healingbonds (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
healingbonds) wrote2020-08-30 12:04 am
healingbonds) wrote2020-08-30 12:04 am
Entry tags:
- .mahoyaku,
- .spot story,
- .translation,
- bradley,
- mithra,
- mitile,
- nero,
- owen,
- snow,
- white
Cavern of Time | All Sub-Episodes
Read the main Cavern of Time Spot Story
MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes
Translation by K.
Cavern of Time
Voices That Transcend Time (1)-(9)
On Northern Country
On the < Great Catastrophe >
Impressions of Bradley (1)-(4)
Spot Memories (1)(2)
Spot-Related Story (1)(2)
Wizards at the Spot
Spot Impressions
Spot Specialty
Break Time
A Dangerous Place
A Fun Place
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (1)
Amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a languid man: Brad......! Say something, don’t fall asleep! Brad!!
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: ......Shut up, it hurts...... I’m fine...... ......An injury like this can’t get me...... ......ch......
Voice of a languid man: What do you fucking mean you’re fine? How many times are you going to almost turn to stone before you’re satisfied!? ......You never listen, you’re always so reckless......
I can’t put up with this any longer...... Maybe I’m the strange one here saying something like this in the North, but......
.......Challenging strong enemies, or getting your hands on valuable treasures — it’s all over once you turn into stone......!
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: There’s no point in living if I’m not gunning for strong enemies or treasures. How is that any different from turning into stone?
Voice of a languid man: ............
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: ...ch......Haha...... Don’t make that face...... I’ll be all right as long as I have you. I’m counting on you, buddy.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a look at Bradley standing beside me, and our eyes meet.
Bradley: What do you think?
Akira: Eh?
Bradley: Turning into stone without ever having challenged anything. Living without risking my life for the things I want. That’s not like me at all. Even so—
Was I the one who should have changed?
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (2)
Amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Hoarse voice of a man: Hey, you sure came back pretty haggard. I heard you went to hand over the leader of the bandit gang? Did the Central Country air not agree with you or what?
Voice of a tired man: I’ve been back in the North for a while, but I can still hear the screams of the wizard we captured......
Are wizards immortal or what? I wouldn’t have survived even five minutes under that kind of torture......
I heard that the guy we captured was a wicked bandit, but the way they captured him was cruel too. The twin children, and that man.....
Hoarse voice of a man: Wizards are all terrifying — every last one of them. Sounds like it was a rough job.
Voice of a tired man: ......Hey, what does it mean for a wizard to make a promise? They were driving that bandit into making a promise......
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I hear footsteps, and turn around.
Snow: Sage. You’ll get lost if you wander into the depths by yourself.
Akira: Snow...... I hear that Bradley is a prisoner, but are there many wizards who are prisoners?
Snow: There aren’t that many. Capturing Bradley was actually a part of Figaro’s performance to begin with.
Akira: Performance...?
Snow: Yes. It was to show people how virtuous wizards would capture criminal wizards and punish them.
The wizards captured the bandit gang — isn’t that a nice image? Bradley was the perfect target for us to use as an example.
Humans would feel at ease coexisting with virtuous wizards, after all.
......Ohoho. Rest assured. Virtuous wizards will always be on your side.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (3)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with White, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cold child: I’m merely going on a journey elsewhere for a short while. Don’t worry, I will definitely return.
I just wish for some time to be alone.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: No......! Haven’t we enjoyed our time until now because we were together!? There is no joy to be found if we cannot share it with each other!
Voice of a cold child: We won’t know for sure until we discover the meaning of loneliness for ourselves.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: ............
If you still insist on leaving, I’ll kill you right here, and then die myself.
Voice of a cold child: You should calm down. Didn’t I say I would return soon?
Voice similar to the cold child’s: But if you get a taste of loneliness, and by any chance find it more pleasant than the time that we shared together, you will never return.
......I know that better than anyone else.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a look at White standing beside me, and our eyes meet.
Akira: ......Could that be.......
White: Ohoho.
It was I who ended up never returning.......
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (4)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Mithra, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: Mithra, you’re all beaten up. Did you go pick a fight with Oz again? You’re no match for him.
Voice of a sensual man: .......You....... You said I was strong...... ......Cough, cough.......
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: You’re still no match for Oz. Stop talking — you’ve lost too much blood.
Voice of a sensual man: .......How infuriating....... You don’t have to repeat yourself, you know....... .......Hah......., hah......
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: I mean, Oz is sooo strong. If he were a bit more talkative, a bit kinder, and a bit more romantic, I’d totally have his kids.
But whenever I make a move, he always brushes me off.
Voice of a sensual man: .......You want kids.......?
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: Someday. But if I’m going to give birth, I want to have kids with a powerful wizard, you know?
Any wizard I give birth to will surely become strong.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a look at Mithra standing beside me, and our eyes meet.
Akira: .......Could that be Rutile and Mitile’s.......
Mithra: ............
She ended up marrying a guy as weak as a worm and having his kids.
.......I don’t understand what women are thinking at all.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (5)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Owen, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Low voice of a young man: Hey, be more careful. What are you gonna do if you break the lock?
Cheerful voice of a young man: I’m telling you it’s fine. "That there’s a wizard locked up in the basement" — that’s just a lie they tell to scare the villagers.
If what the dead gramps said was true, that would mean that the wizard’s been down here for around a hundred years years without food or water.
Even wizards aren’t immortal. If he was really trapped down here, he’d have turned into stone ages ago.
......Got it. Here, it’s open!
(Door opening)
Low voice of a young man: ......It’s so dark that I can’t see anything....... Maybe there’s really nothing he—.......
Voice of a corpse-like man: Who is it?
Cheerful voice of a young man: .....!?
Voice of a corpse-like man: Can I go outside? ....Are you finally going to let me out of here?
Low voice of a young man: ......H-he’s alive.......! C-close the door! Hurry......!!
Cheerful voice of a young man: Aaaahhhhhh......! Monster......!!
(Clanging noise of door closing)
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. Standing beside me, Owen gazes into the depths of the cavern.
Akira: The voices just now...... Did you hear them?
Owen: ......Who knows.
I couldn’t really hear anything.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (6)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Nero, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Huh? Hey, rookie. What’s with your spell? It kind of sucks.
You have a fair amount of magical power, but you’re barely using it — isn’t it because of your spell?
Voice of a languid man: ......Does my spell have anything to do with it?
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Yeah. You use magic with your heart. It makes a world of difference if you just chant words that you like.
What do you like? Anything works. Even treasure or food is fine. But, well, I wouldn’t go with a woman’s name.
Voice of a languid man: Something that I like.......
...............
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: ......You’re taking too long! Spit it out.
Voice of a languid man: ......Sorry, I can’t think of anything on the spot.......
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Huh? What an absent-minded guy. You sure you were born in the North?
Make sure you change it by tomorrow. I’ll look it over again for you.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a sidelong glance at Nero standing silently next to me, searching for a conversation topic.
Akira: .....What does your spell mean, Nero?
Nero: The meaning of my spell? Ah, well....... Something like, "know one to know all"? Roughly speaking, that is.
That was how I felt back when I wanted to stand on my own. ...... I ended up getting a taste of both the bitter and the sweet.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (7)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Nero, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a languid man: After that, Boss, about our upcoming preparations......
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Hey, just call me Brad. We don’t have that kind of relationship anymore, right? You're like a buddy to me.
Voice of a languid man: I-I can't possibly do that. You’re the boss. I’m just your underling...
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Don't be so distant now, Nero. I only got this far because of you.
How many times do you think your advice saved me from a close call with death? I would have turned into stone a long time ago without you.
Our enemies and allies both know that you're number two. Just call me Brad. Go on, try saying it.
Voice of a languid man: ...... Br...... Brad......
