An Unintentional Touch

Nina and Morris walked along a forest path. Daylight filtered through the lush canopy high above, casting dappled shafts of light across the woods. At some point, a thin mist had risen in the forest, and sunlight diffused through it, making everything seem even more dreamlike and hazy.

The elf girl who called herself "Shirin" walked a short distance ahead of them, stopping from time to time to glance back their way. She always seemed patient.

"The forest is foggy," Nina said softly in her heart as she looked up at the shadowy trees in the distance. "This is the first time I've seen fog here... How are things on your end, Uncle Duncan?"

She slowed her pace, an attentive expression appearing on her face as she listened closely. Morris, walking beside her, slowed as well, similarly listening intently to the voice coming from the depths of his mind.

A moment later, the old scholar's voice sounded through the mental connection. "You mean... the construction records for the Lost Homeland? The records from Pland Shipyard back then?"

The old gentleman listened seriously for a while longer, then nodded with a grave expression. In his heart, he replied, "I understand... Those records must still exist, but ordinary means definitely won't get them. I'll discuss it with Vana later and see if we can find some old friends in the city-state, or perhaps through the Church."

The voice from the depths of her mind gradually faded away.

Nina blinked and looked curiously at the teacher walking beside her. "Why does Uncle Duncan suddenly want the Lost Homeland's original construction records?"

"I don't know. Perhaps the captain found something deep inside that 'Lost Homeland in the dream,'" Morris said casually. "But since he didn't explain the details, we'd better not ask on our