Upon returning to her family home in Ekishi, Elsa gave her report to Jin.
"I see, so it was hepatitis. It’s fortunate it didn't spread to the rest of the family."
"Mm."
Since the treatment was complete, his physical strength was expected to return gradually.
"It would have been even better if we could have brought some Persica juice."
Persica juice from Hourai Island had remarkable restorative and tonic properties.
"Maybe I should order some later and send it as a get-well gift in Moritz's name."
While it wasn't a medicine and wouldn't have an immediate effect, its benefits could be felt about half a day after drinking it.
With that in mind, Jin instructed Laojun to send ten bottles.
Two minutes later, twenty bottles of Persica juice arrived via the transporter. Ten of those were intended for Moritz, who had been looking fatigued lately.
Elsa immediately had Edgar carry the twenty bottles and went to see her Big Brother. When she reported that she had treated Cedric, Moritz breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"So it was an organ called the liver that was unwell... but you cured him, Elsa. Thank you."
"I told him that once he's back on his feet, we'd like him to return to our service."
"I see. You remembered our conversation. Thank you, Elsa."
"Here, drink this."
Edgar placed the twenty bottles of Persica juice on the table.
"Ten bottles are for you, Big Brother. Please give the other ten to Cedric."
Elsa added that when he went to deliver them, he should make the formal offer for Cedric to return as steward and eventually serve as the bailiff.
"You're right. I'll do that. Thank you for being so thoughtful."
Moritz bowed deeply to his younger sister.
Meanwhile, as Jin sat in the living room, he heard the pitter-patter of small footsteps. Soon after, Yuu and Mio appeared, followed by Marlene.
"Father!"
"Father!"
The two children leaped into Jin’s arms.
"Yuu, Mio, did you have a good time playing with your grandmother?"
"Yeah!"
"Yes!"
"Jin-san, Yuu and Mio really are such wonderful children. Thanks to them, my husband seems to be in much better spirits too."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Jin figured that if doting on his grandchildren had revitalized the man’s mind, then it was a very good thing indeed.
"Hehe, please bring the twins to visit again soon, won't you?"
"Yes, as often as we can."
"Please do."
As they spoke, Jin stroked Yuu’s head with his right hand and Mio’s with his left. Elsa returned to the room just then.
"Mother."
"Oh, Elsa....Are you helping Moritz with his concerns?"
"Mm."
Elsa then explained that she had gone to visit Cedric and had successfully treated him.
"Oh, is that so. I’m sorry, Elsa. We've put you to so much trouble with this family's affairs."
"No....I just did what I could. Besides, this is my family home."
In her own way, Elsa was doing her best to look out for her family.
＊ ＊ ＊
They decided to stay another night at the estate. Yuu and Mio had grown more attached to Georg than anyone had expected, and Georg, in turn, had regained much of his former energy by playing with the twins.
"Here... it... comes."
Georg tossed a sponge ball—soft as rubber—lightly toward the twins. Yuu and Mio scrambled to be the first to catch it. Jin, Elsa, and Marlene watched the scene from the sidelines.
"Until just a short while ago, he wasn't able to throw a ball like that at all."
Yet now, he was throwing with fairly decent control.
"Is it... good rehabilitation?"
"I suppose it is..."
Both Elsa and Jin felt a sense of quiet contentment as they watched Georg playing with the children.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...Thank you, Elsa."
"What’s this all of a sudden?"
While Yuu and Mio were taking their afternoon nap, Jin and Elsa were enjoying tea together in a quiet corner of the estate.
"Visiting your home like this... it really made me think about the different forms a 'family' can take."
"..."
Elsa remembered that Jin had grown up as an orphan.
"Family bonds... they really are something special."
"...Mm."
Elsa couldn't find the right words to say, so she simply gave a small, supportive nod. Reiko and Edgar stood by in respectful silence.
＊ ＊ ＊
Suddenly, a commotion broke out outside.
"...What's wrong?"
Elsa caught one of the lady's maids who was hurrying past and asked for an explanation.
"A-Ah, um, it's a fire!"
"What!?"
At the mention of a fire, Jin stood up immediately.
"Where?"
"...It seems to be in the neighboring village."
Apparently, a major fire had broken out, and a messenger had come to the estate to beg the lord for assistance. Moritz arrived a moment later, looking flustered and ready to head out, but Jin held him back.
"Big Brother, you shouldn't head out yourself."
"Jin-dono?"
"I’ll go....Elsa, I'm counting on you to watch the children."
Elsa nodded with a confident smile.
"Yes....Take care, Dear....Edgar, you go as well."
"Understood. I shall accompany him, Elsa-sama."
"Alright. Reiko, Edgar, let's move."
Jin headed toward the eastern service gate where the messenger was waiting. He found a man crouching there, nursing severe burns that stretched from his right shoulder down to his arm.
"Reiko, heal him."
"Yes, Father....'Heilung'!"
"...Wha—the burns!? Ah, the pain is gone! Thank you so much!"
The man, stunned by the sudden disappearance of his agony, realized his skin had been restored and expressed his gratitude with tears in his eyes.
"Save the thanks for later. Where is the fire... no, I see it."
Beyond the forest to the north of the estate, a thick pillar of smoke was rising into the afternoon sky.
"Y-Yes, that's it!"
"Alright, we're taking Konron 3! You, come with us!"
Jin took Reiko, Edgar, and the village man—whose name was Jes—and ran toward Konron 3, which was parked in the front garden.
"Konron 3, launch!"
Konron 3 lifted off into the sky, heading straight for the northern forest.