Sap is a curious substance; it isn't simply stored inside a tree, but rather, it seems to be secreted for the first time only once the tree has been wounded.
According to experiments performed on lacquer trees, felling a tree and using a press to squeeze out moisture and sap yields far less than the traditional method of tapping. In other words, the most efficient way to collect sap is to wound the bark and gather the liquid as it seeps out.
"Searching one tree at a time like this will take far too long. Let's see if we can find more."
"Understood."
Jin and the others wounded the Pinacea tree they had found and tied a sap receiver to it before scouting the area for more.
They eventually discovered four more Pinacea trees around the meadow and set up receivers for those as well. Investigating further, they found the trees scattered sparingly throughout the region, so Jin summoned a Smith from Hourai Island to handle the labor of collecting the resin.
For now, the group took back only what they had gathered themselves as samples. They had managed to obtain about one cup's worth of raw magi-resin liquid.
"This should be enough to at least perform a verification experiment."
The time was 3:00 PM. By the time they returned to Jin Castle, the current lord, Eris Nido, would likely have arrived.
"Let's head back for now."
"Yes."
With their primary goal achieved, Jin and his companions made their way back to Jin Castle.
When the Seagull 1 touched down in front of Jin Castle, Eris Nido and her entourage were just arriving.
Village Chief Gaizak was also present, standing by to welcome the lord and her party.
"A new Magi Craft Meister, you say? It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Eris Nido."
Eris was an elderly woman with bright blonde hair that was beginning to turn silver.
"I'm Jin Nidou. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
"I am Marikka of the All-Creation."
"I am Greena Kuzuma."
"I am Rubina Garrett."
"Oh my, how very polite. So you go by the name Jin Nidou? And a member of the All-Creation clan as well? It is truly an honor to meet you."
Eris possessed an aura similar to Martha's, and her features bore the faint vestiges of both Elsa and Hanna.
"And you say your name is Kuzuma. Are you a relative of the count... no, the marquis, perhaps?"
It seemed Eris was well-versed in the history and members of the former Jin Family.
Just then, Reiko approached after finishing the task of securing the Seagull 1 in the hangar.
"This is Reiko. She is an automata."
"My name is Reiko."
"Oh, what a lovely girl. Reiko-chan... you have the same name as the Reiko-san who was the daughter of the Lady Predecessor."
"Well, about that..."
Jin struggled with how to explain the connection, but before he could find the words, a young man approached.
"Grandmother, I've finished putting the automobile away."
"Thank you, Freddie. Freddie, this is Jin-san, the Third Generation Magi Craft Meister, and his companions."
"I see. I'm Freddie Nido."
Freddie appeared to be around twenty years old, with the same blonde hair and blue eyes as Eris.
Once Marikka and the others had introduced themselves, Butler B and Butler C, the caretakers of Jin Castle, arrived.
"Welcome, Eris-sama."
"Jin-sama, this way, please."
Butler B attended to Eris's party while Butler C guided Jin and his group inside the castle.
A short while later, Jin and the others were talking in their private guest room.
"So that's the current lord."
"She reminded me of Elsa-san in some way," Marikka noted.
"Yeah," Jin agreed.
"But that grandson, Freddie... he seemed to be glaring at us," Marikka continued.
Reiko nodded in agreement. "Yes. He was definitely glaring at Father."
"I have no idea why," Jin said. "It's the first time we've ever met."
"Oh, who cares? It's not like we'll be staying long," Rubina said lightheartedly.
"I don't think it'll be quite that simple," Jin countered, turning to Rubina to explain. "We have to consider how we're going to justify our unrestricted use of the facilities here at Jin Castle—not to mention the Warp Gate."
"Ah, right."
"I suppose I could just declare that as the Third Generation Magi Craft Meister, I have the right to use these facilities, but..."
"What's wrong with that?"
Rubina was exceptionally gifted when it came to engineering ideas, but she was still a child when it came to the nuances of social politics. Jin himself wasn't exactly an expert in that field, either.
"They'll likely ask all sorts of questions about our background and where we came from."
To Eris, Jin and his group were people who might share a distant common ancestor. Greena had even introduced herself using the Kuzuma name. It would be stranger if the lord wasn't curious.
"If we can get a better sense of their personalities, we might have a better idea of how to handle things."
As they were talking, there was a knock at the door.
"Excuse me."
It was Butler C.
"Dinner is nearly ready. Eris-sama has requested the pleasure of your company for the evening meal, if you are willing."
After a brief moment of thought, Jin replied that they would be happy to join her.
"Forgive me for imposing on you like this," Eris said the moment she met them in the dining hall.
"No, please, think nothing of it," Marikka replied instead of Jin. To a casual observer, the two of them looked to be roughly the same age.
On the other hand, Freddie remained hostile.
"...Why is someone like you the Third Generation?" he muttered, glaring at Jin.
(Ah, so that's it.)
Jin could understand the sentiment. However, since he was actually the Second Generation himself rather than the Third, he didn't quite know how to respond to such a question.
"...Dammit... why don't I have any talent for magi-craft...?" Freddie muttered bitterly.
(I see. So he's frustrated because he couldn't become a Magi Craft Meister himself.)
As the successor of the Nido family, that lack of talent must be a heavy burden. Jin felt a small pang of sympathy for the young man.
(In that case, would it be better to tell him I'm actually the Second Generation? If he knew that no one could become the Meister as long as I'm around, maybe he wouldn't feel so bad... then again, would that really help someone who's already hurting?)
As Jin looked up to get a better look at the young man, a realization struck him.
(Wait... isn't Freddie...?)
Before he could confirm his suspicion, Greena's voice rang out in irritation.
"That is quite enough!"