The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 2

[healingbonds]

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Akira: That’s great, Arthur. We’ve found a strong ally in Western Country.

Arthur responds to my elation with a joyful smile.
Then, he straightens his back, before sweeping into a breathtakingly elegant bow.

Arthur: ......You must allow me the honor of crediting all we’ve accomplished to the Sage’s will and wisdom, and the blessing of your guidance—

He folds himself into a deep bow, a ripple threading through his smooth, silver hair.
The sight conjures up the image of a swan amidst a wintry lake.
My heart skips a beat at how the usually boyish Arthur adopts the refined and graceful bearing befitting of a prince.
Arthur isn’t the only one; the people I’ve met in this world often share this trait:
One moment we’ll be taking a casual stroll together, and the next moment I’ll find myself caught in a moment right out of a fairytale illustration.
Every time that happens, I’m overwhelmed with all sorts of emotion — awe, then disbelief, then enchantment all over again.

Akira: S-stop that. You’re exaggerating, Arthur.

I shake my head, flustered, but he remains bent over in reverence.
After fully conveying his gratitude, he straightens back up, his manner serene and composed. The light shining through his falling silver hair flares blue.
The deep color of his eyes is mysterious, just like you’d expect from a wizard — like a frozen lake, yet warm as a springtime sky.
He looks like an innocent youth, but his gaze is enthralling, almost irresistible.
Quirking up the corner of his mouth, he takes my arm.

Akira: Woah......

Arthur: Please, come this way. It’s been one good thing after another ever since your arrival, Sir Sage.
There are more and more people who share my views, and......
I once again get to live with Sir Oz, who raised me.
And now all of the Sage’s wizards are heading to a party on Borda Island! We might be able to watch the Venator meteor shower together!

Akira: Is the Venator meteor shower a cause for celebration?

Arthur: There exist legends of the meteor shower being the < Great Catastrophe >’s apostle, so there are those who fear it.

Akira: Wait, does that mean......

Arthur: They’re merely legends. Nowadays, it’s viewed as nothing more than an astrological phenomena.
Although there have been cases of star shards falling and bursting into flame...... I once saw a forest catch on fire.

Akira: A falling meteor!?

Arthur: Yes. I was watching the rainfall of stars from the balcony of Sir Oz’s castle.......
The little bursts of stardust would burn away, making little plinks and plonks as they fell. One of them fell onto the snowy white forest.
The flame started burning so vigorously that I thought it would cause a mountain fire, but it disappeared in no time at all. Perhaps it was thanks to the snow.

Arthur merrily recounts a tale where one wrong turn could’ve led to a catastrophic disaster.
He might have been born as a prince, but a lot happened in his life, and he was raised in the wintry depths of the Northern mountains as a child. He’s more trained in the art of survival than I am.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: I’m so glad you were safe. If it’s a famous meteor shower, would the other wizards have seen it before too?
This astrological phenomenon, the Venator meteor shower......

Arthur: Yes, I’m sure.

I try to imagine it. Wizards, who live for aeons, so long they defy imagination, and the meteor shower they raise their eyes to gaze upon.
An unchanging sight, amidst the ever-changing world — I wonder what goes through their minds as they gaze at the meteor shower?

Arthur: Let’s make today’s meeting a success, so that everyone can fully enjoy the meteor shower and the party!

Akira: You’re right...... After all this time, if we could reach some sort of conclusion....... I’d be happy......

Arthur is fired up with resolve, but I grimace and stumble over my words.
It’s not like we — myself and the Sage’s wizards — have stood back and done nothing to prepare for the approaching battle with the < Great Catastrophe >.
We’ve had countless discussions and meetings, all too keenly aware of the changes in the world and the danger around us.
A whole mountain of problems lies before us. There are endless stacks of puzzles and problems that need to be solved.
Why did the < Great Catastrophe > increase in strength?
Why does the < Great Catastrophe > close in on this world to begin with?
Who is this wizard called Nova? How do we lift the injuries inflicted by the < Great Catastrophe >?
What is the Sage’s power? How can we train the young wizards in time for the battle against the < Great Catastrophe >?
We still have so many other concerns. All sorts of things which call for us to set countermeasures in place. However......
Wizards are really, really bad at meetings.

