Standing before the mirror, Shiomi adjusted the new clothes he had just put on.
The long robe, woven from pure black silk, was embroidered with silver lines that ran straight and clean, carrying an air of ancient dignity. The hooded cloak was joined to the shoulders by a bright metal chain, resting firmly in place.
Looking at himself, he felt more like a medieval Magus than a warrior. Yet, in this distant age of the Lostbelt, things couldn't be understood so simply.
He walked to the bed and glanced at the clothes he had taken off.
The battle with Kirei Kotomine and the others felt like it had only just happened, yet it was already beginning to seem far away, unreal—perhaps because of the effects of this unusual Rayshift. His sense of time was growing strange.
Though his old clothes were dusted with dirt and marked with tears from battle, they were still wearable. But when he had opened his eyes and seen Aesc fall into the lake, he hadn't thought twice—his body had moved on its own.
Feeling the damp fabric, Shiomi let out a sigh. In this era, it was best not to stand out.
He dried the clothes with Magecraft and folded them neatly. While tidying them away, his fingers brushed against something hard in the inner pocket. He pulled it out and found a ring.
"Ah…"
Shiomi froze. It was the ring he had given Morgan, back when she agreed to stay with him. They had married in Japan not long after that.
There had been no friends or family present, not even a proper ceremony. In front of their two children, he had slipped the ring onto Morgan's finger. At some point, she had slipped his own ring back into his pocket, her meaning clear.
[This time, I'm not giving this ring to you as my Servant, but to the real you.]
Unspoken, yet perfectly understood. He would honor that.
Shiomi found a cord, threaded the ring through it, and hung it around his neck, tucking it beneath his collar. Through the cloth, he could still feel its hard weight pressing against him.
"…Morgan…" he whispered softly, a voice only he could hear.
Just then, the door behind him opened.
Aesc entered the room. Seeing Shiomi turned sideways to the door, she called out, and he turned toward the sound. For some reason, she felt the dim winter light in the room grow brighter, filling it with a clear radiance.
Realizing she was staring again, Aesc quickly adjusted her glasses, trying to divert his attention and cover her slip.
"You've already changed clothes… Mother wishes to see you. If it's convenient, I'll take you to her now."
"Since I've already received your kindness—fine clothes and a place to stay—I was just about to thank her in person." Shiomi stepped closer, answering seriously.
He stood more than ten centimeters taller, and when he came near, Aesc had no choice but to tilt her head up to look at him. Noticing this, Shiomi quietly stepped back two paces.
Catching that small gesture, Aesc couldn't help but smile. She moved forward herself and said,
"Then let's go. The palace isn't that complicated, but since it's your first time here, you'll definitely get lost."
"Alright."
Following behind her, Shiomi left the room.
As they walked through the stone-built palace, Aesc introduced herself properly.
"Although you already know my name, let me say it again. I am a witch, and also a fairy who grew up here in the Land of Rain. The name 'Aesc' was given to me by the queen—my mother. She hoped I would become a princess who protects the country, like the World Tree."
"The World Tree?" Shiomi asked curiously.
Aesc stopped before a window in the corridor. It faced north, and from there, one could see a strange, towering giant tree.
"That is the World Tree. They say it has stood there since the very beginning of Britannia," Aesc explained to Shiomi. "It must have been there for thousands of years."
"I see..." Shiomi murmured thoughtfully.
That must be the so-called Tree of Fantasy—the reason why a history that should have been pruned away by the universe long ago could reappear on this planet.
But clearly, the fairies here—at least Aesc—had no idea of its true nature.
"But that's only the story passed down in our clan. Mother told me the same thing." Aesc drew back her gaze.
"You've never gone there yourself?" Shiomi asked.
"No. They say the closer you get, the more dangerous it becomes..." Aesc trailed off, then suddenly leaned closer to him as though struck by a thought. "Sage... Tenkei, you said you came to Orkney for me, didn't you?"
"Why do you need to ask again?" Shiomi smiled.
"If I decided to explore the World Tree, would you agree to it?"
Shiomi was taken aback—not by the danger, but by the sheer intensity of her curiosity and thirst for knowledge.
So, you had that kind of age too.
After silently reflecting on it, he nodded with gravity. "Of course. As long as we plan properly. We can't just rush in... Well, not that acting on impulse is entirely bad. I understand. I really do."
"Hehe~, then it's settled." Aesc was amused by his overly serious tone and laughed, but then quickly caught herself and straightened up. "Still, with Mother's expectations, she's really set me quite the goal."
"No, I think it suits you perfectly," Shiomi answered without hesitation.
"…Really?" Aesc clasped her hands together, secretly pleased. "By the way, you're a Magus, right? And a rare human Magus, too."
Having followed Aesc and Vivian into the Rain Clan's city, Shiomi had already guessed there weren't many humans in this Lostbelt. All the residents here were fairies.
"Uh, I guess you could say that," Shiomi replied, though the phrasing felt a little strange.
"You're a human Magus, and I'm a fairy Magus. Since we're both Magi, let's get along well, alright?" Aesc said earnestly.
This time, Shiomi couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Aesc frowned, a little unhappy. She had spoken with all sincerity, only to be laughed at.
"No, I just think you're so serious." Shiomi raised his right hand and pressed his palm lightly against his chest. "Didn't I already tell you? I came here for you. If I couldn't get along with you, even the act of 'staying here' would lose its meaning."
Once again, his words struck straight at her soul, resonating deep within her.
Aesc felt both happy and shy, realizing she had been worrying for nothing.