🍁Nine Ancient Obelisks

- Ho-ho-ho!
No, this voice didn't belong to Shikichi, but to Asmidul Paritsa, who appeared behind him.

- You came at just the right time, ho-hoh! Because we are working! Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!
- Don't worry, Asmidul. I don't sense any bad intentions from this woman.
- Of course! Bad intentions and Tung are, ho-ho, an impossible combination!

—Oh, you... —if the young man had been three decades older, his story would have ended there, but this time he only flinched. —Dreams come true... H-hello. Ha-ha. Or ho-ho. Whew, I really could start stuttering again, like last year.

The Erudite took a deep breath and turned his gaze to Shikichi:
- You have a very useful ability! I wouldn't want to find such thoughts in our good neighbors, whom we, unfortunately, let down and abandoned to their fate. Hmm, but did you feel anything about someone we've met before, someone we've had dealings with?

Then he turns back to the strange woman:
- I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your positive attitude! This is a surprisingly rare and inspiring thing in these times. Since you are working, perhaps you could show us around and show us the goods?