✦✧☾✧✦

First, they fought over who would be chairperson.

Akira: Oz, you're the strongest wizard in the world. I think this is a great opportunity; may I ask you to be chairperson this next meeting?

Oz: .......
You think it’s a great opportunity, and I’m the strongest wizard in the world, so I should be chairperson for the meeting?

Akira: Ah, um....

Oz: What do you mean by those words?

Oz tilts his head. It’s not like he doesn’t know what words mean; he simply isn’t used to conversing with others because he spent so many years as the demon king.
Just as I’m about to explain why it’s a good opportunity, and what the chair of a meeting does, a listless yet provocative voice cuts through.

Mithra: Oz, the chairperson? I can’t have that.

Akira: Mithra.

Mithra: I’ve heard that when someone has the word "chair" in their title, they get to be in charge. So I’ll be the chairperson.

Mithra makes his declaration brazenly, and I’m at a loss. Mithra isn’t the kind of person who likes to oversee others. Rather, he’s the type who isn’t too great at handling meetings.
But he is a strong wizard, second only to Oz, and he feels an intense rivalry towards him. He probably doesn’t want to be under Oz’s command.

Akira: (I understand how Mithra feels, but this is our first meeting; it’s probably better to have Oz take charge...)
Mithra, I’m sorry, but.....

Oz: All right. Do as you please.

Akira: Oz...!?

Mithra: Heh. Slinking away with your tail between your legs, I see. You’ve certainly fallen, Oz.
You should tremble in fear at my chairperson-ability.

✦✧☾✧✦

And thus, the first Sage’s Wizards Meeting began.

Mithra: Hello. I’m the chairperson, Mithra. You will allow me to be in charge.

Snow: Mithra, the chairperson!?

White: Dear Sage, you went with quite the bold choice!

Akira: No, um....

Owen: Huh? I made an effort to show up, and Mithra’s gonna be in charge? I’m out.

Mithra: Where are you going?

Owen: That’s not your business.

Mithra: It is. Because I’m the chairperson. Everyone here is my slave.

Chloe: Is that how this works....?

Murr: He’s arguably got more honesty and integrity than those pseudo-egalitarians who make pathetic attempts to appear genuine!

Shylock: I have no intention of becoming a slave, but I am intrigued by how a Northern wizard will coordinate all of us.

Shylock gracefully puffs away at his pipe as he listens to the concern in everyone’s voices.
He looks at Mithra with a merry glance.

Shylock: Mithra. What kind of work do we engage in within this kingdom of yours?

Mithra: ..........

Mithra holds his chin and thinks.

Snow: Dear Mithra is quite wholesome; he can’t think of anything to demand from others on the spot.

White: He just wants to look big, after all.

Mithra: "My kingdom" — that has a rather nice ring to it. Arthur, you’re the prince of Central Country, right?

Arthur: Yes.

Mithra: And the king is the most important person in Central Country, right?

Arthur: I wouldn’t necessarily say so. The royal family exists for the country’s subjects.

Mithra: Is that so? Then are the subjects the most important?

Arthur: You could say so.

Mithra: Then I’ll be the subjects.

Bradley: Alright. I’ll be the king.

Owen: And I’ll be tax. I’ve heard that tax is what makes subjects suffer.

Mithra spins around and snaps his fingers at Bradley and Owen, who are grinning away.
In an instant, they’re trapped within pillars of ice.

Akira: Hey....!

Mithra: Please shut up. I am the subjects, and thus the most important. So I will decide who gets to be what.
First up. Oz.

Oz: ........

Mithra: Your job is to remove the bones from fish.

Figaro: I see you hate removing fish bones more than anything else in this world, Mithra.

Figaro shrugs laughingly and puts his hand on his cheek.
Oz doesn’t seem bothered in the least. He utters not a word while raising his staff.
I’m still wondering what’s going on when I realize that Bradley and Owen, who have broken free of the icy pillars, are ready to attack Mithra.
Bradley is posed with his rifle; Owen is ready to unleash Cerberus within this enclosed space.

Bradley: What the fuck is up with you....!

Owen: I’ll kill you. << Cure .... >>

Oz: << Vox Nox >>

(Thunder crashing)

Chapter 1 << | index | >> Chapter 3