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Yeah. ......Ahaha! What are you getting embarrassed for!
Voice of a languid man: Shut up......
......I'm happy, Boss...... No...... Brad.
I’ll make sure I’m someone worthy of your acknowledgement — a man you won’t be ashamed to call your partner. You can count on it.
Nero: ...................
Akira: Was that voice just now actually you......
Nero: .........I want to die........ No, I want to kill my past self......
.............
......Anyway, I can’t let those Iestrum live...... Hold on, I’m going to hunt them down......
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (8)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Mitile, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a dignified man: I realized this after watching you for quite a while, but......
You are foolish.
Voice of an intelligent young child: ......? I am not foolish.
Voice of a dignified man: You can’t predict when you get hungry or when you get sleepy. Nor can you grasp whether it’s hot or cold outside, and you don’t even notice when you get feverish.
You are foolish. You don’t even know anything about yourself. And that is why you cannot yet use magic to fly through the sky.
Voice of an intelligent young child: You’re wrong. I can fly!
Voice of a dignified man: You’ll get hurt if you fall from the balcony. You’ll end up crying and saying that it hurts.
Voice of an intelligent young child: I won’t cry!
Voice of a dignified man: ............ Well then, give it a go.
Voice of an intelligent young child: .......! Yes! Please watch me, Sir Oz! Okay then...... Here I go......!!
A——h—.
Voice of a dignified man: A.......Arthur! Arthur!!
The bats’ eyes flicker and glimmer. Mitile stands beside me, looking worried.
Mitile: Dr. Figaro said that we had to practice flying on broomsticks in open fields......
Akira: Yes, um...... I guess the teacher here was also learning by trial and error.....
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (9)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Snow and White, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cold child: How long has it been since we last saw you in Northern Country? Have you given up on your so-called world conquest?
Voice of a lonely man: Oz lost his will after Sir White passed away. I never thought that you two would end up killing each other.
We started on this path of domination because the world was too void of meaning, and now it feels even emptier than before.
I have to find something new to do too. Even though I was having such a fulfilling time. You’ve caused me such trouble.
Voice of a cold child: White is not gone. He’ll always be by my side.
Voice of a lonely man: ......Have you finally gone mad?
Voice of a cold child: I bound his soul with magic, and the two of us are happily living together just as we always have until now.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: Ohoho. It’s been a while. Are you surprised?
Voice of a lonely man: .......No way........ This means.......
Oz also returned to the North, so does this mean we can go back to how we used to be.......?
Voices of both cold children: That’s right. It’s a happy ending.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter.
Snow & White: ......Ohoho.
> Option: It’s a happy ending.
Akira: (.......As long as they’re happy, then I guess you could call it a happy ending......)
> Option: It’s not a happy ending.
Akira: (No....... I think there are a few too many problems to call this a happy ending......)
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ON NORTHERN COUNTRY
Akira: You look like you’re doing great, Bradley. Are you really happy to be back in your old hometown?
Bradley: Maybe something in the land just suits me here? I don’t particularly feel happy or deeply moved, though.
Akira: Wizards can go anywhere they want, but you’ve always stayed in Northern Country. Isn’t that because you love it?
Bradley: Well, the North is the strongest when it comes to the wizards and the magic of the land.
There’s no point in going to other countries. There are no strong guys or high-value mana stones there. That’s so uncool.
Akira: Uncool......? So you think the other countries are uncool...... The West and Central are both really glamorous, but are they uncool too?
Bradley: Hah! That’s just culture manufactured by a population of humans that grew in size and nothing else.
In Northern Country, wizards do whatever they want, and humans survive in the cracks. It’s only natural since they’re weak and can’t do anything.
Yet in the other countries, it’s the humans wielding influence and yapping endlessly. Because of that, there’s wizards who live hiding what they are, you know?
That’s just pointless, idiotic, and unbelievably uncool. Spare me that fucking nonsense.
Akira: That’s how a strong wizard would feel, huh......
Bradley: Hey, Sage. Don’t get me wrong. I like idiots who struggle even if they’re weak.
I’m saying that it’s uncool to use weakness as an excuse, and then act like it’s the wiser choice to do nothing while trying not to step on people’s toes.
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ON THE < Great Catastrophe >
Akira: Bradley, you were chosen as a Sage’s wizard while you were still imprisoned, right?
Do you only get out of your cell on the night that the < Great Catastrophe > attacks?
Bradley: Yeah. Lucky, huh.
Once a year, I get to go all out against the catastrophe, and as long as it’s within the magic headquarters, I get to spend a couple of days before and after the attack free and having a good time.
The last attack was formidable right from the start, and for a second I was delighted thinking about how many days it would take.
Akira: So it really was completely different from all the times before......
Bradley: Usually, it kind of feels like a festival that lasts only one night. We gather together, break out the alcohol, drink and eat, say "Let’s do it," and fight, and then call it a night.
But the last catastrophe kept getting closer and closer, and no matter how long we fought, it showed no sign of pulling back.
We were overpowered by its strength, and Mithra went, "Ah, this is bad" and disappeared.
Akira: Eh......!? Did he run away?
Bradley: Anyone would’ve run away! Owen was gone before I knew it, and naturally I was planning on making my getaway too, but......
I turned around, thinking that the weaklings from the South probably couldn’t get far, but they had already turned into stone.
Akira: ............
Bradley: It was getting really dangerous by that point, so I left too. If Oz and the twins hadn’t been there, the world would have really ended just like that.
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IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (1)
Akira: White, what is your impression of Bradley?
White: I don’t dislike his personality.
He might be short-tempered, but you can get through to him with words, which is rare amongst Northern wizards.
Akira: That’s true, he does feel like someone you can talk to when you have a problem.
White: Most Northern wizards go through life without a single concern for other people. As long as you have strong magic, there is no need to flock together.
However, living on your own for so many years does not develop what humans call socialization, emotion, or values.
Akira: Is that why Mithra and Owen sometimes come off as really childish......?
White: Ohoho. That’s precisely it. There’s no need for Northern wizards — who can survive on their own — to act their age.
Bradley is different in that sense — he might have taken care of his subordinates, just as we’ve looked after humans and young wizards.
We’ve known Oz and Figaro for so long, and yet it still feels like we’re taking care of children.......
But sometimes, it feels like only Bradley has values that are equal to ours.
Akira: Equal to yours?
White: Yes. For that reason, we tie a rope around his neck, and make sure that he’s aware that we stand above him.
Most of the time he’s just a naughty, silly, young, and adorable wizard.
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IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (2)
Akira: Mithra, you’ve known Bradley for a long time, haven’t you?
Mithra: Sigh...... It’s not like it’s been that long. About a hundred years, if we’re counting.
Akira: (That’s pretty long to me......)
What do you think of Bradley?
Mithra: Bradley? Let’s see......
Ah, he speaks really fast. There are times when I don’t understand anything aside from the first two or three words he says.
Akira: So there are times when you can’t follow him...... Don’t you ask him to repeat himself?
Mithra: Sigh...... It’d be a pain, so no.
He’s laughing most of the time, so I just listen along thinking that he’s probably talking about something good. But then sometimes he gets mad all of a sudden. What a restless guy.
He’s always going on about things I never even asked about, so I just reply "Huh, uh huh, yeah" even though I don’t know what’s going on, and.......
Out of nowhere, he’ll say, "All right, so that’s decided."
And then, before I realize it, I’m helping out with whatever he wants to do. I always end up thinking, Huh?
Akira: (I can imagine that.......)
Mithra: Well, he’s noisy, so I don’t want to run into him when I’m tired.
IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (3)
Akira: Owen, what do you think of Bradley?
Owen: .............
Bradley, huh. He’s difficult.
Akira: Difficult?
Owen: Doesn’t he look easy to handle?
