On May 29, Jin and his party departed from Avalon.
"Jin-dono, Marikka-sama, Freddie-dono, Greena-dono, Rubina-dono, thank you for everything."
Tomax Bartman, who had come to see them off, shook hands with each member of the group.
"Please visit us again."
"Yes, before long."
With their farewells spoken, Jin and the others boarded the craft.
Piloted by Hope, the Hurricane took to the skies.
"First, we head north. Off to the Nord Federation."
"Yes, Father."
Along with escorting Marikka home, they were going to pay their respects to Sion and the others.
The Hurricane cruised smoothly through the air at four hundred kilometers per hour.
"Ah, right below us is Kaina Village!"
"Oh, you're right."
Prompted by Rubina, Freddie looked down as well.
The entire village happened to be out in the fields, working together to harvest the wheat.
(What a nostalgic sight...)
Jin found himself gazing down at the scene, utterly captivated.
In just under three hours, the Hurricane arrived in the Nord Federation, touching down in the clan territory of All-Creation.
"Welcome home, Marikka. Jin, it's been a while....Let's see, you must be Rubina, Greena, and Freddie, right?"
"Yes, my name is Freddie."
It seemed Sion had already heard about Jin's descendant and the next head of the Nido family in Kaina Village.
"My, my, Jin-sama, welcome."
Sion's mother and expert in agriculture, Rolona, also came out to greet them.
She had to be well over six hundred years old by now, yet she remained remarkably sprightly. Jin wondered if it was because she lived in such harmony with the earth.
The seven of them—Jin, Freddie, Greena, Rubina, Sion, Rolona, and Marikka—sat down together for lunch.
"These are freshly harvested new topopo, you know."
"Delicious!"
Rubina munched happily through her portion.
"Yeah, it really is good."
"It's very tasty."
The Meat-Topopo made with the small-class new topopo had a wonderful flavor, and the topopo salad was equally delightful.
"Please, have some of this too."
The plain croquettes made from the new topopo were absolutely exquisite.
Of course, beyond the new topopo dishes, fried white fish, bacon and eggs, and freshly baked bread were served as well.
"Thank you for the meal."
Everyone was thoroughly satisfied.
However, only Marikka had left a little food on her plate.
"Oh dear, Marikka-chan, was it not to your liking?" Rolona asked. To her, it seemed Marikka would always be "Marikka-chan."
"No, Rolona-san, it's not that. I just don't have much of an appetite."
"Oh my... that's concerning," Sion added, looking worried.
"Marikka, what about healing magic? Have you tried that?"
"Yes. But it didn't do very much."
"I see..."
"I think I'm just a bit overtired. Once I get some rest here in my hometown, I'm sure I'll be fine."
"Are you certain? You mustn't push yourself, alright?"
"Yes."
"..."
Troubled by Marikka's condition, Jin escorted Freddie, Rubina, and Greena back to Hourai Island, then took Reiko and the healer automaton Lise through the Warp Gate to visit the clan territory of All-Creation once again.
"Sion, thanks again for earlier. How is Marikka doing?"
"Well, she went back to her house."
When Jin mentioned that he wanted to check on her, Sion tagged along, saying she was worried too.
Marikka's house stood right next door to Sion's manor.
"Welcome, Sion-sama, Jin-sama, Reiko-san, and honored companion."
They were greeted by Hanako, the automaton crafted by Marikka.
"Where is Marikka?" Sion asked.
"She is resting in her room."
"May we come in?"
"I will go ask her right away."
Hanako hurried to the back and returned almost immediately.
"Everyone, please come in."
"Thank you."
Led by Hanako, they made their way to Marikka's bedroom.
"Marikka-sama, our guests have arrived."
"Thank you, Hanako."
There, they found Marikka resting comfortably in casual loungewear.
"You looked like you weren't feeling well, so I brought Lise along."
"Jin-sama, thank you so much for going out of your way."
They decided to examine her right away.
As Marikka lay on the bed, Lise cast Diagnose on her. Over and over again.
"...How is she, Lise?"
"Yes. Marikka-sama is suffering from general, systemic cellular fatigue."
"And the treatment?"
"I will cast Heilverfahren and Heilung simultaneously."
By combining internal healing magic and surgical healing magic, the body's cells throughout the entire system would be revitalized.
It was a treatment method discovered by Elsa.
"Heilverfahren. Heilung."
A faint light of healing magic enveloped Marikka...
"Ah, I feel so much better. Jin-sama, thank you."
"Marikka, what a relief....You're twenty years younger than me, you know, so you have to stay healthy and energetic for a long time yet."
"Hehe, Sion-san, you're right."
Seeing Marikka recover brought a bright smile back to Sion's face.
Jin felt relieved as well.
Just then.
"Master, a moment, please."
"Hm?"
Lise called out to Jin.