3 Musketeers of Cultural Revitalization!

Wow... Even being in the same era, Eeza's a lot different than Elzion.

It's like a bunch of cultures all got mashed up together... It's interesting, but hard on the eyes.

But looks like they don't wear fluffy covers in this era. That's too bad...

You just said...Fluffy covers, didn't you?!

Uh, yeah... And?

And you were talking about people wearing them, right?! The East when it was on the ground... You...

(Oh no, does he know I've been to the East in the past?!)

You must be a fanatic about the East when it was on the ground?!

......

Y-Yes... In fact, I do...

Hahaha! I knew it! You can't fool me!

But those costumes were worn on the Migleina Continent! You've gotta be consistent!

Ahaha... Thank you for the advice.

But Eezan culture has changed quite a bit from the ancient Garulean culture, hasn't it?

Hah... Culture, like language, changes like the tides.

Just between you and me, though... What if I told you fluffy covers could still be found in this era?

Fluffy covers... In this era?!

Hehe... That's right. Through my own unique research, I've brought back fluffy covers...

As a special favor, I'd like you to try them.

What a great idea! I would love to!

Haha! Don't be greedy. But if my eyes don't deceive me, you are quite the connoisseur.

Wonderful! Well then, I'll show you to our laboratory. Come with me.

This is our laboratory. Please wait a moment.

I'm excited for some fluffy covers!

Fluffy covers are from the Mi culture. How is it different from the Shin or the Ro cultures?

Oh? There's a young man outside our lab, wildly postulating about Eastern culture...

Hm? Perhaps he's the newcomer No. 2 brought?

Hm? Who are you? Is No. 2 that old guy in the lab?

Surely you speak him... I'm the youngest one among us. Call me No. 3.

I am the founder and custodian of this laboratory. Call me No. 1.

If it isn't No. 1 and No. 3! Were you keeping an eye on this boy, too?

Just so you know, I'm the first one who found him... Haha! Don't even think about stealing him!

Hahaha! Don't be absurd. We may have been born differently, but we are allies who share the same hopes and dreams.

We don't work behind each other's back. We always act as a three. Yes, us three together...

The 3 Musketeers of Cultural Revitalization!

The 3 Musketeers of Cultural Revitalization?!

Indeed! We, the 3 Musketeers, dream of reviving each of our cultural heritages of Shin, Mi, Ro through our research.

I think, you already know, but... After Eeza arose from the ground, the three countries became crowded together. On this small floating island, as they influenced and fought each other. Their original cultures were nearly lost. Because of that, we decided to form the 3 Musketeers of Cultural Revitalization.

I study the Land of Mi...

I, the Land of Shin...

And I research the Land of Ro.

Now I get it... I think I can respect that.

Haha! It's not such a big deal.

Well then, not to change the topic.... But I brought the Fluffy Covers we were talking about just for you. Hurry and try them on.

Are you sure?! It'll be my pleasure!

Of course. All right, hurry and change into these.

Huh? Is it okay to wear these outside?

Of course... Is there some problem?

N-No... It's nothing! Anyway, I'll go ahead and...

Wow! This feels so nostalgic! Amazing, they're just like the Fluffy Covers of the past!

Hehe... Right? But the surprises don't end here. Now it's time for the real show!

Huh...? The real show?

At the press of a button...

Whoa! Hey!

And they've warmed up! Fluffy Covers... Full steam ahead!

Whoooaaa!

My body's....!

Hahaha! How is it? We've installed the latest treads. Now you can travel the worst of roads with ease!

Uh... That's all fine and well, but... Somebody stop me!

......

Sorry about that... We got caught up in our research, and had a little too much fun...

I thought something was a little off...

Fuzzy Covers are originally meant to be worn indoors!

What?! I-I had no idea!

And they're not for travelling! They're for when you need to show good etiquette and manners!

Etiquette... Manners... You're...much more knowledgeable about past Eastern culture than I...

I must shamefully ask... Please teach me more about the Land of Mi!

If that's the case, I may have made a fatal mistake with my "Snow Barrel Man"...

And me with the "Mahora"...

Please, I beg of you! Teach me of the Land of Shin!

I too want to know more of the Land of Ro!

We beg of you!!

O-Okay... Fine, just get off of me please.

If I'm going to teach you, I need a little time. With that, I'll be able to properly research the East.

Truly?! We are in your debt! We will gather information about what we want you to research. Come speak with us again!

I've put together information about what I want you to look for! The so-called "Snow Barrel Man" is said to be found in Nagsham in Shin.

I know nothing of the details, however. The information you gather is all I can trust. I'm counting on you!

I've put together information about what I want you to look for!

The so-called "Tabi-Tabi" is said to be found in Izana in the Land of Mi. I only know that it is a kind of footwear somehow related to Fluffy Covers.

The information you gather is all I can trust. I'm counting on you!

I've put together information about what I want you to look for!

A wicked katana called the "Mahora" is said to be found somewhere in the Ro. The country met an early fate, but the katana was said to be of unsurpassed quality that held a dangerous poison. That is all I know. The ruins of the Ro are known as the Wicked Meadow, it seems...

The information you gather is all I can trust. I'm counting on you.

I've put together information about what I want you to look for! The so-called "Snow Barrel Man" is said to be found in Nagsham in the Land of Shin. I know nothing of the details, however. The information you gather is all I can trust. I'm counting on you.

I've put together information about what I want you to look for! The so-called "Tabi-Tabi" is said to be found in Izana in the Land of Mi. I only know that it is a kind of footwear somehow related to Fluffy Covers. I can only trust the information you gather. I'm counting on you!

