Hermit

Based on the address provided by the pigeons, this should the delivery destination...

How surprising. Such advanced architecture, in such a remote place.

It seems... is this a setup of a private power generation system and hydraulic system? Could this be an unknown research base?

It's a bit scary... Regardless, I must first fulfill my mission and deliver the letter.

This doorbell, seems a bit different?

Huh?

I'm truly sorry! My automatic defense system has launched an attack on you...

Since no one has been here for a while, I haven't turned it off either.

Glad you jumped on it so quickly!

Here is your mail... Would you open the door and check it?

Mail?

Yes, please sign for the receipt on the delivery note~

Alright, let me see... Is this the logo for international express mail?

Yes, that's our logo, the United Postal. Sorry to have kept you waiting!

Sent by Awakener, from Bifrost, Teslovik Experimental Base, Trachberg Military District...

Teslovik? Sounds familiar, it's where Sui and Nanook live...

I get it now. Thank you! You've come such a long way, and even got hit by me...

You're welcome...

But speaking of which, this place is indeed quite remote... It takes half a day even from the nearest post station.

Understood... If you don't mind, could you wait for a short moment?

I might need your help sending a letter back.

No problem!

Why not come insi... Oh dear! I haven't tidied up at all.

It's okay, I'll just wait outside.

Please have a seat in my yard. I'll get you something to drink... Would you like tea or coffee?

Tea will do, thank you.

Dear Doctor, this is a letter from Sui and Nanook. How have you been?

Just wanted to let you know, for safety reasons, I didn't send this letter via email. Instead, I asked a friend at the postal office to help out.

So it's a letter from Sui... Then Awakener, the sender, would be her friend?

Even a shy child like her could make friends, seems like the atmosphere in Teslovik is quite nice.

Dad, may I bring my friend home for a vacation during the spring break? I miss you so much, and I also miss the look of our hometown.

I totally get that privacy is important for you. Please do not worry, if this isn't ok for you, I'll think of something else.

But Awakener is a reliable friend who really needs your help. So, dad, it would be great if you two could meet... you don't even have to reveal who you are!

It seems that the name Awakener was also mentioned in Taisei's letter a while ago?

It seems that Awakener holds a special place in my daughter's heart.

However, the problem now is...

This place is a total disaster, not exactly the spot to bring your friends over...

Should we make a little effort to tidy up?

Forget it. It's better not to stress myself.

In that case... why not find an excuse to go on a trip? Then there's no need to entertain the kids at home...

Come to think of it, the last time I left Thousand Ruins Mountain was... quite a long time ago.

Lady Mahiru, never figured my lazy days would end because of the children.

Mom, why does the doctor look so weak?

The work of a doctor is indeed very strenuous...

Zineda, listen to the children and take care of your health.

I know what I'm doing... And since when did the children start calling you 'mom'?

After all, these poor little ones in the welfare homes are orphans... It's not bad to have such adorable children, right?

If I were you, I would feel anxious about aging...

Doctor Daddy!

Eh? Why are you calling me this? Do I look masculine?

But you are just like the dad in the storybook!

Messy all over, working from dawn to dusk for the sake of the family...

Hehe, if you put it that way, it does seem quite similar.

But... wouldn't this sound misleading to others...?

I don't mind at all... Zineda, do you mind?

...As long as you and the kids are happy, I don't really mind.

How adorable, your face is all red.

Stop making fun of me!

But... the creator of the Case, indeed deserves the title of a father.

Send this encrypted transceiver to Sui, and then have her contact me.

The United Postal is still too pricey...

Hello! My letter's ready. Sorry to have kept you waiting.

You're welcome. Is this the item that needs to be delivered?

Yes.

Alright, please fill out this form, and I'll see how much it costs.

Well then, goodbye~ Your residence has truly left a deep impression on me.

If only one day I could escape to a place like this too.

Is it just you here? Do you ever feel lonely?

Lonely? Well, it's not too bad actually.

Every now and then, my family members would reach out and visit me.

You're truly blessed to have so many family members who care about you.

Thank you.

Mahiru... Just like you, I've also put together growth albums for the kids, alright?

So many years have passed, yet it seems I'm still holding onto you.

Dear dad, my friends and I are happy to hear about your travel plans! I'm hoping the trip might motivate you to get more active.

Do you have any destinations in mind? If so, please let us know so we can plan the trip for you!

...Yeah, where would be a good place to go?

I feel like I've been in this small place for way too long. Never considered the idea of traveling...

I really need to look for a travel destination.

If I were to choose Eastrise, Sui might still bring her friend home... No, this is absolutely unacceptable!

For safety reasons, it's best not to expose your base of operations, that's all...

In fact...

If my child's friend sees the house like this, it would be way too embarrassing.

In that case, I shall make the decision and propose that we go to Bifrost! This way there's no risk of having to entertain anyone at home...

After all, Bifrost is the hometown I haven't returned for quite some time.

Hello, this is the Customs Bureau, I am a staff member of Bifrost. Are you intending to enter Bifrost?

Entry?

Yes, as per the law here, people entering must undergo customs inspection.

But... even though I've been homebound for over a decade, I should still be considered a citizen of this country, shouldn't I?

Could you please present your identification?

Alright, I should have brought it with me...

I haven't seen one like this before. Give me a second while I verify it alright?

Zineda Deelovia... Nationality: Joint Council...

Ugh... Joint Council?

Yes, I am a citizen of the Joint Council and have lived in Bifrost for many years... I shouldn't need to go through the entrance procedures... right?

I apologize, this situation is new to me as well... According to the regulations, all citizens residing in Bifrost should have already updated their Bifrost identity cards.

Oh? Have things already become so divided?

May I ask where your current residence is?

I currently live near the Thousand Ruins Mountain.

That's actually... the territory of Eastrise...

So... Does that mean my ID can no longer be used?

Correct. But if you are willing to wait, I'll report the situation to my superiors and see how they would handle it.

...Never mind, I'll think of something else.

Sorry that I couldn't help ... But please, don't try to sneak in, okay?

Sneaking in? Sounds like a plan.

Seems like there's no way to sneak into Bifrost... I shall try somewhere else...