"What?" Saki asked, catching Jin’s mumble. "Jin, what was that?"
"Just thinking about my time in the Leonard Kingdom. I was wondering why there was a teleportation circle meant for the moon..."
Jin explained that if the moon really was a spaceship, it would certainly connect the dots.
"I see your point," Saki replied.
While there was no way to know why no one had ever returned, it was at least a plausible explanation for why such a circle existed in the first place.
"Well, it's not like I can verify it," Jin added with a sigh.
"...What are you talking about?" Vivian asked, tilting her head. She lacked the context for their conversation.
"You see, we visited the Leonard Kingdom a short while ago..." Stearena began, catching her friend up on the details.
"I see. So that’s what happened. Thank you, that was very interesting." Vivian smiled softly and looked around at the group. "Are there any other stories you'd like to hear?"
Jin spoke up immediately. "...Do you know any legends regarding the demon race?"
Information on the demons was far too scarce. He wanted to gather every scrap of intel he could while he had the chance.
"The demon race, hmm? Let’s see... I have a few fragments."
Vivian paused to collect her thoughts before beginning her tale once more.
＊ ＊ ＊
The demon race first appeared several hundred years before the Great Magic War.
They migrated south from a continent to the north.
Humanity had also ventured toward the north long before that, though what became of those pioneers remains a mystery.
The demon race possessed immense mana that far surpassed that of humans, and they were peerless in their mastery of magi-engineering.
They were not hostile at the start. Humanity provided food and resources, while the demon race shared their technology.
In this way, a partnership was formed, and for a time, it seemed the two races might coexist in peace.
However, a decisive rift eventually formed between them.
The exact cause has been lost to time, but there is no doubt it was a disagreement significant enough to turn the two races into bitter enemies.
From that point on, relations soured, and the demon race eventually retreated back to the north.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...That’s the extent of it," Vivian said with an apologetic look. "That was likely over a thousand years ago. From then until the Great Magic War three centuries ago, it seems the demon race had no contact with humanity at all."
"No, thank you. That was helpful," Jin replied, bowing his head.
As he suspected, the demon race’s northern home made food self-sufficiency difficult for them. On the other hand, their magi-engineering was highly advanced, and their innate mana capacity far exceeded that of humans.
"...Um, is there anything... told about the Great Magic War?" Elsa asked timidly.
Jin had been hoping to hear about that as well. Specifically, he was looking for any clues regarding the nature of the Ether Stampede.
"The Great Magic War, right..." Vivian began to speak for the third time.
＊ ＊ ＊
A little over three hundred years ago, the demon race began moving south once more.
Their reasons were unknown.
Unlike their ancestors, this generation of demons was incredibly bellicose. They decimated the northern towns, and the residents met the tragic fate of total slaughter.
The various nations, which had initially tried to resist individually, finally unified under the leadership of the Dinar Kingdom to make a stand.
Even so, humanity remained at a disadvantage until the very end of the conflict.
It was only through the 'Ether Stampede' that they finally succeeded in wiping out the bulk of the invading demon army.
However, sixty percent of the human magi died in the process.
This unprecedented catastrophe finally brought the Great Magic War to a close.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...That’s about all that’s been passed down."
It was essentially the same story known by the general public.
"Do you know anything else about the Ether Stampede?" Jin pressed. It was a detail he couldn't let go of.
"No, nothing. To begin with, we storytellers perform for the common folk, so we aren't taught the technical details of the war. Besides, almost all the magi who actually understood what happened died in the disaster."
"I see... That’s a shame."
It seemed their only option was to find records from that era. However, even with the Quinta units searching tirelessly, they had yet to find anything substantial.
"Thank you very much," Jin said, bowing again. The rest of the group followed suit.
"Vee, thank you. You must be tired. Why don't you try some of this?" Stearena offered her a cup of Persica juice from Hourai Island, which had been kept cold in a magic bottle.
"Thanks....Oh, this is delicious!"
The juice was thick and richly sweet, perfect for soothing a tired throat. Furthermore, the high concentration of free ether provided an immediate boost of vitality.
"Ah, my throat feels much better now."
"You have to take care of your voice," Stearena said, and the two friends shared a smile.
"Well then. Shall we go see the cats?"
It was around eight o'clock now—an hour that wouldn't cause any issues for a visit here in Koup. The group prepared to leave for their second objective: observing live animals to refine their golem's movement.
"Should we bring a gift?" Jin asked, his Japanese sensibilities surfacing.
Vivian laughed. "I told you, he loves hearing stories from foreign guests. Your presence alone will be more than enough to please him. Don't worry."
She stepped out to lead the way.
After locking the front door, the group navigated the narrow alleys until they reached a main thoroughfare. The street was a stark contrast to the quiet morning; it was now bustling with people and carts piled high with fish. It was a scene vibrant with the pulse of daily life.
They walked along the shoulder to stay out of the way of the traffic. The sight somehow reminded Jin of the busy roads back in Japan.
After about ten minutes on the main road, the architecture began to change, taking on the air of a wealthy residential district. Ten minutes later, they arrived at a mansion with a grand, imposing gate.
"This is House Techles," Vivian announced.
The estate was roughly a hundred meters square—an enormous size for such a frontier town. Moreover, the stonework showed almost no signs of weathering, a clear sign of meticulous upkeep.
A guard stood watch to the right of the massive gate.
"Good morning," Vivian said.
"Good morning. Ah, Lady Vivian! What brings you here today?" The guard spoke with friendly familiarity.
"I've brought some guests from abroad. Is Master Eckart in?"
The guard smiled warmly at the group. "He is. Guests from abroad, you say..."
He rang a bell to summon an errand boy, gave the lad a quick instruction, and watched as the boy hurried off toward the main house.