"...‘And the two lived happily ever after. The end.’ Huh... how interesting."
In the library of Nidou Castle in Kaina Village, Vivienne was reading a book of fairy tales.
It was a collection of stories from Jin’s memories, edited by Laojun. The one she had just finished was Cinderella.
"Turning a pumpkin into a carriage... I wonder what kind of craft magic that would be..."
Having abandoned her role as a storyteller in the Celuroa Kingdom and sought asylum in the Shouro Empire, she had become a member of the Jin Family. She now spent her days collecting legends and folklore from various countries. Even though her official duty as a storyteller was gone, she pursued these traditions voluntarily, driven by her own curiosity.
Lately, she had also taken up drawing, hoping to eventually compile a re-edited volume complete with illustrations.
"Well, I’ve read all the fairy tale books here. What should I do next?"
Vivienne possessed a remarkable memory. She could remember most books after a single reading and commit tales to memory after hearing them once. Of course, there were exceptions; academic texts and technical manuals didn't seem to stick in her head at all.
The season was spring, the end of April.
Having reached a stopping point in her collection of legends and tales within the Shouro Empire, Vivienne decided it was time to visit other countries, starting with a trip to Kaina Village.
"...If I’m with Jin-kun, I have a free pass to any country. I wonder when he'll be back."
The Jin in question returned two days later, on May 1st. He was accompanied by a young man named Goose Minakata. Goose was a naturalist and a half-blood—part foreign tribe and part Shouro Imperial.
"I’ve heard that among the foreign tribes, there are those who strongly inherit the blood of their ancestors, the Progenitors (Origin)."
This was information Vivienne had received from Laojun, the brain of Hourai Island. Furthermore, it turned out that Goose was quite knowledgeable about the Magus, a figure revered in his homeland.
"First, to Loizart."
Being considerate of Jin and the others, who were likely recovering from the fatigue of their journey, Vivienne waited two days. On May 3rd, she used a Warp Gate to travel to the Shouro Empire's capital, Loizart.
"Welcome, Vivienne-sama."
Barrow greeted her at Jin's mansion.
"Hey, Vivienne, welcome."
Jin also came out to the entrance hall to meet her.
"Hello. Um, I heard there’s a guest here from Fusou?"
"Ah, you mean Goose. Let’s see, he’s out seeing the city with Saki right now. They should be back by lunch, so please make yourself at home."
"All right, thank you."
Vivienne was shown to the drawing room. Shortly after, Belle arrived with tea.
"Thanks."
As she expressed her gratitude and took a sip, a refreshing bitterness and a faint sweetness spread across her palate.
"This is delicious green tea. It’s brewed perfectly."
Vivienne complimented the girl and relaxed on the sofa. Jin joined her soon after.
"Jin-kun, you went to Mitsuho and Fusou, didn't you? Could you tell me a bit about it?"
"Sure, I don't mind."
Jin began by telling her about his time in Mitsuho, focusing primarily on the factory on the outskirts of Miyako.
"...I see. A person called the Magus left such facilities behind."
"Yes. And there was a museum... or perhaps a historical archive. Various records were preserved there."
"Heh, how fascinating. I’d love to see it for myself."
"You’ll be able to go once formal diplomatic relations are established."
"I look forward to that day."
By the time she had a refill and finished her second cup of tea, a servant announced their return.
"Jin-sama, Vivienne-sama. Goose-sama and Saki-sama have just returned."
"That was faster than I expected."
It was just past 11:00 AM, so it wasn't particularly early.
"It’s a bit early for a meal, but how about we have lunch and then talk at our leisure?"
"Yes, I’d appreciate that."
Since Vivienne had teleported from Kaina Village, she was feeling hungry due to the three-hour time difference, making Jin's offer quite welcome. Of course, Jin had made the suggestion with that exact fact in mind.
"Saki-san, it’s been a while."
"It has indeed, Vivienne-san."
Saki and Vivienne exchanged greetings upon their reunion.
"...And, nice to meet you. You must be Goose Minakata-san? I am Vivienne, a storyteller."
"Nice to meet you. I’m Goose Minakata."
Goose and Vivienne also exchanged introductions.
"Well, I’m sure there’s much to discuss, but let’s eat first."
Jin took charge of the gathering.
Lunch featured Belle’s special passa bread—bread filled with dried grapes, also known as raisin bread. A hint of maple syrup had been added for fragrance. It was a recipe Topaz had recently perfected on Hourai Island, and it was a particular favorite of Elsa's.
"Oh, this is wonderful."
"This really is tasty."
"Yeah, it’s great!"
Vivienne, Saki, and Goose all savored the flavor.
"It’s baked perfectly, Belle."
"Mm."
Receiving praise from both Jin and Elsa, Belle bowed politely.
"Thank you very much."
She smiled happily. The passa bread was a hit, and every piece they had prepared was soon gone.
As soon as lunch concluded, Vivienne immediately began her inquiry.
"Getting straight to it, I’d love to hear the legends of Fusou."
"Certainly, I don’t mind, but it’s a long story."
"That is exactly what I’m hoping for."
Vivienne had a unique talent for remembering stories after hearing them only once. Goose, too, possessed a prodigious memory. In that sense, their meeting was something of a fated encounter.
"...I see, so that's what happened in the past..."
"No, wouldn't it be more likely that it happened this way?"
"Fusou's history is full of tales like that."
"Ah, that is very interesting."
Their discussion didn't end that day, and Jin provided Goose with a room in the mansion.
"I think there must be a reason why the name of the Magus hasn't spread east of the Shouro Empire."
"My theory is that the Magus might have had doubts about his activities in New El, Fusou, and Mitsuho. Perhaps he chose not to act openly after that?"
"Hmm... and according to your records, nothing is known about Adriana Barbora Tsetse?"
"That’s right. In fact, that information should be on this side of the world, but..."
In less than a day, Goose and Vivienne seemed to have become kindred spirits. They stayed hoistered in the room from morning until night, exchanging opinions and information. They only emerged for meals or to use the restroom, and the only time their conversation ceased was when they slept.
Outside, the flower beds in the garden, meticulously tended by Barrow and Belle, were in full bloom.
"Phew..."
Saki sat alone on a bench near the flowers, looking pensive.
What am I even doing? she wondered.
Just knowing that Goose was shut in a room with Vivienne gave her a strange sense of unease.
I thought I was supposed to be in love with Reinhard...
"Oh, if it isn't Saki. What are you doing out here?"
"Eh?! G-Goose?! What are you doing here?"
"Ah, I finally finished exchanging information with Vivienne-san, so I came outside to get some exercise."
"I-I see."
"The flower beds here are magnificent. There are flowers blooming that I’ve never seen before."
As he spoke, Goose sat down beside her.
"That flower over there is likely a peony, and this one is a floriba....I wonder what the flower next to you is?"
Goose pointed to a flower blooming to Saki's right.
"Oh, this is a demari."
"It’s a small shrub, isn't it? It’s white and beautiful."
"...Oh?"
Jin, who had stepped out into the garden, spotted Goose and Saki talking together amicably on the bench.
"...It wasn't something I needed to worry about, then."
Elsa had mentioned that Saki looked lonely because Vivienne had monopolized Goose's time, so he had come to check on her. But seeing them like this, Jin felt there was no cause for concern.
A few days later, when Jin visited House Eschenbach regarding the moonlight grass, he would find Saki and Goose deeply engrossed in their joint research.