The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 11

[healingbonds]

Chapter 10 << | index | >> Chapter 12


Cain: Arthur? Akira......?

Cain’s expression grows increasingly perturbed. I can’t decide if I should reply to him, either.

Arthur: (It’d be strange if I responded without explaining Arthur’s situation...... But......)

Cain’s resolve prompts him to act far more swiftly than my hesitating mind.

Cain: ......I smell blood......

Cain reaches out with his left hand, grabbing Arthur’s shoulder. He draws Arthur close to him, placing his right hand on the hilt of his sword.

Arthur: ............

Cain: Akira! Are you safe!?

I am stunned into silence by the speed of Cain’s motions. Before I could respond, he’d drawn his sword with lightning speed.

Akira: ............!

The glint of his blade flashes before my eyes, and my knees almost give way.

Akira: I...I’m right here! Please don’t move. I’m going to touch your back now.

Arthur: Sorry, Cain! I was late to respond and made you worry..... I apologize to you too, Sir Sage.

With Arthur still tucked under his arm, Cain looks down and catches my eye the moment my hand touches his back.
His mismatched eyes crinkle kindly.

Cain: Hey, Akira. What a relief...... Sorry I made such a wild mess out of a morning greeting. I was just worried that Arthur might be hurt......

Cain explains as he sheathes his sword and steals a glance at Arthur.
Then he leans in to peer at Arthur’s face, startled. With his brows knitted together gravely, he asks in a low voice.

Cain: ......What’s with your face? Don’t tell me something happened at the castle?

Arthur: No, it happened in the magic headquarters...... I was just about to discuss this very matter with the Sage.

Arthur traces his memories and starts to recount his story, a hand pressed to his cheek.

Arthur: Actually, last night......

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Mithra declared war on Oz......!?

Arthur: That’s right.

Cain: Mithra and the others have picked plenty of fights with Oz, but...... They’ve never hurt Arthur before.

Staring at Arthur’s cheek, Cain looks grim as he brings a hand to cover his mouth.

Cain: Oz is going to be mad about this...... He’s been pretty dismissive about their behaviour so far, but this might be enough to provoke him into a serious fight.
I’m pretty pissed off myself. I don’t mean to criticize the Northern wizards’ pride, but they didn’t have to pull Arthur into their business.

Arthur: I think Mithra probably did it to anger Sir Oz...... He told me off for looking down on him.

Cain: But why......? You would never make fun of him, right?

Arthur: It was the very opposite. I told him that I look up to him. I thought we were having a pretty friendly conversation up until then, but......
I wonder what I said that set him off.

✦✧☾✧✦

Rutile: Mitile, are we bringing this?

Mitile: We are! And this too.... Woah....!

Mithra: Hey, don’t trip over my legs like that.

Mitile: You’re in the way, lying down in the middle of the room like that! Mister Mithra, have you packed your bags?

Mithra: I don’t need to pack. If I need something, I’ll procure it when we arrive.

Mitile: Make sure you bring money with you! You’re not allowed to just take things from people!

Mithra: That’s a recent rule, right?

Mitile: It’s not recent! It’s been a rule since I was born!

Mithra: That’s recent for me. Rutile, you get along with everyone, right?

Rutile: Do you mean everyone at the magic headquarters? Yes, I think everyone here is very kind to me.

Mithra: Has Arthur told you anything? About having made a promise with Oz, or something?

Rutile: No.... Have Sir Oz and Sir Arthur made a promise, the same way we have?

Mithra: There’s no other reason Oz would pay so much attention to him.
Because if I hadn’t made a promise with Tiretta, I wouldn’t be dealing with you two in the slightest.

Rutile & Mitile: ..........

Rutile: Oh, is that so?

Mitile: I was going to pack some snacks for you, Mister Mithra, but nevermind.

Mithra: Why? You should pack them. If you’re not going to, then I’ll eat the snacks now. Give them to me.

Mitile: No!

Mithra: Has Oz ever asked you, "Are you Mithra’s weakness?"

Rutile: Are we your weakness, Mister Mithra?

Mithra: Yes, you are. If someone wanted to kill me, they would just kill you two. Then I wouldn’t be able to use magic anymore.