He seems like it’d be easy to hurt him or dig into his insecurities. That’s the impression I get.
But when things get serious, I feel like I somehow can’t hit at his foundation.
No matter what I say, he neither turns pale or loses his cool. If I don’t take care, he’ll argue back and give me a hard time. He’s difficult to deal with.
Akira: I see...... Maybe he has an unshakeable foundation.
Owen: We can both kind of tell that we hate each other.
But we also know that we’d take each other over Oz or Mithra.
Northern Country is full of beasts, but it feels like you can still get through to Bradley by talking to him.
IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (4)
Akira: Bradley has a foul mouth, but he can be compassionate and caring towards his friends. What do you think, Nero?
Nero: Uh...... Why are you asking me?
I only just met him after coming here, and we don’t know each other that well either......
> Option:
Akira: Is that really how things are?
Nero: Wait, Mister Sage. Did Brad say something to you? Don’t listen to him. Whatever he told you — it’s wrong.
Akira: But sometimes you call Bradley "Brad"......
Nero: ...........
Did I ever say that about Brad......ley.......Mister Bradley?
But see, Brad is a really common nickname, right? I get called "Nelly" by customers who are overly familiar with me too.
>Option
Akira: You two look like you get along.
Nero: No, no way. There’s no way a Northern wizard and an Eastern wizard would get along. Why did you think that?
Akira: But Bradley loves your food......
Nero: Ah...... Oh....... That’s what you mean? I see. That’s right.
Well, he does eat a lot. I can appreciate how he cherishes food. That’s all.
> Option:
Akira: Please tell me what you think of Bradley, even if it’s just your first impression.
Nero: Huh, first impression......? Ah, hang on for a moment. Well, uh......
......He looked scary, so...... I wasn’t expecting him to be a guy who would properly listen if there was anyone who had something to say.
And I was young back then, so......
Akira: Huh?
Nero: Huh? ......Ah, no. It’s nothing.
Akira: Then, if you were to sum him up, what kind of person do you think Bradley is?
Nero: Well...... He seems like a guy who’s easily misunderstood.
He might look like a talkative idiot, but he thinks and watches a lot more closely than he lets on. But he also doesn’t understand other people as much as he thinks he does.
Akira: ......I kind of get what you mean. There are times when I agree with what Bradley says, and then there are times when I think it’s impossible for me to understand.......
Nero: Right? I heard that he wasn’t strong from birth like Oz was. He probably got stronger as he kept getting crushed and defeated.
That’s why he thinks that anyone can become as strong as him as long as they endure like he did.
But there aren’t that many people who can persist after having their hearts and bodies trampled. That’s what he doesn’t get.
.......That’s just what I suspect , though.
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SPOT MEMORIES (1)
Bradley: There was talk of making the Cavern of Time itself our hideout.
It’s easy shelter from the blizzard, it’s fairly spacious, and no one ever comes here. And if you fortify it, there’s enough space to make rooms for every member of the gang, but......
There was just one problem, so I gave up on the idea.
Akira: Problem? What was it?
Bradley: We built a kitchen, but the smoke had nowhere to escape.
Akira: Ah......! I see.
Bradley: Even if I drilled a hole, the ground might not have held up if I went overboard.
The guy who cooked for us said that he’d be fine with building a small hut near the entrance or even outside, but it’s so cold. Wouldn’t you feel bad?
Akira: That’s true...... He’d have to spend long hours outside everyday, too. You really care about your friends.
Bradley: After I entrusted the cooking to him, we finally got to eat proper food, and I learnt that meals were as good as medicine.
Eating delicious food makes a world of difference to morale. When it comes to running an organization, meals take high priority. You should remember that too.
SPOT MEMORIES (2)
Mithra: A while ago, I was killing time around these parts and having fun threatening humans, but then Bradley showed up......
Akira: I’d like it if you stopped having such dangerous pastimes.....
Mithra: I was too bored. Or maybe I was just irritated. I don’t really remember, but because Bradley stepped out to stand up for that guy, we ended up trying to kill each other.
Akira: He stepped up for a human? Were they Bradley’s comrade?
Mithra: It didn’t really seem like that to me. What was the deal with that man?
Bradley: Who knows? It was just some grandpa. I knew Mithra was just harassing him for fun, but......
There was a look in his face that said he wanted to survive. I just thought it was a good expression.
Mithra: I don’t understand why you would risk your life to defend a human for that reason. Do you have a thing for old people?
Bradley: Shut up. When I returned to my comrades completely beaten up, they gave me an earful too. Laying a hand on Mithra was banned, after all.
Mithra: Follow the rules, will you.
Bradley: I don’t want to hear it from you. .......It pisses me off just remembering it. Let’s go outside right fucking now.
Mithra: Sure. I’m bored, so I’ll play along with you.
Akira: (I wish you guys wouldn’t start a fight as easily as if you were saying, "Hey, let’s start a snowball fight"......!)
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SPOT-RELATED STORY (1)
Akira: You said there’s absolutely no humans around these parts, right? Do you hate living with people after all?
Bradley: I don’t choose where to stay based on whether I like or dislike humans. For one thing, wizards in the North have their own territories, and humans who serve them get to stay there under their protection.
When there’s a strong wizard, that’s where you get villages and towns — there’s a huge number of those, so they’re always having skirmishes with each other.
There are times when it just turns into a massacre when one chief loses.
Akira: It sounds more brutal than I imagined........
Bradley: Right, you came from a world that’s gone complacent from taking peace for granted. Forget the North, you’ll die immediately if you wander around with that mentality.
Akira: Humans have to seek the protection of wizards in order to survive in Northern Country. Are there humans who serve you, Bradley?
Bradley: I seized whatever I needed with my own two hands. Guys who have valuable mana stones, magic tools, treasures — I charged right in wherever they were and kicked their asses.
Even so, there were villages and streets here and there that I just happened to look after. I got to drink and eat for free every once in a while whenever I dropped by.
And I guess when they came to me saying "we’ve been having this problem lately," and it seemed like they were in real trouble, we’d go and take care of it for them.
Akira: You took on the job if the situation seemed like trouble?
Bradley: You think I’m going to do odd chores? It’s like a give-and-take. Of course I’m above that!
Akira: (He feels like the mafia boss I saw in old movies......)
SPOT-RELATED STORY (2)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Bradley, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cold child: Oh......? There’s a cute child who looks just like me. It’s almost as if we were born together.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: You’re right...... There’s really a cute child who looks just like me. It feels like I’m looking into a mirror.
Voices of both cold children: Hey you~. Won’t you have tea with me if you’re free?
How fun, getting to play at meeting each other for the first time! Teehee!
The bats’ eyes glitter and flicker. Next to me, Bradley chases the bats away with a rough flick of his hand.
Bradley: Those old geezers...... Always playing creepy games no matter which century it is.
Akira: But it’s really incredible to hear voices from the past.
It seems difficult to choose specific ones to listen to, but wouldn’t you be able to get your hands on information all over the world in the Cavern of Time?
Bradley: That’s assuming if there are Iestrum worldwide. They’re creatures that even those near-fossilized wizards didn’t even know about, so I’m skeptical.
Akira: I see, the Iestrum are merely recalling voices they’ve heard before. Then, maybe they only exist where there aren’t many people in Northern Country......
Bradley: Haha. If we got to understand their habits a little better, maybe we could control them with magic and put them to work.
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WIZARDS AT THE SPOT
Akira: When your bandit gang lived around these parts, what kinds of people were here, Bradley?
Bradley: When I was here, huh...... I told you about the bat bastard, right. Other than that, there was my partner who was our cook, and......
Our most veteran member was still around then. He loved drinking, had some serious muscles, and loved tattoos — on the inside, he was a guy like me if I didn’t use my brains.
