Astreia Kingdom - Justitia Province.
Step, step.
A tall man with black hair long enough to cover the back of his head walked through the observatory hall.
He was dressed in black. His stride was brisk, yet calm.
Hair that fell naturally over his right eye and ear belonged to Ioannis.
"Wow... it really is huge."
"It is a place where the wisdom of astronomy gathers."
Beside Ioannis was a girl with pale purple hair. She had unusual heterochromia.
"Are you looking for something?"
An old man approached them as they browsed through various documents.
He had short hair and a mustache.
He wore a warm, kindly expression.
"We were just looking around."
"It is rare for an outsider to take an interest in astronomy and come all the way up here..."
"I have wanted to visit for a long time."
"I am late introducing myself. I am Rubeliera, section chief at the Shapel Astronomical Headquarters."
"My name is Jasmine."
"I’m Luxi."
Jasmine extended his right hand to Rubeliera.
It was a handshake. Unluckily, Jasmine could not use his right hand.
Jasmine smiled faintly.
"I cannot use my right hand."
"Oh, I am sorry. I did not know. How did that happen..."
"I lost it in battle. It is not completely useless, so it is fine."
Ioannis extended his left hand. Rubeliera took it in his own.
After a proper handshake, Rubeliera said,
"If you do not mind, may I introduce you to one of our staff? It is a pleasure to see an outsider after so long."
"Of course."
"Leon! Come here for a moment."
Rubeliera called someone over.
A little while later, a boy appeared carrying an armful of books.
He was a beautiful youth with long black hair and blue eyes.
Jasmine wore a barely visible smile. Leon Stephanon.
He was someone he had wanted to meet if the chance arose. To think they would meet so easily.
"You called for me, Chief?"
"Guide these two for a while. They are outsiders who have come after a long time."
"...Understood."
Leon looked reluctant.
Being told to guide outsiders all of a sudden. Still, he could not refuse the chief’s words.
"I am Leon Stephanon."
"I am Jasmine. This child is Luxi."
"Hello!"
Leon gave Jasmine a quick once-over.
He was a tall man.
Not the kind of massive build that resembled a bear.
His shoulders were masculine and well-balanced. He had a dignified, refined air. At first glance he seemed cold, but the faint smile on his face gave him a gentle atmosphere.
The girl named Luxi had a small frame and heterochromia. She was a rare beauty.
Leon led them along with a sullen face.
"If you are curious about anything, ask."
"What is that?"
Jasmine pointed to one side. Luxi was pulling out a book with curious eyes.
"That is... ah, hey! Do not touch that! It is an ancient manuscript that has not been copied yet!"
"Eek! I am sorry."
Luxi tried to put the book she had pulled out back carefully. But her hand slipped, and it fell to the floor.
"S-sorry..."
"...."
Leon sighed and picked up the fallen book.
"Hmm, I suppose it is about time to begin copying them. The books are very old. Then, Leon. Please guide the two of them well."
After the chief left, Leon guided Jasmine and Luxi.
What was more unexpected than he had thought was Jasmine’s knowledge of astronomy.
He knew more varied astronomical facts than even the younger astronomers.
Thanks to that, the time became enjoyable.
At first he had felt hostility, but he was a courteous man.
Luxi was cute. Was this what it would be like to have a younger sister?
"And, in case you do not know, the Ali Comet will arrive four months from now."
"Four months from now..."
Jasmine stroked his chin.
It meant Violet would come four months later.
"It is a comet that appears once every two hundred years. Even in ancient texts it appears as a myth, because it emits such a powerful light. Its appearance is so mythic that it is mentioned in many documents."
Leon asked,
"If the opportunity arises, why not visit the observatory again? The Ali Comet only comes once every two hundred years. If you miss that time, you will never see it again in your lifetime."
"I, too, will see the Ali Comet. But not here."
"You will see it somewhere else? Our observatory is the place closest to the heavens. There is no better place than here."
"I am not belittling the Justitia Observatory. It is just that... at that time, I will not be able to come here."
If he visited the observatory to see the Ali Comet, he could meet Violet.