Mitile: Hang on.... Wait, if everyone finds out about the promise you made with Mother that you would protect us, then.....
Does that mean the strong wizards who want to defeat you will try to kill us?

Mithra: Yes.

Mitile: ....... No way..... I need to make sure nobody finds out......

Mithra: Ah, wow. Looks like the younger brother finally picked up on the gravity of the situation. That’s right. Please take this seriously, and be careful.

Rutile: But we’re talking about strong wizards up in Northern Country, right? What does Sir Oz have to do with it?

Mithra: And the older brother is as laid-back as ever.... You’re missing the mark. Oz obviously wants to kill me.
I’m stronger than him after nightfall, which means I can kill him whenever I want. I’m sure he can’t stand the thought of it.
Because if I were Oz, the moment I found out about this promise, I’d go, "Ok, time to kill Rutile and Mitile."

Mitile: Nii-sama, I’m scared.....

Rutile: There there, Mitile. Geez, Mister Mithra. Don’t go scaring Mitile like that.

Mithra: Can the laid-back Flores brother take this more seriously?

Rutile: But Sir Oz is always so kind to us and Riquet. Plus, you’re not attacking Sir Oz either, Mister Mithra.

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

Rutile: Why are you saying such mean things?

Mithra: I’m not being mean. I’m just stating the obvious. Geez, you’re not making sense.....
I don’t attack Oz at night because defeating Oz when he can’t use magic is pointless.

Rutile: Pointless? Are you saying you wouldn’t be proud of yourself if you defeated Sir Oz in such a manner?

Mithra: Well, yes.....

Rutile: Then maybe Sir Oz feels the same way. Even if he defeated you after defeating us, he wouldn’t feel proud of himself; he’d think it was pointless.

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

Rutile: Maybe other people feel the same way you do, Mister Mithra. If you can believe that.....
Then maybe you can feel at ease, even without a promise — without forcing others to do your bidding.

Mithra: ....Are you suggesting I’m anxious?

Rutile: You’re concerned that we might be your weakness, right? Ah.... Ahaha. Look, Mitile. There’s a hole in your sock.

Mitile: I don’t care about the hole in my sock right now! Mister Mithra, if something happens, you’ll protect us, right....?
If a strong scary wizard attacks me, you’ll beat them up, right, Mister Mithra?

Mithra: ........
Of course. Leave it to me.

Mitile: .....Thank goodness......

Mithra: Heh.

Rutile: Isn’t that wonderful, Mitile?

Mithra: .....Don’t "isn’t that wonderful" me. You know, you should be making that kind of face too. But all you do is complain.

Rutile: What kind of face?

Mithra: ......... I’m not sure......
I don’t know. I’m not sure how to explain it, but.
You’re kind of cold, you know.

Rutile: ..............

✦✧☾✧✦

Arthur’s eyes are filled with concern as he strokes the cut on his cheek.

Arthur: ......Mithra told me not to heal this cut. He said he wanted me to tell Sir Oz that he was the one who did it.

Cain: Yeah...... Sounds like he really wants to make Oz mad.

Arthur: Do you think Sir Oz would really get angry at someone who intentionally hurt me?

Cain: Absolutely. He cherishes you; you’re important to him.

Instead of a bashful smile, Arthur presses his lips together, like he’s blaming himself.

Arthur: ......Am I being treated as Sir Oz’s weakness?

Cain and I exchange glances. I don’t know how much Mithra has gleaned of the strong bond between Oz and Arthur.
But to Arthur, being perceived as such must be unbearable.
Because that would make him a burden to Oz.

Cain: I don’t think Mithra is the kind of guy who would take Arthur hostage just so he could take down Oz......
But Oz might not think the same. He’s always been wary of Mithra, after all.
In the worst case scenario, Borda Island might end up being Mithra’s grave.

Arthur: Sir Oz is a kind and gentle person. He might fight to defend himself, but he wouldn’t go so far as to kill Mithra with his own hands.

Arthur makes his declaration decisively. Cain is a knight who regards his lord highly; I was sure he would simply smile and say, "you’re right," in response.
But Cain looks gravely at Arthur, his gaze probing.
Hesitantly, he opens his mouth.

Chapter 10 << | index | >> Chapter 12