705 - - 21-17 New Year's Eve in Kaina Village
December 30, the last day of the year 3457.
Jin had returned to the village of Kaina with Erza.
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"Come to think of it, this is the first time I've ever spent the New Year's holiday with a conscious thought.
Yes, because of Count Walter, Jin had evacuated from Kaina village to Hourai Island, and the year had ended while he had been making golem maids, making glider golems, and mapping the island.
"I'm sure we'll be able to celebrate New Year's properly this year."
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Here in the village of Kaina, it seems that the year-end event is that the villagers come to the village chief's house to greet the new year in turn.
This year, they would come to greet Jin, the lord of the village, so Jin decided to devise a variety of ways.
He prepared a banquet at Nido Castle.
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He invited Barrow and Behrle from the house of Leuthart.
He called on the Jin family, but Reinhardt chose to spend time with his beloved wife Bertsche, and Toa and Stellina wanted to be alone together. Vivian was interested in the New Year holidays in Shoro, and she was going to stay with a new friend of hers.
I wondered if Saki would come, but it seems that she will be staying with her grandfather, the Marquis Theoderic.
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So the family, Jin, Erza, and Meine, will spend the New Year's Eve in the village of Kaina.
Jin-sama, we are ready.
"Yes, thank you."
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It was almost dark by now, and many kotatsu were set up in the hall of Nido Castle. The heating element was a magical device similar in structure to a magic stone stove.
Even Jin did not have enough time to make a kotatsu.
On top of the kotatsu was a basket of citrons. <
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A cat golem had also come and curled up.
The rest of the room is filled with foodstuffs and sake that Jin has purchased from all over the Kogun region, making full use of his ample financial resources.
The guests are invited to eat and drink as they please.
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As one would expect, we do not intend to impose even New Year's buckwheat noodles on the guests, but we have prepared noodles as well.
Thanks to the diligent work of the five-colored golem maids brought in from Horai Island, preparations were made in a short time.
The stars began to twinkle in the sky, and the people of Kaina Village began to gather in groups.
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"Oh! Jin, it's been a long time!
"You've been busy! I'm going to have a lot of fun tonight!
"Jin, and Erza, I'm glad to see you're getting along so well!
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The villagers come to Jin at the entrance of Nido Castle, sometimes calling out to Erza as well.
By the time it was dark, almost everyone had gathered.
I say "almost" because the wives of the families with newborn babies had not arrived.
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"Thank you all for coming.
It was about time for Jin to face the assembled villagers, climbed up on the platform at the back of the hall, and began to speak.
The people who had been murmuring were now as still and attentive as if they had been drowned in water.
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"Today is a New Year's Eve banquet, so we have prepared many things for you. For those who have left their families at home, we have some souvenirs, and you are welcome to take some of the food home with you."
Jin said this to a round of applause.
"That's Jin!
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"That's so generous!"
But when Jin opened his mouth once again, the light talk stopped.
"Well then, let's cut the long story short. Thank you all for your hard work this past year. I look forward to working with you again next year.
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With these words, Jin stepped down from the stage.
There was applause and cheers, and everyone said, "Good job! >>and "Best regards! >>and "Good luck!
Then it was time for drinks and food.
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"Oh! This sake is delicious!
"This meat has such a wonderful flavor!
This fruit is so sweet and delicious.
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Jin was sitting around the kotatsu with Martha, Meane, Hannah, and others.
Hannah was on his lap, Erza was on his right, Meane was on his left, and Martha was in front of him. Reiko and Edgar are sitting right behind Jin and Elsa, respectively.
"Jin, thank you for your hard work this year.
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Martha said to Jin, "Thank you for your hard work this year.
"Thank you very much. But actually, Reiko, Elsa, and others around me have helped me a lot.
These were Jin's true feelings. He would never have been able to carry out the plan by himself.
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"Hmm, that's all right. We all can't do much on our own.
Martha said and smiled at Jin.
"Don't you have something more important to say than that?"