There was also a guy like the Southern shepherd. He always kept quiet, and he was obedient and loyal and quick at his job. But sometimes he’d get mad and go out of control.
And then, there was also the guy I entrusted the scouting party to for a long time. He was good at delicate magic, and he was Nero’s first superior. He was good at talking, he got along with people easily, and—ah, it’s nothing.
Akira: What is it?
Bradley: That guy might have turned into stone before we came here. ......Do you find this interesting?
Akira: I-it’s interesting. Ah...... I don’t mean it in a weird way. I’m just interested in the kinds of people you lived with, Bradley.
Bradley: Hmph. Well, everyone’s all gone now, though.
> Option: Who was the weakest wizard?
Bradley: This is pretty obvious, but weak guys get replaced immediately. In the first place, this was where people who couldn’t survive the North alone gathered together.
Akira: Is that so?
Bradley: You see, there are people who can’t live outside the North even if they’re so weak they can’t get by here. Even if they hate hanging out together, it’s still better than turning into stone.
> Option: Who was the coolest wizard?
Bradley: Me, of course? If we’re talking about looks, you can change those with magic. You’ll be sorry if you just believe what you see with your eyes.
But there was this sexy guy who worked with us once when we were hunting big game. He was really knowledgeable about sorcery, and he said he came from the West.
He was like that Western guy with the pipe, but sharp. He was good at fighting, but I haven’t run into him since then. Well, his magic was strong, so he’s probably still alive.
> Option: Weren’t there any witches?
Bradley: Witches make a hobby of teasing men. Our gang is full of simple guys, so they’d just get into fights over it. So we were all guys.
Even so, there was a witch who didn’t want to die by the roadside, so she disguised herself as a man and lived amongst us. Of course, she got involved with another subordinate and left.
Akira: That’s...... A happy ending, isn’t it?
Bradley: Yeah. It’s a happy ending.
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SPOT IMPRESSIONS
Snow: Neither humans nor wizards visit this part of Northern Country......
It’s a region where you find ancient magical beings frozen in ice — ones that even we cannot understand — and a place where many strange phenomena occur.
Akira: Are there things that you don’t know, even though you’ve lived for over two thousand years?
Snow: Ohoho. You see, we have neither interest in adventure nor discovery. Things that don’t catch your attention might as well not exist.
In these Northern lands, where the strong prey on the weak, and only the fittest survive — rather than caring about how the world is shaped, it’s more important to know how to make it through without being killed.
Akira: That’s true....... Though a Western wizard like Murr might have been delighted.
Snow: Even if you say that, it’s difficult to investigate in these parts unless you have strong magic. The blizzard is so strong that the terrain is continually changing.
On the other hand, if there is someone with a reasonable amount of magic hanging around, some Northern wizard will show up and try to turn them into stone.
The concept of territory is strong in this region, but it’s more lax in these parts. That’s the reason Bradley made it his hideout.
I’ve heard rumours about the Cavern of Time since a long time ago. I’ve met beings who were looking for this place, though I don’t know if they managed to find it.
Akira: The rumours say that you can connect to a different time. Have you ever thought about returning to the past, Snow?
Snow: Sage...... Are you really asking me that???
Akira: Ah—...... I’m sorry......
Snow: Ohoho. It’s fine, it’s fine. Even if I possessed Oz’s incredible powers, there would still be no way of regaining days that have passed by.
Perhaps transcending time has been a universal dream since ancient times.
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SPOT SPECIALTY
Nero: Ah—......
Akira: Huh?
Nero: Did you see a flash outside?
Akira: I-I wonder? Is it lightning?
Nero: No, see, glittering snow falls around these parts. There’s sugar mixed in with it. Maybe I was just imagining the flashes.....
Akira: Sugar in glittering snow......?
Nero: Yeah. It’s a rare type of sugar called "stardust sugar." It glitters, pops, and bursts open inside your mouth, and it tastes pretty good.
Akira: So it’s a specialty from these parts. Shall we take a look outside?
Nero: Yeah, thanks. I think the kids would be happy if I brought some back and made something with it.
Akira: I’m sure they will. Nero, have you collected stardust sugar before?
Nero: Ahaha, I sure did. It doesn’t fall often, so whenever I came across any, I made all my comrades stand outside with colanders.
They’d complain, "It’s cold, it’s cold," while we collected the falling snow together, and in the end we still only ended up with a bottle’s worth of sugar about this size.
Akira: So it’s a rare ingredient.......! I’m looking forward to eating your sweets, Nero!
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BREAK TIME
Bradley: ............
Akira: Bradley, there you are. ......Sorry. Am I interrupting?
Bradley: Nah. I noticed you.
Akira: Were you thinking about something?
Bradley: I guess...... You could say I was, or you could say I wasn’t......
Akira: ......It’s rare for you to say something so ambiguous.
Bradley: Haha! And you’ve sure learned to talk back.
This place resembles my mana area. That’s why I was meditating a bit, but......
Akira: Meditating? You, Bradley?
Bradley: What, is that strange? Most wizards do it.
But this place brings up too many memories. I can’t focus.
Hey, talk about something. That’ll probably help me out. Stories from your world, for example.
Akira: ...... Okay. I have one story that always does the trick.
Bradley: Hit me with it. If you don’t make me laugh, I’ll freeze you in ice.
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A DANGEROUS PLACE
Akira: Huh? There’s a light coming from the depths of the cavern......
Woah...... Is there something green shining over there? I wonder if it’s rocks or moss. It’s so magical and pretty. I want to get a little closer......
Owen: Sir Sage.
Akira: Woah......!? Owen...... I didn’t notice you were here. You surprised me......
Owen: That’s a bug.
Akira: Huh?
Owen: That shiny thing. It’s a small bug. There’s lots of them clinging onto the rocks. Look, they’re moving.
Akira: ............... You’re right.........
Owen, can you talk to bugs? Can you ask them not to come over here?
Owen: Bugs don’t speak. But if your eyes shine, I think they’ll come to like you.
Those guys have a habit of drawing close to light that isn’t from the sun. I’ll light them up with magic for you.
Akira: Huh, you mean my eyes? Wa—...... Please wait......!!
Owen: Fufu. << Cuare Morito >>
(Rustle)
Akira: Argh——!!
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A FUN PLACE
Bradley: Hey, Sage. Look at this.
Akira: There’s something etched here......? Is it a picture? When I look closely, the walls are covered with them. Did you draw these, Bradley?
Bradley: Not me. These were already here when I discovered this cavern. Someone probably drew them ages ago.
Here, look at this one. It looks like a hunter chasing down a dragon to me.
The guys in my gang were divided — some said it was a man and woman arguing, some said it was a couple inside a large bath. What does it look like to you?
> Option: I see a pair of twins holding hands. It looks like the two of them are attacking animalistic things around them.
Bradley: Haha, Snow and White, huh. It could have been them hunting something for the sake of the humans, but there’s also the possibility that the humans are the fallen figures.
Akira: Would Snow and White do something like that?
Bradley: Huh? Don’t ask something nonsensical, you sound like the Central prince.
> Option: This looks like a skull, and this one here looks like Mithra. Is that a feast around him.......?
Bradley: Mithra’s magic tool used to belong to Tiretta. So that might be Tiretta right in the center. I heard she had a great appetite.
Akira: Could she really eat this much?
Bradley: Oh yeah, definitely. I can too.
> Option: I see Oz raising his staff. I wonder if he’s just defeated lots of enemies here?
Bradley: Oh yeah, that’s possible. He used to rampage violently without care.
He must’ve been traumatizing the hearts of those painter types for a long, long time.
Akira: This wall painting might actually be a precious artifact......
Bradley: Who knows. I don’t really care, but isn’t it interesting?
