"So, Zion finally told me what I was wondering about ......."

Jin began to speak three times.

I'm home, Zion.

"I'm home, Zion."

Jin was welcomed by Zion and invited into the house.

There, he was first offered a bath. Being a bath lover, Jin accepted it without hesitation.

Still, Jin got out of the bath without taking it as easy as usual.

Jin-sama, please come this way.

The maid working in the mansion led him to the hall.

And there was Zion and another man.

"Really, it's Jin-sama. ......"

There was an old woman with silver hair and yellow eyes.

"......Marikka ......?"

"......Yes, yes!　You remembered me!"

Marikka still has a straight back and a dignified air about her.

Jin looked at Marikka with narrowed eyes.

"Oh, um, Jinshama?"

（Oh, I bit it.)

In a way, Jin was relieved to see that such a thing has not changed no matter how old he gets.

At a round table in the hall were Zion, Marikka, and Jin.

There were three other attendants serving the guests.

These three are my grandchildren, too," said Sion, who was looking unconcerned.

Zion smiled carefreely.

This gesture reminded Jin of her younger days and he smiled.

"Well, let's have a toast first.

<

"Jin, please lead the toast.

"Me?

"Yes. <

Zion smiled as he said this, and on his arm was the bracelet of . Marikka's arm also has a bracelet .......

Jin raised his glass, disappointed that his own bracelet was missing.

"To celebrate our reunion."

"To our reunion."

"In honor of our reunion."

Glasses being clinked. It made a bright, clear sound.

"Oh, I've heard ...... that I'm going to see Jin again like this, but it's like a dream."

Jin asked a question to Zion, who smiled softly, and decided to ask the question he really wanted to ask.

"Zion, I guessed from what Rhodoth said, can I go back to the original time?"

Sion smiles and answers.

"Yes, as far as I know.

"I see. ......"

Jin leans back in his chair as if all the strength in his body has been drained out of him.

Not out of despair, of course, but out of relief.

"It's a relief to hear that ......."

"It sounds like Jin had a hard time, too."

"I wonder if it's a ...... hardship. No, I don't care about the physical hardship. The most important thing was whether we would be able to go home or not.

Again Zion smiles. Jin saw in his smile a shadow of his former self.

"Let me take one more thing off your mind. Elsa will give birth safely. Mother and child are healthy.

"Really!"

Jin now jumped up from his chair.

"I won't tell you any more. "I won't tell you any more, or rather, you shouldn't ask me. You'll have to wait until we get home to find out.

Zion said with a mischievous smile.

"Ah, yes. Yes, that would be better.

Jin understood what Zion was trying to say.

It would be boring to know everything just because you are in the future.

"Jin who came back 400 years ago said. Keep information to a minimum.

"......I'm not the one who said that. ...... Hmmm."

I don't doubt that. After all, it seems to be my line in the future.

(I guess it's better not to ask what happened to everyone in the family. ......)

Honestly, I'm curious, but Jin reminded me that his first priority is to return home.

"Somehow I know what Jin is thinking. I'm curious, aren't I?"

Zion read Jin's expression and started to say something like that.

"......Yes. I'm taking a test and there's a piece of paper with the answers written on it within reach. It takes a lot of willpower to stay ...... away from it."

Zion chuckled at the analogy.

"......I'm sorry. I'm just glad that I'm talking to the old ...... young Jin."

"...... I see."

I thought to myself, "I know that Zion knows about his later years too. I didn't dare to ask him what kind of an old man he had become.

"Maricka hasn't changed either. I'm relieved."

"Jin-sama ......"

"That golem horse and , they were good work."

"I'm so embarrassed."

Marikka blushed at Jin's praise.

"No, it's true. < after Reiko, didn't you?　But it wasn't just an imitation, it had Marikka's own unique twist.

"Oh, uh, you noticed that?"

Marikka is surprised by Jin's words.

"I know. Especially in battle. She was using engineering magic to destroy the joints of ...... enemy golems. Reiko can do it too, but Hanako seems to specialize in such operations.

"Jin-sama is great, after all."

Marikka said that Hanako was designed to be an expert in engineering magic.

She also has the power to carry materials.

"Her appearance is modeled on Reiko's, though."

"I see...so that's how it is."

Jin nodded his head.

The meal proceeded in such a friendly atmosphere.

Jin was pleased to see that rice, miso, and soy sauce were being eaten as usual.

He ate sashimi, pickles, and pickled plums.

For the first time in a long time, Jin enjoyed his meal to his heart's content.

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

"Well then, I'll give Jin the most important information he needs right now.

Xiong said with a more serious face than ever as he sipped his after-dinner tea.

"Liberate Horai Island."