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Martha looked at Jin and Elsa alternately, her eyes searching.
"Yes, yes, well. ...... Well, you see... I'm engaged ...... to Elsa."
Martha was not very surprised to hear this.
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"Finally. Congratulations, Jin and Elsa.
"Thank you very much."
"Thank you very much ......."
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Jin and Erza thanked each other, blushing a little.
"Oh, you and Erza are going to get married, aren't you?
This is Hannah.
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"I promised I'd be your bride, you know. ......
Seeing Hannah looking a little disappointed, Erza dropped a bombshell.
"Hannah, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Hannah. ...... But Jin is a lord and a nobleman, so he can have as many wives as he wants."
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Is that what he really meant or was he just being natural? Either way, a smile returned to Hannah's face.
Jin's smile is tight, but Hannah, who is on his lap, can't see it.
"Really? So, onee-chan and I can both be your wife?
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"Yes."
Jin and Martha smile at her words, thinking they are meant to comfort Hannah, but Meane, her own mother, can only smile, knowing that they are meant to.
(This girl is ...... well, I guess it doesn't matter as long as they like each other. ......)
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Since Jin and Erza are not concerned about such things, or rather, they are rather indifferent, it might work out surprisingly well, Meane thought, and let out a sigh inwardly.
Reiko also listened to Erza's words, and she also renewed her recognition that there was such a way of thinking.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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As night fell, the assembled villagers varied: some went home, some got drunk and slept on the kotatsu, and others continued to drink deeply.
At midnight, the moment the day changed, the bell of the hour, which is located in Nido Castle, was rung once in high spirits.
The bell is rung three times a day, once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening, but this time it was rung at midnight as well.
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Those who heard the bell would have known that the date had changed.
"By the way, the date changes at midnight, doesn't it?
Jin was thinking about such a trivial thing while listening to the sound of the bell.
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"What do you mean?"
Elsa, who was standing next to him, asked. Hannah had already fallen asleep and Martha had taken her home in her arms.
"What? "Yeah, in my world, they used to change the date to the sunrise or sunset.
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"Sure, I can see it, so I can understand it.
"But it changes slightly from summer to winter. On the other hand, the time in the south, or noon, remains the same all year round. And its opposite, midnight."
"That makes sense. If the calendar is calculated properly, it makes sense."
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Meane looked at them as they continued their conversation, which had nothing to do with s*xiness, and announced with a sigh, "I'm going to bed.
"I'm going to bed. Jin-sama, Erza, good night.
"Ah, good night."
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Good night.
The next thing I knew, Jin, Erza, Reiko, and Edgar were all alone in the hall.
It was almost dawn.
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Jin urged Erza to leave the kotatsu and went up to the top floor of the keep.
Reiko and Edgar are waiting one floor below.
"This year ......, or is it last year already? A lot has happened, hasn't it?"
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"Hmm. I met Jin, we raced, we traveled, I was ...... kidnapped, and he saved me."
"I met ...... Beena, I met Marcia, I met Erza, I met Reinhardt, ...... I met a lot of people."
"Why did you call ...... Beena's name first?"
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Erza's tone was a little sultry. If you look, her face is a little red. She seems to be drunk.
Jin remembers now that he had just cut off the operation of the antidote.
"Hmm? It's just the chronological order.
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It can't be helped because it's true. Erza had no choice but to shut up when he said that.
"I understand. But this year, look at me first."
With the help of her drunkenness, Erza said bold words that she would never say in normal circumstances.
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"Oh, yes. Elsa is the best woman for me.
Jin blushes after saying this. Erza nodded in satisfaction and closed her eyes.
Jin moved his face closer to kiss her.
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The two of them looked at each other with the dawn light.
"Happy New Year, Father, Erza-san!
Reiko came and wished them a Happy New Year. Jin and Elsa quickly left the room.
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"Ah, ah, Happy New Year, Reiko. I wish you a happy new year.
Yes, of course, father.
"Happy New Year, Reiko."
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What kind of year will 3458 be for Jin?