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MahoYaku Masterpost & Translator's Notes
Translation by K.
Cavern of Time
Voices That Transcend Time (1)-(9)
On Northern Country
On the < Great Catastrophe >
Impressions of Bradley (1)-(4)
Spot Memories (1)(2)
Spot-Related Story (1)(2)
Wizards at the Spot
Spot Impressions
Spot Specialty
Break Time
A Dangerous Place
A Fun Place
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (1)
Amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a languid man: Brad......! Say something, don’t fall asleep! Brad!!
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: ......Shut up, it hurts...... I’m fine...... ......An injury like this can’t get me...... ......ch......
Voice of a languid man: What do you fucking mean you’re fine? How many times are you going to almost turn to stone before you’re satisfied!? ......You never listen, you’re always so reckless......
I can’t put up with this any longer...... Maybe I’m the strange one here saying something like this in the North, but......
.......Challenging strong enemies, or getting your hands on valuable treasures — it’s all over once you turn into stone......!
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: There’s no point in living if I’m not gunning for strong enemies or treasures. How is that any different from turning into stone?
Voice of a languid man: ............
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: ...ch......Haha...... Don’t make that face...... I’ll be all right as long as I have you. I’m counting on you, buddy.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a look at Bradley standing beside me, and our eyes meet.
Bradley: What do you think?
Akira: Eh?
Bradley: Turning into stone without ever having challenged anything. Living without risking my life for the things I want. That’s not like me at all. Even so—
Was I the one who should have changed?
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (2)
Amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Hoarse voice of a man: Hey, you sure came back pretty haggard. I heard you went to hand over the leader of the bandit gang? Did the Central Country air not agree with you or what?
Voice of a tired man: I’ve been back in the North for a while, but I can still hear the screams of the wizard we captured......
Are wizards immortal or what? I wouldn’t have survived even five minutes under that kind of torture......
I heard that the guy we captured was a wicked bandit, but the way they captured him was cruel too. The twin children, and that man.....
Hoarse voice of a man: Wizards are all terrifying — every last one of them. Sounds like it was a rough job.
Voice of a tired man: ......Hey, what does it mean for a wizard to make a promise? They were driving that bandit into making a promise......
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I hear footsteps, and turn around.
Snow: Sage. You’ll get lost if you wander into the depths by yourself.
Akira: Snow...... I hear that Bradley is a prisoner, but are there many wizards who are prisoners?
Snow: There aren’t that many. Capturing Bradley was actually a part of Figaro’s performance to begin with.
Akira: Performance...?
Snow: Yes. It was to show people how virtuous wizards would capture criminal wizards and punish them.
The wizards captured the bandit gang — isn’t that a nice image? Bradley was the perfect target for us to use as an example.
Humans would feel at ease coexisting with virtuous wizards, after all.
......Ohoho. Rest assured. Virtuous wizards will always be on your side.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (3)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with White, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cold child: I’m merely going on a journey elsewhere for a short while. Don’t worry, I will definitely return.
I just wish for some time to be alone.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: No......! Haven’t we enjoyed our time until now because we were together!? There is no joy to be found if we cannot share it with each other!
Voice of a cold child: We won’t know for sure until we discover the meaning of loneliness for ourselves.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: ............
If you still insist on leaving, I’ll kill you right here, and then die myself.
Voice of a cold child: You should calm down. Didn’t I say I would return soon?
Voice similar to the cold child’s: But if you get a taste of loneliness, and by any chance find it more pleasant than the time that we shared together, you will never return.
......I know that better than anyone else.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a look at White standing beside me, and our eyes meet.
Akira: ......Could that be.......
White: Ohoho.
It was I who ended up never returning.......
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (4)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Mithra, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: Mithra, you’re all beaten up. Did you go pick a fight with Oz again? You’re no match for him.
Voice of a sensual man: .......You....... You said I was strong...... ......Cough, cough.......
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: You’re still no match for Oz. Stop talking — you’ve lost too much blood.
Voice of a sensual man: .......How infuriating....... You don’t have to repeat yourself, you know....... .......Hah......., hah......
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: I mean, Oz is sooo strong. If he were a bit more talkative, a bit kinder, and a bit more romantic, I’d totally have his kids.
But whenever I make a move, he always brushes me off.
Voice of a sensual man: .......You want kids.......?
Voice of a cheerful and wild-spirited woman: Someday. But if I’m going to give birth, I want to have kids with a powerful wizard, you know?
Any wizard I give birth to will surely become strong.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a look at Mithra standing beside me, and our eyes meet.
Akira: .......Could that be Rutile and Mitile’s.......
Mithra: ............
She ended up marrying a guy as weak as a worm and having his kids.
.......I don’t understand what women are thinking at all.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (5)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Owen, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Low voice of a young man: Hey, be more careful. What are you gonna do if you break the lock?
Cheerful voice of a young man: I’m telling you it’s fine. "That there’s a wizard locked up in the basement" — that’s just a lie they tell to scare the villagers.
If what the dead gramps said was true, that would mean that the wizard’s been down here for around a hundred years years without food or water.
Even wizards aren’t immortal. If he was really trapped down here, he’d have turned into stone ages ago.
......Got it. Here, it’s open!
(Door opening)
Low voice of a young man: ......It’s so dark that I can’t see anything....... Maybe there’s really nothing he—.......
Voice of a corpse-like man: Who is it?
Cheerful voice of a young man: .....!?
Voice of a corpse-like man: Can I go outside? ....Are you finally going to let me out of here?
Low voice of a young man: ......H-he’s alive.......! C-close the door! Hurry......!!
Cheerful voice of a young man: Aaaahhhhhh......! Monster......!!
(Clanging noise of door closing)
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. Standing beside me, Owen gazes into the depths of the cavern.
Akira: The voices just now...... Did you hear them?
Owen: ......Who knows.
I couldn’t really hear anything.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (6)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Nero, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Huh? Hey, rookie. What’s with your spell? It kind of sucks.
You have a fair amount of magical power, but you’re barely using it — isn’t it because of your spell?
Voice of a languid man: ......Does my spell have anything to do with it?
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Yeah. You use magic with your heart. It makes a world of difference if you just chant words that you like.
What do you like? Anything works. Even treasure or food is fine. But, well, I wouldn’t go with a woman’s name.
Voice of a languid man: Something that I like.......
...............
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: ......You’re taking too long! Spit it out.
Voice of a languid man: ......Sorry, I can’t think of anything on the spot.......
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Huh? What an absent-minded guy. You sure you were born in the North?
Make sure you change it by tomorrow. I’ll look it over again for you.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter. I steal a sidelong glance at Nero standing silently next to me, searching for a conversation topic.
Akira: .....What does your spell mean, Nero?
Nero: The meaning of my spell? Ah, well....... Something like, "know one to know all"? Roughly speaking, that is.
That was how I felt back when I wanted to stand on my own. ...... I ended up getting a taste of both the bitter and the sweet.
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (7)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Nero, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a languid man: After that, Boss, about our upcoming preparations......
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Hey, just call me Brad. We don’t have that kind of relationship anymore, right? You're like a buddy to me.
Voice of a languid man: I-I can't possibly do that. You’re the boss. I’m just your underling...
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Don't be so distant now, Nero. I only got this far because of you.
How many times do you think your advice saved me from a close call with death? I would have turned into stone a long time ago without you.
Our enemies and allies both know that you're number two. Just call me Brad. Go on, try saying it.
Voice of a languid man: ...... Br...... Brad......
Voice of a man with a commanding presence: Yeah. ......Ahaha! What are you getting embarrassed for!
Voice of a languid man: Shut up......
......I'm happy, Boss...... No...... Brad.
I’ll make sure I’m someone worthy of your acknowledgement — a man you won’t be ashamed to call your partner. You can count on it.
