said. "This is an old friend of mine, Jin Nidou-dono."
"Ho? Jin Nidou? That is a name that demands respect. It is the same as the legendary Magi Craft Meister."
Sion smirked playfully. "That’s because he is the man himself."
"What!?"
"Wh-What!?"
Both Jikarato and Mira cried out in pure shock.
"Please, Sion-dono, no jokes," Jikarato said, recovering his composure. "The Magi Craft Meister was human. I heard she passed away some three hundred years ago. This Jin-dono appears to be a young man, no matter how one looks at him."
"Quite true. But there are complicated reasons for that. Now, please, sit."
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Sion began to explain the situation to the stunned Jikarato and Mira.
＊ ＊ ＊
"…And that is the gist of it," Sion concluded, taking a sip of the tea a maid had brought to moisten her throat.
"A duplicate? And before that, Teleportation from the past? It’s… a lot to believe all at once," Jikarato said, his brow furrowed.
"That’s a natural reaction. But I assure you, it’s the truth. And it’s the reason Lordtoss couldn’t come home for three years. I’ve come to apologize for that as well."
"Hmm…"
"I believe you," Mira spoke up. While Jikarato remained skeptical, she seemed convinced. "Jin-sama, that Lady Reiko there… she is the Lady Reiko, isn't she?"
"I’m not entirely sure what you mean by 'the,' but she is my one and only Reiko, unique in all the world, then and now," Jin replied. He beckoned Reiko over and gently patted her head.
"Oh, my…" Mira watched them, her eyes narrowing with a mix of warmth and envy.
"Very well. Assuming this is all true," Jikarato said, refocusing the conversation. "I accept your apology, Sion-dono. It seems Mira has already forgiven you, in any case."
"Thank you, Jikarato." Sion bowed her head once more.
"I assume you have other business with me?"
Sion nodded at Jikarato’s prompt. "There is something I wanted to ask."
"And that is?"
"First, let me give you some context…"
Sion took another sip of her cooling tea and then began to speak about the Magic Federation.
"Hmm, the 'Magic Federation,' you say. What does that have to do with your visit?"
"Everything. Their first leader is a man named Golbart Marukitasu, and it appears he has used Divieniunschiavo."
"What!?"
"No!"
Both Jikarato and Mira were visibly shaken.
"Divieniunschiavo is a forbidden spell," Jikarato said. "Even within our clan, there are only a handful who can use it. Are you telling me a human magi cast it? Surely there must be some mistake?"
Jin spoke up to answer. "No, it was definitely Divieniunschiavo. The one who dispelled the magic confirmed it."
"Hmmmm…"
Jikarato crossed his arms, his face set in a grim mask of thought.
"While it’s true that users of Divieniunschiavo are most common in my clan, I’ve never heard of anyone by the name of Golbart Marukitasu."
"He might have been using an alias," Sion suggested.
"True enough. Very well, I shall consult my father on the matter. You’ll be staying the night, I trust?"
"Yes, we will."
"Good. Tonight shall be a feast to celebrate the return of my future son-in-law!" Jikarato announced, standing up. "Mira, you’re in charge of the hospitality. Can you handle it?"
"Yes, Father."
And so, Jin and his companions were welcomed as guests in the Puppet Clan territory.
Mira joyfully set about organizing the preparations. Seeing her enthusiasm, Sion teased, "Mira is going to make a wonderful wife," which caused Lordtoss to blush—a rare sight for him.
Meanwhile, Jikarato approached Jin with a look of earnest petition.
"Jin-dono, if you truly are that Magi Craft Meister, then there is a favor I must ask of you."