Having established friendly relations with the neutral clans, Capricorn 1 sets out for its next destination.
In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, a messenger is sent in advance from the <> clans under the name of clan leader Domenicus.
The main clan of the radicals, <>, is on its way. Yes, the clan to which <> belongs. It is also the largest clan, with about 100 members.
Accompanying him are Belialus, the <>, and Jalardus from the <> clan. The fact that the incoming clan leader accompanies him shows his trust in Jin.
<> clan's settlement, Capricorn 1 travels at a speed of about 25 km/h. The journey takes about 3 hours. The trip takes about three hours.
"Oh, is that what happened ......?"
"Well, that's not something we humans can easily forgive."
With time to kill along the way, Jin (<>) explains the actions of Lardus, the <>.
"It's a little unforgivable that he spread a deadly pathogen."
Jaraldus of <> looked at me with difficulty.
"Actually, he ...... Lardus is my cousin."
Then he mentioned an unexpected fact.
"A cousin?"
Reiko, who had confronted Lardus directly, asked as if to confirm.
"Yes. His mother is from our clan ......, or rather, she is my mother's sister.
An unexpected blood relation was revealed.
"So ...... that, Mister Jin. What are you going to do if you meet Lardus ......?"
Jaralldos confessed honestly that the reason he was bringing this up now was because he would be in a very difficult position if Jin were to decide that he could not forgive Lardus.
"...... Well, he has caused me a lot of trouble, and some of them have died. It's a difficult problem."
As Jaralldos spoke honestly, Jin, who was now in control of the double, told the truth about what he was thinking.
"According to human law, death is definitely a crime, but what about the demon tribe?"
"If you kill your own kind, you are guilty of death, it's the same thing."
"Then what about killing a human being?"
"......"
Jaralldos was at a loss for words. Jin could guess what was going on.
"...... Is it possible that Lardus was being controlled by the <>?"
When Jin asked this question, Jaraldus shook his head regretfully.
"That possibility would be small. ...... He has been interested in humans since he was very young, and enjoys imagining all kinds of tricks to play with them."
"Hmmm. ......"
In addition to Lardus, there is Markosias, whose clan is unknown, who helped poison the Marquis of Sholo, and Androgyas, who was killed by his selfish brother and sister.
Negotiations with the militants were not going well.
* * * * *
On the same day, in Horai Island.
After breakfast, Meine is cleaning up when she notices that her daughter Elsa is acting differently than usual.
After washing the dishes, she goes to the workshop of the institute, but today she even puts the dishes away in the cabinet with her. It was as if she did not want to go to the workshop.
"Elsa, are we done here?"
I try to make a suggestion.
"....... I'll help you finish."
With that she finishes washing the dishes and takes the dry ones to the rack.
"Put them away and you're done," she says.
I say,
"....... I'll help you prepare for lunch.
She said, "I'll help you prepare the food for lunch. Meane had a hunch that something was going on.
"What are you talking about with such a red face? What are you talking about?
"I'm ...... and I'm ......."
What?
"...... said I was cute."
"Oh, well."
Meane sighed. 17 years old, some of them are already married with children. Seventeen years old, some of them are already married and have children.
She thought about that, but then she remembered what she had done as a nanny before she called herself a mother, trying to keep the bad bugs away.
On the other hand, I think about Jin.
There are many women around him. Women of his age. And they are good-looking. And, more importantly, highly likable.
"But ......"
I think all of them are different from each other in terms of romantic interest. Hannah is still young, and Saki seems to be a fellow researcher. Stearina is in a good mood with Saki's father, Toa, and Vivienne is still new to Hourai Island and has little contact with Jin.
"Licia-san, was it ......?"
A woman who was with Jin, Erza and Hannah at the summer festival in Kaina village the other day. She is the lord of the neighboring village of Toka and a new noble. She is about the same age as Erza. Moreover, even from a distance, it was clear that she had a liking for Jin.
However, Erza has more chances to see him than Jin. I mean, they can always be together.
"But, you know, ......"
Meane knows that being together is not necessarily an advantage romantically.
(Well, I don't have a past that I can be proud of either.)
Meane mutters these self-mocking words only in her heart and decides to push her daughter's back.
"When a gentleman compliments a girl, it's half a social call," she said. Besides, if they are pleased by the compliment, they will not run away from it.
"But, but..."
"......"
Meine regretted it intensely. It is normal for the daughters of noble families to make their social debut at the age of thirteen or so, and to be accustomed to the use of flattering words.
However, Erza was different. She was kept away from social circles for one reason or another because of her < and her own preoccupation with it.
Her cousin Reinhardt took her out in public a few times a year, but it was not enough for her to gain interpersonal experience in terms of male-female relationships, unlike at parties.
Jin-sama, by the way, is ......."
Jin, on the other hand...
He has no love story. One would think that he would have a taste for male homos*xuality, but he does not. I was once worried that he might be a doll lover, but I know that's not true either.
"I wonder if ...... he's dying."
Somehow, I think that's the closest to the truth, Meane. I can't smell the freshness in his attitude toward women. It's not a theory, but a woman's intuition.
Then, what should I say to Elsa?
"Elsa is your sister, isn't she? It's natural for a brother to be pretty to his sister. You care too much."
"......, is that right?"
Yes. Go ahead and help her.
Meine lightly pushed Elsa's back toward the kitchen exit.
Erza walks away and turns around.
"Thank you, Mother."
Then Elsa ran to the workshop where Jin was probably staying.
Meane watched her back and let out a small sigh.
"......It looks like we still have a long way to go."
* * * *
"......"
"Elsa? What's wrong?"
Meane was surprised to see Erza come back, looking dejected.
"Did Jin-sama say something to you again?"
"......No. ...... Jin brother, he wasn't in the workshop."
Jin was in the control room at this time of the day, piloting the .