"Happy New Year, Rubina, Shu."

"Happy New Year, Jin-sama, Erza-sama, Reiko.

"Happy New Year, Jin-sama, Erza-sama, Reiko."

After exchanging greetings with Rubina and the others, Jin and the others went downstairs.

There they found the toso and sechis (traditional Japanese food for the New Year), and zoni (a kind of stew for the New Year) all ready to be served.

But it is not just a sake, but a medicinal wine made from a herb called "tosozan".

Jin, as expected, does not know the contents of herbal medicines, so he drinks ordinary sake.

However, Rubina, a minor who will turn 13 this year, drinks kelp tea.

By the way, Grina was 19 years old when we met, but this year she is 22 years old and has passed the age of adulthood recognized by Jin.

As the name suggests, osechi is a dish for <, but it has become a common dish for the New Year's holidays.

Incidentally, is also held four times a year in the sense of dividing the seasons, but the February Setsubun has taken root in the sense of the coming of spring and the purification of evil spirits.

In addition, <> are called gosekku (five seasonal festivals): Nanakusa on January 7, Momo-no-sekku on March 3, Shobu-no-sekku on May 5, Tanabata on July 7, and Chrysanthemum Festival on September 9.

（The official names of these festivals are, in order, Jinjitsu, Joushi, Tango, Shichiseki, and Chou-you (Chou-you).

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

In the hall, Japanese-style tables were arranged in an orderly fashion, and Jin and Erza were seated at the top, followed by Elise and Freddy, and then Gulina, Rubina, and Shu.

Reiko sat diagonally behind Jin and the others.

"Well then, everyone, once again, <>"

"Happy new year!

"Happy New Year to you too."

"Happy New Year to you too."

Everyone responded to Jin's greetings and sipped the toso.

The rest of the party ate as they pleased, without any fuss.

"Wow, it looks delicious!

Rubina's eyes light up at the omelet and datemaki in the osechi.

"The five-colored golem maids took the time to make them.

Jin eats a black soybean and is pleased with its softness.

"The mashed sweet potatoes are also delicious.

Erza was tasting the kurikinton.

"Hey Jin-sama, what does this mean?"

Rubina asked as she ate a piece of red and white fish cake.

"Well, it's all in Japanese, but ...... this black soybean means <>. And the kombumaki over here is for <, and the datemaki for <, which used to be a book, so it's a wish for academic improvement ......."

"Heh, ...... is kind of a pun, isn't it?　"Heh,, it's kind of like a pun, isn't it?

"That's one aspect of it."

Tai (sea bream) is a "happy" fish, yellowtail is a "fish of success", which means "success in life", and kinton (pork dumplings) is written as "kinton", which means "gold and silver treasure".

"Well, don't worry too much about the details, eat what you like."

"Yes, sir!"

Jin ordered a bowl of ozoni (rice with various ingredients), but limited himself to one glass of sake, since he would be leaving for the Shoro Kingdom later.

Now that his body was in Magiatom, he would not get drunk, but he did not want his breath to reek of alcohol.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

The ozoni arrived less than a minute after he asked for it.

It was the kind of ozoni that Jin had grown accustomed to from the director of the hospital.

Soy sauce based soup with pork or chicken broth. There are greens, daikon radish, fish paste, and radish's leaf.

The rest is, of course, rice cake.

"...... eat the greens first."

Why?

"Because the name of the leaf and the leafy greens go together to make a name for yourself."

A good omen is often a combination of words and puns.

"Heh. ......"

I didn't know that.

Not only Rubina but also Elise was impressed.

The director knew many such stories, Jin recalled with nostalgia.

Then, he reminded himself that he is now in a position to pass them on to the next generation.

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

"Happy New Year, my lord!

"Happy New Year!

Once again, the hall began to fill with the villagers.

Everyone has come to greet the New Year.

Ellis and Freddy greeted them and handed them <>.

This is also a custom started by Jin in the past, and the contents of the pouch is a silver coin, that is, 100 tol. The amount of money is, well, .) The amount of money is, well, ...... feelings.

Originally it was a tax paid by the villagers ......, but we should not think about it.

The children were given bags of assorted sweets instead of silver coins.

Gulina was also working behind the scenes, bringing the bags of sweets and pulling the hands of the small children.

Jin and Erza watched her, remembering the old days when they were lords, and squinted at her.

Looking outside, there were children flying kites on the bank of the Erme River, and some children were flying feathers in the plaza in front of the Nido Castle.

This is another custom that was spread during Jin's time.

"Ah, it's the New Year!

It was a little different from the Japan where I was born and raised, but there were certainly people celebrating the New Year in a way that was full of thoughtful activities.

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

Well, I'd better get going.

...... isn't it a little early?

"Well, I thought I'd make a Hatsu-mode (first visit to the shrine) before I go."

"Oh, okay."

So Jin, Erza, Reiko, Rubina, Greenshu, and the others whispered to each other and left Nido Castle.

They headed for the shrine on Horai Island.

There is a shrine dedicated to <> Shuki Tsetsi between the institute and the <>.

When they returned to Horai Island, all the members of the Jin Family had gathered there.

"Jin, Erza, Reiko, Happy New Year!

"Happy New Year! Happy New Year!

Reinhard greeted on behalf of all the participants, and Jin responded to his greeting.

Then they all paid their respects at the shrine.

"Please continue to watch over us.

Please continue to watch over us.

Incidentally, they are planning to go to <> on the following day.

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

Well, we'd better get going.

Hmmm...

<

If the old man would take her to the Shoro Kingdom by , they would be able to travel without time loss.

I'm off then.

"Have a good trip!"

The that Jin and the others are riding on is transported to the Shoro Kingdom.