Since they were heading to Reinhard's former territory in the Shouro Empire, Jin asked Laojun for some preliminary information.
"...So, how is Reinhard's family... House Randol doing these days? And what about Saki's family home, House Theoderic?"
"Yes, My Lord. Both lineages continue to this day," Laojun answered.
"Elsa-sama's House Randol is also still extant."
"Oh."
Laojun anticipated Jin's questions and provided the explanations beforehand. Dependable as ever.
"Four hundred years ago, after My Lord's return, Moritz-sama married and fathered one son and one daughter."
"...Nn, yes. Moritz-niisama seemed very happy about it, apparently."
Elsa had also been informed of those matters as general knowledge.
"As for House Theoderic, Karen-sama took a husband into the family and gave birth to two sons and three daughters."
"H-Huh..."
That was slightly beyond his imagination.
In Jin's memories, Karen was still a girl of seventeen or eighteen, making it hard to picture her as a mother of five children.
"Reinhard-sama's family home continues on as a count's household."
"I see."
"Finally, regarding Reinhard-sama's direct lineage, as you know, the direct line evacuated to Onogoro Island during the Magic Federation Rebellion."
"Ah, right."
"Yes, I've heard about that."
"However, members of a branch house with low magi-craft aptitude remained behind, succeeded House Randol as it was, and continue to this day."
That gave them a general understanding of the situation.
Jin and the others figured they could ask around for more detailed information once they arrived.
"In that case, we should take the Hurricane to somewhere near Ekishi, and head from there to Kalts Village... wait, no, Kalts Town."
After that, if they went to the town of Mahahama, they would be able to check on the situation of the marquis's household.
They arrived at the town of Ekishi around 10:00 a.m. local time. With a time difference of about five hours and twenty-five minutes from Hourai Island, staving off jet lag would take a bit of effort.
"Basically, we just need to operate on Hourai Island Time."
If push came to shove... when it was time to sleep, they could simply return to Hourai Island through a Warp Gate and get some rest.
Thinking of it that way made things easier.
On the outskirts of Ekishi, fairly close to Lake Tosmo, there was a small airfield where they were able to land the Hurricane.
However, this was a small airfield lacking even a control tower, so there were no hangars or storehouses capable of housing the Hurricane.
Therefore, Jin and the others disembarked, and he instructed Hope to keep the Hurricane on standby high up in the sky.
They could summon it whenever needed using their Fellowship Bracelets or the manacam built into Reiko.
"Now then, how should we get from here to Kalts Village... no, Town?"
"Please allow me to guide you."
"Oh, you're from the Quinta, right?"
"Yes. Regulus 3, 'Tsiq,' at your service."
Tsiq looked every bit the countryside farmer. Brown hair, brown eyes, and a sun-tanned face.
His attire was typical farmer style, looking very much like denim overalls.
"I am in charge of the area surrounding Kalts Town."
"I see. We'll be in your care."
With that, they had Tsiq act as their guide.
"Let us proceed by automobile."
To their surprise, Tsiq owned a Golem automobile. While Jin and the others were astonished by that fact,
"In the current Empire, the adoption rate of automobiles is higher than in other nations," they were told.
"That is likely because the influence of the Magic Federation was smaller here compared to other countries."
"I see."
"That is wonderful news, Dear."
"Yeah, it really is."
The remarks came from Jin, Berche, and Reinhard, in that order.
The group boarded Tsiq's Golem automobile.
"Um, it was Tsiq, right? Do you know anything about House Theoderic?" Saki asked as they rode in the automobile. She seemed curious after all.
Tsiq then gave a brief explanation.
"Yes, Saki-sama. The head of House Theoderic is Marquis Theobald Theoderic von Grain. He turns forty this year. He seems to be a good lord."
"Hmm, I see. As long as he's a good lord, that's fine. We can ask around for the rest ourselves."
Reinhard then asked a similar question.
"Do you know anything about our head House Randol?"
"Yes, Reinhard-sama....The current head of House Randol, the head house, is Count Bernhard Randol von Glasses. He is fifty-five years of age this year."
"I see. And what is the name of my descendant?"
"Yes. He is Count Kreihart Randol von Cristas. He is twenty-six years old this year."
That meant he was around the same age as Reinhard was now.
"Got it. Thank you."
"Not at all."
They needed to at least know the names, or it would be far too unnatural when asking around.
Not even knowing the names of the people they were inquiring about would simply be too suspicious.
Jin's group drove along the highway in the Golem automobile.
Beside Tsiq sat Saki, behind them were Jin and Elsa. Reiko was on Jin's lap, flanked by Reinhard and Berche.
Orchards, vegetable gardens, wheat fields, and paddy fields rolled past.
Being close to Lake Tosmo, irrigation was favorable, allowing paddy fields to be cultivated as well.
Furthermore, as it was a main highway, they occasionally passed horse-drawn carriages and Golem automobiles, but the road was wide enough that it did not impede their progress at all.
"We're seeing quite a few Golem automobiles."
"Nn, more than I expected."
Golem automobiles were running alongside horse-drawn carriages at a ratio of roughly one Golem automobile for every three carriages.
Jin was inwardly delighted that a quarter of the traffic consisted of Golem automobiles.
"As expected of a place close to Reinhard's territory."
"Yeah, it makes me feel a little proud, too."
"Isn't that wonderful, Dear?"
"Kufu, indeed, it truly lives up to being the territory of Reinhard's descendants."
While exchanging such remarks, they swayed along with the car's motion until,
"We will be arriving shortly," Tsiq announced.
"Oh, is that so?"
The scenery had not changed much.
It seemed careful consideration had been given to preserving the natural landscape along the highway.
And then.
"Ohh..."
What appeared before their eyes was an aged, yet unmistakable, Rankenhaus.