On May 10, Jin and Elsa took the twins and set out for Blue Land in the Kingdom of Egerea.
Instead of using a Warp Gate, they traveled via Konron 3. Edgar served as the pilot, and they were accompanied by Reiko, Anne, and Mine.
Today was the birthday of Reginald, the son of Beena and Louis.
Konron 3 landed at the airfield adjacent to Blue Land.
"Welcome, Jin! And you too, Madam!"
Louis Waltz Count Kuzuma came out to greet them.
"Come, come, please step inside."
They left Konron 3 at the airfield, and everyone—Edgar included—boarded the waiting carriage. Reiko followed along, carrying a large amount of luggage on her back.
"Beena is eagerly waiting for you," the high-spirited Earl Kuzuma said.
The carriage passed through the city gates of Blue Land and headed straight for the count’s mansion.
"Jin, Elsa, it’s been a long time!"
Beena was there to greet them at the entrance of the mansion. In her arms, she held her son, Reginald.
"Hey, Beena. Reggie looks like he’s doing well, too."
"He is. And yours are too, I see."
Beena narrowed her eyes with a smile as she looked at Yuu in Jin’s arms and Mio in Elsa’s.
"Now, please, come this way."
Invited by Beena, they entered a certain room.
"Oh."
"Wow."
It was a room where one removed their shoes before entering; to their surprise, the floor was covered in tatami mats.
"I had this room made after Reggie was born."
"I see."
Once Reginald was lowered from Beena’s arms, he immediately began crawling across the floor.
"I use 'Cleanup' to keep it spotless at all times."
"That’s important," Jin agreed.
Jin’s personal theory was to let children crawl as much as they wanted. For that to happen, the floor had to be clean, as children were prone to sucking on their fingers at a moment's notice.
At the same time, Jin remembered the Orphanage Director saying that children who are good at crawling instinctively put their hands out when they fall, preventing them from hitting their faces. He had been putting that advice into practice ever since. Whether the theory was truth or superstition didn't matter to Jin; he simply wanted his children to grow up freely.
Yuu and Mio also began crawling once they were lowered from their parents' arms. When they reached the wall, they both pulled themselves up to a stand.
"Oh, the twins can already stand."
"And what about Reggie?" Jin asked.
Beena replied in a slightly worried voice, "Not yet... He’s a little behind, isn't he?"
"Hmm... I can’t say for sure, but children’s growth varies a lot," Jin managed to follow up.
But then.
"Oh, Dear... Beena, look."
At Elsa’s voice, Jin and Beena turned to look at Reginald.
"Ah..."
Perhaps trying to imitate Yuu and Mio, Reginald was pulling himself up, supporting himself against the wall.
"Dear! Reggie's standing!"
"O-Oh!"
Louis suddenly dashed out of the room.
"What happened?" Jin asked.
"I think he went to get the camera," Beena replied.
Just as she predicted, Louis returned with a camera in hand in less than a minute. However...
"Oh, no..."
Reginald was already sitting back down on the tatami.
"...From now on, I’m going to keep the camera in this room..." Louis muttered dejectedly.
＊ ＊ ＊
Afterward, the group gathered to chat in the drawing room.
"Well then, once again. Reginald Cress Kuzuma, happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday."
"Congratulations."
"Ngh?"
Even though he was receiving words of celebration, the meaning didn't quite reach Reginald, who had only just turned one. Instead, his parents accepted the well-wishes.
"Thank you, Jin-dono, Elsa-dono."
"Thank you very much," Beena added.
"Here, a little something for the occasion."
Jin took the prepared gift from Reiko and handed it to Louis.
"Thank you."
Louis and Beena opened it immediately.
"Wow, so many materials!"
The gift from Jin and Elsa was a collection of rare materials. Since Beena herself was an excellent magi craftsman, Jin and Elsa had agreed that high-quality materials would be far more useful to her than a finished product.
"Magisilk fabric... I’m so happy. I wonder what kind of clothes I should make for him."
Magisilk felt wonderful to the touch, making it ideal for children's clothing.
"And magi-crystals, too. Thank you, Jin, Elsa!"
"You're welcome. I'm glad you like them."
Just then, the children, who had been quiet until now, started to get a bit fussy.
"Madam, we shall look after the children in the nursery," Maroom offered.
"Master, please leave it to me," Anne added.
"In that case, I shall go as well," Mine said.
Since Anne and Mine had also volunteered, Jin decided to leave things to them. The three children were taken to the nursery by Mine, Anne, and the count’s Chief Maid, Maroom. This left Jin, Elsa, Louis, Beena, Reiko, and Edgar in the drawing room.
"That's right, Beena. Since it’s a good opportunity, would you show me your workshop?"
"Eh, mine?"
"Yeah."
Beena showed a bit of hesitation. "...I don't think it'll be interesting for you to see, Jin."
"That's not true. Besides, I might be able to give you some advice."
"That’s true... Well then, this way."
Beena stood up and led the group toward the backyard.