We continued walking for a while, letting Tickle train his psychic skills. We had reached the woods to the east.

'Oh, it's a rich forest,'

Yes. There's a great abundance of nuts and such--wow!

　Tickle was trying to converse with Viscount Dorr, but the stone he was floating on his psychic was about to fall off, as if he was focused on talking and looking.

　It seems to be difficult to maintain control of the psychic while still walking and talking.

'Haha, you don't have to force yourself to talk.

I'm sorry.

　As Viscount Dor smiles cheerfully, Tickle makes the stone float while his face turns red.

''It's better to let it float in your field of vision at first. I know it will be a bit of a hindrance, but it will be harder for you to leave your consciousness that way.''

　Magic is difficult when it's hard to imagine your image in a situation. That's why it's difficult to manipulate things that are far away or not in your field of vision.

　That's why you should use your magic as close as possible and within sight before you get used to it.

''Nah, I see, thank you!　I'll try!

　As I explained this, Tickle floated in front of my face so that I could see him.

　It might be depressing to have a pebble floating in front of you all the time, but if you go that far, it won't be out of your consciousness.

　Once Tickle's stone had settled, we walked into the forest.

　The forest is lush and lush with trees, and it's easy to spend time in the forest because the sun's rays are adequately blocked.

　Sunlight is forming through the trees on the path, which seems to invite us to go deeper.

　As I walked along, listening closely to the distant sounds of birds, the bushes beside me suddenly rustled.

'Hiyah!'

　Tickle freaked out in surprise, but it was a wild rabbit that appeared in front of him.

'Nah, what. A rabbit?''

　Tickle looks at the adorable rabbit and exhales in relief as he holds his chest.

　I know exactly how you feel. You'd be surprised to see him come out of the bushes so suddenly. But we're in training now.

'Tickle, there's a stone on the ground.

Ah!

　He must have been startled by the sudden appearance of the rabbit and gave up control. The psychic had been released and the pebble had fallen to the ground.

　Tickle walked over to the side of the pebble and reapplied the psychic again.

'Hmm, a rabbit. Not bad for a rabbit.''

　While we were having such an exchange, Viscount Doll was observing the rabbit.

　I'm sure he's imagining the rabbit character in his brain. And if nature is the setting, there's nothing strange about having a rabbit.

''Eventually, Tickle will have to move rabbits and other animals as well, so I'd recommend that you actively observe the animals.

　It's not just humanoid figures like Knight that are moved in Viscount Doll's puppet show. It can also be frogs and rabbits and animals, like Gekota.

　You should observe not only bipeds like humans, but also those that walk on four legs.

　If you know how an animal moves and behaves when you move it, you can move it naturally.

'Ah, yes!　Yeah, but from what I've observed, maintaining a psychic...

Good luck with that.

　As you use the psychic to keep them afloat, turn your attention to the rabbit as well. This is also good training for simultaneous manipulation.

'To be a top-notch puppeteer, you have to know a lot of different animal life forms, don't you?

　As I was observing too, in a harmonious mood, the rabbit unexpectedly pinned its ears up and ran away.

　Could it be that something was approaching?

　Curious, I searched for signs and heard footsteps and voices coming from deep in the forest.

　It seemed to be mumbling something, but the voice sounded terribly familiar.

'Oh?　What the f*ck, Al? What are you doing here?

　Thor and Asmo came from the front, as I expected.

We're going for a walk. How about you?

Me and Thor are here to pick up some food.

　When I ask, Asmo shows me the inside of the basket he's carrying to show me the results.

　There are mushrooms, wildflowers, nuts, fruits and various other bounty of the forest in the basket.

I'm amazed that you've collected all this stuff.

You big, fat, old man!　You're a friend of the Rumba!　

　When Viscount Dorr leaned back and looked into his large body, a surprised Thor shouted as he retreated.

　Hey, hey, no matter how tall Viscount Dorr is, it's too rude.

''You're dressed like Triela and you're a merchant?

No, no, no, no, no. This guy--

'Mm, yes. I am a merchant in the Triera Trading Company, Gregor.

　When I open my mouth to explain my rightful status to the two misunderstood people, Viscount Doll states as if to cover it.

''Oh, you're a merchant at Triela's!　I'm Thor, who lives in the village of Coriat, and the fat one over here is Asmo.

"Who's the fat guy?

　Thor and Asmo are easily convinced and even introduce themselves.

　I'm making this sound familiar, but he's a nobleman.　And the head of the Viscount family.

I am assisting you, and my name is Tickle.

"Oh, oh, nice to meet you,

　The two of them blatantly blush when Tickle greets them and return the monotonous words.

　Maybe it's because of the way she's acting as a maid in the service of the Viscount's family, but she's probably dogged.

　There aren't many women of this type in the village of Coriat, so it's probably not surprising that the two of them are upset.

''Huh?　Why is there a rock floating around?

Is that the kind of psychic Al uses a lot?

Yes, yes, this is an exercise in magic...

　While Tickle, Thor, and Asmo are conversing, I walk up to Viscount Doll and make a small noise.

''Hey, what are you thinking?''

'The conversation between those two is really lively and could be used as a reference for the script. So I hope they'll continue to fit together as Gregor the merchant.

　I mean, are you crazy to be referring to those two?　No, it's true that those guys are honest about their desires and stuff, so maybe their words look like they're alive and well.

''Well, if it's okay with Viscount Doll.

'Lord Alfried, I am only a merchant now, so break your words.

　Viscount Dorr has a good point. It's not right for a nobleman to speak so secretly to a merchant.

"All right, Gregor.

Hmm, I'll call you Al then!

　When I called him that, Viscount Doll smiled and said.

　It was an innocent smile, as if he had made a friend for the first time.

You know, Al. Can I follow you if you just want to go for a walk?　I'd like to hear some merchant stories from Gregor or something.

Me too. I'm still trying to gather ingredients and I'm tired of being with Thor.

　You're giving each other straightforward reasons.

I'm good.

'I don't mind either. I'd be happy to hear about you guys instead.

'Are we talking about us?　What's the point of listening to the villagers?　It's plain.

I don't think so. That's a new way of life for me.

　Hearing Viscount Doll's words with a shake of his head, Thor lightly opens his eyes and laughs.

''All right, old man. Then I'll tell you the story of how Asmo picked up and ate and broke his stomach.

'That wasn't a pick-me-up, I just ate something I dropped. I mean, tell your own story. You know, the one where you told a ghost story in the middle of the night and then wet yourself the next day.

I'm not wetting myself!　I was just sweating!

　What an ugly story. It's not something I would let the very noble Viscount Doll hear.

''This topic is going to be a barren struggle.

'Oh, let's take a pause here and make it Al. Let's talk about Al making a bug lunch for Lady Elinora and getting beaten up.

Hey, hey, hey! I'm not a villager!

　It's a story about the villagers, but don't involve me, a nobleman, in it.

　When I quickly interjected, Viscount Doll laughed.

It's a good thing that the three of you are so close. Still, never mind, let me hear it.''

　Thor and Asmo happily opened their mouths to Viscount Dorr, who was pleased to see him like that.