Ballad of the Dogsledder Praying to the Northern Lights | Chapter 1

[healingbonds]

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Northern villager: ......There aren’t any lights in the castle tonight either...... It seems our lord still hasn’t returned.......
If they find out that he isn’t here, the other wizards will come...... And if a wicked wizard comes......

(Ominous growling)

Northern villager: ......I’ve never heard that beast before...... We never heard sounds like that when his castle was still alight......

Toto: Cut it out, everyone. You guys are always sighing and moping. You’re scaring the dogs.

Northern villager: Toto......

Toto: We’re not going to get anywhere just talking like this. I’ll make travel preparations and head to Central Country.
I hear that the Sage who fights against the < Great Catastrophe > lives in a mansion in Central Country.
If I make my way there, I’m sure the Sage will tell me where he is right now.

Northern villager: Did you say Central Country? You won’t make it there: you’ll freeze to death before you even cross the Moon Lake.

Toto: No one has ever tried it before. I’ll take my chances and give it a shot. I’m all grown up now — I’m not a child anymore.

Northern villager: All right then. You’re a good kid, Toto. You have the most physical strength in the village, not to mention your skill at driving the dogsled.
You really might be able to cross the legendary Moon Lake, travel beyond the borders of Northern Country and arrive at Central Country.
We’re counting on you, Toto. Stories of your adventure will be handed down for ages — the story of Toto the hero.

Toto: Heroism doesn’t suit me. But for everyone’s sake, I will definitely bring him back with me.

Toto’s mother: Toto...... If you run into trouble, remember to cast the light incantation. It will guide your way.

Toto: Got it. I’m going now, Mother. All right, boys. We’re headed off!

(Dogs barking)

✦✧☾✧✦

Toto: Ugh...... What unbelievable wind...... I can’t take a single step more......
I’m sorry, guys...... I didn’t think the road to the Moon Lake would be this difficult......
I can’t see anything because of the blizzard...... There’s no use casting the light incantation now......
......No, this isn’t the end...... Don’t give up...... I have to believe in myself...... And try everything I can.
Hah...... Hah...... The whistling arrow for the rescue signal......

(Sharp whistle)

Toto: .....Please, reach someone......
............

(Barking)

✦✧☾✧✦

Murr: Woof woof! Woof!

Chloe: Murr! Where are you going!? We’ve finished our mission, so let’s hurry towards to Northern Tower and go h—

(Barking)

Chloe: Wait...... Is that a dog’s bark......?

Murr: I heard a bird too! Chirp!

Chloe: A bird!? In a blizzard like this!?

Murr: Chirp! Maybe it was the sound of a whistling arrow sent as a rescue signal?

Chloe: That means......

Murr: It means someone’s on the brink of death!

Chloe: Oh no! Hurry, we have to help them! It might go out immediately in this blizzard, but first, a light......
<< Suispicibo Voitengok >>!

Murr: It got brighter! ......Look! Over there! It’s a dog, a dogsled, and a frozen corpse!

Chloe: I-It’s not a corpse! He’s still moving! Excuse me! Are you all right~!?

✦✧☾✧✦

Toto: ......Ugh...... I’m flying through the sky..... A wizard......?

Chloe: .....Ah...... Um......

Toto: ......Thank goodness...... You came to save me...... ......Arthur......

Chloe: Huh......?

Toto: ......Uu......

(Barking)

Chloe: ......Oh! Hold on, mister! Please hold on tight......!

Rustica: What happened, Chloe?

Chloe: Rustica! Shylock!

Shylock: Oh, poor thing — a distressed traveler.
It would be heartless to abandon him here and return ourselves. Let’s offer him our help.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: The wizards should be getting back from their mission in Northern Country around now.
Oh, it’s the Central wizards. What are they doing all gathered in a place like this?

Cain: Well then, I’ll show you an example, and the rest of you follow after me.

Arthur: Got it.

Riquet: I understand.

Oz: ............

Cain: Hey, can I sit next to you?

Arthur: Hey, can I sit next to you?

Riquet: Hey, can I sit next to you?

Oz: Hey, can I sit next to you?

Cain: Do you come to this shop often? Is there anything on the menu that you recommend?

Arthur: Do you come to this shop often? Is there anything on the menu that you recommend?

Riquet: Do you come to this shop often? Is there anything on the menu that you recommend?

Oz: Do you come to this shop often? Is there anything on the menu that you recommend?

(Snaps fingers)

Cain: Perfect, I’ll have that one.

(Snaps fingers)

Arthur: Perfect, I’ll have that one.

(Snaps fingers)

Riquet: Perfect, I’ll have that one.

(Snaps fingers)

Oz: Perfect, I’ll have that one.

Cain: Doing great, guys! Let’s give ourselves a round of applause for now!

Akira: W-what are you all doing......?

Cain: Is it you, Akira? Come on over.

I exchange a high five with Cain as he explains.

Cain: Ah, I see you now. There’s a bunch of wizards who aren’t used to normal everyday life in our group, right?
I’m giving them advice so they won’t stand out in town, and they can blend into the streets better.

Riquet: I’m glad that I managed to snap my fingers.

Cain: As long as you casually strike up conversation like that, you can chat to anyone.

Arthur: It sounds fun, conversing with a stranger who simply happened to sit next to you!

Cain: You have your bodyguards after all, so I’d rather you do this in moderation, Arthur. On the other hand, I really want Oz to learn.

Oz: ......Why.

Cain: Your presence is so overwhelming that you stick out like a sore thumb. You’re huge and have an intimidating air around you, so you terrify people when they talk to you.

Oz: I have no need for conversation.

Cain: That’s not true. No matter how powerful or almighty you are, you can benefit from using words freely.

Oz: I have never had a need.

Cain: Even if you don’t need it now, you will someday. And when that time comes, you’ll be glad you learned some cheerful gestures — even just one.
It’ll lighten the mood. Even though I like you when you make difficult expressions too. It’s important to know how to adapt according to the time and place.

It’s not just Oz; Arthur and Riquet also listen attentively to Cain’s words.

Akira: (Right..... After all, the Central wizards are made up of a prince, a disciple of God, and a demon king.)
Aside from Cain, have any of you ever gone shopping before you came to the magic headquarters?

Riquet: I’ve never done that.

Arthur: I have. When I lived at Sir Oz’s castle, I went to shop at the nearby village.

Cain: I see. So you were like one of the kids from town back when you lived at Oz’s castle.

Arthur: Yes. The villagers called me "the wizard’s apprentice." I used to load this many casks onto the carriage, and set off through the sky to go shop.

Akira: All by yourself? It must have been difficult for a child.

Cain: You must have been worried, Oz. Did you secretly keep an eye on him?

At the teasing glint in Cain’s eyes, Arthur puffs his chest out proudly, clearing his throat.

Arthur: Of course not! I went all by myself. Isn’t that right, Sir Oz?

Oz: Yes.

Oz responds as he continues to practice snapping his fingers.

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