Nero: ...................
Akira: Was that voice just now actually you......
Nero: .........I want to die........ No, I want to kill my past self......
.............
......Anyway, I can’t let those Iestrum live...... Hold on, I’m going to hunt them down......
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (8)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Mitile, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a dignified man: I realized this after watching you for quite a while, but......
You are foolish.
Voice of an intelligent young child: ......? I am not foolish.
Voice of a dignified man: You can’t predict when you get hungry or when you get sleepy. Nor can you grasp whether it’s hot or cold outside, and you don’t even notice when you get feverish.
You are foolish. You don’t even know anything about yourself. And that is why you cannot yet use magic to fly through the sky.
Voice of an intelligent young child: You’re wrong. I can fly!
Voice of a dignified man: You’ll get hurt if you fall from the balcony. You’ll end up crying and saying that it hurts.
Voice of an intelligent young child: I won’t cry!
Voice of a dignified man: ............ Well then, give it a go.
Voice of an intelligent young child: .......! Yes! Please watch me, Sir Oz! Okay then...... Here I go......!!
A——h—.
Voice of a dignified man: A.......Arthur! Arthur!!
The bats’ eyes flicker and glimmer. Mitile stands beside me, looking worried.
Mitile: Dr. Figaro said that we had to practice flying on broomsticks in open fields......
Akira: Yes, um...... I guess the teacher here was also learning by trial and error.....
VOICES THAT TRANSCEND TIME (9)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Snow and White, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cold child: How long has it been since we last saw you in Northern Country? Have you given up on your so-called world conquest?
Voice of a lonely man: Oz lost his will after Sir White passed away. I never thought that you two would end up killing each other.
We started on this path of domination because the world was too void of meaning, and now it feels even emptier than before.
I have to find something new to do too. Even though I was having such a fulfilling time. You’ve caused me such trouble.
Voice of a cold child: White is not gone. He’ll always be by my side.
Voice of a lonely man: ......Have you finally gone mad?
Voice of a cold child: I bound his soul with magic, and the two of us are happily living together just as we always have until now.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: Ohoho. It’s been a while. Are you surprised?
Voice of a lonely man: .......No way........ This means.......
Oz also returned to the North, so does this mean we can go back to how we used to be.......?
Voices of both cold children: That’s right. It’s a happy ending.
The bats’ eyes flicker and glitter.
Snow & White: ......Ohoho.
> Option: It’s a happy ending.
Akira: (.......As long as they’re happy, then I guess you could call it a happy ending......)
> Option: It’s not a happy ending.
Akira: (No....... I think there are a few too many problems to call this a happy ending......)
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ON NORTHERN COUNTRY
Akira: You look like you’re doing great, Bradley. Are you really happy to be back in your old hometown?
Bradley: Maybe something in the land just suits me here? I don’t particularly feel happy or deeply moved, though.
Akira: Wizards can go anywhere they want, but you’ve always stayed in Northern Country. Isn’t that because you love it?
Bradley: Well, the North is the strongest when it comes to the wizards and the magic of the land.
There’s no point in going to other countries. There are no strong guys or high-value mana stones there. That’s so uncool.
Akira: Uncool......? So you think the other countries are uncool...... The West and Central are both really glamorous, but are they uncool too?
Bradley: Hah! That’s just culture manufactured by a population of humans that grew in size and nothing else.
In Northern Country, wizards do whatever they want, and humans survive in the cracks. It’s only natural since they’re weak and can’t do anything.
Yet in the other countries, it’s the humans wielding influence and yapping endlessly. Because of that, there’s wizards who live hiding what they are, you know?
That’s just pointless, idiotic, and unbelievably uncool. Spare me that fucking nonsense.
Akira: That’s how a strong wizard would feel, huh......
Bradley: Hey, Sage. Don’t get me wrong. I like idiots who struggle even if they’re weak.
I’m saying that it’s uncool to use weakness as an excuse, and then act like it’s the wiser choice to do nothing while trying not to step on people’s toes.
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ON THE < Great Catastrophe >
Akira: Bradley, you were chosen as a Sage’s wizard while you were still imprisoned, right?
Do you only get out of your cell on the night that the < Great Catastrophe > attacks?
Bradley: Yeah. Lucky, huh.
Once a year, I get to go all out against the catastrophe, and as long as it’s within the magic headquarters, I get to spend a couple of days before and after the attack free and having a good time.
The last attack was formidable right from the start, and for a second I was delighted thinking about how many days it would take.
Akira: So it really was completely different from all the times before......
Bradley: Usually, it kind of feels like a festival that lasts only one night. We gather together, break out the alcohol, drink and eat, say "Let’s do it," and fight, and then call it a night.
But the last catastrophe kept getting closer and closer, and no matter how long we fought, it showed no sign of pulling back.
We were overpowered by its strength, and Mithra went, "Ah, this is bad" and disappeared.
Akira: Eh......!? Did he run away?
Bradley: Anyone would’ve run away! Owen was gone before I knew it, and naturally I was planning on making my getaway too, but......
I turned around, thinking that the weaklings from the South probably couldn’t get far, but they had already turned into stone.
Akira: ............
Bradley: It was getting really dangerous by that point, so I left too. If Oz and the twins hadn’t been there, the world would have really ended just like that.
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IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (1)
Akira: White, what is your impression of Bradley?
White: I don’t dislike his personality.
He might be short-tempered, but you can get through to him with words, which is rare amongst Northern wizards.
Akira: That’s true, he does feel like someone you can talk to when you have a problem.
White: Most Northern wizards go through life without a single concern for other people. As long as you have strong magic, there is no need to flock together.
However, living on your own for so many years does not develop what humans call socialization, emotion, or values.
Akira: Is that why Mithra and Owen sometimes come off as really childish......?
White: Ohoho. That’s precisely it. There’s no need for Northern wizards — who can survive on their own — to act their age.
Bradley is different in that sense — he might have taken care of his subordinates, just as we’ve looked after humans and young wizards.
We’ve known Oz and Figaro for so long, and yet it still feels like we’re taking care of children.......
But sometimes, it feels like only Bradley has values that are equal to ours.
Akira: Equal to yours?
White: Yes. For that reason, we tie a rope around his neck, and make sure that he’s aware that we stand above him.
Most of the time he’s just a naughty, silly, young, and adorable wizard.
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IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (2)
Akira: Mithra, you’ve known Bradley for a long time, haven’t you?
Mithra: Sigh...... It’s not like it’s been that long. About a hundred years, if we’re counting.
Akira: (That’s pretty long to me......)
What do you think of Bradley?
Mithra: Bradley? Let’s see......
Ah, he speaks really fast. There are times when I don’t understand anything aside from the first two or three words he says.
Akira: So there are times when you can’t follow him...... Don’t you ask him to repeat himself?
Mithra: Sigh...... It’d be a pain, so no.
He’s laughing most of the time, so I just listen along thinking that he’s probably talking about something good. But then sometimes he gets mad all of a sudden. What a restless guy.
He’s always going on about things I never even asked about, so I just reply "Huh, uh huh, yeah" even though I don’t know what’s going on, and.......
Out of nowhere, he’ll say, "All right, so that’s decided."
And then, before I realize it, I’m helping out with whatever he wants to do. I always end up thinking, Huh?
Akira: (I can imagine that.......)
Mithra: Well, he’s noisy, so I don’t want to run into him when I’m tired.
IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (3)
Akira: Owen, what do you think of Bradley?
Owen: .............
Bradley, huh. He’s difficult.
Akira: Difficult?
Owen: Doesn’t he look easy to handle?
He seems like it’d be easy to hurt him or dig into his insecurities. That’s the impression I get.
But when things get serious, I feel like I somehow can’t hit at his foundation.
