Vivien's Episode

It's been a while, Ethan.

Vivien...! What's going on? Is there a problem with the alliance?

The alliance is fine.

Actually... today is Avalon's Environmental Day, but we're short on fairies to maintain the island, so...

I'm asking for your help, Ethan. Heh...

...

Hey... I'm the Swordbringer, you know...? Is it okay to have me do such a leisurely task?

Leisurely task? This is a crucial event to maintain Avalon's purity. Please, help keep Avalon's environment pleasant.

It's the Swordbringer's role to care for the fairies' paradise for the safety of the continent, Ethan.

Hmm... Now that you put it that way, I guess I don't have a choice. So what do I need to do?

First, I'd like you to do some pruning, weed picking, and clean the docks.

And Vivien?

I'll water the flowerbeds and plant flowers.

My tasks seem much harder...

Heh, I'm counting on you, Ethan.

I've been tricked...

With this, the preparations are complete. Now, onto the next step...

...?

Vivien? Is everything done? Would you like to help out a bit?

Huh? She's not here... She just went this way... Wait, she's already over there?

What on earth is she doing...?

Huh? She's not here!

Ethan?

Vivien? Didn't you just go this way?

No, I think you saw wrong.

Forget it. If I go, I'll probably just get scolded.

Vivien is really a curious person, just like at the alliance meeting. Sometimes, I can't even tell what she's thinking.

I wonder if Vivien is busy...

Well, she manages this entire large island mostly by herself.

More importantly, I wasn't supposed to come alone. I rushed over, thinking something had happened, and this is what I find...

Heh... heh heh...

Vivien.

Oh, Ethan! Is your work going well?

Yeah. But there's something that's been bothering me since earlier... Why are you laughing? It sounds like you're talking to someone...

It's...

Actually, I was just checking in with the flowers and trees.

Really? You can talk to flowers and trees?

Hmm... Fairies have an exceptional ability to communicate with nature. You, being human, wouldn't understand, of course.

I do carry around a fairy who insists she's one, but I've never seen her do anything like that, so I was a bit surprised.

Oh, you mean Morgana.

...I guess I'm a bit peculiar. After living in Avalon for so long, I've probably become like this.

Was it loneliness? But don't others visit Avalon, too? I think Merlin comes by quite often...

That's true. Merlin sometimes brings delicious donuts and tells us fun stories.

...Doesn't she bother you?

What? No, Merlin is a good person.

Well... even if there are visitors, you must mostly be alone.

People do become strange if they stay secluded without interacting with others. I understand now, thinking about your situation.

Is this strange?

No, I was just a little surprised. I won't pay attention to it anymore.

But Vivien, do you really have to stay in Avalon?

Well, this place is the last stronghold for the fairies. As the leader, I can't just leave.

So that means you need to stay healthy for the fairies' sake.

Maybe you should go out sometimes. It might help with the loneliness.

I appreciate the thought, heh heh.

It might seem strange, but I really enjoy it this way.

Besides, there's so much to study. I have a strong curiosity, so I keep researching ancient texts and magic.

The pursuit of truth is what will allow the fairy race to survive in the continent again...!

You're incredibly determined.

Heh heh. That's because I have a deep attachment to my kin.

Of course. There's just so much to do, that's the problem...

There are other fairies living in Avalon besides you, right? Don't they help?

Everyone is a big help. But since I can't go out, I'm often alone while the others travel back and forth across the continent.

So, you've learned how to entertain yourself.

That's actually why I called you here, Ethan.

Alright, fine. I'll go take care of the remaining tasks.

Oh, Ethan.

Huh?

Could you clear the stones by the western creek on your way? If we leave them, the water won't flow properly.

...You really plan to take full advantage, huh?

Heh heh, please.

Vivien, it's done.

Vivien?

Where did she go... Could she be at that place again?

There are no flowers or trees down there... I should follow her.

Vivien. What are you doing?

...?

Oh, Ethan.

What's that? A statue? Since when did you have a hobby for making things like that?

These aren't hobbies... They're sculptures for the peace and prosperity of Avalon.

They symbolize the past, present, and future of the fairies. I'm preparing a grand plan for the welfare of my kin.

Sculptures that symbolize the fairies' past, present, and future... Could this be...

Do you recognize it, Ethan? What do you think this is?

So, you do think it looks like that. That's right. It's a statue of myself.

Making a statue of yourself... Your skill is impeccable, but why? Normally, people make statues to commemorate something.

As you said, I've always been here. I wanted to leave behind a representation of myself.

But you just mentioned a grand plan...

If I place these sculptures around the island, even if I'm not here, the fairies will think I'm still around. It will help with unity!

A... Ancient fairies...?

What? Am I wrong?

No, you are right. These are to honor the ancient fairies who returned to nature at the end of their lives.

They're all holding weapons. Did the fairies also fight wars back in the ancient times?

Yes... They fought endlessly against monsters, as well as humans.

I'm making these statues as a wish for their peaceful rest.

Then what's this about a grand plan?

...I think you must have misheard, or maybe you overheard me muttering to myself.

Hmm... Maybe...

You must have it tough. How much stress have you been under on this isolated island to end up doing something like this...

It's my duty, so I have no choice, heh heh.

Right! I finished all the work.

You did? You've worked hard. You've been a big help.

I'm glad you recognized it. I've been starving to death since earlier. Do you think I could get some food?

Of course. Let's head to the restaurant! I'll prepare a feast with fresh vegetables and seafood unique to Avalon.

Alright. I'm looking forward to it.

But...

One last favor. Could you help me one more time?

Vivien, I slept well thanks to you.

You're here.

What do you need me to help with? Wait... Are you drawing a magic circle?

That's right.

What's this for? It's pretty large in scale...

Yes. It's a magic circle to activate the ancient magic created by the fairies.

I haven't been able to get it to work yet, but I was sketching it out for the experiment. You know, I research ancient magic.

Ancient magic, huh... What kind of magic is it?

It's magic that will benefit the world. I can barely remember it now, but the fairies used it to gain power long ago.

I see...

Actually, the reason I asked for your help is related to this magic.

Really? What do you want me to do?

Just step into the center of the magic circle.

I thought maybe a living sacrifice was needed to activate the circle, so I asked you...

Wait! A living sacrifice? Are you asking me to just die for this?

Heh heh, don't worry. It's just a metaphor. The magic circle won't harm you at all.

This feels very uncomfortable...

Really. If it activates, it could have a great effect. It was a magic created for the peace of the fairies.

If this magic is so good, why don't you remember it?

I know... It's not my creation, so I guess that's why... If I had known this would happen, I should've properly recorded it when I saw it.

If we don't know how to activate it... there's a chance nothing will happen, right?

That's likely. But since you're a human with a special destiny, it might be different for you...

Hearing you say that makes me feel uneasy...

Heh heh, it'll be fine.

Ethan, could you stand inside the magic circle?

Alright, if you say it's fine.

I appreciate it. Now... I'll try to activate the magic circle.

Uh...?

Nothing's happening?

Looks like I failed. That means there must be something else, some other method or material required... Hmm...

I don't know what kind of magic this is, so stepping in is a bit...

You don't trust me?

It's not that. It's the magic circle I don't trust. You don't really know much about it either.

What if I end up turning into something like a slime?

But this is magic to help the fairies...

Anyway, I'm sorry, but I can't do this.

...Alright. I'll look for other solutions.

A failure... It seems like I need to research it further.

Can I leave now? I've finished my work.

It's a shame, but it can't be helped. Thank you.

Well then, take care, Vivien.

...Ethan.

Huh?

Next time we meet... I'll make sure you see the result of this magic.