It was Jin's first morning in Kaina Village in a long time.

"Ah, I miss the smell."

The smell of blue wheat fields. The smell of cooking in the houses. The smell of trees. The smell of the wind. Jin breathed them in, filling his lungs with them.

After breakfast at Martha's house, Jin said what he had decided yesterday.

"I'm going to drop Elsa off and go back to the institute.

Hannah was the first to react.

"Onii-chan, are you leaving ......?"

Jin, thinking that she might say so, quickly added, "Hannah is coming with me.

"Would you like to come with me, Hannah?"

Hearing this, Hannah jumped up and down.

"Oh, really?　You're taking me to your house?

"Yes, if Martha says yes.

Before she could finish her sentence, Hannah gasped for air and begged Martha to take her home.

"Hey, hey, Grandma!　Can I go to your house, Grandma?"

Martha giggled,

"Yes, of course. But don't bother Jin, okay?"

"Yes!　I'll do whatever you say, Onii-chan!

And so, they were going back to Horai Island with Hannah.

"Well then, Hannah, I'm sorry, but could you keep her blindfolded until we get there?

"Yes, sure!"

Jin's suggestion was made out of concern for Hannah's safety, as he knew that if anyone knew how she had gotten there, they might start to pry into her affairs.

Jin carried a blindfolded Hanna on his back. That alone seemed to make Hannah happy,

"I'm looking forward to seeing my grandma's house. I'm looking forward to it!

She was so excited to be on Jin's back. Erza, who was walking beside Hannah, was also looking at her with narrowed eyes.

In the meantime, they left the boundary of the village and came to a shelter with a warp gate.

"This is where I should have come from. But I couldn't find where I came from.

Erza said and explained how the day went. Jin replied apologetically.

"Yeah, well, there are layers and layers of wards to prevent anyone from accidentally wandering in.

"Is that so?"

Yes. Wards to hide the entrances. Wards to keep out intruders. Wards that make it undetectable by magic. It doesn't work when you get out from inside, though."

Erza tilts her head at Jin's explanation,

"But then my brother Jin can't get in either.

Jin explains it to her. Jin explained that too.

"My magic pattern is different. The patterns of magic are so different that no two people are the same. That's why only I and the golems and automata I created can use them.

With these words, Jin reached out his hand to a seemingly empty space and opened a door.

Erza, however, did not see it. The magic power in the brooch was not enough. Jin then grabs Elsa's hand.

"Ah!"

It is a word uttered in surprise.

It is because the moment Jin grabs her hand, an open door appears in front of her eyes. The door she had emerged from the day before yesterday. The door to return home that she had searched and searched but could not find.

"Come on, let's go home."

Jin said, pulling Elsa by the hand and leading her through the door to the shelter. Reiko follows. And although not visible, Hanna's dedicated covert task force (SP), Iris and Azalea, also followed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The group first entered Horai Island through the warp gate, and then immediately jumped to Kunlun Island.

Once outside, Jin took off Hannah's blindfold. Hannah, who had been silent ever since they approached the shelter, opened her mouth again.

"Wow!　Is this your home?"

"Yes, it is. I won't tell you how I got here. Okay?　And don't tell anyone but Martha, okay?　If you promise, I'll keep bringing you here."

"Yes!　I promise!　I won't tell anyone!　It's a secret between you and me!"

Hannah promised happily.

"Erza!　Jin-sama!"

Then Meane came running out. She must have been worried about Erza.

"Who is it?"

Hannah wondered.

"I'm Erza's mother."

Hanna was surprised when Jin told her.

"What?　So you're her mother?

No, Erza and I are step-siblings, so we're not related. That's why Meane is Erza's only mother.

"Hmm. ......"

Hannah nodded her head and looked at Erza and Meene who was hugging Erza.

Meine was talking to Elsa about something, but then turned to Hanna and said, "Hanna-chan, Hanna-chan,

Hannah-chan, right?　I'm Meine. I'm Erza's mother. My Elsa has been very kind to you, thank you very much.

She bowed lightly. Hannah blushed a little,

"You're welcome.

Hannah blushed a little and replied, "You're welcome.

I'll be back in an hour or two.

When Jin said this in front of the building, Meane opened her mouth.

"Jin-sama, I'm sorry for the trouble Erza has caused you. I'll take care of Hannah-chan myself."

Jin, who had been planning to ask Reiko for help, thought it was a good opportunity,

"Then can you take care of her?"

He asked Meane to take care of Hanna. And to Hanna..,

"Hannah, I'm sorry, but I'm going to work a little bit.

She said with a worried look on her face. Meane looked at Jin with a curious look on her face.

Hannah, who was the one who was told to do so, said

"Yes!　I'll be fine!　I'm waiting for you!

she answered cheerfully. Jin was relieved.

"Jin, don't worry. I'm here for you.

Erza also assured him of this, and Jin returned to Horai Island with peace of mind.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

"The Kingdom of Cerroa is pushing the Kingdom of Egelea's army.

"The Royal Army of Franz is overwhelming the Royal Army of Klein.

Information from the battlefield.

It's just as we planned.

Then another voice echoes. It seems to be a means of communication similar to the manacam.

<

"Oh, Elena. Is there something wrong?"

"Yes?　Who is it?

"What?　The MagiCraftsman whom Marcello once claimed to have secured?"

<

"Hmm. And Donald was there as well?

<

"Then could you try to meet him somehow, Elena?"

<

<>

"I'll leave that decision to Elena. If you think she's worth it, take her. If not, delete ......."

<<