I've put together information about what I want you to look for! A wicked katana called the "Mahora" is said to be found somewhere in the Land of Ro. That country met an early fate, but the katana was said to be of unsurpassed quality that held a dangerous poison. That is all I know. The ruins of the Land of Ro are known as the Wicked Meadow, it seems... I can only trust the information you gather. I'm counting on you!

"Tabi-Tabi" huh? How could they be related to Fluffy Covers?

Huh? Lord Aldo. You seem troubled.

Hm... Traveler. You seem troubled.

Good company shortens the journey. If I can be of assistance, please ask me anything.

I appreciate it. Thanks.

Huh? Shortens the journey? In the local tongue, tabi means journey... Maybe it's some kind of footwear made for a long journey?

Are you looking for footwear?

Yes. Komachi, have you ever heard of a kind of footwear called "Tabi-Tabi"?

Tabi-Tabi?

Perhaps you mean "tabi"... Socks with a split toe?

Tabi socks? There are socks like that?

Yes, indeed. The socks I'm wearing right now are tabi.

Oh! People in the East wear them... They must have meant tabi socks!

I don't know where you heard that. But perhaps they mistook the phrasing from fluff fluffs, a colloquial name for Fluffy Covers?

That must've been it. Thanks again, Komachi!

I am happy to have been of service.

Well, now that that's finished, I should head straight back to Eeza!

Now that I've finished this research, I can move on to the next!

Hey, Lingli. Do you know anything about the "Snow Barrel Man"?

A Snow Barrel Man? Sorry, never heard of him.

So not even you've heard of it... Looks like this is going to be a tough battle.

Other than the name, do you know any special characteristics?

Well... No, there doesn't seem to be any other information.

That would be a problem. Hm... Snow...Barrel...Man...

Snow is the only sure thing. It might have something to do with the Kunlun Mountains.

That's possible. That, and Barrel plus Man. A man who looks like a barrel?

Oh! Maybe it's...!

Did you figure something out?

Let's check out the Kunlun Mountains. It might be referring to that guy!

All right, let's head there!

So this is the Snow Barrel Man?

It has to be!

Could monsters be a part of culture? What could that old man who wants to revive this be trying to do?

I have no idea! But if we become friends with it, surely we can count that as cultural exchange!

I'm Lingli! Would you like to eat some beef manju together?

Oh no! He's ready to fight!

You've riled him up!

Looks like we've gotta fight. Let's go, Lingli!

Hey, Tsukiha. Do you know anything about a wicked katana called the "Mahora"?

A wicked katana? That seems like an interesting topic, but I've never heard of it.

So not even you've heard of it... Looks like this is going to be a tough battle.

Other than the name, do you know any special characteristics?

Um... Yeah, something about poison.

Poison... The Mahora Lake is famous for poison, right?

Right, I heard that if you don't bathe in the hot springs, the poison from the lake will lead to a bad time.

Wait... A katana called Mahora... The Mahora Lake...

Indeed... It definitely seems to have something to do with Mahora Lake.

Right... It's also supposed to be a famous katana of unsurpassed quality.

I've often heard an old story about a famous blade of unparalleled quality that became a wicked katana...

A famous blade...? It couldn't be...

What's wrong?

Nothing, it's just... A totally random thought came into my head.

It doesn't matter if it's random, any information will help.

W-Well... You know the Splendid Land Baths? They are famous baths that in the local dialect are called "Mahoraba."

Famous blade... Famous bath...

That's gotta be it!

Y-You really think so...?

The poisonous baths... As the story got passed down, it must've gotten mixed up to be about a poisonous katana!

Thanks Tsukiha. You've been a big help.

I am happy to have been of service.

Well, now that that's finished, I should head straight back to Eeza!

Now that I've finished this research, I can move on to the next!

We've chased it off...

That was so rude... My feelings are hurt... Now I'm depressed... Guess I'll gather all the snow around here and make a giant snowman...

Wait! Snowman!

Snowmen? Could these be the ones we saw in Itoise?

I'm surprised you know about that!

Snowmen're made by rolling up two big snowballs and stacking them on top of each other!

Snowman?! What's that?!

It's made by rolling up two big snowballs and stacking them on top of each other!

I see... That's got to be it!

Thanks Lingli. You've been a big help.

You're welcome! I'm glad to have been of service! As payment for the info, you owe me a beef manju!

Ack! You're a cunning one, Lingli... But we'll go buy one later.

Well, now that that's finished, I should head straight back to Eeza!

Now that I've finished this research, I can move on to the next!

Hmm... I see. So someone makes a snowman, do they?

So it's not Tabi-Tabi, but tabi socks!

To think that the wicked katana's true form is a hot spring and a lake!

It seems as the months and years pass, truth gradually turns to fiction.

Yes... I can't hide my shock, but you've done well finding these results!

Indeed! From today, you are now No. 4 of the 3 Musketeers!

Well, 3 Musketeers doesn't work with four members, does it now.

I can't wait... I will head back to the lab immediately to synthesize hot springs and lake water!

Don't be absurd! We must first do an experiment to create snow for my snowman!

No way! We've got to make my tabi socks first!

Grrr!

Hey, you three...

Hmph... Nothing will come of fighting.

What a coincidence, No. 1. I thought the same thing.

Indeed! Let us find a compromise.

No. 4's research must come first!

Wha? Me?!

But there's nothing in particular I want to research...

Heh heh... How absurd.

Of course there is. A problem of the gravest importance that you must consider!

Yes, No. 4. Your challenge is...

Researching a cool pose for the four of us to strike in formation!

Wh-What?!

How about...this?

Hmm... Move your arms like this.

Like this?

Yes... How elegant!

Let us combine our efforts! All members, in your positions!

Ready...!

We are... The 3 Musketeers of Cultural Revitalization!

(How did it come to this?)