Lise led Jin outside of Marikka's room and spoke to him.
"Marikka-sama's condition is not good."
"What did you say?!"
Shock ran through Jin. For Lise to go that far meant...
"Even with 'Heilverfahren' and 'Healing', it is merely a measure to prolong her life."
"..."
"Originally, this method was developed by Elsa-sama for the elderly Jin-sama... the Master from four hundred years ago."
"..."
"At first, the effects last for a day or two, but the duration gradually shortens."
"..."
In short, it was merely an attempt to forcefully stretch out a life span that was nearing its end, Lise concluded.
"...But Marikka isn't at that age yet..."
Just as the words left his mouth, Jin reconsidered, realizing that no one could truly know the span of a person's life.
"Then what are we supposed to do...?!"
"The Master from four hundred years ago said, 'This is the destiny of living beings.'"
"..."
Yet to the current Jin, that brought no comfort. He figured he had only been able to utter those words because he was far older back then than he was now.
"...It's harder on those left behind than on the one who departs."
As someone standing on the side of being left behind, he couldn't bring himself to mouth such enlightened platitudes.
"Besides..."
Jin remembered No. 700672.
"The Elder was worried about this as well, wasn't he?"
Master Loss Syndrome. Servants like him took the passing of their masters with exceptional severity.
"I have to prevent the Elder from breaking down, no matter what."
But how?
"...I need to get to the Elder right away."
With that decided, Jin spoke up.
"Marikka seems to have perked up, so I'll head back for now. I left Rubina and the others on Hourai Island."
Saying that, he stepped out of Marikka's house.
Then, using a Warp Gate, he traveled to Planet Hehl by way of Hourai Island.
"Oh, Jin-dono, welcome."
The Elder, No. 700672, appeared to be thoroughly enjoying his life on Planet Hehl. However, noticing Jin's grim demeanor, he asked,
"Jin-dono, did something happen?"
"Yes, actually..."
Jin explained Marikka's condition.
"...I see."
Though Jin had braced for panic, No. 700672 remained composed.
"I knew such a day would come eventually."
Indeed, the Elder had mentioned the subject of a homunculus a short while ago, Jin recalled.
"I have considered many things....Even to the point of wondering whether memories and personality even mattered, so long as it was a duplication of Marikka-sama."
"That's..."
Just as Jin tried to interject, the Elder raised a hand to stop him.
"...However, I do not wish to do that. The Marikka-sama whom I chose as my new Master is who she is because of everything—her memories, her experiences, all of it. She is by no means an existence defined merely by a matching magic pattern. Nor should she ever be."
The Elder offered a faint, self-deprecating smile at how illogical his thinking had become.
"No, I don't think that's wrong at all. I feel like I understand how you feel."
"Is that so? Thank you, Jin-dono."
"So, have you reached a decision?"
"Yes....If Marikka-sama will permit it, I wish for her to continue living as a homunculus."
"I see....I'll respect that choice."
"Thank you....In that case, I have one favor to ask of you, Jin-dono."
"What is it?"
"Your brain... Laojun-dono, was it? I would like to exchange various pieces of information with Laojun-dono."
Jin interpreted this to mean he wanted to delve as deeply as possible into the technical intricacies required to create a homunculus.
"I believe this will prove beneficial for you as well, Jin-dono."
"That's true."
Should Jin ever decide to create a homunculus in the future, the knowledge would be invaluable.
Without delay, Jin set up a direct hotline between Laojun and the Elder.
"You have my gratitude."
"Likewise... Please, take good care of Marikka."
A homunculus was essentially ageless, but not immortal.
In the far, distant future, if one grew weary of existence, one could always choose to fade away.
Wondering how he himself would face such an end, Jin returned to Hourai Island.
"Welcome home, My Lord."
"Laojun, are you currently in discussions with the Elder?"
"Yes. They are underway as we speak."
With Laojun's immense processing power, reporting to Jin while conferring with No. 700672 was effortless.
"I'm counting on you."
"Understood, My Lord....On that note, I have a request for you, My Lord."
For Laojun to make a "request" of Jin was exceedingly rare. Normally, it phrased things as a "desire" or a "proposal."
"Sure, let's hear it."
"Thank you very much....Until everything is concluded, would you grant me full authority over this matter?"
"What?"
Granting full authority was tantamount to asking Jin not to inquire about the process until it was finished, leaving Laojun and the Elder to proceed entirely on their own.
"Could you tell me your reason, just so I understand?"
"Of course....I believe that you harbor complicated feelings regarding the duplication of living beings—feelings bordering on a taboo, My Lord."
It wanted to spare him as much emotional strain as possible.
"I see..."
Jin understood Laojun's consideration, and since there was likely nothing he could contribute to the homunculus's creation anyway, he decided to heed the advice.
"All right. I leave it in your hands, Laojun."
"Thank you very much."
With that settled, Jin approached Rubina and the others under the pretext of taking a leisure trip to the Nord Federation.
"To Sion-sama and Marikka-sama's place?! I'm in!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Rubina jumped at the idea. Naturally, Freddie and Greena were just as eager.
Furthermore, when Jin casually extended the invitation to Onogoro Island, Natalia, Sireen, Eugene, Florence, Trihart, Susanne, and the rest all voiced their desire to pay Marikka a visit as well.
It was a testament to just how widely beloved Marikka truly was.
"My goodness, I only felt a little under the weather, yet all of you came to see me."
Although Marikka's eyes went wide at the unexpected influx of visitors, her delight was unmistakable.
And for quite some time afterward, the All-Creation clan territory was filled with lively warmth.