Dinner was brought to their room that evening. The taste was impeccable, leaving no room for complaint.
“Well, things have certainly become complicated,” Jin mused. He gave a wry smile, thinking about how human society was often teeming with schemers and shadows.
“Regarding that, Shin-sama.”
Because of the persona they had established, Lise was required to address Jin as “Shin” until he officially released her from the role.
“This is merely a hypothesis, but I suspect the late Previous Wife served as a ‘safety valve’ for the Marquis.”
“Ah, I see.”
It made sense to Jin now. That would explain why the Mana Overload Syndrome had only recently flared up.
“Furthermore—though this is even more speculative—there is a high probability that the children have inherited the potential for Mana Overload Syndrome as well.”
“Yeah, that’s a fair point.”
While it was currently only a possibility, the likelihood of onset was far greater for them than for children born to parents without the condition.
“Everything hinges on tomorrow. If the Marquis’s condition improves, they’ll be more likely to trust our words. We’ll know everything then.”
“Understood.”
At that point, Reiko spoke up with a suggestion.
“Father, in case anything should happen to the Marquis, I intend to keep watch over him tonight using the Peeping Telescope (Peeper).”
“Ah, that’s a good idea. That would be a huge help.”
It would allow them to respond immediately if his condition took a turn for the worse. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that everyone within the estate looked favorably upon the Marquis’s recovery.
“It doesn’t look like we’ll be allowed out of the room anyway, so let’s call it a night.”
The time was 8:30 PM, but considering the two-hour and forty-five-minute time difference from Hourai Island, it was already 11:15 PM there.
Leaving the monitoring duties to Reiko, Jin went to rest for the time being.
“Ah, is it morning already?”
Since the room lacked windows, Jin couldn’t tell the exact time, but he felt as though he had woken up at his usual hour.
“Good morning, Father. It is nearly 6:00 AM. I have kept watch throughout the night, and the Marquis’s condition remains stable.”
“I see. Good work, Reiko. You can stand down now.”
After thanking Reiko, Jin went into the adjoining washroom to rinse his mouth and wash his face.
Breakfast was served at 8:00 AM. Whether it was the standard for the Marquis’s household or a schedule designed to accommodate the bedridden lord, it was quite late for Jin. The delay left him feeling rather famished.
They were just finishing their post-meal Te-e when a knock came at the door.
When Reiko opened it, the Marquis’s wife, Anna Gem Kuzuma, was standing there accompanied by the maid golem Merine.
“Good morning, Shin-sama. I hope you were able to rest well?”
“Yes, I rested quite well, thank you.”
“I am very glad to hear it. My husband’s condition has improved remarkably. Now, Ques won’t have another word to say!”
“That is wonderful news.”
In truth, Reiko had already confirmed Marquis Kuzuma’s recovery via the Peeping Telescope (Peeper), but Jin played along to maintain their cover.
“My husband says he wishes to thank you in person, Shin-sama. Would you be willing to come to his chambers?”
“Yes, right away.”
After making brief preparations, Jin and the others followed the Madam toward the Marquis’s bedroom.
The doors were flung wide open today, and neither the maid golems nor the security golems were in sight.
“Dear, I have brought Shin-sama and his party.”
“Oh, excellent. Shin-dono, Lise-dono, thanks to you, I am feeling much better, as you can see. You have my profound gratitude.”
The Marquis welcomed them, his complexion incomparably better than the day before. Even his voice had regained its vigor.
“I am delighted to see your recovery,” Jin said, offering his formal congratulations.
“Indeed, thank you. Though I know I owe it all to you.”
A smile, which had been entirely absent yesterday, now brightened the Marquis’s face.
“If you don’t mind, could you let Lise examine you one more time? Just to be certain,” Jin requested.
The Marquis nodded readily. “I would actually prefer that.”
Lise performed sterilization on her hands before taking the Marquis’s hand to check his pulse. Next, she placed a hand on his forehead to sense the mana flow throughout his body.
“It has returned almost entirely to normal. However, your internal organs still seem slightly weakened, so I shall provide some invigoration. Healing.”
“...Oh! My body, which still felt somewhat heavy, has become light! I thank you.”
“No, it was my pleasure.”
Lise stepped back and performed sterilization on her hands once more, concluding the examination and treatment.
“Since you have been bedridden for so long, your muscle strength has diminished. I recommend moderate meals and light exercise.”
The Marquis nodded. “Yes, I imagine so. I shall begin little by little.”
At that moment, the steward Question, who had been standing in the corner of the room, approached Jin and the others and bowed deeply.
“Shin-sama, Reko-sama, Lise-sama, I was inexcusably rude yesterday. Please, forgive me.”
Question offered a sincere apology for his earlier distrust. He spoke with such intensity that he seemed ready to perform a dogeza right then and there.
“Please, don't worry about it. I’m sure you were only acting out of concern for the Marquis.”
When Jin assured him he didn't mind, Question bowed deeply once more. “Thank you very much.”
“By the way, there is something I must discuss with you.”
Once the atmosphere had settled, Jin decided to explain the concerns he had reached the previous day.
“Regarding the Mana Overload Syndrome—there is a possibility that this condition has been inherited by your children. I strongly recommend having them examined as soon as possible.”
Mana Overload Syndrome tends to become severe as the body matures, so it often doesn't manifest clearly during childhood. It was the same for Elsa until she was nearly ten years old.
“Wh-what...?”
“That can’t be...”
The Marquis and his wife turned pale at the suggestion that his chronic condition might have been passed down to their daughters.
“However, it is manageable if dealt with early. For instance, with accessories that can absorb surplus mana.”
This was the symptomatic treatment Jin had devised for Elsa years ago.
“What did you say? Is such a thing truly possible?!”
“Yes.”
Hearing that, the color returned to the faces of the Marquis and his wife.
“I—I will bring my daughters here at once!”
The Madam had already planned to bring them in anyway now that her husband was healed; leaving only those words, she hurried out of the room.
“Shin-dono, are you perhaps a magi craftsman?”
“Yes, that’s right. Though it might be more accurate to call myself a magi-engineer.”
“I see. So you are from the Empire. That explains why Lise-dono refers to herself as an arzt.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Sion-sama certainly has some remarkable acquaintances...”
“Do you know Sion?”
“Indeed....I see, you are close enough to refer to Sion without honorifics. I stand corrected.”
Jin thought “Ah,” but it was too late. He had accidentally given himself away—the Marquis had realized they were far more than just a wandering magi-engineer and an arzt.
(Well, it's not like it'll cause any real trouble.)
At that moment, the door to the room opened, and the Marquis’s wife returned, leading their three daughters into the room.