On December 27, 3899, Jin was on Hourai Island.
Since it was the end of the year, the competitions on Onogoro Island were on hiatus.
"…I suppose that’s the end of the cleaning."
He had been performing a deep cleaning of the laboratory and the House.
"Yes, Father. Everything is perfectly clean now," Reiko replied.
In truth, the Five-Colored Golem Maids cleaned every single day, so the "deep cleaning" was mostly a matter of sentiment. It was more of a mental preparation for Jin as he got ready to welcome the new year.
"Now then, all that’s left is to make some kadomatsu and put them up."
Reiko and Laozi were in the middle of mochi pounding, and the kagami mochi were already finished. Sitting on top of them were citran. Since there were no daidai bitter oranges available, he had to make do.
(I guess it’s called a 'daidai' so the house can 'daidai' prosper—prosper for generations… I wonder if my house is prospering?)
No one could give him an answer, but Jin decided to assume it was.
Bamboo that closely resembled moso bamboo had already been planted on Hourai Island, and pine trees grew wild, so he had no trouble finding materials for the kadomatsu.
"There, that’s done.…I wonder if this world has a Toshigami too."
It was a late thought.
The Toshigami is a deity that visits each home every New Year. Because the belief is rooted in local traditions, there are various ways of naming and welcoming the deity across different regions.
Jin personally wanted to call the deity "Oshogatsu-san" due to the influence of some children's stories he had read in the past, but he followed the example of the Orphanage Director from his old facility, who had always called the deity "Toshigami."
He poured Japanese sake into white ceramic containers and placed them on the kamidana in the House.
It was undeniable that his methods were now heavily mixed with his own personal style. Since half of it was for his own satisfaction, Jin felt that was perfectly fine.
"In the past, I used to leave all of this to Laojun."
『That is true, My Lord.』
Starting this year, Jin wanted to do what he could by himself.
"Alright, that’s everything."
Jin muttered to himself as he finished arranging the shimenawa on the kamidana—a "gobou-jime" style rope he had somehow managed to put together.
The feeling of refreshment that came from finishing preparations to welcome a new year was likely due to his Japanese blood.
"Now for the toshikoshi soba… but that’s for tonight, isn't it?"
He had left the preparation of the osechi to the Five-Colored Golem Maids.
Combining Jin's knowledge with information from Mitsuho, they had prepared chestnut kinton, gomame, kombu maki, red and white kamaboko, datemaki, nishiki tamago, and kuromame.
Jin had crafted the jubako boxes himself.
"Still, spending the New Year alone, huh…"
As a duplicate living in this era, Jin had almost no lingering regrets about the past. Even so, the thought of spending the New Year alone made him feel a bit lonely.
『My Lord, perhaps you should invite someone?』 Laojun suggested.
"Hmm, it would probably be bad to invite people who have their own families to think about…"
Even if he considered the Second-term Jin Family members like Lordtoss, Sion, and Marikka, they all had their own households to attend to.
"Which means…"
The people who came to Jin's mind were the friends he had made since coming to this era. Specifically, Kachea and Eira.
They were supposed to be at Avalon right now.
"Oh, but wait. They’re able to return to their homes freely now, aren't they?"
Yes, their homeland, the Mercana Principality, was currently being temporarily governed by the World Conference, so individuals were no longer being kept under surveillance like before.
『However, even for Avalon, I doubt they have enough resources to provide transportation for just the three of them.』
"Eh?…Ah, I see."
They likely didn't have the leeway to send an aircraft to the Mercana Principality just for three people, and it was unlikely they would allow individuals to use the Warp Gate for personal reasons.
"Still, I wonder how things actually are?"
Given that Avalon placed great importance on "people," Jin thought they might be considerate enough to drop them off at their homes if it coincided with official business.
『Regarding that, to begin with, the event known as "New Year" does not exist here…』
"Ah, right."
On Planet Ars, with the exception of Mitsuho and Fusou Island, there was no such thing as "New Year."
There was a New Year's Festival, but it was entirely different from the Japanese tradition. It was only natural, given that the religious backgrounds were completely different.
『At Avalon, there is a one-week holiday during the year-end and New Year period due to your influence, My Lord, but most of the personnel should be remaining at Avalon.』
It was essentially no different from their usual days off, just slightly longer.
"Hmm, in that case, would it be okay…?"
Jin had intended to eventually welcome Eira and Kachea into the Jin Family. He couldn't help but think this was a good opportunity.
"Then again, they have their own feelings on the matter."
Nearly four months had passed since he had last seen Kachea and the others, and they had their own new lives. Jin had no intention of forcing an invitation on them.
"For now, let’s try going to Avalon."
Now that he was recognized as the Third Generation Magi Craft Meister in the Shouro Empire, there were few problems with him visiting.
"It should be enough to ask Lordtoss."
Lordtoss was a magi bachelor who had once served as a lecturer at Avalon. To be precise, he was an adjunct lecturer and an adjunct technical advisor.
『The route of using Deus Ex Machina is also possible,』 Laojun proposed.
Jin nodded.
『In my opinion, it is necessary to take this opportunity to reinforce the impression that the Third Generation Deus Ex Machina and My Lord are different people.』
Since the Third Generation Deus Ex Machina and the Third Generation Magi Craft Meister Jin had appeared on the public stage at almost the same time, there was a high possibility that people would investigate the relationship between the two.
"Yeah, you're right."
By appearing at Avalon at the same time, they could prove they were different people.
『Of course, having Lordtoss-sama accompany you is no problem; in fact, I recommend it.』
"I see."
Then, Jin remembered that he had promised to have a rematch with Groma's golem.
"…Groma is also at Avalon, right?"
『Yes. From the Mercana Principality, three individuals—Groma Tray, Eira Shiata, and Kachea—are studying at Avalon.』
"Alright, I understand."
『Marikka-sama also has a strong influence at Avalon, so it might not be a bad idea to invite her as well.』
"I see."
Jin figured it would be best to ask Marikka and Lordtoss to accompany him. Then, if the Third Generation Deus Ex Machina and the squire Rei appeared separately from them, it would be quite persuasive.
Following that, Jin instructed Laojun to have the Third Generation Deus Ex Machina go to Avalon in advance.
『Understood. For the reason, would something like a year-end inspection be sufficient?』
"Yeah, sounds good."
Deus Ex Machina was already established as having a somewhat whimsical personality. Jin decided to leave the details to Laojun.
『As you wish.』
The actual operation of Maquina would be handled by Mentor, a dedicated magi-brain subordinate to Laojun, but Laojun made a judgment.
『It would be problematic to use the exact same personality settings as the previous Maquina.』
Laojun decided.
『Let us set the persona to be more unsociable than the previous Maquina.』
Laojun figured this would also serve as an explanation for why he didn't show his face very often.
Jin then reached out to Sion, Marikka, and Lordtoss. Since all three of them had Fellowship Bracelets, contacting them was easy.
『Jin, I understand. I'll help.』
『I-I'll go t-too!』
『Of course, I will accompany you as well.』
He received favorable responses from all three of them.