In case you missed a comment last strip, we're in the middle of a flashback. Lyrica has been explaining to Youmu (starting from post #2546607) about why Merlin's so obsessed with Kyouko.
Author really could've used something to help show it's a flashback though (different border would've been great).
Thank you. He generally does well just with signs and symbols, but sometimes a crib-sheet would be a help. Or even a sparse enough narrative commentary on a title page.
Such as those little chapter headings with early novels.
In which our hero meets with a vicar, has tea with his family and rides to York after buying a nag from a chance-met gipsy. Finishing with a feast.