Nymue's Experiments

Ethan! Ethan!!! Where on earth did he go?

Morgana? What's wrong?

I'm looking for Ethan!

He went out saying he'd get cake, and he hasn't come back yet!

Now that you mention it... I don't think I've seen Ethan at the inn today.

Did something happen to hi...

W-Wait! Don't tell me... he's planning to eat all the cake himself?!

I won't forgive you for that, Ethan! I even ate only half my breakfast for this!

...

Pretty sure you had two full steak platters...

It's been a while since the inn's been this quiet...

Yeah. Not long ago, this kind of atmosphere was normal...

but it feels like forever ago now.

We've been on this adventure for quite some time.

I'm not even surprised by most things anymore!

Heh. Oh, really?

It's true, Princess! As long as, you know, it doesn't suddenly start snowing or something!

Even I'd be surprised by that. Not that it's going to snow on a sunny day like this.

Hehe. Right... huh?

...

Wait... It's actually happening?!

P-Princess, what do we do?! It's like there's a hole in the ceiling!

No, Bedi, it's not coming from the sky...

I'm so sorry!

It's been a while since I left the forest, and I think the spirits got a little too excited.

Alright, settle down, everyone! Once my research is over, I'll play with you!

Princess... it's not snowing anymore!

You are...?

Sorry for the late introduction. I'm Nymue.

I am Merlin's apprentice and a scholar of magic.

Nice to meet you. I'm Elizabeth, Princess of Britannia.

I'm Bedivere, the princess's knight!

So, what brings you here...?

Ah, well... the truth is...

What?! You discovered a love potion recipe?!

Haha... hard to believe, right?

My friends didn't believe me either. They say it's childish to still believe in fairytales.

But I think it's possible! This time I've perfected the theory!

So, I came to ask Ethan for some ingredients...

but it looks like he's not here right now.

Then, the experiment will have to wait...

I'll help you!

Yes?

Y-Your Highness?

B-But, Miss Nymue is Ethan's guest, isn't she?

She came all this way, it wouldn't be right to send her away empty-handed.

Thank you, Elizabeth! Ethan's lucky to have such wonderful companions.

Though, can I ask one favor in return?

Of course!

If you succeed in making the potion...

Please share a little with me too!

Hehe. Of course!

Not just a little, I'll make you tons! So much that no one will be able to resist its spell!

...!!!

S-So much you can't resist...

Y-Your Highness?! Please come to your senses!

The first ingredient's pretty easy.

We've also gotten stronger through all our adventures!

You're all really impressive.

I'm sure Ethan finds you dependable, too.

By the way, Nymue... you and Ethan are both disciples of Merlin, right?

What was Ethan like before he met us?

Hmm... Ethan was gifted from the very start.

He passed all of Merlin's training, even the parts that fairies struggle with.

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it.

Even considering the fact that he's the Swordbringer.

How did you two become close?

Haha. Well... it's a bit of an embarrassing story...

Hey, Nymue. Meal time.

Sniff...

...What the, are you crying?

E-Ethan?!

What's wrong? You were fine during training.

It's just... a little habit of mine.

Sometimes when I'm about to fall asleep... old memories start rushing back to me.

What kind of memories make you cry like that?

Most fairies are bound by a sense of duty to protect Avalon.

But for me, my research has always been more important.

Because of that, people often laughed at or dismissed my work.

Eventually, I left Avalon and became Merlin's apprentice... but even now, I sometimes wonder.

If the path I've chosen... is truly the right one.

...I know exactly how that feels.

..! Ethan, you've felt that way too?

Yeah. It's from before I came to this world...

My hobby wasn't something I could exactly brag about.

Some people mocked me behind my back, some even called it disgusting.

But, you know... ten years later, the world changed.

There were far more people enjoying that hobby alongside me, more than those who mocked it.

There were even people starting to study it seriously.

...

So, um... what I'm trying to say is...

You shouldn't be ashamed of the things you love.

Someday, you'll meet a fairy who truly appreciates your worth.

...!

And remember? You promised me.

You said you'd make a love potion and turn me into the most popular guy around.

So don't give up! If you quit your research before then, I'm in trouble!

Pfft... Alright, Ethan.

If I figure out the recipe... you'll be the first one I bring it to.

But you'll help me gather the ingredients, okay?

Of course!

Ethan has always been so kind, hasn't he...

Definitely. He may grumble sometimes, but he's really warmhearted.

...

Miss Nymue.

Yes?

Is there... a particular reason you want to make this love potion...

Princess! A monster!

...Urgh!

With this, we've gathered all the ingredients!

Thank you both so much!

So now we can make the potion, right?

Of course! I came prepared with everything I'd need!

Ta-da! Here it is, the love potion!

Here you go, Elizabeth. Please take it.

Th-this is the legendary love potion...

It doesn't really look any different from an ordinary vial...

That's the point!

You can give it to someone without raising any suspicion.

...! S-so that's the genius behind it!

Hehe. A good scholar has to think about all the possible outcomes!

Alright then, shall we head back?

Finn, you little... You said there was a goblin vault, and it turned out to be a dead end!

Next time I catch you, you're not getting away...

Ethan!

Elizabeth? What's up?

Ah, um... you looked really tired, so I brought you some water.

Oh, thanks. I was just getting thirsty.

Gulp, gulp.

(thump thump)

...

...

Mmgh?!

...

...

Bawk?!

...pffft!

...pffft!!!

Ahahaha! You look... you look absolutely perfect, Ethan!

N-Nymue... what's going on?! That potion was supposed to...

Ah, actually, that was a lie.

I mean, come on, there's no such thing as a potion that can control someone's heart, right?

Bawk! Bawk!!!

Alright, calm down. You'll turn back soon.

In about... a day or so, hehe.

Bawk!!!!

Huh? What's with this chicken?

Morgana... that chicken is actually...

Ah, I'm suddenly getting hungry.

Since Ethan ran off with the cake, I guess this chicken will have to do.

Bawk?!?!!

N-No, Morgana!!! That chicken is NOT dinner!!!

Ah... another failure, huh.

I thought the tail of Medusa would complete the potion, but I guess it's not so simple.

But that's okay! My research is just getting started.

Nymue looked up at the night sky, a tender smile crossing her face as she remembered her most precious memory.

...I'm sorry, Elizabeth.

Seeing things as they are, I don't think I'll be able to help you next time.