Volume 9 - Chapter 16 – Jin’s Home (1/2)

09-16 Jin’s Home

Once the hubbub caused by Jin’s return had settled some.

The village headman Gheebeck spoke to Jin as their representative.

“Jin, welcome back. The village has been waiting for your return.”

“Chief-san…”

“Of course, it would be a great loss to the world to have a Magi Craftsman as excellent as you remain in our village. However, when you’re tired, when you’re sad, when you want to come back, this village will welcome you always.”

He said and took Jin’s hand. Jin squeezed his hand back vigorously.

“Thank you very much.”

The village chief then turned to everyone and,

“Come now, everyone. This is enough. You’ll surely have a chance to talk to Jin later. Let’s let him relax now, no?”

He said and gestured for everyone to disperse.

“Jin, see you later then.”

“Jin, later I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Jin nii-chan, let’s play again later~”

Everyone exchanged a word with him, some returned to their homes and others to the fields.

Remaining were Jin, Reiko, Hannah, Elsa, Barbara, Martha, and Gheebeck. Gheebeck then told Jin something.

“Jin, you probably aren’t aware of it but you’re not a wanted man or anything like that. After what happened Fahlheit-sama came around and told Earl Walter that he had acted rashly. Quite the contrary, apparently His Majesty the King wanted to employ you.”

Jin felt relieved after hearing that. At the very least him being here wouldn’t cause the village any trouble.

Gheebeck then added,

“Now Jin, you can go to Martha-san’s place. Barbara, get in the house.”

Gheebeck opened the door and retired indoors.

“Yes, uncle. Elsa-san, see you later.”

Barbara also went inside the house.

“Come on, we should also go home.”

Martha said and took Hannah’s hand. They began slowly walking but immediately stopped, and turned back to look at Jin who was standing still.

“Hey Jin, what are you doing. Let’s go home.”

“Martha-san…”

“Sister and Reiko-chan too, come on. If you’re coming back then you’re coming home.”

Martha said and then Jin began walking with Elsa and Reiko.

After a short walk they were at Martha’s house.

“Come on, Jin. Aren’t you going to show your sister your home?”

Being told so, Jin looked back towards Elsa and held out his hand.

“Mm.”

Elsa made a little nod and took Jin’s hand.

“So that you could come back any time, I’ve kept your room as it was, Jin.”

Martha said.

It had been kept clean, not a single speck of dust was in sight.

Looking at the room’s state, tears welled in Jin’s eyes.

“Welcome back, Jin.”

Martha said once again and finally Jin’s tears spilled out.

Reiko quietly handed him a handkerchief.

Seeing Jin like that, Elsa simply grasped his hand tightly in silence.

＊　　　＊　　　＊

Martha brewed tea and Jin drank it. Hannah and Elsa were also seated around the round table. Reiko was standing behind Jin.

“Ahh, it’s been a while since I last tasted this.”

The place where the tea plants were harvested from affected the taste after all. Not to mention how lately Jin had been drinking only Egelia Kingdom’s specialty Teee, so he had missed the taste of Kaina Village tea which was like green tea.

“Sigh…”

Jin took a deep breath. In front of him were Martha and Hannah.

“Excuse me…”

Jin was about to say something, but Martha spoke before him as if interrupting.

“Jin, I’ll say this first. I have no intention of questioning you in detail about anything. It’s the same with everyone in the village. We all know you’re not an ordinary person. We also know you can do things that usually can’t be done. So unless you want to talk about how you got came here or such, you don’t have to talk about it. Remember that.”

Martha went and said, then Jin was at a loss for words.

Because he had been worrying about how to explain things.

“Thank you very much. If I spoke frankly it might cause trouble for the village instead, so you saying that makes me feel at ease.”

If it was kept to just villagers it’d be fine, but starting with the feudal lord the kingdom’s officials would probably come to know it too. Jin wanted to avoid any unnecessary trouble.

At that moment Hannah spoke, like she couldn’t bear it any more.

“Hey hey onii-chan, let’s go gather herbs in the mountains!”

Hearing that, Jin remembered how last year he had gone picking herbs with Hannah to pick.

“Hmm, okay. Shall we go after I see Elsa off?”

Thinking that Mine was probably worrying about her, Jin replied but he got an unexpected response.

“Eeh? Let’s go together with Elsa onee-chan.”