No matter what I say, he neither turns pale or loses his cool. If I don’t take care, he’ll argue back and give me a hard time. He’s difficult to deal with.
Akira: I see...... Maybe he has an unshakeable foundation.
Owen: We can both kind of tell that we hate each other.
But we also know that we’d take each other over Oz or Mithra.
Northern Country is full of beasts, but it feels like you can still get through to Bradley by talking to him.
IMPRESSIONS OF BRADLEY (4)
Akira: Bradley has a foul mouth, but he can be compassionate and caring towards his friends. What do you think, Nero?
Nero: Uh...... Why are you asking me?
I only just met him after coming here, and we don’t know each other that well either......
> Option:
Akira: Is that really how things are?
Nero: Wait, Mister Sage. Did Brad say something to you? Don’t listen to him. Whatever he told you — it’s wrong.
Akira: But sometimes you call Bradley "Brad"......
Nero: ...........
Did I ever say that about Brad......ley.......Mister Bradley?
But see, Brad is a really common nickname, right? I get called "Nelly" by customers who are overly familiar with me too.
>Option
Akira: You two look like you get along.
Nero: No, no way. There’s no way a Northern wizard and an Eastern wizard would get along. Why did you think that?
Akira: But Bradley loves your food......
Nero: Ah...... Oh....... That’s what you mean? I see. That’s right.
Well, he does eat a lot. I can appreciate how he cherishes food. That’s all.
> Option:
Akira: Please tell me what you think of Bradley, even if it’s just your first impression.
Nero: Huh, first impression......? Ah, hang on for a moment. Well, uh......
......He looked scary, so...... I wasn’t expecting him to be a guy who would properly listen if there was anyone who had something to say.
And I was young back then, so......
Akira: Huh?
Nero: Huh? ......Ah, no. It’s nothing.
Akira: Then, if you were to sum him up, what kind of person do you think Bradley is?
Nero: Well...... He seems like a guy who’s easily misunderstood.
He might look like a talkative idiot, but he thinks and watches a lot more closely than he lets on. But he also doesn’t understand other people as much as he thinks he does.
Akira: ......I kind of get what you mean. There are times when I agree with what Bradley says, and then there are times when I think it’s impossible for me to understand.......
Nero: Right? I heard that he wasn’t strong from birth like Oz was. He probably got stronger as he kept getting crushed and defeated.
That’s why he thinks that anyone can become as strong as him as long as they endure like he did.
But there aren’t that many people who can persist after having their hearts and bodies trampled. That’s what he doesn’t get.
.......That’s just what I suspect , though.
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SPOT MEMORIES (1)
Bradley: There was talk of making the Cavern of Time itself our hideout.
It’s easy shelter from the blizzard, it’s fairly spacious, and no one ever comes here. And if you fortify it, there’s enough space to make rooms for every member of the gang, but......
There was just one problem, so I gave up on the idea.
Akira: Problem? What was it?
Bradley: We built a kitchen, but the smoke had nowhere to escape.
Akira: Ah......! I see.
Bradley: Even if I drilled a hole, the ground might not have held up if I went overboard.
The guy who cooked for us said that he’d be fine with building a small hut near the entrance or even outside, but it’s so cold. Wouldn’t you feel bad?
Akira: That’s true...... He’d have to spend long hours outside everyday, too. You really care about your friends.
Bradley: After I entrusted the cooking to him, we finally got to eat proper food, and I learnt that meals were as good as medicine.
Eating delicious food makes a world of difference to morale. When it comes to running an organization, meals take high priority. You should remember that too.
SPOT MEMORIES (2)
Mithra: A while ago, I was killing time around these parts and having fun threatening humans, but then Bradley showed up......
Akira: I’d like it if you stopped having such dangerous pastimes.....
Mithra: I was too bored. Or maybe I was just irritated. I don’t really remember, but because Bradley stepped out to stand up for that guy, we ended up trying to kill each other.
Akira: He stepped up for a human? Were they Bradley’s comrade?
Mithra: It didn’t really seem like that to me. What was the deal with that man?
Bradley: Who knows? It was just some grandpa. I knew Mithra was just harassing him for fun, but......
There was a look in his face that said he wanted to survive. I just thought it was a good expression.
Mithra: I don’t understand why you would risk your life to defend a human for that reason. Do you have a thing for old people?
Bradley: Shut up. When I returned to my comrades completely beaten up, they gave me an earful too. Laying a hand on Mithra was banned, after all.
Mithra: Follow the rules, will you.
Bradley: I don’t want to hear it from you. .......It pisses me off just remembering it. Let’s go outside right fucking now.
Mithra: Sure. I’m bored, so I’ll play along with you.
Akira: (I wish you guys wouldn’t start a fight as easily as if you were saying, "Hey, let’s start a snowball fight"......!)
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SPOT-RELATED STORY (1)
Akira: You said there’s absolutely no humans around these parts, right? Do you hate living with people after all?
Bradley: I don’t choose where to stay based on whether I like or dislike humans. For one thing, wizards in the North have their own territories, and humans who serve them get to stay there under their protection.
When there’s a strong wizard, that’s where you get villages and towns — there’s a huge number of those, so they’re always having skirmishes with each other.
There are times when it just turns into a massacre when one chief loses.
Akira: It sounds more brutal than I imagined........
Bradley: Right, you came from a world that’s gone complacent from taking peace for granted. Forget the North, you’ll die immediately if you wander around with that mentality.
Akira: Humans have to seek the protection of wizards in order to survive in Northern Country. Are there humans who serve you, Bradley?
Bradley: I seized whatever I needed with my own two hands. Guys who have valuable mana stones, magic tools, treasures — I charged right in wherever they were and kicked their asses.
Even so, there were villages and streets here and there that I just happened to look after. I got to drink and eat for free every once in a while whenever I dropped by.
And I guess when they came to me saying "we’ve been having this problem lately," and it seemed like they were in real trouble, we’d go and take care of it for them.
Akira: You took on the job if the situation seemed like trouble?
Bradley: You think I’m going to do odd chores? It’s like a give-and-take. Of course I’m above that!
Akira: (He feels like the mafia boss I saw in old movies......)
SPOT-RELATED STORY (2)
I walk through the Cavern of Time with Bradley, and amidst the interweaving sounds of the Iestrum’s wings and water droplets, we hear a conversation that transcends the barrier of time.
Voice of a cold child: Oh......? There’s a cute child who looks just like me. It’s almost as if we were born together.
Voice similar to the cold child’s: You’re right...... There’s really a cute child who looks just like me. It feels like I’m looking into a mirror.
Voices of both cold children: Hey you~. Won’t you have tea with me if you’re free?
How fun, getting to play at meeting each other for the first time! Teehee!
The bats’ eyes glitter and flicker. Next to me, Bradley chases the bats away with a rough flick of his hand.
Bradley: Those old geezers...... Always playing creepy games no matter which century it is.
Akira: But it’s really incredible to hear voices from the past.
It seems difficult to choose specific ones to listen to, but wouldn’t you be able to get your hands on information all over the world in the Cavern of Time?
Bradley: That’s assuming if there are Iestrum worldwide. They’re creatures that even those near-fossilized wizards didn’t even know about, so I’m skeptical.
Akira: I see, the Iestrum are merely recalling voices they’ve heard before. Then, maybe they only exist where there aren’t many people in Northern Country......
Bradley: Haha. If we got to understand their habits a little better, maybe we could control them with magic and put them to work.
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WIZARDS AT THE SPOT
Akira: When your bandit gang lived around these parts, what kinds of people were here, Bradley?
Bradley: When I was here, huh...... I told you about the bat bastard, right. Other than that, there was my partner who was our cook, and......
Our most veteran member was still around then. He loved drinking, had some serious muscles, and loved tattoos — on the inside, he was a guy like me if I didn’t use my brains.