"Ah... what a pity. It would truly be beautiful."
Leaving that regret behind, Leon introduced them to various documents.
Jasmine was able to look at books that ordinary people would never have the chance to see.
Time passed, and night fell.
Perhaps because it was an observatory, the ceiling was made of windows.
The stars revealed their presence.
"So you were here. We are about to begin our observations. If you do not mind, would you like to observe as well, Jasmine?"
Rubeliera approached them.
"I would be grateful if you would allow it."
Jasmine nodded. In this era, astronomical telescopes were not common.
With Jasmine’s wealth, he could obtain one easily, but not a place like this.
The Justitia Observatory was the best place for observation. Its altitude rose above the clouds, bringing it close to the sky.
It was ideal for observing the heavens.
He went up to the observatory rooftop with the astronomers.
Among them was Leon’s friend Kyle. He teased Luxi, saying it had been a long time since he had seen a woman.
"Kyle, you... were you into that sort of thing?"
"I regret sharing a room with you..."
"That is not it!"
The other astronomers looked at Kyle with contempt.
Kyle said his type was adult women, but the more he tried to explain, the colder their gazes became.
They put on thick coats and set up the telescope.
The setup was finished quickly.
"Please look through this. It is one of the forty precious telescopes in our observatory."
"Then."
Jasmine put his eye to it. The expanded night sky through the lens rushed into view.
"......."
Brilliant.
The stars pinned across the black universe were like jewels. In a word, it was beautiful.
It was the second most beautiful thing Jasmine had ever seen.
It was an intoxicating experience. So much so that he wanted to gaze at it forever.
He wanted to keep looking for hours, but unfortunately the telescope was shared.
Next, Luxi took her turn.
Luxi stared through the telescope with her mouth hanging open, unable to look away.
"Wow..."
With little experience of the world, Luxi kept letting out exclamations.
After our viewing ended, Rubeliera came over.
"Did you enjoy it?"
"It is a magnificent sight. To think it could be this beautiful."
Jasmine nodded and took a notebook from his bag.
"What is that?"
"My sketchbook. I draw in it as a hobby while traveling."
"May I look at it?"
"Of course."
Jasmine showed them the notebook.
Luxi, Rubeliera, and Leon gathered close and looked at the drawings.
The first few pages were ordinary sketches. The kind an average person could reach if they drew steadily for a month. But as they turned the pages, the quality rose dramatically. It was pure talent.
"This is a village."
"Yes. It is a southern village called Kazari."
"Wow... you are really good."
Leon exclaimed in admiration.
"This is the opera in Leiden, and this is the Drossel royal castle I visited before."
"Beautiful. Come to think of it, I heard that the Drossel princess is getting married."
"I heard that too."
Jasmine took out his art supplies.
"What will you draw?"
"I am going to try drawing what I have seen."
"The sky?"
"I have never drawn it before, but I want to try."
Jasmine sat there and began to draw.
As expected, it was difficult. But as time passed, he began to get the feel of it. After several dozen minutes, he finished a picture that at least captured the atmosphere.
"I am done."
"Amazing."
"It looks real."
Jasmine shrugged. Even he thought it was drawn at a high level.
"Drawing space for the first time was difficult, but once I found the rhythm, it was fine."
"Um, if it is not rude, may I buy this picture?"
Rubeliera asked carefully.
It was a fairly impressive painting, but not something overwhelmingly extraordinary.
"This picture?"
"If it is precious to you, I apologize. How should I put it... it feels like fate, so I would like to keep it as a memory. We may never meet again, after all."
"Of course. I drew it half as a hobby and half for the memory. The money is fine. Here you are."
"Thank you. Could you also write your name here?"
He wrote his name in the lower right corner. "Jasmine."
"I have gained a good memory. I will frame this and hang it on the wall of the library."
"It is not such a grand work..."
Jasmine scratched his cheek.
"Not at all. I cannot treat such a fine piece carelessly."
"If you say so, then I am grateful."
Jasmine smiled softly.
As he had said, it seemed like it would become a good memory.
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