Return.

Heathcliff: “In actual fact, plans for the Ship of Knowledge have been around for over a hundred years now.”

Akira: “Oh, really?”

Heathcliff: “Yes. Eastern scholars and architects constructed a grand ship using the most advanced forms of engineering they were capable of at the time.”

Shino: “Heh. Do your best to keep up with this one, Sage.”

Heathcliff: “Could you not make fun of me?”

Shino: “I wasn’t trying to. I like hearing you talk about this.”

Heathcliff: “Anyway… Like I was saying, Master Sage — the first Ship of Knowledge had as many of the era’s technological marvels as possible incorporated into its development.”

Akira: “You said it was the East’s most advanced form of engineering at the time, right? So…”

Akira: “It must’ve been mechanical engineering!”

Heathcliff: “Precisely. I love those sorts of intricate, handmade mechanisms, so I find the Ship of Knowledge to be a real marvel…”

Akira: (That’s right — Heath’s a big fan of delicate, complicated handicrafts like these. Music boxes, clocks...)

Akira: (I get why Shino said he likes hearing Heath talk about this. It’s nice to see him rambling about what makes him happy, considering how reserved he usually is…)

Heathcliff: “First, the ship's propulsion system: it combines the motion of various multi-layered mainsprings with that of a counterweight.”

Heathcliff: “Those mainsprings store power, and have been arranged radially from the central section of the hull to create overall driving stability.”

Akira: (Oh, this is going to be tough…)

Akira: (I can see Shino looking smug over Heath’s shoulder.)

Akira: (I need to focus so I can try and properly absorb all this. Hopefully I can keep up, even though I already feel like I'm falling behind...)

Heathcliff: “Furthermore, the balance of the counterweight placement is exquisite, physically absorbing both the ship's motion and any external impacts during navigation—”

Tall Nobleman: “Heathcliff Blanchett.”

Just then, someone said Heath’s name.

He was a tall, middle-aged man with dark black hair. His clothes weren’t gaudy, rather, I could tell at a glance that they had to be high-quality and expensive.

Beside him stood a smaller, grey-haired gentleman with a kind, elderly face.

Despite being visibly much older, he stood straight and rigid, and I could see a collection of medals decorating his chest.

Grey-Haired Gentleman: “…”

Heathcliff: “Count Liebenthal!”

Heathcliff bowed politely to the tall nobleman.

Behind him, Shino did the same.

As did I.

Heathcliff: “Please accept my thanks for inviting us to tonight’s ceremony.”

Count Liebenthal: “Not at all. I, too, extend my gratitude to the Blanchett family for their support.”

Heathcliff: “Of course.”

Heathcliff: “Master Sage, this is Count Liebenthal.”

Heathcliff: “He’s been the one responsible for everything required for the Ship of Knowledge’s reconstruction.”

Heathcliff: “He’s also played a pivotal part to the East’s advancements in science and cultural policy.”

Count Liebenthal: “Indeed. ‘Where the Blanchetts are soldiers, the Liebenthals are scholars’, as they say.”

Heathcliff: “Count Liebenthal. This is our current Master Sage, Akira — and this is Shino, one of my fellow Sage’s wizards.”

Akira: “It’s an honour to meet you.”

Shino: “No need for honorifics with me. Nice to meet you.”

Count Liebenthal: “Shino it is, then. I’ve heard the rumours. The Blanchetts certainly have found a diamond in the rough with you.”

Count Liebenthal: “As for you, Sir Sage. You seem to be more familiar with both Central and the West than you are with us.”

Count Liebenthal: “I ask that you not neglect us here in the East. If you do so deign to give us your attention, know that we shall give you our full devotion in turn.”

The Count’s gaze on me felt dispassionate and frigid.

Though his words seemed courteous on the surface, they carried a distinctive, pointed edge.

‘Don’t think that you can play favourites with the Central and Western monarchies’—

—That’s what he really seemed to be saying.

Akira: (I’ve never once neglected the Eastern wizards, so I hadn’t really given it much thought, but…)

Akira: (I can see how it might seem like I’m not giving Eastern Country’s leaders the attention they deserve.)

Akira: (Central Country’s investiture ceremony, followed by the coronation in Western Country… This really will be our first big event in the East.)

Akira: (I need to make it clear that I appreciate Eastern Country just as much, before Heath’s reputation starts to suffer.)

Akira: (So this is diplomacy, huh… It’s not easy, that’s for sure.)

As I stood there, shoulders hunched with embarrassment, the grey-haired gentleman beside Count Liebenthal smiled at me kindly.

