The Rankenhaus—the mansion where Reinhard had resided during his days as the local lord.
Built from red granite, it was a sturdy, two-story structure.
Even after four hundred years—or roughly three hundred and thirty from Reinhard's personal perspective—it still stood resolutely upon the land.
"Hmm, the effects of Toughening, Hardening, and Stabilize are still lingering quite nicely."
Reinhard's voice held a note of clear delight as he murmured.
The effects of reinforcement magic were not permanent.
In principle, they utilized a "mesh of free ether" to make the target object's molecular structure resistant to change. However, ambient free ether was also constantly flitting through the surrounding space. As those drifting particles collided with the magical mesh, it gradually degraded over time, causing the enchantment to eventually lose its potency.
Naturally, the duration also depended on the caster's skill and the spell's initial strength.
Judging by the current state of the Rankenhaus, Jin and Reinhard deduced that a rather exceptional magi engineer must have refreshed the enchantments roughly two centuries ago.
"It appears that building over there is currently serving as the main house."
Following the direction indicated by Quinta Regulus 3, "Tsiq," they saw a separate building with fresher-colored stonework. This one was free of ivy.
"I see."
"The old mansion is opened to the public a few days a year as a memorial hall. Today happens to be an open day. Would you like to take a look inside?"
"Well, shall we go have a look?"
"That sounds wonderful, Dear."
With both Reinhard and his wife eager to visit, the party decided to tour the Rankenhaus.
Leaving the Golem automobile in the parking area, Jin and the others headed toward the Rankenhaus on foot.
"You will need to sign in upon entry, so the three of you should decide on aliases."
The "three" naturally referred to Reinhard, Berche, and Saki.
"Aliases, huh..."
Reinhard, Berche, Saki, and Elsa. While each of those names existed in the modern era and seeing one on its own could easily be dismissed as a coincidence, having all four gathered together—especially in Jin's company—would look extraordinarily suspicious.
"In that case, I'll go by Haruto."
Since there was apparently no need to provide family names, they opted for pseudonyms using only their given names.
"I shall go by Bell."
"Hmm, let's see. I think I'll go with... Bach."
"I'll be El."
As for Jin and Reiko, Tsiq advised that since they had already been using their real names throughout this world and their reputations were steadily spreading, adopting aliases at this late stage might actually invite unwanted complications.
"I believe that will be fine."
Jin and the others took comfort in knowing that Tsiq's judgment carried Laojun's full backing.
"We'd like to take the tour, please."
The grounds of the Rankenhaus were simply cordoned off with stakes and ropes, with a golem receptionist stationed by the entrance.
"Understood. Please write your names down here."
At the reception desk, the group signed the register one by one:
Jin, Reiko, El, Haruto, Bell, Bach, Tsiq.
Judging by the logbook, there were currently no other visitors on the premises.
"Very well, please proceed. Taking any items out of the building is strictly prohibited."
"Understood."
Jin replied on behalf of the group, and their tour finally got underway.
"I am so looking forward to this."
"It's really exciting."
Neither Reinhard nor Berche knew anything about what had transpired after their deaths, leaving them brimming with curiosity.
"The entrance hall hasn't changed at all."
"Yeah."
This Rankenhaus had already been standing when Reinhard first received Kalts Village as his personal domain.
It had been severely dilapidated back then, but Jin had summoned the Smiths and Golem Maids from Hourai Island to thoroughly renovate it.
"As expected of the craftsmanship of Jin's subordinates."
Back then, the Smiths had repaired damaged walls, creaking floorboards, broken staircases, holes in the ceiling, and more.
Every bit of it remained solid and sturdy, looking as though the repairs had been finished just yesterday.
"Shall we head to the office first?"
Climbing the stairs, they made their way to the south-facing room at the center of the second floor.
"Oh, it's barely changed."
The dignified executive desk was a piece he had crafted himself in his later years—a detail he knew through his transferred memories.
The bookshelves behind it were lined with reference volumes from that era.
Naturally, he had no recollection of the materials added later on.
"I wonder... is it all right to open the drawers?"
Reinhard checked with a security golem that happened to pass by on patrol.
"As long as you are only looking inside, that is permitted."
With permission granted, Reinhard opened several of the drawers.
Inside lay stationery items he had presumably used in his past life, including pens and rulers.
Among them was a penholder he had particularly favored, prompting Reinhard to narrow his eyes in fond nostalgia.
"Next should be the living quarters, I suppose."
The eastern wing of the second floor housed the couple's private quarters. It consisted of three modest, adjoining rooms: a sitting room, a bedroom, and a nursery.
Having the transferred memories of their beloved daughter, Juliana, the two exchanged quiet murmurs.
"Juliana used to sleep here, didn't she?"
"Yes, she did, Dear."
"The guest rooms seem to have changed quite a bit."
The western side of the second floor contained the guest rooms. Saki and Jin had stayed there on numerous occasions in the past.
"Ah, this futon might actually be from back then."
"Mm, how nostalgic."
It was one of the pieces of bedding Elsa and Jin had crafted together when the couple first moved into the mansion.
"Kufu, magisilk really does last an eternity, doesn't it?" Saki remarked, visibly impressed.
"I would love to see the kitchen," Berche requested, prompting the group to head back downstairs. The kitchen was situated at the far western end of the ground floor.
"Oh my, it has changed a little."
Several of the kitchen utensils whose arrangements Berche had decided herself had either shifted positions or been replaced entirely.
"Well, a space like this naturally reflects whoever is using it."
"I suppose you are right..."
And the workshop, another room shaped entirely by its occupant...
"Ah... this has changed considerably..."
...turned out to be completely different.
"It can't be helped for a workshop, right? As different people use it, things are bound to change," Jin offered consolingly.
"Well, that's true, but still..."
Reinhard understood that rationally, yet he couldn't help feeling a quiet pang of loneliness seeing that it had become a place he no longer recognized.
Afterward, the party spent another two hours exploring various corners of the estate.
"It was an unplanned detour, but I'm truly glad we came," Reinhard murmured with deep satisfaction as they stepped out of the Rankenhaus.
"Yes, truly."
"What should we do now?"
Since they had no intention of meeting the current lord, Jin noted that there wasn't much reason to linger here any longer.
"Good point... If we want to gauge the lord's reputation, we don't necessarily have to do it on the estate grounds."
Following a brief discussion, the group decided to move on.