"Whoa... W-We’re really flying!"
"Yeah, the ride is a world apart from a hot air balloon or some small-class Blow Floater!"
"..."
Kachea, Eira, and Groma each voiced their impressions from the deck of the Hurricane. They were currently en route from Avalon to the Shouro Empire. Naturally, word of their arrival had already been sent ahead to the mansion in Loizart.
Out of old habit, I kept calling it 'my' mansion, Jin thought to himself, but technically, it belongs to the couple Daiki and Kokona now.
While lost in these reflections, Jin considered inviting Daiki and Kokona to Hourai Island as well.
Or maybe a meeting with the other descendants on Onogoro Island would be better...
At any rate, he needed to reach Loizart first. Jin decided to consult with Sion, who was traveling with them.
"Sion, would you like to take a look at the observation deck?"
"Oh? Does this ship have something like that?"
"Yeah. The very top of the gas bag is transparent, and there's a ladder leading up to it. It’s a bit cramped, though, so only two people can go up at a time."
The space had been designed specifically with Jin and Reiko in mind, but it proved quite useful for these sorts of private discussions.
"Marikka, you’re up after Sion."
"Y-Yes, I’ll be looking forward to it-mashu!"
And so, Jin and Sion ascended to the observation deck.
"My, what a spectacular view. The sky is so blue."
Sion seemed genuinely moved by the sight, which offered a true sense of the vastness of the heavens.
"...So? What did you want to discuss?"
She had seen through his invitation immediately. I suppose you can't hide anything from someone with her years of wisdom, Jin thought, though he kept the comment to himself.
"I’m no match for you, Sion. I wanted to talk about those three, and the couple in Loizart."
"Are you wondering whether to bring them into the Family?"
"No, before that, I was thinking of showing them Hourai Island and Onogoro Island."
"Ah, I see."
Sion nodded understandingly. She fell silent for a moment, then spoke her mind.
"I think it would be fine. They seem trustworthy enough."
She paused, then added, "Inviting someone into the Family is one thing, but simply letting them visit is another."
"You think so?"
"Yes. You’re planning to use a Warp Gate, right? They won't know the physical location, and as long as you give them a proper warning beforehand, there shouldn't be any issues."
Jin felt the weight on his shoulders lighten at her words. "You're right."
Since he was already known as the Magi Craft Meister, he wasn't exactly a normal person anyway. He decided that a few more extraordinary revelations would likely be within their realm of acceptance.
"Hwaaa, the sky is so beautiful!"
After Sion, Jin guided Marikka up to the deck. He spoke with her about his desire to take Daiki and Kokona to Onogoro Island.
"I think that’s a wonderful idea. They are of the Nido bloodline, after all. Depending on how they feel, I wouldn't even mind if they chose to live there permanently."
"I see. Well, I’m not sure if they’d go that far."
As they talked, Jin found himself thinking that if the couple did choose to migrate to Onogoro Island, he would have to find a way to replace them with automata back at the mansion.
"But the three you brought along this time are a different matter, aren't they?"
"Yeah. I don't intend to take Kachea and the others to Onogoro Island."
At least, not unless I decide to bring them into the Family, Jin added privately.
He knew that bringing someone into the Family could effectively determine the entire course of their remaining life. It would become difficult for them to lead a normal life ever again. He had no intention of rushing such a significant decision.
In that regard, the members of the first-term Jin Family had been a truly unique bunch. Everyone was such a character, Jin remembered with a wave of nostalgia.
Afterward, Jin guided Lordtoss, Kachea, Eira, and Groma one by one. Once everyone had enjoyed the view and the Hurricane was cruising over the Shouro Empire, the time approached 11:00 AM local time in Loizart. Because they had flown in the opposite direction of Ars's rotation at a matching speed, the sun had barely moved for them.
Jin used wind-attribute magic to broadcast his identity to the airships and hot air balloons patrolling the airspace.
"This is Magi Craft Meister Jin Nidou. We are arriving to visit the Nido mansion in Loizart."
"U-Understood! Lord Jin Nidou confirmed. Honorary Squire Lord Reiko confirmed. W-Welcome back to the Shouro Empire!"
The soldiers managed to carry out their duties, even while clearly overwhelmed by the majestic, alien sight of the Hurricane. Once they dealt with him a few more times, they would likely grow used to Jin’s habit of shattering common sense. Whether that was a good thing was something only the gods knew.
"Jin-sama, welcome back."
"Welcome to Loizart, everyone."
The Hurricane touched down on the roof of the Nido mansion. Daiki and Kokona were there to greet them.
"Hey. Sorry for the sudden intrusion."
"Not at all! You are welcome to visit whenever you like, Jin-sama."
"This is your mansion, after all."
The two of them had fully embraced their roles as the mansion’s caretakers.
"My goodness! Spending the New Year at Hourai Island?"
"I-It’s like a dream come true!"
When Jin extended the invitation, Daiki and Kokona were ecstatic.
"In that case, please get your things ready after lunch."
"Understood!"
It was noon local time, but since Jin and the others had traveled from a different time zone, their internal clocks felt as though it were 2:00 PM. They had snacked lightly aboard the Hurricane, but they were starting to feel the pull of hunger.
"We prepared a meal as soon as we heard you were coming."
The table in the dining hall was set. The menu consisted of white congee, umeboshi, katsuobushi, wasabi, shredded nori, seaweed salt, kombu tsukudani, and oshinko. The tea was a fragrant hojicha.
"This is incredible!" Groma exclaimed.
"It... it's delicious," Kachea whispered.
"Mmm, now this is the life," Eira added.
The trio seemed to have taken a serious liking to the traditional spread. Naturally, it was exactly what Jin craved as well. He remarked that adding a bit of wasabi for a chazuke-style flavor was particularly sophisticated, eventually going back for four helpings. Of course, the bowls had been kept small specifically to allow for such indulgence.
"..."
"...S-So this is a Warp Gate..."
They were preparing to move to Hourai Island using the Warp Gate installed within the Hurricane. The ship itself would be retrieved later. For this trip, Jin had made a special exception to bypass the relay base Shinkai, teleporting them directly into the laboratory's basement.
"To think a Warp Gate could be used so casually... I suppose one shouldn't expect any less from the Magi Craft Meister," Groma muttered, appearing thoroughly overwhelmed by Jin’s level of technology.
In contrast, Kachea and Eira seemed simply impressed, accepting the miracle with ease. Their adaptability was notably higher. Daiki and Kokona, meanwhile, were beyond speech. Sion and the others were also silent, but only because they were so accustomed to the process that they felt no need to make a fuss.
They stepped through the Warp Gate and emerged into the cool air of the laboratory basement.
"Welcome home, everyone," Laojun’s voice echoed through the room.
"Welcome, guests," the 5-Color Maids added, greeting the party in perfect unison.
Jin turned to his companions and offered his signature welcome.
"Welcome to Hourai Island."