Count Liebenthal: “Forgive me, I forget myself. Introductions — everyone, this is Professor Heilmann.”

Count Liebenthal: “He is Eastern Country’s most influential scholar. ‘What Murr is to the West, Heilmann is to the East’, as they say.”

Prof. Heilmann: “Lord Heathcliff; Master Sage; Sage’s wizard. Please, call me Heilmann.”

Akira: “Masaki Akira, the Sage. It’s an honour.”

Akira: (So there really is someone capable of rivalling Murr Hart, genius of his era… This man isn’t even a wizard, either.)

Heathcliff: “Professor Heilmann is the person responsible for discovering the cause behind and inventing the cure for Lunacy Syndrome, which unfortunately claimed the lives of many.”

Akira: “Lunacy Syndrome…?”

Heathcliff: “It’s a disease that once used to periodically infect many citizens in Eastern Country’s northern regions.”

Heathcliff: “Because of how its symptoms would worsen on nights when the moon was full, and how its true origins remained unknown for so long…”

Heathcliff: “It was common for people to blame it on wizards driven mad by the Great Calamity’s influence.”

I remembered hearing something like that, once.

That the Calamity’s approach could influence wizards’ personalities and make them act in unusual or erratic ways.

Heathcliff: “But the truth is that the epidemic wasn’t caused by wizards at all — rather, the cause was a type of forest-dwelling plant.”

Heathcliff: “And it was Professor Heilmann who figured that out.”

Akira: “Oh, I see…”

Seeing the professor’s gentle smile, I found myself unconsciously smiling in response.

It was common for wizards to be blamed for all the bad things in this world.

People left to worry about all the terrifying, unexplainable phenomena would have their hearts slowly worn away by the uncertainty.

Using wizards as scapegoats probably gave them peace of mind, in a way.

But that meant the ones being blamed would have to suffer, instead. Blamed for everything wrong in the world…

When I thought about it like that, it made me feel like I owed Professor Heilmann a lot — he was someone who had helped clear away some of the misunderstandings about my wizards, after all.

And all because he was one of Eastern Country’s venerated intellectuals.

Akira: “Professor Heilmann. As the Sage, and also as Masaki Akira — thank you.”

Akira: “Thank you for saving the lives of those that were sick, and helping people understand that it wasn’t wizardkind at fault.”

At my words, Professor Heilmann’s eyes seemed to twinkle like those of a child’s, crinkling gently at the corners.

Prof. Heilmann: “There’s no need for thanks, Master Sage. I only did what any person should.”

Count Liebenthal: “As you can see, the professor is a humble man. Yet hidden beneath this modesty lies the true force of his passion and resolve.”

Count Liebenthal: “Our plans for the Ship of Knowledge would never have succeeded without his contributions.”

Prof. Heilmann: “The Ship of Knowledge… Its completion was the long-cherished dream of my scholarly colleagues from days gone by.”

Though the professor smiled, I saw how his eyebrows furrowed. Count Liebenthal puffed out his chest, inhaling deeply.

Count Liebenthal: “Our success is guaranteed this time, I assure you. Not only have we utilised our nation’s technology, we’ve also made practical use of magical technology where necessary.”

Count Liebenthal: “Young Master Heathcliff. I do hope you enjoy the voyage.”

Heathcliff: “I’m sure we will. And I’ll be praying for your success.”

Shino: “May the Ship of Knowledge and Eastern Country itself achieve ever greater progress and glory.”

After the two men went on their way, Heathcliff let out a long sigh of relief.

Heathcliff: “Thank goodness that’s over… You endured that well, Shino.”

Shino: “I was just doing as Lord Blanchett warned I should — not arguing with the Count.”

Heathcliff: “Well, good. If the houses of Blanchett and Liebenthal were to get into a dispute—”

Heathcliff: “It would tear Eastern Country itself in two.”

Shino: “But even if that did happen, wouldn’t it be fine so long as we crush whoever gets in our way?”

Heathcliff: “It would not! That’s exactly the kind of senseless, controversial remark my father warned you not to say. It’s a good thing the Count isn’t in earshot anymore…”

Heathcliff: “Regardless, though — thank you for keeping quiet and behaving yourself.”

Shino: “Heh. It was nothing.”

Somewhere along the harbour, a bell began to toll. Heathcliff then turned to me with a smile.

Heathcliff: “Sounds like it’s time for us to make our way back, Master Sage. The departure ceremony is about to begin.”