There was also a guy like the Southern shepherd. He always kept quiet, and he was obedient and loyal and quick at his job. But sometimes he’d get mad and go out of control.
And then, there was also the guy I entrusted the scouting party to for a long time. He was good at delicate magic, and he was Nero’s first superior. He was good at talking, he got along with people easily, and—ah, it’s nothing.
Akira: What is it?
Bradley: That guy might have turned into stone before we came here. ......Do you find this interesting?
Akira: I-it’s interesting. Ah...... I don’t mean it in a weird way. I’m just interested in the kinds of people you lived with, Bradley.
Bradley: Hmph. Well, everyone’s all gone now, though.
> Option: Who was the weakest wizard?
Bradley: This is pretty obvious, but weak guys get replaced immediately. In the first place, this was where people who couldn’t survive the North alone gathered together.
Akira: Is that so?
Bradley: You see, there are people who can’t live outside the North even if they’re so weak they can’t get by here. Even if they hate hanging out together, it’s still better than turning into stone.
> Option: Who was the coolest wizard?
Bradley: Me, of course? If we’re talking about looks, you can change those with magic. You’ll be sorry if you just believe what you see with your eyes.
But there was this sexy guy who worked with us once when we were hunting big game. He was really knowledgeable about sorcery, and he said he came from the West.
He was like that Western guy with the pipe, but sharp. He was good at fighting, but I haven’t run into him since then. Well, his magic was strong, so he’s probably still alive.
> Option: Weren’t there any witches?
Bradley: Witches make a hobby of teasing men. Our gang is full of simple guys, so they’d just get into fights over it. So we were all guys.
Even so, there was a witch who didn’t want to die by the roadside, so she disguised herself as a man and lived amongst us. Of course, she got involved with another subordinate and left.
Akira: That’s...... A happy ending, isn’t it?
Bradley: Yeah. It’s a happy ending.
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SPOT IMPRESSIONS
Snow: Neither humans nor wizards visit this part of Northern Country......
It’s a region where you find ancient magical beings frozen in ice — ones that even we cannot understand — and a place where many strange phenomena occur.
Akira: Are there things that you don’t know, even though you’ve lived for over two thousand years?
Snow: Ohoho. You see, we have neither interest in adventure nor discovery. Things that don’t catch your attention might as well not exist.
In these Northern lands, where the strong prey on the weak, and only the fittest survive — rather than caring about how the world is shaped, it’s more important to know how to make it through without being killed.
Akira: That’s true....... Though a Western wizard like Murr might have been delighted.
Snow: Even if you say that, it’s difficult to investigate in these parts unless you have strong magic. The blizzard is so strong that the terrain is continually changing.
On the other hand, if there is someone with a reasonable amount of magic hanging around, some Northern wizard will show up and try to turn them into stone.
The concept of territory is strong in this region, but it’s more lax in these parts. That’s the reason Bradley made it his hideout.
I’ve heard rumours about the Cavern of Time since a long time ago. I’ve met beings who were looking for this place, though I don’t know if they managed to find it.
Akira: The rumours say that you can connect to a different time. Have you ever thought about returning to the past, Snow?
Snow: Sage...... Are you really asking me that???
Akira: Ah—...... I’m sorry......
Snow: Ohoho. It’s fine, it’s fine. Even if I possessed Oz’s incredible powers, there would still be no way of regaining days that have passed by.
Perhaps transcending time has been a universal dream since ancient times.
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SPOT SPECIALTY
Nero: Ah—......
Akira: Huh?
Nero: Did you see a flash outside?
Akira: I-I wonder? Is it lightning?
Nero: No, see, glittering snow falls around these parts. There’s sugar mixed in with it. Maybe I was just imagining the flashes.....
Akira: Sugar in glittering snow......?
Nero: Yeah. It’s a rare type of sugar called "stardust sugar." It glitters, pops, and bursts open inside your mouth, and it tastes pretty good.
Akira: So it’s a specialty from these parts. Shall we take a look outside?
Nero: Yeah, thanks. I think the kids would be happy if I brought some back and made something with it.
Akira: I’m sure they will. Nero, have you collected stardust sugar before?
Nero: Ahaha, I sure did. It doesn’t fall often, so whenever I came across any, I made all my comrades stand outside with colanders.
They’d complain, "It’s cold, it’s cold," while we collected the falling snow together, and in the end we still only ended up with a bottle’s worth of sugar about this size.
Akira: So it’s a rare ingredient.......! I’m looking forward to eating your sweets, Nero!
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BREAK TIME
Bradley: ............
Akira: Bradley, there you are. ......Sorry. Am I interrupting?
Bradley: Nah. I noticed you.
Akira: Were you thinking about something?
Bradley: I guess...... You could say I was, or you could say I wasn’t......
Akira: ......It’s rare for you to say something so ambiguous.
Bradley: Haha! And you’ve sure learned to talk back.
This place resembles my mana area. That’s why I was meditating a bit, but......
Akira: Meditating? You, Bradley?
Bradley: What, is that strange? Most wizards do it.
But this place brings up too many memories. I can’t focus.
Hey, talk about something. That’ll probably help me out. Stories from your world, for example.
Akira: ...... Okay. I have one story that always does the trick.
Bradley: Hit me with it. If you don’t make me laugh, I’ll freeze you in ice.
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A DANGEROUS PLACE
Akira: Huh? There’s a light coming from the depths of the cavern......
Woah...... Is there something green shining over there? I wonder if it’s rocks or moss. It’s so magical and pretty. I want to get a little closer......
Owen: Sir Sage.
Akira: Woah......!? Owen...... I didn’t notice you were here. You surprised me......
Owen: That’s a bug.
Akira: Huh?
Owen: That shiny thing. It’s a small bug. There’s lots of them clinging onto the rocks. Look, they’re moving.
Akira: ............... You’re right.........
Owen, can you talk to bugs? Can you ask them not to come over here?
Owen: Bugs don’t speak. But if your eyes shine, I think they’ll come to like you.
Those guys have a habit of drawing close to light that isn’t from the sun. I’ll light them up with magic for you.
Akira: Huh, you mean my eyes? Wa—...... Please wait......!!
Owen: Fufu. << Cuare Morito >>
(Rustle)
Akira: Argh——!!
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A FUN PLACE
Bradley: Hey, Sage. Look at this.
Akira: There’s something etched here......? Is it a picture? When I look closely, the walls are covered with them. Did you draw these, Bradley?
Bradley: Not me. These were already here when I discovered this cavern. Someone probably drew them ages ago.
Here, look at this one. It looks like a hunter chasing down a dragon to me.
The guys in my gang were divided — some said it was a man and woman arguing, some said it was a couple inside a large bath. What does it look like to you?
> Option: I see a pair of twins holding hands. It looks like the two of them are attacking animalistic things around them.
Bradley: Haha, Snow and White, huh. It could have been them hunting something for the sake of the humans, but there’s also the possibility that the humans are the fallen figures.
Akira: Would Snow and White do something like that?
Bradley: Huh? Don’t ask something nonsensical, you sound like the Central prince.
> Option: This looks like a skull, and this one here looks like Mithra. Is that a feast around him.......?
Bradley: Mithra’s magic tool used to belong to Tiretta. So that might be Tiretta right in the center. I heard she had a great appetite.
Akira: Could she really eat this much?
Bradley: Oh yeah, definitely. I can too.
> Option: I see Oz raising his staff. I wonder if he’s just defeated lots of enemies here?
Bradley: Oh yeah, that’s possible. He used to rampage violently without care.
He must’ve been traumatizing the hearts of those painter types for a long, long time.
Akira: This wall painting might actually be a precious artifact......
Bradley: Who knows. I don’t really care, but isn’t it interesting?
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