"I'm so envious of all of you, having had so many wonderful experiences. All my memories, up to this point in my life, have remained within this tiny little courtyard."
"Ah, actually, I have had some too, you know?"
Kiyohime's eyes suddenly lit up.
"You see, I once saved a little snake in the courtyard!"
"After that, my relationship with snakes became very good. Not only could I understand what they said, I could even sense a little of what they were thinking!"
"Hmm, if what you're saying is true, wouldn't that count as a kind of telepathy?"
Musashi stroked her chin, tilting her head as she guessed.
"Communicating spirits through the heart... What an amazing ability."
Fujimaru Ritsuka also emerged from her little bout of gloom and sighed in admiration.
Though there were plenty of details worth commenting on, that special ability really was impressive.
Unlike her, whose talent for magecraft was terribly limited. Though her command abilities were excellent, and her willpower unyielding... Well, in a sense, weren't those two things even more important than talent for magecraft?
"Princess, there is truly no need to feel so sorry for yourself. Even here in Shimosa, there are always so many encounters to be had."
Musashi encouraged the little princess.
"Your meeting with that snake, and your meeting with me, Fujimaru Ritsuka, Sakumura, and Kotarou—they were all like that."
Kiyohime froze for a moment.
Then she gave a helpless smile.
"Ahaha..."
"This time, you truly have refuted me."
"Still, I have a question, Lady Musashi."
Kiyohime looked at Musashi, then at Fujimaru Ritsuka, who was no longer sleepy.
"Are you and Lady Fujimaru Ritsuka old acquaintances?"
"It feels like you've known each other for a very long time."
"Ah, that... We met not too long ago. Though I don't actually