Eric, you look great.

"Thanks to you, Dad."

Eric's store in the village of Kaina.

Eric's father, Roland, was visiting for the first time in a long time.

He's not here to see his son. No, maybe a little bit, but his main purpose is to restock and collect sales.

Roland is now the managing director of Raglan Trading Company, so he does not go out for business, but here in the village of Kaina, he was different.

"Is Jin-san here?"

"Yes, not in the castle, but in his workshop.

Barbara offered him a cup of tea. She is helping out in the store, but the villagers already know them as a young couple.

"Hi, thank you.

Roland thanks her and drinks the tea from the tea tree (perchia in the Shoro Kingdom).

The rubber balls are very popular. There is no one else who can make them, and we are kind of an exclusive seller.

They sell out as soon as they come in, Roland says and laughs.

"Dad, can we take our time?"

Eric sat down and faced Roland. Barbara offered Eric a cup of tea.

"Well, I think we can stay a couple of nights. Especially if Jin-san is there.

* * * * * *

Jin continues to make rubber products in his workshop in front of Martha's house.

When he heard that Roland was coming from the Kaina Village Watch, he realized that he had forgotten to make rubber balls for a long time.

I made 100 each of baseballs, clues, and dodge balls. It took me about an hour to complete the project, since I was taking it easy and working at my own pace.

"Now all I need is a ...... nib."

A nib made of phosphor bronze. Nib 300, nib 100, integrated pen 10 He finished the nib 300, pen barrel 100, and integrated pen 10 in about an hour.

Reiko was doing something next to him.

"How about this, father?

Reiko presented a piece of magi-sand for the stove. Elsa is back home, so Reiko is helping her.

"Yes, that's enough."

Around Reiko, about 30 parts were ready.

"That should be enough to satisfy Mr. Roland," she said.

"Hey, girl, dinner's ready!"

Hannah came to call me just in time. It was already dark outside, and the days were still short in February.

The next day, right after breakfast, I went to the hotel.

The next day, right after breakfast, Roland asked Jin.

Mr. Jin, it's been a while.

Mr. Roland, you look well.

Thanks to you. Today, I'm at ......."

Roland immediately starts the business meeting. As usual, Jin knows what to expect. He points to a stack of boxes at the entrance of the workshop.

"Oh, wonderful!　Balls, pen nibs, and stoves. We'll take them all!

Half of the money is paid in tolls, and the other half in salt, sugar, pepper, etc.

Normally this would be the end of the business meeting, but today he has more to say.

"So, Mr. Jin, I have a favor to ask you: ......"

What was Roland's request?

Yesterday Roland crossed the Erme River and came to the village of Kaina.

He saw some villagers collecting magi sand, which is used as a heat source for the stove.

"Picking magi sand in the water, ...... it looks cold in this winter. ...... No, no, what is that?"

The villager's pants and hands caught my attention.

They were footwear that covered their stomachs and gloves that covered their elbows.

Both of them seemed to be made of materials that would not absorb water. No, in Roland's eyes, they were made of rubber.

After he told me this story, he said,

"...... didn't Mr. Jin make these gloves?"

He asked me bluntly, "Wasn't it made by Mr. Jin?

Jin answered in the affirmative, as it was nothing to hide.

Yes, that's right. They are boots with a body and gloves.

Boots with a body are the kind that anglers wear when they enter a river for mountain stream fishing.

Long gloves are gloves that cover the elbows.

Both were made of natural rubber and made by Jin for the villagers.

"I knew it!　So, you know, I want you to make rubber boots for me!

There are boots made of leather, but they absorb water unless they are well lubricated with oil, so it is difficult to care for them after rain.

If they are kept damp, mold will grow on them.

Roland had the foresight to think that natural rubber could be used just to wipe off dirt.

"Ha-ha-ha, that's good. What about the size?"

So Roland made three pairs each of the standard 26cm, 27cm, and 28cm for adult men, and 22cm, 23cm, and 28cm for women. For women, two pairs each of 22 cm, 23 cm, and 24 cm were ordered.

I'm sure these will sell well!

He also said, "I'm sure these will sell well!

"Well, can you do them tomorrow evening?"

I could have done it by noon if I wanted to, but I had an appointment to go out with Hannah that day, so I gave myself a little extra time to answer.

"Yes, yes!　I'd love to have you!"

Roland left with a big smile on his face.

"Can I go now, honey?"

Hannah came to pick him up carrying a fishing rod.

It was a fishing trip to the upper reaches of the Erme River.

The fish that stay still in the deep pools during the winter are difficult to catch because they don't take bait well, but it's fun to catch them.

"Father, your lunch and tea are ready.

"Okay, let's go."

Jin, Hanna, and Reiko walked slowly toward the upper stream of the Erme River.

The village was a little too far away from the city.

"By the way, this village is a nice place. ...... I'd like to retire in a place like this when I retire.

Roland slowly walked around the village of Kaina, thinking about such unimportant things.

"Hmm?　What's that?"

The children he passes are holding kites. The wind on the bank of the Erme River is perfect for flying kites.

The flexible kites that Jin had made in the village of Mohut before were very stable and would not fall off.

Roland followed the children and saw the scene, which led to more requests for Jin to make kites.

"Well, I'm glad I came.

That night at Eric's store, Roland and Eric were sharing a drink across from each other.

"...... this sake tastes good."

It was a wine imported by Jin from the Kingdom of Elias.

It is sold at Nido Castle at almost cost price.

"Jin-san became a the other day. This village will become a better and better place to live.

But the way of life is the same.

"Hm, but the way of life hasn't changed. You said that changing things without notice is not always a good thing. I agree.

"I agree. There is value in old things, and there are traditions in the way we have always lived. I heard that aristocrats can't do without their servants.

"Ha-ha, that's true. But the people in this village are different. They try to do everything by themselves.

"I guess that's why Jin-san likes this village so much."

The dialogue between father and son proceeds peacefully.

"...... So, how are things with you and Barbara?"

"Boom."

Eric blurted out at the sudden change of subject.

"Oh, come on, you can't tell me there's nothing going on?"

"...... Yeah. I'm thinking of taking her to Alban once in the spring.

"You mean to introduce her to your father-in-law ...... your grandfather?"

"Yes."

"...... well. If you're thinking that far, I won't say anything. You can discuss the rest with your grandfather, who is also the chairman of the board of trade."

Roland said a little bluntly and downed his glass of sake in one gulp.

When the spring wind blows, will the be born in the village of Kaina?