"Hm... If my memory does not deceive me the Kirisame second hand shop still exists. Perhaps the proprietor knows more about the village's situation," you muse aloud.
"A fine thought," Mystia says. "The shop you speak of stands still, and the guards treat him fairly, or as fairly as any man in this land."
"Then we should go visit." You bow to Yuuka. "Thank you for your hospitality Master of Flowers. But we should be off on our quest again.
"Farewell. I would think a king would be the most difficult of your foes, but perhaps you are strong enough to fight him," Yuka says. "Either way you can retreat here if things go poorly. I have no fear of invasion."
Your party gives farewells to Yuka and Medicine, and you head out towards the village. The journey is free of trouble, though you seem to get more odd looks from the guards. None stop you though, so you continue on your way. Soon you pass through the farmland and hit the village itself.
The new village is a maze of poorly designed streets and alleys. In addition all the two and three story buildings makes navigation a pain. Still three years have given you decent skills at navigating the place, and you quickly work your way to your destination. A small shop, in a moderately well to do area. You tie your horses outside and enter.
The shop is dark, but far better laid out then Rinnousuke's tent. Each group of objects is clustered together, and the shelves, while full are not yet overflowing. Still it is a pawn shop, and stranger yet you can sense no magic from any item. A bell rings to signal your arrival, and the master of the shop appears quickly. The man's red hair and slight stature show he is related to the black white witch, but his stern expression shows little of Marisa's devil may care attitude. He grows more neutral when he sees you are customers, but you cannot state he is welcoming.
The wan bows to you, then lights a wooden pipe and begins smoking. "Greetings travelers. I'm not sure what among my wares might interest you, but please look around or ask. As a warning I do not stock overtly magical goods. Everything here contains only the magic of hard work and nature itself."
"Thank you sir merchant."
As you begin to think of what to ask him about he speaks up again. "As a warning friends, there was a bit of commotion involving youkai earlier in the morning. A landless night said a fairy dressed like a knight had ambushed and humiliated him via magic. Some guards gave a different story, but Brother Marcus of the monastery 'convinced' them that they had been led astray by fae charms. The village pays it little heed, but should the perpetrators run into the man, I expect there would be conflict."
As he finishes his story he slides a piece of paper over to you. On it are the words "Beneath the Eternal Winter. 'Spring will come.'" You quickly pocket it.
"Thank you for the story friend. Would you mind answering a few questions for some travelers as well?"
"Of course not," he replies. "What do you wish to know?"