"Welcome to Onogoro Island, Ancestor!"
As Jin stepped out of the Warp Gate room, he was greeted by a sudden burst of applause.
"U-Uh, hello."
He was completely taken aback.
"Thank you for the warm reception," Marikka said, speaking up on Jin’s behalf.
"Is this truly our Ancestor?"
The greeting party consisted of an elderly man and woman.
"Since Jin-sama isn't fond of fuss, I only requested the two stewards to meet us," Marikka explained.
"Stewards?"
"Yes. I am Trihart Randol, and this is my wife, Susanne."
As Trihart introduced himself, Jin caught a distinct glimpse of his friend Reinhard in the man’s features. Meanwhile, Susanne somehow reminded him of Saki.
"My word, you certainly are young. If Marikka-sama hadn't explained things, I wouldn't have believed it," Trihart said as he shook Jin's hand.
"I suppose so..." Jin replied, offering a noncommittal response.
"Still, we grew up on stories of our Ancestor’s eccentricities and wild adventures. Most everyone just says, 'Well, it’s the Ancestor, what did you expect?' and accepts it."
"I-I see."
Jin wasn't entirely sure if he should feel flattered by that.
"And this must be the legendary Reiko-san?"
"Yes, I am Reiko."
"Oh! It is a profound honor to meet you!"
It appeared that Reiko had achieved legendary status as well.
"Dear, we should probably get going," Susanne prompted.
"Oh, right."
Following Susanne’s lead, the group began to walk.
"Since we heard you dislike formalities, Ancestor, I’d like to introduce you to my family first."
"I... I see."
Jin figured this was better than being mobbed by a massive crowd all at once, but—
"Whoa!"
"Ancestor!!"
"What an honor!"
"He's finally here!"
"Now then, children, mind your manners."
"Ances-tooor!"
He was immediately swarmed by a sizable group of descendants.
They had clearly been waiting with bated breath.
This group consisted of two couples in their thirties, along with several boys, girls, and even younger children—nine people in total.
"This is my son and his wife, my daughter and her husband, and their children... my grandchildren, in other words."
The couple in their early thirties was Luckhart Randol and his wife Milfe. They had three children: Glowhart, Tollhart, and Mialis.
The couple in their late twenties was Eugene Fahlheit and Mariesta Fahlheit. They were Trihart’s daughter and son-in-law, and they had two children: Lilliam and Julias.
(I'm never going to remember all these names...) Jin worried.
Between the two stewards, their children, and their grandchildren, he was already facing eleven people.
Jin had always been poor at matching names to faces. He was definitely not cut out for a career in insurance or sales.
(Fahlheit, huh...)
In these descendants, he felt he could see echoes of Lishia Fahlheit—the earnest, hardworking girl he had known.
As Jin was lost in thought, a small girl approached his feet and stared up at him.
"Uh... Mialis, was it?"
"Mm."
That clipped response instantly reminded Jin of Elsa. Without thinking, he reached out and stroked Mialis’s head.
"Fuwah..."
Mialis beamed with joy.
"Ances-tor..."
Another little girl scampered over.
"Lilliam... right?"
"Yes!"
Delighted to hear her name, Lilliam laughed and clung to the hem of Jin’s jacket.
That served as the signal for the other children to swarm him.
Fourteen-year-old Glowhart kept a respectful distance, but his younger brother, Tollhart, came right up to Jin’s side and peered up at him bashfully.
"Nice to meet you all."
"Yes, Ancestor!!" the children shouted in unison, nodding enthusiastically.
"All right, everyone, move back now. The Ancestor won’t be able to walk if you’re all stuck to him like that."
Susanne clapped her hands, and the children reluctantly backed away.
In their place, the parents—Luckhart, Milfe, Eugene, and Mariesta—stepped forward to shake his hand.
"It is an honor."
"Thank you so much!"
As Jin shook their hands, all four were flushed with excitement.
They also beamed as they shook hands with Reiko, acting almost as giddy as the children once they had finished.
"Good work, Jin-sama," Marikka said with a giggle, offering her sympathies.
"...You can say that again."
"But do you understand a little better now?"
"Yeah, I think I do."
The pure joy they felt at meeting him was palpable, and it warmed Jin's heart.
"Now then, let me show you around Onogoro Island."
Marikka took the lead, with Jin and Reiko following. The stewards, Trihart and Susanne, brought up the rear.
Behind them, their children and grandchildren continued to wave and smile.
"A car... Is it powered by a Golem Engine?"
The vehicle waiting for them was a four-wheeled open-top car.
"Yes, it is... is....Ahem."
Trihart and Susanne took the front seats.
Jin, Reiko, and Marikka climbed into the back.
"Onogoro Island’s residential zones are divided into several areas. While we can use Warp Gates for quick travel, I thought we could take our time today in a Golem automobile."
Jin only knew the island from four centuries ago. This was a welcome suggestion.
Besides, he hadn't realized the housing was spread across such a vast area.
"Well then, let’s go."
Trihart set the Golem automobile in motion.
Finally, the tour of Onogoro Island was underway.