Neige and Rouge were giving Rubina a tour of their rooms.
“Look, this is where we live!”
“Oh... I see...”
They had walked from the House through an underground passage to a Grotto carved into a rock face. The girls’ quarters were located on the third floor of that cavern.
Even someone as spirited as Rubina found herself taken aback by the sight.
Their rooms were painted a clinical, stark white from floor to ceiling. As for furniture, there was only a single king-size bed, where the two presumably slept, and a lone, small sideboard.
Both pieces of furniture were also a uniform, blinding white.
“...Don’t you have anything else? Like dressers or closets?”
When Rubina reflexively asked the question, the two girls latched onto her words with intense interest.
“We don’t really know about things like that.”
“Rubina-chan, will you teach us?”
Being relied upon made Rubina feel important, so she readily accepted the task.
“Yeah, sure!”
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, as for the adults...
“So these are the Domes...”
They were currently touring the domes located within the Ruins. Originally, there had been three massive structures, each exceeding one hundred meters in diameter.
The cubic zirconia panels that once formed the domes were shattered, and most of the material had apparently been hauled away for repurposing, as very little of it remained.
The houses that once stood within the domes had been unable to withstand the passage of over ten thousand years and had long since collapsed into piles of rubble.
“I suppose there were many sites like this in the Nord Federation as well,” Marikka remarked.
Indeed, those were the types of locations where cubic zirconia was typically harvested.
Amanda had suggested calling for Rubina to join them, but Elder No. 700672, seeing how much fun Neige and Rouge were having with her, requested that the girl be left to her own devices.
“Mmm. The Masters preferred this lifestyle,” No. 700672 explained.
He described how the Progenitors had constructed these massive transparent domes, using light-shielding barriers and environmental controls to maintain a comfortable climate within. This allowed them to settle anywhere on the planet, from tropical jungles to frozen wastes.
“That structure was the model for the much smaller version over there,” the Elder added, pointing toward the small dome Jin had built.
“It has a lovely feel to it. It looks like it would be quite cozy when the weather is cold.”
Marikka, who hailed from the chilly Nord Federation, gazed at the dome with a hint of envy.
“Well then, allow me to guide you inside.”
Following Marikka’s comment, No. 700672 led the group—Marikka, Trihart and Susanne Randol, and Amanda—into the smaller dome.
Meanwhile, Jin and Reiko were lingering near the Grotto, still feeling a bit concerned about Rubina’s group.
However, they were merely watching from a discreet distance.
Much like a father secretly following his daughter on her first errand, Jin watched the three girls from behind a rock.
“(They’ve become quite close already... I suppose I can stop worrying...)”
“(Indeed, Father.)”
It seemed the trio was now heading to the Observation Room. They stepped into the elevator that had just been completed a few days ago. Since he couldn't exactly follow them inside without being spotted, Jin turned to Reiko.
“(Reiko, just to be safe, keep watch over them with the Peeping Telescope—the Peeper.)”
“(Understood, Father.)”
＊ ＊ ＊
“Whoa, what a view! Oh, look, there’s Grandma and the others.”
Rubina was in high spirits upon reaching the Observation Room, which sat at an altitude of fifty meters.
Since Neige and Rouge were already accustomed to the sight, they weren't quite as animated as their guest.
“I’m so jealous... this place is great.”
As Rubina spoke with genuine envy, Neige and Rouge offered her a warm welcome.
“You are welcome to visit whenever you like.”
“Uh-huh! We’re friends now, after all!”
Hearing this report from Reiko, Jin finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Deciding it was time to end his stalker-like surveillance, he quietly stepped out into the open with Reiko.
Just then, Elder No. 700672 arrived, leading Marikka, Trihart, Susanne, and Amanda to show them the Grotto.
“Ah, Jin-dono, so this is where you were.”
“Yes. I was a bit worried about Rubina, Neige, and Rouge, so I was watching over them.”
“My apologies for making you worry. So, how are they faring?”
“They’ve completely hit it off. They’re great friends now.”
“That is most excellent to hear.”
Elder No. 700672 chuckled happily.
Amanda also smiled, looking relieved.
“That girl has never been the shy type, ever since she was a little thing.”
＊ ＊ ＊
“The view from here is spectacular.”
Eventually, the entire group gathered in the Observation Room.
Rubina, Neige, and Rouge greeted the newcomers with bright smiles.
“Rubina, I see you’ve made some new friends.”
“Ah, Grandma! Yeah! I’m already friends with Rouge-chan and Neige-chan!”
“I see. Rouge-chan, Neige-chan, please look after my granddaughter.”
Amanda addressed the two girls with a kind expression.
“We will!”
“The pleasure is ours.”
The two replied cheerfully.
＊ ＊ ＊
As it was nearing midday, Jin guided the group back to the House for lunch.
Elder No. 700672 didn't keep a stock of food suitable for normal humans, nor did he have a kitchen.
I’ll have to stock up on ingredients for guests and install a proper kitchen here... I’ll also need at least one maid golem who knows how to cook, Jin mused.
“So this is your home, Jin-sama? It has such a tranquil atmosphere.”
“Oh, the house itself is exactly like the one on Hourai Island!”
“To think you have built all this already... I-it’s s-s-so amazing!”
“Is this actual ‘Japanese-style’ architecture...?”
“It looks like a very comfortable house to live in, doesn't it, Dear?”
These were the various reactions from Amanda, Rubina, Marikka, Trihart, and Susanne as they approached the building.
“Please, come in.”
Jin guided them into the living room. Everyone was already familiar with the custom of removing their shoes at the entrance.
“Welcome.”
“We have been expecting you.”
Since Jin had contacted them in advance, the Japanese-style maid automata, Tsukino and Hoshino, were standing by with lunch ready to be served.